New/Old Testament in a Year: January 2014

Friday 31 January 2014

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 49

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 49: 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 49 of our New Testament Bible challenge,
and reading through the final book of the Bible…Revelation!

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, February 03, 2014 --- Revelation 3 --- John is told to write specific messages to three more churches.

- as with all the messages to the angels of these 7 churches, see if it applies to churches you know, or more importantly, whether they could have been written to you!

- some scholars think these 7 messages were written purely for the intended readership of those geographical churches at that time, others believe the messages are to varied forms which the church has taken over the last 2000 years, and still others would consider these messages to be words of challenge and/or comfort to whichever churches fit the description even today. What do you think?

- v20, why does Jesus 'stand at the door and knock'?

Tuesday, February 04, 2014 --- Revelation 4 --- John is taken for a glimpse of heaven.- v1, John is taken for a glimpse of heaven, and told he would be shown what must take place 'after this'. After what?

- Do we get the impression that John is being told about things which are yet to come?

- It's not often we're given such a vivid glimpse into heaven, how does reading through this chapter make you feel? In awe? Amazed? Wanting to worship God? Confused? Excited in anticipation? Scared? Humbled?

Wednesday, February 05, 2014 --- Revelation 5 --- ‘The Lamb, who was slain’ (v12) is worshipped at God’s throne. - v4, why do you think John was so upset by this?

- v6-14, who is the Lamb?

Thursday, February 06, 2014 --- Revelation 6 --- Warnings, judgements, and the future period of God’s wrath is foreseen.- Why would God allow such things to happen to the earth and its inhabitants?

- Compared to over 20 mentions of the word 'church' or churches' in the first 3 chapters, why do you think that in the following chapters (ch6-19 where God's wrath is being described), the church is not mentioned at all?

- what significance is it that at the point where the word church/churches disappears from the book John gets called up to heaven (ch4v1)?

Friday, February 07, 2014 --- Revelation 7 --- ‘The great tribulation’ (v14) continues, and with it comes salvation for many.- v4, can you think of any religious organisation which attaches a great significance to the number 144,000?

- v5-8, if someone claims to be one of these 144,000…is it reasonable to presume that they must be Jewish?

Saturday 25 January 2014

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 48

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 48: 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 48 of our New Testament Bible challenge,
as we read 3 more books and then begin the Revelation!

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, January 27, 2014 --- 2 John 1 --- John warns against the teaching of a false doctrine, and urges Christian love.- v1&5, Who do you think the 'lady' is to whom John is writing?...a person, a church?

- v13, Who do you think the 'sister' is?

- v7, why would John be worried about some people teaching that Jesus never actually came 'in the flesh'?

Tuesday, January 28, 2014 --- 3 John 1 --- A personal letter of commendation and encouragement from John to Gaius.- v4, why do you think this means so much to John?

- v13&14, why do you think John kept this letter so short?

Wednesday, January 29, 2014 --- Jude 1 --- Jude is ‘compelled to write and urge (us) to contend for the faith’ (v3)- v4, can you see how easy it could be to 'pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality'?

- v22, are we merciful to those who doubt?

- v23, in what way can we save people by 'snatching them from the fire'?

Thursday, January 30, 2014 --- Revelation 1 --- The revelation given to John as a prophecy for us to take to heart. (v1-3)- v1, Where did the book of Revelation come from?

- v3, does this verse provide an extra incentive to try and get to grips with this book?

- v4-8, do you believe that Jesus will come again?

- v12-18, when you think about Jesus, is it normally as the suffering Messiah or as the King of Kings, as described here?

Friday, January 31, 2014 --- Revelation 2 --- John is told to write messages to the angels of different churches.- As you read through the messages to these churches, see if you recognise their description as
a) a church you belong to or know of, or
b) whether they describe yourself!

Friday 17 January 2014

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 47

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 47: 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 47 of our New Testament Bible challenge,
and we’re reading through the first letter from John…

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, January 20, 2014 --- 1 John 1 --- John writes to proclaim the Word of life, the faithful Light of the world- v1, why is this first verse so important for the authority of what follows?

- v9, do you think John means that we should confess individual sins, or confess that we are sinners?....or both?

- v9, to whom do you think John is persuading us to confess? To each other? To a priest/minister/pastor/officer? Direct to God?

