2018 has already seen a first writing series that followed the YouVersion Bible Reading Plan structure. Chronologically, the Australian Open has played itself out for the last fortnight and been the focus on my blogging; a traditional established 3 years ago now.
As I browsed the collection of reading plans and seeking inspiration for how to map out blogging for 2018, I happened to find myself at Koorong, the local Christian bookstore. In recent weeks Clayton Church has also been promoting Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) which will commence in February with their weekly study group and material.
The discipline of BSF is really good for Christian development, and whilst I desire to join BSF, knowing that I will be away in March hinders my ability to officially participate. Instead, being at Koorong enabled me to browse their selection of books to find something appropriate which converges on these desires.
Encountering the New Testament is a text book used in one of the undergraduate subjects NT201 Jesus & the Gospels, at Melbourne School of Theology. Throughout this blog, I will adopt the abbreviation ENT. Each chapter in this text book contains a summary and “homework” questions, which I will use as the skeleton outline for each blog. With 24 chapters in total, the challenge will be to read and cover each chapter (average of 15 pages each) within a week. The following, as my index/contents page for this blog series starts with this article, and thus all chapter numbers are pushed out by 1…
- Introduction [this article]
- Why Study the New Testament?
- The Middle East in the Days of Jesus
- The Gospel and the Four Gospels
- The Gospel of Matthew: The Messiah Has Come!
- The Gospel of Mark: Son of God, Servant of All
- The Gospel of Luke: a Saviour for All People
- The Gospel of John: Eternal Life through His Name
- Man from Galilee: The Life of Jesus Christ
- Lord, Teach Us: The Teaching Ministry of Jesus Christ
- Modern Approaches to the NT: Historical Criticism & Hermeneutics
- The Modern Study of the Gospels
- The Modern Search for Jesus
- The World and Identity of the Earliest Church
- Acts 1-7: The Earliest Days of the Church
- Acts 8-12: Salvation for Both Jews & Gentiles
- Acts 13-28: The Light of Christ the Ends of the Earth
- All Things to All People: Life and Teachings of the Apostle Paul
- Romans: Right with God
- Corinthians & Galatians: Apostolic Counsel for Confused Churches
- Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians & Philemon: Letters from Prison
- Thessalonians, Timothy & Titus: A legacy of Faithfulness
- Hebrews & James: Maintaining Full Commitment to Christ
- Peter, John & Jude: A Call to Faith, Hope and Love
- Revelation: God Is In Control!
Some of the titles may get abbreviated due to lengthiness, but we will work this out as we go. With a publication goal of Wednesday morning’s at 8:00am, I am hoping to find the required time for reading & blogging during the week and mainly the weekend. During the year, the only reasons for not conforming to this weekly schedule will be my overseas travel in March… It is also my hope that I will also find additional time to blog about other topics and publish them on a different day of the week (Wednesday or Thursday – TBD)
I end this introductory blog with a reference to the verse of the day from YouVersion Bible app: John 1:1, which I think speaks to this hunger and desire which births this 2018 blog series. There is something thematic about the link between the first reading plan on Choosing Each Day and putting him first, and embarking upon this particular study. May God inspire your 2018 to be submitted to Him daily so that He can fragrance all that you do.
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