3/10 – 3/16

Last week we began reading The Gospel According to Mark. According to an early Christian historian named Papias, a believer named John Mark heard Peter’s eyewitness testimonies about Jesus and eventually compiled them into the account we know of as The Gospel According to Mark. Because he is mentioned by name in other documents of the New Testament, we know that Mark was a coworker and traveling companion of the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey, the cousin of Barnabas, and someone the apostle Peter referred to as a “son,” which may mean that they had a close relationship much like a mentor and mentee (Acts 12:12, 12:25, 13:13, 15:37-39; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13). Mark rapidly moves those of us hearing and reading the “good news” about Jesus through the story, which is emphasized by how often he uses the word “immediately.” Perhaps he doesn’t want us lingering too long in the details of the account, but instead to move as quickly as possible through the multiple years of Jesus’ ministry to the most important part of his life and ministry, the final week leading up to the crucifixion of Christ. As you continue reading and studying it, notice the stories and details within the gospel account that intentionally emphasize Jesus’ humanity, as well as which one’s reveal his divinity as the Son of God.

3/3/24 – 3/9/24

“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” is the way the first gospel account begins (Mark 1:1 NRSV). Yet this beginning does not include Jesus’ birth, but John the baptizer “preparing the way of the Lord” out in the wilderness where he is “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:3-4 NRSV). This preparation for the Lord then quickly transitions from the one who is preparing the way for the Lord to Jesus coming from Nazareth to be baptized by John in the Jordan River (Mark 1:9). Mark wants the hears of the good news to recognize that Jesus is God in the form of a human being. Biblical scholars believe that The Gospel According to Mark was written before the other three gospel accounts that are included in The New Testament of The Bible. Mark seems to want to quickly jump into the story that he describes as “good news”! This good news is specifically about Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, who is also the Son of God. Matthew and Luke include details in their gospel accounts that are not found in Mark, yet the first gospel writer wrote a masterfully written story of the ministry, passion, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus the Christ. Mark intentionally emphasizes Jesus’ humanity, the centrality of the cross, secrecy during Jesus’ ministry in regard to his identity as the Messiah, and the proclamation of the kingdom of God. Like the Son of God, we who are Jesus’ followers are invited by Christ in Mark’s Gospel to deny ourselves, humbly serve as an expression of loving our neighbors, and take up our cross as a form of self-sacrifice (Mark 8:34).

 

This week we will begin our journey with Jesus through The Gospel According to Mark. If you have time, you are invited to listen to chapters 1 through 15 of Mark’s Gospel before you begin reading and studying it. Listening to the entire account of Jesus’ ministry, passion, and crucifixion will help you to understand more clearly Mark’s version of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Our journey of reading and studying Mark’s Gospel will continue through the first week of April. The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

2/25/24 – 3/2/24

Last week we began reading 1 John, a New Testament treatise, homily, and/or tract about the God of light and love who revealed himself in and through Jesus the Christ. This week we will finish reading 1 John, then read 2 John and 3 John, which are believed to have been written by a student of the apostle John known as “John the Elder.” The reading for Friday will be a short document within The Bible from one of Jesus’ brothers known as The Letter of Jude, which warned first-century Jewish Christians about false teachers within their church(es).

2/18/24 – 2/24/24

The Lenten season began on Ash Wednesday (2/14). For Jesus’ Church, Lent is a season set apart from other times of the year for repentance, preparation, denying ourselves, spiritual growth, and seeking to live more like Christ. During the past Wednesday worship service, we were reminded that Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV). What is a way you are saying “no” to yourself during this season, so that you are able to say “yes” to Jesus? During Lent the people of Avon UMC are focusing on Christ and the cross each Sunday morning, while being invited to take up our cross each day as we follow Jesus’ example as his apprentices. As a way to help us follow Jesus more closely during this season, this Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read Mark’s Gospel during the month of March.

