Who is Jesus? What was it like to follow in his footsteps? What was his message? To whom was it given? Who believed? What is the connection between the narrative and prophecy of the Old Testament and the gospel (good news) of the New Testament?
The New Testament, twenty-seven books written in Greek between AD 50 and 100, reveals the fulfillment of the Old Testament’s promise of a savior—Jesus. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John use eye-witness accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament’s promise of the one who would save us from sin and death. And the rest of the New Testament chronicles the spread of Christianity in the first-century world. Together, the Gospels and letters of the New Testament offer wisdom and hope for Christ-followers living in a broken world. And that hope will be fully realized when Jesus returns, as promised in the final book of Revelation.
The ministry of Jesus isn’t just something to be observed. There is a call to action found throughout the New Testament. Jesus called his followers to go into the all the world, making disciples (Matthew 28:19–20). The book of Acts records those first missionary journeys and church plants. Led by Paul and Peter, the earliest believers in Jesus as Messiah set out to share the good news of salvation and to equip local groups of Christians with truth for living transformed by Jesus.
And so, the church was born.
As we know well, throwing off the sin that so easily entangles us and running with Jesus is hard. We get tripped up by tradition. Beset by bad habits. Discouraged by doubts. Caught up in comparison. Worn down by worldliness. And the early church did too; we see it played out all through the New Testament.
Paul and the first evangelists didn’t just covert Christians and move on. They continued to equip and encourage. The letters that follow the Gospels were written to specific groups of Christ-followers within the first hundred years after Jesus’s life and resurrection. In them, we see that the Christian life is only successfully lived when it is empowered by the Holy Spirit and lived within the context of community. In these letters, we find the answers to questions we should never stop asking. What is church life supposed to look like? How are we supposed to engage with unbelievers? How do we admonish the wayward brother or sister in Christ? In what do we place our hope? What awaits us in eternity?
The fulfillment of this last question is breathtakingly displayed in the Bible’s final book, Revelation. In it, God promises that one day there will be no more sin and sorrow, only light and life—Revelation gives us the hope we need to press on.
Pray!! before, during and after being in His word
To be more mindful and apply what I am reading to my everyday lift, rather than just checking off the box "have I read my Bible today?". I think I will try journaling. I have not done that before but I find if I write something down I have more of a chance of using it, remembering it.
I want to read the bible most days and I want to join a bible study when the pandemic is over. I feel that my spiritual growth will be the strongest when I am reading, studying and learning alongside others.
I need to set time aside daily, in a quiet place, clear my mind. Start with prayer asking God to open His Words to me so I can understand what He is teaching me.
I think using the three steps of Inductive study will help me. Journaling would increase my understanding and help me take time to reflect on what I read. Also writing it helps me remember and apply it to my life. Most I need to allow time, be still to listen to the Holy Spirit.
Joining with others in Bible study groups.
Setting aside a time everyday to talk with Gid and read, journaling, and praying that God helps me understand what I am reading.
By starting my day with God’s Word, understanding and learning how to apply His Word to my life and to be obedient.
I can become more devoted to spending time reading so that I can apply daily. I can also begin to spend more quality time with God so that I can create and build a closer relationship with him.
I need to think on these things regularly, not just when I first read them. I need to meditate, ask the Holy Spirit for direction and help, I need to be in prayer and confession. I believe this helps me grow in spiritual maturity. I do not do this enough.
"Christian life is only successfully lived when it is empowered by the Holy Spirit and lived within the context of community." Constant reflection and pray for the guidance of God through the Holy Spirit is essential. To make it in a practical way, I should write a devotional journal on God’s word everyday.
Dedicating adequate time to dive into the Word and really try to understand it; asking God for help when I don’t understand something; finding ways I can apply scripture to my life; reading books like "How to Pray" and "Experiencing the Spirit" that can teach me ways to talk to God and hear/feel Him with me.