Sunday (2/13)

Before there was a Holy Bible with both the Old and New Testaments there were sacred Hebrew scriptures of the ancient Israelites. Jesus said this about the Hebrew scriptures and himself, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets: I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17 NIV). The phrase “Law and Prophets” was a first-century way of describing what we know of today as the books of the Old Testament. In the decades after Jesus ascended to heaven documents were written by Christians that formed the New Testament and they were eventually combined with the Hebrew scriptures into what became The Holy Bible.

 

Jesus’ earliest disciples had a living relationship with the holy scriptures. Those of us who are Jesus’ followers today need a living relationship with The Holy Bible. As part of our living relationship with the Bible, we are reading and studying the “Law” and “the Prophets,” a.k.a. The Old Testament, in 2022. This Your Faith Journey devotional will provide you with a reading plan to help you to read and study much of the Old Testament this year. Throughout January and until this past week we have been reading and studying the book of Genesis. Now it is time to move into the second book of the Bible, Exodus. Since Exodus is a continuation of the story of Genesis, if you did not read the book of Genesis you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project videos about it to help you understand the book more clearly. The videos are available on YouTube:

Overview Genesis: 1-11 by the Bible Project:

 

Overview Genesis: 12-50 by the Bible Project:

 

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 humanity?

4. What do these verses teach me about myself?

5. What do these verses reveal about God?

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

7. 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?

8. 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.

 

*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.

 

 

Monday (2/14)

Read the following verses to prepare yourself for time with the Lord:

The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes…

The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

They are more desirable than gold…

Moreover, Your servant is warned by them;

In keeping them there is great reward. – Psalm 19:7-11 NASB

 

Before you begin to read Exodus, you are encouraged to watch the following Bible Project videos about the Old Testament and the first eighteen chapters of Exodus. The videos are available on YouTube:

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Overview Exodus: 1-18 by the Bible Project:

 

Read Exodus 1:1-2:10. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray in response to the Lord, lifting up whatever is in your heart and mind.

 

 

Tuesday (2/15)

Read the following verses to prepare yourself to receive a message from God:

God’s laws are perfect.

They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light.

God’s laws are pure, eternal, just.

They are more desirable than gold…

For they warn us away from harm and

give success to those who obey them. – Psalm 19:7-11 TLB

 

Be silent for a few minutes to turn your heart and mind towards the Lord as you seek to be with him. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, kneel, or walk during this time.

 

Read Exodus 2:11-25. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Wednesday (2/16)

Read Psalm 19:7-11 from whichever translation you prefer to prepare yourself for your time with the Lord.

 

Read Exodus 3. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

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.

 

 

Thursday (2/17)

Read the following verses to prepare yourself for time with the Lord:

The LORD’s Instruction is perfect, reviving one’s very being.

The LORD’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise.

The LORD’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart.

The LORD’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes.

Honoring the LORD is correct, lasting forever.

The LORD’s judgments are true. All of these are righteous!

They are more desirable than gold…

No doubt about it:

your servant is enlightened by them;

there is great reward in keeping them. – Psalm 19:7-11 CEB

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you imagine that God is revealing himself and his message to you from within a burning bush. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, or kneel in awe of the God of miracles and the One who reveals himself to us in whatever way he chooses.

 

Read Exodus 4. 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, offering thanksgiving and praise to God now and throughout the day.

 

 

Friday (2/18)

Read the following verses to prepare yourself to receive a message from God:

God’s laws are perfect.

They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light.

God’s laws are pure, eternal, just.

They are more desirable than gold…

For they warn us away from harm

and give success to those who obey them. – Psalm 19:7-11 TLB

 

Read Exodus 5:1-21. As you read and study the verses you may find it helpful to use the questions and suggestions 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)

 

 

Saturday (2/19)

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 116. You may find it beneficial to return to this Psalm throughout the day. You could listen to one translation of the psalm from the YouVersion Bible App in the morning as a way to connect your day to God from the start, then read the psalm from a different translation during dinner or before going to bed.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten, twenty, or up to thirty minutes. During your time of solitude and 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. Afterwards read the Bible verses listed below as a continuation of the study of Exodus.

 

Read Exodus 5:22-6:1-13. How has God delivered you?

 

Spend some time thinking about how you saw, heard, or experienced God working in your life this past week. You may find it helpful to write in a journal or spend some time talking to your spouse, another family member, or friend. What did you learn about yourself, God, and others this past week?

 

Pray in response to the Lord. You may find it helpful to use the words of the psalm as a guide for your time of prayer.