Bible Reading Planner - Step 5

<BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF"> <P><FONT SIZE="-1">Notes for: <A HREF="#week11">Week 11</A> | <A HREF="#week12">Week 12</A> | <A HREF="#week13">Week 13</A> | <A HREF="#week14">Week 14</A> | <A HREF="#week15">Week 15</A> | <A HREF="#week16">Week 16</A> | <A HREF="#week17">Week 17</A> | <A HREF="#week18">Week 18</A> | <A HREF="step5a.htm">Weeks 19 - 26</A></FONT></P> <H2>Introduction</H2> <P>This fifth step forward takes you through sixteen weeks, to complete a half-year of reading God's Word. Already you have read marvellous and comforting records of God's work and His love.</P> <UL> <LI>The notes can still only be brief because of lack of space. By now you will be picking out vital points from the chapters yourself.</LI> <LI>There are sometimes difficult or obscure matters in the readings. God has wisely designed the Bible so that we shall always have plenty of interesting and exciting things to discover all through our lives. We shall never finish finding out ALL there is to know from God's Word.</LI> <LI>We can however - and we must - come very soon to learn the essential teachings and message. If we come across problems it is always best to let Scripture interpret Scripture. The answers to our questions are often in the same chapter as our problem.</LI> <LI>So look back at what you have already read, make use of marginal references or of a <I>concordance</I> if you have one (that is a list, in alphabetical order, of words in the Bible and the verses where they occur).</LI> <LI>Refer to the <A HREF="../resrc/summary.htm" NAME="summary">summary of Bible teachings</A>.</LI> <LI>Continue to read every day, carefully, consistently and prayerfully.</LI> </UL> <HR> <H2><A NAME="week11"></A>Week 11</H2> <H3>MARK'S DIVINELY INSPIRED RECORD OF THE LIFE OF JESUS</H3> <P>Mark (John Mark) was a friend of Peter (1 Peter 5:13) and a companion of the Apostle Paul (Acts 12:12). His record of the life of Jesus may have been the earliest. It is certainly the shortest and there is a note of URGENCY about the account. Notice the frequent use of "urgent" words such as:<I>immediately</I> - <I>straightway</I> - <I>astonished</I> - <I>forthwith</I> - <I>amazed</I>.</P> <P>The urgency and impact of the message will not be lost on us if we read earnestly and prayerfully.</P> <P>Mark makes several references to "demons" and "evil spirits". These are not evil gods (note 29 in the <A HREF="../resrc/summary.htm">Summary of Bible Teachings</A>). See the special study on <I><A HREF="../resrc/demons.htm">Demons in the Bible</A></I> for a detailed discussion of this topic.</P> <H3>DAILY NOTES</H3> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="5" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF"> <TR> <TD>SUNDAY <BR><I>Mark 1</I></TD> <TD>Jesus is the Son of God (verses 1,11). His compassion is great. The many miracles which Mark records underline these facts.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>MONDAY <BR><I>Mark 2</I></TD> <TD>Jesus can provide forgiveness (verse 10) but cannot help the "self-righteous" - those who think they have no need of salvation (verse 17). </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>TUESDAY <BR><I>Mark 3</I></TD> <TD>"Hardness of heart" (verse 5) is another great obstacle to faith. The apostles were chosen (verses 13-19).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>WEDNESDAY <BR><I>Mark 6</I></TD> <TD>John the Baptist was not afraid to speak out against wickedness and was faithful even to death.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>THURSDAY <BR><I>Mark 7</I></TD> <TD>Our own cherished ideas sometimes have to be dropped (verse 7). We must make sure our beliefs are Scriptural.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>FRIDAY <BR><I>Mark 8</I></TD> <TD>Jesus gave thanks for food (verse 6). Do we show the same gratitude for daily blessings?</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>SATURDAY <BR><I>Mark 9</I></TD> <TD>Mark has three references to Jesus' knowledge of what lay ahead for him. (See Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33).</TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P></P> <HR> <H2><A NAME="week12"></A>Week 12</H2> <H3>THE BONDAGE OF EGYPT</H3> <P>The experiences of Israel in Egypt under bondage to Pharaoh are likened, in Scripture, to our bondage under sin and death. Egypt later becomes a symbol for "the world" in its ungodliness and its sin. We need to be saved from it and thereafter have no desire to return.</P> <P>The word EXODUS - the name given to the second book written by Moses - means <I>the coming out</I>.</P> <P>Being "called out of Egypt" is a great blessing for God's children. Follow this interesting chain of references: <I>Exodus 4:22, Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15, Hebrews 2:15, Romans 8:21, Revelation 7:14</I>.</P> <H3>DAILY NOTES</H3> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="5" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF"> <TR> <TD>SUNDAY <BR><I>Exodus 1</I></TD> <TD>Israel thrived in Egypt despite being slaves. Evil men may try to eliminate God's people but they will fail in the end.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>MONDAY <BR><I>Exodus 2</I></TD> <TD>Moses was to deliver God's people and to give them God's law. A mother was paid to bring up her own son! (verse 9). The faith of Moses' parents was rewarded (Hebrews 11:23).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>TUESDAY <BR><I>Exodus 3</I></TD> <TD>Moses in exile was called by God to do His work. Verse 6 "The God of Abraham" is a reminder of God's promises to Abraham (e.g. Genesis 15).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>WEDNESDAY <BR><I>Exodus 4</I></TD> <TD>"Israel is my son, even my firstborn". Here, (verses 22-23) Pharaoh was warned in advance of the tenth plague (Exodus 12:29).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>THURSDAY <BR><I>Exodus 5</I></TD> <TD>Compare Pharaoh's attitude (verse 2) with that of the Assyrians in later days (2 Kings 18:35).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>FRIDAY <BR><I>Exodus 6</I></TD> <TD>The seven promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) are matched by seven promises to Israel (verses 6-8).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>SATURDAY <BR><I>Exodus 7</I></TD> <TD>Pharaoh asked for a miracle (verse 9), but he did not repent. God gives us evidence. Do we heed it?</TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P></P> <HR> <H2><A NAME="week13"></A>Week 13</H2> <H3>MIRACLES</H3> <P>Mark's record contains many references to miracles performed by Jesus. Some people try to dismiss miracles as impossible or unnecessary. A little thought, however, shows just how important the miracles are.</P> <P>Miracles have been different for different ages in history: </P> <UL> <LI>For Pharaoh - the ten plagues</LI> <LI>in New Testament times - miracles of healing</LI> <LI>in later days - the preservation of the Bible</LI> <LI>TODAY - the miracle of the survival of Israel </LI> </UL> <P>Miracles are acts performed by God in the affairs of men in order to bring them to faith or to warn them of judgment to come. They were evidence that God was at work in the prophets and in Jesus.</P> <H3>DAILY NOTES</H3> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="5" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF"> <TR> <TD>SUNDAY <BR><I>Mark 10</I></TD> <TD>Jesus came to redeem men and women by his superlative life (verses 43-45). "Son of David" (verse 47) was the title of the Messiah. See God's promise in 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:6-7.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>MONDAY <BR><I>Mark 11</I></TD> <TD>Jesus came to Jerusalem for the last week of his life. The fig tree (verses 12-14) was a symbol for the nation of Israel and the action of Jesus significant. See also Mark 13: 28-29.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>TUESDAY <BR><I>Mark 12</I></TD> <TD>"The God of Abraham" (verse 26) is another echo from Exodus 3:6 which we read last week.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>WEDNESDAY <BR><I>Mark 13</I></TD> <TD>Verse 33. "Take heed, watch and pray" is good advice for us, when Christ's coming may be near.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>THURSDAY <BR><I>Mark 14</I></TD> <TD>The breaking of bread looks forward to the coming Kingdom (verse 25). Note Peter's fear (verses 66-71). Compare this with Acts 4:31. Only the fact of the risen Christ could account for such a change!