Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
Ebook6,199 pages95 hours
NCV, The Devotional Bible: Experiencing The Heart of Jesus
By Max Lucado and Thomas Nelson
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
()
About this ebook
Imagine a hope-filled tour of the Bible with the most beloved devotional writer of our time. The Devotional Bible brings together words of encouragement and the gentle wisdom of Max Lucado with the timeless Word of God.
Favorite inspirational writer Max Lucado has done more than revise and update the best-selling Inspirational Bible. Using the New Century Version, The Devotional Bible will be a staple for anyone who wants to draw closer to the heart of Christ.
From the busy mom to the frustrated employee, The Devotional Bible is the perfect refuge for anyone that needs truth and encouragement to hold on to.
Author
Max Lucado
Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado Youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast
Read more from Max Lucado
God Is With You Every Day: 365-Day Devotional Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5God Will Use This for Good: Surviving the Mess of Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Because of Bethlehem (with Bonus Content): Love Is Born, Hope Is Here Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5God Never Gives Up on You: What Jacob's Story Teaches Us About Grace, Mercy, and God's Relentless Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPocket Prayers: 40 Simple Prayers that Bring Peace and Rest Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In the Footsteps of the Savior: Following Jesus Through the Holy Land Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God's Presence and Power Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In the manger: 25 Inspirational Selections for Advent Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Just in Case You Ever Wonder Educator's Guide Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Help Is Here: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Celebrating Christmas with Jesus: An Advent Devotional Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Crippled Lamb: A Christmas Story about Finding Your Purpose Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to NCV, The Devotional Bible
Related ebooks
NCV, Grace for the Moment Daily Bible: Spend 365 Days reading the Bible with Max Lucado Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThey Walked with God: 40 Bible Characters Who Inspire Us Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Praying the Promises: Anchor Your Life to Unshakable Hope Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible: Holy Bible, New International Version Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Lucado Inspirational Reader: Hope and Encouragement for Your Everyday Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Grace Happens Here: You Are Standing Where Grace is Happening Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5God's Promises for You: Scripture Selections from Max Lucado Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5God Will Carry You Through Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5And the Angels Were Silent: The Final Week of Jesus Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Start with Prayer: 250 Prayers for Hope and Strength Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In the Grip of Grace -: Your Father Always Caught You. He Still Does. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Grace for the Moment: A 365-Day Journaling Devotional, Ebook Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Just Like Jesus Devotional Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5When Christ Comes: The Beginning of the Very Best Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5No Wonder They Call Him the Savior: Discover Hope in the Unlikeliest Place?Upon the Cross Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Let the Journey Begin: God's Roadmap for New Beginnings Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSix Hours One Friday: Living in the Power of the Cross Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Facing Your Giants Study Guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5He Still Moves Stones Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Applause of Heaven: Discover the Secret to a Truly Satisfying Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God's Presence and Power Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You Can Count on God: 365 Devotions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGreat Day Every Day: Navigating Life's Challenges with Promise and Purpose Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGive It All to Him Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/53:16: The Numbers of Hope Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5He Fights for You: Promises for Everyday Battles Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christianity For You
The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You've Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Related podcast episodes
What The NEW HEAVEN And NEW EARTH Will Look Like In Revelation 21: The Beginning And The End - Part 5 0% found this document useful12/22/23 - Hebrews 7-10 0% found this document useful12/28/23 - Revelation 1-5 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ 0% found this document usefulWhat GOD Promises WILL Happen In Revelation 22: The Beginning And The End - Part 6 0% found this document useful21/40 - The Power of Teshuvah: Mending Bonds with the Almighty 0% found this document usefulJewish Inspiration: Unraveling the Spiritual Depths of Sukkot 0% found this document useful12/31/23 - Revelation 19-22 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ 0% found this document useful1 Thessalonians 4 Explained | Journey 18 Day 21 0% found this document useful1 Thessalonians 5 Explained | Journey 18 Day 22 100% found this document usefulRevelation 6 Explained | Journey 18 Day 33 0% found this document usefulProverbs 27 Explained | Journey 18 Day 52 0% found this document useful1 Thessalonians 3 Explained | Journey 18 Day 20 0% found this document usefulPsalm 38 Explained | Journey 6 Day 69 0% found this document useful2 Thessalonians 3 Explained | Journey 18 Day 25 0% found this document usefulDo THIS to Prosper! Psalm 1 Blessed is the Man. 0% found this document usefulRevelation 4 Explained | Journey 18 Day 31 0% found this document usefulEpisode 90: Where is Lent in the Bible?: Just about any question you might have about Lent… 100% found this document usefulRevelation 5 Explained | Journey 18 Day 32 0% found this document usefulRevelation 8 Explained | Journey 18 Day 35 0% found this document usefulThe View that Changed the Way I Read My Bible 0% found this document usefulProverbs 25 Explained | Journey 18 Day 50 0% found this document usefulRevelation 3 Explained | Journey 18 Day 30 0% found this document usefulTim Keller on Reformed Resurgence 0% found this document usefulRevelation 10 Explained | Journey 18 Day 37 0% found this document usefulRevelation 7 Explained | Journey 18 Day 34 0% found this document useful
Related articles
Monday, November 1 Mornings with JesusArticle
Monday, November 1
Oct 15, 2021
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands . . . Isaiah 49:15–16 (NIV) MY MOM RECENTLY GAVE ONE of my
1 min readTuesday, November 2 Mornings with JesusArticle
Tuesday, November 2
Oct 15, 2021
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) HAVE YOU EVER HAD THE feeling it would be a bad day, even before your feet touched the floor? Having overslept, I was already running behind for my
1 min readConsecrate Yourself To The Lord JOY MagazineArticle
Consecrate Yourself To The Lord
Dec 30, 2022
Happy new year! I wish you everything of the best for this year ahead. Each day is a blessing from the Lord, let us use 2023 wisely. Have you ever ‘consecrated’ yourself to the Lord? I am not talking about when you got saved and invited Jesus into yo
2 min readMax Lucado GuidepostsArticle
Max Lucado
May 28, 2021
2 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Aug 15, 2023
Copyright © 2023 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, w
1 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Nov 16, 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
2 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Aug 13, 2022
Copyright © 2022 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, wi
1 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Oct 15, 2022
Copyright © 2022 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, wi
2 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Jul 16, 2022
Copyright © 2022 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
1 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Apr 16, 2022
Copyright © 2022 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, wi
2 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Jan 16, 2021
Copyright © 2021 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
