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Daily devotionals are a good introduction, helping to explain the main of ideas of the text without getting overly technical. As devotionals, they aim to enrich our relationship with God rather than turn us into academics!
The latter collection of letters in the New Testament were written by apostles such as Peter and John, as well as two of Jesus’ half brothers, James and Jude. Each epistle clearly displays the challenges faced by the fledgling Christian church in the last quarter of the 1st century. Scattered across the Roman Empire, the churches faced persecution from both the Jews and the Roman authorities.
They were infiltrated and attacked by false teachers. Doubtless, they also encountered personal struggles requiring endurance and perseverance. And yet, through them, the kingdom of God grew and the gospel message changed lives from Alexandria around to Rome, and beyond. Each of the following passages reveal something of the concerns, pressures and problems facing the first Christians. For each passage, make some notes in your journal that ‘shed light on the scene’ of daily life in the churches at the latter end of the 1st century.
The Christians of Jerusalem were under great pressure to return to the ways of Judaism, with a full adherence to the Law of Moses and the life of the Temple. The writer of Hebrews writes a series of sermons to demonstrate that Jesus is superior to all that has come before him and has superseded the shadows of the Old Testament forms and ways of worship.
The key theme that launches Hebrews is ‘revelation’: God communicating himself and his ways to humanity. How has God revealed himself? In the past he has spoken through the prophets. But now, climactically and finally, God has spoken to humanity by his Son. Of course, there are differing kinds of revelation— some clearer than others. God spoke to the Old Testament generations of faith in various ways; like a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes coming in and out of focus. Prophets and poets, judges and kings; and in the minds of the traditional Jews of Jerusalem, supremely, through the Law of Moses.
But now, in the clearest revelation possible for the invisible God: the Son has come to us as the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of the divine being. Jesus is a clearer, better, and ultimately the culmination of all of God’s revelation of himself. Although the law, said to have been mediated to Moses by Angels on top of Mount Sinai, reveals God— Jesus is superior to those angels and the Law they ‘mediated’ to Moses.
For reflection: What are the many-faceted ways in which God had revealed himself before the coming of Jesus? What makes Jesus’ revelation of God superior over all that came before?
The High Priest, the tent tabernacle and ‘Ark of the Covenant’, prescribed in such detail in the second half of the book of Exodus, serve as an illustration for the present time. They tell us something about Jesus Christ and his work completed through his cross and resurrection. And yet, the reality of Jesus’ ministry surpassed the merely human forms and shadows in place throughout the Old Testament— he entered the Heavenly Realities to make atonement for us, as the mediator of a new covenant.
For reflection: What do the earthly shadows of priest and tabernacle tell us about the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf?
The Christian life is lived in the midst of all kinds of challenges— which are to be counted ‘all joy’. Indeed, there is great blessing in persevering under trial. But Christian faith that does not engage with the practical world of poverty, injustice and need is hard to verify. True religion expresses itself in care for the vulnerable, holy living, love and compassionate charity.
For reflection: Which of your actions and activities would get you convicted on the charge of ‘being a Christian’? How does your faith in Jesus make you a different person?
The apostle Peter, near to death, writes to encourage and affirm Christians who are tempted to waiver in their faith. He assures them of the veracity and reliability of the gospel they have received and encourages them to remain anchored in the scriptures– both the Old Testament and the writings of the apostles now circulating among the churches (see 2 Peter 3:15-16).
The ageing apostle John writes to ‘the lady chosen by God’. There is conjecture as to whether this recipient is a church (using the feminine pronoun) or whether it is an individual. Either way, John’s concerns for her ‘children’ reflect the challenges of living in 1st Century society as a Christian.
The second of Jesus’ half-brothers whose letter has been preserved in scripture (the other is James) writes to contend for the faith that was ‘once for all’ entrusted to God’s holy people. False teacher are arising and trying ruin the faith of many. In response, readers are to remember the teachings of the apostles, to pray, and to wait patiently for the return of the Lord Jesus.
Two Rugby League fans are talking in Brisbane, Australia. One says, “The Roosters slayed the Dragons and the Storm demolished the Green Machine.” The other replies, “Yes, and the Skinny Coach and Big Mal squashed the Cockroaches.” Both nod their sage approval, fully understanding their conversation— and yet, to the uninitiated, they seem to be talking about some kind of fairytale.
The picture language of the book of Revelation (apocalyptic literature) seems very strange to us, and yet the forms and cultural references within it were commonly understood among the Christian churches spread across modern Turkey and Syria. But to the Romans persecuting these Christians, John’s visions recorded in the apocalyptic style would be difficult to follow. And yet, through this picture language God gave his people encouragement and hope to persevere.
For reflection: How is Jesus presented to the reader of Revelation? What encouragement might this presentation of Jesus give to the Christians in the province of Asia?
The life of the Christian was to be infused with prayer, meditation on scripture, and fellowship. During the early centuries of the Christian church, while the canon of the New Testament was still being formed, the Psalms continued to be a place of spiritual formation as Christians mediated on them, prayed them and sung them in worship settings. The identity and the role and the majesty of the Messiah continued to be revealed as Christians learned to live lives of faith in challenging times.
Our Growing Disciples ‘Read through the Bible in a Year’ plan immerses us in the book of Psalms during the month of December. Whether you have been following this strand or not throughout the year, take time to draw near to God through the varied expressions of worship, praise, faith, distress and hope given voice in the Psalms. Try to appropriate some of these as your own prayers.
For reflection: Which Psalms can be appropriated as Christian prayers, and which show the pathway of ‘spiritual formation,’ and yet, do not invite us to sit in the posture of the Psalmist?
