Greater Faith
Bible Reading Plan
Welcome to the Book of Hebrews! This book has challenged Christians for centuries to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and mediator of a New Covenant for God’s people. Because the author was addressing the first Jewish believers, the book presents some rather detailed arguments regarding Jewish history and the Old Covenant which found their fulfillment in the much “better” way of the New Covenant established by Jesus.
This Daily Bible Reading Plan is designed to present the key texts that our pastors will expound on each Sunday. For example, the Reading Plan beginning September 5 will cover the chapter in Hebrews for the sermon on Sunday, September 11, 2022 – and so on, each week. We have also included other verses that speak to the issues discussed by the author of the book. Starting week 2, we will be having “Faith in Action Fridays” where we will look at people (from Hebrews 11) who were commended by God for putting their faith into action.
A special word of thanks to the members of the Greater Faith Content Team. We appreciate you and the contribution you each made to this reading plan. Thank you!
week 1.
Devotional:
In preparation for Sunday and the two-night “Faith United” event next Monday (9/12) and Tuesday (9/13), we will be reading two chapters in Hebrews this week. Normally we will be reading one chapter (or less) in Hebrews per week. This week’s passage seems to be addressing a tendency in the people to worship (or attach unwarranted attention to) angels. The main point being made: We worship the Creator, not what was created. There can be a tendency in Christian movements throughout history to “focus on the peripheral issues” such as angels, etc. The writer of Hebrews strongly states the antidote: Focus on Jesus. The “peripheral issues” will assume their appropriate subordinate roles when our proper perspective is restored. As you read Hebrews 1 and the additional verses about angels this week, note what angels were called to do. While reading Hebrews 2 and the verses in Revelations and Ephesians, reflect on how easy and dangerous it can be to “drift.” As one of Stone’s Content Team members stated, “I need to discipline my mind and my devotion to God. I don’t want to neglect the most important calling in my life. Bottom line, I need to be mindful of my susceptibility to drift. I need to understand that the currents of culture, daily life, stress, worry and plain laziness will cause (me to) drift away from my first love.”
Sept. 5 Please click on and watch the eight-minute Bible Project Video for a great overview of the Book of Hebrews.
Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 1.
Sept. 6 Read Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 13:2; Psalm 103:20; Luke 1:11-20 and 26-38; Acts 12:5-11
Sept. 7 Read Hebrews 2
Sept. 8 Read Revelation 2:4; Revelation 3:14-22
Sept. 9 Read Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 6:10-18
week 2.
We are looking forward to tonight and tomorrow night’s Faith United event at Stone’s Yakima Campus. We hope to see you there!
Devotional:
In our reading this week, the author is reminding the recipients that, as highly as they esteem the prophet Moses, Moses was a servant of God, whereas Jesus is the Son of God. Note the distinction in Hebrews 3:5-6: Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. Then the author goes on to say that we are his house if we hold our confidence to the end…in other words, if our faith is genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5). As we continue reading, the Jewish Christians are presented with a warning against disobedience and unbelief which would lead to a hardened heart. They are reminded of how Israel initially hardened their hearts during Moses’s time, then during David’s time as expressed in Psalm 95, and how the same could happen to them if they are not aware and careful. We will look at Exodus and Numbers to see what the author is referring to in
Hebrews 3:7-18. What is so encouraging about this passage of Scripture is that the recipients of this letter are invited to enter God’s rest; to rest from striving to “earn” salvation and to learn to rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Let that truth sink in deeply: Jesus is our Savior. He died and rose again and paid the debt of our sins. The Bible says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).” We don’t have to wait to receive Jesus as our Savior, nor should we. As it says in this chapter, “Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your heart…” God has given us the Bible. When we read the Word of God, it’s almost like looking at our reflection in a mirror. It helps bring conviction, repentance and alignment with God’s heart through the work of the Holy Spirit. It truly is alive and active. These warnings and encouragements that were given to the recipients of Hebrews are for us today, as well.
Sept. 12 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 3:1-6; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5.
Come to Faith United TONIGHT!!! Feel free to bring friends!
Sept 13 Read Hebrews 3:7-19; Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 14:21-30; Galatians 6:1-10.
Come to Faith United TONIGHT!!! Feel free to bring friends!