2 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Feb 16, 2023
Copyright © 2023 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, wi
1 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Feb 16, 2023
Copyright © 2023 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, wi
1 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Nov 15, 2019
Copyright © 2020 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
2 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Jan 16, 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
2 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Mar 18, 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
2 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Sep 18, 2019
Every attempt has been made to credit the sources of copyrighted material used in this book. If any such acknowledgment has been inadvertently omitted or miscredited, receipt of such information would be appreciated. Scripture quotations marked (AKJV
1 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Sep 19, 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
2 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
May 18, 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
2 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Jul 19, 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
2 min readEditor’s Letter Robb ReportArticle
Editor’s Letter
Aug 4, 2020
2 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Apr 15, 2024
Copyright © 2024 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, w
1 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Feb 15, 2024
Copyright © 2024 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, w
1 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
May 17, 2023
Copyright © 2023 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
1 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Feb 16, 2022
Copyright © 2022 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, wi
1 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Sep 16, 2021
Copyright © 2021 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with
1 min readWhen Your Lamp is Trimmed JOY MagazineArticle
When Your Lamp is Trimmed
Nov 19, 2021
4 min readAcknowledgments 60 Days of PrayerArticle
Acknowledgments
Dec 7, 2018
60 Days of Prayer Published by Guideposts, 39 Old Ridgebury Rd, Danbury CT 06810 Guideposts.org Copyright © 2018 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, November not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitt
1 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Oct 15, 2021
Copyright © 2021 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, wi
1 min readAcknowledgments Mornings with JesusArticle
Acknowledgments
Dec 16, 2022
Copyright © 2023 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, wi
1 min read
Reviews for NCV, The Devotional Bible
Rating: 4.230769230769231 out of 5 stars
4/5
13 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
NCV, The Devotional Bible - Max Lucado
Table Of Contents
General Introduction
The General Editor’s Acknowledgments
How to Study the Bible
Topical Index to the Full-Page Bible Studies
Two-Year Devotional Reading Plan
Preface to the New Century Version
The Old Testament
The New Testament
More Help for Your Spiritual Growth
He Did This Just for You Verses
Spiritual Growth Verses
30 Studies for New Believers
The Big Picture: A 30-Day Overview to the New Testament
Where to Turn When
Index
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments for Bible Studies
Acknowledgment for More Help for Your Spiritual Growth
Section
Topical Index to the Full-Page Bible Studies
Abundant Life
Adopted
Almighty God
Anger of God
Approach the Throne
Bitterness
Bride of Christ
Brokenness
Change
Choice
Confession
Contentment
Details
Disappointment
Extending God’s Grace
Family
Fear
Fruit of the Spirit
God Listens
God’s Presence
God’s Workmanship
Good Enough?
Grief
Grudges
Guilt
Habits
Healing
Heaven (1)
Heaven (2)
Impossibilities
Jesus’ Compassion
Jesus Prayed
Money
New Creation
Old Wounds
Peace
Power
Righteousness
Rivalry
Salvation
Second Chances
The Church
Tithing
Truth
Unity
Usefulness
Vengeance
Where Is God?
The Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Genesis
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Exodus
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Leviticus
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Numbers
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Deuteronomy
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Joshua
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Judges
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Ruth
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
1 Samuel
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
2 Samuel
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
1 Kings
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
2 Kings
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
1 Chronicles
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
2 Chronicles
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Ezra
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Nehemiah
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Esther
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Job
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Psalms
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142
Chapter 143
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
Chapter 149
Chapter 150
Proverbs
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Ecclesiastes
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Song of Songs
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Isaiah
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Jeremiah
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Lamentations
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Ezekiel
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Daniel
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Hosea
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Joel
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Amos
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Obadiah
Introduction
Chapter 1
Jonah
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Micah
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Nahum
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Habakkuk
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Zephaniah
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Haggai
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Zechariah
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Malachi
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
The New Testament
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
Matthew
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Mark
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Luke
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
John
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Acts
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Romans
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
1 Corinthians
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
2 Corinthians
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Galatians
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Ephesians
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Philippians
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Colossians
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
1 Thessalonians
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
2 Thessalonians
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
1 Timothy
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
2 Timothy
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Titus
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Philemon
Introduction
Chapter 1
Hebrews
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
James
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
1 Peter
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
2 Peter
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
1 John
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
2 John
Introduction
Chapter 1
3 John
Introduction
Chapter 1
Jude
Introduction
Chapter 1
Revelation
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
General Introduction
by Karen Hill
The Devotional Bible is an exhilarating experience. As you read, you’ll uncover a saga of suspense and intrigue. Flip over a few pages and find poetry and romance. Turn the pages again and read tales of clashing conquerors, brave shepherds, and a captivating Carpenter. Chronicles of faith, miracles, misdeeds, and good deeds. Kings, queens, peasants—the uncommon and the commonplace. Mystery, suspense, intrigue, drama, humor, poetry, romance …it’s all in these pages …stories of real people, with real problems, real joys, and a real Savior. All of that, plus some distinctive features to help you see that what happened on these pages is still happening today—that the truths of old are truths for our age.
