New/Old Testament in a Year: December 2013

Friday 27 December 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 44

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 44: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read the New Testament from beginning to end within one year,

reading just 5 chapters per week.

We are now into Week 44 of our New Testament Bible challenge,

and as we finish 2013 and begin a New Year,

so we finish reading the letter to the Hebrew Christians and start reading the letter from James.

Great Expectations: Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages.

Top Tip!To get the most out of this challenge, start each daily reading with a short, simple, sincere prayer asking God to guide your thinking as you read. Then open the Bible and read slowly, with the aim of learning something new. After the reading, consider how it may affect your life and relationship with Jesus, and allow your increased knowledge of the Scriptures to shape your character and strengthen your trust in God.Take your time - enjoy this opportunity - and may God bless you as you embark upon this New Testament Bible Challenge.
Captain Phil Layton

Monday, December 30, 2013 --- Hebrews 12 --- ‘And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us’ (v1)- v1-3, does the author make it sound like our spiritual journey is more of a sprint or a marathon?

- in what ways can you identify your own Christian journey as being like a race of perseverance?

- v4-13, how can we recognise what is God's ‘discipline’, and what is not?

Tuesday, December 31, 2013 --- Hebrews 13 --- ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’ (v8)

**What a great verse to end the year with!**- v2, how are we to interpret this passage? is it possible that some of our encounters with strangers have actually been with angels?

- if we take v2 literally, what do you think would be the purpose of such encounters?

- v8, how would you use this verse to counter the claim that the God of the Old Testament was wrathful, but the God of the New Testament is loving?

Happy New Year!Wednesday, January 01, 2014 --- James 1 --- James writes to Christian Jews who have scattered from persecution.- v1, who is this letter primarily addressed to, what were their circumstances, and how should that effect our interpretation and use of it?

- v22-25, how can we help ensure that we don't fall into the trap of just reading the Bible...but continue to let it transform us?

Thursday, January 02, 2014 --- James 2 --- James explains the link between having faith and being obedient.- v10, according to this principle, is there any (including you) who has not once broken God's law?

- v14-26, is James teaching that salvation is based on faith + works?....or is he saying that a result of our faith (which saves us) should be good deeds?

- some have suggested that the above passage is an attempt to counter those who took their free salvation (by faith alone) too far, and thought it meant that our actions don't matter....does this suggestion seem plausible to you?

Friday, January 03, 2014 --- James 3 --- James warns about the power of the tongue for good and evil.- v1-12, the power of the tongue is sometimes underestimated, have you tamed yours?

- what circumstances can lead you to lose your control over your tongue? tiredness/Anger/Frustration...etc?

- if one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control, how can we use this knowledge to control the tongue?

Saturday 21 December 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 43

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 43: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read the New Testament from beginning to end within one year,

reading just 5 chapters per week.

We wish you a joyful, meaningful Christmas!

We are now into Week 43 of our New Testament Bible challenge, as we continue through the letter to the Hebrew Christians…

Great Expectations: Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages.

Monday, December 23, 2013 --- Hebrews 7 --- ‘Jesus sacrificed for our sins once for all when he offered himself.’ (v27)- In your own words, try answering the following questions:

- Why did the Hebrews need a High Priest, prior to Jesus?

- In what way did Jesus become our High Priest?

- In what sense is Jesus the ultimate High Priest?

Tuesday, December 24, 2013 --- Hebrews 8 --- Jesus Christ is the High Priest of a New Covenant.- v5, would you agree that this verse indicates that there is a heavenly tabernacle?

- if so, does this help explain why the laborious detail regarding the Old Testament priesthood and tabernacle had to be so precisely followed?

Wednesday, December 25, 2013 --- Hebrews 9 --- As High Priest Jesus entered the heavenly tabernacle on our behalf.- v23-28, is it true that only in the light of Jesus' sacrifice can we make sense of the Old Testament sacrificial system?

- v27, is this verse a useful response to those who believe in reincarnation?

Thursday, December 26, 2013 --- Hebrews 10 --- Christ’s self-sacrifice was a one-off, and we are called to persevere.- v1-10, do you think the author is persuasive to Hebrew Christians who had been wondering whether or not they needed to continue with their sacrificial traditions?

- v25, why is it important to be in fellowship with other believers?

