Bible Reading Plan

Author: Hannah Thacher

  • 2 John

    2 John

    Read 2 John

    1 The elder,

    To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

    3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

    4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

    7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

    12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

    13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

    Go Deeper

    In 2 John, John writes a short letter to a church and its members. He uses the language of a ‘‘lady and her children” since the church and its members are the “bride” of Christ (see also Revelation 22:17, Ephesians 5:22-33). 

    Two themes stick out in this brief letter: truth and love. You cannot separate the two since truth informs the way we act towards others— in love. In the first six verses, John uses the word “truth” five times and the word “love” four times. We demonstrate love towards others when we declare truth, and we withhold love when we hide the truth from them.

    John warns this church that they need to be careful of those who seek to deceive them with something outside the truth. They might preach what appears to be a more loving message, but it lacks truth. We need to arm ourselves (see Ephesians 6:10-20) with truth because many deceivers have gone out into the world. These people twist the truth and preach a false gospel. 

    We certainly face deceivers every day as many declare there’s no such thing as absolute truth. Others twist the truth to serve their own agendas (i.e., the prosperity gospel). Thankfully, we have God’s Word to inform us of what is truth, and then we get to declare this very truth in love to others. When we walk in the truth, we have both the Father and the Son. What an incredible gift we get to carry with us wherever we go. The reality is this: we walk in truth and love because followers of Christ have the Father and the Son, always. 

    In verse 12, John encourages us to share truth and love with others in person. In a world that focuses on text messages and quick communication, John longs to visit and talk with others face-to-face. While technology can be a communication gift, there’s nothing like having our joy completed in the physical presence of others.

    Questions

    1. What can you do today to arm yourself with truth?
    2. What’s one tangible way you can demonstrate love to someone else?
    3. What do you think John means when he says we shouldn’t take deceivers into our house or welcome them?

    Listen to This

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  • 1 John 5

    1 John 5

    Read 1 John 5

    Faith in the Incarnate Son of God

    1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

    6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

    Concluding Affirmations

    13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

    16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

    18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

    21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

    Go Deeper

    In this final chapter of 1 John, John pleads with his readers one last time to choose a relationship with Jesus, and he highlights some of the major benefits to faith. He says that everyone born of God: overcomes the world (v. 4), has eternal life (v. 11), can approach God with confidence (v. 14), is heard by God (v. 15), is protected from the evil one (v. 18), and is called a child of God (v. 19). These aren’t small bonuses; they are massive promises. When the Creator of the entire universe adopts you into His family and becomes your Father, you receive some pretty large perks.

    One of the biggest blessings that stands out the most from this chapter is the assurance and confidence of eternal life that we have as God’s children. John writes, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). John is clear that those who belong to the family of God can be certain about their eternity. He wants his readers to have confidence in the fact that they will be with God forever.

    We can have that same assurance today. It’s not just early Christians who needed reassurances of salvation, but us, too. This world is misleading and confusing, and we’re tempted to believe that this is all there is. That this life is all that matters. The enemy wants us to keep our eyes focused on the here and now and never glance up at God. And that’s why John implores his readers to be confident about their eternity. Because, when we are confident that this world is not our home and know that we will be with God forever, our perspective changes. We change. 

    We begin to live for something more. We begin to live as though Heaven is on earth, today. We begin to do our part to bring Heaven to whatever part of earth we’re currently living on. You see, eternal life doesn’t just begin at the end of our earthly lives, it begins now. 

    Questions

    1. Would you say you are confident in your eternity with God? Why or why not? 
    2. Do you live each day with an eternity mindset? How could you better live on mission with God each and every day?
    3. Now that you’ve read all of 1 John, in your option, why does John conclude his book with this warning: “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols?”

    Pray This

    Dear God, thank you for the gift of eternal life available to anyone who believes in You. Thank you that we can be certain of our eternity with You. Help me to be confident in that gift today. Help me to lift my eyes from the things of this world to the things of your Kingdom. Help me to begin to live out the eternal life You’ve given me today. Let me not waste this day of eternity with You. Amen.

