Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 5

Years ago, some Jewish friends invited us to join them for Seder, the ceremonial meal that begins the Passover festival. Passover commemorates God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt. This is the meal Jesus ate with His disciples in the upper room on the night He was betrayed. Christians call this event “the last supper.” 

Before the meal, we dipped parsley in salt water and bitter herbs. The bitter herbs remind Seder participants of the harshness of the Jews’ life in Egypt. The salt water reflects the tears they shed and the waters of the Red Sea. The parsley represents the hyssop used to brush the blood of the sacrificial lamb on the door posts of the homes of God’s people. Then, when God brought His final plague on Egypt – the death of every firstborn male – He would pass over every home marked by blood. 

Jesus is the Lamb of God

My husband and I clearly saw Christ evident in every aspect of the Seder, not just in the lamb itself. Every symbol, every word, every element pointed to Him and His sacrifice. One thing in particular caught my interest. Three pieces of matzah – unleavened bread – are included to symbolize the haste of the Jews departure from Egypt. At the beginning of the meal, the middle of the three matzahs is broken in half. The larger half, called the afikomen, is wrapped in a cloth and hidden away. At the end of the meal, the afikomen is brought out or found by the children, broken into smaller pieces and distributed to the Seder participants who then eat it together. 

The whole evening was both beautiful and sobering. We were awed by God’s clear portrait of Christ and His salvation in a ceremony instituted by God more than a millennium before His sacrificial death. But we were saddened that our friends missed it. They didn’t see the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) on their table. They missed the burial and resurrection of Jesus in the afikomen. (See also “How Jesus Fulfills the Passover.”)

The Passover Pointed Ahead to Jesus

However, Jesus clearly connected the elements of the Passover Seder to His imminent suffering and death. Jesus broke the matzah, the bread that symbolized His broken body. He shared the cup of wine – His blood spilled out for many. Jesus had fulfilled the Old Covenant. Now, His death established the New Covenant between God and His people. 

The Passover Seder not only looked back to God’s physical deliverance of His people, it also pointed forward to His ultimate spiritual deliverance. On the night of His arrest, Jesus graciously instituted the Lord’s Supper to help us look back on His sacrificial death, as well as forward to His return. (See also “Look for Jesus in the Old Testament.”)

…and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.        1 Corinthians 11:24-26, ESV

The slain lamb of the first Passover in Egypt was a substitute sacrifice. The life of the lamb instead of the life of the firstborn. A life for a life; a sacrifice for sin. But the animal sacrifice was merely a temporary place holder. The blood of animals is not sufficient to forever provide forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 10:4). But Jesus – the sinless Son of God – is our perfect, eternal Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). We were ransomed from slavery to sin with “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19, NIV). One sacrifice for all time. And Jesus is coming again to claim His own!

How often do you reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for you? How often do you anticipate His return? 

Note: This post was adapted from Kathy’s meaty devotional book “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Mark.” Find out more about this volume of the Deep Rooted devotional series or see it now on Amazon.

How is Easter Connected to Passover? by Kathy Howard.

I do a lot of reading. In addition to God’s Word, I read novels, cookbooks, blogs, articles, non-fiction books and more. Some of this reading is for fun. Other reading is for instruction or information. Some I approach casually. Other with skepticism. Some things I read might instruct my behavior. Other things I dismiss as irrelevant or even wrong. But it’s different when I read the Bible.

The Bible is uniquely different from everything else ever written. Which means we must read the Bible differently from the way we read anything else. The Bible was not written by man, but directly inspired by God Himself. God’s words, God’s heart, given to us. How should we approach the Bible? What attitudes are vital to not only read God’s Word, but to really hear it, to be shaped by it? (See also “3 Reasons We Can Trust the Bible” and “What Does it Mean that the Bible was Inspired?”)

How should we approach the #Bible. What’s your attitude?
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I need an attitude adjustment

The mere fact that we own a copy of the Bible is miraculous. Think about it. The Creator of the universe has revealed Himself to lowly mankind. He gave His words to us and used human authors to record them. Then, God miraculously preserved His words for centuries. And it is as relevant today as it was two millennium ago. Yet, we so often approach the Bible so casually and haphazardly. (See also “Do You Read the Bible all Wrong?”) Instead, we should approach God’s Word with not only a sense of awe and wonder, but with extreme reverence. God’s words are an extension of God Himself. God’s Word carries the same authority for us as God Himself.

