Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Forty-Five!
This week represents a significant transition for us as we move from the story of Jesus' life and ministry to the story of the early church. The Gospels follow Him; Acts follows His followers. And the early church to which we are introduced in Acts is the context within which all the subsequent books of the New Testament (i.e., 21 epistles, plus Revelation) are written.
When we were reading the Old Testament, we worked hard at learning the outline of Old Testament history. That history, after all, covered literally thousands of years. The New Testament, by contrast, all fits within a single century.
Based on what we know about Herod the Great, Jesus' birth is estimated to have occurred around perhaps 4 BC. Traditional calculations conclude that He lived 33 years, which puts His death in AD 29 or 30. The Day of Pentecost comes just a few weeks later, and that brings us into Acts' account of the early church.
Much of the New Testament after the Gospels is focused on Paul. Acts devotes many chapters to his story, and 13 of the 21 epistles come from his hand. While we don't know many exact dates from his life, a future week's resources will include a helpful time line of estimates. Broadly speaking, though, Paul's conversion probably happened in the early to mid 30s, while his martyrdom (which is not recorded in the New Testament) is thought to have taken place in the mid 60s. The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70, and the writings of John may be the only books of the New Testament that come later than that date.
When we move this week from the Gospels to Acts, therefore, we are essentially moving from the first half of New Testament history to the second half. And compared to what we encountered in the Old Testa-ment, both halves are rather brief.
Welcome to Week Forty-Five!
This week represents a significant transition for us as we move from the story of Jesus' life and ministry to the story of the early church. The Gospels follow Him; Acts follows His followers. And the early church to which we are introduced in Acts is the context within which all the subsequent books of the New Testament (i.e., 21 epistles, plus Revelation) are written.
When we were reading the Old Testament, we worked hard at learning the outline of Old Testament history. That history, after all, covered literally thousands of years. The New Testament, by contrast, all fits within a single century.
Based on what we know about Herod the Great, Jesus' birth is estimated to have occurred around perhaps 4 BC. Traditional calculations conclude that He lived 33 years, which puts His death in AD 29 or 30. The Day of Pentecost comes just a few weeks later, and that brings us into Acts' account of the early church.
Much of the New Testament after the Gospels is focused on Paul. Acts devotes many chapters to his story, and 13 of the 21 epistles come from his hand. While we don't know many exact dates from his life, a future week's resources will include a helpful time line of estimates. Broadly speaking, though, Paul's conversion probably happened in the early to mid 30s, while his martyrdom (which is not recorded in the New Testament) is thought to have taken place in the mid 60s. The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70, and the writings of John may be the only books of the New Testament that come later than that date.
When we move this week from the Gospels to Acts, therefore, we are essentially moving from the first half of New Testament history to the second half. And compared to what we encountered in the Old Testa-ment, both halves are rather brief.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Forty-Three!
We are right in the midst of reading the Gospels now. We will finish Mark this week and read about two-thirds of Luke. And as we do, it's a good time to think about just what a Gospel is.
On our Week Forty-Three page, we'll take a few moments to ponder what John the Baptist's role is in the Gospels. Also, we'll build a bit more on last week's thinking about the kingdom of God. And, in this week's teaching video, we'll explore the relationship between the Gospels and the gospel -- that is, between the books and the message.
I hope that you're enjoying your reading of this marvelous material. And I hope, too, that you are finding your reading of it enhanced by all that we had read before it.
Meanwhile, the year is quickly winding down! We have fewer than ten full weeks to go. The finish line is in sight, and you should feel excited, gratified, and exhilarated accordingly!
Welcome to Week Forty-Three!
We are right in the midst of reading the Gospels now. We will finish Mark this week and read about two-thirds of Luke. And as we do, it's a good time to think about just what a Gospel is.
On our Week Forty-Three page, we'll take a few moments to ponder what John the Baptist's role is in the Gospels. Also, we'll build a bit more on last week's thinking about the kingdom of God. And, in this week's teaching video, we'll explore the relationship between the Gospels and the gospel -- that is, between the books and the message.
I hope that you're enjoying your reading of this marvelous material. And I hope, too, that you are finding your reading of it enhanced by all that we had read before it.
Meanwhile, the year is quickly winding down! We have fewer than ten full weeks to go. The finish line is in sight, and you should feel excited, gratified, and exhilarated accordingly!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Forty-Two!
We will finish the first of the four Gospels this week and read about half of the second. Matthew is the longest of the four, while Mark is the shortest. Each has its distinctive style, of course, though we will find that both Gospels follow the same basic outline in telling the story.
As we read this New Testament material, we do well to keep looking in the rear view mirror, reflecting on all that we read in the Old Testament. These two sections of the Bible, after all, are not meant to be separated: each is best understood when they are understood together.
Matthew encourages us in this endeavor, for he is continually looking back. "Thus it was fulfilled," he notes again and again, perceiving that Jesus' life and ministry were anticipated by the writers of the Old Testament. Also, he is careful to include Jesus' own teachings about and references to the Law and the Prophets.
Later, when the apostles go out to preach the gospel message, we discover that they report the events of the Gospels (yet unwritten), but they quote the words of the Old Testament. What we call the Old Testament, after all, was what they called the Scriptures, and those writings were not replaced by the coming of Christ. On the contrary, the Old Testament helps us to understand Christ, and Christ helps us to understand the Old Testament.
That's why, as we do our reading this week, and all of the remaining weeks of the year, we do well to keep looking in the rear view mirror -- reflecting on all of what we already read in the Old Testament.
Welcome to Week Forty-Two!
We will finish the first of the four Gospels this week and read about half of the second. Matthew is the longest of the four, while Mark is the shortest. Each has its distinctive style, of course, though we will find that both Gospels follow the same basic outline in telling the story.
As we read this New Testament material, we do well to keep looking in the rear view mirror, reflecting on all that we read in the Old Testament. These two sections of the Bible, after all, are not meant to be separated: each is best understood when they are understood together.
Matthew encourages us in this endeavor, for he is continually looking back. "Thus it was fulfilled," he notes again and again, perceiving that Jesus' life and ministry were anticipated by the writers of the Old Testament. Also, he is careful to include Jesus' own teachings about and references to the Law and the Prophets.
Later, when the apostles go out to preach the gospel message, we discover that they report the events of the Gospels (yet unwritten), but they quote the words of the Old Testament. What we call the Old Testament, after all, was what they called the Scriptures, and those writings were not replaced by the coming of Christ. On the contrary, the Old Testament helps us to understand Christ, and Christ helps us to understand the Old Testament.
That's why, as we do our reading this week, and all of the remaining weeks of the year, we do well to keep looking in the rear view mirror -- reflecting on all of what we already read in the Old Testament.
YOU NEED TO CREATE A NEW COVER LETTER FOR WEEK FORTY-ONE
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Forty!
We continue this week our rapid pace reading of the minor prophets. We will finish reading Micah, read all of Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai, and read most of Zechariah. It is the same number of chapters as always, but it represents a lot of material precisely because the books are small. The time line charts from Week Thirty-Nine, of course, will continue to offer helpful historical context for these prophets as we read them.
Meanwhile, this week's reading will also usher us into the final phase of that Old Testament historical context. You will recall from our "alphabetized history" that the last period belongs to "P" for "Persia" and "Post-Exilic." Three prophets belong to that period -- Haggai, Zech-ariah, and Malachi -- and we'll be reading from two of them this week.
So this is our last full week in the Old Testament. I trust you feel that you've come to know and understand that part of the Bible better. And you will discover that you understand the New Testament better for having read and studied the Old.
Welcome to Week Forty!
We continue this week our rapid pace reading of the minor prophets. We will finish reading Micah, read all of Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai, and read most of Zechariah. It is the same number of chapters as always, but it represents a lot of material precisely because the books are small. The time line charts from Week Thirty-Nine, of course, will continue to offer helpful historical context for these prophets as we read them.
Meanwhile, this week's reading will also usher us into the final phase of that Old Testament historical context. You will recall from our "alphabetized history" that the last period belongs to "P" for "Persia" and "Post-Exilic." Three prophets belong to that period -- Haggai, Zech-ariah, and Malachi -- and we'll be reading from two of them this week.
So this is our last full week in the Old Testament. I trust you feel that you've come to know and understand that part of the Bible better. And you will discover that you understand the New Testament better for having read and studied the Old.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty-Nine!
Thirty-nine weeks. You know what that means, of course... We are finishing the third quarter of the year, with only one-fourth left to go! (If we were UW students at Camp Randall stadium, it would be time to "Jump Around.")
While our actual pace remains steady -- 23 chapters per week -- this week's reading will feel like we're picking up the pace. For now that we move into the shorter prophetic books, we will be constantly turning the page to someone and something new. We'll finish reading Hosea this week, then read all of Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and about half of Micah.
As our pace picks up, it becomes more challenging to keep context clear in our minds as we read. To help meet that challenge, we are including this week a time line resource. Reviewing the data found on the two-part time line will help us to understand the historical setting for each prophet that we read.
Welcome to Week Thirty-Nine!
Thirty-nine weeks. You know what that means, of course... We are finishing the third quarter of the year, with only one-fourth left to go! (If we were UW students at Camp Randall stadium, it would be time to "Jump Around.")
While our actual pace remains steady -- 23 chapters per week -- this week's reading will feel like we're picking up the pace. For now that we move into the shorter prophetic books, we will be constantly turning the page to someone and something new. We'll finish reading Hosea this week, then read all of Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and about half of Micah.
As our pace picks up, it becomes more challenging to keep context clear in our minds as we read. To help meet that challenge, we are including this week a time line resource. Reviewing the data found on the two-part time line will help us to understand the historical setting for each prophet that we read.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty-Eight!
This week belongs to two prophets -- Daniel and Hosea. Neither book is as long as the ones we have been reading, though they are both longer than many of the prophets yet to come.
When it comes to the prophetic books as a whole, Daniel and Hosea represent two different ends of the time line. Hosea is among the early prophets -- that great quartet of 8th-century prophets who preach in Judah (Isaiah, Micah) and Israel (Amos, Hosea) during the era of the Assyrian Empire. Daniel, on the other hand, is an exile whose experiences and ministry span from the Babylonian into the Persia eras. And his book even contains a reference to the Greek empire, which unfolds during the inter-testamental period.
And just as the eras are different, so, too, are the audiences and messages. Hosea preaches a poignant judgment message to the doomed northern kingdom of Israel. Daniel, on the other hand, exercises his influence among the royalty of those foreign kingdoms in which he lives. And through the various dreams and visions, Daniel's message emphasizes the sovereignty of God over the affairs of all the nations.
