Challenge #1

Read Scripture
 for 30 Minutes Each Day
 
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, scripture records that:
                “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
As we discussed at the first Saturday morning gathering at Mt Hope, we know that it is through our struggles that we grow.  It is by being challenged that we confront our weaknesses and work toward becoming stronger.  In this case, we are focused on becoming stronger men of God.  Scripture is full of blessings and encouragement as well as commands and warnings.  So, let’s not shy away from the more difficult passages, the ones that perhaps make us feel a little uncomfortable.
Jesus taught things that were challenging and uncomfortable and so did the apostles as they established the first churches.  My encouragement to you is to highlight and take special care to stop and think about those passages.  Sometimes, a single verse may seem weighty.  “How can anyone obey that command?” or perhaps “that verse doesn’t apply to me.”  Whatever you read in scripture, particularly in the New Testament, I challenge you to anticipate the harder things.  Be on the lookout for them.  Then pray about it.  Meditate on it.  Discuss those passages with your challenge group.
Below is a list of New Testament Books to read, although it is not necessarily a complete and comprehensive list, it will help point you to the parts that will certainly challenge you.
Recommended Reading:
 

• Gospel of Matthew
• Book of Acts
• Romans
• 1 & 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• James
• 1 John
• 1 Peter
• Revelation (Ch 1,2,3)
• Proverbs

 
Tips & Helpful Advice:

• Try to find a quiet place or create a quiet environment to read.
• Turn off or silence your phone.  Let others around you know that you need this quiet time with God in scripture.
• Pray before you open your bible.  Ask God to reveal his truths not only in your mind, but also in your heart.
• Be open-minded, open-hearted to receive the truth.
• Highlight verses or passages that stand out and take notes, if you can, for later discussion with your challenge group.
• Don’t read too much at one time.  Often, just a single chapter contains more than we can digest.  Re-read, stop, think about how that passage could apply to you.
• Write down your thoughts about what you’ve read.

Don’t think of your time in Scripture as a homework assignment or a chore that needs to be completed.  Try to think of it as seeking an encounter with God.  He speaks to us through his word!
Well, that’s it in a nutshell.  The most difficult part of this challenge is setting aside the time to do it.  One way to begin getting in the habit of reading your bible is to carry your bible with you everywhere you go – just like your wallet or cellphone.
Powerful Quotes:
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  (Jeremiah 29:13)

“For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

“Some people like to read so many Bible chapters every day.  I would not dissuade them from the practice, but I would rather lay my soul soak in half a dozen verses all day than rinse my hand in several chapters.  Oh, to be bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let it be sucked up in your very soul, till it saturates your heart!”  (Charles Spurgeon)
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“If you are ignorant of God’s Word, you will always be ignorant of God’s will.”         (Billy Graham)