3 Attitudes We Need to Read the Bible

So, how should we approach God’s Word? Here are 3 attitudes that will put us in the right mindset, reading to hear and respond to what God has for us.

Humility – Far too often I approach God’s Word with some level pride. Pride in thinking I already know this passage. Pride that I don’t need what He has to say. Oh, but pride is a great deceiver, keeping me from everything God has for me in His Word. Do I really want God to teach me? To use me for His purposes? Then I must humbly allow Him to correct, rebuke, and train me through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” (Psalm 25:9).Submission – Some days I take God’s Word far too casually. I read it and hear His gentle whisper to “tell” or “do” or “go” or “stop.” And I consider obedience. The Bible is God’s authority for my life. It is living, actively penetrating the deepest parts of my heart, mind, and soul to judge my attitudes, thoughts, behaviors, and intentions. To make me more like Jesus. How dare I ever tell Him “no.”Anticipation – God’s Word is light and life and hope. It guides, delivers, and comforts. God’s laws are right and true and trustworthy. The Word of God gives wisdom and joy. I should run to read His Word each day, greatly anticipating the treasure I will find there. Sometimes I do, but not always. (See also “4 Spiritual Benefits from God’s Word.”)

Need an #attitude adjustment? What attitude to we need to approach #GodsWord?
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God has reminded me today I need a little attitude adjustment. What about you? Do you approach God’s Word with humility, submission, and anticipation?

Lord God, adjust my attitude today. Forgive me of pride and foster a humble spirit within me. Help me submit to the authority of Your Word, so that I will live a life a full obedience to You. And grant me the joy of anticipation, always delighting in the discovery of Your Word. Amen.

3 Attitudes We Need When We Read the Bible by Kathy Howard.

There have been moments I wished God would send me an email to tell me exactly what He wanted me to do in a particular situation. I desperately wanted to know God’s will, so I could do the right thing, but I wasn’t sure what the right thing was.

Most Christians sincerely want to know and follow God’s will. We want to know what God wants us to do, what He wants us to say, what decisions He wants us to make, where He wants us to go. And yet so often we hesitate to step out because we lack confidence that this way – or is it that way – is God’s way.

Yet, we really don’t have to wonder what God’s will is. We don’t have to struggle with every decision, question every crossroad. We CAN know His will for us. God wants us to know His will.

We will break it down below, but here’s the answer in a nutshell:

When we know God’s Word, we will know His will.

God has revealed Himself to us in the Bible. In His divinely inspired Word, He has made known to us everything He wants us to know about Him. Indeed, everything we need to know about Him to live the life He wants us to live. In the Bible, God has revealed His character, His plans and purposes, His thoughts, and His ways.

The more we know and apply the “living, active” (Hebrews 4:12) Word of God, the more God uses its Truth to purify our hearts and renew our minds. The more we fill our minds with God’s Word and meditate on His eternal truths, the more our thinking will align with God’s thinking. The lies and half-truths of the world will be replaced with truth. And, over time, the way we think will look more and more like God’s way of thinking.

Paul expressed it this way in his letter to the Christians in Rome:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

The Greek word translated as “discern” in Romans 12:2 means to understand and agree with God’s will with the intent of putting it into practice. The more our thinking aligns with God’s we will begin to know almost instinctively what His will is in a given situation. The more we think like God, the more we will act like Him.

What we put into our minds WILL shape the way we think. Our thinking then shapes our beliefs and what we believe will dictate our behavior. When we think like the world, we will act like the world. When we think like God, we will do what God would do. (See “What are You Feeding Your Mind?” for more about transformed thinking.)

When we know God’s Word, we will know His will.

A Few Guidelines for Transformed Thinking:Transformed thinking takes time– The Bible is not a quick-reference guide. We can’t wait until a need arises then use the concordance to try to find God’s will. Knowing God’s Word in order to think like God requires a life-long commitment. It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to undo old patterns of thinking and establish new ones. (Also see “12 Ways to Stay Motivated to Read the Bible.”)Transformed thinking requires a personal commitment– Bible studies written by other people, sermon podcasts, and Christian conferences can all be great supplemental tools for the life of faith, nothing can replace our own study. Thorough knowledge of God’s Word requires personal, ongoing immersion in the Scriptures. Our study of the Bible cannot be erratic, casual, or second-hand. (If you want to dig into God’s Word for yourself but need just a little guidance, check out the Deep Rooted Journal . It’s packed with Bible study tips and helps. For a guide through a Bible book see the Deep Rooted devotional series. Each volume leads you through your own study of a Bible book. See Mark , Acts , or Romans .)Transformed thinking needs follow-through– The goal of knowing God’s will is doing God’s will. If we undertake to study God’s Word to know His will, we must be prepared to do His will.  (Also see “4 Ways to Apply Scripture to Your Life.”)Additional help in knowing God’s will

