Sunday (1/16)

We are on a 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 in March and April. 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 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.

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.

 

*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.

 

 

Monday (1/17)

Read the following verses to center your heart and mind on the Lord:

Sing praises to God, sing praises;

sing praises to our King, sing praises.

For God is the king of all the earth;

sing praises with a psalm.

God is king over the nations;

God sits on his holy throne. – Psalm 47:6-8 NRSV

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with God, knowing that he is the king of all the earth. You can do this sitting, lying down, or walking. Try to clear your mind of everything and simply be with the Lord.

 

Read Genesis 19:15-29. If you have not read the previous chapters of Genesis, you are encouraged to watch the following Bible Project videos about the Old Testament, the first eleven chapters of Genesis, and chapters twelve through fifty as a way to help you understand the book of Genesis more clearly.

The videos are available on YouTube:

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Overview Genesis: 1-11 by the Bible Project:

 

Overview Genesis: 12-50 by the Bible Project:

 

Pray through your day and week, including what you will do and the people you will be with.

 

 

Tuesday (1/18)

Read the following verses to prepare your heart and mind for time with our God:

Sing praises to God, sing praises;

sing praises to our King, sing praises!

For God is the King over all the earth;

Praise him with a psalm.

God reigns above the nations;

sitting on his holy throne. – Psalm 47:6-8 NLT

 

Sing or listen to a song that helps you to praise God.

 

Read Genesis 21:1-21. 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 (1/19)

Read the following verses to focus on the Lord as you begin your devotional time:

Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo!

Shout God-songs at the top or your lungs!

GOD Most High is stunning,

astride land and ocean.

He…puts nations at our feet.

He sets us at the head of the line,

prize-winning Jacob, his favorite.

Loud cheers as God climbs the mountain,

a ram’s horn blast at the summit.

Sing songs to God, sing out!

Sing to our King, sing praise! – Psalm 47:6-7 MSG

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with our King, God Most High.

 

Read Genesis 22:1-19. Which word, phrase, or verse stands out to you from what you read? Let that message roll around in your mind throughout the day.

 

Pray in response to our God. 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)

 

 

Thursday (1/20)

Read the following verses to center your heart and mind on the Lord:

Sing praises to God, sing praises;

sing praises to our King, sing praises.

For God is the king of all the earth;

sing praises with a psalm.

God is king over the nations;

God sits on his holy throne. – Psalm 47:6-8 NRSV

 

Sing or listen to a song that helps you to praise King Jesus.

 

Read Genesis 24:1-27. If you haven’t yet, choose a question or two from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

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

 

 

Friday (1/21)

Read the following verses to prepare your heart and mind for time with our God:

Sing praises to God, sing praises;

sing praises to our King, sing praises!

For God is the King over all the earth;

Praise him with a psalm.

God reigns above the nations;

sitting on his holy throne. – Psalm 47:6-8 NLT

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with our God and King. You may want to try lying down or kneeling as you imagine being near his throne right now. Attempt to clear your mind of everything and simply be with the Lord.

 

Read Genesis 24:28-67. 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 (1/22)

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 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 105.

 

Solitude & Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten, twenty, or thirty 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 Leviticus 16:31 and Leviticus 23:3. What do these verses reveal about the Sabbath?

 

Spend some time thinking about how you saw, heard, or experienced God working in your life this past week. You may find it helpful to write in a journal or spend some time talking to your spouse, another family member, or friend. What did you learn about yourself, God, and others this past week?

 

Pray in response to the Lord of the Sabbath.