Lent Bible Reading Series Week 2

Lent Bible Reading Series  5 March 2014 to 20th April 2014 Week 2/7: by Major Kath Jones, Asst. Spiritual Life Development Secretary

Welcome to the Lent Bible Reading Series
by Major Kath Jones - Asst. Spiritual Life Development Secretary

 

Week Two

Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name.

Monday 10^th

Bible Reading: Psalm 89: 26 – 29, Galatians 3: 26 – 29, 4: 1 – 7

In Old Testament prayer God is not usually addressed as Father. One reference however is found in Psalm 89, where the psalmist describes King David crying out to his father God, his rock and salvation. David recognised the awesome majesty of God, as clearly portrayed in Psalm 8. However in Psalm 89 it would seem David also shared in a father – child relationship with God, one in which he felt sufficiently assured to refer to God as Father.

Consider: How do you address God in prayer? Do you always use the same name?

Pray: Look into the night sky and proclaim Psalm 8.

Tuesday 11^th
Bible Reading – Jeremiah 31: 7 - 9, Romans 8: 15-16

Whilst to address God as Father was not usual in the Old Testament, it has been suggested that this was a term occasionally used in later Hebrew worship. Joanna Collicutt in her book, ‘When you pray,’ comments, ‘one Hebrew word for father, is ‘abinu’ meaning, ‘Our Father’ or ‘My Father’ this would have been a word familiar to Jesus in Temple worship.’ The word ‘abinu’ is interpreted as a father who is somewhat remote, residing in heaven, one whom we approach formally and dutifully.

Consider; To address God as father may not be easy for some whose relationship with their earthly father is not a positive experience.

Pray: For peace and healing for those whose father - child relationship is difficult for whatever reason.

Wednesday 12^th
Bible Reading - Luke 11: 1-2, Matthew 11: 25 - 30

When the disciples observed Jesus at prayer they were curious as to the intimacy with which he approached and addressed God. They often found him praying alone in the open air, or on a mountainside, or early in the morning, without any ritual or formality. They also heard Jesus address God with the Aramaic word for father, ‘Abba’ this being a more familiar expression for father. A comparable meaning for us would be Papa, loving yet respectful. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray in this less formal way.

Thursday 13^th

Bible Reading – Hebrews 10: 19 – 25, Mark 14: 32 – 36

Tom Wright in his book ‘The Lord and Prayer’ says, ‘The name Abba, as Jesus instructed the disciples to use, contains within it not just intimacy but revolution, not just familiarity but hope. To begin prayer by calling on the liberating father was to recognise in Jesus the beginning of the new exodus – a new liberation’. The disciples were introduced to a new order in which all may approach the throne of grace in prayer without fear or formality.
 

Friday 14^th

Bible Reading - Ezekiel 36: 22 – 28, Revelations 4

However we address God in prayer we are reminded that God’s name is to be hallowed, for his name is Holy. The reading from Ezekiel describes how the house of Israel failed in being the light to the nations by profaning the name of the Lord. The sovereign Lord is holy and he is to be approached with reverence and respect.

 Hugh Melinsky in his book ‘Modern Readers guide to the New Testament’ says, ‘God shall be God that man shall not whittle God down to a manageable size and shape’.  

Pray: Abba, as you hold me in your arms, may I hold your name holy.

Saturday 15^th

Bible Reading – Isaiah 6: 1-7, Philippians 2:1 – 11

I find this Isaiah reading very moving, especially if I accompany the words with an excerpt from Faure’s Requiem called Sanctus. I imagine Isaiah entering the Temple, feeling sad at the death of King Uzziah, not knowing that God would in that moment enter into his life in such a spectacular way. Isaiah’s response to his vision of God was to cry out ‘holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory’. Isaiah was overwhelmed by the majesty of God whilst being aware of his own unworthiness.  As Faure’s music crescendos it portrays for me a sense of the sheer immensity of Gods holiness, and causes me to think we can do no more than bow down in worship.

Consider: Take a walk in the country and appreciate the vastness of Gods creative power, or visit a large church or cathedral and observe how the architecture tries to express something of the glory of God.

