Journey. Life-Transforming Conversations with God. Sample

Transcription

1 Journey Life-Transforming Conversations with God

2 Our mission is to equip and encourage others to see the world through God s eyes and live according to that knowledge. We are passionate about the Bible. While serving eight years in Siberia and Moscow in Bible translation, we saw firsthand that God s Word is the only hope for true life. Our heart s desire is that someday soon all people would be able to read of God s love in their own language. And so we help support Bible translation through partners such as God s Word for the Nations (gwftn.org). Because the Bible is the foundation of all wisdom, we have developed a complete homeschool and Christian school curriculum, My Father s World. Designed for preschool through high school, it combines biblical wisdom, classical education, Charlotte Mason s ideas, and an international focus with sound educational principles (mfwbooks.com). Our team is excited to provide Journey so that you can grow in knowing God. Let the adventure begin... as you enjoy daily lifetransforming conversations with the One who loves you most. For the King and His Kingdom, Marie and the Journey team Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Copyright 2017 by My Father s World, Inc. Printed in the United States. All rights reserved for all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of My Father s World, Inc. Published by My Father s World PO Box 2140, Rolla, MO (573) August 2018

3 Do you want to know God better? be consistent in Bible reading? understand the big story of the Bible? learn to enjoy conversations with God through prayer? Then join us on Journey a practical, doable Bible reading plan with daily Bible readings and fascinating, informative videos. First read our three-part introduction at journeyeveryday.com. (If Internet access is not available, read the introduction reprinted on the next few pages of this journal.) Then visit us each day at journeyeveryday.com/journey-posts. Bookmark the site, and follow the reading schedule for the week. You won t begin in Genesis; join us at the week all of us are reading together. We ll cycle back to Genesis when we finish Revelation. After 18 months you will have completed the entire Bible. You ll join a community of people reading through the Bible every day as you learn how to enjoy life-transforming conversations with God Journeyeveryday.com

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5 #1 Begin Here: Spiritual Growth This three-part introduction is also online at journeyeveryday.com. Do you ever get a longing deep down inside to know God better? What would a life-transforming journey of spiritual growth look like? A Christian organization, Back to the Bible, did extensive research to determine the answer to an important question: How do we connect with God and grow? They discovered that whether someone is growing depends on one factor: Not church attendance. Not joining a small group. Those are good things, but they aren t the key. People who are growing spiritually engage the Bible four or more times a week. They consistently do three things: read or listen to the Bible reflect on it respond in some way Bible engagement four or more times a week is the key to growth. But how can we be consistent? We ve got a plan for you Journey: Life-Transforming Conversations with God. If you ve read this far, we re pretty sure you want to know God better. We ll help you consistently engage with the Bible and encourage you as you grow in your relationship with God. Journey is a practical, doable daily Bible reading plan. But it s more than that. It s about relationship a way to know God better. In 20 minutes a day, you ll read and listen to the Bible and learn to enjoy life-transforming conversations with Him. We ll help you, step-by-step. This three-part introduction will familiarize you with our methods.

6 #2 Make a Plan We often feel pulled in every direction. Overwhelmed. Too busy! I know you have much to do. Martin Luther said, I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer. I m not suggesting three hours! But what if we say, I have so much to do that I will spend the first 20 minutes alone with God. It s worth finding a time each day to sit with God and listen so you can meet the day s challenges with wisdom and peace. If you re ready, we have a plan that will engage you with the Bible every day. Journey: Lifetransforming Conversations with God can help you connect with God. Why not invite one or more friends to Journey with you? Traveling companions are great for accountability and our need for community. How about meeting for coffee each week sharing insights, favorite passages from the week, cares, prayers, and encouragement. Even if you re doing this alone, you re not really alone because you ve got all of us who are on this journey together. You will need a Bible to underline or highlight. The links on journeyeveryday.com use the NIV (New International Version) Bible, but you can change them to your preferred version. Here s your first assignment: Make a plan. Decide when and where you will do Journey 20 minutes a day. You will need access to the Internet via your computer or cell phone. Now make a back-up plan. What if your ideal time or location doesn t work? How can you make Journey work in your life situation? Is lunch or before bed a workable backup time? You might decide to engage in Journey first every day before other social media.

