Hi First Presbyterian Church, 

It’s time for our Mid-Week Meet-Up (a day later than usual)! I hope this new year is marked by many good things for you but, most importantly, with growth in your relationship with God.  

This Sunday is going to be the first of two Sundays of sermons focusing on burning questions you’ve had during our one-year Bible-reading journey. This Sunday’s sermon will try to answer the question: Why does God seem so violent in the Old Testament? Next Sunday’s sermon will try to answer the question: Why does it seem women are devalued in the Old Testament? Of course, on both Sundays, we will hear what the good news of the Gospel has to say about both of these questions.  

Today is Day 116 of our Bible reading plan. We began reading the Book of Judges on Monday, and on this coming Monday we will begin reading the Gospel of John. Here’s some context for you on both of those books. 

Book of Judges
The Book of Judges is a continuation of the Book of Joshua. The Book of Joshua ended with Joshua’s famous exhortation to the Israelites: “Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). The Book of Judges shows us whether and how the Israelites follow through on their intentions to serve the God of Israel. Their faith is constantly put to the test. As you read through the Book of Judges, ask yourself: How well do the Israelites trust God in this passage, and what does it tell me about how I should trust God? 

Gospel of John
The Gospel of John is unlike the three other New Testament Gospels. It includes different stories about the life of Jesus and has much longer sections of his teachings. The Gospel-writer John has one focus in mind: he wants us to come away from reading his Gospel and believe that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God and, through believing in him, that we may have life in his name (John 20:31). As you read through the Gospel of John, ask yourself: How does this passage help me to see Jesus as the. Messiah and the Son of God? 

I hope to worship with you this Sunday!

Happy New Year!
Pastor Aaron