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  • 1 John 4

    1 John 4

    Read 1 John 4

    On Denying the Incarnation

    1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

    4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

    God’s Love and Ours

    7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

    13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

    God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

    19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

    Go Deeper

    We could simplify this chapter into this one thesis statement: what we believe impacts how we live.  We know this truth, but so often we try to disconnect what we know from how we live. But the truth is we  act out what we believe. John warns of false teachers and how they can persuade and appear true, so we must be be wise and discerning and test what is true. If the foundation isn’t that Jesus is the Christ, it isn’t the gospel – it isn’t true. We must be able to discern truth from error and live in a way that supports, not denies, our beliefs. 

    The truth John’s expressing is that not only is love from God, God is love. It’s who He is. It’s His essence, His nature; and, since we are made in His image, it’s our nature, too. Our love for God is not measured by what we know or what we say, it’s measured by what we do. God has always made the connection and interlaced loving Him and loving His children. We cannot disconnect them. 

    Verses 9 and 10 clearly define what love is: it’s visible (God showed); it requires action (God sent); it’s sacrificial (gave His one and only); it’s unconditional and undeserving (while we were sinners); it addresses sin (an atoning sacrifice for sin). We only need to look at these two verses to know what God thinks of us. We are loved. Fully. Wholly. He doesn’t love some future version of you, He loves you now. 

    How does this knowledge impact our actions? His love gives us confidence (no fear, vs. 18) to love others the way we are loved, not just with words, but in deed and action. Regardless if someone deserves it or not. Our worth and value doesn’t come from someone else’s response to our love. Our value and worth is secure, paid for by Jesus. The world will know we are His children by our love. Not by our “right-ness,” our political support or statements, our knowledge of the Bible, or our self-righteousness. We have an answer for an unbelieving, hurting world: love. The way God showed us through Jesus. 

    Questions

    1. What observations about God stand out in this chapter?
    2. Think about John, one of the closest people to Jesus when Jesus walked the earth. He heard the laugh of the Messiah. Saw the Savior heal the sick and blind and lame. Ate breakfast with Jesus after Jesus conquered death. Of all the things John could have said, why this message? How does that impact you?
    3. Who is difficult for you to love? What is one step you will make to move toward that person today?

    By the Way

    According to early Christian tradition, a false teaching circulated in John’s day that differentiated between Jesus (a man) and Christ (a supernatural being). Some of the false teachers John’s referring to in this chapter taught that Christ descended on Jesus at his baptism and departed at the crucifixion. To this lie, John responds with a resounding, “NO! Jesus IS Christ.” There is none like Him. No not one.

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  • Rest Day

    Rest Day

    Rest Day

    Today is a Rest Day. There is no new Bible reading to do. Today, the goal is simple: rest in the presence of God. Maybe you need to use today to get caught up on the reading plan if you’re behind, maybe you want to journal what you’re learning so you don’t forget what God is teaching you, or maybe you want to spend time in concentrated prayer–do that. Above all, just spend time in God’s presence. Each Rest Day, we will also introduce a memory verse for the week. Meditate on this week’s verse and begin to memorize it.

    Memory Verse

    “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 

    1 John 3:1

    Memorization Tip

    Use community as a tool to help you in your scripture memorization journey! Pick a few friends, or your Life Group, with whom to memorize scripture. Practice together, hold each other accountable, and encourage one another as you work together. Remember that the best way to stick with a challenge is not to go at it alone!

    Worship with us

    Join us in person or online at 9a, 11a, or 7p at harriscreek.org/live. We’d love to worship with you! We also desire to connect everyone with a local church body where they can thrive in community and use their gifts to serve. If you’re following our Bible Reading Plan from outside of Waco and are eager to get connected with a great local church, email us at [email protected].

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  • 1 John 3

    1 John 3

    Read 1 John 3

    1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,  we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

    4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

    7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

    More on Love and Hatred

    11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

    16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

    19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

    Go Deeper

    Chapter 3 begins by reminding us who our identity in Christ is: We are beloved and called God’s children. Jesus died on the cross for us so we no longer have to live in sin and shame; we are free to live out our purpose without the burdens of our mistakes. This basic truth is essential to us understanding the true meaning and intention for the rest of this chapter.

    In a world where we are surrounded by cultural Christianity, we can easily lose sight of the power of our faith. Luke 11:28 (ESV) says, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” There is power in the simple act of believing God’s Word. When we surrender our lives to Him, He transforms us and gives us strength that is unimaginable. But our actions need to follow our belief. 

