Your Faith Journey 195
Sunday (8/21)
The Gospel of John all-church worship and small group series began on August 7th. During the first week, our theme was the Identity of Jesus, which includes “the Word,” “Christ,” “the Lamb of God,” “the Son of God,” and much more revealed by the gospel writer in his account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Last week, we focused on the theme of “Eternal Life” within John’s Gospel. This week, we are turning our attention to “Jesus as Food.” The worship services, small group discussions, and memory verse for this week are all connected to the theme. You can watch The Gospel of John small group study videos through the AUMC website using the following link:
In regard to this Your Faith Journey devotional, during the month of August we are reading the entire Gospel According to John looking for the first four themes of our series. We will read the entire gospel twice by the end of the series on October 2nd, searching for the last four themes next month. 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 gospel writer reveals without trying to make it say what you want the verses to say.
2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.
3. As you read ask yourself a few questions:
What do these verses reveal about humanity?
What do these verses teach me about myself?
How do I see myself in the story when reading biblical narratives?
Which of these characters would I be?
In what ways is their story similar to my story?
What do these verses reveal about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?
7. Read, study, and discuss the verses with another person or small groups.
8. Use a Study Bible. 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 (8/22)
Memory Verse:
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go
hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35 NIV
Read, say, or pray the following lyrics from the hymn “Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness” by Johann Franck to begin your time with God:
Jesus, bread of life, I pray thee, let me gladly here obey thee;
never to my hurt invited, be thy love with love requited.
From this banquet let me measure, Lord, how vast and deep its treasure;
through the gifts thou here dost give me, as thy guest in heaven receive me.
If you have not read them already you are encouraged to read chapters 1 through 10 of John’s Gospel, then read John 11. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the message the Lord has for you from this chapter of the gospel. Look for the themes listed below as you read and study. You may want to use colored pencils to circle or underline each theme within the gospel verses if you are using The Gospel According to John Journal:
- Jesus’ Identity Revealed
- Eternal Life
- Food
- Light
Pray after reading the last portion of the Apostles’ Creed that is listed below. Consider letting the words of the chapter of John’s gospel account and the creed influence your prayer.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic {universal} church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins ,the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Tuesday (8/23)Memory Verse: John 6:35*Read the Memory Verse a few times from whichever translation you prefer. Listen to the song “Honey in the Rock” by Brook Ligertwood using the link below or searching for the song on YouTube, Spotify, or elsewhere:www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDGDrLU1XcM
Be silent for a few minutes. Let the Memory Verse and message of the song roll around in your mind. Think about how everything you need is found in and through Jesus. He is the source of life, sustainer of life, and giver of abundant life. Listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit as you sit, lay down, or walk in silence with your mind focused on the one who is the Bread of Life. Read John 12. You may find it helpful to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional to dive deeper during your study time. Look for the following themes as you read and study:
- Jesus’ Identity Revealed
- Eternal Life
- Food
- Light
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.
Wednesday (8/24)
Memory Verse: John 6:35*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize it using whichever translation you prefer.
Read, say, or pray the following lyrics from the hymn “Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness” by Johann Franck to begin your time with the Bread of Life: Jesus, bread of life, I pray thee, let me gladly here obey thee; never to my hurt invited, be thy love with love requited. From this banquet let me measure, Lord, how vast and deep its treasure; through the gifts thou here dost give me, as thy guest in heaven receive me.
You are encouraged to watch the Overview: John 13-21 video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube. It will provide some helpful insights for reading, studying, and understating the next half of this gospel:
Overview: John 13-21 by the Bible Project
Read John 13:1-30. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read? Continue searching for the following themes as you read and study:
- Jesus’ Identity Revealed
- Eternal Life
- Food
- Light
Pray after reading the last portion of the Apostles’ Creed listed below. Invite the Holy Spirit to use the words of the creed and the chapter from John to influence your prayer. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic {universal} church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Thursday (8/25)Memory Verse: John 6:35*Read the Memory Verse a few times. Listen to the song “Honey in the Rock” by Brook Ligertwood using the link below or searching for the song on YouTube, Spotify, or elsewhere:www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDGDrLU1XcM
Be silent for a few minutes. Think about what the lyrics of the song “Honey in the Rock” reveal about Christ. Let your mind linger on those thoughts about Jesus. Listen for the internal message from the Holy Spirit.
Read John 13:31-14:31. If you have not yet, use a suggestion or question on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional to dive deeper during your study time. Where do you see one or more of the themes listed below within the chapter? You may want to circle or underline them in the text:
- Jesus’ Identity Revealed
- Eternal Life
- Food
- Light
Pray in response to the Lord using the ACTS acronym as a guide:
Adoration (praise the Lord)Confession ThanksgivingSupplication (share your needs & the needs of others) Friday (8/26)Memory Verse: John 6:35*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize it today, using whichever translation you prefer. Read, say, or pray the following lyrics from the hymn “Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness” by Johann Franck to begin your time with the Lord: Jesus, bread of life, I pray thee, let me gladly here obey thee; never to my hurt invited, be thy love with love requited. From this banquet let me measure, Lord, how vast and deep its treasure; through the gifts thou here dost give me, as thy guest in heaven receive me. If you have not seen it yet, you are encouraged to watch the Overview: John 13-21 video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube. It will provide some helpful insights for reading, studying, and understating the next half of this gospel:Overview: John 13-21 by the Bible Projectwww.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfh_wOsauk
Read John 15. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the verses. Continue searching for the following themes as you read and study:
- Jesus’ Identity Revealed
- Eternal Life
- Food
- Light
Read the last portion of the Apostles’ Creed about the Holy Spirit that is listed below:
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic {universal} church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Pray using the words and phrases from the Apostle’s Creed as a guide. For example:
“I believe in the Holy Spirit” – I believe in you, Spirit of the living God. You are the source of wisdom, comfort, and a revealer of God’s grace. You empower us. You are our Counselor and guide. Thank you!
“I believe in the holy catholic church” – The church was made by Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God. Although there are many denominations and Christians scattered throughout the world, we are one Church made possible by the work of the Spirit in us. Guide us, the body of Christ, to share the good news about Jesus, to continue the work of Christ, and glorify you.
“I believe in the communion of saints” – Yes, Lord, you have enabled us to have a supernatural communion with you and one another as believers. Thank you!
Saturday (8/27)
Read John 6:35, the Memory Verse for this past week. If you have not memorized it consider writing it down multiple times or reading it over and over again until you have the verse memorized.
If you have been taking notes, underlining, or circling words as you have read the Gospel of John chapters this past week, read through your notes from chapters 11 through 15 as you look at words, phrases, and verses underlined and circled. Consider telling others what God has revealed to you within The Gospel of John by talking to a family member, a friend, or the members of your small group or Sunday school class the next time you are together.
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 & silence with Jesus, you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk. During the solitude, allow the Holy Spirit to bring to mind portions of what you read from the chapters of John’s Gospel this past week. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do-lists, plans for the day, etc., so that you can simply be with Jesus.
Read Exodus 31:12-13. What do these verses reveal about the Sabbath? Do you believe that observing the Sabbath would set you apart from other people in our community? Why? Do you believe that God wants you to rest a day each week? Why or why not?
If you believe that God wants you to observe the Sabbath you may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday to develop a new habit of resting. 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 and rest an entire day each week.
Pray however the Spirit of the Lord guides you to pray. You could pray in response to Jesus as you think about the Memory Verse for the week.