Different times and places; different circumstances and emphases; different men and messages; but as we read, we'll recognize that it all comes from and reflects the very same God.
Welcome to Week Thirty-Eight!
This week belongs to two prophets -- Daniel and Hosea. Neither book is as long as the ones we have been reading, though they are both longer than many of the prophets yet to come.
When it comes to the prophetic books as a whole, Daniel and Hosea represent two different ends of the time line. Hosea is among the early prophets -- that great quartet of 8th-century prophets who preach in Judah (Isaiah, Micah) and Israel (Amos, Hosea) during the era of the Assyrian Empire. Daniel, on the other hand, is an exile whose experiences and ministry span from the Babylonian into the Persia eras. And his book even contains a reference to the Greek empire, which unfolds during the inter-testamental period.
And just as the eras are different, so, too, are the audiences and messages. Hosea preaches a poignant judgment message to the doomed northern kingdom of Israel. Daniel, on the other hand, exercises his influence among the royalty of those foreign kingdoms in which he lives. And through the various dreams and visions, Daniel's message emphasizes the sovereignty of God over the affairs of all the nations.
Different times and places; different circumstances and emphases; different men and messages; but as we read, we'll recognize that it all comes from and reflects the very same God.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty-Seven!
This week we finish reading the book of the prophet Ezekiel and turn the page into Daniel. Like Ezekiel, Daniel's life and ministry is among the exiles in Babylon. That's where the similarities end, however.
Ezekiel's audience seems to be primarily the Jewish exiles, while Daniel's influence extends to the pagan, foreign royalty. He has several encounters with the ruling monarchs, first of the Babylonian Empire and later of the Persian Empire. In this respect, Daniel's ministry might remind us a bit of Nathan's -- not so much a preacher to the people as a counselor to the kings.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel's early chapters feature a judgment message for Jerusalem, while Daniel has none of that sort of material or emphasis. He warns the foreign potentates of God's judgment, but his real focus is not so much on the kingdom of Judah as it is the kingdom of God.
Ezekiel looks beyond the present judgment and exile to an eschatological future with an ideal Israel, Jerusalem, and temple. While Daniel anticipates the beginning of that end-time vision, he is more aware than Ezekiel of the intervening human kingdoms. Several of the dreams and visions found in Daniel foreshadow the series of great empires that bridge the time from Daniel to Christ: Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman.
With those long views that extend beyond their own times, therefore, we do well to keep both Ezekiel and Daniel in mind. For we will understand the New Testa-ment better if we have read Ezekiel and Daniel on the way there.
Welcome to Week Thirty-Seven!
This week we finish reading the book of the prophet Ezekiel and turn the page into Daniel. Like Ezekiel, Daniel's life and ministry is among the exiles in Babylon. That's where the similarities end, however.
Ezekiel's audience seems to be primarily the Jewish exiles, while Daniel's influence extends to the pagan, foreign royalty. He has several encounters with the ruling monarchs, first of the Babylonian Empire and later of the Persian Empire. In this respect, Daniel's ministry might remind us a bit of Nathan's -- not so much a preacher to the people as a counselor to the kings.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel's early chapters feature a judgment message for Jerusalem, while Daniel has none of that sort of material or emphasis. He warns the foreign potentates of God's judgment, but his real focus is not so much on the kingdom of Judah as it is the kingdom of God.
Ezekiel looks beyond the present judgment and exile to an eschatological future with an ideal Israel, Jerusalem, and temple. While Daniel anticipates the beginning of that end-time vision, he is more aware than Ezekiel of the intervening human kingdoms. Several of the dreams and visions found in Daniel foreshadow the series of great empires that bridge the time from Daniel to Christ: Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman.
With those long views that extend beyond their own times, therefore, we do well to keep both Ezekiel and Daniel in mind. For we will understand the New Testa-ment better if we have read Ezekiel and Daniel on the way there.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty-Six!
This week is spent entirely in the book of the prophet Ezekiel, and we discover that Ezekiel was a different sort of a prophet.
My mom used to say that you have as many parenting theories as you have children. Each child is unique, and so I suppose that the more children one has, the broader one's understanding of children and childhood.
Likewise, with the prophets. With each new prophet we read, the broader our understanding of prophets and prophecy. Isaiah had his style, his methods, his themes. Then came Jeremiah, and we saw that he was different. And now, as we read Ezekiel, we find that he is different, as well.
The variations among the prophets combine to reveal something profound and beautiful. They demonstrate to us the versatility of our God: for we see that He is able to communicate and accomplish His will through a variety of personalities, a variety of styles, and a variety of methods. Given the variety that He built into His creation from the start, that shouldn't surprise us. But as we read His prophets, we are reminded again of that beautiful truth about Him.
Welcome to Week Thirty-Six!
This week is spent entirely in the book of the prophet Ezekiel, and we discover that Ezekiel was a different sort of a prophet.
My mom used to say that you have as many parenting theories as you have children. Each child is unique, and so I suppose that the more children one has, the broader one's understanding of children and childhood.
Likewise, with the prophets. With each new prophet we read, the broader our understanding of prophets and prophecy. Isaiah had his style, his methods, his themes. Then came Jeremiah, and we saw that he was different. And now, as we read Ezekiel, we find that he is different, as well.
The variations among the prophets combine to reveal something profound and beautiful. They demonstrate to us the versatility of our God: for we see that He is able to communicate and accomplish His will through a variety of personalities, a variety of styles, and a variety of methods. Given the variety that He built into His creation from the start, that shouldn't surprise us. But as we read His prophets, we are reminded again of that beautiful truth about Him.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty-Five!
This week, we wrap up our reading of Jeremiah and turn the page to begin Ezekiel. Ezekiel is the last of what are often referred to as "the major prophets." That designation belongs to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel because of their length. Once we finish reading Ezekiel, meanwhile, we'll discover that we move from one prophet to the next much more quickly.
Ezekiel was a slightly later contemporary of Jeremiah, although their ministries were set in entirely different contexts. While Jeremiah labored in Jerusalem during the years leading up to and immediately following the cataclysm of 586 BC, Ezekiel's whole ministry occurs among the exiles in Babylon. Their tone and style are very different, but the fundamental message remains the same: namely, the devastation from God brought on by the wickedness of the people.
Beyond that judgment message, however, Ezekiel also includes a considerable restoration message. And that anticipated restoration seems to look beyond the mere end of the Babylonian captivity. Ezekiel envisions that perfect day when all the tribes of Israel will be reunited in the land, and both Jerusalem and its temple will be rebuilt in splendor and perfection.
When we turn from Jeremiah to Ezekiel, therefore, we are not turning to a new period of history -- both men are part of the Babylonian era. But we are changing locations, and we are changing styles.
Welcome to Week Thirty-Five!
This week, we wrap up our reading of Jeremiah and turn the page to begin Ezekiel. Ezekiel is the last of what are often referred to as "the major prophets." That designation belongs to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel because of their length. Once we finish reading Ezekiel, meanwhile, we'll discover that we move from one prophet to the next much more quickly.
Ezekiel was a slightly later contemporary of Jeremiah, although their ministries were set in entirely different contexts. While Jeremiah labored in Jerusalem during the years leading up to and immediately following the cataclysm of 586 BC, Ezekiel's whole ministry occurs among the exiles in Babylon. Their tone and style are very different, but the fundamental message remains the same: namely, the devastation from God brought on by the wickedness of the people.
Beyond that judgment message, however, Ezekiel also includes a considerable restoration message. And that anticipated restoration seems to look beyond the mere end of the Babylonian captivity. Ezekiel envisions that perfect day when all the tribes of Israel will be reunited in the land, and both Jerusalem and its temple will be rebuilt in splendor and perfection.
When we turn from Jeremiah to Ezekiel, therefore, we are not turning to a new period of history -- both men are part of the Babylonian era. But we are changing locations, and we are changing styles.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty-Four!
All of this week is spent in the book of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah is the classic example of the prophet as middleman. He stands between God and the people of God, and he suffers the experience of both. It is an unenviable position, and as we come to an appreciation of it, we will sympathize with how Jeremiah expresses his complaints.
On the one hand, Jeremiah is one of the people. Their home is his home. Their enemies are, at a practical level, his enemies. And their fate is largely his fate.
On the other hand, Jeremiah is called by God. He is given God's word -- His message to His people -- and is compelled to proclaim it. Jeremiah, therefore, experiences the burden of God for the people in their recalcitrance and rebellion. And he also experiences the rejection of God, inasmuch as when they oppose God's message they oppose God's messenger.
And so Jeremiah is the tragic middleman. He is not alone, of course, for it is often the nature of the calling for the prophet. We saw it in Isaiah, and we'll see it in Ezekiel. Hosea, too, is a classic case of the prophet as middleman.
For now, though, we are reading Jeremiah. And as we do, we do well to see the awkward position he is in: right between God and God's people, knowing and experiencing the pain of both.
Welcome to Week Thirty-Four!
All of this week is spent in the book of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah is the classic example of the prophet as middleman. He stands between God and the people of God, and he suffers the experience of both. It is an unenviable position, and as we come to an appreciation of it, we will sympathize with how Jeremiah expresses his complaints.
On the one hand, Jeremiah is one of the people. Their home is his home. Their enemies are, at a practical level, his enemies. And their fate is largely his fate.
On the other hand, Jeremiah is called by God. He is given God's word -- His message to His people -- and is compelled to proclaim it. Jeremiah, therefore, experiences the burden of God for the people in their recalcitrance and rebellion. And he also experiences the rejection of God, inasmuch as when they oppose God's message they oppose God's messenger.
And so Jeremiah is the tragic middleman. He is not alone, of course, for it is often the nature of the calling for the prophet. We saw it in Isaiah, and we'll see it in Ezekiel. Hosea, too, is a classic case of the prophet as middleman.
For now, though, we are reading Jeremiah. And as we do, we do well to see the awkward position he is in: right between God and God's people, knowing and experiencing the pain of both.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty-Three!
We turn the page this week from the first of the major prophets to the second: from Isaiah to Jeremiah. As we will note on our weekly pages this week and next, these two prophets share much in common. At the same time, however, they live out very different experiences.
