11/26-12/2 Overview

This week we will read and study the last two letters in the New Testament from Paul the apostle. The letters are known as The Letter of Paul to Titus and The Second Letter of Paul to Timothy. These letters were most likely written after the final chapter in the book of Acts during the final years of the apostle’s life. In the letters Paul writes to two men he mentored, taught, and sent to oversee churches. Titus was a Greek convert to Christianity sent by Paul to a difficult place for ministry and mission work known as the island of Crete. The letter to Titus reveals Paul’s missionary strategy for planting churches for the transformation of individuals, households, towns, and eventually the entire world. The second letter to Timothy is a farewell message as Paul is in the midst of a trial that is not going well. He foresee his life being “poured out like a drink offering, and the time for his departure is near” (2 Timothy 4:6 NIV).

 

Through all the hardships Paul endured during his decades of missionary journeys, ministry, and imprisonments he “kept the faith” in Christ Jesus until the end of his life on earth (2 Timothy 4:7 NIV). Paul’s final letter to Timothy is a reminder for us to continue walking and living by faith as part of Jesus’ church to finish the journey until our chapter on the other side of eternity in the presence of God begins.

 

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 (11/26)

READ part of Psalm 100:5 to set your focus on our God:

“For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.” – Psalm 100:5 NIV

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that helps you remember our hope is in the Lord.

 

READ Galatians 5:14, Paul’s summary of the Old Testament commandments. It is a reminder for us to love our neighbors.

 

WITNESS – A witness is a person who has seen, heard, or experienced something and then share it with others. Ask a fellow Christian to share a God experience with you, then tell them about a significant way the Lord has worked in your life.

 

PRAY for the people of Avon UMC, sister churches in Greater Hendricks County, and fellow Christians of every stream of Christianity throughout the world including Catholics, our Orthodox cousins, and fellow Protestant believers.

 

 

Monday (11/27)

READ Psalm 100:5 to begin your devotional time:

“For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.” – Psalm 100:5 NIV

 

You are invited to WATCH the Bible Project video that summarizes Titus before reading and studying Paul’s letter this week. Below is the link for the summary video available on YouTube:

Book of Titus Summary by the Bible Project:

 

READ Titus 1. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the introduction to this letter as well as the study notes for the chapter.

 

WITNESS – In the membership vows of the United Methodist Church we vow to faithfully participate in the life and ministries of our local congregation through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. This week we are focusing on “witness.” Today, ask someone you know who trusts in Jesus to tell you about a significant moment or season from their faith journey. After they tell you, then tell your experience to them.

 

PRAY thanking God for the ways He has blessed you that you wrote on your list last week or the week before. If you did not create a list during the past two weeks, write a list of blessings that includes people, talents, abilities, opportunities, resources, etc. You can write the list of your blessings in a journal, notebook, or on the Notes App on your cell phone, then look at the list each day throughout the week as a reminder of how grateful you are for what God has given you.

 

 

Tuesday (11/28)

READ Psalm 100:5 to help you to center yourself in God.

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a hymn or worship song that helps you to worship the Lord.

 

READ Titus 2:1-3:15. You may find it helpful to use questions or suggestions from the Overview portion of this devotional as you reflect upon what you read. Which category are you part of from 2:2-6? What do these verses reveal about the way you should treat people in the other categories described in the verses about those who are older and younger?

 

WITNESS – What do others see, hear, and experience when they are with you or receive messages from you? What does your behavior reveal to others about you and the Jesus you follow? Are your actions, attitudes, and words Christlike? Remember that you represent Jesus wherever you go and with whomever you interact. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, attitude, words, and actions to reveal Christ to others today and throughout your life.

 

PRAY for the older men and women you know, as well as the younger women and men. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, attitude, words, and actions to reveal Christ in and through you, then conclude using your list of blessings to thank God.

 

 

Wednesday (11/29)

READ Psalm 100:5 to begin your devotional time.

 

You are invited to WATCH the Bible Project video that summarizes 2 Timothy before reading and studying Paul’s final letter this week. Below is the link for the summary video available on YouTube:

Book of 2 Timothy Summary by the Bible Project:

 

READ 2 Timothy 1. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the introduction to this letter as well as the study notes for the chapter.

