Weekly Lessons and Daily Bible Readings

Malachi

Focal Verses:  Malachi 3:1-10
Return to a Just God
Fairness and philanthropy are most apparent during times of great tragedy and loss. How do the faithful demonstrate the same benevolent and just spirit all the time? Malachi informs the faithful that God requires justice and faithfulness and will bestow bountiful blessings in proportion to what they are willing to give.

Keep in Mind
"⁷ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? ” (Malachi 3:7, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will  ANALZE Malachi’s prophecy about possessions, CONFESS personal unfaithfulness to God, and INSTITUTE a personal charitable living plan.

Focal Verses: Malachi 3:1-10
¹ “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
² “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 
³ He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. 
⁴ Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.
⁵ “At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
⁶ “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. 
⁷ Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’
⁸ “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 
⁹ You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 
¹⁰ Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Isaiah 9-12
TUESDAY:  Isaiah 13-17
WEDNESDAY: Isaiah 18-22
THURSDAY:  Isaiah 23-27
FRIDAY: Isaiah 28-30
SATURDAY: Isaiah 31-35
SUNDAY:  Isaiah 36-41

Matthew

Focal Verses:  Matthew 1:18-25
Emmanuel Is Born
The angel told Joseph about Mary’s pregnancy. The Old Testament prophets had already foretold the virgin birth of Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” Joseph was obedient to God and did not put Mary away privately,

Keep in Mind
" ²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. ” (Matthew 1:21, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will  EVALUATE the story of the birth of Jesus with fresh eyes, FEEL the presence of God in our lives, and CONSIDER fresh ways of sharing the Good News with others.

Focal Verses: Matthew 1:18-25
¹⁸ This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
¹⁹ Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
²⁰ As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 
²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
²² All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
²³ “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 
²⁵ But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Isaiah 42-44
TUESDAY:  Isaiah 45-48
WEDNESDAY: Isaiah 49-53
THURSDAY:  Isaiah 54-58
FRIDAY: Isaiah 59-63
SATURDAY: Isaiah 64-66
SUNDAY:  Jeremiah 1-3

Mark

Focal Verses:  Mark 11:1-11
Hosanna!
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the Passover celebration marked the beginning of His final days. He fulfills the prophecies of the coming Messiah.

Keep in Mind
" ⁹ And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Mark 11:9, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will  RECOUNT the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem; REFLECT on the meaning of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem; and DEVELOP a prayer in praise of Jesus’ triumphal entry.

Focal Verses: Mark 11:1-11
¹ As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 
² “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 
³ If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”
⁴ The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 
⁵ As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 
⁶ They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 
⁷ Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.
⁸ Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 
⁹ Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
¹⁰ Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!”
¹¹ So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Jeremiah 4-6
TUESDAY:  Jeremiah 7-9
WEDNESDAY: Jeremiah 10-13
THURSDAY:  Jeremiah 14-17
FRIDAY: Jeremiah  18-22
SATURDAY: Jeremiah 23-25
SUNDAY:  Jeremiah 26-29

Luke

Focal Verses:  Luke 22:7-23
The Lord’s Supper
The Scripture passage focuses on the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus sent Peter and John out to find a room, which had already been prepared for them. It was here that Jesus had His last supper with His apostles.

Keep in Mind
" ¹⁹ And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰ Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22: 19-20, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will  EXPLORE the principles behind the Lord’s Supper; COMMIT to participate in the Lord’s Supper as Jesus would have believers do; and MOTIVATED to teach someone else about the importance of the Lord’s Supper.

Focal Verses: Luke 22:7-23
⁷ Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. 
⁸ Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”
⁹ “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.
¹⁰ He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, 
¹¹ say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 
¹² He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 
¹³ They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.
¹⁴ When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 
¹⁵ Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 
¹⁶ For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
¹⁷ Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 
¹⁸ For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
¹⁹ He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
²⁰ After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
²¹ “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 
²² For it has been determined that the Son of Man^[c] must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” 
²³ The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Jeremiah 30-31
TUESDAY:  Jeremiah 32-34
WEDNESDAY: Jeremiah 35-37
THURSDAY:  Jeremiah  38-41
FRIDAY: Jeremiah 42-45
SATURDAY: Jeremiah 46-48
SUNDAY:  Jeremiah 49-50

John

Focal Verses:  John 20:1-10, 19-20
The Living Word
The disciples were afraid and locked themselves in a room. They did not expect a resurrection. When Jesus appeared to them, they greatly rejoiced. 

