Dec 1 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

I Corinthians 11:1-16:24

Chapter 11 deals with the principles of headship (vv. 1-16) and the Lord's supper (vv. 17-34). Chapters 12-14 discuss the use of miraculous gifts in the context of agape love. Chapter 15 is an extended lesson on the resurrection and its power to motivate us to work. Chapter 16 closes the book with a variety of exhortations.

Dec 2 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Acts 20:1;

At this time, Paul left Ephesus (in Turkey) to go to Macedonia (in northern Greece). Titus (II Corinthians 7:5-7) met him with a report that the Corinthians had accepted the teaching and rebuke of I Corinthians. This prompted the writing of II Corinthians.

II Corinthians 1:1-4:18

Chapter 1 is one of the great passages on comfort and consolation. Chapter 2 speaks of the powerful emotion Paul had when he first heard of the troubles at Corinth. Chapter 3 teaches about the differences between the law and the gospel. Chapter 4 tells us about Paul's motives as a preacher/apostle.

Dec 3 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

II Corinthians 5:1-9:15

Chapter 5 contains lofty discussions of eternity, judgment, and reconciliation. Chapter 6 deals with Paul's suffering for the welfare of others and his charge to be separate from sinners. In chapter 7, Paul refers again to all the emotions he had in learning of the problems he dealt with in I Corinthians; and in waiting to hear of their response—a response which brought him great comfort. Chapters 8 and 9 are a discussion of the motives and results of giving according to the New Testament pattern (see I Corinthians 16:1-3).

Dec 4 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

II Corinthians 10:1-13:14

In chapters 10-12, Paul's theme is the vindication of his apostleship against false charges. He is clearly uncomfortable with having to talk about himself, but he knows that as Christ's ambassadors (5:20), the apostles had to stand up for themselves, or the gospel would be discredited. Chapter 13 begins with a stern warning and ends with a genuinely loving farewell.

Dec 5 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Acts 20:2,3;

Paul resumes his travels at this time, during which time he wrote Galatians
and Romans.

Galatians 1:1-6:18

More attacks were being made against Paul, which led the Christians in the congregations of Galatia (southeast Turkey) to believe they had to observe the law of Moses. This letter has three sections. In the first two chapters, Paul vindicates his apostleship. In the second two chapters, he shows the purposes of the law and the true place of the gospel. In the third two chapters he contrasts the life that follows the flesh with the life that follows the spirit. It is significant that in 1:6,7 Paul clearly emphasizes there is no other gospel, which eliminates any modern day revelation.

Dec 6 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Romans 1:1-4:25

At the time of this writing, Paul had never been to Rome, but had a longstanding desire to go. He requested their prayers in this regard. The book has three major sections: Sin and salvation (1-8); Jew and Gentile (9-11); Your reasonable service (12-16). Today's reading covers his thesis (1:1-17), a long discussion about sin (1:18-3:31), and a chapter about faith (4:1-25).

Dec 7 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Romans 5:1-8:39

Chapter 5 teaches that true peace is the result of justification by faith, and that justification is possible because of the “much more” that God did through Christ. Chapter 6 proves that true death to sin cannot take place apart from immersion into Christ, where newness of life is. Chapter 7 illustrates the futility of life apart from Christ. Chapter 8 contrasts the flesh and spirit (see Galatians 5,6).

Dec 8 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Romans 9:1-12:21

Chapters 9-11 are the source of much unneeded controversy in the religious world. Read these chapters with the understanding (from chapters 1-8) that the only way to be saved is for people to come to Christ individually. God does not save nations or ethnic groups as groups! Of course, if all of the individuals obey Him, the whole group would be saved. Chapter 12 begins the section on our “reasonable (logical) service” by listing many ways of serving God.

Dec 9 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Romans 13:1-16:27

Chapter 13 stresses the Christian's responsibility toward the authorities in his country. Chapter 14 teaches us to be considerate of one another toward matters of option (and also teaches that a matter cannot be optional unless it is first right; verse 23; see also I Thessalonians 5:21). Chapter 15 teaches about the oneness that comes from spiritual service. Chapter 16 illustrates the beauty of spiritual service by listing people who lived the way they should!

Dec 10 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Acts 20:4-22:30

Paul and several companions now resume the third evangelistic journey (which began in Acts 18:23) by leaving Macedonia and moving east through Turkey. Acts 20:7 is the famous passage which, when used properly with others, shows that the Lord's Supper was observed on every first day of the week (see Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:17-33; 16:1-3). The journey ends in Acts 21:16, and the story immediately shifts to show how Paul ended up at Rome—a long-time desire being fulfilled. Chapter 22 is one of the three accounts of his conversion in Acts (see also chapters 9 and 26). Note what Paul believed about the washing away of his sins in Acts 22:16.

