Bible Readings and Devotion for September 5 & 6, 2020
Here are the references for the readings. Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:
September 5
September 6
Devotion for September 6, 2020
By Pastor David Tinker
When teaching about the various Books of the Bible I have sometimes tossed in an odd name. It is Hezekiah. I know that Hezekiah is not the name of any book of the Bible. His name sounds like a prophet or something like that. I throw this name out there to get people thinking. I mention him because our reading from 2 Kings 20 shares part of his story.
My ultimate goal when teaching the names of the books is this: I hope that people will learn the names of the books of the Bible, in order, and as to whether it is Old Testament or New Testament. The purpose of this is so that people will be able to use their Bible well. When given a reference I want to help them to find the book quickly. Then they can move along to find the specific chapter and verse. When they know where a certain book it, then they can also gain understanding of what is around it and how it relates to the themes and broad story of God’s Holy Word to us.
One of the tools I use for teaching is what follows in this devotion. It is a document I created more than a decade ago. It presents the names of the books of the Bible in order and divided by Old and New Testaments. I also read through the book and found a short theme of each book.
Here is a link to a PDF of this document. Feel free to use it. It will print out better than printing this web page.
Books of the Bible – Themes of Each Book THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. Genesis A Book of Beginnings
2. Exodus Freedom for God’s people
3. Leviticus A Holy People Worship a Holy God
4. Numbers Preparing for the Promised Land
5. Deuteronomy The Second Giving of the Law
6. Joshua Entering the Promised Land
7. Judges Heroes for Israel
8. Ruth Family is Important
9. 1 Samuel The people ask for Kings
10. 2 Samuel David’s Success and Sin
11. 1 Kings Divided Strength in Israel
12. 2 Kings Deeper Trouble for God’s People
13. I Chronicles Retelling of History
14. 2 Chronicles Idol Worship brings them down
15. Ezra Return to Jerusalem
16. Nehemiah Rebuilding the Walls
17. Esther A Queen Saves the Day
18. Job Life is Tough, God is Faithful
19. Psalms The People Sing
20. Proverbs Wise Ideas for all time
21. Ecclesiastes Life is Meaningless without God
22. Song of Solomon God’s Love Song
23. Isaiah Afflict the Comfortable, Comfort the Afflicted
24. Jeremiah The Need to Return to God
25. Lamentations Hope in the midst of tears
26. Ezekiel Doom leads to hope
27. Daniel Standing Firm under Pressure
28. Hosea God’s unfaithful people
29. Joel The Promise of God’s Holy Spirit
30. Amos Let Justice Roll Down like waters
31. Obadiah Don’t Mess with God’s people
32. Jonah God loves all people
33. Micah Perverting Faith or Pleasing God
34. Nahum God Judges, God Rules
35. Habakkuk God is in Control
36. Zephaniah Seek the Lord
37. Haggai The Call to Rebuild the Temple
38. Zechariah Visions of Hope
39. Malachi The Faithful will remain
Books of the Bible – Themes of Each Book THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. Matthew Jesus Teaches Us
2. Mark Prepare the Way of the Lord
3. Luke The Babe who Loves us
4. John God so loves the world
5. Acts The growing church
6. Romans Textbook of the Good News
7. 1 Corinthians Love – the More Excellent Way
8. 2 Corinthians We are a New Creation
9. Galatians Freedom in Christ
10. Ephesians One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
11. Philippians Joy in Following Jesus
12. Colossians Jesus is Supreme
13. 1 Thessalonians Be Faithful in the Long Term
14. 2 Thessalonians Waiting for Jesus
15. 1 Timothy Encouragement for a young leader
16. 2 Timothy Strength in Service
17. Titus Instructions for Leaders
18. Philemon A plea for true brotherhood
19. Hebrews Christ is the Greatest
20. James Be a Doer of the Word
21. 1 Peter Strength in Suffering
22. 2 Peter Diligence in Growth
23. 1 John Let us love one another
24. 2 John Walking in the Truth
25. 3 John Imitating Good
26. Jude Watch for False Teachers
27. Revelation Hope for Heaven
My hope and prayer for each of you is that you will actively seek to read, study and understand God’s Word. It is a message from our loving God of faith, hope, and love for the whole human race, including Hezekiah.
Prayer
Blessed Lord God, you have caused the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people. Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, comforted by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal life, which you have given us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Martin Luther Lutheran Church 