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 20, 2021 Susan Collins Laity Scenic South District Job 41: 12-34 12 “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, its strength and its graceful form. 13 Who can strip off its outer coat? Who can penetrate its double coat of armor[a]...
October 19, 2021 Mark Hicks Clergy Mountain View District Ultimate Success Hebrews 6:13-15 NIV 13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and ...
October 18, 2021 Michael Vaughn Clergy Appalachian District "Wine, Wrath, and Wonderful Deeds” Psalm 75 (NIV) 1 We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. 2 You say, “I choose the ...
October 17, 2021 James McReynolds Retired elder, Holston Conference Mark 10:35-45 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he ...
October 16, 2021 Becky G. Hall Conference Lay Leader Scenic South District Psalm 104:1-9 (NIV) 1 Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. 2 The Lord wraps himself in light as with a ...
October 15, 2021 Lisa Nichols Laity Mountain View District Psalm 104:1-9, 24 (CEB) 104 Let my whole being[a] bless the Lord! Lord my God, how fantastic you are! You are clothed in glory and grandeur! 2 You wear light like a robe; you open...
October 14, 2021 Ed Helton Laity, Rising Fawn UMC Scenic South District 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV) Praise to God for a Living Hope 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope ...
October 13, 2021 Susan Groseclose Clergy Smoky Mountain District Psalm 39 (CEB) I promised I would watch my steps so as not to sin with my tongue; promised to keep my mouth shut as long as the wicked were in my presence. 2 So I was ...
October 12, 2021 Stephen Hopkins Clergy, Kendricks Creek UMC Appalachian District Job 29:1-6 (NLT) Job Speaks of His Former Blessings 29 Job continued speaking: 2 “I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, 3 when he lit up the way ...
October 11, 2021 Dona Bunch Laity Tennessee Valley District Job 26:1-14 (NIV) 26 Then Job replied: 2 “How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble! 3 What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And ...
September 10, 2021 Bernice Howard Laity Smoky Mountain District Mark 10:17-22 (NIV) 17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do ...
October 9, 2021 Bodhi K. Der Parunakian Clergy Rutledge Circuit, Mountain View District Matthew 15:1-9 NIV 15 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the ...
October 8, 2021 Rev. Dr. Carole R. Martin Retired Clergy First Broad Street UMC Appalachian District Promised Rest Hebrews 4:1-11 (Common English Bible) 4 Therefore, since the promise that we can enter into rest is still open, let’s be careful so ...
October 7, 2021 Jo Alison Lobertini Laity Tennessee Valley District Hebrews 3:7-19 (Common English Bible) 3 Therefore, brothers and sisters who are partners in the heavenly calling, think about Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. 2...
October 6, 2021 Jim Philpott Clergy Kyle, TX Retired Elder from Holston Conference Job 15 NRSV 15 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 2 “Should the wise answer with windy knowledge, and fill themselves with the east wind? 3 Should they argue in ...
October 5, 2021 Rev. Dr. Janet K Sweet, Clergy, Appalachian District Psalm 55: 1-15 1 Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; 2 hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught 3 because of what my enemy is...
October 4, 2021 Rance Edwards, Sr. Clergy Appalachian District “Frustrations in Relationships” Psalm 55:1-15 1 Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; 2 hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught 3 ...
October 3, 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 More...
October 2, 2021 Bob Hayes, Clergy, Smoky Mountain District Good Enough Psalm 26 NRSV 1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart...
October 1, 2021 Susan Collins Laity Scenic South District NRSV Job 4:1-21 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 2 “If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended? But who can keep from speaking? 3 See, you have instructed many; you ...
September 30, 2021 Cindy Stulce Laity, First-Centenary UMC Scenic South District Psalm 26 (NIV) 1 Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. 2 Test me, Lord, and try me, examine...
September 29, 2021 John Maiuri Laity Hiwassee District Matthew 18:6-9 NIV 6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned...
September 28, 2021 Pat Tipton Clergy Lebanon/Old Union UMC Appalachian District Esther 5:1-14 NIV 5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his ...
September 27, 2021 Ed Helton Laity Scenic South District Rising Fawn UMC Mark 5:21-43 (NRSV) 21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the ...
September 26, 2021 Danny Nettleton Clergy, Bridle Creek Circuit New River District Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 (NIV) 7 When the king and Haman came in for the banquet with Queen Esther, 2 the king said to her, “This is the second day we’ve met for ...