Abide | 6 Months in the New Testament - Daily Readings From the Bible Sample

Prayer

You’ll take a few minutes to read through today’s passages in just a moment. Before you do, start with a simple prayer like this:

“God, I invite you into this moment and ask that you open my heart to Your Word. Help me to know you deeply through it, and let your truth transform my heart, mind, and soul today.”

Once you finish your reading, take a few moments to walk through P.R.A.Y.

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P - PAUSE to be still. Meditate on what you’ve just read, allowing it to sink in.

R - REFLECT on Scripture. What was God saying to you today through His Word? Speak aloud a verse to remember, and maybe even write it down.

A - ASK for God’s help. The challenge is to be with Jesus and become more like Him. How does today’s Word challenge you to do that?

Y - YIELD to His will in your life. God lovingly invites you into His beautiful plan for you, His church, and the world. Take up His invitation to live differently; understanding His plan is beyond anything we could ask or imagine.

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Some Context on Acts

Who Wrote the Book of Acts?

Christian tradition holds that this book, also called the Acts of the Apostles, was written by the physician and historian named Luke.

Who was the Book of Acts written for?

Just like the gospel of Luke, Acts is addressed to Theophilus. The purpose of Luke-Acts may be ecclesiastical or apologetic. For ecclesiastical purposes, it may have been written in order to edify the church, serving as a history of both Jesus and his apostles. Or apologetically, it may have been composed to make the case that Christianity was not a threat to the Roman Empire; more specifically, it seems that it could have been Paul's defense before Caesar.

Context

The events described in Acts take place in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the surrounding occupied lands of the Greco-Roman empire as well as Asia Minor during the 1st century between 30-60 CE. Acts was likely composed between 60 and 90 C.E.

Literary Styles

The book of Acts is written in narrative.

Key Themes

• The power of the Holy Spirit given to human beings
• Jesus’ ongoing mission to Israel and the nations after his departure
• The self-giving faithfulness of the early Church

Structure

Acts is divided into five parts. Acts 1 details Jesus’ commission. 2-7 focus on the arrival of the Spirit and birth of the Church. 8-12 describe life within the Jesus movement. 13-20 recount the mission of the Church. And 21-28 ends with Paul’s arrest.

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Some Context on Romans

Who Wrote the Book of Romans?

Christian tradition holds that the Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Romans.

Who was the Book of Romans written for?

The apostle identifies his recipients in 1:7 by saying: To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints. His intent was for the Christians in all of Rome to read the epistle. It also seems that there were multiple churches in the Empire's capital because there is mention of an additional church in the home of Priscilla and Aquila (Rom 16:5).

Context

The events described in Romans take place primarily in the Greco-Roman empire. Romans was likely composed during Paul’s third missionary journey between 50 and 60 C.E.

Literary Styles

The Book of Romans is a letter written in prose discourse to approximately 6-10 house churches in Rome.

Key Themes

1. God’s gift of rescuing humanity through Jesus
2. God maintaining his promises to Israel
3. Love unifying the diversity of the Church

Structure

Romans has four main parts. Chapters 1-4 introduce the need for human rescue. 5-8 focus on how Jesus forms a new covenant family. 9-11 describes how God will not give up on his covenant people. And 12-16 discuss how love heals and unifies Jesus’ family.