Assignment Four - Are You Ready for Some Fun?

During these next two weeks, we will be reading the ten short epistles (letters) written by Paul to churches and special friends: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

"You will find these letters to churches or special Christian friends (Timothy, Titus, and Philemon) to be delightful reading. If possible, try to read the [each] entire epistle in one daily period;; however, Galatians, Ephesians, and Timothy may take longer. If you are using a study Bible, you would be wise to read the introductory material at the beginning of the book before you begin reading. As an alternative, read the introduction of the book in Halley's Bible Handbook."*
*Tim LaHaye, page 56, How to Study the Bible for Yourself.

Be encouraged! This will be enjoyable! :-) Because Galatians, Ephesians and Timothy are a bit longer, each of these books could be read in two days' time.

You will be giving your journal a "workout!"
:-)
Print this assignment. I'll make a brief post next Wednesday.

The Gospel of Mark, Session Two

My NIV "The Student Bible" has notes by Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford. They describe Mark as The Fast-paced Gospel. "As a script for an action movie. It is their opinion, at least, that Mark was probably written as a missionary book to people who knew next to nothing about the new Christian faith. This is due to its style --- simple sentences, without complicated transitions or long speaches --- makes understanding easier. " Their questions to us, while reading this Gospel, are "Why did Mark select these facts? What meaning did they have for the people in Jesus' day? What about for you?"

As you read the Gospel of Mark a second time, perhaps you might keep these questions in mind.

As always, you are encouraged to keep your journal, recording you insights, observations and reflections. And you're encouraged to leave a comment here as well.

:-) kt

Are You Just Now "Coming Aboard" This Study?

Please don't feel that you are way behind!

Actually, we've been taking a leisurely approach to our Bible reading and study.

I would encourage you to start now.
Print each main assignment page - you'll find the listing on the left sidebar.

What we have done thus far is to read 1 John seven times (you could do this in one week),
the Gospel of John twice (you could do this in a week),
and now the Gospel of Mark twice (you could do this in a week).

We are now in the midst of the second week on Mark.

You will soon catch up!

But please, don't rush any faster than that!
Please take time for your study.
:-)

Assignment Three - the Gospel Book of Mark

"The Gospel of Mark compresses the life of Christ into 16 short chapters. It is an ideal book for busy people because the authoer doesn't give a lot of details but covers a host of events in the life of the Savior in a short time. It is extremely important that you read and reread the Gospels, for we are challenged, "Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus," and "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him." How can we know the mind or walk of Christ unless we know His life? The only way to know that life is to read and reread it in the Gospels. If you are able to maintain the four-chapter-a-day pace, you can read this action-packed Gospel twice in just eight days." ---How to Study the Bible for Yourself (page 56) by Tim LaHaye.

I am not going to ask you to do this in eight days (unless you want to). However, we will spend this and next week reading and re-reading the Gospel of Mark. This gives us plenty of time to read it at least twice without rushing.


----"We live as those who are on a journey home: A home we know will have the lights on and the door open and our Father waiting for us when we arrive. That means in all adversity our worship of God is joyful, our life is hopeful, our future is secure. There is nothing we can lose on earth that can rob us of the treasures God has given us and will give us." John Oxenham, 1861? - 1941.

Don't forget that either this week or next, you are welcome to leave a comment. If you don't have a Google account; compose your comment, sign your initials, and click "anonymous."

Enjoy your week of reading! :-)
kt