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
October 15, 2020 Psalm 99 C. Don Jones Pastor Sycamore Tree United Methodist Church Smoky Mountain District Psalm 99 Praise to God for His Holiness 1 The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth ...
October 14, 2020 2 Kings 17:7-18 Danny Nettleton Pastor Bridle Creek Circuit New River District Englewooddanny@gmail.com 2 King 17:7-18 Devotion The Silver Window Once there lived a kind and generous man. Every morning he would wake up and look out ...
October 13, 2020 Philippians 3:13-4:1 Rev. Dr. Carole R. Martin Retired Clergy First Broad St. UMC Appalachian District Philippians 3:14:1 Devotion Paul says, “Become imitators of me and watch those who live this way—you can use us as models.” ...
October 12, 2020 Jude 17-25 Bob McConnell Laity Alleys Chapel UMC Appalachian District Jude 17-25 17 But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 for they said to you, “In the last time there will be ...
October 11, 2020 Exodus 32:1-8 Beth Tipton Clergy Wesley Foundation at UVA Wise Appalachian District Exodus 32:1 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, “Come, makes ...
October 10, 2020 Mark 2:18 Mary Charles Blair Chair Church Council Ooltewah UMC Hiwassee District Mark 2: (18) Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples ...
October 9, 2020 James 4:10 Rev. David Graybeal Keith Memorial UMC Hiwassee District James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you Devotion When I was growing up and going to youth camps and retreats, I remember we would sing ...
October 8, 2020 Exodus 24:1-8 Pierce J. (Jack) Edwards First Broad Street UMC Appalachian District “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.” Exodus 24:1-8 The Covenant Confirmed 24 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you...
October 7, 2020 Deuteronomy 6:10-25 Danielle Meyers Certified Lay Minister Dutch Valley UMC Tennessee Valley District Deuteronomy 6:10-25 10 When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to ...
October 6, 2020 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Brian D. Inman Pastor – Peck’s Memorial UMC Smoky Mountain District inmanfunhouse@att.net 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is ...
October 5, 2020 Deuteronomy 5:1-21 Susan C. Collins Lay Member Burks United Methodist Church Certified Parish Nurse Deuteronomy 5:1-21 5 And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your...
October 4, 2020 Exodus 20: 1-4, 7-9,12-20 Rev. Ralph Kidd Retired Elder Clinch Mountain District Exodus 20:1-4 20 And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have...
October 3, 2020 John 7.40-52 Joseph L. Ratledge Clergy/LLP Tasso/Charleston Charge Hiwassee joseph79lee@gmail.com John 7: 40-50 Division among the People 40 When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” 41 Others ...
October 2, 2020 Psalm 19 (NRSV) Reverend Eric Bronkala Director of Chaplain Services Shannondale Retirement Communities Knoxville & Maryville, Tennessee Psalm 19 To the leader. A Psalm of David. 1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the...
October 1, 2020 Psalm:119: 97-104 Romans 16:1-16 Patricia Laderer Laity Burks United Methodist Church Scenic South District pmladerer@epbfi.com Psalm 119: 97-104 97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands are ...
September 30, 2020 Psalm 42 Melissa Ricketts Malcolm Provisional Elder Hartman’s Chapel and Pine Grove UMC United Heart Circuit Mountain View District melissaRmalcolm@gmail.com Psalms 42 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants ...
September 29, 2020 Psalm 42:1-8 Pam Sutherland Clergy Co-Pastor, Wabash Circuit New River District Psalm 42:1-8 1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand ...
September 28, 2020 Psalm 42:1-2 Scott Layer Clergy Central UMC Lenoir City Tennessee Valley Psalm 42:1-2 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go ...
September 27, 2020 Philippians 2:6-11 Brandon Berg Clergy Clergy, First UMC Bristol Clinch Mountain District Philippians 2:6-11 6 In his very nature he was God. Jesus was equal with God. But Jesus didn’t take advantage of that fact. 7 Instead, he...
September 26, 2020 Psalm 78: 1-4, 12-16 Rev. Clair T. Sauer, Clergy Jones Memorial UMC Scenic South District Psalm 78 A maskil of Asaph. 1 My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I ...
September 25, 2020 Psalm 78 Walter Weikel Clergy First UMC Morristown Mountain View Psalm 78 A maskil of Asaph. 1 My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things,...
September 24, 2020 James 4:11-16 Pat Tipton Clergy Old Union/ Lebanon UMC Appalachian District James 4:11-16 11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law ...
September 23, 2020 Numbers 11:18-23, 31-32 John L. Grimm Clergy First United Methodist Church, Pennington Gap Appalachian District grimm24333@gmail.com Numbers 11:18-23, 31-32 18 And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you ...
September 22, 2020 Romans 16:17-20 Reverend Dr. Peggy L. Meade Holston Counseling Center Appalachian District Romans 16:17-20 17) I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are ...
September 21, 2020 Romans 16:1-16 Rev. Dale Gilbert CLERGY Pleasant View UMC Abingdon, VA Clinch Mountain Romans 16:1-16 16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a] of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is ...