2/11/24 – 2/17/24

Although other rabbis of the first century in the region of Galilee did not choose Simon the fisherman to become their disciple, Jesus did. According to the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel account, “as Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:16-18 NRSV). Throughout Jesus’ ministry Simon Peter was part of the inner circle of leaders within the group of disciples (Mark 9:2-8). Luke’s account of the Day of Pentecost and the stories recorded in the first fifteen chapters of the book of Acts reveal that Peter was a key leader in the church in Jerusalem during the earliest years of Christianity. This week we will read and study 1 Peter, a letter written on behalf of the apostle to Gentile Christians during a season of persecution. Near the end of the letter, it is noted that “Through Silvanus {Silas}, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God” (1 Peter 5:12 NRSV). As we read 1 Peter this week the apostle of Christ will remind us to continue living our faith as a holy and royal priesthood of believers even when we endure suffering and persecution because of being part of Jesus’ Church.

1/28/24 – 2/3/24

This week the Living Faith Devotional will guide us to finish reading Hebrews as we focus on loving our neighbors and continuing to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NRSV). If you did not read the past two weeks, you are encouraged to read or listen to chapters 1 through 10:18 before you begin using the plan for this week. Invite and expect the Holy Spirit to share God’s message for you each day as you read or listen to a portion of the first-century sermon that will conclude much like other New Testament letters.

 

The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

• Read a portion of the Psalm
• 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 response(s)
• Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn
• Pray
• Live in response to Jesus

1/21/24 – 1/27/24

Last week the Living Faith Devotional began guiding us to read the New Testament document known as Hebrews. This week we will continue our journey by reading and studying the middle portion of the first-century sermon. If you did not read last week, you are encouraged to read or listen to chapters 1 through 5 before you begin using the plan for this week. Invite and expect the Holy Spirit to share God’s message for you each day as you read or listen to a portion of Hebrews.

 

The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

• Read a portion of the Psalm
• 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 in response to Jesus

1/14/24 – 1/20/24

During the next few months the Living Faith Devotional will turn our attention to The New Testament letters that remind us “were are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” of God’s Son and the Lord’s work in the world made possible by the Holy Spirit (Hebrew 12:1 NIV). The witnesses include those who wrote documents in the New Testament, including James, Jude, John, Peter, and the unknown author of Hebrews. This week we will begin this journey by reading and studying the first few chapters of Hebrews. Many Biblical scholars believe that the document known as “The Letter to the Hebrews” is not a traditional New Testament letter because the majority of it is like a sermon. This first century sermon was probably written between 60 and 65 C.E. and sent to Christians in Rome (Italy). The concluding portion of the letter is similar to other New Testament letters, but the majority of it is not. With that in mind, you are invited to read Hebrews listening for God’s message to be shared with you each day as you read a portion of the Spirit-inspired first century sermon.

1/7/24 – 1/13/24

What is the purpose of the church? Why does it exist? How should the people of the church behave? What is our mission? What is God’s vision for Jesus’ church? According to the 2016 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, which contains a brief history of our denomination, as well as “the laws, plan, polity, and process by which United Methodists govern themselves” (BOD, page v), “The church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world…The function of the local church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to help people to accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to live their daily lives in light of their relationship with God. Therefore, the local church is to minister to persons in the community where the church is located, to provide appropriate training and nurture to all, to cooperate in ministry with other local churches, to defend God’s creation and live as an ecologically responsible community, and to participate in the worldwide mission of the church” (BOD, paragraphs 201 & 202).

The church exists to respond to God by worshiping the Lord, helping believers to grow more like Christ, and to share the love of God and good news about Jesus with the people of the world, beginning with neighbors in our own community. As we reach out, God provides us opportunities to invite people to respond with us through repentance and faith in Christ, to receive the gift of adoption into God’s family by trusting in Jesus as part of the sacrament of baptism and follow Jesus with us as we seek God’s kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The daily Bible reading this week will be based on these concepts as a reminder for us of the why, how, and what of the church. The format is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

12/31/23 – 1/6/24

The End of 2023 and the Beginning of 2024

Have you ever wondered, “Why am I here? What is life all about? What is my purpose?” Our purpose was given to us by the One who created us. As one year ends and a new one begins, you are invited to use this daily devotional for the first week of 2024 as a reminder of what The Bible reveals about God’s purposes for life, you, and the world. The format is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

• Read the portion of the Psalm to begin
• 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
• Watch the videos on the recommended days
• Pray
• Live in response to Jesus