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"Finishing Well" October 17 Readings: Acts 20

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 20 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Before we delve into 2 Corinthians and Romans, also written on this third missionary journey of Paul, we will return briefly to Acts 20, in which Paul wraps up that journey. After spending time in Macedonia and Greece, he went to Troas, where the tragic and hilarious story of Eutychus falling asleep during his sermon and falling out of a window to his death takes place. The amazing part of the story is that Paul raises the man to life and then goes back to preaching! He then went to Eph...
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"Why Bother?" October 16 Readings: 1 Corinthians 15-16

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Corinthians 15-16 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     It is one of the highlights of Scripture, and it proves that liberalism and threats to the truth are nothing new. 1 Corinthians 15 is Paul's response to those who said that Christianity was all about a way of life and that we shouldn't worry so much about the "sweet by and by." People were denying the resurrection and saying that Jesus was such a blessing that even if there was no heaven, it would be worth it to be a follower of Christ. Paul called that nonsense. The resurre...
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"Body Builders" October 15 Readings: 1 Corinthians 13-14

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Corinthians 13-14 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     An ironic rebuke, 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most familiar scriptures. It describes the love of God and the love we are to have for one another - a love that is not squishy, tolerant of sin, or weak. It is a gritty love that is based on actions that mimic the love of Christ. It is given as a direct contrast to the self-serving focus on gifts that was prevalent in Corinth. Paul's more "excellent way" is about demonstrating your spirituality by living out the love and serv...
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"Unity, Variety" October 14 Readings: 1 Corinthians 12

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Corinthians 12   In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     There is so much going on in 1 Corinthians 12 that it deserves a book, not an introductory paragraph. Several quick points. Contrary to many translations, the introduction should not read, "now about spiritual gifts," but is more generic. "Now, about spiritual things." The chapter is about how the Spirit operates. The key principle is that the one Spirit works in us in a variety of ways - just as our bodies are one with many parts. The individual parts must perform their...
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"A Worthy Manner" October 13 Readings: 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Corinthians 11:2-34 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Paul deals with two topics in this passage; the first is one of the more confusing passages in Paul's writings. He gives instructions about men and women and hair length and head coverings, and after carefully studying this passage several times, I still do not know exactly what is being said. What is clear is that Paul wants men to be men and women to be women and that while men and women share essential equality, we are not made to be the same. The passage on the Lord's ...
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"Proud Fools" October 12 Readings: 1 Corinthians 9:15-11:1

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Corinthians 9:15-11:1   In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     In this section, Paul continues his discussion of meat sacrificed to idols. Though idols are nothing and eating meat sacrificed to idols is nothing, he warns against any form of idolatry. The entire passage is summarized in 10:23-11:1, where Paul advocates both freedom in Christ and concern for others over demanding our rights and privileges as Christians.  Daily Devotional:  Proud Fools It was my first time skiing, and by my second day on the slopes, I ...
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"Giving Up My Rights" October 11 Corinthians 8:1-9:14

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Corinthians 8:1-9:14  In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Paul turned his attention in chapters 8-10 to "food sacrificed to idols" - a huge issue in that era, but not one we worry about much these days, at least not literally. Those who worshiped idols did so by offering sacrifices. Lo and behold, those idols did not eat much, and the leftover meat was sold in the idol meat market - the best steak at the best price. Some Christians said it was no big deal since idols are nothing. Others said that meat given over to the wor...
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