7 #3 How Journey Works Why Journey? Because you want to know God better. Reading, reflecting on, and responding to God s Word is the key to spiritual growth. In Journey, God speaks to you as you read His Word. And you speak to Him as you journal your thoughts. He loves to hear your thoughts, your opinions, your joy, and your pain. Because we include helps! Let s be honest. Reading the Bible isn t easy. You may have even tried before. But like most of us, after a few weeks, you found out it was tough to be consistent. And how do you stay on track in such a huge endeavor? Here s what we ve included to help: insightful short videos to explain those confusing Old Testament books and help you see the Bible as one connected story daily scheduled readings with audio links listen while reading from your own Bible weekly journaling sheets to keep you on track practical help in learning to talk with God (journaling your prayers) This isn t just a checkbox daily Bible reading plan. We re not just completing a reading assignment! This is about a relationship. You ll spend time every day with the One who loves you best, learning how to have real conversations with Him. Journey alternates between Old Testament and New Testament books, usually reading an entire book in sequence. The Old Testament books are scheduled in chronological, historical order. For example, we read about a king, and then read the prophets that were speaking at the same time. New Testament books are interspersed throughout the program so you don t have to wait until the last few months, reading all the New Testament in one big chunk. The four accounts about Jesus Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are spread throughout Journey. Weekends are lighter, providing reading from Psalms or Proverbs. Every 18 months we complete the entire Bible and begin again.

8 Here s what you ll do every day: What s the Daily Plan? 1. Listen/read/underline: Listen to the audio version (we link to a free internet version) while reading from your Bible. You ll be surprised how much more you understand and retain by combining reading and hearing. As you read, underline words that especially speak to you. Be an active listener and don t let your mind wander. The sections you underline will help you formulate your thoughts later. Don t get lost in every little detail, and don t expect to remember or understand everything. Listen for the story, the big picture, and what it tells you about God s character. 2. Journal: The Bible is God s part of the conversation. He is speaking to you. Then it s your turn. You ll write your side of the conversation, your thoughts to God, using the journal page we provide. Prayer is not a formula or something complicated. It s talking with God. Don t try to make it sound profound or perfect. Be you that s who God wants to talk with the real you. Ready to begin? We ve got two things for you to do today. Learn about journaling your conversations: You might wonder what to write in your journal, in your conversation with God. I often use His words from that day s reading. It s really powerful. Watch this video ( for a five-minute example of praying the Bible. Don t worry; your prayers don t need to be this long! Try a sample day listen/read/underline and journal: After the video, find a pen and your Bible. Go to biblegateway.com and use the top search bars to find Psalm 23, NIV. Then click on the audio icon near the top of the passage. Read Psalm 23 from your own Bible while listening to the audio link, marking words that speak to you. Then in the space on the next page, journal your thoughts to God using words and concepts from Psalm 23.

9 Psalm 23 Now What? Visit us each day at journeyeveryday.com/journey-posts. Bookmark the site, and follow the reading schedule for the week. You won t begin in Genesis; join us at the week all of us are reading together. We ll cycle back to Genesis when we finish Revelation. After 18 months you will have completed the entire Bible. Plan to use the two-step method each day: Listen/read/underline and then journal your conversation with God. At journeyeveryday.com, you ll find audio links set to NIV. After you click on the link, change versions if needed to match what you are reading. Since you ll usually read more than one chapter, check Continuous play and leave it checked. More questions? See our FAQ at journeyeveryday.com.

10 Monday Tuesday Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1 Genesis 1-2 Genesis 3-5 Wednesday Genesis 6-8

11 Thursday Genesis 9-11 Friday Saturday Sunday Luke 1 Psalm 23 Psalm 8 1

12 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

13 Overcoming Adam and Eve were created to walk in the Garden of Eden with their Creator. Instead, they traded that right for a piece of fruit! They questioned God s authority over them. They questioned God s wisdom. And they listened to God s enemy the serpent, Satan. Eve listened and even conversed with him as he craftily encouraged her to doubt both God s Word and His character: Did God really say ; You will not surely die (Genesis 3:1,3). We face the same challenge every day. Our enemy, the serpent, whispers to our mind thoughts that lead us away from God s truth: I m a failure ; I have a right to be angry. But we have a Rescuer, a Redeemer. When He was on earth, He also battled the serpent, who tried to lure Him away from His eternal destiny. Jesus shows us how to win this battle. He doesn t open the door by thinking on the enemy s suggestions. Instead, He boldly uses the Word of God: Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. (Matthew 4:10b). The result was the devil left him (Matthew 4:11a). You will face the enemy. He is relentless. But God has made a way to win, by using the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17b). Whatever your challenge today, I encourage you to actively hold on to God s truth by using God s Word. Refuse to listen to the lies and half-truths of the enemy. Refuse to doubt God s character: God is good! Find a verse that speaks God s truth to a battle you are facing today. Write it on a card and tape it on your mirror or fridge. Then use your sword of the Spirit. Repeat the verse and think about it often, filling your mind with God s truth about your situation. You might use Jeremiah 29:11, spoken when God s people were in seemingly hopeless, forgotten circumstances. This verse affirms God s good, loving character.

14 Monday Tuesday The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15 Wednesday Luke 2 Luke 3-4 Luke 5-6

15 Thursday Luke 7-8 Friday Saturday Sunday Luke 9-10 Psalm 1 Psalms 4-5 2

16 Monday Tuesday Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom. Luke 12:32 Luke 11 Luke Wednesday Luke 14-16

17 Thursday Luke Friday Saturday Sunday Luke Psalms 6-7 Psalm 9 3