Daily Bible Study Spring 2023

Book excerpt: Study the Bible daily for a closer relationship with God. Daily Bible Study is a great companion to the quarterly Adult Bible Studies or as a stand-alone study for those wanting to study the Bible daily. It is presented in quarterly segments. Bible-based and Christ-focused, it coordinates with the lesson themes of Adult Bible Studies. Each daily reading includes a one-page Bible study for each of the quarter, along with introductory reflection questions and commentary on the daily Scripture passage, life application and an concluding prayer. Additional information about Adult Bible Studies, Spring 2023 This spring, Daily Bible Study presents a series of readings supporting the theme “The Life of Faith.” These readings enable us to walk alongside Jesus and his disciples on Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem. They challenge us to explore the nature of faith that calls us to follow Jesus despite our uncertainty and doubts. They also help us unpack the concept of “sabbath,” the foreshadowing of the rest that God promises at the end of our journey. Readings come from Old and New Testament texts. These daily readings, which prepare us for the lessons in Adult Bible Studies, are written by Susan Groseclose, Taylor Mills, and Greg Weeks. Unit 1 Journey to the Cross This Lenten season, we follow Jesus’ journey to the cross in Matthew’s account. Matthew’s Gospel stresses in many places that through his crucifixion, Jesus makes clear his perfect obedience to God’s will and the true nature of kingship under God’s reign. Scriptures: Matthew 16:21-28 | Matthew 20:20-28 | Matthew 21:23-27 | Matthew 22:15-22 | Matthew 22:41-46 Spiritual Practice: Simplicity | Accountability Unit 2 From Doubt to Trust We often treat doubt and wisdom as belonging in opposite categories but often, questioning our wisdom, knowledge, and certitude is a sign of wisdom. As humans, we should struggle to understand. To act with complete confidence in our power of discernment is to claim God’s power as our own. The path forward from doubt is one of trust in God. We are invited to imitate Jesus and let go of our doubt and our competition with God and to trust in God’s love and intentions. Scriptures: Matthew 26:36-46 | Matthew 28:1-15 | John 20:11-29 | 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 | 1 Peter 1:3-16 Spiritual Practice: Meditation Unit 3 Intentional Sabbath In the secular West, the concepts of holy days and sabbath have been replaced by days off work or school and vacations. We rest so that we can work harder and earn more money so that we can take vacations away from our communities. In the Bible, rest from work had a different purpose. One worked to prepare for the sabbath. On the sabbath, one participated together with the entire community, the livestock, and the land in a shared rest that signified the wellbeing and abundance that God intended for creation. No one was required to work to make another’s leisure possible. Sabbath rest is a foretaste of the rest that awaits us, and that God will provide in the fullness of time. Scriptures: Exodus 20:8-11 | Psalm 23 | Matthew 12:1-14 | Luke 4:16-21 Spiritual Practice: Self-Care