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WEEK 6, DAY 5: Review

READING & JOURNALING:

What was your biggest takeaway from this week’s teaching — “I believe in the Holy Spirit?” 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Joel 1, 2, & 3

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

 

 

WEEK 6, DAY 4: Walk with the Spirit

Take a moment to pause and consider the words you use when you pray. Are you more likely to pray for your will to be done, or are you more likely to pray for God’s will to be done? Are you more likely to pray that God will bless and serve you and your needs, or are you more likely to pray for wisdom in how you may be a blessing for others? Do you pray as if God is your personal assistant, or as a personal friend? 

Perhaps one reason for a lack of peace and contentment in our culture, even among Christians, is that we live our lives in highly self-centered ways. We believe that God exists to serve us, and not the other way around. We want God to walk in step with our lives, instead of changing how we live to walk in step with Him. 

But the Christian life is not about getting God to walk in step with our lives, it’s about us walking in step with Him. And while it may not always be easy to walk in step with the Spirit, life is harder when we choose not to do so. 

I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh…

READING & JOURNALING:

     GALATIANS 5:16-26

Re-read the opening questions in today’s devotional. Be honest, which of these most aligns with your prayers? 

What thoughts come to mind when you read, “And while it may not always be easy to walk in step with the Spirit, life is harder when we choose not to do so?” 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the many times my desires are for You to do my will and not the other way around. Moving forward, I want to lay aside my desires and simply focus on walking in step with You. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Amos 1:1, 9:1-15

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

 

 

WEEK 6, DAY 3: The Holy Spirit will Guide You in Truth

In our culture today, depression, anxiety, debt, and addiction are at an all time high. While the reasons for our overall lack of peace and contentment are many, researchers are discovering that one of the reasons for this trend is that we believe a lot of things that simply aren’t true. For example:

• A young couple believes they can, and should, own a home with the same size and furnishings as their parents, though their parents took 30 years to build their home.
• Throughout High School, a student regularly tells herself, “I’ll never have real friends.” By age 30, she’s addicted to heroine because she would do whatever she could to fit in. 
• A 60 year old successful sales rep refuses to consider retirement, believing that his business will crumble if he chooses to do so. 

Whether it’s believing lies about our physical appearance, our relationships, our work, or the simple lie of, “I’ll be content (or happy) when ____________.” Even the simplest of lies can have a detrimental impact. 

Fortunately, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in truth. 

READING & JOURNALING:

     JOHN 14:26, JOHN 16:12-15, 1 JOHN 2:20-21

We all tell ourselves things throughout the day which may be lies. Lies about God, about ourselves, or about others. What is the danger of telling yourself lies? Be specific. 

Have you taken time to consider whether any of your hurts, habits, or hangups are the result of you believing a lie? 

How does the Holy Spirit help us to combat these lies? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I’m pretty confident that if I were to write out all of my thoughts throughout the day, I would discover that I’m telling myself, and perhaps believing, more lies than I realize. Help me to see the danger in these lies, and to stay focused on Your truth. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Hosea 1, 2, & 3

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

 

 

WEEK 6, DAY 2: I Believe in the Holy Spirit

Take a few moments to reflect on any questions you may have about the Holy Spirit. If you were to write them all down, there probably wouldn’t be a shortage of questions. To believe in Jesus, His life, His death, and His resurrection is one thing, as there were hundreds of eye-witnesses. But there’s some mystery behind the Holy Spirit. 

Despite this mystery, belief in the Holy Spirit is another foundational believe in Christianity. All throughout the Scriptures we are reminded that there is one God, and only one. For example, Deuteronomy 6:4 reads, “…The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” However, as Albert Mohler writes in The Apostles’ Creed, “…the Bible reveals and affirms the following propositions: (1) The Father is God. (2) The Son is God. (3) The Holy Spirit is God.“

This, of course, doesn’t mean Christianity has three Gods. Instead, the Trinity shows that God has revealed Himself in these three persons. While there may be some mystery here, to deny the existence of the Holy Spirit would be to deny everything the Scriptures teaches about the Spirit. Without the Spirit, one can only believe in a god of their own making.