    We are warned not to be deceived by the world and remember that it’s our actions, not our intentions, that display our faith. If we are truly inviting God to work in us and through us, we will begin to look more like Him and less like the world. The message is clear, but it is not meant to make us feel guilty. Rather, its intention is conviction. Sometimes it’s necessary for us to be called out on our prejudices against brothers and sisters in the faith to help remind us of God’s purpose for us.

    Verse 11 reminds us we are to love others with our actions. Verse 15 tells us hating others is the same as killing them. It seems like Scripture goes from zero to one hundred really fast. But when we are focused on ourselves, it is impossible to focus on others. This selfishness leads to suffering, not only for others, but also ourselves. It takes humility to be reminded that we are all sinners, no sin is greater or less than another, and it’s here that we turn to God. Rather than harming or hating others out of our own selfishness, we are called to lay down our lives for others. Jesus already set this example of sacrificial love before us, and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live this out. 

    It’s up to us whether or not we will answer the call to love. Because of Christ’s sacrificial love, we can be confident in our eternity and empowered to live out our faith through our actions. Let’s be faithful to obey, and love others well.

    Questions

    1. Consider that we are God’s children. How does this change your perspective on the message of this chapter?
    2. Would the people closest to you say that you are following God with your whole heart? Are you living in order to please people, or are you actively, sacrificially loving them?
    3. What do you need to surrender to God today? How are these hindrances keeping you from following God and loving others?

    Quotes

    “A really humble man…will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.”

    – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

     

    “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

    – Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Life

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  • 1 John 2

    1 John 2

    Read 1 John 2

    1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

    Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

    3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

    7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

    9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

    Reasons for Writing

    12 I am writing to you, dear children,
        because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
    13 I am writing to you, fathers,
        because you know him who is from the beginning.
    I am writing to you, young men,
        because you have overcome the evil one.

    14 I write to you, dear children,
        because you know the Father.
    I write to you, fathers,
        because you know him who is from the beginning.
    I write to you, young men,
        because you are strong,
        and the word of God lives in you,
        and you have overcome the evil one.

    On Not Loving the World

    15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

    Warnings Against Denying the Son

    18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

    God’s Children and Sin

    28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

    Go Deeper

    Sometimes the gospel can be difficult to explain. In this chapter there are times in which it feels like John is saying two different things. There are portions in which he focuses on the seriousness of sin, but then later he outlines the seriousness of God’s grace. If you go back to read the chapter again, you’ll notice that there is an ebb and flow to his message. It’s almost like he is writing this chapter with conviction in one hand, and profound mercy in the other. Indeed, this is the message of the gospel! God desperately desires for us not to sin because He knows the consequences that it will bring on our lives. But God is also desperate to show us mercy because His Son paid the ultimate price for our iniquities. So John writes this chapter urging us not to sin, while also expressing confidence that our sins are paid for. 

    Even though much of John’s writing in this chapter is about our actions, it’s clear that our actions aren’t the main focus. It would be easy to leave this chapter wanting to do a better job of managing what we do. But that would be a dangerous mistake! While our sin is serious, it isn’t the star of John’s story. The message here isn’t about our actions, but rather God’s. Although we have fallen short, He has overcome. Although we have chosen darkness, He can bring us into the light. Although we are unrighteous, He is advocating for our forgiveness. 

    If we want to leave our life of sin, we don’t need to turn the spotlight on our actions, but rather His. This is why John ends the chapter by saying, “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” (v.28) The goal isn’t to power through on our own strength. We’ll never make it to the finish line that way. The only way we can find eternal freedom is by finding ourselves in Him. So while our sin is serious, our Savior is greater.

    Questions

    1. Was anything surprising to you in this passage?
    2. Verse 15 says that we’ll either love the world, or we’ll love the Father. What in this world still has your heart?
    3. What can you do to make sure you “continue in Him” today?

    By the Way

    Satan is called “the accuser” in Revelation 12:10. He wants to do all he can to make you feel a tremendous amount of shame for your sin. On the other hand, Jesus is called “the Advocate” in this chapter. Rather than pointing out our faults, Jesus is advocating to the Father on our behalf.

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  • Preview and 1 John 1

    Preview and 1 John 1

    Getting Started

    Welcome to the Bible Reading Plan! We are so glad you are joining us as we read through three short, but powerful New Testament books: 1, 2, and 3 John. Each day, you will read one chapter of the Bible followed by a short devotional, answer a few questions, and if you want, record any observations or insights using the interactive comments section. We believe God will use this resource to grow our knowledge and affection for Him. We know God’s Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Sign up with a friend, your Life Group, or your family, and let’s dig in!