 

WITNESS – If you have never written an outline of your faith journey, take some time to write it in a notebook or journal, or type it out as a document on your computer or tablet. You may find it helpful to prayerfully think about and include the significant moments and seasons, significant people, as well as experiences, and things you have learned that have shaped you on your journey and influenced you as a disciple of Christ. After writing, or reviewing, the story of God at work within your life, think about a way you can share it with another person either this week or during the Advent season.

 

PRAY through your day, including offering thanks for the presence of the Spirit of Christ with us, as well as praying for the people you will be with or have been with, and conclude by using your own journey of faith as a way to thank the Lord for his ongoing work in your life.

 

 

Thursday (11/30)

READ Psalm 100:5 to focus your heart and mind on the Lord.

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a hymn or worship song that helps you to thank God and show the Lord your gratitude.

 

READ 2 Timothy 2:1-3:9. If you are using a Study Bible consider reading the study notes for the chapter. You may find it helpful to use questions or suggestions from the Overview portion of this devotional as you reflect upon what you read.

 

WITNESS – How have you, or others you know, suffered because of faith in Christ? What has the suffering revealed? How are, you, or others, able to endure? If you know of people who are suffering because of their faith, pray for them. If you are able to reach out to them, use your words to encouragement them in the midst of their suffering.

 

PRAY using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving (you may find it helpful to use your list of blessings)

Supplication (offer God your requests or concerns, as well as those of others)

 

 

Friday (12/1)

READ Psalm 100:5 to begin your time with 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 the psalm roll around in your heart and mind. Let it fill your thoughts.

 

READ 2 Timothy 3:10-4:22, the conclusion of the letter. In this letter Paul shares a farewell message. This is likely the last letter he wrote before he was executed by the Romans for his faith in Christ Jesus. What final message would you share with your family members, friends, and others if you knew your conversation or message was going to be the last one you would share with them?

 

WITNESS – Since the majority of us do not know when our last day will arrive, make it a habit to tell others the good news about Jesus, share with the people in your life what they mean to you, and tell them how the Lord has worked in your life. Look for opportunities to tell them during this holiday season and trust the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

PRAY for those who have been mentors for you, as well as for those who you serve informally or formally as their mentor in living faith in Christ. Conclude by using your list of blessings from the past week or two to express your gratitude to God.

 

 

Saturday (12/2)

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. If your life and schedule are too busy to observe an entire Sabbath day, try incrementally observing the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.

 

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 Psalm 46:10 and Psalm 37:7 during the morning. These verses are a reminder to stop and “be still” in God’s presence. Our Sabbath theme for this weekend is “STOP.”

 

• How does stopping and “being still” help you to remember that God is in control?

 

• What are the things you need to stop worrying about today and during this season that you can offer to God in prayer?

 

• What work do you need to set aside for another day so that you can stop and focus on the Lord as you observe the Sabbath?

 

• How are you going to help others to stop working for at least a few hours this weekend?

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes 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 in response to God’s work within your life this past week and in response to the messages from the Lord in the verses in the psalms that you read.

 

 

READ Genesis 1:1-2:3 during the afternoon or evening. Notice what God did on the seventh day of creation. God set an example for us and established a rhythm for life by working six days then stopping on the seventh day. If you are not finished with the work you have been doing during the past week perhaps the verses from Genesis are your reminded that you are not God. Your limitations are part of your humanity and reveal our dependency upon God.

 

• How are you going to set the Sabbath apart this weekend as you follow God’s example?

 

PRAY – If the weather cooperates and you are physically able, go for a prayer walk outside. You may find it helpful to go to a local park or nature preserve to observe God’s creation and spend time with our Creator.

 

• What does the created world, including the sun, moon, stars, bodies of water, sky, land, plants, animals, and people, reveal about God?

 

• Thank our Creator for the things you see and hear that were not created by human hands.

 

• Thank God for the people you know and come into contact with remembering that they were created in the Lord’s image. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you to see people as God sees them.