Tuesday, January 21, 2014 --- 1 John 2 --- The link between faith and obedience, and a warning against false teachers- v15-17, is it possible to love the world and God at the same time?

- v23, how does this verse sit with the theory that all religions worship the same God?

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 --- 1 John 3 --- God’s love for us should result in our love for each other- v8, do you think John believes that the Devil literally exists? Do you? What are the implications of your answer?

- v18, is it possible to have belief without action?

- v23, how does this compare to Matthew 22:36-40

Thursday, January 23, 2014 --- 1 John 4 --- God is love. We love because He first loved us (vv16 & 19)- v7 & 21, is your church a worshipping community where everyone loves one another?

- do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ?

- v18, what is the fear John is speaking about? Fear of what?

Friday, January 24, 2014 --- 1 John 5 --- Obedience to God demonstrates our love for Him.

- v12, how compatible is this belief with universalism?

- In what way is Christianity both inclusive and exclusive?

- v17, 'all wrong doing is sin'...is this possibly the best definition of sin for the modern world?

Friday 10 January 2014

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 46

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 46: 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 46 of our New Testament Bible challenge, as we continue through Peter’s letters…

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, January 13, 2014 --- 1 Peter 4 --- the Christian duty to live for God, and the expectation of difficulties- v6, did those who died prior to Christ's resurrection get to hear about the Gospel?

- v10, what gifts have you been given which can be used for service?

- v16, have/do you ever suffer in some way because people know you are a Christian?...if so, what do these verses teach us?

Tuesday, January 14, 2014 --- 1 Peter 5 --- Peter addresses the elders and sends final greetings- v7, this verse may be harder to implement than it sounds. Do you believe it?

- v8, do you think Peter believes in a literal devil?

Wednesday, January 15, 2014 --- 2 Peter 1 --- Peter starts the letter with a reminder of the characteristic results of our faith- v5-8, the prescription to avoid being short-sighted Christians!

- v13, why do you think Peter calls his body a 'tent'?

- v18, is Peter referring to Jesus' transfiguration?

Thursday, January 16, 2014 --- 2 Peter 2 --- Peter warns against false teachers, and teaches of their future doom- This whole chapter is very strong with regard to false teachers, especially those who claim to be Christian but have distorted the Gospel. How can we prevent ourselves from being falling victim to false teaching?

- v20-21, what do you make of these verses?...what does it teach us about God's judgement?

Friday, January 17, 2014 --- 2 Peter 3 --- The need to be patient, watchful and ready for the Day of the Lord- v3-4, do you know people/teachers/preachers who say these things or likewise assume that there will be no future intervention and judgement of God?

- v15-16, what is the importance of these verses, where Peter describes Paul's letters as being among the 'other Scriptures'?

Friday 3 January 2014

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 45

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 45: 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.

Make it a New Year’s resolution to complete this Bible Challenge!

We are now into Week 45 of our New Testament Bible challenge,
as we conclude James’ letter and begin Peter’s 1st…

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, January 06, 2014 --- James 4 --- ‘Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ (v7)- v6, how do you understand this verse?

- v7, how can we submit ourselves to God?

- v7, would you say that James believes in a literal devil? If so, how can we resist him?

- v15, what is the essence of the teaching James is giving through this verse?....how is it relevant to you and your plans?

Tuesday, January 07, 2014 --- James 5 --- Final words of challenge and encouragement to the readers. v7-8, how patient are you regarding our Lord's return?...has your patience run out so that you no longer care?

- v9, are you ever guilty of grumbling against another Christian brother or sister?

Wednesday, January 08, 2014 --- 1 Peter 1 --- Peter begins with praise to God for our new birth, living hope, and inheritance.

- v2, what's the difference between foreknowledge and predestination?

- v3, how does Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead give us a living hope?

- v23, have you been 'born again'?

Thursday, January 09, 2014 --- 1 Peter 2 --- Peter issues the call for Christians to live godly lives among a pagan society- v1, this verse may seem obvious for Christians to do, but should it be a routine check?

- v7-8, in what way is Jesus both the cornerstone for some, and yet also the stumbling block for others?

Friday, January 10, 2014 --- 1 Peter 3 --- Some teaching is provided for living in holiness- v1-6, the very last verse of this paragraph seems odd. What do you think Peter meant when talking about 'giving way to fear'

- v8, how is it possible to be 'like-minded'?

- v15, are you prepared?

- v21, what is baptism?