 | New Testament Bible Reading Challenge4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014
Week 33: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters
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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 onto week 33 of our New Testament Bible Reading Challenge,
as we continue to read through Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth.
as we continue to read through Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth.
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, October 14, 2013 --- 2 Corinthians 12 --- Paul talks about the ‘thorn in his flesh’ and God’s grace
- v1-4, Paul evidently thinks it is possibly for a person to be transported (by God) from earth to heaven/paradise without any problem. Is this a helpful affirmation of the plausibility of a future rapture of the church?
- v4, we can only speculate, but what sort of things do you think Paul heard and saw during this experience?
- v7, are we given any idea what Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' might be?
- v7, why was Paul given this 'thorn in the flesh'?....and could this be a clue/reason as to why sometimes we have permanent irritations/obstacles in our lives too?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013 --- 2 Corinthians 13 --- Paul gives the Corinthians final warnings, and then greetings
- v11, this sounds like good advice for all Christians:
- Aim for perfection
- Listen to Scripture's appeal
- Be of one mind
- Live in peace
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 --- Galatians 1 --- The churches in Galatia are accused of entertaining false doctrine
- v6-9, these sound like strong words, perhaps reflecting their importance...can we afford to take them any more lightly 2000 years later?
Thursday, October 17, 2013 --- Galatians 2 --- Gentiles should not have to follow Jewish customs.
- v1&2....is this the same revelation that Paul referred to in 2 Corinthians 12?
- v11-14, it may not be 'nice history'...but does knowing the flaws of some of the great apostles help add to Scripture's reliability and authenticity? (i.e. it doesn't try to gloss over the facts)
Friday, October 18, 2013 --- Galatians 3 --- Salvation comes by faith, not through observing the law.
- do you know people who say they hope they are 'good enough' to be saved (get to heaven)?
- do you ever take time to consider how God loves you regardless of how faithful and obedient you are?
- is it tempting to think that we have helped earn our own salvation through being 'good' Christians?
- why is it important to recognise that our efforts cannot help earn our salvation?
- salvation comes by grace through faith alone....although this is true and what Paul is saying, can this be a difficult doctrine to accept?
- v1-4, Paul evidently thinks it is possibly for a person to be transported (by God) from earth to heaven/paradise without any problem. Is this a helpful affirmation of the plausibility of a future rapture of the church?
- v4, we can only speculate, but what sort of things do you think Paul heard and saw during this experience?
- v7, are we given any idea what Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' might be?
- v7, why was Paul given this 'thorn in the flesh'?....and could this be a clue/reason as to why sometimes we have permanent irritations/obstacles in our lives too?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013 --- 2 Corinthians 13 --- Paul gives the Corinthians final warnings, and then greetings
- v11, this sounds like good advice for all Christians:
- Aim for perfection
- Listen to Scripture's appeal
- Be of one mind
- Live in peace
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 --- Galatians 1 --- The churches in Galatia are accused of entertaining false doctrine
- v6-9, these sound like strong words, perhaps reflecting their importance...can we afford to take them any more lightly 2000 years later?
Thursday, October 17, 2013 --- Galatians 2 --- Gentiles should not have to follow Jewish customs.
- v1&2....is this the same revelation that Paul referred to in 2 Corinthians 12?
- v11-14, it may not be 'nice history'...but does knowing the flaws of some of the great apostles help add to Scripture's reliability and authenticity? (i.e. it doesn't try to gloss over the facts)
Friday, October 18, 2013 --- Galatians 3 --- Salvation comes by faith, not through observing the law.
- do you know people who say they hope they are 'good enough' to be saved (get to heaven)?
- do you ever take time to consider how God loves you regardless of how faithful and obedient you are?
- is it tempting to think that we have helped earn our own salvation through being 'good' Christians?
- why is it important to recognise that our efforts cannot help earn our salvation?
- salvation comes by grace through faith alone....although this is true and what Paul is saying, can this be a difficult doctrine to accept?
