Sunday (7/24)

This week we will finish reading the book of 1 Kings and begin 2 Kings. The books of 1 & 2 Kings were written together as one scroll to tell the stories of the various kings and the divided kingdom of the Israelites during hundreds of years after the death of King David. The season of history within 1 & 2 Kings concludes with the Temple and city of Jerusalem being destroyed by the Babylonians and the people of God forced to leave their homeland to go to Babylon.

 

If you have not seen the Overview: 1-2 Kings video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube you are encouraged to watch it before reading the verses for this week:

Overview: 1-2 Kings 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 (7/25)

Read the verses from Psalm 36 that are below, then say them as a prayer to begin your devotional time:

“How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

All humanity finds shelter

in the shadow of your wings.

You feed them from the abundance of your own house,

letting them drink from your river of delights.

For you are the fountain of life,

the light by which we see.” – Psalm 36:7-9 NLT

 

Read 1 Kings 18:16-46. 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 (7/26)

Read and pray Psalm 36:7-9 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 being sheltered by the Lord.

 

Read 1 Kings 19. 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 (7/27)

Read and pray Psalm 36:7-9 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

Read 1 Kings 21. 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 (7/28)

Read and pray Psalm 36:7-9.

 

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 words you prayed from Psalm 36.

 

Read 1 Kings 22:29-40. 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 (7/29)

Read and pray Psalm 36:7-9 to begin your time with God.

 

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

 

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

 

 

Saturday (7/30)

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 103.

 

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 God as you let your mind meditate on God’s forgiveness, mercy, and unfailing love.

 

Read the section titles for the verses of chapters 3 and 4, then read all of 2 Kings 5. 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 how God is the source of healing. What are some of the ways the Lord has healed you or people you know? Write your answers in a journal or spend some time talking to your spouse, another family member, or friend to share what came to mind.

 

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.