Even with a thorough knowledge of God’s Word and thinking that generally aligns with His, sometimes we still struggle to know God’s will. Seeking direction through prayer and godly counsel can often help us wisely discern God’s will. Keep in mind two things:

The Holy Spirit will never direct us in ways that contradict God’s Word.Always check human advice against the truths in God’s Word before proceeding.

Do you struggle to know God’s will? How have you sought to discover it in the past?

A few other related posts you may find helpful:

3 Attitudes I Need to Approach God’s Word5 Probing Questions to Help You Meditate on ScriptureFree Resources for Your Discipleship

The #1 Way to Know God’s Will by Kathy Howard.

When you read Scripture are you confident that you interpret the Bible correctly? Although we will always be growing in our knowledge of God and His Word, with the right tools and approach, we can understand the meaning of Scripture. This post gives 9 practical tips to help you “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

The need to interpret the Bible 

Every Bible passage has just ONE MEANING. (See also “Don’t Ask What This Bible Passage Means to You.”) That’s the one God originally gave it when He inspired it to be written. The original meaning is still it’s current and only meaning. Our task as students of the Bible is to seek to understand God’s original meaning and then apply it to our lives.

So why isn’t that meaning always crystal clear for us? Why do we need to do the work of interpreting what we read?

The biggest reason is this: DISTANCE

Twenty-first century, western believers are separated from the original meaning of Scripture by language, time, and culture. The Bible was written in Hebrew, Greek, and a little Aramaic. And it was written thousands of years ago in a cultural and historical setting very different from ours today. All of this separates us from an immediately clear meaning of a Bible passage.

Good, solid translations help a lot but they cannot fully bridge the distance gap. That’s why good study techniques are vital. Understanding the Bible doesn’t have to be hard. It just has to be done correctly. (See also, “Why are there so Many Bible Translations?”)

Before you read

1. Set aside preconceptions– None of us come to Scripture like a clean slate. We all have previously held understandings, preconceived ideas, and biases. These can hinder or alter a correct understanding of the passage. So, before you begin to read set all these aside and ask God to help you understand His meaning. 

2. Recognize the literary genre – The Bible is comprised of different types of literature. We cannot read and understand historical narrative the same way we do poetry or wisdom literature. (For more information see “Quick Tips for Handling 8 Different Literary Genres.”)

3. Know the background – Finding facts like the author, original audience, and the author’s original purpose for writing lays the right foundation for right understanding. This doesn’t always need to take a lot of time. Check the notes of a study Bible or keep a good Bible handbook close by. (Take a look at “Talk Thru the Bible” by Wilkinson and Boa.) A great online resources is the BibleProject.com.

 As you read

4. Observe the text – Before we can know what a passage means, we must first know what it says. Observation is the first step of inductive Bible study. (Find out more about my 4R Inductive Bible Study Method.) Recording things like facts, commands, lists, key words, and comparisons helps us determine what it says. (For more about observation see “10 Observation Tips for Better Bible Study.”)

5. Identify any figurative language – The Bible uses many literary tools like metaphors, similes, and hyperbole. For instance, Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 ESV). Jesus used hyperbole here to show that He alone is first in our lives.

6. Keep the passage in context – Taking a verse or passage out of its original context may be the most common mistake we make as Bible students. We should consider a passage’s literary, historical, and cultural contexts. (For more on context see “4 Tips to Help You Understand the Bible” and “How Literary Context Helps You Understand the Bible.”)

After you read

7. Use cross-references to clarify – One of the best ways to add insight or clarify a confusing passage is to look up other passages that deal with the same topic. You can find cross-references for every passage in a study Bible or a concordance. Good Bible students always interpret Scripture with Scripture!

8. Summarize, paraphrase, or outline the passage – This step will help you think through what you observed and give shape to your understanding.

9. Look for application – One reason we interpret the Bible is so we can apply its truths to our lives. Now identify things like spiritual truths, commands, and principles for godly living. God wants to use these to shape your beliefs, attitudes, and actions.

Did any of these tips surprise you? Which of them do you think will be most helpful to you? Why?

