What are some specific guidelines for choosing the passage of Scriptures to read each week?

Each week ask the Lord to guide your selection of Scripture to be read. He knows the hearts of all who will be present each week. Stay open to the Lord’s leading and guard against trying to figure out what just what scriptures you think would be best match the concerns of the group participants.

Consider a passage which the Lord has recently touched your own heart and life personally. Suggestions: Take notes of the scriptures the Lord brings to mind during the week – how His Word has been used by the Holy Spirit to encourage your heart, renew hope, provide perspective, strengthen your faith – in the context of your everyday life or as you carry concerns for loved ones, friends, fellow participants, colleagues, etc.

Consider a passage that highlights BOTH the reality of God’s sovereignty, goodness and faithful AND the reality of perplexity, conundrums, disorientation, neediness, and utter dependence on God in the everyday life of faithful followers of Christ.

Examples:

Psalm 138:7-8 (ESV) Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Isaiah 50:10 (ESV) Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his

servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

John 16:33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

2 Cor. 1:8-10 (ESV) For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had

received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Consider a shorter passage (generally between 1-4 verses) for this type of Scripture reading and reflections context. A longer passage is often harder for people in the midst of a complex or difficult transition to process and benefit from because their minds are often too overloaded and their hearts too overwhelmed. Examples:

Isaiah 33:2 (NIV) LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

Psalm 86:4-5 (ESV) Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Romans 15:13 (AMP) May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.

Consider a passage that shows God’s care in ‘real life’ difficulties and wilderness experiences. This could be a ‘slice of life’ from a longer biblical story. Before reading the passage to those gathered, you may sense the need to provide a brief summary of context of the passage, especially if the story or passage is not likely to be very familiar. Using a whole story could mean a slightly longer reading which can be effective if the story is more familiar and chosen with the challenges of living in the midst of transition in mind.

Examples:

1 Samuel 23:14-15 (NIV) 14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.

2 Cor 2:12-13; 7:5-7 (ESV) 2:12-13 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. … … 7:5-7 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn— fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.

Luke 18:35-42 35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 _Jesus

said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

10.3 What are some guidelines for choosing which translation/version of the