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 1-3 John

Who Wrote the Books of 1-3 John?

Christian tradition holds that an anonymous author wrote 1 John, but 2 and 3 John were written by someone called “the Elder.”

Who was the Book of 1-3 John written for?

These letters appear to have all been written to Christians throughout Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

Context

The events described in 1-3 John take place in the city of Ephesus. 1-3 John were likely composed between 64 and 66 C.E. The author writes these letters as a way of instruction but also appears to speak directly to Gnosticism's rise in popularity and warn against its dangers.

Literary Styles

The books of 1-3 John are letters written in prose discourse.

Key Themes

1. God’s light and love
2. Righteousness by loving our neighbors
3. Jesus as truth

Structure

1 John challenges followers of Jesus to stay true to what they already believe. 2 John is a warning to a specific house church. And 3 John is written to Gaius, one member of a house church.

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Some Context on Jude

Who Wrote the Book of Jude?

Christian tradition holds that Jude (Judah), one of the four brothers of Jesus, wrote the Book of Jude.

Who was the Book of Jude written for?

The letter is addressed "to those who are called" (Jde 1:1) without any specific designation as to who they were or where they lived. The references to Old Testament incidents and extra-biblical sources (cf. Jde 1:5-7,9,11,14) strongly suggest that the original readers were Jewish Christians, perhaps living in Palestine.

Context

The events described in Jude take place primarily in the occupied lands of the Greco-Roman empire, but a specific community or city is not mentioned. Jude was likely composed between 63 and 67 C.E. The author’s original purpose in penning this epistle was to write of the common salvation he and his readers shared (Jde 1:3). But the presence of ungodly men and the danger of them leading Christians astray forced a change in purpose: To encourage his readers to contend earnestly for the faith that had been delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).

Literary Styles

The Book of Jude is a letter written in prose discourse.

Key Themes

1. God’s justice and judgment
2. Jesus as the new temple
3. Loving God through obedience

Structure

Jude can be divided into three parts. Verses 1-4 challenge the community to resist corrupt teachers. Verses 5-19 provide examples of resistance to God. And verses 20-25 are a reminder of God’s call for obedience in love.