Sunday 16^th

Bible Reading - Isaiah 53, Matthew 27: 45 – 55, Hebrews 5: 7 – 10

The reading from Matthew’s gospel records the one occasion when Jesus did not address God as ‘Abba’. He cries out ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthan, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me’. It is a desperate plea for help and speaks to us clearly of the humanity of Jesus; in the final moment of suffering a cruel and horrific death Jesus feels the most deserted and afraid. Tarjei Park in the book ‘Seven words for Three hours’ says, ‘the realisation that God is present even when God does not intervene is not a loss of belief in God. It is recognition of who God is and who we are. We are inextricably united to God, but in ways we often cannot detect. Jesus Christ suffered as a human being and that human experience is taken up into divinity, crucified humanity is taken up into divinity’. Jesus understands us when we feel the most lonely and afraid; he hears our cry of despair even when we feel abandoned of any sense of faith in a loving heavenly father.

The following words were found inscribed on a cellar wall in Cologne where some Jews had been hidden for the duration of the Second World War.

I believe in the sun, even when it doesn’t shine

I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it.

I believe in God, even when he is silent.

Pray: Read Psalm 139 to remind us that even if God does not intervene, he is still present.

Consider: The practice was to say the word ‘Abba’ at the commencement of a prayer then to pause, before continuing. This pause recognised the presence of God.

Lent Bible Reading Series Week 1

Lent Bible Reading Series  5 March 2014 to 20th April 2014 Week 1/7: by Major Kath Jones, Asst. Spiritual Life Development Secretary

Welcome to the Lent Bible Reading Series
by Major Kath Jones - Asst. Spiritual Life Development Secretary

 

Week one

Wednesday 5^th Ash Wednesday

Bible Reading – 1 Peter 1:3 -9

This is the first day of Lent 2014; Lent is a period of forty days concluding on Easter Sunday. During the forty days we will focus on Jesus as he journeyed to Jerusalem, to his crucifixion and resurrection. Many Christians find Lent a time when they come closer to God. It is also a time to share with others, by reading God’s word and praying together. Sharing in this way enriches fellowship, as we journey together.

Consider: Sharing this Lent period with a group of fellow travellers

Pray: Heavenly Father, as we begin our Lent journey today may you be our companion: guide our thinking and inspire our hearts through your son Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Thursday 6^th

Bible Reading – Matthew 6: 5 – 15

The Lord’s Prayer will be very familiar to you, and probably you repeat this prayer from time to time in your devotions.

The Lent readings for this year are based on the Lord’s Prayer and we will consider a line of the prayer for each week of the next seven weeks. Martin Luther said that ‘a Christian has prayed abundantly who has rightly prayed the Lord’s Prayer.’

Consider: Think about Luther’s comment and discuss with others.

Pray: Repeat the Lord’s Prayer slowly and pause between each line.
 

Friday 7^th

Bible Reading – Luke 11: 1 – 13

Luke’s interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer is a little different to that in Matthew’s gospel. The context in which they are each set is also different. Matthew’s gospel includes the Lord’s Prayer within the teaching of Jesus known as the Sermon on the Mount. Whilst Luke, records the Lord’s Prayer as Jesus’ response to the disciples when they ask him to teach them to pray.  

Joanna Collicut, in her book ‘When you Pray’ says, ‘it was the practice of the early church to prepare candidates for baptism during Lent, and the Lord’s Prayer was the basis of instruction in the Christian faith’.

Consider: Was it Jesus’ intention that we recite the Lord’s Prayer as it is written or was he suggesting a pattern or an outline for prayer?

Saturday 8^th

Bible Reading – 2 Corinthians 13: 11 – 14

In neither Matthew nor Luke’s recording of the Lord’s Prayer is the phrase, ‘thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever’ included. This doxology or ending was added, it is thought by the apostles. It was first found in a document in the late first or early second century called the Didache meaning apostles teaching. Interestingly Paul in his letters adopted the custom of ending with a doxology, or final grace as in today’s reading. 

Sunday 9^th

Bible Reading - John 17

In today’s reading Jesus prays for himself, his disciples and for all believers. Jesus prays knowing that his arrest is imminent. Despite this his concern is for those he cares about. Within his prayers there are elements of the Lord’s Prayer. He prays that his Father is glorified on earth, that God gives the disciple’s his protective power from evil. That all believers will be brought to unity, an indication of the kingdom of God perhaps, and that none will be lost, an echo of lead us not into temptation! As we now begin to look at the Lord’s Prayer in detail, we will also see the significance the prayer has in relation to Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem. 

Consider: Listening to a choral recording of the Lord’s Prayer 

Pray: Lord as we journey through this Lent period together may we know you more clearly, follow you more nearly and love you more dearly. Amen.

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 52

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge 4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014 Week 52: 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.

It’s the final week of our New Testament Bible Challenge...
...having read 27 books (260 chapters) in 52 weeks!