Keep in Mind
" ²⁰ And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD!.” (John 20:20, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will  DESCRIBE the disciples’ response to Jesus’ death and resurrection; APPRECIATE the beginning of a new life in Christ; and INVITE someone to learn more about Christ.

 Focal Verses: John 20:1-10, 19-20
John 20:1-10
¹ Early on Sunday morning,^[a] while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.  ² She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” ³ Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. ⁴ They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵ He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, ⁷ while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. ⁸ Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— ⁹ for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. ¹⁰ Then they went home.

John 20:19-20
¹⁹ That Sunday evening^[a] the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. ²⁰ As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Jeremiah 51-52
TUESDAY:  Lamentations 1-3; 36
WEDNESDAY: Lamentations 3;37-5
THURSDAY:  Ezekiel 1-4
FRIDAY: Ezekiel 5-8
SATURDAY: Ezekiel 9-12
SUNDAY:  Ezekiel 13-15

Acts

Focal Verses:  Acts 10:24-38
Peter Takes A Risk
It is very natural for humans to show partiality to some and not to others. What are some possibilities when a person risks being open and welcoming to all? Peter’s recognition that God shows no partiality allowed him to tell the Good News to the Gentiles.  

Keep in Mind
" ³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him..” (Acts 10:34-35, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will  DISCOVER that Peter told the Gentiles about the message of God’s Love; CELEBRATE that God loves all people; and COMMUNICATE God’s love to those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savor.

Focal Verses: Acts 10:24-38
²⁴ They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 
²⁵ As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 
²⁶ But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 
²⁷ So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.
²⁸ Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 
²⁹ So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”
³⁰ Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 
³¹ He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 
³² Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ 
³³ So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”
³⁴ Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 
³⁵ In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.
³⁶ This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 
³⁷ You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. 
³⁸ And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Ezekiel 16-17
TUESDAY:  Ezekiel 18-20
WEDNESDAY: Ezekiel 21-22
THURSDAY:  Ezekiel  23-24
FRIDAY: Ezekiel 25-27
SATURDAY: Ezekiel 28-30
SUNDAY:  Ezekiel 31-33

Romans

Focal Verses:  Romans 10:5-17
Salvation for All Who Believe
Many people lack confidence in addressing life’s circumstances. How can one gain trust? Salvation comes to all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in their hearts.  

Keep in Mind
"¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will  EXAMINE Paul’s confidence in the salvation offered in Christ; FEEL justified through our faith in Christ; and EMRACE with joy the possibility for all.

 Focal Verses: Romans 10:5-17
⁵ For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. 
⁶ But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 
⁷ And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 
⁸ In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”  And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 
⁹ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 
¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 
¹¹ As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
¹² Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 
¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
¹⁴ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 
¹⁵ And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
¹⁶ But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 
¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Ezekiel  34-36
TUESDAY:  Ezekiel 37-39
WEDNESDAY: Ezekiel 40-42
THURSDAY:  Ezekiel  43-45
FRIDAY: Ezekiel 46-48
SATURDAY: Daniel 1-3
SUNDAY:  Daniel 4-6

1-2 Corinthians

Focal Verses:  1 Corinthians 12:14-31
The Spirit Creates One Body
Organizations are composed of several interrelated, interdependent functional parts. Why is it important to value all the parts? In his letter, Paul told the Corinthian church that all spiritual gifts are necessary for the church’s efficient operation.  

Keep in Mind
"²⁰ But now are they many members, yet but one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:20, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will  ANALYZE how each member of the body supports the other members; VALUE the difference gifts operating within the church; and DECIDE to use spiritual gifts in cooperation with others for building up the body of Christ.

