If you read the suggested passage each day, by the end of 30 days you will have read the entire New Testament.
Day 26
30-day reading plan: Hebrews
Daily Verse: Hebrews 12: 1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
There is little scholars can agree on about the letter to the Hebrews. According to Roy Sanoviii, the location of the Hebrew community, the date of the letter, and the author are all uncertain. We do, however, know a little about the faith of the Hebrew Christians.
The Hebrews were Jewish converts to Christianity who held on to their Jewish roots believing that the Church was giving too much freedom to the Gentile Christians by not requiring them to maintain Jewish customs and follow the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew Christians also longed for the freedom of Palestine and a return to the Promised Land under the rule of a Jewish king.
Christians today who see the decline in the Church's influence and membership and giving can relate to the Hebrews longing for a new age in which Church participation and Christian prominence will rise again. We think that the Church has endured for 2,000 years and with that history must survive.
At the 2015 Festival of Homiletics, Will Willimon said that there has always been someone to proclaim the Gospel and there will always be someone to proclaim the Gospel. There will always be believers and new believers who will continue to be a part of the church. There will be people to carry on traditions yet transform the church to be what is needed in that day. Brothers and sisters, have hope for the church.
Question for reflection:
St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel always. When necessary use words.” How do you preach the Gospel?
30-day reading plan: Hebrews
Daily Verse: Hebrews 12: 1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
There is little scholars can agree on about the letter to the Hebrews. According to Roy Sanoviii, the location of the Hebrew community, the date of the letter, and the author are all uncertain. We do, however, know a little about the faith of the Hebrew Christians.
The Hebrews were Jewish converts to Christianity who held on to their Jewish roots believing that the Church was giving too much freedom to the Gentile Christians by not requiring them to maintain Jewish customs and follow the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew Christians also longed for the freedom of Palestine and a return to the Promised Land under the rule of a Jewish king.
Christians today who see the decline in the Church's influence and membership and giving can relate to the Hebrews longing for a new age in which Church participation and Christian prominence will rise again. We think that the Church has endured for 2,000 years and with that history must survive.
At the 2015 Festival of Homiletics, Will Willimon said that there has always been someone to proclaim the Gospel and there will always be someone to proclaim the Gospel. There will always be believers and new believers who will continue to be a part of the church. There will be people to carry on traditions yet transform the church to be what is needed in that day. Brothers and sisters, have hope for the church.
Question for reflection:
St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel always. When necessary use words.” How do you preach the Gospel?
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