Features
Life Lessons
To enrich your study, this Bible has some unique features … some helpful tools to expand your understanding. You’ll notice Life Lessons in the margins. Each Life Lesson contains a Situation, Observation, Inspiration, Application, and Exploration.
The Situation gives a quick look into the context of the chapter: it answers the question, What’s going on in this passage?
The Observation goes beneath the action to explain the point of the action. What truth or lesson is noticeable in the action of these people?
The Inspiration takes a point or lesson found in the chapter and amplifies it. Excerpted from the writings of Christian authors, these inspirations extend the main point and give it a contemporary message that will be useful in your private devotion or for sharing with a group.
The Application brings the message home. How can I use what I’ve learned in this chapter?
Is there anything about my life that I should change as a result of what I’ve already learned by reading this?
The Exploration lists other scripture related to the same theme, for further study. Reading the Exploration verses provides a strong sense of the Bible as a complete story, rather than just a collection of short stories and lists of rules.
Full-Page Devotional Bible Studies
Scattered throughout the text you will discover full-page devotional Bible Studies. These encouraging pages will reveal what God thinks about you. Use the index to the topical inserts on page ix in the front of this Bible to locate specific topics covered on these pages.
Christ Through the Bible
The Christ Through the Bible articles are a helpful tool for understanding how the Bible truly is one story—the story of God’s plan of salvation as fulfilled through his Son, Jesus Christ. These notes help you discover the presence and attributes of Jesus Christ throughout the Old and New Testament. For example, observe how Jesus is foreshadowed as our high priest in the book of Exodus and how his title as Lamb of God can be seen in Leviticus.
New Life in Christ
The New Life in Christ articles help you walk through God’s plan of salvation as it unfolds through the Old Testament and is fully revealed with the birth, life, and ministry of Jesus in the New Testament. This series of short articles will also help you explore the path of discipleship, as it delves into aspects of the Christian walk. Let the questions found at the end of each article prompt you to a closer walk with Christ.
He Did This Just for You Verses
These verses reveal more about who Christ is and what he did for you. They will help you personalize God’s message and draw closer to your Savior.
New Believer Studies
These short studies will help you learn more about your faith and will answer some of the hard questions that may be on your mind. The studies cover a variety of topics, such as how to know that you’re saved, how to pray, how to face temptation, and much more.
Spiritual Growth Verses
These verses cover topics of spiritual growth, such as your daily walk with God, listening to him, and forgiving others.
The Big Picture
Reading Plan
This simple 30-day reading plan will introduce you to key passages throughout the New Testament.
Where to Turn When …
Index
This list leads you to relevant verses for many of life’s complicated questions and situations.
Reading Program
Designed to inspire you in your daily walk, the study helps are streamlined for ease of use. The comments are quick, tightly written nuggets to give you the most information in the briefest format possible, to assist your search for understanding. How do you use The Devotional Bible? The Life Lessons coincide with the chapters they address. It is best to read the Situation first. Then read the scripture referenced with the Life Lesson. Go to the Observation—is this the point you understood as you read the action? Move on to the Inspiration. If you’re in a class, read and discuss the Inspiration, then use the Application for further discussion. If you are studying alone, keep a journal of your commitment to new goals suggested by the Application.
A Brief Note to Parents and Teachers
This Bible is adaptable to any age group and is especially useful with mixed-age groups. For adults, the margin information can be used to initiate further study and discussion. For families or in children’s classes, they can be used as self-contained devotionals. The Life Lessons are particularly useful in demonstrating that people of Bible times encountered similar problems to situations occurring today …the same hopes, fears, desires, sins, and successes.
The General Editor’s Acknowledgments
On the title page of my Bible, I have copied two verses. The first is from Mark 12:37.
The large crowd listened to Jesus with pleasure.
What a compliment! You ought to go hear this guy speak,
people must have said, It’s a treat to listen to him.
When Jesus spoke, people listened. And when the people listened, they listened with joy. His message was clear. His stories were stirring, and his point was unforgettable.
What if the same were true today? What if every time Jesus’ words were read, the people listened with pleasure
? What if people perked up when the Bible was opened? What if people passed out copies of the Bible, saying, You ought to read what this guy said. It’s a treat
?
Wouldn’t that be great? I know some people who are committed to seeing this happen.
Let me introduce you to Thomas Nelson Publishers. They are more than a publishing house, they are a people with a purpose. Every day they are thinking of ways to make God’s Word more accessible and understandable. This Bible is the product of that desire.