9 Tips to Help You Interpret the Bible by Kathy Howard.

About ten years ago I was speaking at a women’s conference and attended a breakout a woman led on creative Bible journaling. This “journaling” was really beautiful art. She showed us how to visibly and creatively express the truths found in a passage in the margin or even across the whole page. 

I gave it try but didn’t stick with it. While many women find this type of journaling helps them understand and own the biblical truth, I needed something different. I longed for a method that would help me dig deep into the passage, understand God’s meaning, and apply His truths.

After doing some investigating into different styles and studying some various Bible study methods, I landed on something that works really well for me. And from the feedback I’ve gotten, it works well for many others as well.

A few Types of Bible Journaling

There is more than one type of journaling referred to as “Bible journaling.” Although the following is not an exhaustive list, it will give you a good place to start.

Artistic – Many women find that drawing, stenciling, and coloring help them mediate on the deep truths of the Scripture. Some keep their artwork in the margins and others cover the whole page (without obscuring the text itself). If you are interested in adding a creative aspect to the way you engage with Scripture this post – “How to Start Bible Journaling” – is a good place to start. You may also be interested in the unique “Discovering the Bible Series.” This innovative Bible study series by a team of women combines in-depth Bible study (Jean E Jones) with motivating devotions (Pam Farrel) and creative coloring pages (Karla Dornacher).Reflective – This type of journaling can help us see our life and circumstances more clearly through the lens of God’s Word. As we reflect on His truths, we can pour out our hearts to God in writing. Can include prayers, praise, soul needs, and how we should apply the Scripture. Use the margin of your Bible or a separate journal.Bible study – This is the type of Bible journaling I do. As I read a Bible passage, I follow a simple inductive study method I call the 4R Bible study method. First, I READ the passage through. Then during a second reading, I move into the RECORD step. After highlighting specific things in the text like important facts, key words, and commands I write my specific observations in the extra-wide margin of my single-column journaling Bible. (See also “Bible Highlighting” and “10 Ways to Observe a Bible Passage.”) You can also use a separate journal, notebook, or the newly released “Deep Rooted Journal.”Types of Bibles to Consider for Bible JournalingInterleaved Bible – This type of Bible provides lots of space for journaling and study notes. The biblical text is printed in two columns, but across from each page of text is a full blank page. To see check out this NKJV red letter interleaved edition.Single-column wide-margin – This is the type of Bible I use. Each page includes just one column of biblical text, leaving an extra-wide, lightly lined margin for writing. The paper is heavier to minimize bleed-thru of pens and highlighters. I use a large print version because my eyes are old, but that makes it even easier for underlining and highlighting. If you’re interested, this is the one I use. Spiral-bound Illustrating Bible – I love the look of this Bible. This type of Bible also has a single-column of text, wide margin, and heavier paper. But the spiral binding also allows it to lay flat. Great feature that I may have to try out one day! Take a look at this one in the CSB translation.Scripture Journal – This great resource combines a full, single Bible book with lined blank pages for writing and study notes. For an example, see this Romans volume of the ESV Scripture Journal. They even offer a “study edition” that includes helpful tools and teaching notes.

If you rather not write in your Bible or simply need more room than even a wide-margin or interleaved Bible provides, you can use an actual journal. This option is also helpful if you are reading/studying a passage you’ve read before and your Bible is already packed with notes.

Deep Rooted Journal 

If you want to do Bible study journaling but would rather write in something other than your Bible, I have a suggestion! The Deep Rooted Journal was designed just for that! (See this video to get an up close introduction to the journal!)

This enhanced journal can be used with any book of the Bible, one of the Deep Rooted devotional books, or any other Bible reading plan. The basic daily structure shows you how to interact with and respond to Scripture. 

This resource is jam-packed with practical tools for your Bible reading, study, and prayer time:

50 days of Journaling pages for your daily Bible readingBook Background worksheetsBreakdown of the 4 R Bible Study Method (Inductive)Lots of Bible study helpsScripture memory tipsSix Bible Reading PlansAnd more!

You can see inside the journal on Amazon now!

Do you journal? If so, I’d love to know the type and is you find it helpful.

Bible Journaling can Enhance Your Bible Study by Kathy Howard.

Maybe you’ve heard the term “inductive Bible study” but aren’t exactly sure what it is. Or maybe you’re familiar with the meaning but have never used this method to study the Bible before. This post will define the term, explain the goal, describe the process, and show you some variations. Ready?

