Revelation is the one of the most controversial books in the Bible. John relates a vision - or "revelation" - given to him by Jesus. The vision includes the chastisement of churches about their lack of faith, multiple forms of symbolism, prophecies about the fate of the Devil, and apocalyptic language that both confuses and concerns people. It remains popular as the basis for "fire and brimstone" fear tactics, the belief of some religious leaders that if you scare people enough about the end of the world, they will default to believing in Jesus as their savior.

We see a glimpse in Revelation of how God's story of salvation - the one we are still living in today - will result in all things being made new. While much of Revelation can intense to decipher, the end of the book is one of the most comforting passages in the Bible, not scary. We all long for and look forward to the being in Jesus' presence, in the place where there is no more pain or tears. All of His promises have been fulfilled, and we will never have to experience death or separation from God ever again.

The Big Picture series has been about God's story of salvation for His people. As you finish out this series, we pray that you see clearly how this story of salvation is for YOU.


READ

• Mar 11         A Voice and a Vision – Revelation 1:1-20 || LISTEN
• Mar 12        Messages to the Churches – Revelation 2:1-3:22 || LISTEN
• Mar 13        The Throne of Heaven – Revelation 4:1-7:17 || LISTEN
• Mar 14        Hallelujah! – Revelation 19:1-20:15 || LISTEN
• Mar 15        The New Jerusalem – Revelation 21:1-22:21 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, March 10th


DISCOVER
Author & Date: The Apostle John, who was also the writer of the Gospel of John, received the vision of the revelation while on the island of Patmos in the mid-90s AD.
Many Antichrists vs. The Antichrist: John writes in his previous letters about many "antichrists" coming. In those verses, he is referring to any teaching that is contradictory to the teachings of Christ. However, THE Antichrist is the embodiment of all evil contrary to who Christ is as Savior and Lord: the Devil.
The 144,000: Some religious groups, for example the Jehovah's Witnesses, consider this number to be a literal representation of the truly faithful Christians from 33 AD until the end of time. This can be concerning when you consider that there are over 8.6 million Jehovah's Witnesses today! However, when taken through the lens of Biblical number symbolism, this number represents all of the faithful believers in the body of Christ throughout all of time.
How Do I Study Revelation? In addition to helpful books and Bibles Studies, there are lot of books with skewed theology or non-Christian ideas written about Revelation. If your church isn't leading a Bible study about Revelation right now, trust your pastor to guide you to books that will explain the visions and symbolism while staying faithful to the Big Picture of the whole Bible!


NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. What did you find most interesting or thought-provoking?
2. What challenged you?
3. What did you learn about the character of God?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
God, our Father, creator of Heaven and earth, we thank You that Your plans are greater than our plans. Even when we can't see the way forward, you are with us. We know how You will work out all things for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. Fulfill Your promise to forgive us by the blood of Jesus. Give us faith to trust You all our days, and when we finally reach heaven, let us proclaim with all of the saints that Christ is Lord! Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

While Paul provides a significant number of the epistles in the New Testament, we have letters from several other writers. Significantly, all of these writers were either disciples of Jesus or his brothers from Mary and Joseph, so their words carried great weight in the young churches.

James: The brother of Jesus and the leader of the Jerusalem council (not the apostle James)
Peter: The apostle Peter, founder of the church at Antioch and the church in Rome
John: The apostle John, one of the sons of Zebedee and author of the Gospel of John as well as the book of Revelation
Jude: Understood to be the brother of Jesus and of James, not the apostle Judas Thaddeus (Judas being another form of the Hebrew name Jude)

The letters following the book of Hebrews are considered the "general" letters, aimed at teaching people generally rather than to a particular person or specific church.


READ

• Mar 04        The Most Excellent Way – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 || LISTEN
• Mar 05        A New Creation in Christ – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6:2 || LISTEN
• Mar 06        A Living Hope – 1 Peter 1:1-2:12 || LISTEN
• Mar 07        Faith and Works – James 1:1-2:26 || LISTEN
• Mar 08        Love One Another – 1 John 3:11-4:21 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, March 3rd


DISCOVER
Philemon: This letter was written from Paul to Philemon, a slave owner, about his slave Onesimus. Paul was asking Philemon to consider Onesimus a brother in Christ, worthy of forgiveness, rather than punish him according to Roman law. 
Hebrews: Many Epistles include the name of the writer and the recipient early on in the message, but Hebrew does not indicate the author; however, it is understood that whomever wrote it was well-known to the Jewish Christians of the time. This book was written to Jewish converts who had a deep understanding of the Old Testament and Jewish customs. The writer urged them to focus on the new covenant established by Christ rather than be drawn back to the Jewish traditions and requirements.
James: The letter focused on Christian living rather than God's grace. Many of the passages mirror teachings from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount as well is wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Proverbs.
1 & 2 Peter: Peter is considered a shepherd of the church (pastor). His first letter focuses on Christians standing up to persecutions, while the second book discusses dealing with false teachings within the church. Both address Christian life and duties.
1, 2, & 3 John: These were written in 90 AD and are considered to be the last New Testament letters. John's first letter was refuting Gnosticism, the belief that the body is entirely evil and the spirit is essentially good. The second letter urged discernment for those traveling and sharing the Gospel, encouraging them to determine whether they were being supported by Christian or Gnostic guests before accepting assistance. The third letter commended appropriate support for these missionaries. John upholds Jesus being both fully God and fully man as well as commends people for upholding the spread of Christianity in the Great Commission.
Jude: Jude's letter combatted the idea that having grace meant that you could sin anytime, anywhere. He advised that the truth of God's grace should lead us to right living rather than wanton actions.


NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. How do these passages address the challenges early Christians were facing?
2. What challenged you in these passages?
3. What did you learn about the character of God?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Heavenly Father, we face challenges, both within the church and from outside of the church. Help us stay connected to You in Your Word and the Sacraments so that we are rooted in our faith throughout the struggles. By Your Holy Spirit, give us wisdom and guidance so that all people, including ourselves, are drawn back to the Gospel of Christ in every situation. Thank you for the teachers, apostles, and early church leaders who were faithful to sharing the Gospel that has been passed to us over many generations. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

Some of the big questions in the early church related to leadership. How should they act? How should they lead? How do they explain or defend the Gospel during arguments with each other and the rest of the world? These are questions that modern church leaders try to answer as well! Paul's letters to the churches are a wealth of guidance to us still today as we grow in faith and work to share God's love with those around us. 1st and 2nd Timothy as well as Titus are referred to as the "Pastoral Epistles" because of how Paul addresses Godly leadership.


