The first book that we will cover this week is Ephesians. It is a book, which is written by Paul for the church in Ephesis. The church appears to be fairly mature and strong in it teaching and doctrine as no error or heresy seems to be addressed in Paul's writing. This may be due to the fact that Paul was able to minister here for about three years and may have been able to really pour himself into the church in Ephesis. Paul just wants them to deepen and broaden their focus. He explains that the church is one body with Christ as the head who sets the mind, heart and mission of the church. He reminds them they are all part of the body and need to work together to fulfill Christ's purpose. That is still the call of the church everywhere today.
The next book we will begin reading this week is Proverbs. It is a book of wisdom literature and proverbs. Therefore, it is not meant to be interpreted as prophecy or absolute statements of direct promise. It is help, focus, priorities, wisdom, and guidance within the natural order and wisdom of God. The wise counsel and guidance is invaluable. It is a very relevant book. The first seven (7) verses state the purpose of the book. The key verse for the book of Proverbs is 2:6. You will be encouraged to continue reading Proverbs on a daily basis and instructions will come just before the reading list.
WEEK 38 OF THE WB:DAY ONE, SEPTEMBER 17 - EPHESIANS 1-6
Chapter 1
Who wrote the book?
To whom was it written and what kind of followers are they?
What are some of the spiritual blessing that come from God?
To whom do we belong, when were we chosen to be his, and did we become his?
What is the Holy Spirit's part in our salvation?
According to verse 17-18, what does Paul pray for the Christian's in Ephesis?
How can you pray that prayer for your friends and family?
Describe the church according the last verses of this chapter.
Chapter 2
How is Satan and his followers described?
How does God rescue us from that (verse 4 and following)?
How does verse 10 describe a Christian and his/her purpose? How does that make you feel?
Describe God's ministry of reconciliation.
How are you being a minister of reconciliation in the world today?
Chapter 3
What is the plan for the gentiles, according to Paul?
How does this show God's heart for the world?
Do you have a heart for God's people throughout the world? How is that being shown?
According to verse 11, for how long has God had a heart for the entire world?
What is Paul's prayer in verse 16-19?
How can you pray that prayer for others?
Chapter 4
What are some of the actions and attitude, which show we are living a life worthy of God's call on our life?
What do you think it means that we are all one body?
How does that effect how you live, serve, and have church?
How does the body become healthy and strong?
What is you role in the body?
What is the difference between the old and new nature?
Which one do you have and are living out? How well are you doing?
What do you think it means to grieve the Holy Spirit?
Chapter 5
How can you follow God or imitate him?
How does this chapter capitalize and elaborate in the previous chapter?
How can we be light in this world?
What do we need to be controlled with instead of wine and our own will?
What are some principles for marriage found in this chapter and what are some modern day applications for this?
How is the oneness of marriage an example to the world of Christ's love to the church?
Have you seen any marriages that are good witness of God's love and what makes them that way?
Chapter 6
What are some principles for families that are found here?
What are some principles for employment that one can use from the instructions for slaves and masters?
Whom should we see as the one to please and work for?
What are all the pieces of armor found here?
What is each pieced used here?
How can you put on the full armor of God in your life?
How is our real enemy and how should we fight him?
Proverbs:
It is wise to read a chapter of Proverbs a day all of your life. After reading Proverbs this time, consider a lifetime of reading a chapter of Proverbs corresponding to the day of the month. For instance; on January 1 read Proverbs 1, January 2 reading Proverbs 2 and so on through out the month, then begin again in February and so on through out the year. As you read through Proverbs over and over consider making lists of verses that corresponding to various parts of your life. Read it through one time looking for all verses on relationships, one time for all verses on finances or stewardship, one time for parenting, for seeking guidance from God, for wisdom, emotions, priorities, and so on. It is also good to memorize key verses for God to bring to your mind in times of need.
In order to make this reading relevant to your life each of you will read it looking for the help you need in an area you pick. For this time of reading pick a topic of interest to you or one you are struggling with. Then make a list of verses that have principles to help you. This time through you will read more than one chapter a day according to the reading schedule. But after this time just read one chapter a day.
This will be your journaling for this time through (the next week and a half):DAY TWO, SEPTEMBER 18 - PROVERBS 1-4
DAY THREE, SEPTEMBER 19 - PROVERBS 5-9
DAY FOUR, SEPTEMBER 20 - PROVERBS 10-12
DAY FIVE, SEPTEMBER 21 - PROVERBS 13-15
DAY SIX, SEPTEMBER 22 - PROVERBS 16-19
DAY SEVEN, SEPTEMBER 23 - PROVERBS 20-22
Back to top| DAY ONE | Sep-10 | REVELATION 10 |
| DAY TWO | Sep-11 | REVELATION 11 |
| DAY THREE | Sep-12 | REVELATION 12 |
| DAY FOUR | Sep-13 | REVELATION 13 |
| DAY FIVE | Sep-14 | REVELATION 14 |
| DAY SIX | Sep-15 | REVELATION 15 |
| DAY SEVEN | Sep-16 | REVELATION 16 |
Always begin your time of God with prayer. Ask him for understanding and insights. You can pick out a verse, thought or feeling from the passage and think on it (mediate) on it all day. Meditating on God's word means to digest it, put it into your mind, think on it, and concentrate in different ways on the passage.
Some ways you can do this is:
1. Put yourself into the scene.
2. Emphasize different words in the verse.
3. Paraphrase the passage in your own words.
4. Pray the passage back to God if it is a prayer, song, poem, etc (personalize it).
5. Use SPACE PETS acrostic to ask some standard questions.
S - Sins to confess? Do I need to make restitution?
P - Promises to claim? Have I met the conditions(s)?
A - Attitudes to change? Am I willing?
C - Commands to obey? Even if I don't feel like it?
E - Examples to follow? One to copy or avoid?
P - Prayers to pray? Is there something I need to tell God?
E - Errors to avoid?
T - Truths about God or the Bible I need to believe?
Adapted from 12 Dynamic Bible Study Methods (Chapter 1) by Richard Warren and William A. Shell.