BIBLE READINGS FOR OCTOBER - HEBREWS, TITUS, TIMOTHY, JOHN

1^st October Hebrews 5:11-6:20

Faith and patience together lead us to the inheritance Christ has won for us. Faith does not give up either through despair or through apathy. Your hope in Christ is the anchor for your soul to keep you moored in God’s very presence. He is closer to you than you may think.

2^nd October Hebrews 7

Melchizedek was a Canaanite believer. The Canaanites once knew the Lord, but turned from Him. (cf- Romans 1:19-21) Melchizedek’s priesthood represents a higher priesthood than the Aaronic one. Jesus is a High Priest of the order or class of Melchizedek – this sort of priest alone will meet your needs!

3^rd October Hebrews 8

A lot of this chapter is a quote from Jeremiah 31. The theme is the new covenant. Jesus spoke about the Lord’s Supper in terms of the new covenant that was available to you and me through Him. Jesus’ place of priestly service is in heaven where God’s true tabernacle is.

4^th October Hebrews 9:1-14

Jerusalem Above (original) and Jerusalem Below (copy): Temple Above (original) and Temple Below (copy). With art, the original is prized rather than the copy. We should prize the work of Jesus in the Temple Above – this is the original salvation or religion!

5^th October Hebrews 9:15-28

The Law of Moses teaches us about the ministry of Jesus as our Messiah; about what He was to do. It helps us understand why it had to be that way. Reflect on verses 27,28.

6^th October Hebrews 10:1-18

Original – copy, reality – shadow, these are useful categories for understanding the good news of Jesus Christ. Why is it wrong to punish ourselves or our bodies for sin? (Think about what such practice says about Christ’s sacrifice.) Rather than punishment, what does the Gospel require us to do?

7^th October Hebrews 10:19-39

Faithfulness to Christ leads inexorably to your responsibility to your neighbour. Verses 23-25 should be learnt by heart. Verse 30 is a good motto for any family or church!

8^th October Hebrews 11:1-16

Verse 6 is a verse I was encouraged to learn off by heart as a young person. Saving faith is when we trust God and His promises in both Testaments. Such faith is evidenced by our practice of that faith – when we conduct ourselves and our relationships according to God’s ways.

9^th October Hebrews 11:17-40

All these heroes of faith are mentioned for you and me to find out about. The stories of their faithfulness will help your faithfulness. Find out about one of them. Look up a name in a concordance to the Bible.

10^th October Hebrews 12:1-17

When you face much opposition to your faith, there is someone whose life we should always turn to and consider – Christ’s. (v.2,3) A time of reflection on His life every day will strengthen you emotionally, spiritually and in every other way. This is the fount of living peacefully with others, the fount to a holy life – the good life.

11^th October Hebrews 12:18-13:6

Mount Sinai is the mountain that God’s people were not to touch. Mount Zion Above is the mountain that you should touch. It is only with Christ and His Gospel that all peoples will find God, will find their true home. Verses 12:28,29 are worthy of your deep thought.

12^th October Hebrews 13:7-25

The only worthwhile religion fits you to eat of that Altar Above. Worthwhile religion will strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, help you to be a peacemaker in your family and church, and a Gospel blessing to church leaders. Take this prayer (v.20,21) as your model in your prayers for family and congregation.

13^th October Titus 1:1-2:8

The hope of eternal life! Hope is the sure expectation of a good outcome. This hope is not a pipe dream because it is founded on two facts. They are in verse 2. How can we apply Paul’s words to older and younger men and women today?

14^th October Titus 2:9-3:15

Chapter 3 contains much valuable advice for practical Christian living. Genuine practice and not hypocrisy should be our hallmark as Christians.

15^th October 1 Timothy 1

Paul writes to strengthen and encourage the young Timothy. What areas did Timothy need to be strengthened and encouraged in? Why has God shown you mercy? (v.16)

16^th October 1 Timothy 2

Why would Paul single out these concerns for both men and women – prayer without anger or fighting for men; and modesty with behaviour appropriate to their profession of faith for women?

17^th October 1 Timothy 3

What should you pray for your elders? This list is of the characteristics an elder should have. Use this list to pray for your elders and the other list for members of your Committee of Management.

18^th October 1 Timothy 4

Paul gives much good advice to young Timothy. What might apply to your life? Bring some of his suggestions up to date – what groups today have taboos on Christian marriage and foods? (Think of groups opposed to Christian marriage and those who are obsessive about particular foods.)

19^th October 1 Timothy 5

Find some good pointers on cultivating relationships in today’s reading. Who will you apply them to?

20^th October 1 Timothy 6

Material possessions are not wrong in themselves. Our problem comes with our attitudes and desires. What reasons does Paul give for the stupidity of loving money? Look at the guidelines given for those with possessions. How will you practice them?

21^st October 2 Timothy 1

Gospel doctrine is the pattern for sound teaching. Teaching must be allied with faith in and love for the Lord. Why? What verse speaks to your heart today?

22^nd October 2 Timothy 2

Verse 2 is Paul’s recipe for spiritual reproduction – teach reliable disciples so that they, in turn, can teach a new generation of reliable disciples, who in their turn can repeat the teaching. Pray for each other that we might be such disciples.

23^rd October 2 Timothy 3

When society gets bad, take some time to consider the lessons of the Apostle Paul’s life. What is his key to faithfulness and perseverance? Look at verses 16,17.

24^th October 2 Timothy 4

The opening verses form the basis of a good prayer to pray for every minister. Do you feel like Paul at times – deserted? Write to someone and encourage him or her. Take Paul’s example.

25^th October John 1:1-18

It has been common for 2,000 years for Christians to learn these 18 verses off by heart. They are a great treasure trove of knowledge about Jesus Christ. Meditate on one verse that stands out in your mind today.

26^th October John 1:19-51

John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus gave Jesus His first disciples. Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. Who should you bring? First, bring that one to God in prayer today.

27^th October John 2:1-22

These two incidents set the scene for the whole of Jesus’ ministry. As Jesus began, so He will finish. Hence the Bible finishes with a wedding feast and a cleansed temple in Revelation.

28^th October John 2:23-3:21

Nicodemus is someone who would not commit himself while Jesus was alive. Is there anyone you might write off as a waste of time, because of his or her continued equivocation and refusal to commit to Christ? Don’t! There are some memorable and precious words spoken by Jesus today.

29^th October John 3:22-36

John the Baptist honours his cousin Jesus as the bridegroom. What does this tell you about Jesus? Read carefully again verses 35 and 36. If this is true, what then?

30^th October John 4:1-30

Jesus says some of His most wonderful words to women. Consider verse 24. This says a lot about who God is and who we are. What does it mean for you in your church to worship in spirit and in truth?

31^st October John 4:31-54

Jesus tells us what He is truly about – see verse 34. Can you also aver with the Samaritans this man really is the Saviour of the world? The royal official took Jesus at His word (v.49). Pray for those on our congregation’s periphery that they too might take Jesus at His word!