READ

• Feb 26        Elders and Deacons – 1 Timothy 3:1-16 || LISTEN
• Feb 27        The Love of Money – 1 Timothy 6:3-21 || LISTEN
• Feb 28        Good Soldiers of Christ – 2 Timothy 2:1-26 || LISTEN
• Feb 29        All Scripture is God-breathed – 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8 || LISTEN
• Mar 01        The Coming of the Lord – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, February 25th


DISCOVER
1 & 2 Thessalonians (to the church in the city of Thessaloniki, in modern Greece): The church in Thessaloniki was under physical persecution, so Paul was writing with encouragement to stand firm in faith through it. He focused on Christ's second coming and what to watch for. Many people of the time considered the second coming to be imminent.
1 & 2 Timothy (to Timothy while Timothy is in Ephesus): Paul is now writing specifically to Timothy instead of to a church. Paul had continued on his missionary journey and left Timothy to work with the church in Ephesus. When Paul realized he would not be able to return to Ephesus as expected, he wrote to Timothy to give clarity on the message of God's grace. The second letter provided encouragement to both Timothy as well as the church at Ephesus.
Titus (to Titus while he is in charge of the church at Crete): Titus was a Gentile convert whom Paul left in charge after bringing the Gospel message to the island of Crete. Paul is teaching Titus how to reflect the care and grace of God in various aspects of Christian living.


NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. What differences do you see in the writings to church leaders vs. writings to the church as a whole?
2. What verses are so familiar that you breeze over them? Find time to meditate on them and how they apply to your life today.
3. What challenged you in the reading and why?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Dear Lord, we know that in this world we will face difficulties and persecution as Christians. Give us the strength to stand firm in our faith. Keep us engaged in Your Word so that we are rooted to you. Let us be a light to the darkness around us as we share Your love and grace with our friends, family, and everyone around us. When we are wrong, help us to be humble. You have promised to be with us always; help us to rest assured in that promise.
Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

Many sections of Paul's epistles to the churches are just as familiar as the stories of Jesus and are important sources of information about Christian living. At times, our temptation is to do exactly what the early church was doing: add requirements onto the salvation God provides to us in Jesus. Paul spends a lot of time directing people back to the Gospel and the message of grace in Christ, salvation by faith alone, and finding encouragement in that.

While we assume that this is easy to understand, these issues have signifiantly affected the church ever since. Martin Luther was especially impacted by Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Until then, he had been taught by the Catholic church that additional works were necessary for salvation. Even today, many churches promote "gospel PLUS" theologies and ask for people to prove their faith. That is why digging into Paul's letters to the churches can be so important in our spiritual lives.


READ

• February 19        More than Conquerors – Romans 8:1-39 || LISTEN
• February 20       The Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:16-6:10 || LISTEN
• February 21        The Armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-20 || LISTEN
• February 22        Rejoice in the Lord – Philippians 4:2-9 || LISTEN
• February 23        The Supremacy of Christ – Colossians 1:1-23 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, February 18th


DISCOVER
Romans (to the church in the city of Rome, in modern Italy): Paul was writing to the Romans in preparation for his visit to them. His primary focus is on both Gentiles and Jew being sinners as well as how they are both righteous by faith.
1 & 2 Corinthians (to the church in the city of Corinth, Greece): These books come after Romans, so we are mentioning them here even though we will read excerpts from them on Week 19. The Corinthians had written to Paul regarding several problems within the church (immoral relationships, misunderstandings about Christ, etc). Paul writes back to address these topics and shepherd them how to respond to sinful acts among fellow Christians in light of the Gospel.
Galations (to the church in the region of Galatia, in modern Turkey): Paul's letter to the Galatians refuted their claims that Old Testament practices were still essential in the early church.
Ephesians (to the church in the city of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city on the modern coast of Turkey): Paul is not writing to correct any problems in Ephesus. The letter generally discusses God's plan for salvation, the work of Christ in that plan, and our response because of it.
Philippians (to the church in the city of Philippi, Greece): This is a missionary "thank you" letter for support they have given Paul while he is in prison. He gives an update on how he is doing and encourages them in their Christian living.
Colossians (to the church in the city of Colosse, modern day Turkey): Paul is writing to argue against several heresies in the church at Colossus, including Gnosticism, the belief that knowing more brings you closer to God, and extreme forms of Judaism.


NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. What did you find most interesting or thought-provoking?
2. What challenged you?
3. What did you learn about the character of God?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Dear Lord, it is easy for us to look down at problems in the early church instead of the impact of our own sins on those around us. Forgive us for judging when we should be reflecting on our own lives, but help us to learn what Paul is teaching. Grow us always in faith so that we can act with humility in all situations. Give us comfort and peace knowing that Christ is all we need for life and salvation. May our lives, by the power of the Holy Spirit, reflect that faith to those around us. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

This section of readings begins with the conversion of Saul to Paul, one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. It is dramatic, detailed, and exciting, and we as Christians also love it as direct evidence of the power of Jesus in someone's life. The missionary journey are also written in a way that reminds us that the Gospel is worth struggles and risks in order to share the message with others.

Paul went on three missionary journeys as well as a final trip that took him to Rome, where he eventually died. The journeys included both land and sea travel throughout what is now Isreal, Syria, Turkey, Greece, and Italy. The walking portion of the journeys is said to have been over 10,000 miles! During this time, Paul planted at least 14 churches.

READ

• February 12        The Road to Damascus – Acts 9:1-31 || LISTEN
• February 13        The First Missionary Journey – Acts 13:1-14:28 || LISTEN
• February 14        The Council at Jerusalem – Acts 15:1-41 || LISTEN
• February 15        More Missionary Journeys – Acts 16:1-20:38 || LISTEN
• February 16        The Trip to Rome – Acts 25:1-28:31 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, February 11th 

DISCOVER
The Farthest Journey: While Paul gets the attention in Acts, the Apostle that traveled the farthest away from Jerusalem to spread the Gospel is Thomas (yes, the doubting one!). He made it all of the way to southeast India and is buried in the modern day town of Chennai.
Acts as a Bridge: The Book of Acts gives a framework and context for many of the other letters (epistles) in the New Testament. It also shows how the early church was connected eventually to the church throughout the world as the disciples and new believers spread the message of the Gospel.
Characteristics of the book of ACTS: (per the Concordia Self-Study Bible):
1. Accurate Historical Detail: ACTS covers a period of 30 years. Luke's records include information on locations, government leaders and court cases, and other notable historical activities that have been supported by archaelogical findings. This accuracy provides a rich detail of both the early church as well as life in the Roman empire during that time.
2.  Literary Excellence: Acts is written in Greek with extensive vocabulary and a focus on literaty styles of the area being described. However, when people are described in Palestinian settings, Luke uses Aramaic wordings/phrases that would be more common to that area.
3. Dramatic Description: Acts includes dramatic situational details and in-depth character descriptions. People are memorable and the stories move quickly, giving a sense of purpose and intent for the spread of the Gospel while being engaging to read.
4. Objective Account: Luke recorded both the exciting moments as well as times of dissension. This includes both individuals (Paul and Barnabus) as well as factions (different sets of Jewish believers).


NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. What did you find most interesting or thought-provoking?
2. What challenged you?
3. Where is God calling you to share the Gospel?
4. In what ways do you struggle to speak about your faith with those around you?

