This week we will finish the book of John, and after reading about the story of Lazarus, we will hear a lot of the final teachings Jesus gave to His Disciples before His death. This is amazing stuff, so don't hesitate to ask questions or leave comments as they come up.
Here's this week's reading schedule:
Sunday: Psalm 1-5
Monday: John 10-12
Tuesday: John 13-15
Wednesday: John 16-17
Thursday: John 18-19
Friday: John 20-21
Saturday: Micah 1-4
I will post an introduction and some helpful information on the book of Micah later this week, so check back soon for that.
Also, if you weren't in our Sunday morning class this week, you missed our introduction study of the Psalms. I'll be sure to put up the main points from our study before our next reading from the Psalms.
Happy reading and I'll see you Wednesday night!
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16 comments:
Hi again!
Wow, the chapters in John are kind of hard to take in too much at a time. I have a question: in John 12:25 it says "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal." Does that mean we're supposed to hate our lives here? I thought God intended us to enjoy our lives on earth, and I certainly don't hate my life. So what are we supposed to do?
~Melody <><
HEY EVERYONE IT'S AMBER!!!!
Before this whole thing started, I NEVER read the bible, so before I started reading John I wasn't really expecting so much to learn. But now I know that you could learn so much by reading so little. Last August, at SWC, during the NEWSBOYS concert, the lead singer (name...?) was talking about when he was younger and he never read the bible and his life was a wreck. And the more he talked, the more I found out that my life was just like he was explaining! So then I told myself that I was going to change. I was going to go to church and read the bible. Soon after, I found Grace! And then the opportunity to read the WHOLE bible with help from my friends came up! Now I am truely thankful!So thank you!
This has been a great experience for me but as I was reading today I started to loose focus like i was reading but i wasnt knowing or understanding it. I'm so used to studying the bible that reading for me is hard so i was wondering what everyone else thought and if you had any ideas on how i can get over this hurdle so please comment back
~Derek~
Hey Derek,
I start to lose focus too if I read too much at one time, I like to think about the verses I just read before moving on. Maybe try reading some in the morning, some later, and finish the rest at night. That way, you won't get bored and start to not pay attention. Hope that helps :)
~Melody <><
Wow, I love the chapters in John...there are some really encouraging verses, like "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever." It's great to know that He's always with us!
~Melody <><
Great comment Amber!
I can relate to those of you who feel like there is too much here to take in at once. But don't let this discourage you, rather be filled with excitement and anticipation at the infinite value of the treasure that God's word is and what He will continue to teach us as we keep going with this. Imagine... if you keep reading this for the rest of your life, soaking in as much as you can each time, you'll still feel like there is too much to take in. What an awesome God we worship.
Melody,
I anticipate that as we keep reading, more and more questions will come up, but we'll also see God's Word answering these questions in other areas, which is all part of the fun of the adventure.
In response to your question, I was reminded today of Phil. 1:23 "My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." Also in Phil. 3:8, "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."
The Bible teaches that we are not to hate our life, but that we are to have our priorities in the right place. To the person who is worldly minded, it will seem to them that living for eternal reward as a Christian will appear as hating life.
If someone's priorities are to satisfy every desire here on earth, they will live to fulfill those desires with worldly and sinful things. But if your desire is for Christ and to seek the reward that is for eternity, you will "lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt. 6:20).
Remember, God has "richly provided us with everything to enjoy", but we must not "set our hopes on the uncertainty of riches (or other worldly things), but on God" (1 Tim. 6:17).
Hey Derek!
I have a tip for reading that has really helped me in the past. I think Curtis said this in youth group last week, but I'll say it too :) Sometimes it helps to listen to the passage at the same time that you're reading it. There are a lot of websites out there that offer an audio Bible (I think we have some of those sites listed on this blog). Just getting the information in two ways really helps to not be as distracted. I know it can be hard sometimes when your mind is wandering, but it's really worth it to push through those times... as you're doing. I also really like Melody's suggestion of breaking the reading up throughout the day. Then there isn't such a huge chunk of information to take in at once. Anyway, I hope that helps.
- Mandie
thnaks melody and mandi for all the help i will try both of those. And melody i love all the questions and input you are putting. You are on fire for the lord and it is encouraging keep it up
An important thing I need to remember before Bible reading is to PRAY!! I won't understand what I am reading unless I have confessed my sin and asked God for wisdom and understanding. (Rom 1:21; Rom 11:10; Eph 4:18; James 1:5; John 15:5!) Then I am in the right heart attitude to learn. This helps me a lot! I hope this helps all you dudes!
Aw, thanks Derek. This website is really fun, I love the interaction.
wow ur guys's ideas helped i cant wait till tonight It will be a blast
~derek~
Hey guys its Kelly.. ditto to Amber's life story.. yep.
Much love.
Hey guys, I'm about to go to bed - I just wanted to say that that was great tonight, Pastor Curtis. About a year ago I was doing exactly what you mentioned...my parents had told me not to talk to people I didn't know online, but I was and every time they would come in the room I would minimize it and try to hide it, pretending that I wasn't doing anything wrong. I was really convicted, but I told myself that it wasn't hurting anyone and that it wasn't affecting me. Finally God reached me and I started crying, and I went out and told my mom what I was doing. I then promised God that I wouldn't do it ever again. And I'm proud to say that I haven't talked to anyone I don't know online since :) So yeah, I'm really glad I wasn't convicted tonight, and that I could be encouraged. Anyway, 'night
~Melody the former idiot <><
YO! Hi guys! I just wanted to say that Kel and I don't have internet (borrowing my grandma's) so we can't be on here as much as we'd like. OH, and I love you all!!
What we've started has been so amazing. I'm glad that the youth is doing this together; I think I find it more motivating when a lot of people are doing it with me, you know? It's easier for me to conform to the majority (terrible, I know, but true). I feel like I can seriously make it until January 1st! A lot of people are saying it's hard for them to keep up or understand, but is it bad if I feel that I can understand pretty well and can read a lot without tripping up? I realize I am missing a lot just because there is A LOT there, but I don't know, I haven't had many problems yet. Now that I say that, I'll probably trip up horribly...
Sorry about the babbling, but I'm a writer by nature. That's all I'll bore you with for now! :D
Love, Aubrey
PS: Amber and Kelly say hi :)
Actually Aubrey you're doing exactly as Curtis said reading it through. I know there are alot that I miss when I'm reading but like curtis Said we will get it the next time around and as for you beiing excited and happy knowing you can do it then greqat and its not wrong that you do. But since you are doing so great you can help others who might be struggling keep it up (includees everyone)If we stick together and keep eachother accountable even if they arnt in our group we will be able to get through this!
~D-roc~
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