7/28 – 8/3

During the months of June and July we as a congregation have been on a journey through part of the book of Acts studying the life and ministry of the apostle Paul, as well as some of the letters he wrote to churches and first-century Christians. The end of the book of Acts ends with this message, Paul “lived there” under house arrest in Rome “two whole years…and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:30-31 NRSV). After his imprisonment in Rome Paul may have continued traveling for another year or so before returning to Rome as a prisoner yet again. As the end of his life was daring near as he was awaiting execution while imprisoned in the capital city of the empire, Paul wrote one final letter to his protege, Timothy. To conclude the Blinding Light series, we will read most of 2 Timothy this week to receive Paul’s final message for us. In adding to those chapters and verses, we will as also read other New Testament chapter and verses as reminders to continue living our faith in Christ and sharing the good news of Jesus, and God’s Kingdom, no matter what hardships we may face for being Christians.

 

The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day, but you are encouraged to read all of the Bible verses by the end of the week. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

 

Each Day

• Read the Daily Reminder
• Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord
• Read the Bible verses for the day
• Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
• Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn
• Pray
• Live guided by the Spirit of the Lord

 

DAILY REMINDER:

READ Ephesians 2:8-9 to begin your time set apart to be with, encounter, and worship the living God.

 

 

SILENCE & SOLITUDE:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with the Triune God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) after reading the verses. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday – 2 Timothy 1:1-2:10

 

Monday – 2 Timothy 3:10-4:18

 

Tuesday – Hebrews 11:1-16

 

Wednesday – Hebrews 11:17-12:3

 

Thursday – Luke 24

 

Friday – Romans 10:4-17

 

Saturday – Matthew 11:27-12:13 (The Sabbath theme for today is “go to Jesus to receive rest and healing.”)

 

 

VIDEO TO WATCH:

To learn more about Paul’s life and missionary journeys recorded in the book of Acts, as well to watch an overview of his second letter to Timothy in the Bible, you are encouraged to watch the videos using the links provided:

 

The Apostle Paul: Acts 8-12 by The Bible Project

 

Paul’s Missionary Journeys Acts 13-20 by The Bible Project

 

Bound for Rome: Acts 21-28 by The Bible Project

 

2 Timothy by the Bible Project

 

 

DAILY QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message within the verses. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

 

What is God revealing through the verses I read?

 

How does God’s message to us through the Bible verses apply to me? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal it as you prayerfully re-read the text.

 

How should we respond?

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a worship song or hymn to help you respond to God. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some, or all, of the days because of what the Bible verses bring to mind.

 

PRAY:

You are encouraged to let the Bible verses you read guide your prayer.

 

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