Focal Verses: 1 Corinthians 12:14-31
¹⁴ Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 
¹⁵ If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 
¹⁶ And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 
¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
¹⁸ But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 
¹⁹ How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 
²⁰ Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 
²¹ The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
²² In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 
²³ And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 
²⁴ while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 
²⁵ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 
²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 
²⁸ Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.
²⁹ Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 
³⁰ Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 
³¹ So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Daniel 7-9
TUESDAY:  Daniel  10-12
WEDNESDAY: Hosea 1-7
THURSDAY:  Hosea 8-14
FRIDAY: Joel
SATURDAY: Amos 1-5
SUNDAY:  Amos 6-9

Galations

Focal Verses:  Galatians 4:8-20
New Birth Brings Freedom
People are tempted to sacrifice freedom in order to gain a sense of security. What are the dangers of this trade-off? Paul rebuked the Galatians for trading the freedom Christ gives from slavery for religious legalism.  

Keep in Mind
"^13 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” (Galatians 4:9, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will  CLASSIFY religious expectations and practices that diminish Christian freedom; EMPATHIZE with those who have been harmed by narrow religiosity; and CHALLENGE unhealthy attitudes toward religious practices or traditions.

Focal Verses: Galatians 4:8-20
⁸ Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. 
⁹ So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? 
¹⁰ You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years. 
¹¹ I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing. 
¹² Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles—free from those laws. You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you. 
¹³ Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News. 
¹⁴ But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. 
¹⁵ Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. 
¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?
¹⁷ Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them. 
¹⁸ If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.
¹⁹ Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. 
²⁰ I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don’t know how else to help you.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Obadiah - Jonah
TUESDAY:  Micah 1-7
WEDNESDAY: Nahum 1-3
THURSDAY:  Habakkuk-Zephaniah
FRIDAY: Haggai 1-2
SATURDAY: Zechariah 1-7
SUNDAY:  Zechariah 8-14

June 2, 2024 – lesson 40

Ephesians

Focal Verses:  Ephesians 2:11-22
One in Jesus Christ
Adversaries sometimes long for ways to come together. The writer of Ephesians proclaims that it is in Christ that we, once dead through our trespasses, are brought alive in Christ and He is the one who breaks down all dividing walls and  brings us together as one.

Keep in Mind
“In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:21, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  EVALUATE Paul’s explanation of Jews and Gentiles becoming on in Christ; EXPRESS pain and sorrow over the divisions within Christ’s church and joy when divisions are broken down; and BECOME acquainted with church-unifying and church-dividing issues in order to devise strategies for addressing them.

Focal Verses: Ephesians 2:11-22
¹¹ Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 
¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 
¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 
¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 
¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 
¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 
¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 
²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 
²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 
²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Malachi 1-4
TUESDAY:  Matthew 1-4
WEDNESDAY: Matthew 5-6
THURSDAY:  Matthew 7-8
FRIDAY: Matthew 9-10
SATURDAY: Matthew 11-12
SUNDAY:  Matthew 13-14

June 9, 2024 – lesson 41

Philippians

Focal Verses:  Philippians 2:1-11
Devote All To Christ
Personal interests and selfish ambitions can lead to controversies that threaten our relationships. How can people overcome their divisiveness? Paul commends the example of Christ, who humbly emptied Himself in order to serve God and others through His sacrifice.

Keep in Mind
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  ANALYZE the work of Christ in Philippians 2:1-11; FOLLOW Christ’s example of humility and sacrifice; and GROW in our ability to place the needs of others before our own.

Focal Verses: Philippians 2:1-11
¹Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 
² fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 
³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 
⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 
⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 
⁷ but ^[c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 
⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 
¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Matthew 15-17
TUESDAY:  Matthew 18-19
WEDNESDAY: Matthew 20-21
THURSDAY:  Matthew 22-23
FRIDAY: Matthew 24-25
SATURDAY: Matthew 26
SUNDAY:  Matthew 27-28

June 16, 2024 – lesson 42

Colossians

Focal Verses:  Colossians 2:1-15
Hearts United in Love
People bind themselves together by mutual bonds of love and commitment. How can communities avoid losing their identities while under attack? Paul urged the Colossians to be united in love to fully understand the rich treasures offered to them by faith so they can resist false teachings and come to appreciate their new spiritual standing in Christ.