    Make sure to download our Harris Creek App and turn on push notifications, or visit us at biblereadingplan.org and sign up to receive the BRP in your inbox. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram (@harriscreek) for some fun, creative ways to interact with the readings. 

    Let’s Go, Church!

    Overview

    1, 2, and 3 John are three different books attributed to the same author: the Apostle John. John, at this time, was overseeing a network of churches around Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Likely written somewhere between 80-95 AD, he was trying to address a crisis that had hit the first century church. There had been a recent exodus of believers who claimed Jesus wasn’t actually the Messiah or the son of God, so John put pen to paper in order to reassure these Christians that they could remain confident in the faith. The result is what we know today as the books of 1, 2, and 3 John.

    While the titles are similar, there are some distinct differences between these books. For example, 1 John isn’t as much of a letter as it is a long piece of prose with a more general audience. Unlike some of Paul’s letters that were written to a specific congregation (Romans, Philippians, Ephesians, etc.), this one is more general in scope and appears to have been written for multiple of the congregations John was responsible for shepherding. 

    On the other hand, the next two books are more like traditional letters. While 2 John is phrased as if it’s written to a particular woman, it is likely written to an entire church (although it could have been written to a woman and her family). John’s purpose in writing this book was to warn of the deceivers who tell falsehoods about the life of Jesus. His third and final letter was written even more specifically to a man named Gaius, an early church leader. The book of 3 John is full of instructions for him on how to be hospitable to others and pursue Truth. 

    As we read, remember to keep a journal handy. Grab a highlighter. Underline verses. Circle words that stand out. Commit these words to memory! While these three books are short, they are packed with truth that can help us further pursue Jesus with all that we are.

    Read 1 John 1

    The Incarnation of the Word of Life

    1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.

    Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

    5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

    8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

    Go Deeper

    The opening chapter of 1 John lays the foundation for the entire book. John’s focus here isn’t on converting people to the faith. Instead, this letter is written to inspire confidence and reassure a group of believers who need to be reminded of what is true. The churches around Asia Minor were in turmoil after losing a number of people who had ultimately rejected the deity of Christ. As he mentions in the very beginning of this letter, John is able to provide a firsthand account of the life and ministry of Jesus. He saw it, he experienced it, and he wants to share those experiences with his readers.

    The central theme of this passage is walking in the light (v. 7). John presents a binary choice here: We can either walk in the light or walk in the darkness. If we claim to be followers of Christ, but our lives, words, and actions don’t reflect that, then we are living in the darkness. If we consume the pleasures and comforts of the world and our lives aren’t bearing fruit (see John 15), then we may not be in fellowship with God. It’s a sobering thought, but that’s exactly why John said it. 

    So what does it mean to walk in the light? Fortunately for us, John gives us the answer. Step one is to acknowledge that we are sinful and have fallen short of the standard God set. He says that those who claim to be sinless are only deceiving themselves (v. 9). Step two is to confess those sins because “He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (v. 9). This is why confession of sin is so important. 

    If we act like we have it all together all of the time, we’re only fooling ourselves (but we’re definitely not fooling God). Confession within the context of a biblical community also provides us with the accountability we need to continue to pursue righteousness at all costs. Because of the gospel, we are able to live lives free of sin and condemnation and have right standing with God. That’s what it means to live in the light.

    Questions

    1. Where are you currently bearing fruit in your life? 
    2. 1 John 1 tells us that God is faithful to forgive our sins. Is it difficult for you to believe that God actually forgives all of your sins? Why or why not?
    3. Is confession of sin a regular part of your life? How has that led to freedom from sin?

    A Quote

    “The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him, and the more deeply he becomes involved in it, the more disastrous is his isolation. Sin wants to remain unknown. It shuns the light. In the darkness of the unexpressed it poisons the whole being of a person. This can happen even in the midst of a pious community. In confession the light of the Gospel breaks into darkness and seclusion of the heart.”

    Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

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  • Psalm 41

    Psalm 41

    Read Psalm 41

    For the director of music. A psalm of David.

    1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
        the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
    2 The Lord protects and preserves them—
        they are counted among the blessed in the land—
        he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
    3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
        and restores them from their bed of illness.

    4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord;
        heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
    5 My enemies say of me in malice,
        “When will he die and his name perish?”
    6 When one of them comes to see me,
        he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
        then he goes out and spreads it around.