The New Century Version of the Bible is accurate, reliable, and reader-friendly. The language is not so lofty as to be distant, nor so earthy as to be irreverent. The language is the language of today, pure and simple.
This devotional version of the NCV is a library worth of books in one volume. A team of diligent researchers has taken the best from hundreds of books and put it right where you need it—in the margin of your Bible.
My hat is off to The Livingstone Corporation led by Bruce Barton, Christopher Hudson, Betsy Schmitt, and Dave Veerman. Dave, I especially appreciate your help with the minor prophets. Only God knows the number of hours you poured into this project. But God does know, he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people (Hebrews 6:10).
I salute my friends at Thomas Nelson and W Publishing Group. What a terrific group! David Moberg deserves special mention. Without your devotion and dedication, this idea would still be that, an idea in a manila folder. Thanks for making it a reality.
Speaking of making ideas reality, Karen Hill does that for me every day. Thanks Karen, for being more than an administrative assistant, you are a lifesaver. You put many good hours into this effort. Thanks so much.
And Denalyn, my wife, what can I say? The reason Solomon had seven hundred wives is because he was searching for someone like you.
One final word of gratitude before you turn the page. A word of thanks to you the reader. I consider you my friend. How can I do that, being that we have never met? Remember I mentioned that I have a couple of verses penned on the title page of my Bible? This is the second,
I am a friend to everyone who fears you, to anyone who obeys your orders (Psalm 119:63).
You must be a person who fears God, or you wouldn’t be reading his Word. You must be a person who obeys his teachings, or you wouldn’t be studying them. I applaud your hunger for the Bible. I commend your desire to know his Word. You are my friend. And for you, my friend, I pray as you study his message.
Max Lucado
How to Study the Bible
by Max Lucado
This is a peculiar book you are holding. Words crafted in another language. Deeds done in a distant era. Events recorded in a far-off land. Counsel offered to a foreign people. This is a peculiar book.
It’s surprising that anyone reads it. It’s too old. Some of its writings date back five thousand years. It’s too bizarre. The book speaks of incredible foods, fires, earthquakes, and people with supernatural abilities. It’s too radical. The Bible calls for undying devotion to a carpenter who called himself God’s Son.
Logic says this book shouldn’t survive. Too old, too bizarre, too radical.
The Bible has been banned, burned, scoffed, and ridiculed. Scholars have mocked it as foolish. Kings have branded it as illegal. A thousand times over it the grave has been dug and the dirge has begun, but somehow the Bible never stays in the grave. Not only has it survived, it has thrived. It is the single most popular book in all of history. It has been the best-selling book in the world for years!
There is no way on earth to explain it. Which perhaps is the only explanation. The answer? The Bible’s durability is not found on earth; it is found in heaven. For the millions who have tested its claims and claimed its promises there is but one answer—the Bible is God’s book and God’s voice.
As you read it, you would be wise to give some thought to two questions. What is the purpose of the Bible? and How do I study the Bible? Time spent reflecting on these two issues will greatly enhance your Bible study.
What is the purpose of the Bible?
Let the Bible itself answer that question.
Since you were a child you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).
The purpose of the Bible? Salvation. God’s highest passion is to get his children home. His book, the Bible, describes his plan of salvation. The purpose of the Bible is to proclaim God’s plan and passion to save his children.
That is the reason this book has endured through the centuries. It dares to tackle the toughest questions about life. Where do I go after I die? Is there a God? What do I do with my fears? The Bible offers answers to these crucial questions. It is the treasure map that leads us to God’s highest treasure, eternal life.
But how do we use the Bible? Countless copies of Scripture sit unread on bookshelves and nightstands simply because people don’t know how to read it. What can we do to make the Bible real in our lives?
The clearest answer is found in the words of Jesus.
Ask,
he promised, and God will give it to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you
(Matthew 7:7).
The first step in understanding the Bible is asking God to help us. We should read prayerfully. If anyone understands God’s Word it is because of God and not the reader.
But the Helper will teach you everything and will cause you to remember all that I told you. The Helper is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name (John 14:26).
Before reading the Bible, pray. Invite God to speak to you. Don’t go to Scripture looking for your idea, go searching for his.
Not only should we read the Bible prayerfully, we should read it carefully. Search, and you will find, is the pledge. The Bible is not a newspaper to be skimmed but rather a mine to be quarried. Search for it like silver, and hunt for it like hidden treasure. Then you will understand respect for the Lord, and you will find that you know God (Proverbs 2:4, 5).
Any worthy find requires effort. The Bible is no exception. To understand the Bible you don’t have to be brilliant, but you must be willing to roll up your sleeves and search.
Be a worker who is not ashamed and who uses the true teaching in the right way (2 Timothy 2:15).
Here’s a practical point. Study the Bible a bit at a time. Hunger is not satisfied by eating twenty-one meals in one sitting once a week. The body needs a steady diet to remain strong. So does the soul. When God sent food to his people in the wilderness, he didn’t provide loaves already made. Instead, he sent manna in the shape of thin flakes, like frost …on the desert ground (Exodus 16:14).
God gave manna in limited portions.
God sends spiritual food the same way. He opens the heavens with just enough nutrients for today’s hunger. He provides, a command here, a command there. A rule here, a rule there. A little lesson here, a little lesson there (Isaiah 28:10).