PRAY
God in heaven, your power and your presence are always with us. Give us the strength to follow where you lead. Help us to carry out the tasks you present before us, including sharing Your love AND Your Gospel message with others. Help us to be gracious, patient, and forgiving toward others, just as You are to us every day. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

The book of Acts details the early Christian church as the message of Jesus being the Messiah spreads from Jewish communities to the reaches of the Roman empire. The revolutionary teaching that not only was Jesus the Christ, and believing in him brought salvation, but also that this extended to Gentiles as well as Jews made being a Christian a dangerous position.

This week's readings mostly focus on the time before Paul's conversion. Jesus' disciples and eyewitnesses, especially Peter, are shown both as standing up for their faith as well as wrestling with other new Christians about what expressing that faith looks like.

READ

• February 5         The Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1-47 || LISTEN
• February 6         Growth and Persecution – Acts 3:1-4:37 || LISTEN
• February 7         The First Martyr – Acts 6:8-8:8 || LISTEN
• February 8         Sharing the Word – Acts 8:26-40 || LISTEN
• February 9         Good News for All – Acts 10:1-11:18 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, February 4th


DISCOVER
Author: Acts is written by Luke to the same Theophilus addressed at the beginning of the Gospel of Luke.
Recorded: Since Acts follow's Paul's life and ministry closely but is missing key historical events such as Paul's martyrdom and the fall of Jerusalem, many scholars believe this was written around 63 AD.
Focus: Luke focused on these four themes in his letter (per the Concordia Self-Study Bible):
1. To present a history: Luke's writing showed both small and large scale details in early Christianity, from the founding of specific churches to the general spread throughout the region of the message by various teams. The details in Acts allow for cross-referencing and verification of these events with non-Biblical historical sources.
2.  To give a defense: the early Christians often had to explain their beliefs to the Jews, pagans, and the non-religious people of the day. The Book of Acts details how defending their faith was also a method for encouraging conversion.
3. To provide a guide: Christians reading this letter from Luke could read how certain topics around Jesus were wrestled with and in some cases were "settled" by the leaders of the church, providing more consistency to their understanding and expressions of faith as a community at large.
4. To depict the triumph of Christianity in the face of bitter persecution: The tense political and religious climate could have quickly stamped out the young church. However, with greater danger came an even stronger testimony from believers as they were willing to sacrifice status or their lives. The martyrs stories were often shared as proof to the the truth of the Gospel could be trusted and that death was better denial of the truth.


NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. Where do you see your spiritual life aligned with or diverged from the early church?
2. How does the Gospel message affect the people in the story?
3. How do you see this affect in people around you today?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Dear God, just as you gave your Holy Spirit to the disciples at Pentecost, You have also given us Your Spirit to create and sustain our faith. Like the early Christians, we sometimes struggle with how to live out our faith in our lives. Help us to be bold like the disciples to share the saving work of Jesus with those around us. Show us people who need to know that you are a gracious God, and let us be a light to them. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

We will spend four weeks studying Jesus' ministry in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). For this fourth week, we will be focusing on John.

"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." - John 20:30-31

"This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." - John 21:24-25

John's statement is clear that his goal for sharing these writings is evangelical: he desires for people to hear about the saving work of Jesus and have eternal life. John often refers to miracles as signs and presents himself as a reliable witness, having been with Jesus as a disciple.

READ

• January 29         The Last Supper – Luke 22:1-46 || LISTEN
• January 30         Arrest and Trial – John 18:1-40 || LISTEN
• January 31         The Crucifixion – John 19:1-42 || LISTEN
• February 1         The Resurrection – John 20:1-21:25 || LISTEN
• February 2         The Ascension – Acts 1:1-11 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, January 28th


DISCOVER
Recorded: Traditionally held to be written around 85 AD or later. Because John omits several stories found in the Synoptic Gospels, some scholars believe he wrote after then and felt it important to record other situations.
Who was John? Not John the Baptist! John is referred to in scripture as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." He is also called a son of Zebedee (along with his brother James) and is a cousin of Jesus on his mother Mary's side. He does not mention himself as "John" in his own Gospel - anytime "John" is listed the author IS referring to John the Baptist.
Why the different start? John's gospel is notably different from the other three in that it starts almost poetically with a callback to Genesis 1 and the creation of the world. He spends the first chapter establishing how Jesus is God and how John the Baptist was simply a messenger of God. All of this may have been to combat heresies already springing up about the nature of Jesus.


NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. What did you find most interesting or thought-provoking?
2. What challenged you?
3. What did you learn about the character of God?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Dear God in Heaven, we thank you that your fight was not against us but against sin, death, and the power of the devil. Remind us daily that you have power over everything in our lives, and grow us faith to trust you through all of our trials and temptations. Give us the humility to see the cross and repent of our sins. From our repentance, help us to testify to the power of Jesus in our lives to everyone around us. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

We will spend four weeks studying Jesus' ministry in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). For this third week, we will be focusing on Luke.

The beginning of Luke's gospel is one of the most familiar to us because of its narrative of the Christmas story. Luke 2 is especially well known for its dating of the events around Jesus' birth with the census of Caesar Augustus, the ruler who established the Pax Romana (Roman Peace). This census was the cause of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be born there.

The Gospel of Luke is one of the Synoptic Gospels, but Luke is distinctive in the consistent emphasis that Gentiles were always a part of God's salvation plan. The rest of the world does not have a secondary level of importance to the Jews. He includes many examples of Gentile interactions with Jesus and their faith in his writings to underscore that point. Luke also highlights Jesus' inclusiveness for men, women, and children in His ministry as well as Jesus' concern for the poor and sinners.

READ

• January 22         Feeding the Five Thousand – Luke 9:1-36 || LISTEN
• January 23         Walking on Water – Matthew 14:22-36 || LISTEN
• January 24         Healing a Blind Man – John 9:1-41 || LISTEN
• January 25         Healing a Demon-Possessed Man – Mark 5:1-20 || LISTEN
• January 26         Raising Lazarus from the Dead – John 11:1-57 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, January 21st


DISCOVER
Recorded: Some scholars place the recording in the early 60s AD, while others suggest it was written in the 70s or 80s AD.
Who was Luke? Luke was a Gentile who at times traveled with the apostle Paul on his missionary journeys. Luke was known to be well educated and had strong command of the Greek written language. He was also a physician.
Who was Theophilus? We don't have an exact person, except that "Theophilus" was definitely an individual person and not a group of people. Some scholars suggest that Theophilus, while the addressee of the letter, knew that it was to be replicated and distributed to spread the teachings of Jesus to others.

NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. When have you experienced a miracle in your own life? 
2. What people (or which person) in the text do you identify with? Why?
3. What cultural context might help you better understand what the people in the story were experiencing as they witnessed Jesus' miracles?
4. What did you learn about the character of God?