    7 All my enemies whisper together against me;
        they imagine the worst for me, saying,
    8 “A vile disease has afflicted him;
        he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
    9 Even my close friend,
        someone I trusted,
    one who shared my bread,
        has turned against me.

    10 But may you have mercy on me, Lord;
        raise me up, that I may repay them.
    11 I know that you are pleased with me,
        for my enemy does not triumph over me.
    12 Because of my integrity you uphold me
        and set me in your presence forever.

    13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
        from everlasting to everlasting.
    Amen and Amen.

    Go Deeper

    David uses this psalm to demonstrate how considering the poor can transform one’s life from the illusion of self-sufficiency to that of total dependence on God. Consideration extends beyond just a thought to wise action and intervention. We often think of being poor as purely a monetary or physical condition. The term poor, or poverty, does not simply refer to people in lower economic standing. There is also emotional, relational, and spiritual poverty. None of us are immune to that. Deep awareness of our deficiencies, brokenness, and our own poverty should overwhelm us with our desperate need for a savior. Once we realize that, we are better equipped to care for the needs of those around us.  

    David continues in verses 5-9 to confess his fears and vulnerabilities to God. By listing rejection, ridicule, gossip, and betrayal, David effectively surrenders himself, his relationships, and situations to God as we are commanded to in Philippians 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:7. Upon realizing our own poverty and deficiency we should also confess our sins, fears, and situations to God and praise God for who He is!

    Our culture glorifies individualism and self-determination. From a young age we are conditioned to believe the idea that our successes are the result of our hard work, failures are the result of our laziness, and that we can do everything on our own. But Scripture tells us that we should strive towards full dependence on God rather than ourselves. That realization points us toward our Savior and can transform our lives from self-supported poverty to God-provided blessing.  

    Questions

    1. What are your major weaknesses and your greatest areas of poverty? 
    2. Where have you bought into the lies we’re told about individualism and self-determination? 
    3. How can you practice relying on God, rather than yourself, for strength throughout your day?

    Listen to This!

    Here’s a podcast called “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit” from Tim Keller

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  • Psalm 40

    Psalm 40

    Read Psalm 40

    For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

    1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
        he turned to me and heard my cry.
    2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
        out of the mud and mire;
    he set my feet on a rock
        and gave me a firm place to stand.
    3 He put a new song in my mouth,
        a hymn of praise to our God.
    Many will see and fear the Lord
        and put their trust in him.

    4 Blessed is the one
        who trusts in the Lord,
    who does not look to the proud,
        to those who turn aside to false gods.
    5 Many, Lord my God,
        are the wonders you have done,
        the things you planned for us.
    None can compare with you;
        were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
        they would be too many to declare.

    6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
        but my ears you have opened—
        burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
    7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
        it is written about me in the scroll.
    8 I desire to do your will, my God;
        your law is within my heart.”

    9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
        I do not seal my lips, Lord,
        as you know.
    10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
        I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
    I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
        from the great assembly.

    11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
        may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
    12 For troubles without number surround me;
        my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
    They are more than the hairs of my head,
        and my heart fails within me.
    13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
        come quickly, Lord, to help me.

    14 May all who want to take my life
        be put to shame and confusion;
    may all who desire my ruin
        be turned back in disgrace.
    15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
        be appalled at their own shame.
    16 But may all who seek you
        rejoice and be glad in you;
    may those who long for your saving help always say,
        “The Lord is great!”

    17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
        may the Lord think of me.
    You are my help and my deliverer;
        you are my God, do not delay.

    Go Deeper

    We know with our heads that God is able to redeem the messy things in us, but we also know the battle in our hearts to really live out that belief. We want to fix ourselves, to heal our own brokenness, to get ourselves out of the messes we find ourselves in. Wouldn’t it be so much faster that way? And wouldn’t that give us the satisfaction of knowing we are strong, independent, and capable all on our own?

    Psalm 40 shows a much different approach. All throughout this chapter, David remembers his weakness and inability to save himself. While David is feeling overtaken by his sinfulness (v. 12), his response is to wait patiently for the Lord to save him. If you look at the actions of David compared to the actions of God described in this chapter, you will notice an important difference. God has lifted David from the pit, set his feet on firm ground, and protected and delivered him. David acknowledges his need, sees the work of God, then speaks of God’s faithfulness. God does the work and David responds with praise.