</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>FRIDAY <BR><I>Mark 15</I></TD> <TD>If the manner of Jesus at his death showed he was the Son of God (verse 39) how much more would his resurrection prove it!</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>SATURDAY <BR><I>Mark 16</I></TD> <TD>The greatest morning in all of history! Jesus IS Son of God, the Saviour and coming King. Baptism should follow belief of this gospel (verses 15-16).</TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P></P> <HR> <H2><A NAME="week14"></A>Week 14</H2> <H3>THE DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT</H3> <P>The Exodus, accompanied as it was by many great miracles, demonstrated that God is the only God. Each plague was a direct challenge to the so-called "gods" of Egypt, which were powerless.</P> <P>The slaying of the firstborn (the plague of death), was brought about by Egypt's refusal - nine times - to release the Israelites and was God's final act of deliverance of His people, His firstborn. The deliverance from Egypt and the slaying of the "passover" lamb (so called because the angel of death would "pass over" the houses where the blood was sprinkled) are remembered in the yearly Passover Feast of the Law of Moses, by Jews.</P> <P>Jesus Christ is the Christian's "Passover Lamb" provided by God. His blood delivers from sin and death as his true followers regularly remember in bread and wine.</P> <H3>DAILY NOTES</H3> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="5" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF"> <TR> <TD>SUNDAY <BR><I>Exodus 8</I></TD> <TD>To deny the miracles in Egypt would be to believe in ten impossible coincidences! We would still be left with the question: How did Israel get out of Egypt?</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>MONDAY <BR><I>Exodus 9</I></TD> <TD>"My people" (verse 1). The Hebrews (children of Israel) are God's witnesses (Isaiah 43:12,21).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>TUESDAY <BR><I>Exodus 10</I></TD> <TD>We should teach our children and grandchildren about God and His ways (verse 2).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>WEDNESDAY <BR><I>Exodus 11</I></TD> <TD>Eleven times in seven chapters God says "that ye may know". He gave ample evidence of His existence to the Egyptians, yet they refused it.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>THURSDAY <BR><I>Exodus 12</I></TD> <TD>The Passover Lamb pointed forward to Jesus, "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>FRIDAY <BR><I>Exodus 13</I></TD> <TD>God chose to lead Israel towards the Red Sea, rather than by the normal caravan route to Philistia (verses 17-18).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>SATURDAY <BR><I>Exodus 14</I></TD> <TD>The miraculous crossing through the Red Sea (verse 22) was like a baptism for Israel. See 1 Corinthians 10:1-2. It spelt death for the Egyptians.</TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P></P> <HR> <H2><A NAME="week15"></A>Week 15</H2> <H3>LUKE'S DIVINELY INSPIRED RECORD OF THE LIFE OF JESUS</H3> <P>Luke, the physician, was a Gentile helper of the Apostle Paul; he also wrote the Book of Acts (see Acts 1:1). He set out "in order" (verse 3) the events of Christ's life against the historical background of the Roman times. See, for example, Acts 1:5; 2:1; 3:1; 13:1; 21:24.</P> <P>The record shows Jesus as the Great Physician, and as Son of man and Saviour, first of Israel but also of the Gentiles (see Luke 2:32).</P> <P>In chapter 3, Luke gives us the genealogy of Jesus through Mary, daughter of Heli (verse 23), though Joseph her husband is named after the custom of the times. The line is traced back through Nathan, a son of David, back to Adam who was made by God (verse 38). Thus Jesus is shown as being linked with all men, for we are all decendants of Adam.</P> <H3>DAILY NOTES</H3> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="5" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF"> <TR> <TD>SUNDAY <BR><I>Luke 1</I></TD> <TD>The Son of God (verses 32-35) will sit on David's throne in Jerusalem, for ever (verse 33). He is a virgin's son (verse 27) and God is his Father by the Holy Spirit (verses 31,35).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>MONDAY <BR><I>Luke 2</I></TD> <TD>Jesus, born in David's town, will bring joy (verse 10) and peace (verse 14) to the world when he is King.