Readings for the week of Aug. 21, 2016

Our passage in Romans speaks to the issue of how sin is to be dealt with in light of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  The push forward however is to consider the ‘new life’ as a whole as it occurs through Jesus.  The passages this week look forward to how that ‘new life’ is formed.  This ideal of the ‘new life’ arose as it became more and more obvious that Jesus’ return was not going to be immediate, but that there were a lot of people in the world to be reached with the gospel before that happened.  So how does one live life under the blessing of the empty cross?

Mon. Aug. 22: Acts 2: 37-47  This is the formation of the community living the new life in Christ after Pentecost.

Tue. Aug. 23: Acts 6: 1-7  As the new life in Christ built up the community, there was need for new leadership to carry out the social responsibilities of the community.

Wed. Aug. 24: Ephesians 4:17-5:20  Paul speaks to the application of Christian principle and the teachings of Jesus to the new life in Christ.

Thu. Aug. 25: 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31  The metaphor of the body is given for us to understand the new roles and responsibilities of the new life in Christ.

Fri. Aug. 26: 1 Timothy 4:1-16  As the next generation of leadership arises to continue the new life in Christ, this is Paul’s charge to one such leader.

Sat. Aug. 27: 2 Timothy 3:10-4:18  In passing the torch, Paul reflects on what he has done in the new life in Christ, how he has led his life that way, and what comes next.