Faith Bible Reading 2014
Our plan is to offer each day two reading options: to read one section of Scripture, with “Think About It” questions and prayer pointers, or to, in addition, read 4 portions which will enable reading through the Bible in a year. The One Year Bible is our approach, and we recommend the ESV. You can buy a paper version to do your reading, a digital version for your electronic reader, or simply use your own Bible and these Scripture references. Jot down your thoughts, and bring them to Faith Group with you. Or talk over your reading with a friend! Grace to you!
Click here to download these readings in PDF format:
Faith Bible Readings 2014 Jan 8 to Jan 12
We recommend you have a notebook and pen for answering questions and recording your thoughts and insights. Bring this notebook with you to Faith Group for discussions and prayer times. Select a quiet place and consistent time to read and pray. We also recommend you pray for a moment before you read God’s word and ask for his illumination by the power of the Holy Spirit as you read.
Abbreviations: TAI – Think About It | PP – Prayer Points
Wednesday, January 8
Read Genesis 18:20-19:38
TAI: In today’s reading, what particular characteristic(s) of God stand out to you (Hint: see Genesis 18:25, 19:16)? What did Abraham’s pleading for Sodom accomplish (if anything)? Why do you think Lot was spared from the destruction of Sodom? Why did Lot’s wife become a pillar of salt? Consider this: are we any better than the people of Sodom (see Romans 3:9-18)? What hope do we have not to suffer their fate ourselves (see Romans 8:1)?
PP: Thank God that in his justice he will not punish the righteous along with the wicked. Thank him that, in Christ, he has declared you to be righteous apart from any work of your own. Pray for those you know who are steeped in dark and blinding sins that God would be merciful and bring them to Christ. Ask God to help you not “look back” and long for your former sins like Lot’s wife.
Additional readings:
Matthew 6:25-7:14
Psalm 8:1-9
Proverbs 2:6-15
Thursday, January 9
Read Genesis 20:1-22:24
TAI: Why did Abraham do the “sister thing” again? What kind of encouragement might we draw from the story of Abraham deceiving Abimelech? Did Abraham’s repeat failures hinder God from fulfilling his promise? Do you see the parallels between the events surrounding Abraham and Isaac going up the mountain and the sacrificial death of Jesus? Here’s how the Gospel Transformation Bible explains the connection: “Not only is this a marvelous account of the mercy of God in keeping his promises to his people, it is also a striking foreshadowing of another substitutionary death centuries later. Abraham was called to sacrifice his one and only son, but was spared from finally going through with this horrific act. God himself, however, sacrificed his one and only Son (John 1:14, 3:16) without sparing him. Christ himself is the substitute sacrifice for all who would renounce their own moral record and look in trusting faith to him.”
PP: Are there any repeat sins in your life like Abraham’s “sister lie” that you need to repent of? Do it now and ask God for the grace to break the cycle! Then assure yourself that no matter how lousy your performance, God keeps his promises no matter what. Praise God for sending Jesus Christ as the perfect, spotless lamb to be our atoning sacrifice. Thank God for graciously providing what he requires.
Additional readings:
Matthew 7:15-29
Psalm 9:1-12
Proverbs 2:16-22
Friday, January 10
Read Genesis 23:1-24-51
TAI: What does it say about Abraham that he negotiated the purchase of a burial site for Sarah in the land of Canaan? Why was it so important that Isaac’s wife not be from Canaan? What one word comes to mind when you read the story of how Isaac got his wife Rebekah (Hint: the “capital of Rhode Island”)? This brings up an interesting question: how do we know who God wants us to marry? Will it be as obvious for us as it was for Abraham’s servant? Is there anything in this account that could be helpful in discerning God’s will regarding this important life choice?
PP: Unmarried people: pray that God give you clear and strong convictions about who you should marry (or whether to marry at all). If your desire is to marry, ask God for the fruit of patience as you wait upon him. Parents: pray for the potential future spouses of your children. Ask God to already be at work in the individual that you may one day call “son/daughter-in-law.”
Additional Readings:
Matthew 8:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 3:1-6
Saturday, January 11
Read Genesis 24:52-26:16
TAI: What did Rebekah have in common with Sarah (see Genesis 25:21)? What is so astounding about this similarity? What important, and humbling, doctrine does the apostle Paul see demonstrated in Genesis 25:23 (cf. Romans 9:10-12)? Man assigns significance and worth to things like birth order; however, God is not required to do things according to man’s expectations. Discuss why is this so important to remember. Notice how God’s covenant made with Abraham is now being extended to Isaac in Genesis 26:4. Also notice the “family sin” that pops up in Genesis 26:7.
PP: Do you ever find yourself “despising your birthright” in Christ? Are there things of lesser value that tempt you to compromise your faith? Confess these things to God. Ask him to “enlighten the eyes of your hearts” to what are the “riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18). Thank God for his sovereign grace in choosing you before the foundations of the world to be in Christ by faith. Find assurance and confidence in this beautiful truth. Please pray for all who minister on Sunday morning to be filled with the Holy Spirit and serve in the strength that God alone supplies.
Additional Readings:
Matthew 8:18-34
Psalm 10:1-15
Proverbs 3:7-8
Sunday, January 12
Read Genesis 26:17-27:46
TAI: In Genesis 27, how does Jacob live up to his name (Hint: see the footnote for Genesis 25:26)? What is happening in Genesis 27:27-29? Do these words sound familiar? God is keeping his promise to make Abraham’s family into a great nation that would bless all peoples. We saw that promise extended to his son Isaac (Genesis 26:4) and now it being extended to his son Jacob. But notice that it is being extended through the sinful deception of Isaac by Jacob and Rebekah! Are you comfortable with this? What other sinful acts of man resulted in the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive purposes (see Acts 4:27-28)?
PP: Can you think of examples in your life where God took your sinful actions and worked them out for his good purposes? Thank God for his overwhelming mercy in these examples. Remember the cross of Christ which was simultaneously the greatest sin imaginable AND God’s plan to save mankind from his wrath. Praise Christ for his finished work on the cross. Pray for the preaching of the gospel this Sunday that those who now see the cross as foolishness would, by God’s Spirit, come to see it as the power of God for salvation.
Additional Readings:
Matthew 9:1-17
Psalm 10:16-18
Proverbs 3:9-10