Bible Reading Guide. How to Use This Guide. His Coming Foretold

Transcription

1 An Bible Reading Guide Special reading for the Advent Day 1: Isaiah 9:1-7 Day 2: Isaiah 11:1-10 Day 3: Isaiah 53:1-6 Day 4: Micah 5:2-5 Day 5: Zechariah 9: 9-13 Day 6: Galatians 4:4-7 How to Use This Guide First, decide on a brief time and a quiet place for your daily journey. Begin each day's time with prayer (you can use the suggested prayer or compose one of your own). Then, read the passage from your Bible, ponder the reflection and application questions and end your time with a brief prayer, also (Again, you can use the suggested prayer if you wish). That's all it takes, so when you're ready, begin your journey to Bethlehem and meet the newborn King! His Coming Foretold Day 1: His Birth Foretold Read: Isaiah 9:1-7 Pray: Lord, may the light of Your holy Word shine in my life today as I come to read it now. Reflect: What are the special names given to the child who is to be born? Apply: How is Jesus a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace to you? How could he be even more so? Pray: Lord Jesus, be all to me that You want to be. I gladly open my heart and mind to You. Day 2: His Peace Foretold Read: Isaiah 11:1-10 Pray: Heavenly Father, I marvel again at Your greatness and goodness in sending us Your son, Jesus. Reflect: What will empower this root of Jesse to bring such peace and justice to the world? Apply: What can you do on behalf of peace and justice in your world? Make a plan to start today. Pray: Lord Jesus, Help me to know what I can do to bring Your peace and justice to this world --and to do it. Day 7: Matthew 1: Day 8: Luke 1:5-17 Day 9: Luke 1:5-17 Day 10: Luke 1:39-45 Day 11: Luke 2:1-7 Day 12: Luke 2: 8-14 Day 13: Luke 2:

2 Day 3: His Suffering Foretold Read: Isaiah 53:1-6 Pray: Lord, how I praise You for all You did for me on the cross and Your mercy every day! Reflect: What was the reason for this one's sorrow and suffering? Apply: Have you trusted Jesus to take away your iniquities? Confess any known sin now. Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to live each day in obedience to You. I want my life to always please and honor You. Day 4: His Birthplace Foretold Read: Micah 5:2-5 Pray: Lord God, teach me by Your Holy Spirit what You want me to learn from Your Word today. Reflect: Where does the prophet say the promised ruler will be born? Apply: What does it mean to you to know Jesus' birth was planned and foretold by God long in advance? How might it affect your life today? Pray: Show me Your plan for me, Lord, at least for today, so that I may know it and follow it. Day 5: His Kingship Foretold Read: Zechariah 9: 9-13 Pray: Lord Jesus, continue to help me get to know You better each day. Keep surprising me with Your love and power. Reflect: What might surprise someone about the description of this King? Apply: Is there anything about Jesus that surprises you? If so, what and why? Pray: Lord Jesus, I bow before you in worship today. You are my God and King! His Coming Prepared Day 6: At The Right Time Read: Galatians 4:4-7 Pray: Gracious God, I look forward to this special time with You now. Draw me close, I pray. Reflect: For what reason did God send his son at the right time? Apply: Recall how God prepared you for the coming of his son into your life. Thank him for that. Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for all You've done in my life so far. Help me to cooperate with all You have yet to do! Day 7: By the Holy Spirit Read: Matthew 1: Pray: Gracious God, I look forward to this special time with You now. Draw me close, I pray. Reflect: For what reason did God send his son at the right time? Apply: Recall how God prepared you for the coming of his son into your life. Thank him for that. Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for all You've done in my life so far. Help me to cooperate with all You have yet to do! Day 8: Preceded by John Read: Luke 1:5-17 Pray: Speak to me today, Lord. I'm here and ready to listen to Your Word. Reflect: What did the angel say was to be John's task in life? Apply: What tasks does God have for you this day or this week? Is there someone whose life you could help prepare for Jesus to come in? Pray: Lord, give me eyes to see those around me with whom I can share all that You've done for me. Day 14: Luke 2:21-32 Day 15: Luke 2: Day 16: Matthew 2: 1-6 Day 17: Matthew 2:7-12 Day 18: Matthew 2: Day 19: Matthew 2:19-23 Day 20: Luke 2: Day 21: Colossians 1:15-20 Day 22: Hebrews 1:1-4 Day 23: Phil. 2: 5-11 Day 24: Romans 8:1-4 Day 25: Ephesians 2:1-10 CHRISTMAS: John 1:

3 Day 9: Announced by the Angel Read: Luke 1:26-38 Pray: Gracious father, I praise You for Your unfailing love and for inviting me to spend this time with You. Reflect: How did Mary feel when she heard this momentous announcement? Apply: How do you react when God calls you to a surprising or frightening task? What can you learn from Mary? Pray: Lord Jesus, give me the faith and trust to follow where You lead me and do what You ask of me. Day 10: With Great Rejoicing! Read: Luke 1:39-45 Pray: Gracious father, I praise You for Your unfailing love and for inviting me to spend this time with You. Reflect: How did Mary feel when she heard this momentous announcement? Apply: How do you react when God calls you to a surprising or frightening task? What can you learn from Mary? Pray: Lord Jesus, give me the faith and trust to follow where You lead me and do what You ask of me. The Child is Born Day 11: The Birth of Jesus Read: Luke 2:1-7 Pray: Lord, as I read Your Word today, help me to enter into the wonder of the birth of the Savior. Reflect: Why did Mary and Joseph have their baby in Bethlehem? Apply: Are you surprised that the Lord would be born in such humble circumstances? How does that make you feel about him? Pray: Lord Jesus, remind me again today that humble circumstances don't determine a person's worth; You've already done that. Day 12: The Angel s Good News Read: Luke 2: 8-14 Pray: Almighty God, how I praise and thank You today for the Good News the angels announced that first Christmas. Reflect: What immediately followed this momentous announcement of good news? Apply: Meditate on what that Good News means to you. Who could you share this good news with in the next few days? Pray: Thank You, Lord, for this great Good News about You. Help me to share it effectively with someone soon. Day 13: The Shepherds Find Him Read: Luke 2:15-20 Pray: Almighty God, how I praise and thank You today for the Good News the angels announced that first Christmas. Reflect: What immediately followed this momentous announcement of good news? Apply: Meditate on what that Good News means to you. Who could you share this good news with in the next few days? Pray: Thank You, Lord, for this great Good News about You. Help me to share it effectively with someone soon. 7

4 Day 14: The Child in the Temple Read: Luke 2:21-32 Pray: Thank You, loving God, for all that You patiently teach me in so many ways each day. Help me to learn well. Reflect: Why was Simeon so moved by seeing this baby? Apply: Think about what you praise God for this Advent season. Then, do praise him. Pray: Lord Jesus, I thank You that You grew up just like me and understand me in every way. Day 15: The Child s Future Read: Luke 2: Pray: Lord God, I praise You that You know my future, that You control it and that You intend good for me. Reflect: What did Simeon and Anna see for Jesus' future? Apply: In what ways are you, like the child Jesus, growing and becoming strong in the grace of God? What more could you do? Pray: Lord Jesus, give me the desire to grow in Your grace and in obedience to You more each day. His Childhood and Youth Day 16: The Magi s Search Read: Matthew 2: 1-6 Pray: Lord, I thank You today for Your Word and all the wisdom and riches it holds. Teach it to me now. Reflect: How did the priests and teachers of the law know where Jesus would be born? Apply: Ponder what God's Word means to you. How has it helped you in your search for Jesus and in your life? Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to treasure Your Word and study it eagerly so that I can know You and Your ways better. Day 17: The Magi s Worship Read: Matthew 2:7-12 Pray: Father God, I bow in reverent worship before You now as my loving creator, sustainer and redeemer. Reflect: When the Magi finally saw the child, what was their response? Apply: What kind of gifts have you given (or are you giving) to Jesus in gratitude for what he's given you? Pray: How very thankful I am, Lord Jesus, for all You've given me. Help me to always have a grateful heart. Day 18: The Flight to Egypt Read: Matthew 2: Pray: As I come to Your Word now, I pray Speak Lord for Your servant is listening (1 Sam. 3:9). Reflect: How was the baby delivered from being murdered? Apply: In what ways does God speak to and lead you? How has he done so recently? Pray: Lord Jesus, sharpen my spirit to be able to hear You speak to me and know Your leading.

