Sunday (1/9)

If you have not started already, you are invited on a journey through the Old Testament in 2022. During the next two months, this Your Faith Journey devotional will guide you through the first two books of the Bible, Genesis and Exodus. There will be opportunities to continue reading the Old Testament books after the Lenten season in March and April. Below are some questions and suggestions to help you as you read scripture this year:

 

1. 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?

 

2. Are you using a Study Bible? A Study Bible is a very helpful tool for understanding each book of the Bible. They include 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.

 

3. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

 

4. What do these verses teach me about myself?

 

5. What do these verses reveal about God?

 

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

 

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

 

 

Monday (1/10)

Pray the following verse to center your heart and mind on the Lord:

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

O LORD my God, you are very great;

you are clothed with splendor and majesty. – Psalm 104:1 NIV

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with your Creator. You can do this sitting, lying down, or walking. Try to clear your mind of everything and simply be with God.

 

Read Genesis 7:24-8:22. If you have not read the previous chapters of Genesis, you’re encouraged to read Genesis 1:1-4:26 and 6:9-7:24 after watching the following Bible Project videos about the Old Testament and the first eleven chapters of Genesis.

The videos are available on YouTube:

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Overview Genesis: 1-11 by the Bible Project:

 

Pray through your day, including what you will do, or what you have already done, the people you will be with, or those you already were with.

 

 

Tuesday (1/11)

Pray the following verse to prepare your heart and mind for time with our God:

Let my whole being bless the LORD!

LORD my God, how fantastic you are!

You are clothed in glory and grandeur! – Psalm 104:1 CEB

 

Be silent for 5 to 10 minutes to be with your Creator.

 

Read Genesis 9:1-17. You are are encouraged to use the questions and suggestions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)
• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (1/12)

Pray the following verse to focus on the Lord as you begin your devotional time:

I bless the Lord:

O Lord my God, how great you are!

You are robed with honor and with majesty and light!

– Psalm 104:1 LB

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with your Creator. You can do this sitting, lying down, or walking. Try to clear your mind of everything and simply be with God.

 

Read Genesis 11:1-9. If you haven’t yet, choose a question or two from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

Pray in response to our Creator. You are encouraged to pray using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Thursday (1/13)

Pray the following verse:

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

O LORD my God, you are very great;

you are clothed with splendor and majesty. – Psalm 104:1 NIV

 

Be silent for 30 to 60 seconds to clear your mind before receiving what Lord will reveal to you through the teaching video and scripture.

 

Before you begin to read Genesis chapter 12, you are encouraged to watch the following Bible Project video about Genesis chapters 12 through 50. The video is available on YouTube:

Overview Genesis: 12-50 by the Bible Project:

 

Read Genesis 12:1-9; 17:1-8. Which word, phrase, or verse stands out to you from what you read?

 

Pray, offering thanksgiving to God now and throughout the day.

 

 

Friday (1/14)

Pray the following verse to begin your alone time with the Lord:

Let my whole being bless the LORD!

LORD my God, how fantastic you are!

You are clothed in glory and grandeur! – Psalm 104:1 CEB

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with your Creator. You can do this sitting, lying down, or walking. Try to clear your mind of everything and simply be with God.

 

Read Genesis 18:1-15. As you study the verses, you may find it helpful to use the

questions and suggestions from the Sunday portion of this devotional.

 

Pray through your day, including what you will do, or what you have already done, the people you will be with, or those you already were with.

 

 

Saturday (1/15)

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 worship God, rest, and enjoy life-giving recreation. You may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday to develop a new habit of observing the Sabbath. It might be helpful for you to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each weekend until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving recreation for an entire day each week.

 

Read Psalm 47.

 

Solitude & Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten or fifteen minutes. During your time of solitude & silence with God, you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk. During the solitude, silently listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. For many believers the Holy Spirit does not speak in an audible voice. Instead, the Spirit will place a thought, phrase, verse from scripture, song, image, person, or idea in your heart and mind. Notice the physical sounds you hear and the way your body feels during this time of silence. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do-lists, plans for the day, etc. Simply be with God. After the ten to fifteen minutes, then read the Bible verses listed below.

 

Read Jesus’ invitation from Matthew 11:28-30 from the Message Bible included below:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

 

Pray in response to Jesus’ invitation. You may find it helpful to read it a few times before praying. You can return to Jesus’ invitation multiple times throughout the day as a reminder to you of what Christ is offering us.

 

 

*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.