Sunday (10/23)

As we continue reading through the Old Testament of the Bible, this week we will read portions of the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is the beginning of the wisdom literature within the Hebrew Bible. Although the book begins with the statement, “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,” the book contains contributions from others in addition to the wisdom shared by Solomon (Proverbs 1:1 NIV). In response to his prayer recorded in 1 Kings 3 King Solomon received God-given wisdom to reign and rule as the third king of Israel (1 Kings 3:10-12). This book of the Bible not only contains words of wisdom shared by the king, but it is designed for helping the reader and hearer of the verses to live well in the world God has created.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Job, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible. The video summarizes the Hebrew scriptures of the ancient Jewish people. 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 the verses with another person or small group.

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 (10/24)

Read the verses from Psalm 62 that are below to begin your devotional time:

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” – Psalm 62:5 NIV

 

You are encouraged to watch the Overview: Proverbs video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube before reading the verses for this week:

Overview: Proverbs by the Bible Project

 

Read Proverbs chapters 1 and 2. As you read the chapters, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal a word, phrase, or verse from the biblical text that is specifically for you for today.

 

Pray for wisdom and discernment.

 

 

Tuesday (10/25)

Read Psalm 62:5 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 the physical sounds you hear. The Spirit of the Lord can use the noises you hear to help you set your thoughts on the One who enables you to hear and perceive.

 

Read Proverbs chapters 3 and 4. Choose questions 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 (10/26)

Read Psalm 62:5 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

Read Proverbs chapters 5 and 6. 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 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 (10/27)

Read Psalm 62:5.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening. Be still physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritual, knowing that God is in charge and in control (Psalm 46:10). Don’t let your mind drift towards to-do-lists or tasks, but stop long enough to let your thoughts cease so that your only focus is being with the Lord.

 

Read Proverbs chapters 7 and 8. Choose questions 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:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (10/28)

Read Psalm 62:5 to begin your time with God.

 

Read Proverbs 9. Invite the Lord to speak to you through the words of scripture.

 

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

 

 

Saturday (10/29)

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 62:5.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

Read Proverbs 31, the concluding chapter of this book of wisdom.

 

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