PRAY
Dear Jesus, You showed us Your power in miraculous ways. Continue to work in miracles today, and give us eyes of faith to see and recognize them. Today we pray for those who need a miracle:

• For the suffering sick, that You would grant complete healing.
• For the lost, people who have either never had faith or who have walked away, that they would be able to say "I was lost, but now I'm found" by Your power.
• For those stuck in habitual sins, that You would break them free from those prisons.
• For people with broken relationships, that You would provide deep reconciliation and forgiveness.

Thank you for using your great power to die and rise again so that all people are saved. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

We will spend four weeks studying Jesus' ministry in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). For this second week, we will be focusing on Mark.

Mark's gospel is primarily focused on Jesus being the Son of God while showcasing both Jesus' divine and human natures. This was important in showing why Jesus was the promised Messiah. What Jesus did - especially relating to miracles - is emphasized more than long sections of preaching.

The book of Mark was written by John Mark, referenced in Acts 12 as a friend of Peter. He is also mentioned in other parts of Acts and in some of the Epistles of Paul. Mark was not one of the twelve disciple of Jesus, but the writing of Mark is a compilation based on preaching he heard from Peter and was seen as an accurate recording of accounts by others in the early Christian community.

READ

• January 15         Sermon on the Mount, Part 1 – Matthew 5:1-48 || LISTEN
• January 16         Sermon on the Mount, Part 2 – Matthew 6:5-7:29 || LISTEN
• January 17        The Kingdom of Heaven – Matthew 13:1-58 || LISTEN
• January 18         The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37 || LISTEN
• January 19         Lost and Found – Luke 15:1-32 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, January 14th


DISCOVER
Recorded: Mark was composed in the 50s-early 60s AD. It is believed to be the earliest written Gospel.
Audience: Mark was writing to Roman and Gentile readers.
The Final Verses: Mark16:9-20 was not recorded in the original manuscripts. Biblical scholars question whether:
1) the original ending of Mark has been lost,
2) if the writings ended at verse 8,
3) or whether there is another unknown explanation for the change in style, vocabulary, and content from the rest of Mark.


NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. What words of Jesus do you find most comforting?
2. Which of Jesus' teachings do feel challenged by?
3. What cultural context might help you better understand Jesus' teachings in this text?
4. What did you learn about the character of God?

PRAY
Heavenly Father, we ask that our hearts would be open to hearing and obeying your teachings. As sinners, sometimes we refuse to listen. Other times we listen and choose not to obey. Forgive us and help us to be humble toward what you are trying to show us about ourselves and about Jesus in our lives. Help us to follow You with our words and our actions towards others. Sometimes we hear your words and don't understand them. Give us the wisdom of the Holy Spirit so that we can have clarity. Thank you for loving us and hearing our prayers always. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

We will spend four weeks studying Jesus' ministry in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). We will focus on one book every week, starting with Matthew.

Matthew's gospel is primarily focused on showing the Jewish population how Jesus is the promised Messiah. Matthew spends a lot of time making connections between the life and work of Jesus on earth to the prophesies of the Old Testament. He emphasizes how Jesus is part of David's lineage. He also uses common Jewish phrases such as "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Son of David" and does not spend time explaining Jewish customs, showing that the people he is writing to would have already been familiar with them.

Matthew does, however, finish with the strong emphasis of the Great Commission, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... (Matt 28:19)."  This shows that while Matthew is wanting the Jews to recognize Jesus as the promised Christ, Jesus is the sacrifice and atonement for all people.

READ

• January 08         The Word Became Flesh – John 1:1-18 || LISTEN
• January 09         Gabriel’s Message – Luke 1:1-80 || LISTEN
• January 10         The Birth of Jesus – Luke 2:1-40 || LISTEN
• January 11         John the Baptist – Luke 3:1-20 || LISTEN
• January 12         Baptism and Temptation – Matthew 3:13-4:17 || LISTEN

REVIEW
Message from Sunday, January 7th


DISCOVER
The 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the four books of the Bible that focus on recording the work of Jesus on earth. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the "Synoptic Gospels" because they follow a similar story pattern and have more overlap to which stories they record.
The Author: The writer of Matthew has long been considered to be the apostle Matthew (one of Jesus' 12 disciples). In the Gospels, he was sometimes called Levi.
New Testament Languages: While Matthew was written especially with the Jewish people in mind, the bulk of the writing was Greek! The New Testament in general was first written in Greek, though some of the words of Jesus were recorded in Hebrew and/or Aramaic.


NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. What did you find most interesting or thought-provoking?
2. What challenged you?
3. How does the physical presence of God affect the people around Jesus in these stories?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Jesus, King of Heaven and Son of David, You have fulfilled every promise God made to the Israelites. Give us eyes of faith to clearly see both our sins and the depth of your forgiveness to us. Make us bold through the power of the Holy Spirit to believe the messages you give us about life and salvation. Give us the strength to share that message to everyone around us. Grow us daily as we read scripture and pray, especially as we reengage the Big Picture series. Thank you for the grace you show us every day. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

Last Fall, we spent 10 weeks reading through the top 50 stories of the Old Testament, and we are ready to dig into the New Testament! This series is called "The Big Picture" because we have seen how God is working throughout all of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Growing in these stories will give you a good Biblical basis for how God works in the lives of His people and weaves His story of salvation in Jesus Christ.

If you are just joining us - this is the perfect time! Walk with us through the New Testament over the next 10 weeks and then revisit the Old Testament stories as you have time.

Click HERE to sign up for notifications and encouragement as you participate in The Big Picture with us!

READ - Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

REFLECT
1. Where in your life is the reminder of salvation a welcome relief?
2. Who in your life needs to hear about the joy of salvation?
3. What opportunities are upcoming for you to share how Jesus has impacted your life?

PRAY
Dear Heavenly Father, as we begin 2024 we pray that you would help us to daily be rooted and rested in You. Help us to focus on Your Word in our lives and how our faith can overflow to others. At times, that is easy to say but very difficult to do. We have many struggles and frustrations that distract us from loving You and caring for those around us. We are sorry for our sins, and we pray that the grace You extend to us would transform our lives. Help us every day to be gracious toward others as together we look toward Your eternal salvation. Amen.

You can engage these blog readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

This week is the last set of readings in the Old Testament! David's descendants ruled Israel for about 300 years, but at the time of the prophets, Israel had split into two kingdoms. The northern Kingdom of Israel had its capital at Samaria, and out of ten tribes the ruling tribe was Ephraim. The southern Kingdom of Judah was led by the tribe of Judah and also contained the tribe of Benjamin, and Jerusalem was its capital. Eventually, the northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians and the people were scattered. The southern kingdom lasted about 100 years longer but was eventually overtaken by the Babylonians.

The prophets were sent to specific places at specific times, and it is important to consider the context of the people of Israel at the time. We also see many prophecies that point toward the coming Christ, which was the hope of the people through all of their struggles.