Keep in Mind
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  CONTRAST the deceptive philosophies of true faith discussed in Colossians 2:1-11; EMCOURAGED by being rooted and built up in Christ; and EMBRACE our new standing in Christ as a guard against false teaching.

Focal Verses: Colossians 2:13
¹For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 
² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 
³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
⁴ Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 
⁵ For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing ^[c]to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
⁶ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 
⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding ^[d]in it with thanksgiving.
⁸ Beware lest anyone ^[e]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 
⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 
¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
¹¹ In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 
¹² buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 
¹³ And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Mark 1-3
TUESDAY:  Mark 4-5
WEDNESDAY: Mark 6-7
THURSDAY:  Mark 8-9
FRIDAY: Mark 10-11
SATURDAY: Mark 12-13
SUNDAY:  Mark 14

June 23, 2024 – lesson 43

1-2 Thessalonians

Focal Verses:  1 Thessalonians 1
Visible to God
In Paul’s time, Thessalonica was part of the vast Roman Empire and a commercial and cultic center of Greece. Paul’s work with Silvanus (a Greek variant of the name Silas) yielded their first converts at Thessalonica; yet, Paul praised the church for being an example to others. For the Thessalonians, the example of their daily lives became a witness to the world, proclaiming their faith and their commitment to Jesus Christ.

Keep in Mind
“And ye become followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will: REGOGNIZE  how the Thessalonian church’s commitment to God was visible in their relationships to others; FEEL confident in the power of the Holy Spirit to help in times of trouble; and IDENTIFY an opportunity to be more intentional in living out our commitment to Christ.

Focal Verses: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
¹Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace ^[a]from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 
³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 
⁴ knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 
⁵ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
⁶ And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 
⁷ so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 
⁸ For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 
⁹ For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 
¹⁰ and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Mark 15-16
TUESDAY:  Luke 1
WEDNESDAY: Luke 2-3
THURSDAY:  Luke 4-5
FRIDAY: Luke 6-7
SATURDAY: Luke 8-9
SUNDAY:  Luke 10-11

June 30, 2024 – lesson 44

1-2 Timothy

Focal Verses:  2 Timothy 2:8-15
Remembering Jesus Christ
At times under Roman rule, Christians were viewed as criminal. Therefore, in this passage, Paul reminds Timothy of Jesus’ resurrection and Davidic descent to give him the courage to endure difficult times..  

Keep in Mind
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  ARTICULATE our Christian beliefs and values as reflected in 2 Timothy 2; REFLECT on the reasons why we need to effectively communicate our beliefs and values; and DEVELOP a strategy to share the Gospel with others.

 Focal Verses: 2 Timothy 2:8-15
⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 
⁹ for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 
¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 
¹¹ The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
¹² if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;
¹³ if we are faithless, he remains faithful—he cannot deny himself.
¹⁴ Remind them of this, and warn them before the Lord^[b] that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 
¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Luke 12-13
TUESDAY:  Luke 12-13
WEDNESDAY: Luke 12-13
THURSDAY:  Luke 12-13
FRIDAY: Luke 12-13
SATURDAY: Luke 12-13
SUNDAY:  John 1-2

July 7, 2024 – lesson 45

Titus

Focal Verses:  Titus 2
Live the Truth, Teach the Truth
In this letter to Titus, Paul again expresses concern that leaders in God’s church do their job well-walk worthy  of their calling. Here Paul advises Titus regarding his responsibility as overseer of the churches on the island of Crete. Aul promotes right living in the church by teaching that God expects from His called-out ones self-control and spiritual and moral fitness. .  

Keep in Mind
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works” (Titus 2:7, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  EXAMINE what it means to live as examples for Christ; FEEL strongly that God desires and expects us to live godly; and COMMIT to display faith in God through acts and deeds.

