Author Archives: Pastor Andrew Ruth

Weekly Bible Reading Plan – Sept 13-20, 2020 – The Passover

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Persevere – Reading Plan – Sept123-20.2020 – PassoverDownload

DAY 1 – Heb 11:28; Gen 12 – Pray for modern slaves

DAY 2 – Joshua 5 – Pray for the fearful

DAY 3 – Ezra 6 – Pray for new identity

DAY 4 – Luke 22:1-38 – Pray for our Elders

DAY 5 – Gal 6:7-10 – Pray for endurance

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Listening to God by praying God’s Word back to God.  

  1. When have you been confronted by countless “no’s” when trying to do God’s will? How did you respond to all the disappointment?
  2. How many times has Moses confronted Pharaoh? How many times has Pharaoh said, “No”? There were no other memorial meals/rituals for the other plagues, so why does God instituted a memorial meal and not just a plague?
  3. Who is the eat the Passover meal? Why? How are they to eat it? What if one of them (like a child) doesn’t understand the significance? Why would God prepare parents for these questions?
  4. What rituals do you have that spark questions from your children or extended family? Are you prepared to explain them?
  5. What do Joshua and the Israelites do before crossing into the promised land? Why? How do these actions prepare them for the opposition they will face? What identity do they receive?
  6. What does Ezra do with the exiles after they return? Why is the Passover so pivotal to their re-establishment in the land? What does this do for them?
  7. Why do you think God connects the Passover and the Last Supper? How did the Passover point to the Last Supper?
  8. Where are you tempted to grow weary right now? How can you persevere?

Weekly Bible Reading Plan – Aug 30 – Sept 6, 2020 – The Lord’s Supper

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Teach a Man to Fish – Reading Plan – Aug 23-30.2020 – BaptismDownload

DAY 1 – Mark 14:1-26 – Pray for students

DAY 2 – John 6:25-71 – Pray for the homebound

DAY 3 – 1 Cor 11:17-34 – Pray for parents and grandparents

DAY 4 – Matt 8:11; Rev 3:20 – Pray for mealtime conversations

DAY 5 – 2 Sam 9 – Pray people with special needs

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Listening to God by praying God’s Word back to God.  

  1. What were you seeking in life before Christ? Where did you look for it? Where did that lead you? How did you find it in Jesus?
  2. Who do you know looking for the same thing?
  3. What are your children looking for? Your parents? Your closest friends? How might you point them to that thing in Jesus?
  4. This week, we’ll think about the Lord’s Supper. When did Jesus serve this meal? Who did he serve it to? What happens after this meal?What does this say about Communion even for people who still betray Jesus with sin?  
  5. What is the holiest moment of your life? When Jesus was so close it was like him hand feeding you?
  6. What does John 6 teach us about the true nature of the Last Supper, or rather, what the Last Supper represents? What is the bread of heaven? How do we eat it really?
  7. What ways do Corinthians mess up the Supper? How are they failing to discern the Body of Christ in the elements? In each other?
  8. When do they eat the Supper in Corinth? How do they eat it?
  9. Why is “Eating with Jesus” so precious an invitation? Have you said yes? Do you imagine Jesus at your dinner table? Could you sacramentalize the meals around your table?
  10. What similarities are there between you and I and Mephibosheth? Between Jesus and David?

Weekly Reading Plan – August 23-30, 2020 – Baptism

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Teach a Man to Fish – Reading Plan – Aug 23-30.2020 – BaptismDownload

DAY 1 – Matt 3 – Pray for those who want to make a change

DAY 2 – Acts 2:38-39; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8 – Pray for whole families to be converted

DAY 3 – Rom 6:1-14 – Pray for us to die to sinful ways

DAY 4 – 1 Cor 12:12-13 – Pray for Church Unity

DAY 5 – Ephesians 5:25-26 – Pray we’d believe we’ve actually been washed.

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Listening to God by praying God’s Word back to God.  

  1. What were you seeking in life before Christ? Where did you look for it? Where did that lead you? How did you find it in Jesus?
  2. Who do you know looking for the same thing?
  3. What are your children looking for? Your parents? Your closest friends? How might you point them to that thing in Jesus?
  4. This week, we’ll think about Baptism, by looking at many different verses. Jesus is baptized in Matt 3.
  5. How did John explain the baptism John was offering? What is the difference between “John’s baptism” and “Christian baptism”?
  6. Why is Jesus baptized if he has no sin? What happens during Jesus’ baptism? Are there corollaries for believers being baptized into Jesus’ name?
  7. What do you learn about baptism in Acts? What patterns do you see? How should these affect your family? And your ministry to your family?
  8. What is the symbolism of baptism in Rom 6? How is it that you and I are buried with Christ? How raised? What does that even mean? How can we be dead and yet still alive?
  9. In 1 Cor 12, how does baptism affect our relationship with the church? In baptism we are united with Christ, which means we’re also united with whom?
  10. Ephesians 5, is an odd place to think about baptism, but the symbolism involves water. What does Jesus’ do to us? What can wash away our sin?

Weekly Reading Plan – Aug 2-9, 2020 – Daniel 1-5

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Teach a Man to Fish – Reading Plan – Aug 2-9.2020 – Daniel 1-5Download

DAY 1 – Daniel 1 – Pray for slaves worldwide

DAY 2 – Daniel 2 – Pray for God’s Kingdom to come

DAY 3 – Daniel 3 – Pray for courage

DAY 4 – Daniel 4 – Pray for humility

DAY 5 – Daniel 5 – Pray you’d be teachable

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Listening to God by praying God’s Word back to God.  

  1. Before reading, on a scale from 1-10, how satisfied are you with your personal prayer life? How much do you feel like God hears your prayers? When was the last time you felt God’s presence?
  2. What time of day are you at your best mentally and emotionally? Could you arrange to do your Bible meditation during that time?
  3. This week, we will practice the 5 questions we learned on Sunday:
    • What does this passage teach me about God?
    • What does this passage teach me about myself, humans, and the world?
    • Is there an example to follow?
    • Is there a command to obey?
    • How does this remind me of Jesus and the gospel?
  4. With each passage:
    • What could you PRAISE God for in this passage?
    • What could you REPENT of in this passage?
    • Who does it bring to mind to ASK for Others?
    • What do you want to pray for YOURSELF in this passage?