READ

• November 13      The Suffering Servant – Isaiah 51:1-53:12 || LISTEN
• November 14      Jeremiah’s Call and Message – Jeremiah 1:1-3:5 || LISTEN
• November 15      Daniel in the Lion’s Den – Daniel 6:1-28 || LISTEN
• November 16      The Story of Jonah – Jonah 1:1-4:11 || LISTEN
• November 17      The Day of Judgment – Malachi 1:1-4:6 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, November 12th

DISCOVER
Major vs. Minor Prophets: The writings of the major prophets are extensive enough that each of these books is contained on its own individual scroll. The minor prophets have a shorter length, so multiple books can fit on a Hebrew scroll.
Major - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel
Minor - Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

What am I missing - part 2: As we mentioned in Part 8, there are a few books of the Bible that we are not reading from during this series.

Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs): These books considered part of the "Wisdom Literature" of the Bible. King Solomon is recognized as the author of both of them.

The Remaining Prophets: These books contain a combination of narrative and poetry (songs), and several include references to the leaders of other countries, providing the opportunity for cross-references to non-Biblical sources to the truth of these accounts.
Lamentations, Ezekial, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah

NEXT STEPS

1. What did you find most interesting or thought-provoking?
2. What information would be helpful for you to understand the context of the passage?
3. How do you see God using prophets today?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Dear God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords - Your Word is still living and active in our lives today. We thank You for the people You have put into our lives who help us to see Your biblical truths. Like the Israelites, we at times want to reject your scripture as it convicts us and exposes our sin. By Your Holy Spirit, frame our minds to receive your law as readily as we do your Gospel. Guide us to thankfulness for the work of Jesus on the cross, and as we have been forgiven help us to also freely forgive others and ourselves as we live repentant lives. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

The Psalms and Proverbs had multiple writers but were largely aligned with the times of the kings of Israel (with a few exceptions). David is the most prolific writer of psalms. The Psalms were used as hymns in Hebrew worship, and they focus on the main theological themes of the Old Testament: Monotheism (one almighty God), the sins of humanity and God's grace, God's covenantal love, the response of people to God's covenant, and prophecies regarding the Messiah. Solomon, David's son, is the main writer of Proverbs. Many of the proverbs are related to practical action and attitudes related to wisdom and foolishness. Still, God is recognized as sovereign King and Creator. Because of their use in worship and daily living, the Psalms and Proverbs were both well-known and well-recognized when referenced by Jesus and others in the New Testament.

READ

• November 06      The Lord is My Shepherd – Psalm 23:1-6 || LISTEN
• November 07      Have Mercy on Me – Psalm 51:1-19 || LISTEN
• November 08      Praise the Lord – Psalm 103:1-22 || LISTEN
• November 09      Godly Wisdom – Proverbs 1:1-4:27 || LISTEN
• November 10      The Proverbs of Solomon – Proverbs 16:1-18:24 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, November 5th

DISCOVER
Types of Writing: Psalms is a mixture of poetry and prayers. Proverbs largely features "discourse" (lengthy conversation on a particular topic) and couplets of ideas regarding wisdom.
Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry: Parallelism (a balance of two connected thoughts) is a one of the most common poetic tools in Hebrew poetry, and thankfully it translates well across many languages! Three types of parallelism are listed below (some scholars split these further):
1. Synonymous - the first and second line contain similar thoughts, where the second line restates the idea or emphasizes the emotions
Example: "In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death." - Proverbs 12:28
2. Antithetic - the first and second line contain opposing thoughts which intensifies the difference between them
Example: "in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
    in the evening it fades and withers." - Psalm 90:6
3. Synthetic - the second line adds new depth to the first line by extending the idea in a new direction
Example: "As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him." - Psalm 103:13

NEXT STEPS
As you read the psalms and proverbs of the Bible, you can use the following questions as you reflect on their meaning and their impact on your life (parts taken from Engaging the Psalms: A Guide for Reflection and Prayer by Concordia Publishing House, pg. XIV-XV):

1. WRITER: What is the poet doing? What is historical and cultural context that influences these words? What does the writer intend for me to understand?
2. YOU: What connections am I making based on my own experiences? Can I identify with the circumstance of the voice in the psalm, or does this experience sound foreign to me? What do I not understand? What effect does this writing have on me?
3. TEXT: What explanations of this text are possible? What devices, such as ambiguities and paradoxes, do we need to look further into? What scriptures can we turn to for clarity?

PRAY
Dear God, we pray that as we read Your Word, You would fill us with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Keep our hearts open to what You have to say. Guide us so that we can learn, know, and understand Your heart rather than focus on our own experiences in these situations. Help us to praise you in all circumstances. Even in our struggles, may the scriptures bring us conviction and comfort. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

1st and 2nd Kings focuses on the end of David's rule through the Babylonian exile of the Israelites. While together they cover many kings of Israel, the books spend the most time on two types: kings that have faithful interactions with God and kings that significantly deviate from God's call to serve Him as leader over Israel. 1st and 2nd Kings also spend significant time on the prophets of Israel who are tasked with encouraging the kings to remain faithful to trusting God. For example, the prophet Nathan was instrumental in helping David understand his sin in our last story from 2nd Samuel.

READ

• October 30          David and Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25 || LISTEN
• October 31          King Solomon – 1 Kings 2:1-3:28 || LISTEN
• November 01      Solomon’s Temple – 1 Kings 8:1-9:9 || LISTEN
• November 02      Elijah and the Prophets of Baal – 1 Kings 16:29-19:18 || LISTEN
• November 03      The Fall of Jerusalem – 2 Kings 25:1-30 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, October 29th

DISCOVER
What is the Babylonian Exile? The Israelites were conquered by the Babylonian army, who ruled over them for about 70 years and exiled them from their land for a large portion of that time. The Israelites were allowed to return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C.
When were they written? According to scholars, many comments in these books point to 1st and 2nd Kings being written during the Babylonian exile. The author repeatedly highlights how Israel has been close to God or has broken the covenant as a way of showing the exiled Israelites why they are no longer in the Promised Land.
What am I missing?
In order to focus on the top 100 stories of the Bible, it means that we may not get to all of the books of the Bible during our Big Picture series. Here is a quick note on the Bible books we are moving past for now - but find time to read them, too, when you have a chance!

1st Chronicles - includes genealogies and additional information about the reign of King David.
2nd Chronicles - focuses in the reigns of King Solomon and other kings of Israel.
Ezra - chronicles the return of of the Israelites from exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem as well as Ezra's role in purifying Jewish marriages
Nehemiah - shares how Nehemiah accomplishes his task of building the wall of Jerusalem and works to bring people back into alignment with the covenant of God
Esther - shows a woman whose faithfulness in following God under the threat of death saves the people of Israel from destruction
Job - the legendary sufferer, who shows amazing faith in the face of the Devil's attacks

NEXT STEPS

1. What challenged you about these readings?
2. Where do you see your own struggles in these Biblical accounts?
3. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?
4. When has God used people in your life to speak His truth to you? How did you respond?

