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 Titus

Who Wrote the Book of Titus?

Christian tradition holds that the Apostle Paul wrote the letter to Titus.

Who was the Book of Titus written for?

This letter was written to a man named Titus, who, like Timothy, was considered a son by Paul in the faith. There is no mention of Titus by name in the book of Acts, but we can glean much about him from the epistles of Paul. He was a Gentile by birth (Ga 2:3) and accompanied Paul to Jerusalem during the controversy over circumcision (Ac 15:1-2; Ga 2:1-5) before eventually becoming Paul’s official emissary to the church in Corinth.

Context

The events described in Titus take place on the island of Crete. Titus was likely composed between 64 and 68 C.E. Like his first epistle to Timothy, this letter is written to a young preacher assigned a difficult task. Evidently, the churches on the island of Crete were in need of maturation, and this letter is designed to assist Titus in that work.

Literary Styles

The book of Titus is a letter written in prose discourse to a pastor named Titus.

Key Themes

1. Jesus as eternal hope
2. The power of the Gospel in public life
3. The upside-down value of generosity

Structure

Titus can be divided into three parts. Chapter 1 instructs Titus with his responsibilities in the church. Chapter 2 focuses on guidance in public life for followers of Jesus. Chapter 3 is a reminder that Jesus provided a way for new creation.

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Some Context on Philemon

Who Wrote the Book of Philemon?

Christian tradition holds that the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philemon.

Who was the Book of Philemon written for?

This letter is written to Philemon, who was a member of the church at Colosse.

Context

The events described in Philemon take place in Asia Minor, close to Ephesus or Caesarea Philippi. Philemon was likely composed while Paul was in custody in Rome between 60 and 64 C.E. From the content of the epistle, it appears that Paul was writing primarily to secure forgiveness for Onesimus but also to provide for himself a place of lodging after his release from imprisonment.

Literary Styles

The Book of Philemon is a letter written in prose discourse from Paul to Philemon.

Key Themes

1. Equality between followers of Jesus
2. The gift of God’s love and grace
3. Slavery and Jesus’ new humanity

Structure

Philemon can be divided into three parts. Verses 1-7 open with a prayer of thanks. Verses 8-20 are a request of forgiveness and restoration for Onesimus, an enslaved person. Verses 1:21-25 include encouragements and greetings.