Fresh From the Word 2023

Description

Bringing together theologians, scholars, creative writers, church leaders and activists from around the world, Fresh From the World 2023 offers notes, prayers and further thought suggestions for every day of the year
Fresh from the Word 2023 aims to help us build the discipline of Bible reading into our lives so we are grounded in God's word and our faith may deepen and develop. By offering accessible and engaging material, it aids our understanding of the Bible and helps us understand it from different Christian perspectives.

One of the key themes in this year's edition is ‘Hidden Heroes & Heroines’, characters in the Bible who are overlooked but play a pivotal role in the unfolding of the Kingdom. As we read their stories, we may be encouraged that our lives, though they sometimes feel insignificant, are indeed being used by God in ways possibly beyond our imagining!

The book also explores the different types of literature in the Bible. A number of the international and diverse community of writers who have contributed their wisdom, understanding and hard-won insights to encourage and bless us, unpack passages written in each particular style. And so we learn how we might safely interpret poetry, law, prophecy, narrative or apocalyptic. The hope is that these reflections - and indeed the complete volume - will will help us see revealed that which was previously hidden from us.

Contributors this year include:

Terry Lester, who writes on the Judges of Israel. Terry has been an Anglican priest in Cape Town for almost four decades and currently serves in Constantia. A vocal advocate for justice, he is engaged in projects aimed at restoring dignity and building reconciliation in his fragmented community.

Immaculée Hedden, who writes on Healing Divisions in the Old Testament. She and her husband Richard are the authors of Under His Mighty Hand, the story of how she survived the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The couple are currently based in Rwanda, serving in healing and counselling support ministry with YWAM.

Jane Gonzalez, who writes on Celebrations. Jane is a Roman Catholic laywoman and an active member of the Justice and Peace Group.

Joshua Taylor, who writes on The God of all Comfort and Mercy. Joshua is an Anglican Priest in New Zealand, where he and his family have been exploring what it means to be a family following the way of Jesus.

Louise Jones, who writes on Lord of the Sabbath. Working for an embedded, community-based organization (Newbigin Community Trust), Louise has a passion for empowering, resourcing and loving those who have slipped through the cracks of our systems, in order to help people see their immense value and worth in Jesus.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Christian Living
• Philosophie et théologie
• Devotional
• Devotion

Informations

• Publié par: SPCK
• Date de parution: 18 août 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780281087525
• Langue: English

Extrait

Contents
Foreword by Revd Cindy Kent MBE
How to use Fresh from The Word
Acknowledgements and abbreviations
Introduction from the Editor
Celebrating the 250th anniversary of ‘Amazing Grace’
Getting ready Liz Clutterbuck
Biblical library (1) Poetry: singing the Lord’s song Catherine Williams
The Gospel of Matthew (1)
1 Starting afresh Peter Langerman
2 Teaching the kingdom Tim Yau
Healing divisions
1 Divisions in the Old Testament Immaculée Hedden
2 Divisions in the New Testament Paul Nicholson SJ
The Letter of James (1) John Proctor
The Letter of James (2) Delyth Wyn Davies
Exploring the Lord’s Prayer
1 Pray in this way Delyth Wyn Davies
2 Our Father in heaven Mark Mitchell
3 Your will be done Gail Adcock
4 Bread of heaven Catherine Sarjeant
5 Deliver us from evil Jessica Hewitt
The Gospel of Matthew (2)
1 Passiontide: the coming of the kingdom Angharad Davies
2 Holy Week: the way of the cross Orion Johnson
Celebrations Jane Gonzalez
Judges of Israel
1 Deborah and Gideon Terry Lester
2 Jephthah and Samson Nathan Eddy
Biblical library (2) History David Painting
Places of worship John Birch
The Gospel of Matthew (3)
1 Healer and teacher Bruce Jenneker
2 Lord of the Sabbath Louise Jones
Social responsibilities and love in action
1 Display his glory Helen Van Koevering
2 Maintain constant love for one another Helen Van Koevering
Biblical library (3) Apocalyptic Noel Irwin
Who is my family? Alesana Fosi Pala’amo
Readings in Amos Delroy Hall
The Gospel of Matthew (4)
1 Parables and controversies Ashley Barker
2 Son of Man, Son of God John Birch
Faithfulness
1 God’s faithfulness to us Kate Hughes
2 Faithful people, faithful living John Proctor
3 People of faith Shirlyn Toppin
Biblical library (4) Prophecy David Painting
Peaceful sleep Ian Fosten
Readings in 2 Corinthians
1 The God of all comfort and mercy Joshua Taylor
2 Living by God’s grace Dafne Plou
Fasting Erice Fairbrother
The Gospel of Matthew (5)
1 He who comes in the name of the Lord Stella Wiseman
2 Confrontations Andy Fisher, Paul Cavill and Tom Hartman
Sowing and reaping Simei Monteiro
Biblical library (5 ) Narrative Ellie Hart
All one in Christ Kristina Andréasson
Approaching Leviticus Christopher Took
Readings in Esther Eve Parker
Healthy humility
1 Walk humbly with God Andy Heald
2 ‘Let the same mind be in you’ Stephen Willey
Human fragilities and follies Carla Grosch-Miller
Biblical library (6) Law Lucy Rycroft
Hidden heroes and heroines Jan Sutch Pickard
Ephesians plus
1 No longer strangers Liz Carter
2 A life worthy of your calling Bola Iduoze
3 Living in the light Mandy Briggs
Christmas with John Emma Wagner
Foreword

