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
September 25, 2021 Gary C. Clark Laity Tennessee Valley District Matthew 5:19-20 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever ...
September 24, 2021 Karen Peters Laity Tacoma United Methodist Church Appalachian District Psalm 124 (KJV) If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; 2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up ...
September 23, 2021 John Crabtree Clergy Three Rivers District Speak the Word with Boldness Acts 4: 13-21, 29-31 NRSV 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and ...
September 22, 2021 Eric Bronkala Clergy Tennessee Valley District “Free Indeed” John 8:31-36 (NIV) 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the ...
September 21, 2021 Deborah Hearn Laity Signal Mountain UMC Scenic South My House is A Memory Box My house is a memory box, each piece a decoration of heart and soul. I walk past a lamp, its shade now just wires. It reminds me of Mother. It was the...
September 20, 2021 Dr. John W. Oldham, LCSW Clergy Scenic City District Pastor, Simpson UMC Pastoral Counselor, Transformation Center Psalm 128:1(NIV): "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to God." James 4:10(NIV): "Humble ...
September 19, 2021 Mark Hicks Clergy Mountain View District An Outline for Prayer Psalms 128:5-6 NIV 5 May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6 May you live to see your children’s...
September 18, 2021 Michael Vaughn Clergy Appalachian District Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 (NIV) Everything Is Meaningless 1 The words of the Teacher,[a] son of David, king in Jerusalem: 2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly ...
September 17, 2021 Scott Wilks Clergy Tennessee Valley District Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) A Time for Everything 3 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: Devotion The author of Ecclesiastes wrote (or was it...
September 16, 2021 Becky G. Hall Laity Scenic South District 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NIV) 2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[...
September 15, 2021 Bev Johnson Laity Hiwassee District 2 Samuel 3:12-16 (The Message) 12 Abner went ahead and sent personal messengers to David: “Make a deal with me and I’ll help bring the whole country of Israel over to you.” 13 “Great,” said ...
September 14, 2021 Marcia Whetsel Laity, First UMC Morristown Mountain View District Psalm 72:21-28 (NIV) 21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, 22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. 23 Yet I am ...
September 13, 2021 Mary Charles Blair Laity Hiwassee District Psalm 73:21-28 (AMP) 21 When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within [as with the fang of an adder], 22 Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. 23 ...
September 12, 2021 Brian D. Inman Clergy Smoky Mountain District Mark 8:27-38 Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah 27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28...
September 11, 2021 Donna Bunch Laity Tennessee Valley District The Ways of the World Proverbs 21:1-17 (NKJV) The Lord Considers the Heart 21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the [a]rivers of water; He turns it wherever He ...
September 10, 2021 Bernice Howard Laity Psalm 19:14 (NLT) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Devotion And just what are those meditations of my heart? According to ...
September 9, 2021 Bodhi K. Der Parunakian Clergy Rutledge Circuit, Mountain View District Psalm 19 (NIV) For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after ...
September 8, 2021 Bonnie Lynn Seiber Clergy Tennessee Valley District Psalm 73: 1-20 (NIV) A Psalm of Asaph. 1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my ...
September 7, 2021 Jo Alison Lobertini Laity Tennessee Valley District Faithful living in a corrupt and unfair world Psalm 73:1-20 (Common English Bible) A psalm of Asaph. 73 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are have a pure heart. 2 ...
September 6, 2021 Jim Philpott Clergy Kyle, TX Proverbs 8:32-9:6 (NRSV) 32 “And now, my children, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34 Happy is the one who listens to me,...
September 5, 2021 Jonathan Jonas Clergy Smoky Mountain District When we’re in too deep Psalm 130 (NRSV) 1Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. 2Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! 3If you, O Lord, ...
September 4, 2021 Brandon Berg Clergy, First UMC Bristol Clinch Mountain District Wisdom at Play Proverbs 8:27a, 30-31 (adapted from the Common English Bible) I was there when the Lord established the heavens… I was beside the Lord as a master of ...
September 3, 2021 Danielle Meyers Laity, Dutch Valley UMC Tennessee Valley District The Path Proverbs 4:10-27 (CEB) Stay on the path of wisdom 10 Listen, my son, and take in my speech, then the years of your life will be many. 11 I teach you ...
September 2, 2021 Bob Hayes Clergy Smoky Mountain District From Whence Come Knowledge and Wisdom? Proverbs 1:1-19 (NRSV) 2 For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, 3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing, ...
September 1, 2021 Penney Helms Laity, Central UMC, Knoxville Tennessee Valley District Singing A New Song Psalm 144: 9-15 (NIV) 9 I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, 10 to the One who ...