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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

Throughout 2018 we’re reading 3 chapters of the Bible every day; one from the New Testament, one from the Old Testament and one from the Psalms.

As we read through the New Testament let’s fix our eyes on Jesus and be built up in our faith in Him. As we journey through the Old Testament we’re reading God’s story of redemption and unfailing love. Through the Psalms we get a glimpse of God’s greatness and majesty - it’s the perfect place to pause, reflect and worship, as we turn everything going on around us into praise.

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 19

Divorce and marriage1After teaching these things Jesus left Galilee and went to the region of Judea on the far side of the Jordan.2As usual, large crowds followed Him and He healed the sick among them.3Some Pharisees came to Him with another trick question. "Are there any circumstances in which under the law a man is allowed to divorce his wife?" they asked.4-5Jesus replied: "Surely you have read that in the beginning the Creator made both male and female and said: 'Because of this, a man is to leave his father and mother and become one with his wife; the two then become one flesh.'6This being the case, they are no longer two separate individuals. But by their union they have become one. Therefore because God has joined them together and made them one, no one should dare to separate them!"7The Pharisees then asked: "If this is the case, why did Moses legislate that a man could give his wife a certificate of divorce and separate from her?"8Jesus answered: "It was only because of the hardness of your hearts that Moses permitted you to divorce your wives. But from the beginning this was never God's intention.9And I tell you clearly that whoever divorces his wife, and then marries another woman, is guilty of adultery in God's eyes, unless the wife has been unfaithful sexually"10The disciples said to Jesus: "It would be better not to marry at all, if that bond between a husband and wife is so great."11To this Jesus replied: "Not everybody is prepared to accept this word of truth. It is for those to whom such grace is given.12Some are born eunuchs, others are castrated, but there are those who have renounced marriage so they can devote themselves to the work of the Kingdom of heaven. But that is for those who can accept such a sacrifice."Children13Some small children were brought to Jesus so that He could lay His hands on them and pray for them. The disciples rebuked those who bothered Jesus in this way.14But He told them: "Allow these little ones to come to Me. Don't hinder them. Remember, the Kingdom of heaven belongs to those who know they are God's little children."15Having prayed for them, Jesus then moved on.A wealthy man talks to Jesus16A man came to Him and asked: "Teacher, what good deed can I do to ensure I receive eternal life?"17Jesus replied: "Why do you question Me about doing good? God is the only One who is good. So if you want to enter into His life, obey His commandments."18-19"But which of them?" the man asked. Jesus answered: "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother and love your neighbour as you love yourself."20"I have kept all these commandments; what else do I still need to do?" the young man asked.21Jesus told him: "In your case, if you really want to be perfect, you need to go and sell all your possessions and give to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven and you can come and follow Me."22He went away sad when he heard this, for he was very wealthy.23Jesus then said to His disciples: "I tell you this truth, it is difficult for a wealthy person to enter into the Kingdom of heaven.24I tell you clearly that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter God's Kingdom."25The disciples were really amazed when they heard Jesus say this and asked Him: "Who can possibly be saved then?"26Jesus looked straight at them and said: "It is impossible for man to save anyone; but all things are possible for God!"27Then Peter said: "We have sacrificed everything to follow You! What will our reward be?"28Jesus told them: "I tell you the truth, that at the fulfilment of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me faithfully will also sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.29Everyone who has left behind homes, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or possessions on My behalf will receive a hundred times as much as he has sacrificed, and will also inherit eternal life.30Many who in this world seem to have everything will then have nothing, and many who appear to have nothing will have everything!"

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: Nehemiah 4

1When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” 3Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” 4Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. 6So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. 7But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. 10Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” 11Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” 12Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” 13Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” 15When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. 16From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. 19Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!” 21So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” 23Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.

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 111

1Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. 2Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.3Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.4He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.5He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 6He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.7The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.8They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.9He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name. 10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

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)