Sunday (7/3)

This week we will begin reading the book of 2 Samuel, which is a continuation of the stories of 1 Samuel. Samuel was a prophet chosen by God to anoint the first two kings of Israel. 1 Samuel shared the prophet’s story as well as the story of King Saul and David. Our reading plan for this week is a continuation from the past few weeks, but it now focusses specifically on the story of King David.

 

If you have not seen the Overview: 1 Samuel video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube you are encouraged to watch it before you begin reading 2 Samuel:

Overview: 1 Samuel by the Bible Project

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through 1 Samuel, 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 (7/4)

Read the verse from Psalm 61 to begin your devotional time with God:

 

“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” – Psalm 61:4 NIV

 

As we begin reading the book of 2 Samuel you are encouraged to watch the Overview: 2 Samuel video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube:

Overview: 2 Samuel by the Bible Project

 

Read 2 Samuel 1. If you are using a Study Bible, you will find it helpful to read the introduction for this book of the Bible. As you read the bible verses, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal a word, phrase, or verse from the biblical text that is specifically for you for today.

 

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

 

 

Tuesday (7/5)

Read Psalm 61:4 to center yourself in God.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. What do you hear? What sounds are being made around you? How is the Holy Spirit using those noises to remind you of God? If you struggle to listen, focus on taking refuge under the shelter of God’s wings much like a baby bird seeks protection by being close to their mother.

 

Read 2 Samuel 2:1-11. Choose a question or two from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of 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 (7/6)

Read Psalm 61:4 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

Read the section titles of the verses of scripture in chapters 2 through 4, then read 2 Samuel 5:1-16. 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 (7/7)

Read Psalm 61:4.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening. What do you hear? What sounds are being made around you? How is the Holy Spirit using those noises to remind you of God? If you struggle to listen, focus on what it will be like to dwell in God’s house.

 

The end of chapter 5 reveals that David defeats the Philistines. Read 2 Samuel 6. You are encouraged to use the questions and suggestions from the Sunday list of this devotional to help guide your study time.

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (7/8)

Read Psalm 61:4 to begin your time with God.

 

Read 2 Samuel 7. Invite the Lord to speak to you through the words of scripture.

 

Pray in response to the Lord. You may find it helpful to use some of the words of David’s prayer from 2 Samuel 7:18-29 as a guide for your prayer.

 

 

Saturday (7/9)

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 Psalm 113.

 

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. During your time of solitude and silence with the Lord 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 the Lord as you let your mind meditate on the goodness of God.

 

Read 2 Samuel 9. Consider choosing some questions or suggestions from the list on the Sunday portion of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

Spend some time pondering about what God revealed to you this past week. How did the Lord speak to you? Did God do it through scripture, a book, during a prayer time, in a song, through a person, via nature, or in some other way? What did God say or reveal?

Write your answers in a journal or spend some time talking to your spouse, another family member, or friend to share what God revealed to you.

 

Pray and live in response to our God. You may find it helpful to use some of the words of the psalm as a guide for your time of prayer.