Don’t be discouraged if your reading reaps a small harvest. Some days a lesser portion is all that is needed. What is important is to search every day for that day’s message. A steady diet of God’s Word over a lifetime builds a healthy soul and mind.
A little girl returned from her first day at school. Her mom asked,Did you learn anything?
Apparently not enough,
the girl responded. I have to go back tomorrow and the next day and the next …
Such is the case with learning. And such is the case with Bible study. Understanding comes little by little over a lifetime.
There is a third step in understanding the Bible. After the asking and seeking comes the knocking. After you ask and search, then knock.
Knock, and the door will open for you (Matthew 7:7).
To knock is to stand at God’s door. To make yourself available. To climb the steps, cross the porch, stand at the doorway, and volunteer. Knocking goes beyond the realm of thinking and into the realm of acting.
To knock is to ask, What can I do? How do I obey? Where can I go?
It’s one thing to know what to do. It’s another to do it. But for those who do it, those who choose to obey, a special reward awaits them.
The truly happy people are those who carefully study God’s perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God’s teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy (James 1:25).
What a promise. Happiness comes to those who do what they read! It’s the same with medicine. If you only read the label but ignore the pills, it won’t help. It’s the same with food. If you only read the recipe but never cook, you won’t be fed. And it’s the same with the Bible. If you only read the words but never obey, you’ll never know the joy God has promised.
Ask. Search. Knock. Simple, isn’t it? Why don’t you give it a try? If you do, you’ll see why you are holding the most remarkable book in history.
Topical Index to the Full-Page Bible Studies
Abundant Life
A friend of the late American jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes asked him why he had taken up the study of Greek at the age of ninety-four. Holmes replied, Well, my good sir, it’s now or never.
When J. C. Penney was ninety-five years old, he affirmed, My eyesight may be getting weaker, but my vision is increasing.
Growing old can be dangerous. The trail is treacherous and the pitfalls are many. One is wise to be prepared. You know it’s coming. It’s not like God kept the process a secret. It’s not like you are blazing a trail as you grow older. It’s not as if no one has ever done it before. Look around you. You have ample opportunity to prepare and ample case studies to consider. If growing old catches you by surprise, don’t blame God. He gave you plenty of warning. He also gave you plenty of advice.
Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life
(Matthew 10:39).
There are two ways to view life,
Jesus is saying, those who protect it or those who pursue it. The wisest are not the ones with the most years in their lives, but the most life in their years.
There is a rawness and a wonder to life. Pursue it. Hunt for it. Sell out to get it. Don’t listen to the whines of those who have settled for a second-rate life and want you to do the same so they won’t feel guilty. Your goal is not to live long; it’s to live.
Time slips. Days pass. Years fade. And life ends. And what we came to do must be done while there is time.
We would think it bizarre for a traveler not to be prepared for the end of the journey. We would pity the poor passenger who never read his itinerary. We’d be bewildered by someone who thought the purpose of the trip was the trip.
Others, however, are anticipating the destination. I hope you are. And I hope you’ll be ready when you get home. For you, age is no enemy. Age is a mile-marker—a gentle reminder that home has never been so near.
STUDY GUIDES
READ ECCLESIASTES
Describe a person you know who has aged gracefully.
What is the difference between living long and really living?
Why do you think so many people fight the natural aging process?
What are some fears people have about growing old?
What criterion do you think we should use in looking back over a lifetime and evaluating its worth?
What are the how to’s
for enjoying the life God gives us?
Do you think old age gives you more or less ability to enjoy life?
What do you fear most about aging? Why?
What stage of life do you think is the best and which is the most challenging? Why?
What can we do when we feel discouraged about growing old?
Adopted
Can you imagine prospective parents saying, We’d like to adopt Johnny, but first we want to know a few things. Does he have a house to live in? Does he have money for tuition? Does he have a ride to school every morning and clothes to wear every day? Can he prepare his own meals and mend his own clothes?
No agency would stand for such talk. Its representative would lift her hand and say, Wait a minute. You don’t understand. You don’t adopt Johnny because of what he has; you adopt him because of what he needs. He needs a home.
The same is true with God. He doesn’t adopt us because of what we have. He doesn’t give us his name because of our wit or wallet or good attitude … adoption is something we receive, not something we earn.
We are welcome in God’s house because we have been adopted by the owner. God has adopted you. God sought you, found you, signed the papers, and took you home.
It would be enough if God just cleansed your name, but he does more. He gives you his name. It would be enough if God just set you free, but he does more. He takes you home… . God adopted you simply because he wanted to. You were in his good will and pleasure. Knowing full well the trouble you would be and the price he would pay, he signed his name next to yours and changed your name to his and took you home. Your Abba adopted you and became your father.
STUDY GUIDES
READ ROMANS 8:12–17
How does salvation compare with adoption?
List some advantages of being God’s child rather than just his creation.
How has God been like a good father to you?
How would your life be different if you didn’t belong to God?
In what ways have you tried to work for your sonship
rather than just accepting your adoption into God’s family?
Why do people expect punishment rather than grace when they think about returning to God?
What is our inheritance as God’s children?
In what ways do we share our inheritance with Jesus Christ?
As children of God, how do we share in Christ’s sufferings?
Almighty God
Your achievements, however noble they may be, are not important. Your credentials, as starry as they may be, are of no concern. God is the foundation of this house. The key question in life is not How strong am I?
but rather How strong is God?