What is Inductive Bible Study?

“Inductive Bible study” is a simple, but reliable, three-step approach to properly understand and apply God’s truths from Scripture. Inductive study sets aside any preconceptions or prior assumptions we may have and simply starts with the evidence in the biblical text. This God-driven approach keeps the focus on God. There are quite a few variations of basic inductive study (see below) that keep the same focus and general approach. But there are also other approaches to Scripture that sadly often miss the point. (For more on this see “Do You Read the Bible All Wrong?” For a more detailed discussion of Inductive Bible study see this “Step-by-Step Guide.”)

What is the goal?

Every verse in the Bible has ONE original meaning. That’s the one God gave it when He inspired it to be written. Yes, there is endless specific applications to our individual lives, but only one meaning. Our goal as students of the Bible is to understand that meaning through proper observation and interpretation. In that process we will discover eternal truths and timeless spiritual principles. Those truths and principles can be applied to our lives in infinite ways. God’s unchanging truths are relevant for every situation and circumstance of our lives. To sum it up, our goal in Bible study is to learn God’s truth and allow Him to use it to make us more like Jesus. (You might also like “How Jen Wilkin Teaches Women to be Transformed by Scripture.“)

What is the process?

Basic inductive Bible study is a three-step process:

OBSERVATION – Before we can know what a passage means, we must see what it says. We do this through careful observation of the biblical text. We act like investigative journalists who ask questions that start with words like “who, what, when, where, and how.” We look for things like facts, word pictures, commands, repeated words and phrases, contrasts and comparisons. I record my observations in the extra-wide ruled margin of the journaling Bible I use, but you can also use a notebook or journal. (For more about observing a Bible passage see “10 Observation Tips for Better Bible Study.“)INTERPRETATION – After we’ve done the work to see what a passage says we can use solid interpretation principles to understand God’s one meaning. First, reflect on your observations. For instance, in John chapter 1, the author used used the words “light” and “life” repeatedly (keywords!) to describe Jesus. That’s significant. What truths about Jesus does the repeated use of those words indicate? Second, there are some guidelines we must keep in mind as we seek to determine God’s meaning. For instance, the literary genre of the book and the historical, cultural, and textual context all help shape our understanding. (For more on these guidelines see “4 Tips to Help You Understand the Bible.”)APPLICATION – the Bible study process is not complete until we have applied God’s truths to our lives. As I mentioned above, the application of God’s truth is endless. But, Paul gave us some broad categories for application in his letter to Timothy that’s a good place to start. (See “4 Ways to Apply Scripture to Your Life.”)What are some variations?

I teach a method of Inductive Study I call the “4 R Method.” I find the “4 Rs” memorable and I like the alliteration! The 4 R Method leads the student to read, record, reflect, and respond. The “read” step is the one not specifically indicated in basic inductive study, but we do have to read the passage! The 2nd through 4th Rs correspond to observation, interpretation, and application. (See “The 4 R Bible Study Method” for a breakdown of this method or learn how with “Video Teaching on the 4 R Bible Study Method.“)

I’ve seen solid inductive Bible study “packaged” in other various ways to make it more memorable or to make it easier for the Bible study to follow. As long as the study method seeks to find God’s meaning and follows the basic steps of observation, interpretation, and application it could be a good method to use.

For instance, I’ve seen the S.O.A.P method. The acronym stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Although it doesn’t specifically mention “Interpretation,” I think it’s implied.

The H.E.A.R. method leads students to highlight, explain, apply, and respond. This method seems to more closely reflect the inductive Bible study method. “Highlight” is the observation step, “explain” is the interpretation step, and “apply” is the application step.

The way you package the method is not nearly important as the method itself. Just remember, we must first observe what the text says, so we can interpret what it means, so that we can apply it to our lives.

Getting Started with Inductive Bible Study

Once you have a grasp of the basic process you can use the inductive study method with any book or passage in the Bible! With just a few solid study tools you can confidently engage in Bible study on your own. Just pick a Bible book and get started.

