THE CHALLENGE Read
the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
Matthew Chapters 5, 6, and 7).
and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
Matthew Chapters 5, 6, and 7).
Challenge
Levels:
Level 1 Simple and Doable
□ Read the above passages slowly today in one sitting. Doing so will help you get the big picture
of what you will be doing this week. It
can take 15 minutes give or take. Read the translation that makes the scripture
most understandable to you. I suggest the NLT (New Living Translation)
□ Read my blogs each day this week for further help
in making this “work” for you.
Level 2 Moderate Intensity and Doable
□ Do Level 1 and . . .
□ As you do jot down your thoughts in the form of a
prayer as you read, marking each entry by date and scripture reference. Do this on your bible app or with a
notebook.
(NOTE: Three free bible apps include NIV 50th
Anniversary edition, Bible Gateway, and YouVersion, all of which I use at
different times. I also have the Life
Application Bible, NLT edition, Faith Life Study Bible, and the Glo Bible. I am using the NIV 5Oth
edition for my personal prayer/bible study time because I could figure it out
most easily!)
Level 3 Higher
Intensity but still Doable!
□ Do Level one each of the seven days before proceeding to the verse by
verse prayer/study
□ Today, jot down things that God leads you notice,
questions you have and ways that you see Jesus clarifying any of the 10
commandments. Spend time on verses that
you have taken for granted in the past.
Mediate on certain verses taking time to listen and to think
□ Use a different translation each day.
Alternate among word for word translation and thought for though
paraphrases. I like the NLT, NIV, and
ESV translations and The Message and Living Bible paraphrases. You can access these and many more for free
by going to www.biblegateway.com
□ Beginning on Day three use a commentary (stick with just
reading the passages and let them speak to you today and tomorrow) A
commentary is a series of comments that scholars add to bottom or margins of
some bibles to help you better understand what you are reading. If you have a study bible, you have these
kinds of study notes in your bible. If
you do not have a study bible, go to www.biblegateway.com and click on the box with the title “study this” and then select from
among the study options. DANGER: Do not get in the habit of reading the study notes as a substitute for reading
the scripture itself
If you use the NIV 50th
Anniversary Bible App I suggest purchasing the Zondervan bible commentary. It’s really, really good
□ Most importantly, meditate, chew on what you’ve read,
allow time to think, process, and let the bible speak to your heart. Let it is the two edged sword which can cut
through all the life stuff that separates from God
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