Week of February 21 Readings

This is an eventful week in our reading plan. We will be completing Chronicles and John, starting and completing Ezra, and beginning Nehemiah and Acts.

For most of its history, Ezra and Nehemiah were one book. They were separated in the Christian scriptures by Origen, Early Church Father from North Africa [185-254], and Jerome, Illyrian [Balkan Peninsula region] Catholic priest and translator of the Bible into Latin [347-420]. Ezra and Nehemiah remained one book in the Jewish scriptures until the 15th century.

Ezra 1-6 reports the return of the Jews from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. Ezra 7-10 reports the initial activities of Ezra, who arrived nearly 60 years after the completion of the Temple.

Nehemiah recounts Nehemiah's role in constructing the walls of Jerusalem. It also tells the story of the expansion of Jerusalem's population, the correction of social abuses, the nurture of the community's worship life, and the prohibitions against the loss of Jewish identity through intermarriage.

Acts is a sequel to Luke. It continues the story of the Early Church, from Jesus' ascension and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost to Paul's final imprisonment in Rome. The early chapters tell the story of Peter's preaching in Jerusalem. From chapter 9, the story turns its attention to Paul, his three missionary journeys, and the establishment of Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean world.

Feb 21: 2Chron 32-33; John 18:19-40
Feb 22: 2Chron 34-36; John 19:1-22
Feb 23: Ezra 1-2; John 19:23-42
Feb 24: Ezra 3-5; John 20
Feb 25: Ezra 6-8; John 21
Feb 26: Ezra 9-10; Acts 1
Feb 27: Nehemiah 1-3; Acts 2:1-21

Week of February 14 Readings

Feb 14: 2Chron 17-18; John 13:1-20
Feb 15: 2Chron 19-20; John 13:21-38
Feb 16: 2Chron 21-22; John 14
Feb 17: 2Chron 23-24; John 15
Feb 18: 2Chron 25-27; John 16
Feb 19: 2Chron 28-29; John 17
Feb 20: 2Chron 30-31; John 18:1-18

Week of February 7 Readings

Some encouragement is in order. You have made it through First Chronicles. That is no small feat. Now for Second Chronicles.

Chronicles uses the books of Samuel and Kings as its primary source. So, if you have that sneaking suspicion that you have read this material before, you have.

The most important points of reference for Chronicles are the reigns of David and Solomon, especially the promises made by God to David concerning a Davidic monarchy and to Solomon concerning the temple.

Hopefully, John's gospel is providing a respite from all that history in Chronicles. Key to grasping John is the affirmation that Jesus provides "unique and unprecedented access to God because Jesus shares in God's character and identity." [New Interpreter's Study Bible]. Also, "Jesus' words and works, all of his life and death, make God known in the world." [Ibid]

Feb 7: 1Chron 28-29; John 9:24-41
Feb 8: 2Chron 1-3; John 10:1-23
Feb 9: 2Chron 4-6; John 10:24-42
Feb 10: 2Chron 7-9; John 11:1-29
Feb 11: 2Chron 10-12; John 11:30-57
Feb 12: 2Chron 13-14; John 12:1-26
Feb 13: 2Chron 15-16; John 12:27-50