PRAY
God Almighty, we confess that we do not always trust you and your promises. This affects how we think, talk, and act toward those around us and towards you. Surround us with others who will point us toward you. Give us humble hearts to hear words of truth, and by Your Holy Spirit bring us back into alignment with You. Use us to be the light of Your Gospel truth to everyone around us. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

Samuel is considered the last of the judges, and he is significant as the one who anoints the first two kings of Israel. Samuel's work included establishing with Saul and David that they weren't just kings, they had a heavenly ruler that still oversaw and guided the people of Israel - a Covenantal Kingship. Samuel's role as a messenger from God was to continually reminded them to repent and trust God in everything. This was difficult for not only the Israelite people - who often found it easier to put their trust in the earthly kings - but it also became the downfall of King Saul.

David's conquering of Jerusalem established it as the royal seat of Israel. God then tells David two important things:
1. It is not David's job to build a permanent temple in Jerusalem.
2. God will use David to establish His kingdom forever.
Once again, God is weaving His story of salvation as it leads to Jesus.

READ

• October 23        Samuel Listens to God – 1 Samuel 1:1-3:21 || LISTEN
• October 24        King Saul – 1 Samuel 8:1-10:27 || LISTEN
• October 25        David and Goliath – 1 Samuel 16:1-18:16 || LISTEN
• October 26        David and Saul – 1 Samuel 23:7-24:22 || LISTEN
• October 27        King David – 2 Samuel 5:1-7:29 ||LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, October 22nd

DISCOVER
1 Book, 2 Books: Samuel was originally one book. The first time it was split into two books was in the Greek translation called the Septuagint (translated in the 3rd century BC). Since then, it has been common to keep the separation in later translations.
Writer of 1st & 2nd Samuel: Unknown! While it may be easy to assume from the title that Samuel is the author, the Scriptures do not provide enough information to positively identify the author of these books.
The Importance of Anointing: Anointing was reserved for special positions (prophets, priests, kings). Through the anointing, God made a promise to those people that He would be with them in the mission and role He had for them. This points us to the the anointing of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1 and through our baptism in Christ.
Important Locations: 
Shiloh - This city in Samaria is located about 31 km north of Jerusalem, now called Tel Shiloh or Khirbet Seilun. The Ark of the Covenant rested in Shiloh for over 300 years after the conquest of Canaan.
Valley of Elah - 16 miles west of Jerusalem in modern day Israel.
Desert of En Gedi/Crags of the Wild Goats - in the Judean desert in northwest modern Israel, now called Ein Gedi. This is one of two fresh water springs just west of the Dead Sea.
Jerusalem - same as the modern day location. At the time David conquered it, it was about 11 acres in size (currently, the city of Jerusalem spreads over 31,000 acres).

NEXT STEPS

1. What did you find most interesting or thought-provoking?
2. Where have you heard God's calling in your life? How have you answered?
3. What did you learn about the character of God?
4. What does it look like for you to have a "heart after God's own heart" in your relationships?

PRAY
God Almighty, we thank you for being our Heavenly King. Thank you for the assurance that gives us, especially when the situation in front of us causes fear and questioning. Give us the wisdom to hear and answer when You call us to Your purposes. Grant us humbleness to trust you in all circumstances. May we always have a heart after Yours, one that responds to Your calls for repentance and forgiveness. Help us to show forgiveness to others as you have forgiven us in Christ. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

The book of Judges illustrates the repeat pattern of Israel after the death of Joshua:
1. Forget about God and what He has done, acting outside of His laws (sin)
2. Outside nations threaten or attack (oppression)
3. Cry out to God for help (repentance)
4. God once again rescues Israel (deliverance)
Each of the nations around Israel presented an opportunity to worship false Gods and engage in activities that were contrary to God's design. Israel eventually turns on itself because of heinous acts at the end of Judges. As they move forward, Samuel becomes the last judge as Israel moves into their time of having kings.

The first line of Ruth is "In the days when the judges ruled," but instead of the cycle of sin and repentance, Ruth's story is one of redemption. In the tumultuous time of the judges, God is still weaving His story of salvation. Ruth is the great-grandmother of King David and part of the lineage of Jesus.

READ

• October 16        Israel’s Disobedience – Judges 2:6-3:6|| LISTEN
• October 17        Deborah Leads Israel – Judges 4:1-5:31|| LISTEN
• October 18        Gideon Defeats the Midianites – Judges 6:1-7:25 || LISTEN
• October 19        Samson Defeats the Philistines – Judges 13:1-16:31 || LISTEN
• October 20        The Story of Ruth – Ruth 1:1-4:22 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, October 15th

DISCOVER
The Title of Judges: The Hebrew title is Shoftim. While today we associate "judge" with a person overseeing a courtroom, in Hebrew the word has a greater association with those that rule over the land, such as a governor or military leader, or as someone providing divine deliverance.
Women of Jesus' Genealogy: Matthew Chapter 1 lists five women in the lineage of Jesus: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (called "the wife of Uriah"), and Mary. Each of these women has a significant narrative in the Bible.
Sanctuary Cities: Kedesh is featured prominently in the account of Deborah. Kedesh was one of the 6 sanctuary cities (or cities of refuge), that is a place designated by God where people who have unintentionally committed murder could go and be exempt from blood revenge. The other 5 cities were: Shechem, Hebron, Golan, Ramoth, and Bosor.
Important Locations: 
Midian - located in western Saudi Arabia, southern Jordan, southern Israel, and the Egyptian Sinai peninsula
Kedesh - in northern Galilee along the Israel-Syria border
Moab - east of the Dead Sea, this region included at the time of Ruth the important trade route "the King's Highway," which connected Arabia and Egypt
Bethlehem - yes, THAT Bethlehem! 10 km south of Jerusalem in the West Bank (currently controlled by Palestine)

NEXT STEPS

1. What did you find most interesting or thought provoking?
2. What did you learn about the character of God?
3. Some judges are ones we admire and others are surprisingly divisive. Reflect on how God is using a variety of people today as leaders in various aspects of your own life.
4. How is God working through you to lead others by faith?

PRAY
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - sometimes we are challenged by what we read in Scripture. We are challenged in how we think and view both Biblical and modern situations. We are challenged internally as we wrestle with how we are like - or unlike - various people that have come before us. We pray that you would be in our hearts to guide our thoughts through these types of readings. Use these times to test and strengthen our faith in You. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us individually and as a church. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

The 10 Commandments are meant for individuals to follow to have a right relationship with God and with one another; however, it is important to remember that the commandments applied to Israel as a community as well! As the People of God, they were to love God and not worship any false idols. As a group, they were prohibited from coveting what the neighboring communities had because God would always provide what they needed. At times, their struggles came not only from an individual sin but from the community as a whole rejecting the promises of God. This often came as they were impatient with God's timing and fearful of their neighbors instead of trusting God.

Our readings shift on Wednesday from Exodus to the book of Joshua. Moses and the Israelites had wandered in the desert for 40 years and were about to cross over the Jordan River. The book of Joshua directly continues the narrative at the end of Deuteronomy. Moses appointed Joshua as his successor in Deuteronomy 31:1-8 (also see Deut 34:9), and the book begins with God addressing the Joshua as he assumes leadership.