Focus on his strength, not yours. Occupy yourself with the nature of God, not the size of your biceps.
That’s what Moses did. Or at least that’s what God told Moses to do. Remember the conversation at the burning bush? The tone was set in the first sentence. Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground
(Exodus 3:5).With these eleven words Moses is enrolled in a class on God. Immediately the roles are defined. God is holy. Approaching him on even a quarter-inch of leather is too pompous. And as we read further, we discover that no time is spent convincing Moses what Moses can do, but much time is spent explaining to Moses what God can do.
The strength of Moses is never considered. No pep talk is given, no pats on the back are offered. Not one word is spoken to recruit Moses. But many words are used to reveal God. The strength of Moses is not the issue; the strength of God is.
STUDY GUIDES
READ EXODUS 3:1–6
What have been the burning bushes
of your life, the things that have caught your attention and directed your focus Godward?
Think of a time when you felt you were standing on holy ground. What was your response to the holiness of that moment?
Moses hid his face out of reverence and fear of God.
What do believers do today to show reverence?
Why is there a temptation to focus on our own strength rather than God’s?
How can you see God’s strength in the ways he meets your needs?
How does the fact that God is, make the world a different place?
How can God’s strength work through you?
What have you been trying to do in your own strength rather than in God’s?
Anger of God
We have to see the mess we are in before we can appreciate the God we have. Before presenting the grace of God, we must understand the wrath of God.
Many don’t understand God’s anger because they confuse the wrath of God with the wrath of man. The two have little in common. Human anger is typically self-driven and prone to explosions of temper and violent deeds. We get ticked off because we’ve been overlooked, neglected, or cheated. This is the anger of man. It is not, however, the anger of God.
God doesn’t get angry because he doesn’t get his way. He gets angry because disobedience always results in self-destruction. What kind of father sits by and watches his child hurt himself?
What kind of God would do the same? Do we think he giggles at adultery or snickers at murder? Do you think he looks the other way when we produce television talk shows based on perverse pleasures? Does he shake his head and say, Humans will be humans
?
I don’t think so. Mark it down and underline it in red. God is rightfully angry. God is a holy God. Our sins are an affront to his holiness. His eyes are too good to look at evil; [he] cannot stand to see those who do wrong
(Habakkuk 1:13).
God is angry at the evil that ruins his children.
The question is not, How dare a loving God be angry?
but rather, How could a loving God feel anything less?
STUDY GUIDES
READ ROMANS 1:18–20
When have you seen righteous anger?
Describe in your own words the difference between God’s anger and human anger.
Compare God’s discipline to the way a parent disciplines a child.
What does it mean to you that a God powerful enough to destroy us, loves us enough to discipline us?
What feelings or attitudes keep us from returning to God after we have suffered the consequences of our own sin?
If we know that sin destroys us, why do we keep on sinning?
In what ways does God’s anger lead us to his grace?
In the last few weeks, how has God helped you resist temptation?
Approach the Throne
Christ meets you outside the throne room, takes you by the hand, and walks you into the presence of God. Upon entrance we find grace, not condemnation; mercy, not punishment. Where we would never be granted an audience with the king, we are now welcomed into his presence.
If you are a parent you understand this. If a child you don’t know appears on your doorstep and asks to spend the night, what would you do? Likely you would ask him his name, where he lives, find out why he is roaming the streets, and contact his parents.
On the other hand, if a youngster enters your house escorted by your child, that child is welcome. The same is true with God. By becoming friends with the Son, we gain access to the Father.
Jesus promised, All who stand before others and say they believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they belong to me
(Matthew 10:32). Because we are friends of his Son, we have entrance to the throne room. He ushers us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy
(Romans 5:2).
STUDY GUIDES
READ EPHESIANS 2:13–22
Describe a time when you received something you didn’t think you deserved. How did you feel?
Think of a time when someone has vouched for you. What did you feel you owed that person?
How has Christ’s action on your behalf impacted your life?
How would you describe to a friend the way to find peace with God?
What does it mean to you to be the dwelling place of the Spirit of God?
If we have access to God, what keeps us from interacting with him?
How does our citizenship in heaven affect our life on earth?
List some things that keep you from enjoying God’s presence.
What concrete action can you take to draw closer to God?
Bitterness
Black and cold, bitterness denies easy escape. The sides are slippery with resentment. A floor of muddy anger stills the feet. The stench of betrayal fills the air and stings the eyes. A cloud of self-pity blocks the view of the tiny exit above.
Step in and look at the prisoners. Victims are chained to the walls. Victims of betrayal. Victims of abuse. Victims of the government, the system, the military, the world. They lift their chains as they lift their voices and wail. Loud and long they wail.
They grumble. They’re angry at others who got what they didn’t.
They sulk. The world is against them… .
You can choose, like many, to chain yourself to your hurt.
Or you can choose, like some, to put away your hurts before they become hates. You can choose to go to the party. You have a place there. Your name is beside a plate. If you are a child of God, no one can take away your sonship.
Which is precisely what the father said to the older son. Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours… .
And that is precisely what the Father says to you. How does God deal with your bitter heart? He reminds you that what you have is more important than what you don’t have. You still have your relationship with God. No one can take that. No one can touch it.
STUDY GUIDES
READ LUKE 15:11–32
Think of a time when you acted out of frustration and bitterness. If you could do it over, how would you act?
