- Read the selected chapter each day.
- Spend some time in prayer reflecting on how God spoke to you through the reading.
- Read the study guide for the day you are on to dig a little deeper into a few selected verses.
- Respond to the questions and prayer guides as you apply the biblical teachings to your life.
- Read Sunday’s Bible passage and review the study guide before worship.
From Resolution to Reality
Saturday – January 1st - 2 Corinthians 5
Verse 17 talks about how we can become new persons in Christ. In your life this year, what would you like to become new?
Verse 18 states God has given people the task of reconciling people to Him. Who are the people in 2011 that you will do your best in reconciling them to God?
Sunday – January 2nd - A Blank Page - Revelation 21
In verse 1 the Bible talks about the “old things” disappearing. What are some things in your life you would like to see disappear and become old?
In verse 5 the Bible talks about God “making all things new.” Review your list from yesterday about what you would like to become new this year. What would you like to add? What would you like to emphasize?
Monday – January 3rd - John 1
Verse 30 is a verse about humility. John was an excellent preacher, but he was content for Jesus to have a much higher place. God will do great things through us when we are content to do the tasks God wants us to do. Think of a few things God is asking you to do in your life. Ask God for the skills and strength to be faithful in doing these things regardless of whether you get recognition or not
Tuesday – January 4th - John 2
In verses 15 and 16 Jesus got angry. Anger is not necessarily a bad thing. Anger can lead us to fighting for justice for the oppressed. Anger can also be destructive for us and for those around us. How do you deal with anger? Does injustice in society lead you to actions that will make the world a better place? Do small annoyances irk you and lead you to lash out against others?
Wednesday – January 5th - John 3
Verse 6 continues the theme of new life. Review your response from January 1 and 2. What is working well about becoming “new”? What isn’t working so well? What adjustments are you going to make? Verse 16 is the most well known verse in the Bible. How does being loved by God make a difference in your life?
Thursday – January 6th - John 4
The story of the woman at a well is a profound teaching that Jesus embraces all persons. The woman was a Samaritan (an unpopular mixed race) and had a bad reputation. Jewish men would not have talked to this sort of woman. Not an issue for Jesus. All people mattered to him. Do all people matter to you? Pray for the heart to embrace all people regardless of social position, past history, beliefs, gender, and race.
Friday – January 7th - John 5
In the beginning of this chapter, Jesus healed a man who was unable to walk. An important identity of Jesus was healer. Read verse 7. The man feels trapped and hopeless. In verse 8 Jesus gives him hope. In what areas of your life do you need healing, feel trapped, and maybe even experience hopelessness? Ask God for healing in these areas of your life. Also ask God to use your hurts and experiences to help others who share similar hurts.
Saturday – January 8th - John 6
The story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people teaches us one of the great truths of life: God can take what we give Him and turn it into something great. The young boy in verse 9 gave Jesus what he had and Jesus multiplied the offering. If the boy hadn’t given this offering then Jesus would have had nothing to work with. Are you holding back giving your financial resources, your time, your talent, and your energy to Jesus? Begin a lifestyle of giving more to God and trust he will begin to do more through you.
Sunday – January 9th - Abide - John 15
We can make the mistake of trying to do more in life. Our culture teaches us that doing is essential. We are often evaluated and judged for what we do. Yet Jesus teaches in verse 4 that apart from God we can do nothing. The teaching of Jesus is to abide in God, to remain close to God, and to be near God. Life is first about being and the doing comes out of our being. What in this teaching and Craig’s sermon challenged you? What adjustments in your life are you planning to make?
Monday - January 10th - John 7
People were making fun of Jesus in verses 3 and 4. Notice the response of Jesus – it was filled with grace. How do you respond when others make fun of you? Pray for the ability not to escalate arguments and make a bad situation worse.
Tuesday – January 11th - John 8
The story of Jesus forgiving a guilty woman is relevant to all of our lives. Jesus said he didn’t condemn the guilty woman in verse 11. He followed up by telling her to go and sin no more. How does being forgiven by God change you? How are you going to respond to Jesus when he says: “Go and sin no more”?
Wednesday – January 12th - John 9
We all experience pain in life like the man in verses 1 to 7. When we suffer try not to get caught up on questions like, “Why did this happen?” Instead ask God for His strength and the help of others to deal with the pain. Think about ways God can be glorified (verse 4) through your sufferings.
Verse 17 talks about how we can become new persons in Christ. In your life this year, what would you like to become new?
Verse 18 states God has given people the task of reconciling people to Him. Who are the people in 2011 that you will do your best in reconciling them to God?
Sunday – January 2nd - A Blank Page - Revelation 21
In verse 1 the Bible talks about the “old things” disappearing. What are some things in your life you would like to see disappear and become old?
In verse 5 the Bible talks about God “making all things new.” Review your list from yesterday about what you would like to become new this year. What would you like to add? What would you like to emphasize?