***Please let me know how you have managed with this challenge over the past year - it would be lovely to collate some real mini-testimonies or even just statements providing us with a realistic glimpse of the joys and difficulties you have faced - thank you! ***


Dear friends,

Well, we have finally reached the end of our 52-week long journey through the New Testament, and it has been a real joy and blessing for me personally to read through Scripture so methodically once again, this time with my kids, but it has also been fantastic to hear the wonderful testimonies from many of the folk who have joined in.

Please, if for any reason you have fallen behind the schedule, I just want to encourage you to carry on at your own pace and to get through to the end.

As we continue reading through the marvellous last book of the Bible, Revelation, you may notice some wonderful parallels to the first book of the Bible, Genesis:

 -       Genesis saw the creation of humankind within the perfect paradise of Eden
-       Revelation depicts the eternal paradise to come

-       Genesis tells us about how humankind was prohibited from eating from the tree of life (3:22-24)
-       Revelation describes how in our future that tree of life will be accessible to all of us in heaven (22:2)

-       Genesis introduces the devil, and how he tempts us into disobeying God (3:1-18)
-       Revelation describes the devil’s ultimate defeat and eternal punishment (20:10)

-       Genesis records the first sin, and all the sorrow, pain, and death that came as a result (ch3 – 4)
-       Revelation promises that in our heavenly and eternal future there will no longer be death, pain, or sorrow (21:4)


The Bible, from beginning to end, is one continuous story or salvation and redemption – God’s love for humankind and desire for us to be in an eternal relationship with Him.

As we read through even the more horrific parts of Revelation let us remember that God’s will is perfect, His judgements are just, His plan is being wonderfully fulfilled, and His promise is for sure. Trust in God, for the best is yet to come.

Monday, February 24, 2014 --- Revelation 18 --- The judgement of God finally falls upon Babylon and destroys it- Having read chapter 17 and now this chapter 18, are we any closer to identifying who or what Babylon is?

- Some have suggested Babylon is a person, or a kingdom, or a religion, or a centre of commerce...do we know for sure?

- If this prophecy is of a future event, is it possible that a future generation will know exactly what/who Babylon is and be able to identify it?

- What use is this chapter to us today?....Is there something which reminds/comforts/challenges you regarding God's character and sovereignty?


Tuesday, February 25, 2014 --- Revelation 19 --- Jesus Christ defeats the forces of evil at the battle of Armageddon

- v7, who is the bride of the Lamb?

- v9, if the Church (Christians taken in the Rapture prior to the tribulation) are the bride (see Ephesians 5:32 for example) then who are the guests being invited to the wedding supper?...those who place their faith in Jesus after the Rapture?

- v10, how important is this verse for those who would consider praying to angels?...what does this verse tell us about the deity of Jesus?

- v19&20, is the beast described as a person?...does the beast appear to have a significant influence?....how effective is his battle against the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?


Wednesday, February 26, 2014 --- Revelation 20 --- The millennial Kingdom is followed by the great white throne judgment.- v1-6, some people suggest that there will not be a literal future thousand year reign of Jesus Christ. What do you think?

- v10, some people suggest there is no literal devil. What do you think?

- v11, some people suggest that there is no literal God, and therefore no personal judgement by Him that affects our place for eternity. What do you think?


Thursday, February 27, 2014 --- Revelation 21 --- Heaven is for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life- v1-5, some people suggest that through our own belief in action, social justice, and a spiritual evolution humankind will better itself and become ready for Jesus to return to rule and set up heaven on earth. Having read the book of Revelation up to this point, would you agree, or would you say that life will become harder, with more persecution and greater intolerance of Christianity until Jesus intervenes, rules for 1,000 years, and then after the final judgement a totally new heaven and earth replaces this one?

- v27, is your name written in the Lamb's book of life?
Friday, February 28, 2014 --- Revelation 22 --- “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”- v1-5, these verses give us a glimpse of the perfection of heaven...is it possible to know all that God has in store for us?....do you believe that the best is yet to come?

- v13, what impact does it have on our lives and perspectives today, to know that God is the beginning and the end of all things?

- v17, entry to heaven and access to the water of life and the tree of life is a free gift, bought by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) as He died for us. If we place our faith in Him for the forgiveness of our sins and trust Him for our resurrection, our place in heaven is assured. Why do you think this free gift is so difficult for some to accept?

- v20, Are you ready for Jesus to come for His bride and for the events in Revelation to unfold?.....If you knew He were to come back sometime this year, how would your priorities change?

Hallelujah! - I hope you have enjoyed the journey - may God bless you as you spend time with Him and in Scripture.

Captain Phil Layton