The Daily Reading Bible

The Daily Reading Bible – Volume 3 – Matthias Media


The Daily Reading Bible is an all-in-one resource and a good way to get started or keep going in your daily reading of the Bible.

This 3rd volume contains 60 readings looking at Genesis 1-11, 2 Thessalonians, Hebrews 1-7 and the topic of ‘Jesus, the Coming One’. Each reading is designed to take around 15-20 minutes, and contains:

• the full text of the Bible passage for that reading
• some questions to get you thinking
• some ‘points to ponder’ and
• some ideas to get you started in prayer.

It's all in one booklet that you can take with you anywhere—on the train or bus, to uni to read in between classes, to work for your lunch break, to the park or at home.


If you would like a copy of this book talk to your bible study leader or visit Pilgrim Books (3 Church St, Bathurst). If you struggle with reading the bible or getting into a routine maybe you could ask a friend or 2 to meet up with you during the week and read the bible and go through the questions in this book over a cup of coffee. It's amazing how the bible can transform your life and how much closer to God you become when you actually read His word! 

Prayer at Bible Study

Bible study starts up again this week. Jeff's group is going to start with a study on prayer this Thursday night. 

I've noticed I often pray for the same thing each week at bible study because it's easy and it means I don't have to go into the details of what I really need prayer for. This year I'm going to challenge myself to think of different prayer points and to share them instead of the mundane everyday things that I have been saying each week. And if I can't think of anything I need to ask God for I want to thank Him for the good things in my life – for the sun coming up each day, for a friend, for my job, for the opportunity to talk to Him and the freedom we have in doing so, for His love and for the relationship we can have with Him because of what Jesus did on the cross. And if I can't think of anything to pray for, have I really been listening and taking in what bible study was on that night? There should always be something to pray for after studying the bible for an hour and a half! 

I'm looking forward to learning to be a better pray-er. What about you? Do you want to join me in my challenge?

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.
 ¹ Hear me, LORD, and answer me,
   for I am poor and needy.
² Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
   save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; ³ have mercy on me, Lord,
   for I call to you all day long.
⁴ Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
   for I put my trust in you.
 ⁵ You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
   abounding in love to all who call to you.
⁶ Hear my prayer, LORD;
   listen to my cry for mercy.
⁷ When I am in distress, I call to you,
   because you answer me.
 ⁸ Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
   no deeds can compare with yours.
⁹ All the nations you have made
   will come and worship before you, Lord;
   they will bring glory to your name.
¹⁰ For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
   you alone are God.
 ¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD,
   that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
   that I may fear your name.
¹² I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
   I will glorify your name forever.
¹³ For great is your love toward me;
   you have delivered me from the depths,
   from the realm of the dead.
 ¹⁴ Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;
   ruthless people are trying to kill me—
   they have no regard for you.
¹⁵ But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
   slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy on me;
   show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
   just as my mother did.
¹⁷ Give me a sign of your goodness,
   that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
   for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Bible Study

Bible studies are starting back next week. Have a chat with your leader if you want to change groups or if you have any suggestions etc. If you haven't already you'll probably hear from your leader in the next few days about whats happening.

Our Small Groups underpin the way we try to build community at church. They are a key part of the way we seek to care for and get to know people within our church family. They are a way for us to reach out beyond our usual age/stage/lives. They are also an important forum for feeding on God’s word in a more in depth manner than Sundays

Bible study is a great way to learn more from God's word - to dig deeper into the bible, to develop relationships with other Christians, to be encouraged and to encourage. If we all went to bible study  with the attitude of wanting to get something out it then it probably wouldn't work as a ministry. But if you change your attitude and ask yourself what can I put into the group, how can I help others, we will all probably get more out of the study time.
We're all tempted to do something other than go to bible study. You may be tired or have an assignment or you've had an offer to do something else, but it would be great if people could make a commitment to coming each week, a commitment to preparing for the study and turning up on time and join with each other to worship and study God's word.
So have a think and a pray about where you're at with bible study and see where God leads you.