7/9-7/15 Overview

At the beginning of the apostle Paul’s third missionary journey, he “traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples” (Acts 18:23 NIV). His journey continued westward until he arrived in the city of Ephesus. Some biblical scholars believe that Paul may have written his letter to the Christians in the region of Galatia during the three years he was in Ephesus. This week we will read more of the account in Acts when Paul was in Ephesus, as well as begin reading his letter to the Galatians.

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

8. Use a Study Bible. A Study Bible is a very helpful tool that includes information shared by scholars about historical and cultural realities during the time depicted or the era of the document, the author, when the book might have been written, the intended audience of the document, themes and messages within a book or letter, and more. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

Sunday (7/9)

READ Deuteronomy 23:5 to set your focus on God:

“…the LORD your God loves you.” – Deuteronomy 23:5 NIV

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that is a reminder of God’s love for us.

 

READ Jeremiah 31:3 as we focus on receiving God’s love today and throughout this week.

 

PRAY now and throughout the day as you seek to be PRESENT with the Lord as much as you are able. Set aside distractions today during your time with God and when you have opportunities to be with people.

 

 

Monday (7/10)

READ Deuteronomy 23:5 to begin your devotional time:

“…the LORD your God loves you.” – Deuteronomy 23:5 NIV

 

READ Acts 19:23-41. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the study notes.

 

PRESENCE – This week we are focusing on God’s presence with us, being present with the God who loves us, and being present with people who are made in God’s image.

 

PRAY for family members, friends, neighbors, and people throughout the world who are not Christians. Ask the Lord to help believer and non-believers to notice and perceive the ways the Lord is with us today and this week.

 

 

Tuesday (7/11)

READ the end of Deuteronomy 23:5 to help you to center yourself in God.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Spend these minutes letting the message of Deuteronomy 23:5 sink deeply into your heart and mind. Let God’s message fill your thoughts.

 

WATCH the Bible Project video that summarizes Galatians so that you can understand it more clearly or to be reminded of what you already know. The video is available on YouTube:

Book of Galatians Summary by the Bible Project:

 

READ Galatians 1, the entire first chapter. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the introduction for this book of The Bible and the study notes for this chapter.

 

PRESENCE – How is God’s presence revealed in the life of Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ, according to Galatians 1?

 

PRAY rejoicing and offering thanks to God for Jesus, salvation, and the Church of Christ, as well as for whatever else you feel the Spirit guiding you to pray.

 

 

Wednesday (7/12)

READ the end of Deuteronomy 23:5 to begin your devotional time.

 

READ Galatians 2. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions from the Overview portion of this devotional as part of your study time.

 

PRESENCE – How has God been revealing his presence with you lately through the people in your life?

 

PRAY through your day, including offering thanks for the Holy Spirit’s presence with us, as well as praying for the people you will be with or have been with.

 

 

Thursday (7/13)

READ the end of Deuteronomy 23:5 to focus your heart and mind on our Creator.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Spend these minutes seeking to simply be with the Lord.

 

READ Galatians 3:1-25. Consider using the suggestions and questions from

the Overview section of this devotional during your study time today.

 

PRESENCE – What are some ways you have experienced God’s grace in your life? How can you offer grace to yourself and others today?

 

PRAY rejoicing and giving thanks to our God.

 

 

Friday (7/14)

READ the end of Deuteronomy 23:5 to begin your time with God.

 

READ Galatians 3:26-4:31. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Lord using to speak to you today from what you read? If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the study notes.

 

PRESENCE – How is God’s presence revealed in people and accounts described in the verses you read from Galatians?

 

PRAY that the Holy Spirit will continue to sanctify believers throughout the world, including you, so that we become more like Christ. Invite the Lord to help us to embody the message of Christ by living the virtues of Jesus, which include the AUMC virtues of: Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love

 

 

Saturday (7/15)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us.

 

You may find it helpful to LIGHT a candle and LISTEN to a worship song or hymn before reading the verses for today as a way to prepare your heart, mind, body, and soul for observing the Sabbath.

 

READ Exodus 20:1-21 during the morning giving special attention to what the text reveals about the Sabbath, God, and worship. “WORSHIP” is the Sabbath theme for this weekend. What is God’s message to you from the Ten Commandments?

 

• What needs to happen so that you can set aside part or all of a day this weekend for the Lord?

 

• What causes you to struggle with “not working” for a day? Is it a lack of trust in God, an overfilled life throughout the week, or something else?

 

• As you read the verses did you notice that the Sabbath day is “holy,” which means it is set apart from the other six days of the week? How are you going to set the Sabbath day apart from the other days of the week?

 

• Do you need to take things off or your to-do-list and set a more sustainable pace so that you are prioritizing stopping, resting, and worshiping?

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, thirty minutes or more alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

PRAY and live in response to our God. You may find it helpful to use the words from the verses you read from Exodus 20 as a guide for your prayer.

 

READ Psalm 95:1-7a during the afternoon or evening. Seek to set aside time today or tomorrow to stop, rest, and assemble with others to worship our Creator and Sustainer of life.

 

• What is a song that helps you to worship the Lord? You could listen to it right now to help you to sing and praise our God.

 

• You may find in helpful to write in a journal or notebook a list of things to thank God for today.

 

• Notice in verse 6 the posture the psalmist describes for worshiping God. During your time of prayer try bowing down and kneeling before our Lord and Maker.

 

PRAY offering thanks to the Lord. You may find it helpful to use the list you wrote or the words from the psalmist as a guide for your prayer.