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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 June by looking at the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels, alongside finishing Ruth and starting 1 Samuel. We’re also working through 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: Matthew 15:21-28

Canaanite girl set free21Jesus then left that place and journeyed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.22A local woman, who was a Canaanite, came to Him in distress: "Lord, Son of David, please have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffers terribly."23At first Jesus did not answer her. His disciples urged Him: "Send her away, for she keeps on and on and won't leave us alone."24Jesus answered them: "My mission is to the lost sheep of Israel. That is why I was sent."25The woman came, knelt before Him and pleaded: "Lord, please, please help me!"26"It is not right to take the bread intended for the children and throw it to the dogs instead," Jesus replied.27"True, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs are allowed to eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table."28"Woman, your faith is great," Jesus answered. "What you ask for is done." And her daughter was set free at that very moment.

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: 1 Samuel 16

1The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 4Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” 5Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.14Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. 15Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” 17So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” 18One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” 19Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. 21David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” 23Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

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: Proverbs 20

1Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives. 3It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. 4Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. 5The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. 6Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? 7The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. 8When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. 9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? 10Differing weights and differing measures— the Lord detests them both. 11Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? 12Ears that hear and eyes that see— the Lord has made them both. 13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. 14“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase. 15Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. 16Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. 17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. 18Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance. 19A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. 20If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. 21An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. 22Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you. 23The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. 24A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? 25It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. 26A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. 27The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being. 28Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. 29The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. 30Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

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)