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>TUESDAY <BR><I>Luke 4</I></TD> <TD>Jesus endures temptation and then commences his great work of preaching and redemption as foretold in Isaiah 61:2.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>WEDNESDAY <BR><I>Luke 5</I></TD> <TD>Jesus still says: "Follow me" (verses 11, 27). Dare we? It needs a new outlook (verse 38). Peter knew that (verse 8).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>THURSDAY <BR><I>Luke 7</I></TD> <TD>Jesus was always moved (verse 9) when anyone showed FAITH. He still looks for FAITH from us. Jesus knows the hearts of all (verses 39-40, 47).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>FRIDAY <BR><I>Luke 9</I></TD> <TD>Jesus was indeed the greatest of the prophets, but he was also the Messiah, Son of God (verses 19-20).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>SATURDAY <BR><I>Luke 10</I></TD> <TD>Knowledge about who Jesus is may be hidden to those who are proud (verse 21). The parable of the Good Samaritan is a challenge to everyone.</TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P></P> <HR> <H2><A NAME="week16"></A>Week 16</H2> <TABLE BORDER="0"> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP"> <H3>THE WILDERNESS JOURNEY</H3>Israel's journey through the Sinai wilderness contains lessons for us. <P></P>We are called on to make the journey from "bondage" to the land of Promise (the Kingdom of God).</TD> <TD ROWSPAN="2"><IMG SRC="../images/exodus.gif" HSPACE="10" WIDTH="451" HEIGHT="323"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD VALIGN="BOTTOM" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE="-1"><I>Route of the Exodus</I></FONT></TD> </TR> </TABLE> <H3>DAILY NOTES</H3> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="5" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF"> <TR> <TD>SUNDAY <BR><I>Exodus 16</I></TD> <TD>Israel soon forgot God's goodness and began to murmur. The "Manna" (verses 14-18) had to be collected and eaten daily - like our daily ration from the Scriptures.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>MONDAY <BR><I>Exodus 17</I></TD> <TD>The smitten rock (verse 6) pointed to Christ who would be a fountain of life. (1 Corinthians 10:4).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>TUESDAY <BR><I>Exodus 19</I></TD> <TD>Israel were special to God (verses 5-6) as those in Christ also are (1 Peter 2:9).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>WEDNESDAY <BR><I>Exodus 20</I></TD> <TD>The Ten Commandments were guides to Israel's happiness. See Mark 12:28-34 and Luke 10:25-28.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>THURSDAY <BR><I>Exodus 24</I></TD> <TD>Israel said they would be obedient (verse 7) but failed. We ALL need a Saviour!</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>FRIDAY <BR><I>Exodus 25</I></TD> <TD>The Tabemacle, at the centre of the Camp, pomted forward to Christ who should be at the centre of our lives.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>SATURDAY <BR><I>Exodus 32</I></TD> <TD>It is important to worship God in His way, not our own (verse 5). Man makes his own gods, but they are always degrading.</TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P></P> <HR> <H2><A NAME="week17"></A>Week 17</H2> <H3>PRAYER AND WORSHIP</H3> <P>The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11) contains the vital elements of all prayer - humility, praise, recognition of God's will, His coming Kingdom, His daily provision and our own need of forgiveness and strength.</P> <P>God is Holy (Luke 11:2). If we are to come to Him, our sins must be covered in the way that He provides through Jesus.</P> <P>Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other way, no other truth and no eternal life without him. Christ is the only real mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). It is through him that prayer and worship must finally be offered.</P> <H3>DAILY NOTES</H3> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="5" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF"> <TR> <TD>SUNDAY <BR><I>Luke 11</I></TD> <TD>Our daily bread, both physical and spiritual, comes from God, and we must thank Him for both.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>MONDAY <BR><I>Luke 12</I></TD> <TD>Verse 31. If we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will make provision for all we really need.