 Focal Verses: Titus 1:1-14
¹ This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 
² This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. 
³ And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.
⁴ I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.
⁵ I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. 
⁶ An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 
⁷ A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
⁸ Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 
⁹ He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.
¹⁰ For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 
¹¹ They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. 
¹² Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.” 
¹³ This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. 
¹⁴ They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: John 3-4
TUESDAY:  John 5-6
WEDNESDAY: John 7-8
THURSDAY:  John 9-10
FRIDAY: John 11-12
SATURDAY: John 13-15
SUNDAY:  John 16-18

July 14, 2024 – lesson 46

Philemon

Focal Verses:  Philemon 1:8-18
At Home in the Community
Paul wrote a letter to facilitate a new relationship between Philemon, a slave master and Onesimus, his runaway slave. Where are all the places one can turn to for help? Paul reminded Philemon that because of their relationship in Christ, he was standing up for Onesimus.  

Keep in Mind
“Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say” (Philemon 1:21, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  EXPLAIN why Paul pleaded for Onesimus; EXPLORE our feelings about standing up for someone needing advocacy; and IDENTIFY  ways we can stand up for someone being bullied or discriminated against.

 
Focal Verses: Philemon 1:8-18
⁸ That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 
⁹ But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.
¹⁰ I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 
¹¹ Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. 
¹² I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
¹³ I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. 
¹⁴ But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. 
¹⁵ It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 
¹⁶ He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 
¹⁸ If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: John 19-21
TUESDAY:  Acts 1-3
WEDNESDAY: Acts 4-6
THURSDAY:  Acts 7-8
FRIDAY: Acts 9-10
SATURDAY: Acts 11-13
SUNDAY:  Acts 14-15

July 21, 2024 – lesson 47

Hebrews

Focal Verses:  Hebrews 7: 20-28
Christ as Intercessor
The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would come as priest of a different  order than the Levitical priest. The priesthood of Jesus would last forever. Not only did Jesus give Himself for our sins as the only perfect sacrifice, but He also continues interceding for us. He is continually representing us before the Father .  

Keep in Mind
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  RECOGNIZE that Jesus intercedes with the Father on our behalf; SYMPATHIZE with what it means to be a modern-day intercessor; and DISCOVER  how to approach God through prayer and intercession.

Focal Verses: Hebews 7:20-28
²⁰ And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath ²¹ (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn And will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of
Melchizedek’),
²² by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
²³ Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 
²⁴ But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 
²⁵ Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
²⁶ For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 
²⁷ who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 
²⁸ For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Acts 16-17
TUESDAY:  Acts 18-20
WEDNESDAY: Acts 21-23
THURSDAY:  Acts 24-26
FRIDAY: Acts 27-28
SATURDAY: Romans 1-3
SUNDAY:  Romans 4-7

July 28, 2024 – lesson 48

James

Focal Verses:  James 4: 1-10
Submit to God in Love
Destructive thoughts and desires lead to further destructive behavior.  What can be done to break this cruel cycle? James asserts that loving and obeying God opens the door to God’s blessings and frees us from conflicts and disputes .  

Keep in Mind
“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:8, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  RECOGNIZE how worldly desires create conflicts; CONVICTED of the ways we caused unnecessary conflict with others; and DEVELOP  ways to seek God in humble submission.

Focal Verses: James 4:1-10
¹ Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 
² You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 
³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 
⁴ Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 
⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
⁶ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 
⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 
⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 
¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Romans 8-10
TUESDAY:  Romans 11-13
WEDNESDAY: Romans 14-16
THURSDAY:  1 Corinthians 1-4
FRIDAY: 1 Corinthians 5-8
SATURDAY: 1 Corinthians 9-11
SUNDAY:  1 Corinthians 12-14

August 4, 2024 – lesson 49

1-2 Peter

Focal Verses:  2 Peter 1:1-15
Stick to Your Faith
People can be harmed by the corruption in the world. How can we guard against those negative influences? 2 Peter stresses the importance of supporting one’s faith with goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.  