However, if you’d like a little help and direction there are lots of great resources. Here are just a few:

The Deep Rooted devotional books – I’ve written a series of “meaty” devotional books (more like a Bible study, devotional hybrid!) formatted around the 4 R Bible study method. Each one guides you through a book of the Bible and helps you use the inductive method to study it. Check out Mark, Acts, or Romans on Amazon. By the way, the Deep Rooted Journal and Deep Rooted Hebrews are coming soon!“ Reading the Bible Together ” – In this Facebook group for women we use the 4R Bible study method to read through and discuss one Bible book at a time. You can jump in any time! To join, follow this link , request to join and answer the three easy questions.Other resources – There are so many great Bible teachers out there who can help you learn how to do solid Inductive Bible Study. For instance, check out “Women of the Word” by Jen Wilkin, “Growing Up” by Robby Gallaty, and the awesome BibleStudyHub community led by Katie Orr.

I’d love to hear from you! What method of Bible study do you use now? Have you ever tried inductive Bible study?

What is Inductive Bible Study? by Kathy Howard.

If we want to know God better and grow spiritually, we need to be in His Word. And that doesn’t happen by accident. We need to be intentional. We NEED a Bible reading plan.

How do you plan to be in Scripture in the new year? It is not unspiritual to plan. At best, lack of planning means our time in the Bible will be hit and miss.

Years ago, before I started using long-term planning, my time in God’s Word was limited to published Bible studies. I was only in the Bible if I was in a study. I did learn a lot, but my knowledge was limited to the scope of those studies. I eventually began to see those wonderful studies as something that should be supplemental to regular Bible reading, not instead of. I needed to let God’s Spirit teach me directly from His Word. And it needed to be a day-to-day habit, not just two semesters of study a year.

Three Different Approaches to a Bible Reading Plan

At different times in my life, I have used all the various approaches to Bible reading listed below. There are advantages to each. Honestly, we need all of them. So, if you’ve been reading one way for quite a few years, consider changing it up for 2024. (Also see “Wide or Deep? Fast or Slow? Best Way to Read the Bible.“)

Read the Bible Through – Everyone needs to do this at least once! Reading through the whole Bible in a year – or even less time – helps us see and appreciate the Big Story (metanarrative) of Scripture. We see how all the pieces fit together. Also see “What is the Metanarrative of Scripture?”) I do have a year-long plan on my website that will take you through the entire Bible. It’s FREE to download. If you want to take a little slower pace, here’s a three-year long full Bible plan. And if you’re up for a challenge, Mary DeMuth has a full Bible 90-day challenge! Book-by-Book – This approach is for those who want to dig deep and savor what they’re reading rather than reading at a pace to cover a lot of ground. I’ve found a good pace for me is about 20 verses. The amount of Bible books you’ll read during the year will depend on how many verses you read each day and the length of the books you choose. There are six years of Bible reading plans with this approach on the Free Resources page of my website. Check them out!Topical – A topical plan would focus on a particular topic, word, character, etc found in Scripture. For instance, you could read all about God’s grace or parenting. It’s a little harder to find a full-year topical plan. However, I do have a couple of plans on my website that cover broad categories that are a year. One is the “Christian Doctrine” plan and the other is “Key Bible Character” plan. Check them out on the “Free Resources” page.Join My Bible Reading Group

I love to help women get into the Word, to encourage them to build a habit, and to equip them with solid study tools. To this end, one thing I do is lead a daily Bible reading group on Facebook. I have led this group consistently for almost 10 years now. We’ve been using the book-by-book approach for the last six. We start a new book – and a new full year’s Bible reading plan – on Monday, January 1st. (The book introduction will post on Saturday, December 30th.)

“Reading the Bible Together” is an encouraging, active community that includes women of all ages and walks of life who want to be in God’s Word. The members pray for one another and welcome all.

We read through one Bible book at a time, maintaining a pace that allows us to go a little deeper each day. The group fits any schedule, you can stop in anytime. We have women from all over the world so everyone reads and comments when it works best for them.

How the group works:

Readings & discussion questions for Monday through FridayDaily posts scheduled for 5am Central timeAverages 20-30 verses a dayFormatted to help you get into the Word for yourselfThis group is FREENew Bible books begin immediately after one endsYou can start and stop at any time

This group is for women of all ages and any place on the globe! If you’d like to join, follow the link to the Group Page, request to join, and answer the three easy questions. Note: You do need a Facebook account to join a group.

Additional Resources to Help

The New Year is almost here! Now is the time to prepare so you can hit the ground running with the calendar change. Pick a plan, gather your tools, and commit to a new year in the Word. If you’ve struggled with consistency, here are a few posts that can help you build a spiritually-healthy habit:

8 Tips to Foster Consistency in Your Quiet Time

11 Tips for Spending Quality Quiet Time with God

5 Tips for Setting Spiritual Growth Goals for the New Year

What is YOUR plan for being in the Bible in 2024? How can I help?