Growth Exercises are practical exercises we can try to help us grow as disciples of Christ. They are split into exercises to focus on for the coming week.
Over the centuries the church has known there are many ways we can participate in God’s renewing of our minds. Prayer. Worship. Simplicity. Community. Reading scripture. This Growing Disciples program has intentionally focused on some of the postures and exercises that best assist that partnership with God. We treasure this renewal of the mind and the cultivation of our souls-- especially given the title wave of activity and distraction around us that often passes for discipleship. Our aim has been to turn our away from being addicted to, and obsessed with, the work of the kingdom-- with little to no idea how to be with the King.
Instead, the discipline of ‘doing less’, allows us to prioritise a little more time with the King of the kingdom. At the same time, we will have engaged in a form of discipleship that is life-changing: attentive to Jesus Christ as Lord, immersed in the whole counsel of Scripture, in prayer, and in intentional actions of joyful obedience.
The Growing Disciples program will continue next year with some new features and materials, along with the same resources available throughout this year. Your experience of the program will be greatly enriched if you do it with a friend, or group of friends, and then encourage one another with your own insights. One group recently held an afternoon ‘soiree’ where they shared their own journeys and stories from their time in Growing Disciples this year. Perhaps you could arrange a regular meeting with your friends to do the same?
It was Socrates who said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Whether you’ve been using it regularly or not, please take out the Journal you purchased at the beginning of the year. Take some time to read back over what you have written.
If you wish, review your Calendar/Schedule for the year, noting some of the more significant events that occurred. Open a new page in your Journal, and begin a new entry which begins, “2023 seems to have been the year when I learned to…”
Continuing your ‘examination’ of your year, this week in your journal, ask your self about the things that seem to have been important. Perhaps you learned many things (check back to last week’s journal entry), so now it is time is reflect upon them further. Of the many things you did and learned, which seem to have been most important? Why were they important?
Looking back on your year (as you have over the past two weeks in your journal), who might you have forgotten? You may not have forgotten their name, what they did or how they intersected your life, but have you remembered them-- in the active sense?
In your journal this week, note down a short list of people whom you want to particularly remember. You might remember them by praying for them, by phoning them, writing them a card, or even sending them a gift! Express your gratitude, your concern or your love; letting them know about the role they have played in your life this year.
Looking back on your year, as we have been in our journals this month, how has the Lord Jesus Christ impacted your life? What has changed? What has been unchanging?
How has he revealed himself to you personally through the year? ‘Remember’ the Lord Jesus, both in your Journal, and in your prayers this week.
The season of Advent culminates in the great feast of Christmas. This 5 week season is marked as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the ‘advent’ of Jesus Christ—literally, his ‘coming’. When reflecting on Christ’s ‘coming’ we look back to his first coming as the baby of Bethlehem and we look forward to his final coming as the Lord of all creation. Our prayers this month are therefore aimed at preparing ourselves for the Return of Jesus Christ. Below are 7 prayers for you to use throughout this Advent Season.
Father God, every word in scripture points to the gift of hope that we have in Christ Jesus. The old testament is full of glimpses of your plan to redeem your people and restore them into a relationship with you. Help us o truly begin to see and understand just how great your love for us is when we read the story of Jesus’ birth.
Help us to see that you are with us. Nothing is too difficult, too messy, or too dirty for you.
Thank you that Jesus came to give us the gift of eternal life that only you, our Heavenly Father, can give. Kindle that hope in us. Grow its roots deep in the first coming of Jesus that we would be ready for this second coming. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.
Lord, in a season when every heart seems to be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life. We know that tragedy arrives as innocent victims suffer, and an inner voice whispers, “Be afraid!” We need your peace, Jesus. We confess that our hearts are too often filled with wonder of a different kind: wondering when the bills will be paid, when the terror will stop, when rest will come. In a world where worry, not peace, prevails, stir up hope in the gospel again.
This Advent, make it real in our hearts. Your name is still called “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” and “The Prince of Peace.” You are no longer a babe in the manger. You are Lord of lords and King of kings. And we still celebrate You as Lord—this Christmas and always.
This third week of Advent, we remember that the good news of Jesus’ birth has the power to bring us great joy this Christmas season. Our joy isn’t dependent on what is going on in our life, in our world, or the people that we are with. Lord, we know that no earthly thing can ever give us complete joy. Our joy comes from you. That joy that flooded the hearts of the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the hosts of heaven, and Mary and Joseph is the joy that still has the power to overwhelm our hearts with rejoicing. Father, you offer that same joy to us now as we know you and recognize Jesus as our Saviour and Lord.
You gave us a reason to celebrate when you gave us the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. In him, you came to dwell among us. He went to Calvary’s cross for us. He overcame death and rose from the dead for us. He forgives our sins and gives us eternal life. Hallelujah! We know that enduring and substantial joy doesn’t come from our jobs, our family, our relationships, our finances, or our success. Our joy doesn’t come from what we have on earth or who we are with.
Our joy is only found in the gift that you gave us that first Christmas in Jesus Christ. Please nurture our joy, encompassed in our Saviour, King Jesus. Flood our heart with joy this Advent season as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
Heavenly Father, Christmas is founded upon your love. You sent your gift of pure love to us that first Christmas. Love descended from heaven to be born of a virgin. Love lay in the scratchy hay of a manger in a meagre barn in Bethlehem. All of your love, God, was robed in the delicate skin of a baby and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Duering this final week of Advent, help us to reflect on the magnitude of love that was made manifest in Jesus.
We remember that Paul prayed for the Ephesians, that they, “being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge,” so be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Eph 3:14-21). May this be also true for us. Thank you, Lord, for loving us enough to send Jesus. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