Keep in Mind
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  DISCERN the importance of faith and the call of God to an authentic life of godliness; APPRECIATE a life in Christ after redemption from sinfulness; and PRACTICE  the virtues of goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.

 Focal Verses: 2 Peter 1:1-15
¹ This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
² May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 
⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
⁵ In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 
⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 
⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
⁸ The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
⁹ But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
¹⁰ So, dear brothers and sisters,^[c] work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 
¹¹ Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
¹² Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 
¹³ And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.
¹⁴ For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, 
¹⁵ so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.

Daily Bible Readings:

MONDAY: 1 Corinthians 15-16
TUESDAY:  2 Corinthians 1-4
WEDNESDAY: 2 Corinthians 5-9
THURSDAY:  2 Corinthians 10-13
FRIDAY: Galatians 1-3
SATURDAY: Galatians 4-6
SUNDAY:  Ephesians 1-3

August 11, 2024 – lesson 50

1-3 John

Focal Verses:  1 John 3:11-24
Love One Another
People wonder whether life is a random sequence of events or has an ordered purpose.  How do believers measure meaning in life? John’s letter indicates that the measure of people’s lives is calculated by their faith in Christ and their love for one another.

Keep in Mind
“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (1 John 3:11, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  EXAMINE John’s message about loving one another; AFFIRM the fundamental discipleship principle of love for God and others; and EXPRESS  unconditional love to others.

 
Focal Verses: 1 John 3:11-24
¹¹ This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 
¹² We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. 
¹³ So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
¹⁴ If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 
¹⁵ Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
¹⁶ We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 
¹⁷ If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
¹⁸ Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 
¹⁹ Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 
²⁰ Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
²¹ Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence.
²² And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.
²³ And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. 
²⁴ Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit, he gave us lives in us.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Ephesians 4-6
TUESDAY:  Philippians 1-4
WEDNESDAY: Colossians 1-4
THURSDAY:  1 Thessalonians 1-5
FRIDAY: 2 Thessalonians 1-3
SATURDAY: 1 Timothy 1-6
SUNDAY:  2 Timothy 1-4

August 18, 2024 – lesson 51

Jude

Focal Verses:  Jude 17-25
Praise Builds Us Up
This lesson gives assurance for living out our faith daily in Jesus Christ and discloses how praise builds up the Body of Christ.

Keep in Mind
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen!” (Jude 24-25, KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  ANALYZE how God is able to sustain and keep us in our Christian life; ASSURED that God is able to sustain and keep us; and THANK  God that He does sustain and keep us.

Focal Verses: Jude 17-25
¹⁷ But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
¹⁸ How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
¹⁹ These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
²⁰ But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
²¹ Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
²² And of some have compassion, making a difference:
²³ And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
²⁴ Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
²⁵ To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: Titus - Philemon
TUESDAY:  Hebrews 1-6
WEDNESDAY: Hebrews 7-10
THURSDAY:  Hebrews 11-13
FRIDAY: James 1-5
SATURDAY: 1 Peter 1-5
SUNDAY:  2 Peter 1-3

August 25, 2024 – lesson 52

Revelation

Focal Verses:  Revelation 21:1-8
Everything’s Brand New
People look for a place and time when life’s stresses will not exist. Is such a refuge possible? John, the writer of the book of Revelation, suggests that God will create a new heaven and earth where life’s challenges and stresses will be banished forever

Keep in Mind
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away!” (Revelation 21:4 KJV)

Aim for Change
By the end of the lesson, we will:  EVALUATE the “apocalypse” genre that characterizes the book of Revelation to discern how to understand its message; CONTEMPLATE the coming of “a new heaven and a new earth” for the hope that this vision brings; and EMBRACE  the peace of God that begins in this life with Jesus.

 Focal Verses: Revelation 21:1-8
 ¹ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 
² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 
³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 
⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 
⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 
⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Daily Bible Readings:
MONDAY: 1 John 1-5
TUESDAY:  2 John – 3 John
WEDNESDAY: Revelation 4-8
THURSDAY:  Revelation 9-12
FRIDAY: Revelation 13-16
SATURDAY: Revelation 17-19
SUNDAY:  Revelation 20-22