Both men come under the category that we call "the judgment prophets." That is to say, these are people whose primary calling was to proclaim the message of God's coming judgment. As the weeks unfold, we will explore in more detail the theme of His judgment. For now, though, let us simply begin to pay attention in our reading to the following issues:
These are important issues that we can trace through-out the books of the judgment prophets, beginning right now with Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Welcome to Week Thirty-Three!
We turn the page this week from the first of the major prophets to the second: from Isaiah to Jeremiah. As we will note on our weekly pages this week and next, these two prophets share much in common. At the same time, however, they live out very different experiences.
Both men come under the category that we call "the judgment prophets." That is to say, these are people whose primary calling was to proclaim the message of God's coming judgment. As the weeks unfold, we will explore in more detail the theme of His judgment. For now, though, let us simply begin to pay attention in our reading to the following issues:
- What form(s) does God's judgment take?
- What are the instruments of His judgment?
- Who are the objects of it?
- What is the purpose of it?
- Is there any way to stop or escape it?
These are important issues that we can trace through-out the books of the judgment prophets, beginning right now with Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty-Two!
The first three prophets in our table of contents -- Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel -- are sometimes referred to as "the major prophets," while Hosea through Malachi are known as "the minor prophets." That terminology should not be understood as qualitative. The terms do not indicate that Isaiah or Ezekiel are more important than, say, Amos or Malachi. Rather, the verbiage is simply a reference to length. The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are each very long, while the other prophetic books are comparatively short. Some of them are quite short, indeed, totaling only one or two chapters!
For our first weeks in the Old Testament prophets, however, we find ourselves engaged in one long book after another. And, for this particular week, we devote ourselves entirely to the prophet Isaiah. At 66 chapters, Isaiah is second only to Psalms in terms of length. And in terms of breadth, Isaiah is second to none.
Much of what we read in the Old Testament prophets will seem like new and unfamiliar material to many of our readers. In Isaiah, however, even a person who has never read the Bible cover-to-cover before will find familiar passages. For many verses from this prophet's work have emerged as especially meaningful and cherished throughout the generations. And we will come to cherish them more, as well, as we read Isaiah this week.
Welcome to Week Thirty-Two!
The first three prophets in our table of contents -- Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel -- are sometimes referred to as "the major prophets," while Hosea through Malachi are known as "the minor prophets." That terminology should not be understood as qualitative. The terms do not indicate that Isaiah or Ezekiel are more important than, say, Amos or Malachi. Rather, the verbiage is simply a reference to length. The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are each very long, while the other prophetic books are comparatively short. Some of them are quite short, indeed, totaling only one or two chapters!
For our first weeks in the Old Testament prophets, however, we find ourselves engaged in one long book after another. And, for this particular week, we devote ourselves entirely to the prophet Isaiah. At 66 chapters, Isaiah is second only to Psalms in terms of length. And in terms of breadth, Isaiah is second to none.
Much of what we read in the Old Testament prophets will seem like new and unfamiliar material to many of our readers. In Isaiah, however, even a person who has never read the Bible cover-to-cover before will find familiar passages. For many verses from this prophet's work have emerged as especially meaningful and cherished throughout the generations. And we will come to cherish them more, as well, as we read Isaiah this week.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty-One!
Both the history books and the writings are in our rear view mirror now, and for the next two-plus months we will be immersed in the Old Testament prophets.
The seventeen books that we call "the prophets" com-bine to form a significant corpus of material. We will be reading these books throughout August, September, and into October. Accordingly, the resources of our web site during these coming weeks will be entirely devoted to studying and understanding these men and their books.
The Old Testament prophets are, arguably, the least accessible kind of material in the entire Bible. In a sense, you see, anyone could pick up the prayers in Psalms, the sayings in Proverbs, the stories in Genesis, or the teachings in Luke and have a fair understanding of what they are reading. The prophetic books, by contrast, are so tied to specific historical contexts -- contexts which are assumed but mostly unexplained within the books themselves -- that the uninformed reader is at a great disadvantage.
Our particular endeavor during these weeks, therefore, is to equip ourselves for the reading of these books. We want to become acquainted with the settings in which these messages were preached in order that the messages themselves will have more meaning to us. And so, with the history books and writings behind us, we move full speed ahead into reading and studying the Old Testament prophets!
Welcome to Week Thirty-One!
Both the history books and the writings are in our rear view mirror now, and for the next two-plus months we will be immersed in the Old Testament prophets.
The seventeen books that we call "the prophets" com-bine to form a significant corpus of material. We will be reading these books throughout August, September, and into October. Accordingly, the resources of our web site during these coming weeks will be entirely devoted to studying and understanding these men and their books.
The Old Testament prophets are, arguably, the least accessible kind of material in the entire Bible. In a sense, you see, anyone could pick up the prayers in Psalms, the sayings in Proverbs, the stories in Genesis, or the teachings in Luke and have a fair understanding of what they are reading. The prophetic books, by contrast, are so tied to specific historical contexts -- contexts which are assumed but mostly unexplained within the books themselves -- that the uninformed reader is at a great disadvantage.
Our particular endeavor during these weeks, therefore, is to equip ourselves for the reading of these books. We want to become acquainted with the settings in which these messages were preached in order that the messages themselves will have more meaning to us. And so, with the history books and writings behind us, we move full speed ahead into reading and studying the Old Testament prophets!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirty!
This week's reading represents a dramatic turning point for us. As we noted at the very beginning of our year together, the Old Testament is broadly divided into three sets of books: the history books (Genesis through Esther), the writings or poetry books (Job through the Song of Solomon), and the prophets (Isaiah through Malachi).
During this week, we will complete the second of those three sections, and we will begin to read the third and final one.
Some prophets' books -- most notably Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel -- are quite long. Each of those will require two or more weeks to read. Others, however, are very brief, and we'll find ourselves reading several entire books in a single week. All together, the prophetic literature will be our focus from now through until early October.
So this week is a turning point for us -- the beginning of a whole new era in our year-long journey through the word of God!
Welcome to Week Thirty!
This week's reading represents a dramatic turning point for us. As we noted at the very beginning of our year together, the Old Testament is broadly divided into three sets of books: the history books (Genesis through Esther), the writings or poetry books (Job through the Song of Solomon), and the prophets (Isaiah through Malachi).
During this week, we will complete the second of those three sections, and we will begin to read the third and final one.
Some prophets' books -- most notably Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel -- are quite long. Each of those will require two or more weeks to read. Others, however, are very brief, and we'll find ourselves reading several entire books in a single week. All together, the prophetic literature will be our focus from now through until early October.
So this week is a turning point for us -- the beginning of a whole new era in our year-long journey through the word of God!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty-Nine!
Our journey through the Book of Psalms was a long one, spending more than six weeks in a single book. For a time now, however, we find ourselves turning the page to new books every week.
Last week, for example, we finished the Psalms and began reading Proverbs. This week, we'll finish Proverbs and begin Ecclesiastes. And then, the week after that, we will finish Ecclesiastes, read the entire Song of Solomon, and begin the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Lots of changes and shifting of gears in just a few weeks.
As we finish Proverbs this week, that book is the focus of our weekly resources page. Then, next week, with Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes all under our belt, we will give some thought to the larger matter of the wis-dom tradition in the ancient near east in general, as well as in Old Testament Israel in particular.
Welcome to Week Twenty-Nine!
Our journey through the Book of Psalms was a long one, spending more than six weeks in a single book. For a time now, however, we find ourselves turning the page to new books every week.
Last week, for example, we finished the Psalms and began reading Proverbs. This week, we'll finish Proverbs and begin Ecclesiastes. And then, the week after that, we will finish Ecclesiastes, read the entire Song of Solomon, and begin the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Lots of changes and shifting of gears in just a few weeks.
As we finish Proverbs this week, that book is the focus of our weekly resources page. Then, next week, with Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes all under our belt, we will give some thought to the larger matter of the wis-dom tradition in the ancient near east in general, as well as in Old Testament Israel in particular.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty-Eight!
After more than a month in the Book of Psalms, we turn the page this week into some new and different materi-al. The Old Testament Book of Proverbs, which is often paired with the Book of Psalms in pocket volumes of the New Testament, is a marvelous anthology of biblical wisdom. In our reading of it, we will be reminded of some truth that we already know, we will come to an understanding of some aspects of life that had pre-viously bewildered us, and we'll be challenged to think in different ways about some things than we have thus far.
Proverbs is part of the "wisdom tradition" of ancient Israel. We will explore in more detail that tradition in the coming days. Furthermore, Proverbs represents what we might refer to as the "conventional wisdom" of the wisdom tradition. The Book of Job, which we read earlier, and the Book of Ecclesiastes, which we will read soon, offer provocative counterpoints to that conventional wisdom.
All of it is God's written word, of course. The more we read it, the more we discover how truly wise it is. And as we move from Psalms to Proverbs, to Ecclesiastes, and to the Song of Solomon, we realize more fully just how broad and how deep this written word of God is.
Welcome to Week Twenty-Eight!
After more than a month in the Book of Psalms, we turn the page this week into some new and different materi-al. The Old Testament Book of Proverbs, which is often paired with the Book of Psalms in pocket volumes of the New Testament, is a marvelous anthology of biblical wisdom. In our reading of it, we will be reminded of some truth that we already know, we will come to an understanding of some aspects of life that had pre-viously bewildered us, and we'll be challenged to think in different ways about some things than we have thus far.
Proverbs is part of the "wisdom tradition" of ancient Israel. We will explore in more detail that tradition in the coming days. Furthermore, Proverbs represents what we might refer to as the "conventional wisdom" of the wisdom tradition. The Book of Job, which we read earlier, and the Book of Ecclesiastes, which we will read soon, offer provocative counterpoints to that conventional wisdom.
All of it is God's written word, of course. The more we read it, the more we discover how truly wise it is. And as we move from Psalms to Proverbs, to Ecclesiastes, and to the Song of Solomon, we realize more fully just how broad and how deep this written word of God is.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty-Seven!
And, more to the point, welcome to the second half of our 3x5 Club year!
We are halfway through the year and halfway through our reading of the Bible. That's an excellent achieve-ment, and you should feel very proud of yourself. Especially if this is your first time through!
And, speaking of "through," we're almost through the Book of Psalms now. This is our last full week of reading the Psalms, and this week's teaching video explores yet another way that we can learn how to pray from the Psalmist.
This week, therefore, we want to offer one more word of encouragement to those 3x5 Club members who have fallen behind in their reading. There is no better opportunity during the year to catch up than during our reading of the Psalms. You'll be glad not to be behind as we begin to read the Old Testament prophets, so do your catching up now!
