7/16-7/22 Overview

During the Apostle Paul’s third missionary journey, he spent years in the city of Ephesus (Acts 19). Some biblical scholars believe that Paul may have written the letter to the Christians in Corinth in addition to the letter to the Galatians during that time. This week we will finish reading Paul’s letter to the Galatians, then begin reading portions of 1 Corinthians.

 

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 (7/16)

READ Psalm 25:4-5 to set your focus on God:

“Make your ways known to me, LORD;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth—teach it to me—

because you are the God who saves me.

I put my hope in you all day long.” – Psalm 25:4-5 CEB

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that helps you to worship the Lord as an expression of your love for God.

 

READ Deuteronomy 10:12-13 as we focus on loving God today and throughout this week.

 

PRAY now and throughout the day letting the words of Deuteronomy 10 guide your prayer.

 

GIFTS – What gift will you offer to God today as a way to worship the Lord? A financial gift? Your time? Your heart? Praise and worship?

 

 

Monday (7/17)

READ Psalm 25:4-5 to begin your devotional time:

“Make your ways known to me, LORD;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth—teach it to me—

because you are the God who saves me.

I put my hope in you all day long.” – Psalm 25:4-5 CEB

 

READ Galatians 5. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the study notes. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today?

 

GIFTS – This week we are focusing on the gifts God has given us that can be used to express our love for the Lord, as well as to bless people who are made in God’s image. Our gifts include time, talents, knowledge, experience, skills, spiritual gifts, financial resources, and stuff that we own. How will you use your gifts to express your love for a family member or friend today or later this week?

 

PRAY letting the Holy Spirit guide you. The Spirit may lead you to pray in response to the verses you read or in response to your desire to use your gifts to express your love for God by loving people who are made in the Lord’s likeness.

 

 

Tuesday (7/18)

READ Psalm 25:4-5 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 letting the message of Psalm 25 roll around in your heart and mind. Let it fill your thoughts.

 

READ Galatians 6, the final chapter from this letter from Paul. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions from the Overview portion of this devotional as part of your study time. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit emphasizing for you for today?

 

GIFTS – Look for an opportunity to use your time, talents, knowledge, experience, skills, spiritual gifts, financial resources, or stuff that you own to bless people you are with today.

 

PRAY for:

• Those Who Are Closest to You (family members & friends)
• Those Who Point Others Towards God (parents, grandparents, pastors, teachers, professors, coaches, musicians, authors, filmmakers, influencers, churches, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, & globally)
• Those Who Are Vulnerable & In Need (children, orphans, widows & widowers, the hungry & homeless, refugees, sick & diseased persons, prisoners, etc.)
• Yourself (tell God your thoughts, feelings, and desires)

 

 

Wednesday (7/19)

READ Psalm 25:4-5 to begin your devotional time.

 

WATCH the Bible Project video that summarizes 1 Corinthians 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 1 Corinthians Summary by the Bible Project:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiHf8klCCc4

 

READ 1 Corinthians 1:1-2:5. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the introduction for this New Testament letter as well as the study notes for these verses.

 

GIFTS – How will you use your gifts to express your love for God today?

 

PRAY through your day, including offering thanks for the gift of the Spirit of Christ with us, as well as praying for the people you will be with or have been with.

 

 

Thursday (7/20)

READ Psalm 25:4-5 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 1 Corinthians 3. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview section of this devotional during your study time.

 

GIFTS – Either today or sometime in the near future, use your time, talents, knowledge, experience, skills, spiritual gifts, financial resources, or stuff that you own to bless someone who is part of our church family.

 

PRAY rejoicing and giving thanks to God in all circumstances now and throughout the day. You may find it helpful to write a list of the gifts you have been given, then thanking the Lord specifically for each of them.

 

 

Friday (7/21)

READ Psalm 25:4-5 to begin your time with God.

 

READ 1 Corinthians 5. 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.

 

GIFTS – Today and this weekend, seek to bless someone you don’t know.

 

PRAY that the Holy Spirit will continue to fill and form the people of Jesus’ Church throughout the world. 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 (7/22)

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 stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us.

 

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 Deuteronomy 5:12-15 during the morning. The verses are part of Moses’ retelling of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites who were about to enter the Promised Land after their people had been wandering for forty years. Imagine the “delight” the Israelites must have felt knowing that they were about to experience the fulfillment of God’s promise by entering the land of Canaan. The Sabbath theme for us this weekend is “DELIGHT.”

 

• In what ways has God set you free?

 

• What is preventing you from experiencing the freedom and deliverance that God is offering through Christ?

 

• How will you set the Sabbath apart this weekend from other days of the week?

 

• What work will you set aside for another day so that you can rest and focus on the Lord today or this weekend?

 

• How will you help your family members and those who work for you in some way to experience rest and delight on the Sabbath?

 

• One of the best ways to thank someone for their gift is to use it and enjoy it. By observing and thoroughly enjoying the Sabbath you will send a message to God that you appreciate the gift He has given us.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes 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, sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat, or going for a slow walk. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

PRAY praising the Lord our God and offering him thanks for what he has given you.

 

TIME for REFLECTION. Either write in a journal or notebook the ways you saw and experienced God working in your life this past week, or discuss them with a close family member or friend. Include the things that brought you delight and the ways you were intentional about loving God.

 

 

READ Psalm 37:3-4 during the afternoon or evening. Seek to set aside time today or tomorrow to stop, rest, worship God, and “delight yourself in the LORD.”

 

• What is something you enjoy doing that helps you connect with God and focus on Him? Do that as you observe the Sabbath.

 

• Trust in the Lord that He is God and you are not.

 

• Trust in the Lord that six days are enough for working during a week.

 

• Share the desires of your heart with God, then seek their fulfillment in and through Him.

 

PRAY and LIVE in response to the Lord.