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Click on the links below for the series of 100 Days of Scripture |
This series ran several months ago. the links above on the right will take you to each individual reading. Scroll down to the bottom to begin at day one.
A Few Introductory Notes About Reading Scripture
Throughout my twelve years of ministry, I’ve heard many Christians say they want to become more familiar or comfortable with scripture but are not sure where to begin. What you are invited to embark upon is one way to begin reading—or to begin again: 100 days of scripture to shape the people of God. As we prepare for this journey it is helpful to set out a few helpful hints when reading God’s Word.
First, reading is not about mastering the text or knowing everything about it. Rather, reading scripture is being enveloped in an organic story about God’s work and the life of the world; it’s seeing ourselves as a part of this amazing story. It’s okay if the story “feels” weird. It’s supposed to feel weird.
Moreover, it’s not about getting so focused on the words on the page that we forget the God to whom the words direct our attention to. Rather, to use an analogy of one of my favorite old dead guys, John Calvin, scripture is like a pair of glasses that we look through to have a better perception as to who God is. It is through these words that God shapes us as God’s people. It’s okay if you don’t understand everything; the Lord is with you.
It’s also important to recognize that the Bible is really a collection of books rather than one book. There are 66 different windows into who God is, told from different perspectives in very (inspired) human words, using different genres and styles. Some books narrate history, while others are poetic, some are proverbs and wisdom literature, some are parables/fables, some are letters to specific churches and communities, some are prophetic—speaking of God’s work in the world through images and metaphors. There is great variety and we should read it as such.
Scripture will be challenging in places and will provoke questions. That’s not a bad thing. Scripture should be wrestled with for it is something that is fully human and fully God.
While the following reading list is not exhaustive, it will provide a broad introduction to the Bible and introduce the various genres and styles. The readings are broken down into sections:
1) The Love of God Revealed: Jesus, God-With-Us
2) Jesus the King
3) Created for Communion
4) The Story of God’s Work
5) Listening to God’s Call
6) Signs of God’s Love
7) Being a Follower/Disciple
8) Practices of Followers
Writing notes, underlining, or circling words and marking passages is a good thing. Ask questions of the text. I have put some at the very beginning of the gospel readings, but from there, feel free to ask your own. I will provide others as we move along.
Finally, we don’t clean ourselves up before we approach God. It’s important to remember that our God yearns for us—yearns for communion and fellowship. No one is perfect, but as we wrestle with God in God’s Word we’ll find ourselves changed little by little. And if, along the way, there are questions never hesitate to reach out to talk or message me.
Now, my daily scripture reading practice is nothing complicated, and it might be a pattern that is helpful for you. Or, you might find that God is inviting you into a pattern that suits you better. That’s okay. What can be helpful in the early days is apprenticing yourself to one pattern and then adjusting from there.
My Practice:
Opening Prayer
One thing I have asked of the Lord; this is what I seek: that I might dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Who is it that you seek? We seek the Lord our God. Do you seek God with all of your heart? Amen, Lord have mercy. Do you seek God with all your soul? Amen, Lord have mercy. Do you seek God with all your mind? Amen, Lord have mercy. Do you seek God with all your strength? Amen, Christ have mercy.
To whom shall we go? It is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has the words of eternal life. And we believe and have come to know that he is the Holy One of God. Praise to you Lord, Jesus, King of endless glory. Amen
Scripture Reading
Time of Reflection
Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
I keep it as simple as possible, my friends. And I hope this is helpful for you. I believe the living Lord is up to something in your life. Don’t worry if you miss a day. Find a pace and a rhythm that works for you. When you get halfway through, you’ll want to quit. When that moment comes push through, don’t give up. For then, at the end, you will look back over the accomplishment and be thankful for it. I know I always am. Enjoy the ride.
Love big, be well!
~Tom
P.S. – The “Food for Thought” quotes are from Andrew Murray’s Daily Experience with God and the prayers each day are drawn from Eugene Peterson’s A Year with Jesus
The Love of God Revealed: Jesus, God-With-Us
Throughout the first 40-days, the focus is on the Gospel of Luke. Some guiding questions may be helpful: What seems important to Jesus? What sort of questions does he ask people? What sort of questions do people ask him? What is Jesus inviting me to be and do?
Day 1 – Luke 1:26-38 – The Promise (pg. 1762)
Food for Thought:
The daily need for a time of solitude and quiet to pray and read God’s Word is of utmost importance. This time spent in fellowship with God will bring a blessing, strengthen our spiritual lives, and prepare us to meet the world. Then we will be equipped for service in God’s kingdom in soul winning and intercession.”
