Sunday (7/10)

This week we will conclude our reading of the book of 2 Samuel, which reveals the disfunction and brokenness of King David’s family. The reading plan for this week also includes beginning to read the book of 1 Kings. It begins with the conclusion of the story of King David’s life and the transition of leadership within the Kingdom of Israel to King Solomon, David’s son.

 

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

Overview: 2 Samuel by the Bible Project

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through 2 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 (7/11)

Read the verses from Psalm 113 to begin your devotional time:

“Who could possibly compare to the LORD our God?

God rules from on high;

he has to come down to even see heaven and earth!”

– Psalm 113:5-6 CEB

 

Read 2 Samuel 11. 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 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).

 

 

Tuesday (7/12)

Read Psalm 113:5-6 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. If you struggle to listen, focus on submitting to God as the king of your life.

 

Read 2 Samuel 12:1-25. 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 (7/13)

Read Psalm 113:5-6 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

Read 2 Samuel 13. 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 (7/14)

Read Psalm 113:5-6.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening. You may find it helpful to think about the unique characteristics of the Lord.

 

Read 2 Samuel 15. 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 (7/15)

Read Psalm 113:5-6 to begin your time with God.

 

Read 2 Samuel 18. Invite the Lord to speak to you through the words of scripture.

 

Praise God for the gift of life and pray for those who are mourning as they endure heartache.

 

 

Saturday (7/16)

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. Are you setting aside an hour, part of a day, or an entire day as a way to observe the Sabbath? You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving recreation for an entire day each week.

 

Read Psalm 51.

 

Confession. Similar to how David confessed his sins and need for God’s forgiveness in Psalm 51, confess your sins to the Lord. In addition to confessing to God, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you to either confess to a person you have wronged or harmed with your words, actions, or inactions, or to help you to forgive the person/people who hurt you.

 

As we begin reading the book of 1 Kings you are encouraged to watch the Overview: 1-2 Kings video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube:

Overview: 1-2 Kings by the Bible Project

 

Read 1 Kings 1:1-27. If you are using a Study Bible, you will find it helpful to read the introduction for this book of the Bible. 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 thinking about your life. What are some of the many ways the Lord has provided for you and taken care of you during your life? 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 prayer.