Bible Challenge 12/16 - 12/22

Greetings All!

This week we finish up the book of Hebrews and read 5 others. We are SO close to the finish line now!

Here is more background information to help in your reading.

James - Most believe the author of this letter to be James the brother of Jesus. Many people wrestle with this letter because it appears to contradict Paul's stance on justification by faith alone. James emphasizes works, but not in the sense of justifying oneself before God; rather in the sense that works are evidence of  a person's inward faith.

I and II Peter - Attributed by their titles to the Apostle Peter, these are some of the latest writings to be included in the New Testament. The first letter is the only one scholars really attribute to Peter; probably written while Peter was the bishop of the church in Rome. In this letter addressed to believers dispersed through five different provinces in Asia Minor (Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia) is a word of encouragement to those undergoing religious persecution. The second letter is most likely not authored by Peter because it quotes a later letter extensively (Jude). The main purpose of this letter is to identify Jesus with God and to correct a growing heresy since Jesus had not yet returned.

I John and II John - These letters are attributed to the disciple John who also wrote the Gospel of John and Revelation. The first two letters were probably written in Ephesus between 95-110 AD to counter the heresies that Jesus did not come in the flesh but only as a spirit. The first letter is a general one and lifts up how Christians are to discern true teachers: by their ethics, their proclamation of Jesus and by their love. The second letter is a private one written to "an elect lady" and much speculation exists as to who this person is.

I pray your readings this week are fruitful and transformative. Here is the schedule:

16, Sunday: Hebrews 5-8

17, Monday: Hebrews 9-12

18, Tuesday: Hebrews 13 - James 3

19, Wednesday: James 4 - I Peter 2

20, Thursday: I Peter 3 - II Peter 1 

21, Friday: II Peter 2 - I John 2

22, Saturday: I John 3 - II John 

May God add His richest blessings to the reading, the hearing and most importantly, the living out of His Holy Word. Amen.