Ligonier’s – Exploring God's Library

Exploring God’s Library 2022-2023 Bible Reading Calendar

Greetings fellow Bible Readers!!

Our EGL2022-2023 #BibleReading journey begins on October 22, 2022 using the Exploring God’s Library Reading Calendar. You’re welcome to join us whether this be your first time reading the Bible or your 50th. You’ll not be on this journey alone, but if you would like will be in a group reading the Bible for the next 51 weeks.

Here’s the link to the Exploring God’s Library 2022-2023 Bible Reading Calendar.

https://exploringgodslibrary.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/reading-schedule-2022-to-2023-5783_10.12.22.pdf

Exploring God’s Library One year reading calendar is a bit different from other Bible reading calendars in that it commences in the fall according to an ancient Jewish reading regimen of the Torah which begins anew each year following the fall feast known as the Feast of Tabernacles. It is different though in that it also contains daily readings from the Old Testament historic books and Prophets, the Psalms, Proverbs and readings from the New Testament.

It takes approximately 20 minutes a day to read the select sections. It is not a straight through the Bible read from Genesis to Revelation, rather it systematically reads through the Torah, also known as the Pentateuch, the Historic Books, Prophets, the Wisdom literature, Proverbs, Psalms for devotion, and a section of the New Testament.

We are very excited as it is the first time that we know of where all the Holy Scriptures are portioned out in tandem with Jewish Torah Parashat so that the entire Bible is read through, with the exception of the Psalms which will be read twice through. The Hebrew Parashat has been used by the Jewish community since the Babylonian captivity which allows everyone to be on the same page in their reading of the Holy Scriptures providing for rich discussion in the community of faith.

The calendar we use is the western calendar, but it also lists appropriate holydays from the Hebrew Calendar as well as the Christian calendar for those who come from the various Christian and Messianic traditions. Each holy day will have Scripture surrounding that special day or week.

The calendar changes slightly every year and notes the holy days as they occur. Our family and neighbors come from many backgrounds, some are Jewish, some are Christian, some are Orthodox, some celebrate Christmas on different dates

The Exploring God’s Library Reading Calendar enables us to plan and be aware of one another’s religious calendar in the Jewish and Messianic and Christian communities which celebrate certain days with great solemnity such Yom Kippur and Passover and others with great joy like Christmas or Resurrection week, or Feast of Tabernacles for 8 days.

If you have any comments, criticism or praise, or suggestion on the EGL reading please keep it kind, constructive and Biblical. You may either post it here or send an email to James and Elizabeth Stephens re:EGL 2022-2023 Bible Reading Calendar exploringgodslibrary@gmail.com.

You may also wish to subscribe to our Exploring God’s Library Facebook group which enables you to join us on Tuesday evenings for a one hour coaching session from 6-7 pm Pacific Standard Time (Los Angeles, California) based on that week’s readings. Note: we are presently having difficulties with FB live, but you can access it daily as we do post the daily reading and supplementary materials.

Please Subscribe here to the private EGL FB Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1871385569648323/?ref=share

If you are unable to attend the session because of time differences or if you are not on Facebook, we will also post it on the Exploring God’s Library YouTube channel. We recommend that everyone subscribe to the channel so that you are automatically notified. There you will find a special list of many, many valuable resources for your study of the Scriptures.

Please subscribe here to the EGL YouTube channel. https://youtube.com/channel/UCx236kaMv50VylKKDYvneMA

Please feel free to share it with your Church, Bible study, Youth Group, school Messianic synagogue, colleagues, neighbors, friends and family who desire to read through the Word this year to gain a richer understanding.

There is no fee. You are however invited to contribute if you desire to help us keep the reading calendar and weekly coaching session free. We have readers from all over the world many who can not afford the expense. It is a free will offering. We are free church members and not a 501(c)3.

https://www.givesendgo.com/egl

Looking forward to being on the journey with you this year.

In Christ’s refuge and strength,

James and Elizabeth Stephens

Reformation Day October 31, 2020

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses concerning indulgences on the door of the church in Wittenberg as he had witnessed much abuse “by traders in indulgences, so misunderstood by the people, that if the pope knew what was going on, he would rather see St. Peter’s church go into ashes, than see it built of the skin and bones of his sheep.”

Luther said, “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in that is really your God. The Bible is alive; it speaks to me; It has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.”

“Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I can not and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can not do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

As Christians we do not celebrate Halloween, but Reformation Day which honors Martin Luther and the many believers who have fought for the purity of the Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ, who have consistantly held to the faith as delivered to the Apostles, His Church, which have solidified her historic doctrines and creeds. Here is a brief playlist including the Luther film and a documentary on Luther produced by Ligonier’s.

Luther

October 12, 2020

EGL–Suggested Resources. It’s October and 500 years ago, the Roman Catholic Monk, Martin Luther who would lead a movement reclaiming the purity of the pilgrim church built ipon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets of the first century historic Christian faith, called the church to Reformation and nailed his treatises to a Church door in Wittenberg, Germany.

I just discovered this excellent resource on Luther on the Ligonier’s website, a ministry founded by the late R.C. Sproul, well worth supporting. Here’s a link to their site and the podcast and various other resources for your edification.

“It’s been three years since Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door at Wittenberg. Now the pope’s envoy is knocking on Luther’s door, and the message is dire. Today, travel back to October 10, 1520, to witness why Luther was called to recant his teachings and what was at stake if he refused.

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://gift.ligonier.org/1438/luther-in-real-time

If this podcast has been a blessing to you, try these other podcasts from Ligonier:

Renewing Your Mind: https://renewingyourmind.org/

5 Minutes in Church History: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/

Ask Ligonier: https://ask.ligonier.org/podcast

Open Book: https://openbookpodcast.com/

Simply Put: https://simplyputpodcast.com/

The Westminster Shorter Catechism with Sinclair Ferguson: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/westminster-shorter-catechism/