Sept 14 Read Hebrews 4:1-13
Sept 15 Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Isaiah 55:9-11; Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 33:13-15; Proverbs 5:21
Sept 16 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:23-26 “By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” Read the beginning of Moses’s story in Exodus 2. How do you see faith in action in the early life of Moses?
week 3.
Devotional:
Without a doubt, the Hebrew Christians were in daily need of mercy and grace. They were encountering rejection and persecution because of their faith, and as a result they were facing many temptations. Being reminded that Jesus dealt with similar temptations communicated that He was able to sympathize with the things they were facing. The way in which His temptations were consistently different from theirs (and ours) was in His response – He did not sin. This week we will look at the temptations that Adam and Eve faced and the temptations Jesus faced. Both faced three common temptations: The lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes. Both faced the enemy who was twisting God’s word in an effort to deceive. However, Jesus models how we should respond to temptation - with the Word of God. We can recognize and combat temptations by saturating our hearts and minds with God’s truth. The recipients of this letter were long accustomed to the office of high priest. The high priest came from the line of Aaron and served as a bridge between ancient Jews and God; they were set apart from the people but also represented them, helping the Israelites be reconciled with God. The big problem was
the priests themselves were flawed sinners and could never fully offer a pure enough sacrifice. Jesus, the spotless “lamb of God” (1 Peter 1:19), is the ultimate priest-king and the perfect sacrifice. He came to be intercessor and high priest to provide mercy and grace in time of need. With His work of atonement completed, He ascended into heaven and we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Sept. 19 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 4:14-16; Acts 1:1-11.
Sept. 20 Read Genesis 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Corinthians 10:13
Sept. 21 Read Hebrews 5:1-10; Matthew 26:36-46
Sept. 22 Read Matthew 27:28-29; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:12-21
Sept. 23 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:32-33 “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about”…”who through faith”…”shut the mouths of lions.” Read Daniel’s story in Daniel 6. How do you see faith in action in the life of Daniel?
week 4.
Devotional:
As God’s children, we are commanded to grow in our relationship with the Lord, to cling in faith to His promises and faithfulness “so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end.” Hebrews 6:11. We are challenged to be active in our faith and “not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:12. As we will see in Hebrews 5:11 through 6:12, the writer counsels his readers to grow in their knowledge of God and scripture and to hold fast to the Lord.
The writer inserts a passage that contains strong words about falling away, but quickly reassures the Hebrew readers that “we are convinced of better things concerning you.” Hebrews 6:9. Frankly, there are times in our life that we need to simply cling to the Lord, trust in His promises, and come to Him in times of need to receive mercy and grace. This is a continuous process – not just a one-time experience when we first come to the Lord for salvation.
Sept. 26 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 5:11-6:12.
Sept. 27 Read Romans 4:13-25
Sept. 28 Read Hebrews 6:13-20
Sept. 29 Read Genesis 15:1-6; Genesis 21:1-6
Sept. 30 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:8-10 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Read part of Abraham’s story in Genesis 12:1-9; 13:14-18; Acts 7:2-7. How do you see faith in action in the life of Abraham?
week 5.
Devotional:
One of the Old Testament prophecies would be that the Messiah would be “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4. The writer now begins to discuss the differences between the priesthood under the Old Covenant and Jesus as our eternal High Priest under the New Covenant. Keep in mind that the writer is addressing Hebrew readers who were very much aware of the Old Testament commands regarding the Levitical priesthood. The writer begins to explain that Jesus has become the mediator of an entirely New Covenant and draws on scripture to explain Jesus’ role as our eternal High Priest. The key lesson to be learned is that Jesus, “because He abides forever, holds His priesthood permanently. He also is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25.
Oct. 3 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 7:1-10.
Oct. 4 Read Genesis 14
Oct. 5 Read Hebrews 7:11-28
Oct. 6 Read Psalm 110. (Note that David opens this Psalm by saying “The Lord says to my Lord” – a clear statement that the promises that follow are addressed to someone other than David – in fact, the words are a prophecy concerning the Messiah.) See, Matthew 22:41-46 where Jesus discusses this very point with the Pharisees.
Oct. 7 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:32-34 “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about”…”whose weakness was turned to strength.” Commentators say that Hezekiah is an example of one whose weakness was turned to strength. Read Hezekiah’s story in 2 Kings 20:1-11; Isaiah 38:1-7. How do you see faith in action in the
life of Hezekiah?
week 6.