Dec 11 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Acts 23:1-25:27

In chapter 23, Paul continues to defend himself by bringing up the resurrection in order to divide his accusers against one another! In Acts 23:31, he is taken on a journey that ends in Caesarea for more trials and persecution. Admist more accusations in chapter 24, Paul makes another inspired defense as an apostle of Christ (see Matthew 10:16-20). In chapter 25, Paul makes his appeal unto Caesar, one of his rights as a freeborn Roman citizen, thus guaranteeing a trip to Rome.

Dec 12 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Acts 26:1-28:31

The events leading to the voyage to Rome continue in chapter 26 as Paul defends himself before Herod Agrippa, the last mentioned Herod in the Bible (descendants of Esau). Chapter 27 records the voyage and the shipwreck. This is not one of the shipwrecks of II Corinthians 11:25 because II Corinthians was written several years before this. Chapter 28 shows how Paul finally got to Rome. Remember the “prosperous journey” he had requested of them to petition for in their prayers (Romans 1:10)? The date is in the early 60's. Luke now finishes writing Acts, and Paul writes his four “prison epistles.”

Dec 13 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Philemon 1-25;

This one-chapter book fills in several historical details and teaches that the product of the gospel is a brother (in Christ).

Colossians 1:1-4:18

Philemon was from Colosse, and since Paul was sending Onesimus back to Colosse, he used the occasion to send a letter to the church there as well. The theme of this letter is, “Christ is the Basis of the Risen Life.” As you read, note the emphasis he places on Christ (1:13-2:7), threats to the risen life (2:8-23), his description of the risen life (3:1-4:6), and examples of people who were living the risen life (4:7-18).

Dec 14 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Ephesians 1:1-6:24

Colosse and Ephesus were close together, so it was also appropriate to send a letter there with Tychicus and Onesimus (6:21,22; Colossians 4:7-9). This letter is often called the “twin” of Colossians, as it places as much emphasis on the “body” as Colossians does on the “head.” Chapter 1 speaks of the one head. Chapter 2 reveals the one new man. Chapter 3 tells us of the one family. Chapter 4 shows how the one body works. Chapter 5 portrays the one bride. Chapter 6 challenges the one army.

Dec 15 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Philippians 1:1-4:23

The first three prison epistles say nothing about Paul's anticipation that he would be released soon, but he rather asks the readers to pray for him while he is in bonds. However, in Philippians, the epistle of joy, Paul does expect to be released soon. Thus, this letter was written later than the others.

Dec 16 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Hebrews 1:1-4:13

Chapter 1 tells us of the spread of the gospel. Chapter 2 stresses the power of example. Chapter 3 teaches us to pay the price to be like Christ. Chapter 4 teaches us how to think. Although this book does not name its author, there is the possibility that Paul wrote it, too, just after his imprisonment ended. If he did write it, it means that he wrote exactly 100 chapters of the New Testament. The major theme of this book is that we cannot prevent apostasy unless we constantly focus on Christ by taking His word seriously. In Hebrews 1:1-3:6, we have a lesson which shows the superiority of Christ over creation, angels, man, and Moses. In Hebrews 3:7-4:13, we have a lesson on “rest”—the Canaan rest, the rest of God after creation, the Sabbath rest, and the rest that remains—heaven.

Dec 17 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Hebrews 4:14-8:5

In Hebrews 4:14-5:10, we are told that Jesus is our high priest, and He is contrasted with the high priests among the Levites. In 5:11-6:20, the writer launches into a rebuke for their being a dull of hearing (lazy hearers) and an exhortation to growth. From 7:1:8-5, he finishes his discussion of the priesthood of Christ, proving that He is greater than Levi (7:1-10), that the law had to be replaced in order to make Jesus a priest (7:11-28), and that His priesthood is true and final (8:1-5).

Dec 18 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Hebrews 8:5-13:25

In the first part of the reading, the two covenants are discussed (8:5-10:18). In this section, he shows that the new is greater because—it is faultless (8:6- 13), the old was but a figure of the new (9:1-14), the new is based on the death and blood of a better mediator (9:15-22), and because under the new, only one sacrifice was needed (9:23-10:14). The grand conclusion is: The New Covenant is in force (10:15-18)! In the second part of this reading, he exhorts us to be stedfast in the covenant (10:19-39). In the third part of this reading, he gives exhortations to growth (11:1-13:25).

Dec 19 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

I Timothy 1:1-6:21

This is the first of three letters Paul wrote to preachers (evangelists); two to Timothy and one to Titus. Paul says that he has left Timothy in Ephesus (thus implying that Paul is no longer in prison). This book could be titled, “Guard the Gospel.” He is to guard it (6:20) by following true teaching and true examples (1:3-20), by proper worship (2:1-15), by having qualified leaders (3:1-13), by behaving (3:14-16), by accepting his responsibility as a preacher (4:1-16), by dealing with people properly (5:1-6:2), and by trusting in God and in truth (6:3-21). The date would be AD 63 or 64.