What’s Your Bible Reading Plan for 2024? by Kathy Howard.

When you read the Bible, do you look for Jesus in the Old Testament? Everything in the first 39 books of the Bible points to Jesus and His saving work. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells the one story (metanarrative) of God’s redemption through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared that the Old Testament Scriptures “bear witness about me” (John 5:39). (Also see “What is the Metanarrative of the Bible?”)

For various reasons, Christians sometimes avoid reading the Old Testament. (Also see “6 Reasons to Read the Old Testament.“) But if we read it with our “Jesus glasses” on, we will find deeper understanding and greater significance. I am NOT suggesting that we allegorize everything in the Old Testament or add meaning that God did not originally give it. What I do urge is that we recognize Jesus where the Bible itself indicates Jesus is present. Let’s not miss any exciting truth.

Three Ways to Look for Jesus in the Old Testament

Whole classes are taught on this subject so this post can only scratch the surface. But I can give a few ways to spot Jesus in the Old Testament books.

Pictures of Jesus and His Redemptive Work – In the book of Hebrews, the author shows how the elements of the Old Covenant were a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5). For instance, the high priest was just a shadow of our perfect High Priest and intercessor Jesus (Hebrews 8:1) and the sacrificial system was a depiction of the once-for-all perfect sacrifice of Jesus (Hebrews 10:12). And let’s not forget the rescue from slavery in Egypt, the Passover lamb, and God’s deliverance of Noah and his family in the ark (1 Peter 3:18-22). All these point to God’s ultimate salvation. (By the way, “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Hebrews” is coming Spring 2024!) Promises of a Savior – Long before the birth of Jesus, God promised again and again that He would send a Savior. As early as Genesis 3:15, God promised that a Savior would defeat Satan. When God called Abraham, He promised that all the families of the earth would be blessed through his descendant (Genesis 12:3). God’s promise to David that He would establish David’s throne forever was a promise of our eternal King Jesus (2 Samuel 7:12-16). And those are just a sampling.Prophecies of Details about Jesus – It’s amazing how many details of Jesus’ birth, ministry, and sacrifice are foretold in the Old Testament. We can find facts from His ancestry and birthplace to His betrayal, death, and resurrection. (For a list of 39 prophecies fulfilled by Jesus see “Is Jesus the Promised Messiah?“)Keep Jesus in Your Bible Study

My goal for this blog is solely to encourage you to look for Jesus wherever your are reading or studying in Scripture. We cannot properly understand any piece unless we remember that it’s all about Jesus. The redemption story provides the right lens for reading any passage in the Bible. I hope that focus will increase your desire to read the Old Testament and really expand your understanding of the whole of Scripture.

So Much More

I feel inadequate to really do this subject justice. But I have found a few articles that can tell you lots more. These are far more in-depth and give you more specific direction. I hope you will check them out.

“Where is Jesus in the Old Testament?”“How to Find Jesus in the Old Testament““Christ in the Old Testament“

What’s your favorite picture of Jesus in the Old Testament?

Look for Jesus in the Old Testament by Kathy Howard.

Christmas is less than two weeks away. You may be “not even started,” “all done!” or somewhere in between. But wherever you are in that process, it’s not too late to take some time to focus on Who we celebrate. And I want to help.

MY GIFT TO YOU – A CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

I know your list is long and the days are short, so I’ve put together a mini-devotional that will quickly guide you through a short Bible reading, a truth to consider, and a prayer to voice. These eight days focus on the Light of Christmas.

Ive been thinking a lot recently about the truth that Jesus is the Light of the World. In fact, this very morning I am at a women’s Christmas event teaching on this very thing. In his Gospel, John declared that Jesus is “the true light, which gives light to everyone.” Jesus came to bring the light of salvation to a very dark world.

I love that light is such an integral part of Christmas. The lights on our trees, our homes, and more all remind us of the “True light” (John 1:9). Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) who offers life to all people. This dark world certainly needs the light and life of Jesus right now.

DOWNLOAD THE BOOKMARK TO PRINT

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#FreePrintable 8 day #Christmas #devotional guide “The Light of Christmas”
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IDEAS FOR USING THIS DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

I’ve prepared the devotional guide in two forms. You can print either the bookmark size or the full-sheet PDF, whichever you’re more comfortable with.