Monday – January 3rd - John 1
Verse 30 is a verse about humility. John was an excellent preacher, but he was content for Jesus to have a much higher place. God will do great things through us when we are content to do the tasks God wants us to do. Think of a few things God is asking you to do in your life. Ask God for the skills and strength to be faithful in doing these things regardless of whether you get recognition or not
Tuesday – January 4th - John 2
In verses 15 and 16 Jesus got angry. Anger is not necessarily a bad thing. Anger can lead us to fighting for justice for the oppressed. Anger can also be destructive for us and for those around us. How do you deal with anger? Does injustice in society lead you to actions that will make the world a better place? Do small annoyances irk you and lead you to lash out against others?
Wednesday – January 5th - John 3
Verse 6 continues the theme of new life. Review your response from January 1 and 2. What is working well about becoming “new”? What isn’t working so well? What adjustments are you going to make? Verse 16 is the most well known verse in the Bible. How does being loved by God make a difference in your life?
Thursday – January 6th - John 4
The story of the woman at a well is a profound teaching that Jesus embraces all persons. The woman was a Samaritan (an unpopular mixed race) and had a bad reputation. Jewish men would not have talked to this sort of woman. Not an issue for Jesus. All people mattered to him. Do all people matter to you? Pray for the heart to embrace all people regardless of social position, past history, beliefs, gender, and race.
Friday – January 7th - John 5
In the beginning of this chapter, Jesus healed a man who was unable to walk. An important identity of Jesus was healer. Read verse 7. The man feels trapped and hopeless. In verse 8 Jesus gives him hope. In what areas of your life do you need healing, feel trapped, and maybe even experience hopelessness? Ask God for healing in these areas of your life. Also ask God to use your hurts and experiences to help others who share similar hurts.
Saturday – January 8th - John 6
The story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people teaches us one of the great truths of life: God can take what we give Him and turn it into something great. The young boy in verse 9 gave Jesus what he had and Jesus multiplied the offering. If the boy hadn’t given this offering then Jesus would have had nothing to work with. Are you holding back giving your financial resources, your time, your talent, and your energy to Jesus? Begin a lifestyle of giving more to God and trust he will begin to do more through you.
Sunday – January 9th - Abide - John 15
We can make the mistake of trying to do more in life. Our culture teaches us that doing is essential. We are often evaluated and judged for what we do. Yet Jesus teaches in verse 4 that apart from God we can do nothing. The teaching of Jesus is to abide in God, to remain close to God, and to be near God. Life is first about being and the doing comes out of our being. What in this teaching and Craig’s sermon challenged you? What adjustments in your life are you planning to make?
Monday - January 10th - John 7
People were making fun of Jesus in verses 3 and 4. Notice the response of Jesus – it was filled with grace. How do you respond when others make fun of you? Pray for the ability not to escalate arguments and make a bad situation worse.
Tuesday – January 11th - John 8
The story of Jesus forgiving a guilty woman is relevant to all of our lives. Jesus said he didn’t condemn the guilty woman in verse 11. He followed up by telling her to go and sin no more. How does being forgiven by God change you? How are you going to respond to Jesus when he says: “Go and sin no more”?
Wednesday – January 12th - John 9
We all experience pain in life like the man in verses 1 to 7. When we suffer try not to get caught up on questions like, “Why did this happen?” Instead ask God for His strength and the help of others to deal with the pain. Think about ways God can be glorified (verse 4) through your sufferings.
Thursday – January 13th - John 10
Verse 10 is another of the most profound teachings of Jesus: Satan comes to steal and destroy while Jesus comes to give life. What is Satan trying to steal from you? In what ways are you allowing Satan to destroy the life Jesus is trying to give you? Any type of gift needs to be accepted. Review January 9th. What relationship do you see in abiding in Jesus and accepting the gift of life Jesus offers?
Friday – January 14th - John 11
Verse 35 gives us a picture of Jesus we only see one time: He wept. This short verse gives a picture of who God is and who God is not. Instead of being an aloof powerhouse, God is compassionate, interested, and involved. These attributes of God give us the opportunity to be real and authentic with God. Are you holding anything back from being truly yourself with God? The challenge today and in the days to come is to be as authentic with God as possible.
Saturday – January 15th - John 12
In verse 3 Mary put expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus. In verse 4 and following, Judas made an observation that this perfume should have been sold and the proceeds given to marginalized people. Does Jesus’ response in verses 7 and 8 surprise you? Jesus notes worship is the highest priority for humans: to give, relate, serve, and connect with God. What are you giving up in your life (Mary gave expensive perfume) to worship God fully?
Sunday – January 16th - Who are You? - Revelation 3
Verse 1 talks about the difference between reputation (what others think of you) and character (who you are). We are often more concerned with our reputation. God is more concerned with our character. Is who others think you are pretty much the same as who you actually are? If not, is the tension of image management wearing you down? What in this teaching and Craig’s sermon challenged you? What adjustments in your life are you planning to make?
No comments:
Post a Comment