Sunday (11/6)

This week we are transitioning to the Major Prophets section of the Old Testament of the Bible. These books in the Bible are called “Major Prophets” because of the length of them compared to the much shorter length of the writings of the “Minor Prophets.” For this week we will read portions of the book of Isaiah. The Introduction of Isaiah in The NIV Study Bible states, “Isaiah son of Amoz is often thought of as the greatest of the writing prophets. His name means ‘The LORD saves.’ He was a contemporary of” the minor prophets “Amos, Hosea, and Micah, beginning his ministry in 740 B.C., the year King Uzziah died…He probably spent most of his life in Jerusalem, enjoying his greatest influence under King Hezekiah.” It is widely believed that Isaiah wrote this book of the Bible, but many scholars claim that there were others who contributed to the finished work of the completed book. According to biblical scholar Tim Mackie in The Bible Project Overview: Isaiah 1-39 video, the book of Isaiah includes a repeating theme of judgement for “Old Jerusalem” where there is rebellion, idolatry, and injustice among God’s people, then a refining fire will remove what is “worthless in Israel,” and God’s promise of hope for a “New Jerusalem” will eventually be fulfilled when “justice and peace” for people of all nations is there.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Ecclesiastes, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible. The video summarizes the scriptures of the ancient Jewish people that became the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It is available on YouTube.

Sunday (10/30)

As we continue reading the wisdom literature portion of the Old Testament of the Bible, this week we will read portions of the book of Ecclesiastes. Although the first verse makes it seem like the book was written by King Solomon, the notes from the Introduction of Ecclesiastes in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible claim that “the socioeconomic dimensions of its language seem to fit” the time of the Person Empire when the Israelites were in exile, which would have been hundreds of years after the death of Solomon. Biblical scholar Tim Mackie reminds us in The Bible Project Overview: Ecclesiastes video that “the Teacher” identified in verse 1 of Chapter 1, “is a character in the book and is different than the author of the book who remains anonymous.” Whoever wrote this book of the Bible wants the reader and hearer of it to know that meaning and purpose are found in and through God, not in wealth, career, status, pleasure, or elsewhere.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Proverbs, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible. The video summarizes the scriptures of the ancient Jewish people that became the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It is available on YouTube.

Sunday (10/23)

As we continue reading through the Old Testament of the Bible, this week we will read portions of the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is the beginning of the wisdom literature within the Hebrew Bible. Although the book begins with the statement, “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,” the book contains contributions from others in addition to the wisdom shared by Solomon (Proverbs 1:1 NIV). In response to his prayer recorded in 1 Kings 3 King Solomon received God-given wisdom to reign and rule as the third king of Israel (1 Kings 3:10-12). This book of the Bible not only contains words of wisdom shared by the king, but it is designed for helping the reader and hearer of the verses to live well in the world God has created.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Job, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible. The video summarizes the Hebrew scriptures of the ancient Jewish people. It is available on YouTube.

Sunday (10/16)

With the continuation of our read through of the Old Testament of the Bible, this week we will read portions of the book of Job. The book of Job is unique for multiple reasons, and it is considered to be an excellent wisdom text from the Jewish and Christian biblical canons. The story addresses divine justice and undeserved suffering with an artistic use of confrontation. The point of history when the story takes place is intentionally vague. The setting is not in Israel nor the lands of the Israelites. Most of the characters in the story are not Israelites. The one character who has an Israelite name is the youngest of the friends of Job having a long conversation with him throughout much of the book. Elihu begins speaking to Job in Chapter 32 after the older friends have had plenty of time to share their thoughts and beliefs with him. Although the reason why “blameless and upright” people suffer is not answered directly within the story, Job’s story points the reader and hearer towards trusting in God no matter what hardships or suffering comes.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Esther, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible. The video summarizes the Hebrew scriptures of the ancient Jewish people. It is available on YouTube.

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

Sunday (10/9)

As we continue our read through of the Old Testament of the Bible, this week we will read the book of Esther. The book of Esther is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman. It tells the story of the time when the Persians were the reigning political power within the lands where the Jews in exile lived. The book documents Queen Esther’s role, guided by her relative, Mordecai, in helping to save the Jews within the Persian Empire from being annihilated. Although God is not mentioned within the book, the Lord clearly worked in the lives of the king, Esther, and Mordecai for the protection of the Jews throughout the empire.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Nehemiah, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible. The video summarizes the Hebrew scriptures of the ancient Jewish people. It is available on YouTube.

Sunday (10/2)

This week we are returning to our read through of the Old Testament of the Bible by turning to portions of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were written together as one scroll to tell some of the stories of the Israelites returning from exile after the Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. The stories within the two books take place after the Persians had taken the place of the Babylonians as the reigning political power within the lands where the Jews in exile lived. The books document the rebuilding of the Temple, Ezra’s desire for spiritual and social renewal, as well as Nehemiah’s passionate effort to lead the Jews returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls around the city.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through 2 Kings, 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.

Sunday (9/25)

Welcome to the final week of The Gospel of John all-church worship and small group series! The United in Christ weekend worship service was not part of the series, but a wonderful opportunity for our church family to come together during one worship hour as we recognize our unity made possible through faith in Jesus, as well as celebrate how God worked in and through us during Serving September. Next Sunday morning will be the final message of the all-church series. Throughout the John series, we have focused on various themes found in the gospel account. This week and next Sunday morning we will focus on “The Holy Spirit.” You can watch The Gospel of John small group study video and discuss it with others. The video can be found on the AUMC website using the following link:

 

This week the Your Faith Journey devotional will guide us to finish our second time through the entire Gospel According to John. Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read and study scripture this week:

Sunday (9/18)

We have entered the final few weeks of The Gospel of John all-church worship and small group series. This week we are focusing on “the Cross.” You are encouraged to can watch The Gospel of John small group study video and discuss it with others. The video can be found on the AUMC website using the following link:

 

As we continue our second read through of the entire Gospel According to John, you may find it helpful to read a different Bible translation than what you read last month or listen to an audio version of the Bible for a fresh experience. Free audio versions of the Bible are available through the YouVersion Bible App. This month we are focusing on the last four themes of the series while reading or listening to the entire gospel again. Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read and study scripture:

Sunday (9/4)

As we begin the second half of The Gospel of John all-church worship and small group series, this week we are focusing on “Intimacy in God.” The worship services, small group discussions, and memory verse for this week are all connected to the theme. You can watch The Gospel of John small group study videos and discuss them with others. The videos can be found on the AUMC website using the following link:

 

This week we are beginning our second read through of the entire Gospel According to John. You may find it helpful to read a different Bible translation than what you read last month or listen to an audio version of the Bible. Free audio versions of the Bible are available through the YouVersion Bible App. This month we will focus on the last four themes of the series while reading or listening to the entire gospel again. Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read and study scripture: