Deborah

• She was a judge of Israel and prophetess, as well as military leader. She is one of the very few female prophets we read of.
• She correctly prophesied the outcome of the battle between Israel and Sisera’s army.
• Deborah and Barak then sang a song rejoicing in the deliverance God had granted them over Sisera and his army.

What?

• Three chapters a day for seven days, starting today.
• John 1:1

Why?

• Because Bible reading is really important and this can be a great way to give ourselves a jumpstart!
• Deuteronomy 17:14-20 – Kings were to write a copy of God’s law and then read it!
• Luke 4:16
• I Timothy 4:13

Where?

• At home.
  • Colossians 4:16
• In a private Facebook group if you want.
  • Read the text first and then go to the group.

Who?

• All of us
  • Psalms 119:18, 38, 72, 97-105
• Get the kids involved!
  • Joshua 4:6-7 – Every child that saw this would ask about it and be reminded.
  • II Timothy 3:14

When?

• Reading schedule:
  • Sunday: John 1-3
  • Monday: John 4-6
  • Tuesday: John 7-9
  • Wednesday: John 10-12
  • Thursday: John 13-15
  • Friday: John 16-18
  • Saturday: John 19-21
• Luke 8:14 – The busy-ness of life can get in the way!
• Luke 10:38-42

How?

• Just John
  • Acts 17:11
  • Read only the text! Do not read commentaries or other people’s comments on the text.
• “How does it read to you?”
  • Luke 10:25 – This is something we can understand.

Local churches are authorized to provide for the preaching of the gospel, continued

Observation: The gospel was taught.

• II Corinthians 11:7
• I Corinthians 15:1-5
• Matthew 4:23
• II Thessalonians 1:8
• I Peter 4:17
• Matthew 28:18 – Compare Mark 16:15-16.
• It’s possible to think of the gospel as less than it is or more than it is. Many today see the church as a kind of community improvement project.
  • Romans 1:13
• We have the joy of spreading God’s message to others.

Observation: Encouragement of preachers was important (not just money).

• Acts 13:1, 2; 14:26-28

Local churches are authorized to provide for worship and edification

The local church is a group designed for mutual encouragement as we serve God together.

• The benefit of a group.
  • I Corinthians 14:3-6, 12, 17, 26, 31
  • Atheist mega-churches?
• Lord’s Supper
  • Acts 20:7, 16, 6 – Paul made extra effort to be with them.
• Studying/preaching
  • I Corinthians 14:26
  • I Timothy 4:6, 16; II Timothy 4:1-5
• Giving
  • I Corinthians 16:1-2; II Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:1-2

Introduction

• I Thessalonians 2:13-14
• God’s word is meant to work in people.
• I Thessalonians 3:6; 4:1; 5:11
• Acts 17:2
• Luke 11:27-28 – Jesus emphasized the importance of doing God’s will.

Do I listen to warnings about sin?

• Psalms 119:9
• Matthew 5:28 – Warning about lust.
• Romans 1:29 – Warning about gossip.
• I John 2:16 – Warning about pride.
• James 1:21-26 – Don’t just see your sin and walk away. Fix it!

Do I take the initiative to do good?

• James 1:27
• It is not anyone else’s job to tell us what good we need to do. We must work to study God’s word and figure it out for ourselves.
• II Peter 1:5-8 – I need to work on these things.

Do I make opportunities to teach?

• II Timothy 3:16-17
• Titus 1:9-11
• Acts 8:4
• We need to know God’s wrd so that we can teach ourselves and others effectively.
• We should pray, “Please give me a teaching opportunity I can handle.”
• If someone asks you something you don’t know, admit that you don’t know. That will teach them also. Then show them how to study and find out.
• Acts 26:9
• Psalms 1:1-3 – We should be like strong, healthy trees nourished by God’s word.

Ruth

Loyalty and dedication

• Leaves her homeland
• Commits to going with Naomi – Ruth 1:16-17
• Naomi’s God becomes her God
• Do we have the committed loyalty to God that Ruth had?
• Matthew 9:35 – The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.
• I Corinthians 3:5 – Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

Didn’t do things for glory or to seek attention

• Luke 17:7 – We are good-for-nothing slaves; we’ve only done our duty.

Boaz wanted to bless her and Naomi wanted her to be taken care of

• Leviticus 25:48; Numbers 35:19; Leviticus 25:25; Deuteronomy 25:5 – Responsibilities for the family redeemer.
• Ruth 4
• What did this lead to by continuing the family live for Elimelech?
  • Ruth 4:18-22
• Judges 10:6 – Ruth grew up in an idolatrous nation, but she turned to God.