READ

• October 09        The Ten Commandments – Exodus 19:1-20:21|| LISTEN
• October 10        Golden Calf – Exodus 32:1-34:35|| LISTEN
• October 11        Joshua Succeeds Moses – Joshua 1:1-18 || LISTEN
• October 12        Crossing the Jordan – Joshua 3:1-4:24 || LISTEN
• October 13        The Fall of Jericho – Joshua 5:13-6:27 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, October 1st 

DISCOVER
Jewish Torah and Tanakh: In addition to Genesis and Exodus, Moses also wrote Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books comprise the Torah, the first part of the Hebrew Bible (the Tanakh). The Christian old testament mostly contains the same writings as the Tanakh, however the order is not the same. Additionally, some books that Christians split, such as 1st and 2nd Samuel, are kept as one book in the Tanakh.
The Name of Joshua: The Bible book is named after Joshua, the leader of Israel after Moses. Joshua in Hebrew is "Yehoshua," which means "God is deliverance" or "Yahweh Saves" and is related to the name and meaning of "Yeshua" (Jesus).
The Theme of Joshua: The theme of Joshua is the fulfillment of God's promise and the establishment of the Israelites in the Promised Land.
Important Locations: 
Mount Sinai - many scholars consider Mt. Horeb and Mt. Sinai to be the same, located in the south/central part of the Sinai peninsula
The Jordan River - runs between the Sea of Galilea in the north to the Dead Sea in the south, separating modern day Israel and the West Bank (west) from Jordan and Syria (East)
Jericho - now called Tell es-Sultan or Tel Jericho in Palestine, the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage sight as the world's oldest fortified city
Canaan - the modern states of Israel, Jorden, Lebanon and the Western part of Syria, some scholars include Gaza and the West Bank

NEXT STEPS

1. What challenged you in these texts?
2. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?
3. Where do you see the church of today struggling to follow the commandments or to trust in the promises of God?
4. Where do you see the church of today succeeding in following the commandments and in trusting in the promises of God?

PRAY
Heavenly Father, maker and creator of all things, we confess that we often view the 10 commandments negatively instead of as one of your many gifts to us. We are quick to point out those times other people or groups do not follow You instead of reflecting on our own lives and our own church. We pray that just as you led the people of Israel through the wilderness, you would always walk with us regardless of our circumstances. Give us the patience to wait for the good things you have to give us, and provide us with faith and trust to follow where you are leading. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

Redemption is a major theme in the first part of Exodus. While we know that ultimately points to Jesus, our Redeemer, Exodus records several stories where the situations produce rich imagery about how God rescues and restores us. We see this first in the care God shows Moses as an individual, rescuing him from death both at the hands of the Egyptians and from the Nile river. We also witness God's power over creation and His people as He brings them through the Red Sea. Both of these stories point us toward baptism and God's work of salvation. God's greatest show of redemption in the story is "The Passover," where the blood of a sacrificed lamb saved the Israelites from suffering the 10th plague, the Angel of Death. We are thankful for Jesus being our Sacrificial Lamb!

READ

• October 02        The Birth of Moses – Exodus 1:1-2:25 || LISTEN
• October 03        The Burning Bush – Exodus 3:1-4:17 || LISTEN
• October 04        The Ten Plagues – Exodus 6:28-11:10 || LISTEN
• October 05        The Passover and the Exodus – Exodus 12:1-42 || LISTEN
• October 06        Crossing the Red Sea – Exodus 13:17-14:31 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, October 1st


DISCOVER
Information about the Title: Exodus the Latin form of the Greek word Exodos, which means "exit" or "departure". While we consider Exodus its own book, it is meant to be a direct continuation of the Genesis narrative (similar to the books of Luke and Acts in the New Testament).
Writer: Moses
Quick Passover Notes: Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is a Jewish festival that lasts 7 or 8 days and commemorates the liberation from Egypt. The first night includes a Seder meal, a family meal that follows a particular order of prayers, readings, and specific foods as the meal progresses. The festival is also called the Feast of Unleavened Bread because of the instructions God gave to the Israelites as they were preparing to leave Egypt. Some Christian churches commemorate Seder meals on Maundy Thursday because Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper during a Seder meal with His disciples. Strict dietary rules are followed through Passover, and certain work is prohibited at the beginning and end of the week as well.
While Passover is often given a lot of attention in the United States due to its proximity to Easter celebrations, Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement - is considered the holiest of days in the Jewish calendar. 
Important Locations: 
Midian - an area in what is now the northeastern part of Saudi Arabia next to the Gulf of Aqaba
Mount Horeb - many scholars consider Mt. Horeb and Mt. Sinai to be the same, located in the south/central part of the Sinai peninsula
Egypt - exactly where you think it is!
Red Sea - in the same place as today, but the exact route of the Exodus and the point the Israelites crossed it is disputed

NEXT STEPS

1. What did you find most interesting or thought provoking in these stories?
2. How do you see God working redemption in you as an individual?
3. Where have you seen God working redemption in your family or in your community?
4. What did you learn about the character of God?

PRAY
God, our Redeemer, we pray that we would always be mindful of your presence in our lives. Help us to remember and see all of the times you have heard our cries for mercy and delivered us. {pause here and thank God as you remember the times He has given you deliverance in the past} We pray for struggles we have right now. {pause here and pray for your own situations or for others who know} We pray that you would provide a way out and that in the deliverance we would praise you! Thank you for giving us ultimate redemption in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

Joseph's story is one of the most memorable in the Bible. One reason we visit this section of Genesis often is that Joseph goes through a lot of difficult situations. Through it all, he shows great faithfulness to God's calling in his life. We are also shown the beauty of transformation in the lives of Joseph's brothers, which can be helpful in our own lives as we wrestle with relationships. In Genesis 49, Jacob blesses his children, and they become known as the 12 Tribes of Israel or the Children of Israel.

