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 2025. 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.
- Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett
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December 21, 2024 Jude, Proverbs 27-28 (NRSV) Judas, Proverbios 27-28 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, who are beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ: 2 May ...
December 20, 2024 2 John 1, 3 John 1, Proverbs 26 (NRSV) 2 Juan 1, 3 Juan 1, Proverbios 26 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 because of ...
December 19, 2024 1 John 3-5, Proverbs 25 (NRSV) 1 Juan 3-5, Proverbios 25 (RVR1960) 3 1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did...
December 18, 2024 1 John 1-2, Proverbs 24 (NRSV) 1 Juan 1-2, Proverbios 24 (RVR1960) The Word of Life 1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our...
December 17, 2024 2 Peter 1-3, Proverbs 23 (NRSV) 2 Pedro 1-3, Proverbios 23 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith as equally honorable as ours through the righteousness of ...
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December 16, 2024 1 Peter 3-5 (NRSV) 1 Pedro 3-5 (RVR1960) Wives and Husbands 3 Wives, in the same way, be subject to your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct, 2 ...
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December 15, 2024 1 Peter 1-2, Proverbs 22 (NRSV) 1 Pedro 1-2, Proverbios 22 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen and ...
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December 14, 2024 James 4-5, Proverbs 21 (NRSV) Santiago 4-5, Proverbios 21 (RVR1960) Friendship with the World 4 Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? 2 You ...
December 13, 2024 James 1-3 (NRSV) Santiago 1-3 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the dispersion: Greetings. Faith and Wisdom 2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various ...
December 12, 2024 Hebrews 12-13, Proverbs 19-20 (NRSV) Hebreos 12-13, Proverbios 19-20 (RVR1960) The Example of Jesus 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that ...
December 11, 2024 Hebrews 10-11, Proverbs 18 (NRSV) Hebreos 10-11, Proverbios 18 (RVR1960) Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All 10 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form of these realities, it can never, by the ...
December 10, 2024 Hebrews 7-9 (NRSV) Hebreos 7-9 (RVR1960) The Priestly Order of Melchizedek 7 This “Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him,” 2 and to him ...
December 9, 2024 Hebrews 4-6 (NRSV) Hebreos 4-6 (RVR1960) The Rest That God Promised 4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For indeed the good ...
December 8, 2024 Hebrews 1-3 (NRSV) Hebreos 1-3 (RVR1960) God Has Spoken by His Son 1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of ...
December 7, 2024 Philemon, Proverbs 16-17 (NRSV) Filemón 1, Proverbios 16-17 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To our beloved coworker Philemon, 2 to our sister Apphia, to our fellow soldier ...
December 6, 2024 Titus 1-3, Proverbs 15 (NRSV) Tito 1-3, Proverbios 15 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with...
December 5, 2024 2 Timothy 1-4 (NRSV) 2 Timoteo 1-4 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from...
December 4, 2024 1 Timothy 4-6 (NRSV) 1 Timoteo 4-6 (RVR1960) False Asceticism 4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy...
December 3, 2024 1 Timothy 1-3 (NRSV) 1 Timoteo 1-3 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the...
December 2, 2024 2 Thessalonians 1-3 (NRSV) 2 Tesalonicenses 1-3 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and ...
December 1, 2024 1 Thessalonians 1-5 (NRSV) 1 Tesalonicenses 1-5 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. The Thessalonians’ Faith and...
November 30, 2024 Colossians 3-4, Proverbs 14 (NRSV) Colosenses 3-4, Proverbios 14 (RVR1960) The New Life in Christ 3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set ...
November 29, 2024 Colossians 1-2, Proverbs 13 (NRSV) Colosenses 1-2, Proverbios 13 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in ...
November 28, 2024 Philippians 3-4, Proverbs 12 (NRSV) Filipenses 3-4, Proverbios 12 (RVR1960) 3 Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. Breaking with the Past To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it ...
November 27, 2024 Philippians 1-2, Proverbs 11 (NRSV) Filipenses 1-2, Proverbios 11 (RVR1960) Salutation 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to ...