    The healing of our hearts and our own sinfulness happens when we remember that we cannot do anything by our own power. We cannot heal or fix ourselves. We cannot earn our own forgiveness or salvation. On our own, we are powerless to overcome sin and brokenness. Those who long for God and for His saving help are the ones who will see His greatness (v. 16) because those are the people that are best positioned to see God move.

    David knows this because he knows God’s heart – that we would acknowledge our complete dependence on God and that He would be glorified through our praise and faithfulness. He does not want our sacrifices. He wants our hearts and our praise. Isn’t that exactly what is at the heart of the gospel? While we were stuck in the mud and mire, God became flesh, took on our sin, died, and rose again to save and redeem us. When we acknowledge that we cannot do anything apart from God, only God can receive the glory. Then His name will be made great and His people will respond in praise. What a good God that His glory is also our greatest good.

    Questions

    1. Where are you depending on your own strength or ability to bring healing, instead of moving toward God in prayer and relying on God’s power?
    2. Where can you offer praise to God today? What in your life, large or small, can you show gratitude for today?
    3. Who can you share with about God’s work in your life today?



    By the Way

    Psalm 40:6-8 is quoted in Hebrews 10:5-7 to remind us that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has covered us once and for all. Jesus’ payment for our sins allows us to look to Christ instead of to ourselves for full forgiveness from our sins. We cannot earn what has been freely given to us, but we can respond by living faithfully and giving our praise to God.

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  • Psalm 39

    Psalm 39

    Read Psalm 39

    For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

    1 I said, “I will watch my ways
        and keep my tongue from sin;
    I will put a muzzle on my mouth
        while in the presence of the wicked.”
    2 So I remained utterly silent,
        not even saying anything good.
    But my anguish increased;
    3     my heart grew hot within me.
    While I meditated, the fire burned;
        then I spoke with my tongue:

    4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
        and the number of my days;
        let me know how fleeting my life is.
    5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
        the span of my years is as nothing before you.
    Everyone is but a breath,
        even those who seem secure.

    6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
        in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
        without knowing whose it will finally be.

    7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
        My hope is in you.
    8 Save me from all my transgressions;
        do not make me the scorn of fools.
    9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
        for you are the one who has done this.
    10 Remove your scourge from me;
        I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
    11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
        you consume their wealth like a moth—
        surely everyone is but a breath.

    12 “Hear my prayer, Lord,
        listen to my cry for help;
        do not be deaf to my weeping.
    I dwell with you as a foreigner,
        a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
    13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
        before I depart and am no more.”

    Go Deeper

    We do not always know how to handle our messy lives. Similar to yesterday’s psalm, David is grieved by his life circumstances. He was sick. He dwelled in his discomfort. He internalized his doubts. His silence led to grief. A fire of discontentment and anxiety burned within him. The turmoil became too much to handle on his own, and he cried out to God.

    David was impatient for the end of his life. Learning about this man’s deep mental struggle humanizes our reading of this psalm. We can all relate to wanting a less taxing and easier life. David did not live a perfect life, but he was still used by God. He realized that life’s ills and woes are fleeting as we have the hope of heaven. Our lives are as quick as a breath compared to our eternity with God. 

    Our path through this life is not always rainbows and butterflies. David needed refining, and so do we. In verse 11, we read, “When you [the Lord] discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath!” Sometimes the Lord will destroy what we delight in, like a moth destroying fine clothing, because that is what we need in order to seek Him. It’s not that God is mean; it is quite the contrary. He is loving. He would rather destroy our idols while we have a chance of communing with Him than let us suffer eternity in excruciating discomfort. 

    David chose to keep fighting his battles because God allowed him to live for a reason. The obstacles David faced paled in comparison to the greatness of the Lord and heaven. Praying for deliverance through teary eyes is worth it, because we are only guests here on the earth for a short time.

    Questions

    1. Are there times in your life you have wrestled with God? Do you believe you can be honest with God about your weaknesses, suffering, and anxiety?
    2. What troubles of this temporary life distract you from the eternal hope you have in Christ Jesus? 
    3. Pray an honest prayer to God and surrender your heart to Him.

    By the Way

    The theme of pushing through adversity is all throughout the Bible. Let this be a theme for us today also. Let’s prepare for battle by committing to memory Philippians 3:13-14, which says:

    “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

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