Welcome to Week Twenty-Seven!
And, more to the point, welcome to the second half of our 3x5 Club year!
We are halfway through the year and halfway through our reading of the Bible. That's an excellent achieve-ment, and you should feel very proud of yourself. Especially if this is your first time through!
And, speaking of "through," we're almost through the Book of Psalms now. This is our last full week of reading the Psalms, and this week's teaching video explores yet another way that we can learn how to pray from the Psalmist.
This week, therefore, we want to offer one more word of encouragement to those 3x5 Club members who have fallen behind in their reading. There is no better opportunity during the year to catch up than during our reading of the Psalms. You'll be glad not to be behind as we begin to read the Old Testament prophets, so do your catching up now!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty-Six!
At the conclusion of this week, we will be halfway through the year, as well as halfway through the Bible. Outstanding! If you are on pace, you are to be heartily commended. Your excellent ambition at the beginning of the year was already admirable. Now, in addition, to your marvelous goal, you have demonstrated the kind of commitment and discipline necessary to reach that goal. Well done!
If you are not on pace, meanwhile, it's not too late to catch up. Take your cue from one of those automobile GPS devices. After a wrong turn, the device does not give up on the journey; it simply recalculates the route.
So consider that you have a half-year left, and re-calculate for yourself how you will reach your intended destination from where you are right now.
Welcome to Week Twenty-Six!
At the conclusion of this week, we will be halfway through the year, as well as halfway through the Bible. Outstanding! If you are on pace, you are to be heartily commended. Your excellent ambition at the beginning of the year was already admirable. Now, in addition, to your marvelous goal, you have demonstrated the kind of commitment and discipline necessary to reach that goal. Well done!
If you are not on pace, meanwhile, it's not too late to catch up. Take your cue from one of those automobile GPS devices. After a wrong turn, the device does not give up on the journey; it simply recalculates the route.
So consider that you have a half-year left, and re-calculate for yourself how you will reach your intended destination from where you are right now.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty-Five!
As of this week, we are halfway through the Book of Psalms, and nearly halfway through the entire Bible. Congratulations!
As we read the Psalms, we come across an expression that is both familiar to us and common to the Psalms. I wonder, though, if we recognize what we are reading. The expression is "Praise the Lord."
The name of God in Hebrew, as we touched on earlier in the year, is a bit of a mystery. Because the Jews were so careful about not taking the Lord's name in vain, they refused to pronounce it aloud, at all. When they would read the Hebrew text aloud and came to any place His name was written, they would orally insert the Hebrew word for Lord in its place.
We have two carryovers in English from this careful practice of the Jews. First, our English translations of the Bible also traditionally insert the word LORD where the name appears (typically printed in all capital letters to distinguish it from those places in the text where the regular Hebrew word for Lord appears). And, second, because the Jews refused to pronounce the name, we remain uncertain how exactly it was pronounced. The traditional assumption for many years was Jehovah. More recently, biblical scholars have suggested that Yahweh is probably the more correct pronunciation.
Meanwhile, the Hebrew word for praise is halal.
The expression Praise the Lord in the Psalms usually includes His name. That is to say, the Psalmist was actually saying, "Praise Jehovah!" or "Praise Yahweh!" He was calling the Lord by name, not by title.
So when we put together the Hebrew word for praise with an abbreviated form of God's name, you see the result: Hallelujah! It is not an English word, though we use it as if it were. Rather, it is a Hebrew expression; we come across it again and again in Psalms; and it means, "Praise Yahweh!"
Welcome to Week Twenty-Five!
As of this week, we are halfway through the Book of Psalms, and nearly halfway through the entire Bible. Congratulations!
As we read the Psalms, we come across an expression that is both familiar to us and common to the Psalms. I wonder, though, if we recognize what we are reading. The expression is "Praise the Lord."
The name of God in Hebrew, as we touched on earlier in the year, is a bit of a mystery. Because the Jews were so careful about not taking the Lord's name in vain, they refused to pronounce it aloud, at all. When they would read the Hebrew text aloud and came to any place His name was written, they would orally insert the Hebrew word for Lord in its place.
We have two carryovers in English from this careful practice of the Jews. First, our English translations of the Bible also traditionally insert the word LORD where the name appears (typically printed in all capital letters to distinguish it from those places in the text where the regular Hebrew word for Lord appears). And, second, because the Jews refused to pronounce the name, we remain uncertain how exactly it was pronounced. The traditional assumption for many years was Jehovah. More recently, biblical scholars have suggested that Yahweh is probably the more correct pronunciation.
Meanwhile, the Hebrew word for praise is halal.
The expression Praise the Lord in the Psalms usually includes His name. That is to say, the Psalmist was actually saying, "Praise Jehovah!" or "Praise Yahweh!" He was calling the Lord by name, not by title.
So when we put together the Hebrew word for praise with an abbreviated form of God's name, you see the result: Hallelujah! It is not an English word, though we use it as if it were. Rather, it is a Hebrew expression; we come across it again and again in Psalms; and it means, "Praise Yahweh!"
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty-Four!
We continue this week in our extended pilgrimage through the Book of Psalms. That ongoing pilgrimage includes our endeavor to learn how to pray from the Psalmist, which is the subject of this week's teaching video. And, too, it includes our continuing effort to learn how to sing the Psalms, compliments of Isaac Watts.
In addition, our Week 24 resources feature some con-sideration of the various types of Psalms found in the Book of Psalms. Even the novice will recognize upon his or her first reading of this book that it contains an assortment of genres. And, at the other end of the spectrum, biblical scholars have labored over the book to try to identify just what those genres are. It is probably not essential to come up with a definitive breakdown of the rich variety found in Psalms, but it is helpful to recognize it.
Finally, remember to capitalize on the other opportunity that this month provides. The Psalms are generally shorter than other chapters of Bible reading we do this year. And since we spend the entire month of June reading Psalms, it is an excellent month for those who are behind to do some catching up!
Welcome to Week Twenty-Four!
We continue this week in our extended pilgrimage through the Book of Psalms. That ongoing pilgrimage includes our endeavor to learn how to pray from the Psalmist, which is the subject of this week's teaching video. And, too, it includes our continuing effort to learn how to sing the Psalms, compliments of Isaac Watts.
In addition, our Week 24 resources feature some con-sideration of the various types of Psalms found in the Book of Psalms. Even the novice will recognize upon his or her first reading of this book that it contains an assortment of genres. And, at the other end of the spectrum, biblical scholars have labored over the book to try to identify just what those genres are. It is probably not essential to come up with a definitive breakdown of the rich variety found in Psalms, but it is helpful to recognize it.
Finally, remember to capitalize on the other opportunity that this month provides. The Psalms are generally shorter than other chapters of Bible reading we do this year. And since we spend the entire month of June reading Psalms, it is an excellent month for those who are behind to do some catching up!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty-Three!
As we have mentioned before, June provides an excellent opportunity for folks who are behind to catch up in their reading. Now let's talk about the nuts about bolts of that effort.
If you have fallen behind in the 3x5 pace, June is your chance to catch up. We spend the entire month of June reading the Book of Psalms, and generally speaking the Psalms are shorter than other chapters of the Bible. It would be an easy thing, therefore, to read your three (or five) chapters of the Psalms each day while also reading another chapter or two wherever your bookmark is currently placed. That way you can be staying abreast of the current reading while also making up ground in older material.
Meanwhile, a cautionary word... While we spend all of June in the Psalms, we'll start reading the prophets in July. Folks typically experience the Old Testament Prophets as some of the toughest biblical material to read. You don't want to be behind in your reading, therefore, when it comes time to read the prophets! And so we earnestly encourage you to catch up during June!
Welcome to Week Twenty-Three!
As we have mentioned before, June provides an excellent opportunity for folks who are behind to catch up in their reading. Now let's talk about the nuts about bolts of that effort.
If you have fallen behind in the 3x5 pace, June is your chance to catch up. We spend the entire month of June reading the Book of Psalms, and generally speaking the Psalms are shorter than other chapters of the Bible. It would be an easy thing, therefore, to read your three (or five) chapters of the Psalms each day while also reading another chapter or two wherever your bookmark is currently placed. That way you can be staying abreast of the current reading while also making up ground in older material.
Meanwhile, a cautionary word... While we spend all of June in the Psalms, we'll start reading the prophets in July. Folks typically experience the Old Testament Prophets as some of the toughest biblical material to read. You don't want to be behind in your reading, therefore, when it comes time to read the prophets! And so we earnestly encourage you to catch up during June!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty-Two!
This week we continue our pilgrimage through the Book of Psalms. Because it is such a long book, we spend more than six weeks reading it. And so we want to take full advantage of the time that this book affords us to explore it thoroughly together.
Starting with this week's teaching video, we will begin to focus on learning how to pray from the Psalms. The book is such a rich compilation of prayers, coming from both a breadth of circumstances and a depth of faith. Accordingly, it serves as a written role model for us as we endeavor to grow in our own prayer lives.
Also, we continue this week to tap the poetry and the insight of Isaac Watts to help us read the Psalms. Just as the Psalmist can teach us how to pray in any mood or circumstance, so Watts can teach us how to sing in any mood or circumstance. And this week's Psalm is an especially good case in point, for we turn to one of the many prayers of complaint found in the Book of Psalms.
Finally, if you are behind in your reading, this is your great opportunity to catch up! The Psalms are generally shorter than other chapters in our Bible reading, and so the same time investment can yield greater progress. Take full advantage during these weeks of May, June, and July that we spend in the Book of Psalms.
Welcome to Week Twenty-Two!
This week we continue our pilgrimage through the Book of Psalms. Because it is such a long book, we spend more than six weeks reading it. And so we want to take full advantage of the time that this book affords us to explore it thoroughly together.
Starting with this week's teaching video, we will begin to focus on learning how to pray from the Psalms. The book is such a rich compilation of prayers, coming from both a breadth of circumstances and a depth of faith. Accordingly, it serves as a written role model for us as we endeavor to grow in our own prayer lives.
Also, we continue this week to tap the poetry and the insight of Isaac Watts to help us read the Psalms. Just as the Psalmist can teach us how to pray in any mood or circumstance, so Watts can teach us how to sing in any mood or circumstance. And this week's Psalm is an especially good case in point, for we turn to one of the many prayers of complaint found in the Book of Psalms.
