How are you? Anyone second-guessing their goal to read through the Bible? Feeling like your time might be better spent just reading a good devotional? As good as some devotionals may be, they can’t substitute for our own “reading and wrestling.” So, hang in there! As the year goes on, it will be encouraging to see how God brings the things we’ve read to our mind at just the right time 🙂
Old Testament Reflections…
- What evidence do you see that God’s Word always comes to pass?
- What set David apart from the “good kings” of Judah?
- Some kings, like Jehu (2 Kings 10), did many good things, but then refused to turn from particular sins. 2 Kings 17:33 says, “And though they worshiped the Lord, they continued to follow their own gods…” How does this speak to us today?
- What aspects of God’s character are revealed as we read about the kings of Israel and Judah?
New Testament Reflections…
- Review your reading so far in John’s gospel, identifying each of the miracles Jesus performed. How does each miracle support John’s purpose in showing that Jesus is the Son of God?
- What metaphors does Jesus use to describe Himself? How do these comparisons contribute to our understanding of Jesus?
If you haven’t looked at the Old Testament reading for today, it’s the last 3 books of 2 Kings and 9 (yes, nine!) chapters of I Chronicles. Don’t panic! Most of the 9 chapters are genealogies. Here are a few thoughts on genealogies taken from the Literary Study Bible:
- 1 Chronicles is a court history of Israel.
- By beginning with Adam, the writer shows that the history of God’s people starts at the dawn of human history.
- The tribe of Judah is privileged; ultimately, the Messiah will come from this line.
- God’s purposes are accomplished through ordinary people who live individual lives within the broader plan of God
- Biblical genealogies show how seriously God takes each individual life.
Leave a Reply