Read the selected chapter each day. If you haven’t started—start today!
- 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.
Check online daily for discussion and additional resources at http://abcdfinnestad.blogspot.com.
Monday, January 17th - John 13
Knowledge is not enough. Discipleship is not about knowing. Discipleship is about practicing and doing. Verses 1 to 17 tell the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. This was an act of love. In verse 17 Jesus says You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing. Pray for the knowledge to learn the teachings of Christ and the wisdom to follow his teachings.
Tuesday, January 18th - John 14
Verse 25 and 26 teach that God is with us to teach us everything and to remind us of the teachings of Jesus. During your time reading the Bible in the past few weeks, what has the Holy Spirit been teaching you? Pray to make yourself open to the instruction and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday, January 19th - John 16 (for John 15 see January 9th)
Jesus concludes the John 16 with the following: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. In life there is a temptation to try to avoid tough times. By avoiding tough times we also avoid life. As hard as we try to avoid these difficult times, they will still happen. But Jesus says take heart, because he has overcome the world. Are you missing out on life because of a fear of failure, rejection, and hurts? Pray to God for the ability to take risks. Pray also for God’s comfort in the trials and sorrows of life.
Thursday, January 20th - John 17
Jesus is praying in chapter 17. Note who Jesus is praying for and what he is praying about. What in this prayer surprised you? What did you learn about prayer as you read this chapter? Spend some extended time in prayer.
Friday, January 21st - John 18
Peter was as close to Jesus as anybody. Reread verses 25 to 27. How do you think Jesus felt when his friend denied knowing him? How do you feel when others hurt you? Spend some time in prayer. Ask God for the power to be a faithful friend – in the good times and the tough times. Ask God for the ability to get over times when people have hurt you.
Saturday, January 22nd - John 19
As Jesus was dying he noticed someone. Reread verses 25 to 27. Jesus noticed his mother. He knew he still had a responsibility with her. In his pain and agony, both emotional and physical, he cared for Mary. He asked John to take care of Mary and the Bible says that John took her into his home. The family unit is our most important human relationships. How are you doing in your family? What practices can God help you implement to be more faithful and more blessed in these relationships?
Sunday, January 23rd - Overcoming Betrayal - Matthew 26
Peter denied Jesus in verses 69 to 74. Judas betrayed Jesus in verses 47 to 49. In verse 75 we see that Peter left, crying bitterly. In chapter 27, Judas hung himself and Jesus was killed. Denial and betrayal have severe consequences and leave brokenness all over the place. Repeat the reflection time from January 21st and seek to think more about this painful area in life. How do you think Jesus felt when his friend denied knowing him? How do you feel when others hurt you? Spend some time in prayer. Ask God for the power to be a faithful friend – in the good times and the tough times. Ask God for the ability to get over times when people have hurt you.
Monday, January 24th - John 20
It might be easier to believe in Jesus if we had a definite sign or witnessed a miracle. Reread verse 29. Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway. Jesus is talking about two things. The first is faith: seeing without believing. The second is a blessed life. The key to a blessed life is faith. Faith is a gift from God. It is something we accept. Pray for the ability to accept the faith God gives. The same faith that opens the door to a blessed life.
Tuesday, January 25th - John 21
Love overcomes denial. In John 18, Peter denied Jesus three times. In John 21, verses 15 to 17, Jesus asked Peter if Peter loved Jesus three times. Peter affirmed three times he did. This exchange is a powerful witness to love overcoming hurt. Think of some relationships you have that are strained or broken. Note the pattern of Peter and Jesus. 1) Peter affirmed his love to Jesus and 2) Jesus asked Peter to do what was most important to Jesus: feeding his sheep. Effective communication helped restore the relationship. Pray for effective communication and reconciliation (or at least understanding) to happen in these relationships you thought about that are strained and broken.
Wednesday, January 26th - 1 Timothy 1
Have you ever wondered why we do things we know are wrong? Verse 19 talks about clinging to our faith and keeping our conscious clear. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing. Spend some time praying to think and act in ways that will leave our conscious clear. Also, pray to accept the forgiveness our faith offers from times in the past when we have spiritually stumbled.
Thursday, January 27th - 1 Timothy 2
Chapter 2 teaches about prayer. What did you learn about prayer in verses 1 to 8? Spend some time praying and implementing one or two of the practices you learned about.
Friday, January 28th - 1 Timothy 3
We learn about attributes of church leaders in chapter 3. Paul pleads for excellence from Timothy. Check yourself on Paul’s list. How are you doing? Pray for development in one or two areas on this list.
Saturday, January 29th - 1 Timothy 4
Augustine said the most powerful sermon we can ever preach is the life we live. In verse 12, Paul urges Timothy to be an example in five areas: teaching, the way he lives, his love, his faith, and his purity. Examine each of those areas in your life. How are you doing? Pray for God to use you as a positive example for others.
Sunday, January 30th - Dealing with Difficult People - Matthew 7
Reread verses 3 to 5. How does Jesus speak to you in that passage of Scripture? What is it you need to work on to get along with others? Reread verses 24 to 27. Jesus teaches us to put people in front of relationships. How have situations in the past hurt some of your most important relationships? Did these situations need to adversely affect your relationships?
Monday, January 31st - 1 Timothy 5
Paul knows well the power of words. Verse 1 is Paul’s encouragement to use words to build up rather than tear down. Paul writes Timothy to not speak harshly, speak respectfully, and talk to others like they are family. We have all been hurt by words and we have hurt people with words. Are your recent words used to build others up? Encourage somebody today. Respond gently to criticism or conflict today. Pray that God will use your words to glorify Him and encourage others.
Tuesday, February 1st - 1 Timothy 6
Reread verses 6 to 10. Paul is teaching Timothy about contentment and true wealth. What does the Bible say will not give us contentment? What does the Bible teach in this passage about contentment and true wealth? Pray for contentment in your life.
Wednesday, February 2nd - 1 Thessalonians 1
Note how Paul, Silas, and Timothy start the letter in verses 2 and 3. They thank God for their Thessalonian friends and they pray for them constantly. Take some time to be thankful for you family and closest friends. Take some additional time praying for them.
Thursday, February 3rd - 1 Thessalonians 2
Reread verse 12. We discover the reason we are called into God’s Kingdom: to share God’s glory. How are you doing at sharing God’s glory? In the first part of verse 12, Paul urges the Thessalonians to live worthy lives. Consider that your actions have an affect on others. Also think about who God is leading you to share His glory with today.
Friday, February 4th - 1 Thessalonians 3
In verses 3 and 4, Paul covers a teaching of Jesus we previously covered in John 16: the world is full of trouble. Like Jesus, Paul urges us not to avoid trouble, as that is impossible, but to effectively deal with trouble by remaining strong in our faith (verse 7). Pray for strength in the future to turn to God during times of trouble instead of turning away from God or questioning God. God wants nothing more than for us to be with Him when we need Him the most.
Saturday, February 5th - 1 Thessalonians 4
It is easy to live a life to please others or to please ourselves. Chapter 4 is about living a life that pleases God. What in this chapter challenged you about living a life that pleases God? Pray for guidance on some next steps for you to take on living a life that is more pleasing to God.
Sunday, February 6th - Conquering Lust - 1 Thessalonians 5
Return to yesterday and reread chapter 4, verse 3. God wants our lives to be free of sexual sin. Chapter 5 talks about being children of the light and not of the dark. Pray for the ability to do what is right in all situations. Paul concludes the book with a challenge for the church to be the church. Reread verses 12 to 18. What did you learn about the church? What inspired you? Ask God to help you move to the next level in life and ministry.
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