Sunday (1/2/22)

As a new year begins, you are invited to embark on a unique journey through the Old Testament in 2022. During the next two months, this Your Faith Journey devotional will guide you through the first two books of the Bible, Genesis and Exodus. There will be opportunities to continue reading the Old Testament books after the Lenten season. Before you begin to read Genesis, you are encouraged to watch the following Bible Project videos about the Old Testament and the first eleven chapters of Genesis. The videos are available on YouTube:

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Overview Genesis: 1-11 by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some questions and suggestions to help you as you read scripture this year:

 

1. 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?

2. Are you using a Study Bible?

A Study Bible is a very helpful tool for understanding each book of the Bible. They include 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 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.

3. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

4. What do these verses teach me about myself?

5. What do these verses reveal about God?

6. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

 

 

Monday (1/3)

Read the following verse(s) to prepare your heart and mind for time with the Lord:

 

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

for he founded it on the seas

and established it on the waters. – Psalm 24:1-2 NIV

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with your Creator. You can do this sitting, lying down, or walking. Try to clear your mind of everything and simply be with God.

 

Read Genesis 1:1-2:3. Before reading, you are are encouraged to watch the Bible Project videos listed above, and use the questions and suggestions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional.

 

Pray in response to our Creator. You are encouraged to pray using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Tuesday (1/4)

Read the following verse(s) to prepare your heart and mind for time with the Lord:

 

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein;

for he has founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers. – Psalm 24:1-2 ESV

 

Be silent for 5 – 10 minutes to be with your Creator.

 

Read Genesis 2:4-3:24. You are are encouraged to use the questions and suggestions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)
• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (1/5)

Read the following verse(s) to prepare your heart and mind for time with the Lord:

 

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world and all its people belong to him.

For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas

and built it on the ocean depths. – Psalm 24:1-2 NLT

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with your Creator. You can do this sitting, lying down, or walking. Try to clear your mind of everything and simply be with God.

 

Read Genesis 4:1-16. You may find it helpful to use the questions and suggestions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional.

 

Pray through your day, including what you will do, or what you have already done, the people you will be with, or those you already were with.

 

 

Thursday (1/6)

Read the following verse(s) to prepare your heart and mind for time with the Lord:

 

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein;

for he has founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers. – Psalm 24:1-2 ESV

 

Be silent for 5 – 10 minutes to be with your Creator.

 

Read Genesis 6:9-22. Continue to use the questions and suggestions from the Sunday portion of this devotional.

 

Pray, offering thanksgiving to God now and throughout the day.

 

 

Friday (1/7)

Read the following verse(s) to prepare your heart and mind for time with the Lord:

 

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

for he founded it on the seas

and established it on the waters. – Psalm 24:1-2 NIV

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with your Creator. You can do this sitting, lying down, or walking. Try to clear your mind of everything and simply be with God.

 

Read Genesis 7. As you study the verses, you may find it helpful to use the questions and suggestions from the Sunday portion of this devotional.

 

Pray through your day, including what you will do, or what you have already done, the people you will be with, or those you already were with.

 

 

Saturday (1/8)

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 worship God, rest, and enjoy life-giving recreation. You may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday to develop a new habit of observing the Sabbath. It might be helpful for you to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each weekend until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving recreation for an entire day each week.

 

Read Psalm 104.

 

Solitude & Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten or fifteen minutes. During your time of solitude & silence with God, you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk. During the solitude, silently listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. For many believers the Holy Spirit does not speak in an audible voice. Instead, the Spirit will place a thought, phrase, verse from scripture, song, image, person, or idea in your heart and mind. Notice the physical sounds you hear and the way your body feels during this time of silence. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do-lists, plans for the day, etc. Simply be with God. After the ten to fifteen minutes, then read the Bible verses listed below.

 

Read Deuteronomy 5:12-15, which is part of the Ten Commandments. What did you notice about God’s commandment about the Sabbath?

 

Pray in response to God.

 

 

*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.