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Bible Reading Plan
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Going deeper...to go further

Daily Bible reading strengthens our relationship with God, nourishes our spirits and equips us to live a fruitful, effective life for Him.

This month we're reading scriptures about being a church that grows deeper in Christ, stronger in community and more fruitful in our witness. Each day you'll find the passages in full below alongside something to help you reflect and respond so that you can apply the Word to your life.

A simple daily rhythm

Allow 15–25 minutes each day for personal time with God.

1. Read — 5–10 minutes
Read both passages slowly. Notice what each reveals about God, His people and His purposes.

2. Reflect — 5 minutes
Consider the day's question. What is God inviting you to understand or change?

3. Respond — 5 minutes
Choose one practical step that puts the Word into action.

4. Pray — 2–5 minutes
Ask God to deepen your spiritual life, strengthen your relationships and make your witness fruitful.

Below you’ll see what we’re reading today. To go forward or back a day in our reading plan use the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons.

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Growing Relationally
One in Christ

Reflect: How does Jesus bring together people who might otherwise remain divided?
Respond: Build a relationship across a cultural, generational or social difference.

Genesis 12:1-9

1The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.3I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.6Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.8From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.9Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

Ephesians 2:11-22

Reconciliation to God and one another11So never forget that you used to be foreigners, outside of God's Kingdom, because you had only natural birth and were not among those whom God had set aside for Himself by entering into covenant with them. The relationship you have with Him now has nothing to do with outward actions such as circumcision, works done by men.12You used to be separated from Christ because of your sin. You were excluded from having citizenship in Israel, God's chosen people. You were outside the covenant relationship with God based on His promises. You were without hope for the future and had to live your life in the world without God.13Look at the difference now that you are in Christ Jesus and belong to Him. Instead of living far away from God, you have been united with Him through what Jesus did by shedding His blood for you.14So He is our peace. Because we have been forgiven and accepted by God, we are at peace with Him. Those who were outside the covenant, the relationship God has made possible for His people, are now made one with those who belong to the covenant. He has made these two one, Jew and non-Jew, by destroying the barrier that once divided them, that was like a dividing wall of hostility that existed between them.15-16Through what He accomplished when He became man, He abolished the whole idea of serving God through a legalistic approach of obeying a series of religious rules and regulations. His intention was to create a new people out of the two opposing groups that existed before. The only way was to make it possible for anyone, no matter what his race, to be at peace with God, and to draw them together into one body, to reconcile them to one another. He accomplished all this through the cross which dealt a death blow to their former hostility.17Jesus came and preached peace with God to those outside His covenant with Israel, as well as those who were part of that relationship.18Now through Him we all have direct and personal access to the Father through the same Holy Spirit who lives in every believer in Jesus Christ.19So as a result, you are no longer foreigners outside of God's purpose; you are not aliens but children of God, fellow citizens with all who belong to Christ. Together you are God's people and members of His household.20Your life together is built on the foundation of truth that has come to us through the apostles and prophets, Jesus Himself being the chief Cornerstone, the pivotal truth of the revelation God has given us through them.21In Christ Jesus the whole building of living stones, whether believing Jews or non-Jews, is built to be a holy temple housing the Lord's presence.22Yes, in Him you are being built together to be those in whom God Himself lives by His Spirit.

Father, enable us to be rooted deeply in Christ, united by Your love and empowered by Your Spirit. Grow us in spiritual maturity, deepen our relationships with one another, and send us into our communities as faithful witnesses to Jesus. Help us to proclaim the gospel in word and deed, welcome those who feel far from You, and make disciples who make disciples. May our life together display Your kingdom and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

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