7/2-7/8 Overview

The apostle “Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God” in Corinth (Acts 18:11 NIV). While he was there Paul probably wrote the letters to the Christians in Thessalonica. This week we will read 2 Thessalonians, and then briefly return to the book of Acts before turning to more of Paul’s letters in the New Testament in the coming weeks.

 

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. Use a Study Bible. A Study Bible is a very helpful tool that includes 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.

 

Sunday (7/2)

READ Psalm 13:5 to set your focus on God:

I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation. – Psalm 13:5 NIV

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that is a reminder of God’s love for us.

 

READ Psalm 108:1-5 as we focus on receiving God’s love today and throughout this week.

 

PRAY now and throughout the day. Thank God for his presence with us. Let your mind meditate on the “steadfast love” of the Lord as you seek to be aware of God’s presence and love (Psalm 108:4).

 

 

Monday (7/3)

READ Psalm 13:5 to begin your devotional time:

I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation. – Psalm 13:5 NIV

 

WATCH the Bible Project video that summarizes 2 Thessalonians so that you can understand it more clearly or to be reminded of what you already know. The video is available on YouTube:

Book of 2 Thessalonians Summary by the Bible Project:

 

READ 2 Thessalonians 1, the entire first chapter. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the introduction for this book of The Bible and the study notes.

 

PRAY using verses 11 and 12 as a guide for your prayer.

 

 

Tuesday (7/4) Independence Day

READ Psalm 13:5 to help you to center yourself in God.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Spend these minutes seeking to simply be with the Lord to prepare your heart and mind for what will be revealed through the verses you will read.

 

READ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, as well as Jesus’ message from Mark 13 about his second coming, then finish reading the chapter from Paul’s letter, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the study notes for the verses.

 

PRAY offering thanks to God for Jesus, salvation, the Church of Christ, and our nation, as well as for whatever else you feel the Spirit guiding you to say.

 

 

Wednesday (7/5)

READ Psalm 13:5 to begin your devotional time.

 

READ 2 Thessalonians 3, the conclusion of Paul’s letter. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit using from the verses to speak to you today?

 

PRAY through your day, including offering thanks for the Holy Spirit’s presence with us, as well as praying for the people you will be with or have been with.

 

 

Thursday (7/6)

READ Psalm 13:5 to focus your heart and mind on our Creator.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Spend these minutes seeking to simply be with the Lord.

 

READ Acts 18:18-28, which is a conclusion of the account of the apostle Paul’s time in Corinth where he probably wrote the letters to the Thessalonians. These verses reveal a transition from Paul’s second missionary journey that ends in Antioch in verse 22, and the beginning of his third journey. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview section of this devotional during your study time today.

 

PRAY using Psalm 13 as a guide.

 

 

Friday (7/7)

READ Psalm 13:5 to begin your time with God.

 

READ Acts 19:1-22. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Lord using to speak to you today from what you read? If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the study notes.

 

PRAY that the Holy Spirit will continue to sanctify believers throughout the world, including you, so that we become more like Christ. Invite the Lord to help us to embody the message of Christ by living the virtues of Jesus, which include the AUMC virtues of: Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love

 

 

Saturday (7/8)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day the next weekend, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.

 

You may find it helpful to LIGHT a candle and LISTEN to a worship song or hymn before reading the verses for today as a way to prepare your heart, mind, body, and soul for observing the Sabbath.

 

READ Exodus 16 during the morning, giving special attention to what the verses reveal about the Sabbath and rest. Notice that the Israelites “gathered twice as much food” the day before the Sabbath (Exodus 16:22 NRSV). To observe a day of rest you will probably need to plan ahead and use the day or days before it as preparation. “REST” is the Sabbath theme for this weekend. What is God’s message to you from this biblical text?

 

What is your body revealing to you about what you need? Do you need a nap?

Do you need more sleep each night during the other days of the week? Are you willing to trust God to enable you to do whatever needs to be done during the other six days of the week so that you can rest in the Lord an entire day?

 

Do you need to take things off of your to-do-list and set a more sustainable pace so that you are prioritizing resting?

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, thirty minutes or more alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

PRAY and live in response to our God. You may find it helpful to use the words from the verses you read from Exodus 16 as a guide for your prayer.

 

 

READ Leviticus 23:3 during the afternoon or evening. Seek to do what the Lord commands in this verse, including stopping, resting, dedicating an entire day to God, and assembling with others to worship our Creator and Sustainer of life.

 

PRAY and seek to live in response to God’s commandment in Leviticus 23:3.