Monday, September 14, 2009

Spiritual Challenge

Yesterday, or today - depending on how you handle it... we started The New Testament Challenge at our church. For the next 12 weeks - we have a daily reading list in order for us to read the New Testament completely.

We aren't reading this just for the sake of reading it or as our pastor, Kevin said... we're not reading in order to check a box on our reading list. We are reading for LIFE CHANGE. We are reading to truly hear the word of God in our lives and to make ourselves, our church, and our community better.

In turn, I want to challenge all of you to follow along with us... who couldn't use a little life change?

I am starting today... and for the next 12 weeks, my plan is to use my lunch hour at work to read the daily reading, the study notes in my Bible, and journal about what I've read... in an attempt to truly gain an understanding of the passages that I am reading.

I've typed up the reading list that we were given yesterday. As well as the discussion questions that we've been given for week 1. The discussion questions are designed to be a part of an open discussion with our families - as our entire church Kindergarten through Adult - are going through this challenge. So challenge your spouse to do this with you if you'd like... or I'd happily be the recipient of a daily email from you with discussion about your reading. Make this whatever you want to in order to grow deeper with your faith... and to change your life.

For those of you that need the "check box" list - email me - and I'll shoot you the attachment that I typed up for John's parents.

Who's with me?? Anyone willing to challenge yourself to a deeper relationship with Christ over the next 12 weeks and beyond?

Week 1
Day 1 – Matthew 1-4
Day 2 – Matthew 5-6
Day 3 – Matthew 7-9
Day 4 – Matthew 10-12
Day 5 – Matthew 13-14
Day 6 – Matthew 15-17
Day 7 – Matthew 18-20

Week 2
Day 1 – Matthew 21-22
Day 2 – Matthew 23-24
Day 3 – Matthew 25-26
Day 4 – Matthew 27-28
Day 5 – Mark 1-3
Day 6 – Mark 4-5
Day 7 – Mark 6-7

Week 3
Day 1 – Mark 8-9
Day 2 – Mark 10-11
Day 3 – Mark 12-13
Day 4 – Mark- 14-15
Day 5 – Mark 16, Luke 1
Day 6 – Luke 2-3
Day 7 – Luke 4-5

Week 4
Day 1 – Luke 6-7
Day 2 – Luke 8-9
Day 3 – Luke 10-11
Day 4 – Luke 12-13
Day 5 – Luke 14-16
Day 6 – Luke 17-18
Day 7 – Luke 19-20

Week 5
Day 1 – Luke 21-22
Day 2 – Luke 23-24
Day 3 – John 1-3
Day 4 – John 4-5
Day 5 – John 6-7
Day 6 – John 8-9
Day 7 – John 10-11

Week 6
Day 1 – John 12-13
Day 2 – John 14-16
Day 3 – John 17-19
Day 4 – John 20-21
Day 5 – Acts 1-3
Day 6 – Acts 4-6
Day 7 – Acts 7-8

Week 7
Day 1 – Acts 9-10
Day 2 – Acts 11-13
Day 3 – Acts 14-16
Day 4 – Acts 17-19
Day 5 – Acts 20-22
Day 6 – Acts 23-25
Day 7 – Acts 26-28

Week 8
Day 1 – Romans 1-3
Day 2 – Romans 4-7
Day 3 – Romans 8-10
Day 4 – Romans 11-14
Day 5 – Romans 15-16
Day 6 – 1 Corinthians 1-6
Day 7 – 1 Corinthians 7-9

Week 9
Day 1 – 1 Corinthians 10-13
Day 2 – 1 Corinthians 14-16
Day 3 – 2 Corinthians 1-5
Day 4 – 2 Corinthians 6-10
Day 5 – 2 Corinthians 11-13
Day 6 – Galatians 1-3
Day 7 – Galatians 4-6

Week 10
Day 1 – Ephesians 1-3
Day 2 – Ephesians 4-6
Day 3 – Philippians
Day 4 – Colossians
Day 5 – 1 Thessalonians
Day 6 – 2 Thessalonians
Day 7 – 1 Timothy

Week 11
Day 1 – 2 Timothy, Titus
Day 2 – Philemon, Hebrews 1-5
Day 3 – Hebrews 6-9
Day 4 – Hebrews 10-13
Day 5 – James
Day 6 – 1 Peter
Day 7 – 2 Peter

Week 12
Day 1 – 1 John
Day 2 – 2 John, 3 John, Jude
Day 3 – Revelation 1-4
Day 4 – Revelation 5-9
Day 5 – Revelation 10-14
Day 6 – Revelation 15-19
Day 7 – Revelation 20-22

Every Day Questions:
1. What verse(s) caught your attention in today’s reading? Why?
2. What are some things that God might want you to do based on today’s reading?

Question of the Day:
Day 1 - What do you notice about Matthew’s Christmas story that is different from what you are used to hearing?

Day 2 – Worrying is a way of life for many people. What does Jesus say about worrying?

Day 3 – How do you know the true nature of people (or fruit of trees)?

Day 4 – What will those who lose their life for Jesus’ sake find?

Day 5 – Chapter 13 is packed with the “parables of the Kingdom.” What things does Jesus say the Kingdom of God is like?

Day 6 – What makes a person “unclean”?

Day 7 – According to Jesus how should we go about resolving disagreements in the church? How many times should we go through this process?

3 comments:

  1. I'm gonna try this. I've been feeling like this is something I need and want to do so this is a great challenge for me :) If you don't mind sending me an e-mail I would really appreciate it. I'll see if I can get my husband to do it too :)

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  2. oooh -- I'd love the check-list, too! This looks like a great spring board to use. I'll drop you an e-mail, too, so you can just reply to it.

    Thanks for sharing.

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Thank you so much for your comments. I really enjoy getting feedback on my writing!