Daily Bible Study Summer 2024

By Gregory M. Weeks, Clara K. Welch and Traci D. Rhoades

Grow your faith daily. Transform your life.

Experience God in deeper ways by spending time in God’s Word. Daily Bible Study is the perfect resource for individuals who want to grow in their relationship with God and enhance their engagement with lessons in Adult Bible Studies. Designed to meet the needs of busy people, each daily reading includes a Scripture reference, a personal faith-related question, an explanation and application of the biblical text, and a prayer, all on one page. Available in print and eBook and as an app.

Summer 2024 Theme: Finding Balance
This summer, Daily Bible Study presents a series of readings supporting the theme “Finding Balance.” These readings help us unpack the concepts of work, rest, and celebration from a biblical perspective and how we can achieve balance in our lives as we incorporate each of these components. The daily readings come from Old and New Testament texts, prepare us for the lessons in Adult Bible Studies, and are written by Traci Rhoades, Greg Weeks, and Clara Welch.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cokesbury
• Release date: Apr 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9781791025397

Book preview

Introduction to the Study

Nowhere is the timelessness of the Bible displayed better than in the themes our passages address in this quarter. Work, rest, and celebration are important in our lives today, just as they were vital for life in ancient Hebrew society. Our understanding of those interrelated themes is critiqued and challenged, however, by the Scriptures we will explore.

A simple definition of work is the physical or mental energy expended in order to achieve something. We most often think of that achievement being money, power, or prestige. Biblically speaking, though, work is more than something done to get a payout.

Key passages in this first unit include the Creation stories in Genesis, the liberation from enslavement in Exodus, and the reflections of the Wisdom authors of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Together they paint a clear picture. We were created to help make God’s dreams for creation come true. Such labor is the gift we give for the life we’ve received. It promotes the welfare of the community as well as the land. Our paycheck is the happiness and warmth similar to what a child feels in giving a gift to a beloved parent.

The New Testament texts expand our understanding of work. Labor involves a sense of calling, expressed within our faith community. We have been tasked with building up Christ’s body. The time and energy we give can’t be measured by timesheets or performance reviews but in transformed lives and a more just world.

From this biblical witness, our daily labor is not something that is meant to wear us out. The jobs we hold reflect but one part of our total commitment to lives devoted to God. They are an outgrowth of loving the Lord with all our heart, being, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Rest, consequently, takes on a deeper meaning. We often view it as an opportunity to relax and not exert ourselves. There’s an escapist quality to our resting. Vacations help us forget about the daily grind. Once again, the biblical witness yields a much richer understanding.

A key image tying together several of our passages in the second unit is that of honoring the sabbath. Unlike Pharaoh, who demanded unrelenting work for his personal agenda, God mandated that people regularly stop (the meaning of sabbath) their work routines for their own welfare. Obeying this command identified people as servants of a God who loves and cares for all living things.

The verses we will consider reveal the fruits of investment in resting. Creation blossomed because the land and animals were given time to refresh. People used their sabbaths to deepen relationships with one another and draw near to God. Jesus, through healing on the sabbath, demonstrated that God’s intent for each person is wholeness and fullness of life. With the Lord’s example in mind, the early Christian community set aside a day each week for worship and fellowship that promoted fullness of life.

By resting, we put the hecticness of our lives into proper perspective. Our allegiance isn’t to a demanding pharaoh but to a God who invites all to enjoy the gift of life in the abundance of creation. Jesus echoed this in his invitation to trust him with our heavy loads and find rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

The theme of our final unit flows naturally from the first two. God has given us a sense of purpose in our daily lives. God has also invited us to refresh and renew ourselves. Living in relationship with such a Lord results in only one possible outcome: celebration!

The Hebrews expressed their joy in a robust manner, and it serves as a model for us. Some of our passages will highlight the several festivals where Israel came together to feast and worship. These happened throughout the year and included all people, without distinction or exception. It is as if such gatherings were meant to reflect God’s hope for creation.

Many of the passages in this unit convey the intensity of those celebrations. They were multi-day affairs that featured an abundance and variety of food and drink. Accompanying this feasting was celebrative worship characterized by energetic music and dancing. The psalms we will read outline the reasons for such celebrating: Life is rich and bountiful only because of God’s continual generosity, care, and protection. The many types of instruments the Hebrews used reflect their efforts in finding every means possible to praise the Lord.

It’s important to remember this Jewish backdrop as we turn to the New Testament. The early Christians celebrated just as passionately in their worship and fellowship. While the Jews celebrated deliverance from slavery through the Exodus, the Christian believers rejoiced in deliverance through grace. Jesus’ message of God passionately yearning for people with an unconditional love was cause for them, and us, to accept the invitation from the prodigal son’s father: We must eat, sing, and dance!

Encountering the biblical witness this summer ensures that we will never look at these areas of our lives in the same manner. We don’t work, rest, and party for ourselves. Rather, we are bound to God and, accordingly, to one another and all of creation. Because of this holy destiny, our working and resting bring about a deeper fulfillment. Can there be any better reason to celebrate?

What opportunities do you have to share the gospel of Christ as you do your daily work?

As we study the Scripture passages for this week, we will be guided by the theme for this unit: Work. We will also be guided by various verses in the Book of Proverbs, teachings that informed the Hebrews’ understanding of work.

The Proverbs connect hard work with wisdom and teach that laziness is foolishness. For example, Proverbs 12:11 declares, Those who work their land will have plenty to eat, but those who engage in empty pursuits have no sense.

Acts 18:1-4 tells us that Paul engaged in two types of work during his ministry: the work of financially supporting himself and the work of proclaiming the good news of Christ.

