Sunday (6/26)

This week we will conclude our reading of the book of 1 Samuel. Samuel was a prophet chosen by God to anoint the first two kings of Israel. The book tells the stories of the prophet Samuel, King Saul, and King David.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Ruth, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament. The video is a summary of the Hebrew scriptures. It is available on YouTube.

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

8. Are you using a Study Bible?

A Study Bible is a very helpful tool for understanding each book of the Bible. They include information shared by scholars about historical and cultural realities during the time depicted or the era of the document, the author, when the book might have been written, the intended audience of the document, themes and messages within a book or letter, and more.

The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

 

Monday (6/27)

Read the verse from Psalm 5 to begin your devotional time with God:

 

“Let all who take refuge in you {God} celebrate.

Let them sing out loud forever!

Protect them

so that all who love your name

can rejoice in you.” – Psalm 5:11 CEB

 

As we continue reading the book of 1 Samuel, if you have not seen it already, you are encouraged to watch the Overview: 1 Samuel video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube:

Overview: 1 Samuel by the Bible Project

 

Read 1 Samuel 19. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal a word, phrase, or verse from the biblical text that is specifically for you for today.

 

Pray however the Spirit of the Lord and Bible verses prompt and guide you to pray.

 

 

Tuesday (6/28)

Read Psalm 5:11 to center yourself in God.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. What do you hear? What sounds are being made around you? How is the Holy Spirit using those noises to remind you of God? If you struggle to listen, focus your thoughts how we can take refuge in our God throughout life.

 

Read 1 Samuel 20. You are encouraged to use the questions and suggestions from the Sunday list of this devotional to help guide your study time.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)
• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (6/29)

Read Psalm 5:11 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

Read 1 Samuel 23:15-29. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray through your day, including for the people you will be with, or have been with, as well as what you will do, or what you have done.

 

 

Thursday (6/30)

Read Psalm 5:11 and offer praises to the Lord.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening. What do you hear? What sounds are being made around you?

How is the Holy Spirit using those noises to remind you of God? If you struggle to listen, focus on reasons to rejoice because of God.

 

Read 1 Samuel 24. If you haven’t yet, choose a question or two from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (7/1)

Read Psalm 5:11 to begin your time with God.

 

Read 1 Samuel 25. Invite the Lord to speak to you through the words of scripture.

 

Pray that God guides and empowers you and the people of AUMC to live the virtues revealed in Christ, which includes humility, compassion, forgiveness, and love (Philippians 2:3-11 and Luke 6:27-40).

 

 

Saturday (7/2)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to worship God, rest, and enjoy life-giving recreation to experience restoration. You may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday to develop a new habit of observing the Sabbath. It might be helpful for you to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each weekend until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving recreation for an entire day each week.

 

Read Psalm 61, a prayer of David.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten, twenty, or up to thirty minutes. During your time of solitude and silence with the Lord you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do-lists, plans for the day, etc. Simply be with God as you let your mind meditate on how the Lord hears our prayers.

 

Read the section titles of the verses of scripture in chapters 26 through 30, then read 1 Samuel 31, which is a record of the end of Saul’s life. Consider choosing some questions or suggestions from the list on the Sunday portion of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

Spend some time pondering about what God revealed to you this past week. How did the Lord speak to you? Did God do it through scripture, a book, during a prayer time, in a song, through a person, via nature, or in some other way? What did God say or reveal?

Write your answers in a journal or spend some time talking to your spouse, another family member, or friend to share what God revealed to you.

 

Pray in response to our God. You may find it helpful to use some of the words of the psalm as a guide for your time of prayer.