READ

• September 25        Sold Into Slavery – Genesis 37:1-36 || LISTEN
• September 26        Prison and a Promotion – Genesis 39:1-41:57 || LISTEN
• September 27        Ten Brothers Go to Egypt – Genesis 42:1-38 || LISTEN
• September 28        The Brothers Return – Genesis 43:1-44:34 || LISTEN
• September 29        Joseph Reveals His Identity – Genesis 45:1-46:7 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, September 24th


DISCOVER
Type and Antitype: In literature "type" refers to a character who foreshadows someone else or shows a glimpse of something to come in the future. Joseph's is considered a type of Christ, not because he could replace Christ in the story of salvation but because his story parallels and points to many aspects of Jesus' life. "Antitype" refers to the fulfillment of the "type", so in all of the cases below Jesus is the Antitype, the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecies and promises of God. (Pastor Dave talked about this in his message on Sept 17th as well!)
A Few Examples of Type in the Old Testament: 

• Adam, as the representative of all humanity in sin
• Melchizedek, the king and priest of Salem (which means peace)
• Moses, as mediator between God and the people of Israel
• David, the shepherd/king who was faithful to following God
• Jonah, who returned to the land after three days in a fish's belly

Important Locations: 
Canaan/The Promised Land - the modern states of Israel, Jorden, Lebanon and the Western part of Syria, some scholars include Gaza and the West Bank
Hebron - south of Jerusalem about 18 miles in modern day Palestine
Egypt - exactly where you think it is!
Goshen - exact location disputed, a fertile area near the Nile river given to the Israelites to settle

NEXT STEPS

1. Where in your life have you been like Joseph, trusting God through exceptional difficulties?
2. Where have you been more like the rest of the brothers, needing to admit fault in order to move forward towards healing?
3. What did you learn about the character of God?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Dear Lord, we always want to be like Joseph, faithful in trusting You through life's circumstances. Help us to remember to acknowledge Your work in the good times. Remind us of Your constant presence through trials and temptations. When we do not show care and kindness towards others, when our jealously and fear overcome us - work in our hearts to repent. Forgive us and guide us. Show us that we can be a light to those around us even if we have struggled before. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are considered the "Patriarchs" or founders of faith because of their role in God's establishment of His covenant with the people of Israel. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all trace their historical roots back to the Patriarchs. Many times in the Bible, God is referred to as "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" as a way to remind people of His covenantal promises to them. Jesus also refers to God this way in Matthew 22 and strongly connects Himself with God the Father in that chapter.

It is important to remember that even as the Patriarchs of faith, these men were not perfect. As the Big Picture unfolds, you will find that God uses faith-filled broken people throughout His plan of salvation. The promises of God produce hope in the lives of broken people, back then and still today.

READ

• September 18        The Call of Abraham – Genesis 12:1-20 || LISTEN
• September 19        God's Covenant with Abraham – Genesis 15:1-21 || LISTEN
• September 20        Isaac's Birth & "Sacrifice" – Genesis 21:1 - 22:19 || LISTEN
• September 21        Jacob & Esau Compete – Genesis 27:1-28:22 || LISTEN
• September 22        Jacob & Esau Reconcile – Genesis 32:1 - 33:20 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, September 17th

DISCOVER
Oral Tradition: The stories in this part of Genesis were passed down by oral tradition. While today we consider hearing more prone to fault than written words, a very high value of ancient oral traditions is precise memorization. Songs, proverbs, poems, and other devices were sometimes used to aid in memorization.
Sacrificial System: In order to have a right relationship with God, our sins require atonement (complete pardoning of sin). The sacrificial system was a way to show sacrifice and repentance for sins, and the extent of the sacrificial system is detailed more heavily in other books of the Bible such as Leviticus. However, it plays an important role in both the story of Isaac as well as the daily lives of the children of Israel. The sacrificial system was rendered finished in Christianity after Jesus' death and resurrection, which was the full atonement for the sins of the world.
Important Locations: 
Ur in Chaldea - modern southern Iraq
Canaan/The Promised Land - the modern states of Israel, Jorden, Lebanon and the Western part of Syria, some scholars include Gaza and the West Bank
Mount Moriah - known today in Jerusalem as the Temple Mount, currently the site of the Muslim mosque "The Dome of the Rock"
Beersheba - southern Israel, northern edge of Negev desert
Penuel/Jabbok River - east of the Jordan river in modern day Jordan


NEXT STEPS

1. Who do you consider a faith role-model in your life? In what ways or situations have they helped to guide you?
2. Where do you see a need for forgiveness and reconciliation in your relationships?
3. What did you learn about the character of God in these stories?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Heavenly Father, as we read these stories, remind us that the the promises you made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are promises that extend to all who believe in Your name. Help us to be faithful in trusting you no matter what we are going through. By the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, your Son, you have opened grace, peace, and eternal life to Your children. Give us Your Holy Spirit that we may always believe this. Help us also to extend grace and forgiveness to those around us. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

We see in our first set of stories that God's love created us. Even through our sin God's love sustains us as He is always working toward our good - including when we repeatedly get in the way. Chapters 1-11 focus on history before Abraham, also called the father of faith in the book of Hebrews. Genesis is part of the Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Bible (also called the Torah in Jewish traditions). The word to describe these chapters in theological terms is called Protology or "first words."

READ

• September 11        Creation – Genesis 1:1-2:25 || LISTEN
• September 12        The Fall – Genesis 3:1-24 || LISTEN
• September 13        The Flood – Genesis 6:5-7:24 || LISTEN
• September 14        God’s Covenant with Noah – Genesis 8:1-9:17 || LISTEN
• September 15        Tower of Babel – Genesis 11:1-9 || LISTEN

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Message from Sunday, September 10th

DISCOVER
Information About the Title: The word "Genesis" is actually a Greek word which means "origin" in English. In Hebrew, the first word of the book is "Bereishith," which translates to "In the Beginning." Sounds familiar, right? Even people who aren't Christians or Jews often recognize that "In the beginning" is the first line of Genesis.The Jewish names for the Old Testament books are typically whatever the first word of that book is in Hebrew.
Type of Writing: Prose History
Writer: Moses
Important Locations: 
Garden of Eden - exact location unknown, Mesopotamia
Mount Ararat - modern day Türkiye
The city of Babel - modern day Iraq, exact location disputed

NEXT STEPS
These questions can apply to all readings individually or can be done after all readings are finished.

1. What did you find most interesting or thought-provoking?
2. What challenged you?
3. What did you learn about the character of God?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
God Almighty, we thank you for Your amazing creation. We thank you for the way that you continue to grow us as we live in the grace of our baptisms. Please help to always see the work of Your hands in our lives. We confess that at times we are in the places of Adam, Eve, and the other people in these stories who struggle with faith. Please forgive us and grow us so that our faith is strengthened in your promises. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.

Over 10 weeks in the Fall and 10 weeks in the Spring, we will spend time in the top 100 stories in the Bible. We are calling this series "The Big Picture" because we will look at how God is working throughout all of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Growing in these stories will give you a good Biblical basis for how God works in the lives of His people and weaves His story of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Click HERE to sign up for notifications and encouragement as you participate in The Big Picture with us!

READ
Introduction   ||   The Compassion of the Lord – Isaiah 55:1-13

Besides a daily scripture reading outline, each weekly blog post will have:

• a link to the previous week's sermon for an overview of the scriptures
• an information section with the history of the Biblical book, major locations, and more
• a set of questions that can be used for quiet reflection or as a group devotion
• a prayer for the week

PRAY
Dear Lord, you have said in Isaiah 55 that your Word does not return empty but accomplishes the purpose You have set for it. We believe Your Word is truth and that we can depend on Your promises. We pray that your Word would work in our hearts as we read and hear it. By Your Holy Spirit, help us to grow in faith and love toward You. Help us to show your grace and compassion to those around us. Amen.

You can engage these blog readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.