READING & JOURNALING:

     MATTHEW 3:13-17, MARK 1:9-11

What thoughts came to mind as you read the end of today’s devotional, “Without believing in the Holy Spirit, one can only believe in a god of their own making?” 

What do you think is the significance behind God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit all being present at Jesus’ baptism? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, while I know there is some mystery behind the Holy Spirit, I do trust that Your Spirit is real, and is living within me. Continue to help me hear Your voice so that I can live wisely. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Jonah 3 & 4

 

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

 

 

WEEK 6, DAY 1: Are You Listening? 

I (Pastor Justin) am regularly encouraging people to journal. If you’re not somebody who regularly journals, let’s take just a couple of minutes to journal together. Are you with me?

Grab a piece of paper or notebook, and go ahead and write today’s date at the top of the page. Are you still with me? (If you don’t have a piece of paper handy, you can use the back of this Reading Guide if you’d like.) 

OK, let’s keep going. For this particular journal entry, all you need to do is answer one question. Just one. That doesn’t seem too challenging, does it? Of course not. OK, here’s the question: 

Question: Over the past 48 hours, what are a few things God has been speaking to you? 

My guess is that you’ll respond to this question in one of three ways:

(1) You can quickly write down some things God has been speaking to you.

(2) You’ll need to pause and consider, but will eventually be able to write something down. Or…

(3) You have no idea what to write down. 

Which of these three ways best describes your response? 

READING & JOURNALING:

     JOHN 10:27-28

Over the past 48 hours, what are a few things God has been speaking to you? 

If option #3 from today’s reading is your go-to response, then ask yourself: Is God not speaking to you? Or have you not been listening? 

What is one way you will be intentional in listening to God today? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today I am reminded that You are regularly speaking to me, but I’m not always listening. Help me today to quiet the distractions in my life and to listen carefully to all You’re teaching me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Jonah 1 & 2

 

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

 

 

Introduction to Part II of this Message Series

A Note from Pastor Justin:

Throughout this message series, we’ve taken the opportunity to emphasize that our beliefs lead to our values and ultimately to our behaviors. As we continue this series, I’d like to encourage you to continue to self-examine your beliefs, taking time to reflect on what you actually believe, and the impact those beliefs have on how you live. 

Example:

Belief – What do I actually believe? 

Value – How does this belief impact my values? 

Behaviors – How does this belief impact my behaviors? 

As we begin this series, let me encourage you to take a few important steps: 

1. Write out the Apostles’ Creed on your own (this exercise is part of Day 1 of this Reading Guide). As you write it out, ask yourself, Is this really what I believe? Also take the opportunity to write down any questions you may have about the Apostles’ Creed or the Christian faith.
2. Commit to joining us every week of this series.
3. Commit to reading through this Reading Guide, reflecting and journaling through the questions provided within each daily reading.
4. Use a good Study Bible and/or other resources as you read through this Reading Guide. Refer to https://southridgeblog.com/study-bible-info for more information on many excellent Study Bibles available today. Some suggestions include:

• • NLT (or NIV) Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition
  • NIV Zondervan Study Bible
  • ESV Study Bible

5. Write down questions you have about what you’re reading, and take opportunities to seek out answers to those questions. 

 

WEEK 5, DAY 5: Review

What was your biggest takeaway from this week’s teaching — “From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead?”

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: 2 Kings 5:1-6:23

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

 

 

WEEK 5, DAY 4: And Judge the Living & the Dead

Earlier this week we looked into the importance of seeing God as a God of grace, and the biblical truth that God is for us, not against us. Fully understanding these aspects of God’s nature is extremely important before studying out other passages that speak into the coming judgment of all people. 

In Matthew 25, Jesus provides three teaching examples with some common themes. First, He teaches what it means to be reading for His return. Second, He teaches how we are to live until He does. 