Friday, December 27, 2010 --- Hebrews 11--- The New Testament’s ‘Hall of Fame’ listing some who demonstrated faith.- Have a read of the whole chapter and how faith was demonstrated by such great Bible characters as those listed.

- Now think about your own belief, faith, life and witness....can you be listed among the faithful?

Friday 13 December 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 42

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 42: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read the New Testament from beginning to end within one year,

reading just 5 chapters per week.

We are now into Week 42 of our New Testament Bible challenge, which means we’re into the final 10 weeks!!!…

Great Expectations: Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages.

Monday, December 16, 2013 --- Hebrews 2 --- The author warns his readers to pay careful attention to sound teaching- v4, should the signs and wonders we read about through Acts (particularly at the beginning) be seen as short-term aids which helped Christianity to get started?...or are they miracles which we should expect to continue seeing?

- v14 & 15, does the author indicate that he believes the devil is real, or merely symbolic of evil?

- v14 & 15, why is it important to recognise that Jesus was fully human?

Tuesday, December 17, 2013 --- Hebrews 3 --- The Jewish readers (and us!) are warned against unbelief- The whole chapter seems to be a warning against unbelief. Why do you think the author had become so concerned about this?

Wednesday, December 18, 2013 --- Hebrews 4 --- All who come to God through trusting Jesus will enter a Sabbath rest- v1-13, Is the Sabbath rest referring here to when we get to heaven?....or does it start from the moment we accept God's gift of salvation?

- v15, Despite being fully human, and being tempted as we are, Jesus did not sin. Could this be possible without the belief that He was also fully Divine? (see also Romans 3:23)

Thursday, December 19, 2013 --- Hebrews 5 --- An expectation is implied to move from being infant to mature believers- v11, was the author more concerned about the potential unbelief of some readers, or about the possibility that they were no longer even trying to understand

- v12-14, would you agree that the author is suggesting that his readers need to make more effort to go beyond the fundamentals of our faith?

- How would you describe your spiritual life and faith, as being in its infancy or as mature?...

- How has your faith developed in the last year?

Friday, December 20, 2013 --- Hebrews 6 --- The author lists some of the ‘elementary teachings’ we are to go beyond- v1-3, would you have considered these subjects to be classed as 'elementary teaching'?

- v1-3, how familiar are you with these subjects?

- v2, 'the resurrection of the dead' is classed as an elementary teaching. Should our resurrection be a more familiar topic in weekly church services?

Saturday 7 December 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 41

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 41: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read the New Testament from beginning to end within one year,

reading just 5 chapters per week.

We are now into Week 41 of our New Testament Bible challenge, reading through letters sent to Titus and Philemon…

Great Expectations: Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages.

Monday, December 09, 2013 --- Titus 1 --- Paul writes to Titus with instructions to maintain sound doctrinal teaching- v6-9, regardless of whether you consider yourself an 'elder' or not...could this passage accurately describe you?

- v11, in what way do you think Titus was expected to 'silence' the false teachers?

Tuesday, December 10, 2013 --- Titus 2 --- Further instructions are given on what Titus should be teaching- is this chapter applicable to all Christians, or just for teachers like Titus?

- v9-10, can we legitimately substitute the words Master/Slave with employer/employee?

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 --- Titus 3 --- We are saved by faith, but should devote ourselves to doing good- is it fair to say that holiness should be a by-product of salvation?...or is it a pre-condition for salvation?...or neither?

- v10, does this sound harsh, or sensible?

Thursday, December 12, 2013 --- Philemon 1 --- Paul pleads with Philemon to take back and forgive Onesimus

- v10,11, Paul is obviously using a play on words here, as the footnotes tell us that Onesimus mean 'useful', and Paul describes him as being once useless and now useful to Philemon. What might this teach us about the rest of his letters?....Can there be subtleties that we are missing?...Is it fair to assume that there will be occasions when his readers knew what Paul meant and that we'll be left somewhat uncertain?

Friday, December 13, 2013 --- Hebrews 1 --- The superiority and divinity of Jesus Christ- v3, Jesus is the 'exact representation of (Gods') being'....what do you think this means?

- This first chapter of Hebrews seems to be emphasising the superiority of Jesus Christ to prophets and angels. Why do you think the author may have wanted to do this?

- In what way is the style of these first paragraphs different from the letters which we know Paul wrote?