A paper copy of the Bible reading plan below will be handed out on Sunday to all 5:17ers, but here’s a soft copy for all you who are more Web-based:
Heaven
6/7 The New Heavens and Earth (Isaiah 11:6-9)
7/7 Peace at last (Isaiah 66:22-24)
8/7 The Great Reversal (Luke 16:19-31)
9/7 Getting a new body (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)
10/7 To die is gain (Philippians 1:21-23)
11/7 Citizens of heaven (Philippians 3: 20-4:1)
12/7 Mount Zion (Hebrews 12:18-24)
13/7 A pictorial glimpse of heaven (Revelation 4:1-11)
14/7 A Great multitude (Revelation 7:9-17)
15/7 God’s making all things new! (Revelation 21:1-8)
16/7 The glorious city of God (Revelation 21:9-27)
17/7 Life in abundance with God (Revelation 22:1-5)
The Day of the Lion (Book of Amos)
18/7 Amos 1 &2
19/7 Amos 3&4
20/7 Amos 5&6
21/7 Amos 7:1 – 8:3
22/7 Amos 8:4 – 8:15
Ecclesiastes
23/7 Meaningless, Meaningless! (Eccl. 1&2)
24/7 A time for Everything (Eccl. 3:1-8)
25/7 Fear God, the Sovereign One! (Eccl. 3:9-15)
26/7 Meaningless, Meaningless, Part 2 (Eccl. 3:16-4:16)
27/7 Fear God, the Righteous One (Eccl. 5:1-7)
28/7 Life ‘under the sun’ (Eccl 5:8-7:24)
29/7 The heart of the problem: sin (Eccl. 7:25-29)
30/7 More Life ‘under the sun’ (Eccl. 8:1 – 12:7)
31/7 Conclusion: Fear and obey God (Eccl. 12:8-14)
Handy Hints for your Quiet Time – with each passage, ask (and write down!):
o What do I learn about God? (what He is like, what He wants of His people)
o What do I learn about people / myself?
o How do I need to change in response?
o Pray – praise, thanks, and requests based on your answers.
I love the following story:
During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. “What’s the rumpus about?” he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional.
Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?, p 45
If grace is at the heart of Christianity, why is it that so many of us struggle with the whole concept of grace? What is grace? How do we receive it? And how do we grow in it (as 2 Peter 3:18 states)?
We’re not alone in asking these questions. Some first generation Christians misunderstood the true grace of God too. That’s why the Apostle Peter wrote two letters: the first, a brief letter of encouragement to stand firm in the true grace of God; the second, written on his death-bed, his last words to the Church.
In a couple of weeks time, there will be a free seminar, run by Queensland Theological College. Its Principal, Bruce Winter will give four talks on I and II Peter:
- Focus on the future
- Focus on doing good
- Focus on living and dying well
- Focus on the Word of God
This is a highly recommended event. It’ll be held at Creek Road Presbyterian Church, corner Creek and Fursdon Roads, Carina from 9:30am to 3:15pm. Morning tea will be provided, but BYO lunch.
It’s a free Seminar, but please register beforehand by sending the organisers an email at info@qtc.edu.au.