Dec 20 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Titus 1:1-3:15

Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to do a similar work as that which Timothy was to do in Ephesus. This book could be titled, “Practice the Gospel.” He is to practice the gospel by having qualified elders (1:5-9), by not giving heed to false teachers (1:10-16), by encouraging others to righteousness (2:1-10), in order to have hope (2:11-14), as a faithful evangelist (2:15), and from the time of baptism onward (3:1-11). The date would be AD 63 or 64.

Dec 21 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

I Peter 1:1-5:14

This is the first of two letters written by Peter to Christians in the areas of Paul's work in the book of Acts. In this letter, he says he is in Babylon, and he is working with Silvanus (Silas) and Marcus (John Mark). In many ways, this book has Leviticus as its background. Both are based on the theme that God's priesthood is to be holy (Leviticus 11:44,45; I Peter 1:15,16). The major topics here are the origin and goal of salvation (1:3-12); exhortations to faithfulness (1:13-2:10), special duties of Christians (2:11-3:13), how to react to persecutions (3:13-4:19), and directions for the church (5:1-9). The date would be about AD 65.

Dec 22 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

II Peter 1:1-3:18

This letter was written to the same people as his first one (3:1). But now his death was near, so the date would be about AD 67 (1:13,14). The title of this book could be, “If You Don't Know, You Can't Grow.” In chapter 1, he presents the positive side of knowledge by emphasizing the quality of God's way. In chapter 2, he warns of the destiny of false teachers. In chapter 3, he reminds them of the certainty of the Lord's promise (regarding the second coming).

Jude 1-25

Jude, like James, was a half brother of Jesus. He does not date his book, but
it is similar to II Peter 2; so we place it here for comparative purposes.

Dec 23 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

II Timothy 1:1-4:22

Another “last words” epistle is now written, again in about AD 67. Paul is in prison once more, but this time he realizes that he is going to die (4:6-8). He thus pleads with Timothy to “Preach the Gospel” in his last letter to preachers. He even hopes that Timothy can get to him before he is killed for Jesus (4:13). He urges him to preach the gospel with respect to the past (1:6- 18; it was planned by God); with respect to the present (2:1-26; in spite of hardships that come); and with regard to the future (3:1-4:8; because the one true gospel is the one remedy for perilous times).

Dec 24 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

I John 1:1-5:21

All we have left for this final week (eight days) is the last four books of John the apostle. They are not dated, and there has always been a great deal of discussion about when John actually wrote. Since John lived to the end of (or even past) the first century—a variety of dates has been suggested. Today's reading is the book of I John. It is a difficult book to outline, but consider the following points: Walking in the light by keeping God's commandments (1:1-2:28); the significance of being born of God (2:29-4:6); the power of fellowship that is based on love (4:7-5:21).

Dec 25 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

II John 1-13;

This short letter is written to an unnamed lady and her children. It briefly
mentions many of the words that John frequently uses. Mark the ones you
note as you read.

III John 1-14;

Here is another short letter from John, written to Gaius about John's joy over Gaius, and the great contrast between people such as Diotrephes and Demetrius.

Revelation 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14

These are the seven beatitudes (“blesseds”) of Revelation. Read them carefully before we begin the book tomorrow.

Dec 26 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Revelation 1:1-3:22

The book begins with a glorious view of the Son of man, followed by the seven letters to the churches of Asia. Note that the different messages are based upon the different spiritual conditions in the congregations.

Dec 27 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Revelation 4:1-7:17

Chapter 4 gives a description of the throne and its surroundings (see Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1). Chapter 5 proclaims the Lamb Who is worthy. Chapter 6 has the opening of the first six seals. Chapter 7 reveals the completeness of God's victory.

Dec 28 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Revelation 8:1-11:19

Chapter 8 has the opening of the seventh seal, which leads to the seven trumpets. Four of these trumpets are sounded by angels in this chapter. In chapter 9, the fifth angel sounds, and the sound is the first of three woes (corresponding to angels 5, 6, and 7). In verse 13, the sixth angel sounds the second woe (11:14). Chapter 10 tells John to eat the little book and that he must prophesy again. In chapter 11, the temple, the altar, and its worshippers are measured, which ends the second woe (verse 14). The seventh angel then sounds the third woe.

Dec 29 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Revelation 12:1-15:8

Chapter 12 is the war between the woman and the great red dragon. Chapter 13 describes the two beasts. Chapter 14 speaks of six angels and the Lamb of God. Chapter 15 introduces the last seven plagues.

Dec 30 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Revelation 16:1-19:21

Chapter 16 describes the seven bowls of wrath. Chapter 17 is about the harlot and the beast. Chapter 18 proclaims that “Babylon has fallen!” Chapter 19 proclaims that God and the Lamb are victorious.

Dec 31 - (Online Reading Links - KJV | NKJV | NIV | NASB)

Revelation 20:1-22:21

Chapter 20 describes the defeat of Satan (and says nothing about a literal thousand year reign of Christ on earth!). Chapter 21 is a description of the new Jerusalem. Chapter 22 teaches that these blessings are for the obedient.