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Bible Reading Plan
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Going deeper...to go further

The more rooted we are in God and in His Word, the more fruitful we become in His purposes

We’re continuing our Bible Reading Plan in May by focusing on the Parables that Jesus used to teach people about the things of God, alongside some chapters from the Old Testament in Numbers, Joshua & Ruth.

We finish the month by moving from Psalms into Proverbs - a book packed full of God’s timeless wisdom that can be applied in every area of our lives. Get yourself a Bible, a journal or notepad and a pen and SOAP your way through the Word!

What is S.O.A.P.?

In order to go further in the mission God has given us, He said we need to go deeper in our relationship with Him. As with any tree or plant, the fruit is determined by the health and depth of the root. One way we have been going deeper is by reading and journaling through the Word every day. We’ve called it S.O.A.P.

[S]cripture - Read the Word
[O]bservation - Write down what God is saying/showing you
[A]pplication - How do we apply this in our lives?
[P]rayer - Pray through and over your life

As we read the Word (Scripture), listen to the Holy Spirit (Observation), discover how to apply that to our lives (Application) and pray these things over our lives and those in the Church (Prayer) we’re going deeper in our relationship with God so that we can go further in the mission He’s given us.

Throughout the rest of the year we’ll be continuing our Bible Reading Plan to press deeper into God so that we can go further in His purposes. Get yourself a Bible, a journal and a pen and SOAP your way through the scriptures!

Today we are reading: Luke 16:1-13

Parable of the unjust manager1Jesus said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a manager who was accused of wasting his master's possessions.2So he called him and asked, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account for the way you have managed my affairs, for I have decided to dismiss you.'3"The manager thought: 'What can I do if the master sacks me? I am not used to manual labour and I would be ashamed to beg.4I have an idea so that when I am no longer manager, others will readily employ me.'5"So he called each of his master's debtors and said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'6'Eight hundred gallons of oil,' he replied. So the manager told him, 'Pay me now and we will settle for four hundred.'7"To another he said, 'How much do you owe?' 'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he answered. Then the manager said, 'Pay me now and we will settle for eight hundred.'8"The master congratulated the unrighteous manager for his astuteness, because the worldly people of this generation act more wisely than the sons of the light.9And I tell you clearly, make friends for yourselves by the way you use the things of this world so that when it ends, you will be welcomed into your eternal home.10For the one who proves faithful in small things will also prove faithful when given greater responsibilities, and whoever proves he cannot be trusted in small ways will not be trusted in more important matters.11So if you have not proved trustworthy in handling worldly things, why should you be entrusted with true riches?12And if you do not handle other people's property with care, who will give you property of your own?More principles of the Kingdom13"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be faithful to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money!"

Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)


Today we are reading: Joshua 17

1This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh’s firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers. 2So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans. 3Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. 4They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our relatives.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the Lord’s command. 5Manasseh’s share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, 6because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh. 7The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Mikmethath east of Shechem. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah. 8(Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah itself, on the boundary of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.) 9Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine. There were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of Manasseh, but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. 10On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh. The territory of Manasseh reached the Mediterranean Sea and bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east. 11Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth). 12Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. 13However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely. 14The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.” 15“If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.” 16The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” 17But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)


Today we are reading: Psalm 143

A psalm of David.1Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy;in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.2Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.3The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground;he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.4So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.5I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.6I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. 7Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails.Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.8Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.9Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 11For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.12In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)