Finally, if you are behind in your reading, this is your great opportunity to catch up! The Psalms are generally shorter than other chapters in our Bible reading, and so the same time investment can yield greater progress. Take full advantage during these weeks of May, June, and July that we spend in the Book of Psalms.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty-One!
This week we turn the page from Job to Psalms, and Psalms will be our home for the better part of two months. That will be a special period, indeed, in our year-long journey. And it will also provide an excellent opportunity for those who are behind to do some catching up in their reading.
If you set your Bible down on a table in front of you and then try to open it up to the middle, chances are that you'll wind up in the book of Psalms. In addition to being at the center of the Bible, it also occupies a prominence owing to its length. As we spend 52 weeks reading the Bible, more than six of those week are in this one book. In terms of sheer chapters, the Book of Psalms is one-eighth of the entire Bible.
Moreover, if any one book from the Old Testament is likely to be bound and published together with the New Testament, it is the Book of Psalms.
And, perhaps most significantly of all, among the seven things Jesus said while on the cross, two were quotes from Scripture. And both came from the Book of Psalms.
That is the very special book we embark on together this week. And that is the book where we'll spend the rest of May, all of June, and part of July. Enjoy!
Welcome to Week Twenty-One!
This week we turn the page from Job to Psalms, and Psalms will be our home for the better part of two months. That will be a special period, indeed, in our year-long journey. And it will also provide an excellent opportunity for those who are behind to do some catching up in their reading.
If you set your Bible down on a table in front of you and then try to open it up to the middle, chances are that you'll wind up in the book of Psalms. In addition to being at the center of the Bible, it also occupies a prominence owing to its length. As we spend 52 weeks reading the Bible, more than six of those week are in this one book. In terms of sheer chapters, the Book of Psalms is one-eighth of the entire Bible.
Moreover, if any one book from the Old Testament is likely to be bound and published together with the New Testament, it is the Book of Psalms.
And, perhaps most significantly of all, among the seven things Jesus said while on the cross, two were quotes from Scripture. And both came from the Book of Psalms.
That is the very special book we embark on together this week. And that is the book where we'll spend the rest of May, all of June, and part of July. Enjoy!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twenty!
This week's reading will be spent entirely in the Book of Job. His story is well-known, for his very name has become synonymous with suffering. Yet for as famous as his story is, much of his book -- and his words -- may be new to us.
New, yet not unfamiliar. For even if we have never read these passages before, they will have a familiar ring to them. For so much of the experience and expressions of Job are written in the language of every human sufferer.
Meanwhile, we will need to become accustomed to a different pace this week. During most of the history books that we read, the story moved at a pretty fast clip. Many years and lives were covered in just a few chapters. But here, in Job, we find 42 chapters devoted to one life and, specifically, one set of experiences in that life.
So let yourself slow down now and enjoy the scenery. We take a long, careful look at Job this week and next, as the author takes a long, thoughtful look at us and how we suffer.
Welcome to Week Twenty!
This week's reading will be spent entirely in the Book of Job. His story is well-known, for his very name has become synonymous with suffering. Yet for as famous as his story is, much of his book -- and his words -- may be new to us.
New, yet not unfamiliar. For even if we have never read these passages before, they will have a familiar ring to them. For so much of the experience and expressions of Job are written in the language of every human sufferer.
Meanwhile, we will need to become accustomed to a different pace this week. During most of the history books that we read, the story moved at a pretty fast clip. Many years and lives were covered in just a few chapters. But here, in Job, we find 42 chapters devoted to one life and, specifically, one set of experiences in that life.
So let yourself slow down now and enjoy the scenery. We take a long, careful look at Job this week and next, as the author takes a long, thoughtful look at us and how we suffer.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Nineteen!
When you were a child on a long car trip, did you get excited about the border signs? I always got a certain thrill out of those big highway billboards announcing that we were crossing a border into a new state or welcoming us to some exciting city.
Well, you and I are crossing a border this week. There won't be a sign to mark it, however, and so we might hardly notice. But it is a significant boundary, and so it deserves our attention.
We turn lots of pages every week, but this week we're going to turn a different sort of page. For at the end of the week, when we finish Esther and begin Job, we will cross over from the History books to the Writings.
We'll explore in more detail on the weekly pages the significance of this new territory. For now, though, it is enough to be encouraged by the border, for it is a measure of the progress we are making on our big trip!
Welcome to Week Nineteen!
When you were a child on a long car trip, did you get excited about the border signs? I always got a certain thrill out of those big highway billboards announcing that we were crossing a border into a new state or welcoming us to some exciting city.
Well, you and I are crossing a border this week. There won't be a sign to mark it, however, and so we might hardly notice. But it is a significant boundary, and so it deserves our attention.
We turn lots of pages every week, but this week we're going to turn a different sort of page. For at the end of the week, when we finish Esther and begin Job, we will cross over from the History books to the Writings.
We'll explore in more detail on the weekly pages the significance of this new territory. For now, though, it is enough to be encouraged by the border, for it is a measure of the progress we are making on our big trip!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Eighteen!
This is the week when we flip the calendar page to May, and that means that we are a third of the way through the year -- and through the Bible!
Moreover, we are entering this week the final phase of Old Testament history: "P" in our alphabetized system. We'll be reading "P" material this week and next, and we will return to it again as we wrap up our reading of the Old Testament prophets in the fall. You'll find a helpful introduction to the "P" period in this week's teaching video.
Meanwhile, as we wind down our reading of the Old Testament History books, we are not far away from a whole new section: the Writings. They -- and most especially the longest of them, the Book of Psalms -- will provide 3x5 Club members with an excellent opportunity to catch up on their reading. If you are at all behind, therefore, you need not be discouraged. Help is on the way!
Welcome to Week Eighteen!
This is the week when we flip the calendar page to May, and that means that we are a third of the way through the year -- and through the Bible!
Moreover, we are entering this week the final phase of Old Testament history: "P" in our alphabetized system. We'll be reading "P" material this week and next, and we will return to it again as we wrap up our reading of the Old Testament prophets in the fall. You'll find a helpful introduction to the "P" period in this week's teaching video.
Meanwhile, as we wind down our reading of the Old Testament History books, we are not far away from a whole new section: the Writings. They -- and most especially the longest of them, the Book of Psalms -- will provide 3x5 Club members with an excellent opportunity to catch up on their reading. If you are at all behind, therefore, you need not be discouraged. Help is on the way!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Seventeen!
We are almost a third of the way through the year, and so, too, we are almost a third of the way through our reading. Congratulations!
If you are on pace, well done! Your discipline and commitment are truly commendable, and I know that your efforts will be rewarded. They probably have been already.
If you are not on pace, meanwhile, I want to say to you that your commitment is especially commendable. Why? Because you're still here! Because, in spite of the discouragement that can come with being behind, you're hanging in there, and you haven't given up on the excellent goal with which you began the year. Well done, my friend!
For those folks who are a bit behind in their reading, I want to encourage you that there will be a good opportunity to catch up this summer. 'More about that later. In the meantime, just keep investing a part of each day in God's word -- for that in itself is a goal accomplished!
Welcome to Week Seventeen!
We are almost a third of the way through the year, and so, too, we are almost a third of the way through our reading. Congratulations!
If you are on pace, well done! Your discipline and commitment are truly commendable, and I know that your efforts will be rewarded. They probably have been already.
If you are not on pace, meanwhile, I want to say to you that your commitment is especially commendable. Why? Because you're still here! Because, in spite of the discouragement that can come with being behind, you're hanging in there, and you haven't given up on the excellent goal with which you began the year. Well done, my friend!
For those folks who are a bit behind in their reading, I want to encourage you that there will be a good opportunity to catch up this summer. 'More about that later. In the meantime, just keep investing a part of each day in God's word -- for that in itself is a goal accomplished!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Sixteen!
This week and next are spent entirely in the world of the Chronicler. He is writing from the post-exilic age -- that is, that latest period of Old Testament history when the Jews have been allowed to return to Judah and Jerusalem after decades of exile in Babylon. And as the author recalls their earlier history, the passage of time and the new historical circumstance has re-ordered the importance of certain things.
The northern kingdom of Israel, for example, is no longer very important. That kingdom was wiped away by the Assyrians in the 8th-century BC, and so it only plays a role in the Chronicler's story where it intersects with the southern kingdom of Judah. Genealogy, meanwhile, has emerged as an even more important concern, for the returning Jews -- particularly the priests and Levites -- need to be able to establish their identity and credentials. The particular sins and failures of past heroes are less important to this storyteller from his later vantage point. And the Temple, which the writer's contemporaries seek to rebuild and reestablish, is highlighted in their history.
And so we are invited into the world of the Chronicler. We'll finish the first of his volumes this week and begin the second. And by the time we have completed both, we will have caught up with him in that final era of Old Testament history: post-exilic Judah and Jerusalem.
Welcome to Week Sixteen!
This week and next are spent entirely in the world of the Chronicler. He is writing from the post-exilic age -- that is, that latest period of Old Testament history when the Jews have been allowed to return to Judah and Jerusalem after decades of exile in Babylon. And as the author recalls their earlier history, the passage of time and the new historical circumstance has re-ordered the importance of certain things.
The northern kingdom of Israel, for example, is no longer very important. That kingdom was wiped away by the Assyrians in the 8th-century BC, and so it only plays a role in the Chronicler's story where it intersects with the southern kingdom of Judah. Genealogy, meanwhile, has emerged as an even more important concern, for the returning Jews -- particularly the priests and Levites -- need to be able to establish their identity and credentials. The particular sins and failures of past heroes are less important to this storyteller from his later vantage point. And the Temple, which the writer's contemporaries seek to rebuild and reestablish, is highlighted in their history.
And so we are invited into the world of the Chronicler. We'll finish the first of his volumes this week and begin the second. And by the time we have completed both, we will have caught up with him in that final era of Old Testament history: post-exilic Judah and Jerusalem.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Fifteen!
Imagine that you just finish watching a very dramatic and emotionally draining movie. It has a tragic ending. And yet, just a moment after the final, terrible scene, the movie screen fills again with pictures from the opening scene.
Technical difficulties in the projection room? No, but rather a surprising way of telling the story.
Toward the end of this week's reading, we'll come to the end of 2 Kings, and it's a grim ending, indeed. But just when we think all is lost, we turn the page to 1 Chronicles, and we find ourselves back at the begin-ning. Literally, the very beginning, for we are back to names like Adam, Noah, and Abraham.
This is better than a mere replay of the same movie that we just finished watching, however. Rather, we see the same stories and characters, but filmed from a different vantage point. And from this new perspective, we will eventually enjoy a much happier ending.