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>TUESDAY <BR><I>Luke 13</I></TD> <TD>Jesus longed for the Jews to repent so that he might save them (verse 34). One day soon they will (verse 35 and Zechariah 12:10).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>WEDNESDAY <BR><I>Luke 14</I></TD> <TD>Nothing must come before God in our lives, preventing us from accepting His invitation (verses 15 - 20). Humility is the way of Christ (verse 11).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>THURSDAY <BR><I>Luke 15</I></TD> <TD>Men and women are "dead" (Ephesians 2:1) until they return to God (verse 24) but like the father of the parable, He gladly blesses those who repent.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>FRIDAY <BR><I>Luke 16</I></TD> <TD>"Moses and the prophets" and the resurrection of Jesus provide joint evidence sufficient for all (verse 31).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>SATURDAY <BR><I>Luke 17</I></TD> <TD>The Pharisees professed to be waiting for Christ but did not recognise him when he came. He was "within" (among) them and they would not accept his teaching (verse 21).</TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P></P> <HR> <H2><A NAME="week18"></A>Week 18</H2> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="10"> <TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP"> <H3>THE TABERNACLE</H3> <P>The Tabernacle (the word means a tent) was to be the central point of worship for Israel in the wilderness. Into the Most Holy Place (see plan below), only the High Priest was allowed to enter, once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to seek forgiveness for the whole nation of Israel.</P> <P>Jesus Christ fulfilled all the things that the law and tabernacle stood for.</P> <H3> LEVITICUS</H3> <P>Leviticus is the book about priests (from the tribe of Levi), offerings, and the importance of true worship.</P></TD> <TD><IMG SRC="../images/taberncl.gif" VSPACE="10" HSPACE="20" WIDTH="303" HEIGHT="144"> <TABLE BORDER="0"> <TR> <TD><BR> </TD> <TD WIDTH="60%"><I><B>Plan of the Tabernacle</B></I> <P></P> <OL> <LI>Ark of the Covenant</LI> <LI>Veil</LI> <LI>Incense Altar</LI> <LI>Candlestick</LI> <LI>Table of Shewbread</LI> <LI>Laver</LI> <LI>Altar of Burnt Offerings</LI> </OL></TD> </TR> </TABLE></TD> </TR> </TABLE> <H3>DAILY NOTES</H3> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="5" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF"> <TR> <TD>SUNDAY <BR><I>Leviticus 8</I></TD> <TD>Careful preparation of our heart is necessary if WE are to serve God. (verse 5).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>MONDAY <BR><I>Leviticus 10</I></TD> <TD>Again it is important to serve God in HIS way (verse 3).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>TUESDAY <BR><I>Leviticus 16</I></TD> <TD>The Day of Atonement was observed every year - but Christ obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12; 10:19-22).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>WEDNESDAY <BR><I>Leviticus 17</I></TD> <TD>The life is in the blood (verse 11). The blood of Christ meant the giving of his life (Hebrews 13:20).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>THURSDAY <BR><I>Leviticus 23</I></TD> <TD>This chapter describes the Jewish spiritual calendar for each year. By this means the nation was united.</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>FRIDAY <BR><I>Leviticus 25</I></TD> <TD>The land of Israel is God's land, though today He is still not recognised as its owner (verse 23).</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>SATURDAY <BR><I>Leviticus 26</I></TD> <TD>Verse 33. This prophecy came true in every detail. Israel are God's witnesses, testifying to His existence, whether in blessing or in cursing.</TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P></P> <HR> <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE="-1"><A HREF="#top">Top of page</A> | <A HREF="step4.htm">Step 4</A> | <A HREF="step6.htm">Step 6</A> | <A HREF="brtable.htm#table">Table of Readings</A></FONT></P> <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE="-1"> <A HREF="../index.html"><IMG SRC="../images/snicon.gif" ALIGN="MIDDLE" BORDER="0" WIDTH="28" HEIGHT="39"></A><A HREF="../index.html">Home</A></FONT></P> </BODY>