The Life Application Study Bible notes some additional themes that are a present in Matthew 25. These include:

• Matthew 25:1-13 teaches that we are responsible for our own individual spiritual condition. 
• Matt 25:14-30 shows the necessity of using well what God has entrusted to us. 
• Matt 25:31-46 stresses the importance of serving others in need. 

No parable by itself completely describes our preparation. Instead, each paints one part of the whole picture.

READING & JOURNALING:

     MATTHEW 25:1-13, MATTHEW 25:14-30, MATTHEW 25:31-46

Do you notice any additional themes present in any of the parables in Matthew 25? 

Re-read the first bullet note from the Life Application Study Bible from today’s devotional. What thoughts come to mind as you meditate on that? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess there are times when I feel that others bear the primary responsibility for my spiritual condition, and today has been an excellent reminder that I must take the initiative to grow in my walk with You. May my life be a reflection that I take this responsibility seriously. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: 2 Kings 2

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

 

 

WEEK 5, DAY 3: Jesus Will Return…

After Jesus’ resurrection, He was sure to teach His followers that He will one day return. As you can imagine, many of His disciples expected it to happen any day. They lived their lives by preaching the Gospel and doing their very best to fulfill Jesus’ commands to love God, love others, and to make disciples. Some were imprisoned, beaten, exiled, or even executed. Yet they all continued to believe that Jesus was going to return any day. 

Centuries later, the Apostles’ Creed affirmed that a key teaching of the Christian faith is that Jesus will one day return. If Christians really do believe that Jesus is God, that He did die for our sins, that He did rise from the grave, and that He did ascend into heaven, it makes complete sense that we would continue to believe that He is going to return. 

While we may not know when it will happen or what it may look like, it’s important to continue to hold onto hope that Jesus will return, and His return will be far greater than anything we can imagine. 

READING & JOURNALING:

     HEBREWS 9:27-28, REVELATION 1:4-8

What does Hebrews 9:27-28 say is the purpose of Jesus’ life and ministry? Similarly, what does it say is the purpose of His second coming?  

Would you live any differently if you knew for sure that Jesus would return sometime over the next week, month, or year?  If so, why do you think that is? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today’s reading has helped me realize that I probably would live differently if I knew for certain Jesus would return sometime soon. But deep down I know that I should be living the life You have called me to live, and the timing of Jesus’ return ought not impact how I live. May I live each day as it may be my last. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: 1 Kings 21 & 22

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

 

 

WEEK 5, DAY 2: God Wants You to Live 

Ezekiel 33:11 reads, As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live.

This is one of many passages throughout the Scriptures that speaks into God’s desire for His people. In the Old Testament, Ezekiel was a prophet who did his best to communicate God’s words to His people. For much of the book, the people of God did not want to face their sins and accept that they held any responsibility for their circumstances. When they did come to accept responsibility, they experienced tremendous guilt and shame for previously rebelling against God. So on the one hand, they didn’t want to accept what they had done, and on the other hand, they finally accepted it but then couldn’t see how God could forgive them for it. 

Ezekiel patiently reminded them that God takes no pleasure in the death of wicked people, but instead wants people to truly live the life God has for them. 

This lesson is equally important today. You may think God is unable to forgive you for something you’ve done. But He already has, and what He most desires is for you to truly live.

READING & JOURNALING:

     2 TIMOTHY 4:1-5, EZEKIEL 33:11

In what ways does your view of God impact the way you see yourself, and see others?

Do you currently struggle to believe that God will (or already has) forgiven you for any sins you’ve committed against God or others? If so, why do you think that is?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, while I do desire to grow in my knowledge of who You are, I also desire to live the life You have called me to live. I recognize this means living life to the full, and not being overwhelmed by my past. While my past sins cannot be denied, they are not a reflection of how You see me, and I’m eternally grateful for that! I praise you today. Amen.

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: 1 Kings 18-19

 

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.