When you’ve been treated bitterly, how did you respond?
What does our bitterness say about our trust in God?
What perspective helps you out of a bitter attitude?
The older son in the parable of the prodigal son became bitter. Describe his logic, as you imagine it.
What advice would you give him?
Describe the process by which someone becomes bitter.
What bitterness do you need to lay at the altar?
Bride of Christ
Look long enough in the eyes of our Savior and, there you will see a bride… . He sees her, he awaits her, he longs for her.
And who is that bride? Who is this beauty who occupies the heart of Jesus?
You are. You have captured the heart of God. As a man rejoices over his new wife, so your God will rejoice over you
(Isaiah 62:5).
The challenge is to remember that. To meditate on it. To focus on it. To allow his love to change the way you look at you.
You have been chosen by Christ. You are released from your old life in your old house, and he has claimed you as his beloved. Then where is he?
you might ask. Why hasn’t he come?
There is only one answer. His bride is not ready. She is still being prepared.
Engaged people are obsessed with preparation. The right dress. The right weight. The right hair and the right tux. They want everything to be right. Why? So their intended will marry them? No. Just the opposite. They want to look their best because their intended is marrying them.
The same is true for us. We want to look our best for Christ. We want our hearts to be pure and our thoughts to be clean. We want our faces to shine with grace and our eyes to sparkle with love. We want to be prepared.
Why? In hopes that he will love us? No. Just the opposite, because he already does.
You are spoken for. You are engaged, set apart, called out, a holy bride. Forbidden waters hold nothing for you. You have been chosen for his castle. Don’t settle for one-night stands in the arms of a stranger. Be obsessed with your wedding date. Guard against forgetfulness. Be intolerant of memory lapses. Write yourself notes. Memorize verses. Do whatever you need to do to remember. Aim at what is in heaven. Think only about the things in heaven
(Colossians 3:1–2).You are engaged to royalty, and your Prince is coming to take you home.
STUDY GUIDES
READ MATTHEW 25:1–13
If someone asked you why Jesus would come back to earth for you, how would you respond?
What keeps us from believing that God longs to be with us?
In what ways does the church in today’s society need to be more prepared to meet her groom, Christ?
What kind of life do we need to live to be ready for Jesus, our spiritual bridegroom?
For what reasons do you think God chose to keep the time of Christ’s return a secret?
Does the unexpected nature of Christ’s return make you more wary or less wary about his coming?
Describe the ways that we can keep watch for Christ’s return, even though the timing will be unexpected.
In what ways do you think we can best prepare for seeing Jesus?
Brokenness
There is a window in your heart through which you can see God. Once upon a time that window was clear. Your view of God was crisp. You could see God as vividly as you could see a gentle valley or hillside. The glass was clear, the pane unbroken.
Then, suddenly, the window cracked. A pebble broke the window. A pebble of pain.
Perhaps the stone struck when you were a child and a parent left home—forever. Maybe the rock hit in adolescence when your heart was broken. Maybe you made it into adulthood before the window was cracked. But then the pebble came.
Whatever the pebble’s form, the result was the same—a shattered window. The pebble missiled into the pane and shattered it. The crash echoed down the halls of your heart … and suddenly God was not so easy to see. The view that had been so crisp had changed. You turned to see God, and his figure was distorted. It was hard to see him through the pain. It was hard to see him through the fragments of hurt.
You were puzzled. God wouldn’t allow something like this to happen, would he? Tragedy and travesty weren’t on the agenda of the One you had seen, were they? Had you been fooled? Had you been blind?
The moment the pebble struck, the glass became a reference point for you. From then on, there was life before the pain and life after the pain. Before your pain, the view was clear; God seemed so near. After your pain, well, he was harder to see. He seemed a bit distant … harder to perceive. Your pain distorted the view— not eclipsed it, but distorted it.
STUDY GUIDES
READ PSALM 77:1–9
What kinds of circumstances cause such pain in our lives that our perception of God is altered?
Why do painful circumstances sometimes make us doubt God’s good intentions toward us?
Describe the path that you think is necessary to fix a pain-distorted view of God.
What are some reasons we sometimes assume life should be pain-free?
What are the emotions we feel when we face great pain in life?
What else would you compare pain to besides a storm?
How do you get perspective when you wonder, Is God doing this to me, or is this just life happening?
How long do you think it takes to restore a pain-distorted view of God?
What kind of painful storm are you riding through right now?
Change
Where did we get the idea we can’t change? From whence come statements such as, It’s just my nature to worry,
or I’ll always be pessimistic. I’m just that way,
or I have a bad temper. I can’t help the way I react
? Who says? Would we make similar statements about our bodies? It’s just my nature to have a broken leg. I can’t do anything about it.
Of course not. If our bodies malfunction, we seek help. Shouldn’t we do the same with our hearts? Shouldn’t we seek aid for our sour attitudes? Can’t we request treatment for our selfish tirades? Of course we can. Jesus can change our hearts. He wants us to have a heart like his.
Can you imagine a better offer?
The heart of Jesus was pure… .
Jesus’heart was peaceful… .
His heart was purposeful… .
His heart was spiritual… .
God’s plan for you is nothing short of a new heart. If you were a car, God would want control of your engine. If you were a computer, God would claim the software and the hard drive. If you were an airplane, he’d take his seat in the cockpit. But you are a person, so God wants to change your heart.