5 Day 19: The Return to Nazareth Read: Matthew 2:19-23 Pray: Heavenly Father, I praise You for the great wonder that I should be called one of Your children (1 John 3:1). Reflect: What was significant about Jesus growing up in Nazareth? Apply: Recall how God worked in your childhood to make you the person you are. Thank him for that and for the specific people involved. Pray: Thank You, Lord, for all those who love me and have helped make me the person I am in You. Day 20: The Father s House Read: Luke 2: Pray: Lord, I want to know You more clearly, love You more dearly and follow You more nearly this day. Reflect: What was so surprising about Jesus' time in the Temple? Apply: Do you treasure your time in corporate worship and the study of God's word? If so, how is that evident? If not, what can you do about it? Pray: Lord Jesus, give me a greater love for Your Word and for worshipping together with other believers, I pray. His Incarnation Explained Day 21: His Divine Being Read: Colossians 1:15-20 Pray: Lord, I praise You as the Creator of all and my Savior! May Your name be held in highest praise everywhere! Reflect: What is given as God's purpose and intention for Christ here? Apply: Is it evident that Christ has the supremacy in your life? If so, how? If not, what might you do? Pray: Lord Jesus, may it always be clear to everyone I meet that You are truly the Lord of my life. Day 22: His Superiority Read: Hebrews 1:1-4 Pray: Gracious God and Father, show me more about Jesus today as I read and study Your word. Reflect: Why is Jesus clearly so superior? Apply: What is it about Jesus for which you are most thankful? Thank him. Pray: Lord Jesus, help me never to forget that there is no one equal to You! You alone are God. Day 23: He Humbled Himself Read: Phil. 2: 5-11 Pray: Heavenly Father, I say with Your people throughout time `How great You are! How wonderful and awesome! Reflect: How and why did Jesus humble himself? Apply: In what ways is it hard for you to be humble? How can you show a greater Christ-like humility in your life? Pray: Lord Jesus You know it isn't always easy for me, but help me to have Your humility in my life.

6 Day 24: His Offering for Sin Read: Romans 8:1-4 Pray: How grateful I am, Merciful God, that You have set me free from the power and penalty of sin. Reflect: What has been accomplished for us through Christ's coming? Apply: What does it mean to you to know that you have been set free from condemnation by Jesus? How does your life show it? Pray: Lord Jesus, may my life always reflect the peace and freedom You give to all those who You've set free. Day 25: His Gift to Us Read: Ephesians 2:1-10 Pray: Loving Lord, give me the gift of greater love for You, the one who has given so much for me. Reflect: What is the gift Christ gives and how does one receive it? Apply: Have you received the gift of God? What would you say are some of the good works God has prepared for you to do? Pray: Lord Jesus, show me what good works you have for me to do so that I may gladly do them. CHRISTMAS DAY: The Word Became Flesh Read: John 1: 1-17 Pray: Heavenly Father, on this joyful day, I lift my heart with all Your people to praise and worship You! Reflect: What blessings has the word become flesh brought to us? Apply: Consider what you would thank and praise God for on this special day and then do it. Thank him especially for the gift of Jesus. Pray: Heavenly Father, how I thank You today for the wonderful, loving gift of Your so, the Savior, Jesus.