~Andrew Murray, Daily Experience With God, Preface
Prayer:
You come, Jesus, out of a history thick with names. Names—not dates, not events—signal the junctures in which you single out myself and others for personal love and responsibility. Named, I now name your name in trust and gratefulness. Amen. [1]
[1] All of the prayers in this guide are drawn from Eugene Peterson’s A Year with Jesus
A Few Introductory Notes About Reading Scripture
Throughout my twelve years of ministry, I’ve heard many Christians say they want to become more familiar or comfortable with scripture but are not sure where to begin. What you are invited to embark upon is one way to begin reading—or to begin again: 100 days of scripture to shape the people of God. As we prepare for this journey it is helpful to set out a few helpful hints when reading God’s Word.
First, reading is not about mastering the text or knowing everything about it. Rather, reading scripture is being enveloped in an organic story about God’s work and the life of the world; it’s seeing ourselves as a part of this amazing story. It’s okay if the story “feels” weird. It’s supposed to feel weird.
Moreover, it’s not about getting so focused on the words on the page that we forget the God to whom the words direct our attention to. Rather, to use an analogy of one of my favorite old dead guys, John Calvin, scripture is like a pair of glasses that we look through to have a better perception as to who God is. It is through these words that God shapes us as God’s people. It’s okay if you don’t understand everything; the Lord is with you.
It’s also important to recognize that the Bible is really a collection of books rather than one book. There are 66 different windows into who God is, told from different perspectives in very (inspired) human words, using different genres and styles. Some books narrate history, while others are poetic, some are proverbs and wisdom literature, some are parables/fables, some are letters to specific churches and communities, some are prophetic—speaking of God’s work in the world through images and metaphors. There is great variety and we should read it as such.
Scripture will be challenging in places and will provoke questions. That’s not a bad thing. Scripture should be wrestled with for it is something that is fully human and fully God.
While the following reading list is not exhaustive, it will provide a broad introduction to the Bible and introduce the various genres and styles. The readings are broken down into sections:
1) The Love of God Revealed: Jesus, God-With-Us
2) Jesus the King
3) Created for Communion
4) The Story of God’s Work
5) Listening to God’s Call
6) Signs of God’s Love
7) Being a Follower/Disciple
8) Practices of Followers
Writing notes, underlining, or circling words and marking passages is a good thing. Ask questions of the text. I have put some at the very beginning of the gospel readings, but from there, feel free to ask your own. I will provide others as we move along.
Finally, we don’t clean ourselves up before we approach God. It’s important to remember that our God yearns for us—yearns for communion and fellowship. No one is perfect, but as we wrestle with God in God’s Word we’ll find ourselves changed little by little. And if, along the way, there are questions never hesitate to reach out to talk or message me.
Now, my daily scripture reading practice is nothing complicated, and it might be a pattern that is helpful for you. Or, you might find that God is inviting you into a pattern that suits you better. That’s okay. What can be helpful in the early days is apprenticing yourself to one pattern and then adjusting from there.
My Practice:
Opening Prayer
One thing I have asked of the Lord; this is what I seek: that I might dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Who is it that you seek? We seek the Lord our God. Do you seek God with all of your heart? Amen, Lord have mercy. Do you seek God with all your soul? Amen, Lord have mercy. Do you seek God with all your mind? Amen, Lord have mercy. Do you seek God with all your strength? Amen, Christ have mercy.
To whom shall we go? It is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has the words of eternal life. And we believe and have come to know that he is the Holy One of God. Praise to you Lord, Jesus, King of endless glory. Amen
Scripture Reading
Time of Reflection
Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
I keep it as simple as possible, my friends. And I hope this is helpful for you. I believe the living Lord is up to something in your life. Don’t worry if you miss a day. Find a pace and a rhythm that works for you. When you get halfway through, you’ll want to quit. When that moment comes push through, don’t give up. For then, at the end, you will look back over the accomplishment and be thankful for it. I know I always am. Enjoy the ride.
Love big, be well!
~Tom
P.S. – The “Food for Thought” quotes are from Andrew Murray’s Daily Experience with God and the prayers each day are drawn from Eugene Peterson’s A Year with Jesus
The Love of God Revealed: Jesus, God-With-Us
Throughout the first 40-days, the focus is on the Gospel of Luke. Some guiding questions may be helpful: What seems important to Jesus? What sort of questions does he ask people? What sort of questions do people ask him? What is Jesus inviting me to be and do?
Day 1 – Luke 1:26-38 – The Promise (pg. 1762)
Food for Thought:
The daily need for a time of solitude and quiet to pray and read God’s Word is of utmost importance. This time spent in fellowship with God will bring a blessing, strengthen our spiritual lives, and prepare us to meet the world. Then we will be equipped for service in God’s kingdom in soul winning and intercession.”
~Andrew Murray, Daily Experience With God, Preface
Prayer:
You come, Jesus, out of a history thick with names. Names—not dates, not events—signal the junctures in which you single out myself and others for personal love and responsibility. Named, I now name your name in trust and gratefulness. Amen. [1]
[1] All of the prayers in this guide are drawn from Eugene Peterson’s A Year with Jesus