The United Methodist Men (UMM) invite you to join other men in reading the Bible through in a year. Here is A Year’s Bible Reading Program from the UMM.
Please know this is not designed as a Bible study but that rather a reading program for discipleship. You are asked to spend approximately 15 minutes per day reading the Bible. This plan reads straight through the bible cover to cover.
From PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES by the Upper Room:
“One of the most central and ancient practices of Christian prayer is Praying the Scriptures. When we Pray the Scriptures, we begin by reading a few verses of the Bible. We read unhurriedly so that we can listen for the message God has for us there. We stay alert to connections the Spirit may reveal between the passage and what is going on in our lives…. ”
The Reading for March 15th, 2018:
Joshua 7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
7 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.
2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” 4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, 5 and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water. …
The Audio of the above Scripture passage.
Why is men’s ministry important?
Men lead others best by modeling Jesus Christ in thoughts, words and deeds.
Spiritual maturity is signified in spiritual reproduction, as the faith of mature disciples passes on in others.
Men growing in Christ become effective spiritual leaders in their homes and congregations, working as partners with their spouses and congregational leaders-both lay and clergy.
Spiritually growing men help congregations to become vital and alive.
Everything desired from and through men comes as a result of men growing spiritually and maturing as disciples: family blessings, stewardship, service, outreach, prayer, spiritual leadership, lifestyle evangelism, and faithful obedience. Men are foundational to the life and health of the church.
When a man lives daily in surrendered faith, God is honored and many lives are blessed. Transformed hearts are forged only within Christ-centered lives-nothing less is our acceptable offering; nothing less truly reveals Christ.