Devotional:
This week, the writer of Hebrews will explain details of the new covenant, a divinely created agreement that God makes with his people through Jesus. The old covenant that God established with Moses is obsolete. It was a copy and shadow of the heavenly things to come. Now we have a perfect high priest, Jesus, who mediates the new superior covenant in the original heavenly tabernacle. It is beyond amazing that God writes his laws on our hearts and minds. Jesus is our high priest, the true tabernacle, that we can go to anytime. He is our God, and we are his people. Jesus forgives our sins and doesn’t remember them anymore!
Oct. 10 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 8:1-6; Hebrews 9:11-14.
Oct. 11 Read Hebrews 8:7-13; Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:19-20; Hebrews 9:15
Oct. 12 Read Colossians 3:1-3; Hebrews 2:17-18; Ephesians 5:1-2
Oct. 13 Read Hebrews 10:16-18; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Oct. 14 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:31 “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” Read Rahab’s story in Joshua 2:1-14. How do you see faith in action in the life of Rahab?
week 7.
Devotional:
Hebrews 9 is a vivid compare and contrast of the old covenant under the law and the new covenant initiated by Jesus. First, we will read how the old earthly tabernacle was set up, and duties the priests and high priest performed. The sacrifices they offered for outward sins could not perfect the worshiper’s conscience. Then, we will learn about Jesus, our perfect high priest. He offered himself, without blemish to God, as a sacrifice once for all for the forgiveness of our sins. After Jesus died and rose from the dead, he did not enter a man-made tabernacle, but into heaven itself. He is now in heaven, in the presence of God for us. The blood of Christ is able to cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God.
Oct. 17 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 9:1-10; Exodus 25:8-9; John 14:6.
Oct. 18 Read Exodus 24:4-8; Hebrews 10:19-23; Hebrews 8:3-6
Oct. 19 Read Hebrews 9:11-28; 1 Peter 3:18; Jeremiah 31:33-34
Oct. 20 Read Romans 3:23-25; Romans 5:6-8; Romans 8:34
Oct. 21 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:30: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.” Read about the fall of Jericho’s walls in Joshua 6:12-20. How do you see faith in action in this story?
week 8.
Devotional:
Chapter 10 opens with the explanation of sacrifices made during the old covenant. It was impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. We then see that Jesus came into the world to do God’s will, abolishing burnt offerings and sin offerings. Hebrews 10:10 states, “By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” The blessings of the new covenant that Jesus inaugurated through his death and resurrection are abundant. We have a great high priest who welcomes us to enter the sanctuary through his blood. We can draw near to God with a heart full of assurance and faith. Our faith is to be interactive with other believers. We can encourage others to love and good works, and receive the same from them. Hebrews 10:26-39 concludes with a warning against deliberate sin. If a person deliberately goes on sinning after receiving God’s forgiveness, he
“tramples on the Son of God, and has regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified and has insulted the Spirit of grace,” Heb. 10:29. The Lord will judge his people. We need endurance in our walk of faith, so that after we have done God’s will, we will receive what is promised to us in eternity, which is a great reward.
Oct. 24 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 10:1-18; Psalm 40:6-8; John 17:19.
Oct. 25 Read Hebrews 10:19-25; Hebrews 2:17; Romans 13:11; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9
Oct. 26 Read Hebrews 10:26-38; Deuteronomy 32:35-36; Ephesians 4:30
Oct. 27 Read James 5:7-8; Luke 18:7-8; Romans 8:24; Revelation 22:20
Oct. 28 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:29: “By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.” Read about Israel’s great escape from the Egyptians in Exodus 14:13-31. How do you see faith in action in the Israelites?
week 9.
Devotional:
This week we will be reading about the lives of men and women who persevered and lived by faith. These individuals were flawed humans, just like you and me, yet they set worthy examples of obeying and trusting in God. As we read about their lives, we see God working in very creative and diverse ways: He used all types of people, from all walks of life in all sorts of avenues. These people we see in chapter 11 were not superheroes, they were ordinary. They had doubt and questions, they felt inadequate and insignificant but what set them apart was their obedience to God’s calling. Notice that in verses 1-32 it states “by” faith they believed God and stepped out in obedience, and in verses 33-40 it states “through” faith that they attained victories, trusted for deliverance, and endured great hardship and persecution. While we won’t be able to explore every person mentioned in this chapter, we will take a closer look at a few. As you read, put yourself in their shoes and think about how faith was required in each instance. How does this build your faith and encourage you toward faith in action?
