So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17
The Greek word Paul chose for new in this verse is kainos referencing a new creation that has not existed previously. This has greater implications than if Paul had instead used neos, meaning new in an already established category.
This biblical concept of kainos new is a pillar of Christian doctrine. Since God is about the work of making us new every day, we are transformed throughout our lives into a new creation, continuously growing in our resemblance to the one we follow, Jesus Christ. Evidence of this transformation can be found in our words, attitudes, actions and lifestyle.
One way that we open ourselves to experience kainos new is by practicing the spiritual discipline of reading Scripture. This is because we encounter God in the pages of Scripture. And each time we meet the living God, we are changed.
With that in mind, I invite you, the Holston Conference, to join me in reading through the Bible together individually and collectively in 2022. As we participate in “Read Together” in community, we open ourselves to experience God's presence and kainos on an individual basis and as a conference.
May 20, 2024 2 Chronicles 13-15 (NRSV) 2 Crónicas 13-15 (RVR1960) Abijah Reigns over Judah 13 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah. 2 He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah ...
May 19, 2024 2 Chronicles 10-12 (NRSV) 2 Crónicas 10-12 (RVR1960) The Revolt against Rehoboam 10 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. 2 When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, where he...
May 17, 2024 2 Chronicles 4-7 (NRSV) 2 Crónicas 4-7 (RVR1960) Furnishings of the Temple 4 He made an altar of bronze, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high. 2 Then he made the molten sea; it was round, ten cubits from rim to ...
May 16, 2024 2 Chronicles 1-3 (NRSV) 2 Crónicas 1-3 (RVR1960) Solomon Requests Wisdom 1 Solomon son of David strengthened himself in his kingdom; the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. 2 Solomon summoned all Israel, the ...
May 15, 2024 1 Chronicles 28-29, Psalm 83 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 28-29, Salmos 83 (RVR1960) Solomon Instructed to Build the Temple 28 David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the officials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions ...
May 14, 2024 1 Chronicles 25-27, Psalm 82 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 25-27, Salmos 82 (RVR1960) The Temple Musicians 25 David and the officers of the army also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy ...
May 13, 2024 1 Chronicles 22-24 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 22-24 (RVR1960) 22 1 Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the Lord God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” David Prepares to Build the Temple 2 David gave orders to gather ...
May 12, 2024 1 Chronicles 19-21 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 19-21 (RVR1960) Defeat of the Ammonites and Arameans 19 Some time afterward, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son succeeded him. 2 David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun son of ...
May 11, 2024 1 Chronicles 16-18 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 16-18 (RVR1960) The Ark Placed in the Tent 16 They brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being ...
May 10, 2024 1 Chronicles 13-15, Psalm 81 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 13-15, Salmos 81 (RVR1960) The Ark Brought from Kiriath-jearim 13 David consulted with the commanders of the thousands and of the hundreds, with every leader. 2 David said to the whole ...
May 9, 2024 1 Chronicles 10-12 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 10-12 (RVR1960) Death of Saul and His Sons 10 Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2 The Philistines overtook ...
May 8, 2024 1 Chronicles 8-9, Psalms 80 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 8-9, Salmos 80 (RVR1960) Descendants of Benjamin 8 Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, 2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 3 And Bela...
May 7, 2024 1 Chronicles 6-7, Psalms 78-79 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 6-7, Salmos 78-79 (RVR1960) Descendants of Levi 6 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram: Aaron, ...
May 6, 2024 1 Chronicles 4-5, Psalm 77 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 4-5, Salmos 77 (RVR1960) Descendants of Judah 4 The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. 2 Reaiah son of Shobal became the father of Jahath, and Jahath became the father of ...
May 5, 2024 1 Chronicles 1-3 (NRSV) 1 Crónicas 1-3 (RVR1960) From Adam to Abraham 1 Adam, Seth, Enosh; 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; 4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 5 The descendants of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, ...
May 4, 2024 2 Kings 24-25, Psalm 76 (NRSV) 2 Reyes 24-25, Salmos 76 (RVR1960) Judah Overrun by Enemies 24 In his days King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came up; Jehoiakim became his servant for three years, then turned and rebelled against him. 2 He ...
May 3, 2024 2 Kings 21-23, Psalm 75 (NRSV) 2 Reyes 21-23, Salmos 75 (RVR1960) Manasseh Reigns over Judah 21 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2 He did ...
May 2, 2024 2 Kings 18-20 (NRSV) 2 Reyes 18-20 (RVR1960) Hezekiah’s Reign over Judah 18 In the third year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, Hezekiah son of King Ahaz of Judah began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign;...
May 1, 2024 2 Kings 15-17 (NRSV) 2 Reyes 15-17 (RVR1960) Azariah Reigns over Judah 15 In the twenty-seventh year of King Jeroboam of Israel, King Azariah son of Amaziah of Judah began to reign. 2 He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and ...
April 30, 2024 2 Kings 12-14, Psalm 74 (NRSV) 2 Reyes 12-14, Salmos 74 (RVR1960) The Temple Repaired 12 In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash began to reign; he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba. 2 Jehoash ...
April 29, 2024 2 Kings 9-11 (NRSV) 2 Reyes 9-11 (RVR1960) Anointing of Jehu 9 Then the prophet Elisha called a member of the company of prophets and said to him, “Gird up your loins; take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. 2 ...
April 28, 2024 2 Kings 6-8 (NRSV) 2 Reyes 6-8 (RVR1960) The Miracle of the Ax Head 6 Now the company of prophets said to Elisha, “As you see, the place where we live under your charge is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, and let us ...
April 27, 2024 2 Kings 4-5, Psalm 73 (NRSV) 2 Reyes 4-5, Salmos 73 (RVR1960) Elisha and the Widow’s Oil 4 Now the wife of a member of the company of prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared ...
April 26, 2024 2 Kings 1-3, Psalm 72 (NRSV) 2 Reyes 1-3, Salmos 72 (RVR1960) Elijah Denounces Ahaziah 1 After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria and was injured, ...
April 25, 2024 1 Kings 21-22, Psalm 71 (NRSV) 1 Reyes 21-22, Salmos 71 (RVR1960) Naboth’s Vineyard 21 Later the following events took place: Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. 2 And Ahab said ...
Dear Friends, New Year's Day is fast approaching. Since I love beginnings, this is one of my favorite times of the year. And with it comes the opportunity to reestablish our priorities. One priority for many Holston United Methodists, including me,...
Hello Holston Conference Friends, We join Bishop Wallace-Padgett in the second year of the Read Together initiative. This initiative challenges us to read through the Bible in one year plus the Revised Common Lectionary readings. It is our hope and ...