Like Aquila and Priscilla, Paul knew the trade of working with leather (Acts 18:3). The NRSVUE reads, They were tentmakers. When Paul arrived in Corinth, he worked alongside Aquila and Priscilla and was able to support himself financially.

It is likely that Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul provided spiritual support for one another as they labored together, for all three had arrived in Corinth after enduring difficult circumstances. Aquila and Priscilla had been forced to leave their home in Rome when Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from the city in ad 49. The edict was given because of conflicts over Chrestus, perhaps referring to Christus, or Christ.¹ Paul arrived in Corinth around ad 51 or 52. after spending time in Athens.

While visiting Athens, Paul was deeply distressed to find that the city was flooded with idols (17:16). He responded by preaching the gospel and resurrection of Christ. While some of his listeners came to believe in Christ, others ridiculed Paul and did not accept the good news he proclaimed.

In Corinth, Paul continued the work of evangelism and making disciples. He proclaimed the gospel in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks (18:4). Proverbs 12:14 states, From the fruit of their speech, people are well satisfied; their work results in reward.

My aunt owned a gift shop. She had a talent for painting porcelain and was known for her personalized Christmas ornaments, Easter eggs, and baby shoes. She also had a talent for listening. She told me that working in her gift shop was a job and a ministry, as she offered support and the love of Christ to her customers.

Paul may have had Proverbs 12:14 in mind when he wrote, Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit (Galatians 6:8).

Loving God, open my eyes to the ways I may participate in the work of proclaiming the good news of Christ. Amen.

¹From The CEB Study Bible, New Testament; page 254.

How do you remain alert to distractions that might draw you away from the Lord?

Stay alert! Remember… How many times have you said these words to yourself? In our busy and fast-paced world, it is easy to become distracted and lose sight of what is important.

Paul proclaimed the gospel and worked alongside the people in Ephesus for three years. When he left Ephesus, he met with the church leaders and said to them, I know that none of you will see me again—you among whom I traveled and proclaimed the kingdom (Acts 20:25). As he said farewell to this community of faith, he offered words of encouragement and warning: Stay alert! Remember.… (verse 31).

After his conversion, Paul gave his life to proclaiming, God and the message of his grace (verse 32). It is through God’s grace that we have the promise of salvation and eternal life, which is an inheritance among all whom God has made holy (verse 32). It is through God’s grace that we are strengthened and built up as the body of Christ so that we may remain strong and be faithful witnesses in a world that seeks to tempt us away from Christ.

Paul grew up in a Jewish home and was a Pharisee before his conversion. This means that he knew the Jewish Scripture, including the Proverbs that informed the Jewish understanding of work. Proverbs 16:3 states, Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Paul’s commitment to serving the Lord never wavered.

Paul knew the threats the church faced. He said to the leaders of the Ephesian church, I know that, after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and won’t spare the flock. Some of your own people will distort the word in order to lure followers after them (Acts 20:29-30). Thus, his advice: Stay alert! Remember.…

Paul taught by example. He did not crave the riches and wealth that belonged to others (verse 33). Instead, he worked with his own hands (verse 34) to provide for his needs and the needs of his fellow workers. The early believers saw that Paul committed his work to the LORD and that his work of making disciples succeeded (Proverbs 16:3).

A guiding principle for Paul was to help the weak (Acts 20:35). This included working to provide for the physical needs of people who were not strong enough to provide for themselves. It also included helping the ones who were weak in faith by proclaiming the power and grace of the Lord, which is able to build you up (verse 32).

How is God calling you to stay alert? What are the savage wolves (verse 29) that threaten your faith community? In what ways do you feel called to work with your hands to help strengthen your community of faith?

Faithful God, help me stay alert and remember so I may help others grow in faith. Amen.

How do you participate in the work of restoring relationships and bringing new life to the body of Christ?

My dad liked to restore old furniture. He spent hours carefully scraping off old paint and varnish, sanding rough edges, and applying new coats of stain or paint. He gave these broken or forgotten pieces of furniture new life. I like the word restore. It is a word that offers hope as it invites us to engage in the work of bringing something back to its original way of being.

I looked up synonyms for the word restore. The list included the words recharge, refresh, and renew. My favorite word on the list is revivify. Our lips get a workout when we say it! It means to give something new life or energy. Each of these words describes aspects of the Christian life. Through the gifts of grace and forgiveness, the Lord restores our relationship and offers us the hope of everlasting life.

Paul wrote, If a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). Gentleness is part of the fruit of the Spirit Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23. We are called to renew broken relationships and welcome one another back into the fellowship of believers. We gently work to restore another’s faith. In doing so, we bring new life and energy to the church.

Paul warned believers against becoming arrogant and thinking they were more important than others (6:3). We are all at risk of falling victim to temptation. The warning Paul issued to the church in Ephesus is relevant here: Stay alert! (Acts 20:31).

At first glance, Galatians 6:2 and 5 may appear to conflict with each other. Verse 2 states, Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. Verse 5 reads, Each person will have to carry their own load.

In verse 2, the law of Christ refers to the way of life that Christ calls us to follow. When Christ took up his cross, he took up the burden of humankind’s sin and suffering. We are called, collectively as the body of Christ, to bear the burdens of humankind–to be the bearers of forgiveness, hope, and healing, to restore broken relationships, and to love others in the name of Christ.

At the same time, we are called to carry [our] own load. We are called to accept the responsibility to examine our hearts and watch ourselves to see that we are faithfully engaged in the work God has placed before us.

Paul drew on Hebrew Wisdom literature to emphasize