Welcome to Week Fifteen!
Imagine that you just finish watching a very dramatic and emotionally draining movie. It has a tragic ending. And yet, just a moment after the final, terrible scene, the movie screen fills again with pictures from the opening scene.
Technical difficulties in the projection room? No, but rather a surprising way of telling the story.
Toward the end of this week's reading, we'll come to the end of 2 Kings, and it's a grim ending, indeed. But just when we think all is lost, we turn the page to 1 Chronicles, and we find ourselves back at the begin-ning. Literally, the very beginning, for we are back to names like Adam, Noah, and Abraham.
This is better than a mere replay of the same movie that we just finished watching, however. Rather, we see the same stories and characters, but filmed from a different vantage point. And from this new perspective, we will eventually enjoy a much happier ending.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Fourteen!
This is the week of the "divided monarchy." After three consecutive kings (Saul, David, and Solomon) who reigned over a united nation, the tribes of Israel divided into two separate kingdoms. And so, in this week's material, we will track two nations -- and two thrones -- at the same time. It can be confusing reading, but we will endeavor to provide resources to help make sense of it all.
Meanwhile, with the end of the month of March, we are one-quarter of the way through the year. And, if you're on pace with you're reading, you are also a fourth of the way through the Bible. Congratulations!
If, on the other hand, you're behind, hang in there. There is plenty of time to catch up. Plus, here's a little secret: there is also an excellent opportunity to catch up coming in just a few weeks. 'More about that later. For now, just keep reading every day!
Welcome to Week Fourteen!
This is the week of the "divided monarchy." After three consecutive kings (Saul, David, and Solomon) who reigned over a united nation, the tribes of Israel divided into two separate kingdoms. And so, in this week's material, we will track two nations -- and two thrones -- at the same time. It can be confusing reading, but we will endeavor to provide resources to help make sense of it all.
Meanwhile, with the end of the month of March, we are one-quarter of the way through the year. And, if you're on pace with you're reading, you are also a fourth of the way through the Bible. Congratulations!
If, on the other hand, you're behind, hang in there. There is plenty of time to catch up. Plus, here's a little secret: there is also an excellent opportunity to catch up coming in just a few weeks. 'More about that later. For now, just keep reading every day!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Thirteen!
The scope of this week's reading captures the true golden age of Israel. Things will not look this good again, apart from prophetic portraits of God's someday King and Kingdom, throughout the rest of our reading in the Old Testament. When we begin, David is at the height of his strength and faithfulness. And when we end, so is Solomon.
Unhappily, neither man concludes his reign on a good note. The Bathsheba affair becomes the first in a series of negative moments in David's life. And while he begins so very well, Solomon ends in apostasy and disgrace.
We have seen rises and falls before before in the biblical story, of course, and we will see still more ahead. All of these human characters are blemished, to be sure -- even the best of them. Yet even in the disappointing moments in their stories, they are testimonies to us. They remind us, you see, of the patience and providence of God, who willingly works with us and through us as we are.
Meanwhile, the end of this week marks the end of the first quarter of the year. If you are on pace, you will be 25% of the way through the Bible. Congratulations, and keep up the good work!
Welcome to Week Thirteen!
The scope of this week's reading captures the true golden age of Israel. Things will not look this good again, apart from prophetic portraits of God's someday King and Kingdom, throughout the rest of our reading in the Old Testament. When we begin, David is at the height of his strength and faithfulness. And when we end, so is Solomon.
Unhappily, neither man concludes his reign on a good note. The Bathsheba affair becomes the first in a series of negative moments in David's life. And while he begins so very well, Solomon ends in apostasy and disgrace.
We have seen rises and falls before before in the biblical story, of course, and we will see still more ahead. All of these human characters are blemished, to be sure -- even the best of them. Yet even in the disappointing moments in their stories, they are testimonies to us. They remind us, you see, of the patience and providence of God, who willingly works with us and through us as we are.
Meanwhile, the end of this week marks the end of the first quarter of the year. If you are on pace, you will be 25% of the way through the Bible. Congratulations, and keep up the good work!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Twelve!
If intangibles could be graphed, we would see a dramatic chart during this week's reading. There is, first, the beginning and development of a disturbing trend. King Saul, who had started so promisingly, becomes more and more troubled and troubling. He is haunted by fear and paranoia, and his life and reign end in defeat and ignominy.
While Saul's line trends down and down, however, there is also on our graph this week the line of David. And throughout our reading during Week 12, that line of David presses higher and higher. It's not that his circumstances are always good; but he is always good, and that is really what matters in the end.
When we finished last week's reading, David was the courageous lad who had defeated a giant. By the end of this week's reading, he is king of all Israel. He has defeated many more enemies, survived many more threats and trials, and he has emerged as a man of earnestness, integrity, and faithfulness.
By the end of this week, Saul's line will have been cut off. Meanwhile, the Lord will promise David that his line -- i.e., his dynasty -- will be an eternal one. And so you're invited to turn to the resources of Week 12 as we focus on the remarkable story and character of David.
Welcome to Week Twelve!
If intangibles could be graphed, we would see a dramatic chart during this week's reading. There is, first, the beginning and development of a disturbing trend. King Saul, who had started so promisingly, becomes more and more troubled and troubling. He is haunted by fear and paranoia, and his life and reign end in defeat and ignominy.
While Saul's line trends down and down, however, there is also on our graph this week the line of David. And throughout our reading during Week 12, that line of David presses higher and higher. It's not that his circumstances are always good; but he is always good, and that is really what matters in the end.
When we finished last week's reading, David was the courageous lad who had defeated a giant. By the end of this week's reading, he is king of all Israel. He has defeated many more enemies, survived many more threats and trials, and he has emerged as a man of earnestness, integrity, and faithfulness.
By the end of this week, Saul's line will have been cut off. Meanwhile, the Lord will promise David that his line -- i.e., his dynasty -- will be an eternal one. And so you're invited to turn to the resources of Week 12 as we focus on the remarkable story and character of David.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Eleven!
This week is an eventful one in the unfolding story of Old Testament history. At the beginning of the week, we are still in the morass of the era of the judges. By the end of the week, however, we have entered the period of the united monarchy, including the anointing of the first and second kings of Israel.
Along the way, we will be blessed by the story and example of Ruth. We will be impressed by the role and character of Samuel. We'll feel sad for Eli and dismayed by his sons, Hophni and Phineas. We will witness the rise and fall of Saul. And we will meet David -- arguably the most important character in the entire Old Testament.
The Old Testament library has 39 books on its shelves, and by the midway point of this week you will have finished 8 of them. Keep up the good work!
Welcome to Week Eleven!
This week is an eventful one in the unfolding story of Old Testament history. At the beginning of the week, we are still in the morass of the era of the judges. By the end of the week, however, we have entered the period of the united monarchy, including the anointing of the first and second kings of Israel.
Along the way, we will be blessed by the story and example of Ruth. We will be impressed by the role and character of Samuel. We'll feel sad for Eli and dismayed by his sons, Hophni and Phineas. We will witness the rise and fall of Saul. And we will meet David -- arguably the most important character in the entire Old Testament.
The Old Testament library has 39 books on its shelves, and by the midway point of this week you will have finished 8 of them. Keep up the good work!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Ten!
This is an important week for us, for now we begin to move into unfamiliar territory. For folks who grew up in church and Sunday School, the names of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Joshua are all familiar. Reading those stories during our first two months, therefore, has perhaps felt like a review.
Now, however, we may be meeting some characters for the first time. What do we know of left-handed Ehud or reckless Jephthah? Who ever taught us about Micah's idol, the concubine's corpse, or Israel's war on the tribe of Benjamin? These are not stories that have made their way into stained glass, but they are part of the era of the Judges. And our endeavor this week is to get to know those stories and that era just a bit.
If you are on pace in your reading, you will nearly finish the seventh book of the Bible this week. Well done!
If you are not on pace, meanwhile, don't panic. And certainly don't give up! You have plenty of time to catch up on your reading. Remember: no athlete or team quits a game just because they fell behind in the first quarter. And that's where we are -- we're still in the first quarter of the year!
Welcome to Week Ten!
This is an important week for us, for now we begin to move into unfamiliar territory. For folks who grew up in church and Sunday School, the names of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Joshua are all familiar. Reading those stories during our first two months, therefore, has perhaps felt like a review.
Now, however, we may be meeting some characters for the first time. What do we know of left-handed Ehud or reckless Jephthah? Who ever taught us about Micah's idol, the concubine's corpse, or Israel's war on the tribe of Benjamin? These are not stories that have made their way into stained glass, but they are part of the era of the Judges. And our endeavor this week is to get to know those stories and that era just a bit.
If you are on pace in your reading, you will nearly finish the seventh book of the Bible this week. Well done!
If you are not on pace, meanwhile, don't panic. And certainly don't give up! You have plenty of time to catch up on your reading. Remember: no athlete or team quits a game just because they fell behind in the first quarter. And that's where we are -- we're still in the first quarter of the year!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Nine!
This is a week of borders. Moses and the children of Israel are camped at a border as he says his farewell in Deuteronomy. Joshua leads the people across that border in the opening of the book named for him. And, by the end of his book, Canaan has been given new borders as the twelve tribes divvy up the Promised Land.
And you and I cross some borders this week, too. We cross from the Law books (Torah, Pentateuch, Books of Moses) into the History books (or, in the Hebrew Bible, the Former Prophets). We cross from speech to story. And we cross from the era of Israel as nomads to Israel as nation.
The library that is the Bible contains 66 books. Early this week, you will finish the fifth of them. And, in terms of actual chapters, you will be one-fifth of the way through the entire Old Testament!
Welcome to Week Nine!
This is a week of borders. Moses and the children of Israel are camped at a border as he says his farewell in Deuteronomy. Joshua leads the people across that border in the opening of the book named for him. And, by the end of his book, Canaan has been given new borders as the twelve tribes divvy up the Promised Land.
And you and I cross some borders this week, too. We cross from the Law books (Torah, Pentateuch, Books of Moses) into the History books (or, in the Hebrew Bible, the Former Prophets). We cross from speech to story. And we cross from the era of Israel as nomads to Israel as nation.
The library that is the Bible contains 66 books. Early this week, you will finish the fifth of them. And, in terms of actual chapters, you will be one-fifth of the way through the entire Old Testament!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Eight!
