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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: John 9:1-12

Jesus heals a blind man1As He was walking along, Jesus saw a man who had been blind from birth.2"Teacher, why was this man born blind?" His disciples asked. "Was it the result of his own sins or those of his parents?"3Jesus answered: "This was not the direct consequence of sin in either this man or his parents. Although this has happened, God can work a miracle in his life.4For while we have the opportunity we must continue to do the work of My Father who sent Me. It is now the daytime, but night is coming spiritually and then no-one will be able to do such works.5Yet while I am here in the world, I am the Light of the world."6After saying this, Jesus spat on the ground and made some mud with His spittle before putting it on the man's eyes.7He told him: "Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam" (meaning 'Sent'). The man went and washed and then went home with his sight restored.8His neighbours and those who recognised him asked: "Is this really the blind man who used to sit and beg?"9Some said it was him, but others said: "No it cannot be, even though he does look something like him." The man himself said: "Yes, I really am the man that once was blind."10"Then how is it that your sight has been restored and you can now see?" they asked.11He replied: "Jesus made some mud and placed it on my eyes. I then went and washed in Siloam because this is what He told me to do, and then I was able to see!"12"Where is this Jesus?" they asked. "I don't know where He is now," the man replied.

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 19

1Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David 2and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. 3I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.” 4Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. 5He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?” 6Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.” 7So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before. 8Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him. 9But an evil spirit from the Lord came on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the lyre, 10Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape. 11Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” 12So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. 13Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats’ hair at the head. 14When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, “He is ill.” 15Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, “Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him.” 16But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats’ hair. 17Saul said to Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?”Michal told him, “He said to me, ‘Let me get away. Why should I kill you?’” 18When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. 19Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; 20so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied. 21Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. 22Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?”“Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said. 23So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

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 23

1When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,2and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.3Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. Saying 84Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.5Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Saying 96Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;7for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost.“Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.8You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments. Saying 109Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words. Saying 1110Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,11for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you. Saying 1212Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Saying 1313Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.14Punish them with the rod and save them from death. Saying 1415My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;16my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Saying 1517Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.18There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Saying 1619Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:20Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,21for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Saying 1722Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.23Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.24The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.25May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! Saying 1826My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,27for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well.28Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men. Saying 1929Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?30Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.31Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!32In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.33Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things.34You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.35“They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it!When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”

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)