What a joy to be asked to write this foreword for Fresh from The Word – God has used these reading notes for many years, all around the world, and it’s great that they can be used by anyone new to the faith or – like me – someone who’s been a believer for a long time.
I have to admit to a bit of a struggle sometimes when reading the Bible – there are just too many temptations for my time. But when I do sit down and engage with the word I’m so pleased I did. I learn something about myself, the community I’m in and the world generally that I can take into the day. And helping us engage with the Bible is where Fresh from The Word comes in by not only providing notes but also ways to approach God’s word.
Years ago, I was offered just such a helpful way of looking at a Bible passage; to put myself into the situation. So, for instance, I’m sitting on the edge of the well with the Samaritan woman and overhearing the conversation between her and Jesus. Or I’m next to Miriam, carrying home baby Moses to care for him. Other times I might be in the crowd jeering on the Via Dolorosa: how did I feel hearing the people curse Jesus – did I join in? The good thing about Fresh from The Word is that each writer starts from that position. They look at the text and then bring their own experience of God and his word, as it were, to shine a light on the passage, and, in doing that, they can help us to look at it with fresh eyes. In the dark days that we’ve just experienced, it can be so helpful to see through the eyes of someone else.
Another way that helps me is to use acronyms – I still remember the colours of the rainbow by reciting ‘Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain’ (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)! So, I have a couple of Bible-related ones that you might find useful: SOAP – Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. Scripture – read the passage and the accompanying notes, memorise the key verses or maybe write them down and remember them from time to time during the day. Observation – what is the main message and what does it prompt you to think about? Application – ask God how he wants you to apply this to your life today, and then Pray – either using the prayer provided or something that has inspired you.
And one final acronym to guide our response to the Bible passage: HEAR. Help each other; Encourage each other; Ask God to give you his guidance; and Relate this to those around you.
May God bless you on your daily walk with him.
Revd Cindy Kent MBE
Lead singer with The Settlers in the 1960s and early 1970s, Cindy Kent has appeared in pantomime and presented on BBC Radio 1, 2 and 4 as well as on commercial stations and Premier Christian Radio. An ordained priest in the Church of England since 2007, Cindy has been awarded an MBE for services to religious broadcasting and currently hosts a Saturday afternoon show on Serenade Radio.
How to use Fresh from The Word
How do you approach the idea of regular Bible reading? It may help to see daily Bible reading as spiritual exploration. Here is a suggestion of a pattern to follow that may help you develop the discipline but free up your mind and heart to respond.
• Before you read, take a few moments – the time it takes to say the Lord’s Prayer – to imagine God looking at you with love. Feel yourself enfolded in that gaze. Come to scripture with your feet firmly planted.
• Read the passage slowly before you turn to the notes. Be curious. The Bible was written over a period of nearly 1,000 years, over 2,000 years ago. There is always something to learn. Read and reread.
• If you have access to a study Bible, pay attention to any echoes of the passage you are reading in other parts of the biblical book. A word might be used in different ways by different biblical authors. Where in the story of the book are you reading? What will happen next?
• ‘Read’ yourself as you read the story. Be attentive to your reactions – even trivial ones. What is drawing you into the story? What is repelling you? Observe yourself ‘sidelong’ as you read as if you were watching a wild animal in the forest; be still, observant and expectant.
• What in scripture or in the notes is drawing you forward in hope? What is closing you down? Notice where the Spirit of Life is present, and where negative spirits are, too. Follow where life is leading. God always leads into life, even if the way feels risky.
• Lift up the world and aspects of your life to God. What would you like to share with God? What is God seeking to share with you?
• Thank God for being present and offer your energy in the day ahead, or in the day coming after a night’s rest.
• Finally, the † symbol is an invitation to pray a prayer that has been written for the day’s reading. You are invited to say these words aloud or in silence with thousands of other readers around the world who will be reading these notes on the same day in dozens of languages.
Acknowledgements and abbreviations
The use of the letters a or b in a text reference, such as Luke 9:37−43a, indicates that the day’s text starts or finishes midway through a verse, usually at a break such as the end of a sentence. Not all Bible versions will indicate such divisions.
We are grateful to the copyright holders for permission to use scriptural quotations from the following Bible versions:
THE MESSAGE
Scripture quotations marked THE MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE . Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
NIV
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIVUK
Scripture quotations marked NIVUK are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version (Anglicized edition). Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of Biblica. UK trademark number 1448790.
NKJV
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
NLT
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
NRSV
Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
NRSVA
Scripture quotations marked NRSVA are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
NRSVACE
Scripture quotations marked NRSVACE are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Anglicised Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, 1995 by the Division of Christian Educ