We spend this week in a special place. We stand among the children of Israel, camped in the trans-Jordan region, preparing to cross over into the long-awaited Promised Land. But before we cross, we gather to hear Moses' farewell address.
The Book of Deuteronomy is the written record of Moses' final words to the people of Israel. He has been their leader for more than a generation, and now the time has come to say goodbye. It is, therefore, a heartfelt message from a pivotal moment.
Meanwhile, we gather that Deuteronomy was an important book to Jesus. On the occasion when He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He quoted Scripture three times to the enemy. And each passage that Jesus cited was from this special book -- the Book of Deuteronomy.
The first shelf in the Bible's library is variously called "The Law," "The Pentateuch," "The Torah," and "the books of Moses." We spend this week in the fifth and final book on that shelf.
Welcome to Week Eight!
We spend this week in a special place. We stand among the children of Israel, camped in the trans-Jordan region, preparing to cross over into the long-awaited Promised Land. But before we cross, we gather to hear Moses' farewell address.
The Book of Deuteronomy is the written record of Moses' final words to the people of Israel. He has been their leader for more than a generation, and now the time has come to say goodbye. It is, therefore, a heartfelt message from a pivotal moment.
Meanwhile, we gather that Deuteronomy was an important book to Jesus. On the occasion when He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He quoted Scripture three times to the enemy. And each passage that Jesus cited was from this special book -- the Book of Deuteronomy.
The first shelf in the Bible's library is variously called "The Law," "The Pentateuch," "The Torah," and "the books of Moses." We spend this week in the fifth and final book on that shelf.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Seven!
At this stage of our year-long process, it may be appropriate to ponder the problem of fallling behind. It's an easy thing to fall behind in one's reading, and February is a common time to do it. Perhaps the early excitement and resolve of the beginning of the year is past, or perhaps you have found some of the recent material to be challenging. If so, then you may be some chapters off the pace going into Week Seven.
If so, what are you going to do about it?
Well, whatever you do, don't quit! No serious-minded athlete quits just because his team falls behind in the first quarter of a game. And that's all that it is at this point in The 3x5 Club year -- it's still just the first quarter.
If you can catch up all at once in a single day, great. But if you can't, don't let that discourage you. Just add a chapter to your regular reading for a few days until you're caught up again. You've got a lot of year ahead of you, and the goal that you set for yourself for this year is so excellent. There is no reason for you not to reach it on schedule as planned!
The Bible has sixty-six books, and by the end of this week you will be into the fifth. Keep up the good work!
Welcome to Week Seven!
At this stage of our year-long process, it may be appropriate to ponder the problem of fallling behind. It's an easy thing to fall behind in one's reading, and February is a common time to do it. Perhaps the early excitement and resolve of the beginning of the year is past, or perhaps you have found some of the recent material to be challenging. If so, then you may be some chapters off the pace going into Week Seven.
If so, what are you going to do about it?
Well, whatever you do, don't quit! No serious-minded athlete quits just because his team falls behind in the first quarter of a game. And that's all that it is at this point in The 3x5 Club year -- it's still just the first quarter.
If you can catch up all at once in a single day, great. But if you can't, don't let that discourage you. Just add a chapter to your regular reading for a few days until you're caught up again. You've got a lot of year ahead of you, and the goal that you set for yourself for this year is so excellent. There is no reason for you not to reach it on schedule as planned!
The Bible has sixty-six books, and by the end of this week you will be into the fifth. Keep up the good work!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Six!
During this week, we'll turn the page from Leviticus to Numbers. After so many chapters spent at Mt. Sinai, the story will begin again to cover time and space in Numbers. This week's teaching video will explore the key stories and themes from Numbers.
All of the new week's resources will be found our Week Six page. We have several teaching videos for you this week, in addition to the written resources.
Meanwhile, in order to keep navigation simple, this will be the final week that our Before You Begin page will be available. Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, and Week Five will continue to be available as resources for you.
The Bible has sixty-six books, and by the end of this week you will have read the first three plus most of the fourth. Keep up the good work! Your faithful, small steps each day guarantee that you reach your marve-lous destination at the end of the year. Plus, your daily faithfulness puts you in position to receive all sorts of other blessings all along the way!
Welcome to Week Six!
During this week, we'll turn the page from Leviticus to Numbers. After so many chapters spent at Mt. Sinai, the story will begin again to cover time and space in Numbers. This week's teaching video will explore the key stories and themes from Numbers.
All of the new week's resources will be found our Week Six page. We have several teaching videos for you this week, in addition to the written resources.
Meanwhile, in order to keep navigation simple, this will be the final week that our Before You Begin page will be available. Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, and Week Five will continue to be available as resources for you.
The Bible has sixty-six books, and by the end of this week you will have read the first three plus most of the fourth. Keep up the good work! Your faithful, small steps each day guarantee that you reach your marve-lous destination at the end of the year. Plus, your daily faithfulness puts you in position to receive all sorts of other blessings all along the way!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Five!
We continue this week in our reading of the Old Testament Law, and as we do, let me encourage you not to lose heart!
The last half of Exodus and the Book of Leviticus can be like the Bermuda Triangle for cover-to-cover readers. The excitement and resolve of January 1st can easily get lost as you plow through chapters of material that, to many, seems tedious and irrelevant. And so I implore you to keep our goal in mind: not to apply to the material or to feel inspired by it, but simply to learn it. That, after all, is a goal you can achieve!
The new week of materials is found on our Week Five page.
Meanwhile, as we have added two more new members, we will keep available our Before You Begin page, as well as the resources of Week One, Week Two, Week Three, and Week Four.
Remember that the Bible is its own little library, with sixty-six different books on its shelf. If you are on pace, you have finished two of those books, and will nearly finish the third this week. Well done!
Finally, if you struggle with the present reading, please just keep plugging away. For now, don't worry about applying the material to your life; just focus on applying yourself to the material!
Welcome to Week Five!
We continue this week in our reading of the Old Testament Law, and as we do, let me encourage you not to lose heart!
The last half of Exodus and the Book of Leviticus can be like the Bermuda Triangle for cover-to-cover readers. The excitement and resolve of January 1st can easily get lost as you plow through chapters of material that, to many, seems tedious and irrelevant. And so I implore you to keep our goal in mind: not to apply to the material or to feel inspired by it, but simply to learn it. That, after all, is a goal you can achieve!
The new week of materials is found on our Week Five page.
Meanwhile, as we have added two more new members, we will keep available our Before You Begin page, as well as the resources of Week One, Week Two, Week Three, and Week Four.
Remember that the Bible is its own little library, with sixty-six different books on its shelf. If you are on pace, you have finished two of those books, and will nearly finish the third this week. Well done!
Finally, if you struggle with the present reading, please just keep plugging away. For now, don't worry about applying the material to your life; just focus on applying yourself to the material!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Four!
We begin this week in the same book where we ended last week. While it is the same book, however, we enter new material this week. More about that on our new Week Four page.
Also, since we have added more new members since the start of last week, we'll continue to keep available the Before You Begin page, as well as the resources of Week One, Week Two, and Week Three.
New Q&A postings are available this week, as well. And, as always, you are invited to submit your questions or add your comments to the answers that have already been posted.
Keep in mind that the Bible is its own little library, with sixty-six different books on its shelf. If you are on pace, you will finish the second of those books this week. Well done!
We're moving into different material this week. You'll need to shift gears mentally to go from reading stories to reading law. But it is all God's word, and so we may read it all with reverence and anticipation!
Welcome to Week Four!
We begin this week in the same book where we ended last week. While it is the same book, however, we enter new material this week. More about that on our new Week Four page.
Also, since we have added more new members since the start of last week, we'll continue to keep available the Before You Begin page, as well as the resources of Week One, Week Two, and Week Three.
New Q&A postings are available this week, as well. And, as always, you are invited to submit your questions or add your comments to the answers that have already been posted.
Keep in mind that the Bible is its own little library, with sixty-six different books on its shelf. If you are on pace, you will finish the second of those books this week. Well done!
We're moving into different material this week. You'll need to shift gears mentally to go from reading stories to reading law. But it is all God's word, and so we may read it all with reverence and anticipation!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Three!
We turn the page this week to a new book. Exodus picks up the story where Genesis left off, but then it leads us to a very different sort of material than we have seen thus far. More about that next week.
We continue to welcome new members to our group, and so we are keeping available what was provided on the Before You Begin page, as well as the resources of Week One and Week Two. And now you may also find materials for Week Three.
The Bible is its own little library, and we find sixty-six different books on its shelf. If you are on pace, you will finish one of those books this week. Congratulations!
Finally, remember to keep at it -- just a little investment each day yields a big return for a lifetime!
Welcome to Week Three!
We turn the page this week to a new book. Exodus picks up the story where Genesis left off, but then it leads us to a very different sort of material than we have seen thus far. More about that next week.
We continue to welcome new members to our group, and so we are keeping available what was provided on the Before You Begin page, as well as the resources of Week One and Week Two. And now you may also find materials for Week Three.
The Bible is its own little library, and we find sixty-six different books on its shelf. If you are on pace, you will finish one of those books this week. Congratulations!
Finally, remember to keep at it -- just a little investment each day yields a big return for a lifetime!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Two!
I trust that you are enjoying your reading, for Genesis is a fascinating book. Also, let me encourage you to give this book all of the attention that it deserves, for it is the foundation for virtually everything that follows. Genesis is like the first year in a foreign language class -- it's hard to become fluent until you learn this introductory material.
For your convenience, we are keeping available what was provided on the Before You Begin page, and we will also keep online for a few weeks the resources of Week One. But now it is time to move to Week Two and the resources we are providing there.
Meanwhile, one of the resources that will evolve over the course of this year together will be our Q&A page. This is the place where you can submit the questions that occur to you as you read. And, at the bottom, we will provide links to blog pages where some answers are offered, as well as where you can enter insights and input of your own.
Finally, be sure to read every day. Make it a priority, for that is what the Bible deserves to be!
Welcome to Week Two!
I trust that you are enjoying your reading, for Genesis is a fascinating book. Also, let me encourage you to give this book all of the attention that it deserves, for it is the foundation for virtually everything that follows. Genesis is like the first year in a foreign language class -- it's hard to become fluent until you learn this introductory material.
For your convenience, we are keeping available what was provided on the Before You Begin page, and we will also keep online for a few weeks the resources of Week One. But now it is time to move to Week Two and the resources we are providing there.