Oct. 31 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 11:1-7, and then read about creation in Genesis 1-2:3. How do you see faith in action in understanding that the universe was formed at God’s command?
Nov. 1 Read Hebrews 11:8-22, and then read about Sarah and Abraham in Genesis 17:15-19; 21:2-7; 22:17; Romans 4:18-25. How do you see faith in action in the lives of Sarah and Abraham?
Nov. 2 Read Hebrews 11:23-31, and then read about Moses in Acts 7:23-36. How do you see faith in action in the life of Moses?
Nov. 3 Read Hebrews 11:32-40, and then read about Paul in Acts 21:27-22:21. How do you see faith in action in the life of Paul?
Nov. 4 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:37 “They were put to death by stoning”… Read about Zechariah in 2 Chronicles 24:20-22. How do you see faith in action in the life of Zechariah?
week 10.
Devotional:
Picking right up from Hebrews 11 – the author exhorts Christians to follow the examples of the men and women known for their faith, who ran their race well, and to lay aside every weight and sin so they can run the race set before them with endurance. The message the writer wants to hammer home in our reading this week is that it will require diligence, discipline, determination and endurance to pursue this Christian life. He wants his Hebrew Christian audience to not “drift,” but to stand steady and firm in the faith, enduring persecution in the knowledge of certain reward in Christ. In our reading, we will look at the short story of Esau (who is referred to in this chapter as “unholy”). Let’s consider how his light regard for what was of true value would have been a timely example for the recipients of this letter. We will also read the Israelites story in Exodus at Mt. Sinai that is referred to in Hebrews 12:18-24. Here, the writer contrasts two mountains: Mt. Sinai, which represents the old covenant, and Mt. Zion, which represents the new covenant made available through Jesus. The author brings the chapter to a close,
referring to a prophecy from Haggai regarding Christ’s second coming and calls the Christians to note that created things will be shaken and removed but God’s kingdom cannot be shaken. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29) What is acceptable worship? It’s worshiping with reverential respect mixed with fear and wonder out of gratitude for being a part of God’s Kingdom. It makes me pause to reflect: Do I worship God like that? God will burn away the unacceptable parts of me and will often use discipline, testing and trials to spiritually refine me. He will present me before Him cleansed without spot or wrinkle. Hebrews is one
of the most challenging and convicting books of the Bible.
Nov. 7 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 12:1-13; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7.
Nov. 8 Read Hebrews 12:14-17; Genesis 25:29-34
Nov. 9 Read Hebrews 12:18-29; Exodus 19:1-25
Nov. 10 Read 2 Peter 3:10-12; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Ephesians 5:27
Nov. 11 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away.” Read about how Enoch’s walk with God was described in Genesis 5:18-24. How do you see faith in action in the life of Enoch?
week 11.
Devotional:
In our final week of reading, many themes are woven together. We are admonished to love one another, remember the ill-treated, be undefiled, imitate the faithful, and bear the reproach of Jesus with a sacrifice of praise, since we seek a city yet to come. On Monday we will take a closer look at two Old Testament Scriptures that are quoted in Hebrews 13:5-6. These were quoted to remind the readers of God’s personal loving care and provision for His children. Tuesday, we will read some verses about leadership and imitating our unchanging God. On Wednesday, we will read how the soldiers led Jesus out of the city to be crucified, and how, just as Jesus bore that disgrace, the Jewish Christians should be willing to bear the disgrace shown to them from friends and family who were persecuting them because they had turned from Judaism to Christ. As we read on Thursday, we are instructed to submit to those who watch over us and pray that we conduct ourselves honorably. The final benediction in verse twenty summarizes the new covenant: “Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord
Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with
everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Nov. 14 Read the weekly devotional. Read Hebrews 13:1-6; Ephesians 5:1-3, 33; Matthew 25:31-46; Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 118:6.
Nov. 15 Read Hebrews 13:7-8; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17
Nov. 16 Read Hebrews 13:9-16; Mark 15:20-22
Nov. 17 Read Hebrews 13:17-25; John 10:1-30
Nov. 18 Faith in Action – Hebrews 11:36 “Through faith…”some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.” Read about Peter in Acts 12:1-19. How do you see faith in action in the life of Peter?