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
November 11, 2022 Haggai 1 (CEB) Hageo 1 (RVR1960) Haggai 1 The challenge to rebuild The Lord’s word came through Haggai the prophet in the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month on the first day of the month, to Judah’s governor Zerubbabel,...
November 10, 2022 Ecclesiastes 5-6 (CEB) Eclesiastés 5-6 (RVR1960) Ecclesiastes 5 Listen and speak carefully Watch your steps when you go to God’s house. It’s more acceptable to listen than to offer the fools’ sacrifice—they have no idea that they’...
November 9, 2022 Psalms 128-130 (CEB) Salmos 128-130 (RVR1960) Psalm 128 A pilgrimage song. Everyone who honors the Lord, who walks in God’s ways, is truly happy! 2 You will definitely enjoy what you’ve worked hard for— you’ll be happy; ...
November 8, 2022 2 Chronicles 33-36 (CEB) 2 Crónicas 33-36 (RVR1960) 2 Chronicles 33 Manasseh rules Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king, and he ruled for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. 2 He did what was evil in the Lord’s eyes, imitating ...
November 7, 2022 Deuteronomy 10-12 (CEB) Deuteronomio 10-12 (RVR1960) Deuteronomy 10 New tablets At that time the Lord told me: Carve two stone tablets, just like the first ones, and hike up the mountain to me. Construct a wooden chest as well. 2 I ...
November 6, 2022 Acts 13-14 (CEB) Hechos 13-14 (RVR1960) Acts 13 Barnabas and Saul sent to minister The church at Antioch included prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (nicknamed Niger), Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen (a childhood friend of Herod the...
November 5, 2022 James 4-5 (CEB) Santiago 4-5 (RVR1960) James 4 Conflict with people and God What is the source of conflict among you? What is the source of your disputes? Don’t they come from your cravings that are at war in your own lives? 2 You ...
November 4, 2022 Zephaniah 1 (CEB) Sofonías 1 (RVR1960) Zephaniah 1 The Lord’s word that came to Zephaniah, Cushi’s son, Gedaliah’s grandson, Amariah’s great-grandson, and Hezekiah’s great-great-grandson in the days of Judah’s King Josiah, Amon’s ...
November 3, 2022 Ecclesiastes 3-4 (CEB) Eclesiastés 3-4 (RVR1960) Ecclesiastes 3 A season for everything There’s a season for everything and a time for every matter under the heavens: 2 a time for giving birth and a time for dying, a ...
November 2, 2022 Psalms 125-127 (CEB) Salmos 125-127 (RVR1960) Psalm 125 A pilgrimage song. The people who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion: never shaken, lasting forever. 2 Mountains surround Jerusalem. That’s how the Lord ...
November 1, 2022 2 Chronicles 29-32 (CEB) 2 Crónicas 29-32 (RVR1960) 2 Chronicles 29 Hezekiah rules Hezekiah became king when he was 25 years old, and he ruled for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah; she was Zechariah’s ...
October 31, 2022 Deuteronomy 7-9 (CEB) Deuteronomio 7-9 (RVR1960) Deuteronomy 7 Dealing with foreign worship Now once the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to take possession of, and he drives out numerous nations before you—...
October 30, 2022 Acts 11-12 (CEB) Hechos 11-12 (RVR1960) Acts 11 Jerusalem church questions Peter The apostles and the brothers and sisters throughout Judea heard that even the Gentiles had welcomed God’s word. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the...
October 29, 2022 James 1-3 (CEB) Santiago 1-3 (RVR1960) James 1 Greeting From James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes who are scattered outside the land of Israel. Greetings! Stand firm 2 My brothers and sisters, ...
October 28, 2022 Habakkuk 1 (CEB) Habacuc 1 (RVR1960) Habakkuk 1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. The prophet complains 2 Lord, how long will I call for help and you not listen? I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you don...
October 27, 2022 Ecclesiastes 1-2 (CEB) Eclesiastés 1-2 (RVR1960) Ecclesiastes 1 Opening motto The words of the Teacher of the Assembly, David’s son, king in Jerusalem: 2 Perfectly pointless, says the Teacher, perfectly pointless. Everything is ...
October 26, 2022 Psalms 122-124 (CEB) Salmos 122-124 (RVR1960) Psalm 122 A pilgrimage song. Of David. I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let’s go to the Lord’s house!” 2 Now our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem is ...
October 25, 2022 2 Chronicles 25-28 (CEB) 2 Crónicas 25-28 (RVR1960) 2 Chronicles 25 Amaziah rules Amaziah was 25 years old when he became king, and he ruled for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from ...
October 24, 2022 Deuteronomy 4-6 (CEB) Deuteronomio 4-6 (RVR1960) Deuteronomy 4 The events at Mount Horeb Now, Israel, in light of all that, listen to the regulations and the case laws that I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live, enter, ...
October 23, 2022 Acts 9-10 (CEB) Hechos 9-10 (RVR1960) Acts 9 Saul encounters the risen Jesus Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, 2 seeking letters to the synagogues in ...
October 22, 2022 Hebrews 11-13 (CEB) Hebreos 11-13 (RVR1960) Hebrews 11 Description of faith Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see. 2 The elders in the past were approved because they showed faith. Acts of faith by...
October 21, 2022 Nahum 1-3 (CEB) Nahúm 1-3 (RVR1960) Nahum 1 An oracle about Nineveh: the scroll containing the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. Power of the creator 2 The Lord is a jealous and vengeful God; the Lord is vengeful and strong in ...
October 20, 2022 Proverbs 31 (CEB) Proverbios 31 (RVR1960) Proverbs 31 Words of King Lemuel The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him: 2 No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my solemn promises! 3 Don’t give your ...
October 19, 2022 Psalms 120-121 (CEB) Salmos 120-121 (RVR1960) Psalm 120 A pilgrimage song. I cried out to the Lord when I was in trouble (and he answered me): 2 “Lord, deliver me from lying lips and a dishonest tongue!” 3 What more will be ...
October 18, 2022 2 Chronicles 21-24 (CEB) 2 Crónicas 21-24 (RVR1960) 2 Chronicles 21 Jehoshaphat died and was buried with his ancestors in David’s City. His son Jehoram succeeded him as king. Jehoram rules 2 Jehoram’s brothers, the other sons of ...