Meanwhile, one of the resources that will evolve over the course of this year together will be our Q&A page. This is the place where you can submit the questions that occur to you as you read. And, at the bottom, we will provide links to blog pages where some answers are offered, as well as where you can enter insights and input of your own.
Finally, be sure to read every day. Make it a priority, for that is what the Bible deserves to be!
Happy New Year!
It's time to begin our year-long journey through the Bible together! I hope that you are as excited as the opportunity deserves.
During the year ahead, we will walk through the pages of Scripture together. It will be a one-year investment that will pay dividends for the rest of your life. And you will find that the daily habit you establish during this year will continue to be your pattern even after this journey is complete.
This welcome page will always feature The 3x5 Club calendar (below) so that you can easily track your daily reading. Also, as you prepare to begin your year-long journey, you'll want to look through the materials on the Before You Begin page. And then you'll be ready for the resources of Week One.
Be sure to read every day. It's good for the soul, and it guarantees that you'll reach your goal!
It's time to begin our year-long journey through the Bible together! I hope that you are as excited as the opportunity deserves.
During the year ahead, we will walk through the pages of Scripture together. It will be a one-year investment that will pay dividends for the rest of your life. And you will find that the daily habit you establish during this year will continue to be your pattern even after this journey is complete.
This welcome page will always feature The 3x5 Club calendar (below) so that you can easily track your daily reading. Also, as you prepare to begin your year-long journey, you'll want to look through the materials on the Before You Begin page. And then you'll be ready for the resources of Week One.
Be sure to read every day. It's good for the soul, and it guarantees that you'll reach your goal!
What's New?
Our Week Fifty-Two page is up, including a teaching video with some thoughts on the Book of Revelation and the end of time. Meanwhile, Saint Augustine's earnest prayer about the Scriptures below is an example to us as we read.
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Fifty-Two!
This is the week that we cross the finish line! It has been a year-long effort, and you are to be commended and congratulated for hanging in from beginning to end. Well done!
Simply embarking on this 3x5 Club project was an admirable choice on your part, reflecting your excellent desire to read and study God's word. To turn that momentary good intention into a daily commitment, though, is truly commendable. You should feel very proud of yourself for what you have accomplished.
Meanwhile, I trust that you found this year of reading and studying to be a blessing in your life. I assume that, not based on any confidence in the merits of the resources provided here on this site, but rather because an investment in God's word always pays dividends. And this past year will continue to pay dividends for you for the rest of your life.
Finally, if you haven't yet submitted your feedback on this past year in The 3x5 Club, please click through to our feedback page, complete the form, and submit it. Your input will help others in the future to have the best possible experience reading through the Bible in a year with The 3x5 Club.
Thank you!
Welcome to Week Fifty-Two!
This is the week that we cross the finish line! It has been a year-long effort, and you are to be commended and congratulated for hanging in from beginning to end. Well done!
Simply embarking on this 3x5 Club project was an admirable choice on your part, reflecting your excellent desire to read and study God's word. To turn that momentary good intention into a daily commitment, though, is truly commendable. You should feel very proud of yourself for what you have accomplished.
Meanwhile, I trust that you found this year of reading and studying to be a blessing in your life. I assume that, not based on any confidence in the merits of the resources provided here on this site, but rather because an investment in God's word always pays dividends. And this past year will continue to pay dividends for you for the rest of your life.
Finally, if you haven't yet submitted your feedback on this past year in The 3x5 Club, please click through to our feedback page, complete the form, and submit it. Your input will help others in the future to have the best possible experience reading through the Bible in a year with The 3x5 Club.
Thank you!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Fifty-Two!
This is the week that we cross the finish line! It has been a year-long effort, and you are to be commended and congratulated for hanging in from beginning to end. Well done!
Simply embarking on this 3x5 Club project was an admirable choice on your part, reflecting your excellent desire to read and study God's word. To turn that momentary good intention into a daily commitment, though, is truly commendable. You should feel very proud of yourself for what you have accomplished.
Meanwhile, I trust that you found this year of reading and studying to be a blessing in your life. I assume that, not based on any confidence in the merits of the resources provided here on this site, but rather because an investment in God's word always pays dividends. And this past year will continue to pay dividends for you for the rest of your life.
Finally, if you haven't yet submitted your feedback on this past year in The 3x5 Club, please click through to our feedback page, complete the form, and submit it. Your input will help others in the future to have the best possible experience reading through the Bible in a year with The 3x5 Club.
Thank you!
Welcome to Week Fifty-Two!
This is the week that we cross the finish line! It has been a year-long effort, and you are to be commended and congratulated for hanging in from beginning to end. Well done!
Simply embarking on this 3x5 Club project was an admirable choice on your part, reflecting your excellent desire to read and study God's word. To turn that momentary good intention into a daily commitment, though, is truly commendable. You should feel very proud of yourself for what you have accomplished.
Meanwhile, I trust that you found this year of reading and studying to be a blessing in your life. I assume that, not based on any confidence in the merits of the resources provided here on this site, but rather because an investment in God's word always pays dividends. And this past year will continue to pay dividends for you for the rest of your life.
Finally, if you haven't yet submitted your feedback on this past year in The 3x5 Club, please click through to our feedback page, complete the form, and submit it. Your input will help others in the future to have the best possible experience reading through the Bible in a year with The 3x5 Club.
Thank you!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Fifty-One!
The end is in sight, and in more ways than one!
This is the penultimate week of The 3x5 Club. Only one more week of reading after this, and we will have completed the entire Bible during this calendar year. Well done! We can see our goal on the horizon.
Meanwhile, the end is also in sight inasmuch as we begin this week to read the Book of Revelation. That final book of the Bible, as you know, anticipates the end times in vivid pictures and robust narrative. We will be prompted to think, therefore, about the end -- not just of this year, but of this present age.
Finally, if you haven't yet submitted your feedback on this past year in The 3x5 Club, please click through to our feedback page, complete the form, and submit it. Your input will help others in the future to have the best possible experience reading through the Bible in a year with The 3x5 Club.
Thank you!
Welcome to Week Fifty-One!
The end is in sight, and in more ways than one!
This is the penultimate week of The 3x5 Club. Only one more week of reading after this, and we will have completed the entire Bible during this calendar year. Well done! We can see our goal on the horizon.
Meanwhile, the end is also in sight inasmuch as we begin this week to read the Book of Revelation. That final book of the Bible, as you know, anticipates the end times in vivid pictures and robust narrative. We will be prompted to think, therefore, about the end -- not just of this year, but of this present age.
Finally, if you haven't yet submitted your feedback on this past year in The 3x5 Club, please click through to our feedback page, complete the form, and submit it. Your input will help others in the future to have the best possible experience reading through the Bible in a year with The 3x5 Club.
Thank you!
Dear Fellow Bible Students,
Welcome to Week Fifty!
This week we conclude our reading of the letters of Paul and begin to read those letters that we sometimes refer to as "the general epistles." We'll offer more insight into that collection in our Week Fifty-One teaching video. This week, meanwhile, we focus particular attention on the first of those general epistles: the letter to the Hebrews.
We noted last week that behind every letter is a story. Letters, after all, occur within the context of some sort of relationship, and the letters of Paul that we read this week are truly lovely in this regard. Timothy, Titus, and Philemon are all like spiritual sons to Paul, as is the slave Onesimus, about whom Paul writes to Philemon. These are very relational books, therefore.
In the case of Timothy and Titus, Paul is writing to younger men whom he has left behind to provide spiritual leadership for the churches in Ephesus and Crete, respectively. 2 Timothy in particular is widely regarded as the latest of Paul's letters -- perhaps the last thing he wrote before he was executed. And we sense that background story in his poignant plea, "Please do your best to come before winter."
Finally, as this year winds down, we'd like to solicit your help in preparing for next year. You'll find here a page where you can submit your feedback about your own experience with The 3x5 Club. That input will be invaluable as we prepare to make the coming year even better the past year!
Thank you!
Welcome to Week Fifty!
This week we conclude our reading of the letters of Paul and begin to read those letters that we sometimes refer to as "the general epistles." We'll offer more insight into that collection in our Week Fifty-One teaching video. This week, meanwhile, we focus particular attention on the first of those general epistles: the letter to the Hebrews.
We noted last week that behind every letter is a story. Letters, after all, occur within the context of some sort of relationship, and the letters of Paul that we read this week are truly lovely in this regard. Timothy, Titus, and Philemon are all like spiritual sons to Paul, as is the slave Onesimus, about whom Paul writes to Philemon. These are very relational books, therefore.
In the case of Timothy and Titus, Paul is writing to younger men whom he has left behind to provide spiritual leadership for the churches in Ephesus and Crete, respectively. 2 Timothy in particular is widely regarded as the latest of Paul's letters -- perhaps the last thing he wrote before he was executed. And we sense that background story in his poignant plea, "Please do your best to come before winter."
Finally, as this year winds down, we'd like to solicit your help in preparing for next year. You'll find here a page where you can submit your feedback about your own experience with The 3x5 Club. That input will be invaluable as we prepare to make the coming year even better the past year!
Thank you!
Welcome to The 2013 3x5 Club!
During the year ahead, we will walk through the pages of Scripture together. It will be a one-year investment that will pay dividends for the rest of your life. And you will find that the daily habit you establish during this year will continue to be your pattern even after this journey is complete.
This welcome page will always feature The 3x5 Club calendar (below) so that you can easily track your daily reading.
Your next stop is the Links and Resources page. There you will find access to an assortment of helpful resources beyond our site, as well as the weekly resources provided especially for 3x5 Club members.
Meanwhile, if questions occur to you as you read, you are invited to submit those on our Questions page. We'll select the most common and most important ones to discuss on our FAQ Blog together.
Finally, check out the Tips page to find the tools and encouragment you need in order to keep up your daily discipline and to reach your destination in the end!
During the year ahead, we will walk through the pages of Scripture together. It will be a one-year investment that will pay dividends for the rest of your life. And you will find that the daily habit you establish during this year will continue to be your pattern even after this journey is complete.
This welcome page will always feature The 3x5 Club calendar (below) so that you can easily track your daily reading.
Your next stop is the Links and Resources page. There you will find access to an assortment of helpful resources beyond our site, as well as the weekly resources provided especially for 3x5 Club members.
Meanwhile, if questions occur to you as you read, you are invited to submit those on our Questions page. We'll select the most common and most important ones to discuss on our FAQ Blog together.
Finally, check out the Tips page to find the tools and encouragment you need in order to keep up your daily discipline and to reach your destination in the end!