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 2022. 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
January 11, 2020 Psalm 29 (NRSV) by Donna Camper Laity / Deaconess Candidate / Clinch Mountain UMW President 1st UMC Bristol, TN Clinch Mountain District Focus Scripture The Voice of God in a Great Storm A Psalm of David. 1 Ascribe to the Lord, O ...
January 10, 2020 Acts 9:10-19a (NASB) by Eric Bronkala Clergy / Director of Chaplain Services Shannondale Retirement Communities Knoxville & Maryville, TN Focus Scripture 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him...
January 9, 2020 Acts 9:1-9 and 1 Samuel 3:1-9 (NRSV) by Missy Belote Clergy (Associate Pastor) First Broad Street UMC Appalachian District Focus Scripture The Conversion of Saul 9 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the ...
January 8, 2020 1 Kings 10:14-25 (NRSV) by Danny Nettleton Clergy of Bridle Creek Circuit New River District Focus Scripture 14 The weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold, 15 besides that which came ...
January 7, 2020 Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT by Alexander Walker, MDiv Pastor (ANA) Cokesbury UMC Smoky Mountain District Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything...
January 6, 2020 Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV) by Pat Roza Laity of Burks UMC Scenic South District Focus Scripture The Magi Visit the Messiah 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 ...
January 5, 2020 John 1:1-5 by Crystal Harper Fallesen Laity / Director of Christian Education Harrison UMC Scenic South District Focus Scripture The Word Became Flesh 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2...
January 4, 2020 Hebrews 11:23-31 by Dan Young Certified Lay Minister of Pikeville UMC Scenic South District Focus Scripture The Faith of Moses 23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the ...
January 3, 2020 Psalm 72:6-11 by Nathan Dugger Laity of Valley Forge UMC Three Rivers District Focus Scripture 6 May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the earth. 7 May all the godly ...
January 2, 2020 Hebrews 11:1-12 by Greg Wellman Laity of Mafair UMC (Kingsport, TN) Appalachian District The Meaning of Faith 11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors ...
January 1, 2020 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 & Revelation 21:1-6 by Renni P. Morris rmorris@ffumc.org Laity of First Farragut UMC (Knoxville, TN) Tennessee Valley District Focus Scripture 3 There’s a season for everything and a time for every matter under ...