Stick the guide in your Bible for easy access.Use during your personal quiet time leading up to Christmas.Do the devotional with a spouse or friend, or use for a family devotional time.Record any responses and prayers in a journal or right in your Bible if there is room.A Few Other Resources You May Find Helpful

The following are a few other resources and blog posts that might meet a need or encourage you or your family:

“l “Quiet Time Tips” to help you build a strong habit in the new year6 Ways to Impact Kids with the Real Meaning of Christmas5 Gift Ideas for the Bible Study Lover on Your List

I’d love to know if you plan to use this devotional and how! 

Free 8-Day Light of Christmas Devotional Guide by Kathy Howard.

Now that Thanksgiving is over our thoughts turn toward Christmas preparation and activities. I spent all day Friday decorating. Every other item I pulled from the Christmas boxes hit me with warm memories from years past. First I unwrapped the ceramic caroler set my mother painted when I was girl. Every year, nestled by fake snow, it occupied a place of honor on top of the large television console in the corner of our living room. Then I placed the lovely red bird with glittery white wings on a prominent place on our tree. A neighbor gave me the ornament when I was four after I admired an identical one on their tree.

Finally I hung my most treasured Christmas heirlooms on the mantle – fourteen beautiful cross-stitched stockings all in a row. My mother made the first five for me, Wayne, and our three children. She tried to make the next two, one for our first son-in-law and first grandchild. But by then, Alzheimer’s had begun to take hold, so she found someone to stitch them instead. A nice lady with an Etsy store made the next seven for us. Although Mom only made five, the whole collection reminds me of my mother and her love for us. Of her love for Christmas and Jesus. Those stockings are a physical token of my family legacy.

3 Gift Ideas to Encourage Family Legacy

I wish I knew more about my parents’ childhood, family history, and faith journey. I really regret not asking them more questions, not spending more time just simply talking to them. Now that both my mother and father are gone, I’ve thought a lot about how I can insure my children and grandchildren don’t have the same regrets.

If you want to encourage legacy in your own family, check out the following gift ideas. I’ve used them myself and even given Storyworth! These also make great gifts for those “hard-to-buy” folks on your list.

Storyworth – Storyworth helps you or a loved one turn the stories of your life into a beautiful book, one question at a time. Each week for a year the recipient gets an email with a question to prompt the story flowing. You can even add photos. At the end of the year, the stories are bound into a hardback book. Ancestry – Discover, build, and preserve your family’s story one ancestor at a time! With a subscription, you can access Ancestry.com’s data banks to fill out your family tree. LegacyBox – Preserve your family’s precious memories! LegacyBox digitizes your film, videotapes, and photos.

My kids gave both me and my husband the gift of Storyworth. I took the opportunity to share about my faith journey as often as I could. I want my kids and grandkids to know about my faith. With that in mind, I created a FREE PDF called “Write Your Faith Story.” This resource gives question prompts in several categories to help you write about your spiritual journey with Jesus. These details – your feelings, your spiritual highs and lows will help pave a path of faith for those who come after you. Get this FREE RESOURCE now.

HEIRLOOM Cyber Monday DEAL

My devotional book, Heirloom: Living and Leaving a Legacy of Faith, is a beautiful, hardbound book. It’s beauty alone makes it a lovely gift. But the content makes it an impactful one. Heirloom tells stories of the past that still impacts our faith today. These 52 heart-felt reflections reveal the seeds of our faith―seeds that sprouted and took root, growing through the centuries to touch our lives today. Heirloom weaves these stories of faith and family history with Scripture, beautiful artwork, and ancestry research tips and techniques. Through these stories of persevering faith you’ll discover the potential your story has to impact future generations. (Find out more about Heirloom on my website’s book page.)

A copy of Heirloom is also a great way to package a gift like Ancestry, Storyworth, or LegacyBox that’s not a physical item.

I have a big inventory of these books at home, so I want to offer you a GREAT DEAL! If you order at least FIVE COPIES, I will mail them to you at just $10 each! You must order them by Monday, December 4th and have a mailing address within the 48 continental states. Here’s how it works:

1. Email me at [email protected] and tell me how many copies you want.

2. I’ll send you a PayPal invoice for the total.

3. When the invoice is paid, I’ll ship them out to you! It’s that easy!

You can order less than 5 copies on Amazon!

How are you doing on your Christmas shoppin g? What gift are you most excited about giving this year?

Christmas Ideas & a Cyber Monday Deal by Kathy Howard.