STUDY GUIDES
READ COLOSSIANS 3:12–17
List several excuses people typically give for not changing.
To what extent are we able to fix or change ourselves apart from God?
What kinds of tools does God use to make our hearts more like Jesus’ heart?
How does Christ’s death on the cross enable us to change?
List some practical benefits of living good and holy lives.
How can a person figure out what he or she is holding back from God?
What is one specific change you can make in your daily routine to become more like Christ?
What happens to us when we surrender our hearts to God?
What motivates you to continue striving to imitate Jesus?
Choice
He placed one scoop of clay upon another until a form lay lifeless on the ground… .
All were silent as the Creator reached in himself and removed something yet unseen. It’s called ‘choice.’ The seed of choice.
Creation stood in silence and gazed upon the lifeless form.
An angel spoke, But what if he …
What if he chooses not to love?
the Creator finished. Come, I will show you.
Unbound by today, God and the angel walked into the realm of tomorrow… .
The angel gasped at what he saw. Spontaneous love. Voluntary devotion. Never had he seen anything like these… . The angel stood speechless as they passed through centuries of repugnance. Never had he seen such filth. Rotten hearts. Ruptured promises. Forgotten loyalties …
The Creator walked on in time, further and further into the future, until he stood by a tree. A tree that would be fashioned into a cradle. Even then he could smell the hay that would surround him… .
Wouldn’t it be easier to not plant the seed? Wouldn’t it be easier to not give the choice?
It would,
the Creator spoke slowly. But to remove the choice is to remove the love.
… They stepped into the Garden again. The Maker looked earnestly at the clay creation.
A monsoon of love swelled up within him. He had died for the creation before he had made him. God’s form bent over the sculptured face and breathed. Dust stirred on the lips of the new one. The chest rose, cracking the red mud. The cheeks fleshened. A finger moved. And an eye opened.
But more incredible than the moving of the flesh was the stirring of the spirit. Those who could see the unseen gasped.
Perhaps it was the wind who said it first. Perhaps what the star saw that moment is what has made it blink ever since. Maybe it was left to an angel to whisper it:
It looks like … it appears so much like … it is him!
The angel wasn’t speaking of the face, the features, or the body. He was looking inside at the soul.
It’s eternal!
gasped another.
Within the man, God had placed a divine seed. A seed of his self. The God of might had created earth’s mightiest. The Creator had created, not a creature, but another creator. And the One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return.
Now it’s our choice.
STUDY GUIDES
READ GENESIS 2:4–25
What part of God’s creation fascinates you the most?
Why did God create the heavens and earth?
What is the significance of Adam coming from the dust of the ground and God breathing life into him?
What does creation reveal about God?
What can we learn about ourselves from creation?
In what ways do you see glimpses of God in the people he created?
What kinds of things stand in the way of your choice to love and obey God?
What most helps you to make the choice to be in relationship with God?
Confession
Perhaps we didn’t take money but we’ve taken advantage or taken control or taken leave of our senses and then, like the thief, we’ve taken off. Dashing down alleys of deceit. Hiding behind buildings of work to be done or deadlines to be met. Though we try to act normal, anyone who looks closely at us can see we are on the lam: Eyes darting and hands fidgeting, we chatter nervously committed to the cover-up, we scheme and squirm, changing the topic and changing direction. We don’t want anyone to know the truth, especially God.
Am I missing the mark when I say that many of us attend church on the run? Am I out of line when I say many of us spend life on the run?
Am I overstating the case when I announce, Grace means you don’t have to run anymore!
It’s the truth. Grace means it’s finally safe to turn ourselves in.
Confession does for the soul what preparing the land does for the field. Before the farmer sows the seed he works the acreage, removing the rocks and pulling the stumps. He knows that seed grows better if the land is prepared. Confession is the act of inviting God to walk the acreage of our hearts. There is a rock of greed over here, Father; I can’t budge it. And that tree of guilt near the fence? Its roots are long and deep. And may I show you some dry soil, too crusty for seed?
God’s seed grows better if the soil of the heart is cleared.
And so the Father and the Son walk the field together; digging and pulling, preparing the heart for fruit. Confession invites the Father to work the soil of the soul.
STUDY GUIDES
READ 1 JOHN 1:8–10
Think of a time when you felt very guilty about something. How did your guilty conscience affect your behavior?
How does chronic guilt affect us physically?
If God knows us better than we know ourselves and is eager to forgive us, what keeps us from confessing our sin to him?
Describe the freedom that confession brings.
Why is it so difficult to confess our sins to one another?
What criteria do most people follow to determine which sins to openly confess to others?
How do we relate to God and other people differently when we have confessed and received forgiveness?
Why do people say, Admitting your problem is the first step to overcoming it
?
Think of the most difficult confession you’ve ever made. What did you learn from that experience?
How can you practice confession on a more regular basis?
Contentment
Satisfied? That is one thing we are not. We are not satisfied.
We push back from the Thanksgiving table and pat our round bellies. I’m satisfied,
we declare. But look at us a few hours later, back in the kitchen picking the meat from the bone.
We wake up after a good night’s rest and hop out of bed. We couldn’t go back to sleep if someone paid us. We are satisfied— for a while. But look at us a dozen or so hours later, crawling back in the sheets.
We take a vacation of a lifetime. For years we planned.
Enjoying the preview?
Page 1 of 1