Sunday (5/22)

This week we will begin reading the book of Judges. This book from the Old Testament includes stories of moral decline as well as the failures of the Israelites and the judges who were their leaders during hundreds of years between Joshua’s death and the beginning of the monarchy in 1050 BC. Throughout the disturbing, violent, and tragic tales of the book the Israelites become more and more like the Canaanites who reside in the Promised Land. If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Joshua, 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.

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

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

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

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

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. 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?

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

8. 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.

 

*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 (5/23)

Read the verse from Psalm 111 that is below to begin your devotional time with God:

He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. – Psalm 111:4 NKJV

 

Before you begin reading and studying the book of Judges you are strongly encouraged to watch the Overview: Judges video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube:

Overview: Judges by the Bible Project

 

Read Judges 1:1-2:5. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray however the Spirit of the Lord and Bible verses prompt and guide you to pray.

 

 

Tuesday (5/24)

Read Psalm 111:4 to center your heart on the Lord.

 

Be silent for a few minutes to turn your heart and mind towards the Lord. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, kneel, or walk during this time of being with God. If you struggle with being present in the moment, think about the Lord’s grace at work in your life and within the world.

 

Read Judges 2:6-3:6. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

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 (5/25)

Read Psalm 111:4 as a reminder of the goodness of God.

 

Read Judges 3:7-31. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray through your day, including for the people you will be with, or have been with, as well as what you will do, or what you have done.

 

 

Thursday (5/26)

Read Psalm 111:4 to focus upon the Lord during this devotional time.

 

Spend a few minutes in silence thinking about the compassion of God. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, compassion is “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts. Leave your thoughts and desires of normal life behind to be present with the One who is full of compassion. Place your body in a position that helps you to receive the goodness of God’s presence with you. You may find it helpful to sit with your hands on your legs with your open palms facing upward, or kneel with your body leaning on a chair, couch, bed, or on the ground with your hands cupped together facing upward to receive.

 

Read Judges 4. 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 in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide as you use the same posture from your time of silence:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (5/27)

Read Psalm 111:4 to center yourself in the Lord.

 

Read Judges 6. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

Pray that God guides and empowers you and the people of AUMC to live the virtues revealed in Christ, which includes humility, compassion, forgiveness, and love (Philippians 2:3-11 and Luke 6:27-40).

 

 

Saturday (5/28)

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 to experience restoration. 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 Judges 5:2-5 from the song of Deborah. You may find it beneficial to return to these verses at the conclusion of your devotional time today.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten, twenty, or up to thirty minutes, while you remember God’s wonderful works revealed in scripture and those you have experienced in your life. During your time of solitude and silence with God, you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do-lists, plans for the day, etc. Simply be with God as you let your mind meditate on his greatness and what he has done. Afterwards, read the Bible verse listed below.

 

Read Judges 7. You may find it helpful to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional as you study this chapter.

 

Pray however the Holy Spirit and Bible verses prompt and guide you to pray.