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
December 9, 2021 Norman D. Holcomb, Jr., Ph. D. Clergy Smoky Mountain District Amos 6:1-7 (RSV) Complacent Self-Indulgence Will Be Punished 6 “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samar′ia, the ...
December 8, 2021 Rev. Dr. Carole R. Martin Retired Clergy, First Broad Street UMC Appalachian District Luke 7:18-30 (CEB) 18 John’s disciples informed him about all these things. John called two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord. They ...
December 7, 2021 Bonnie Lynn Seiber Clergy Tennessee Valley District 2 Peter 1:2-15 (CEV) 2 I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus. Living as the ...
December 6, 2021 Pat Roza Laity Burks UMC Psalm 126 (NIV) A song of ascents. 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was ...
Sunday, December 5, 2021 Daniel Garrett Clergy Clinch Mountain District Luke 3:1-6 (NRSV) The Proclamation of John the Baptist 3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler[a...
December 4, 2021 Rance Edwards, Sr. Clergy Appalachian District “Promises” Luke 1: 68-79 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn[a] of salvation for us in ...
December 3, 2021 Susan Collins Laity Scenic South District Luke 1: 68-79 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn[a] of salvation for us in the house of his ...
December 2, 2021 Bob Hayes Clergy Smoky Mountain District Luke 1:68-79 NRSV 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior[a] for us in the house of his ...
December 1, 2021 Penney Helms Laity, Central UMC, Knoxville Tennessee Valley District Kingdom from another Place John 18: 33-37 (NIV) 33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 “Is ...
November 30, 2021 Cindy Stulce Laity, First-Centenary UMC Scenic South District Dynasty 2 Samuel 7:18-29 (Common English Bible) 18 Then King David went and sat in the Lord’s presence. He asked: Who am I, Lord God, and of what significance is my ...
November 29, 2021 Bev Johnson Laity Hiwassee District Acts 23:12-35 (NIV) 12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this...
November 28, 2021 Rev. Terry Goodman Clergy Fairview UMC Smoky Mountain District Luke 13:31-35 31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32 And he said unto them, ...
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November 27, 2021 Dell Gates Laity Three Rivers District Lifting our Soul to the Lord Psalm 25:1-10 NRSV 1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. 3 Do...
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November 26, 2021 Danny Nettleton Clergy New River District Nehemiah 9:16-21 (NIV) 16 “But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands. 17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you ...
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November 25, 2021 Rev. Dr. Alex Thompson Clergy Hiwassee District Pastor, Niota and Cedar Springs UMC Assistant Professor of Religion at TWU The Same Old Story Nehemiah 9:6-15 (NRSV) 6 You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest ...
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November 24, 2021 Bev Johnson Laity Hiwassee District When People Can’t Forget Who You WERE Acts 23:12-35 (NIV) 12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 ...
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November 23, 2021 Mary Lynn Roy Laity Smoky Mountain District Getting Out of the Way Psalm 63 (CEB) 63 God! My God! It’s you— I search for you! My whole being[a] thirsts for you! My body desires you in a dry and tired land, ...
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November 22, 2021 Eric Bronkala Clergy Tennessee Valley District Psalm 63 (NRSV) Extend Your Outlook 1 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 ...
November 21, 2021 Renni P. Morris Laity Tennessee Valley District 2 Samuel 23:1-7 (NRSV) 23 Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, the oracle of the man whom God exalted,[a] the anointed of the God of Jacob, ...
November 20, 2021 Amy Rose Laity Mountain View District Lost Armor Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For...
November 19, 2021 Mark Hicks Clergy Mountain View District Calm in Every Circumstance 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 NIV 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a ...
November 18, 2021 Bob McConnell Laity Alleys Chapel UMC Appalachian District 2 Kings 22:1-10 (NLT) The Measure of Success 1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother was Jedidah, the ...
November 17, 2021 Michael Somers Clergy Appalachian District Trust in God in Times of Trouble Psalm 3 (NASB) 3 Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. 2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” ...
November 16, 2021 Pierce J. (Jack) Edwards Clergy Appalachian District The Dark Night of the Soul Psalm 3 (NIV) 1 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”[b] 3 But you, ...
November 15, 2021 Lisa Nichols Laity Mountain View District The LORD Was with Him 1 Samuel 3:19-4:1a CEB 19 So Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, not allowing any of his words to fail. 20 All Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel ...