SaintAdult John’s Formation 2013 Reads-2014: Daily Reading Guide of The Great Saint John’s Bible Challenge Available Reading Guides the Psalms & the Proverbs SEPTEMBER 1: Watch for Daily Scripture Meditations in your email. One (If weYear do not (Whole have your Bible) email address, please send to [email protected].)  Psalter & Proverbs SEPTEMBER 8: Bible Challenge Pledge Sunday in the Parish  Hall.Family All are invited Bible to Challengecommit to read Guide scripture in some manner over the next year. Download yours at SEPTEMBERstjohnsmemphis.org/ministries/saint 15: Adult A, B & 3 classes begin- johnstheir first-reads 5-week study: The Bible for the Biblically Challenged. Classes meet Sundays in the Bride’s Room (Adults A), The Library (Adults B), and the Upstairs Conference Room (Adults 3).

Small Group Bible Study OCTOBER 20: Adult A, B & 3 classes begin their second 5-week study: ALay Brief-led History weekday of Israel bible studies are ongoing in offices, coffee shops, and homes. NOVEMBER 24: MIFA Plus 1 Sunday Contact the Church Office to learn more: NOVEMBER(901) 323 24-8597 & DECEMBER or [email protected] 1: All classes Q&A review “The revelation of Your words sheds light, giving Old Testament events and themes for Bible Jeopardy, Dec. 15 understanding to the simple.” —Psalms 119:130 DECEMBER 8: Parish Meeting, no adult classes.

DECEMBER 14: MIFAHilda Meals onHouse Wheels Saturday Delivery Day God's word is intended for all people. For thousands Young adult bible study for 20-40 year olds DECEMBER 15: Old Testament Bible Jeopardy in the Parish of years, God has communicated to millions of people at 3280 Overland Place, Tuesday nights at 7pm. Hall. Sound those buzzers! A fast-moving inter-generational event through His word. In fact, many things are hidden to mine your Ledknowledge by The of Rev.Old Testament Jay Biedenharn trivia. Are you a from the learned and clever but revealed to the merest winner? Meets during the school year. children – the simple (Luke 10:21). Of course, God's

Email [email protected] or call for more info. word is sometimes so difficult to interpret that we JANUARY 10, 11 & 12: The Epic of Eden seminar with Dr. Sandra Richter (author and professor of Old Testament at need to be quiet so that God can teach us. Wheaton) in the Parish Hall. The consistent daily reading of the Psalms and JANUARY 19: Begin reading and study of The Epic of Eden. Proverbs are a rich source of wisdom, prayer and Spiritual Mentoring power. If you are interested in one-on-one mentoring and

guidance as you continue your spiritual journey, The following guide will enable you to systematically please ask for an y of the clergy at the number below. read these Books, in their entirety, within 6-8 months. More contact info at stjohnsmemphis.org/about/staff Consider alternating between a Psalm and a chapter of Proverbs each day. Use this guide as your bookmark.

You can find the Psalms and the book of Proverbs in your Bible, or you can use your Prayer Book Psalter for the Psalm readings.

Remember to put yourself in the presence of God before reading each day. Prayerfully ask God to open your heart to hear his word. Keep a spiral notebook Saint John’s Episcopal Church handy and note any insights you gain as you read, or 3245 Central Ave.  Memphis, TN 38111 get a study bible that you can mark in. (901) 323-8597  stjohnsmemphis.org /stjohnsmemphis /stjohnsmemphis PSALMS 1 THE PSALMS There are 150 Psalms. Reading one Psalm each 1 Happy are those day, you should be able to read the entire Psalter in 5 months. However, several are very long (such who do not follow the advice of the wicked, as 119). When a longer Psalm is scheduled, or take the path that sinners tread, consider reading only a few verses at a time and or sit in the seat of scoffers; meditating on those verses. Take more than one 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, day if necessary for the longer Psalms. and on his law they meditate day and night.

3 THE PROVERBS They are like trees There are 31 chapters in Proverbs. These 31 brief planted by streams of water, chapters can be read in about a month when you which yield their fruit in its season, read one chapter per day. and their leaves do not wither.

If you are unable to read the Psalms or Proverbs In all that they do, they prosper. on any given day, for whatever reason, just continue with the reading when you can. Speed is 4 The wicked are not so, not your goal. Listening to God and understanding but are like chaff that the wind drives away. the word is your goal. Take your time. But don’t 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the give up! judgment, CONCLUSION nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; When you finish reading the Psalms and Proverbs, 6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, give this guide to someone else. Pray for that but the way of the wicked will perish. person to be motivated to read God's word. Use this bookmark as a tool for evangelization. Right now pray to know the person with whom you are to share this guide. PROVERBS 1 (Prologue) HOW TO BEGIN To start you off, we’re including Psalm 1 and 1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Proverbs 1. Use them as an introduction to these Israel: books that can ground you in their purpose. 2 For learning about wisdom and instruction,

The New Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV) offers for understanding words of insight, these thoughts: 3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing, “Ps 1: The two ways. “A wisdom psalm, used as righteousness, justice, and equity; a preface to the Psalter, intended as a guide to the 4 to teach shrewdness to the simple, Psalter as a repository of divine instruction. Wisdom characteristics include the introductory knowledge and prudence to the young— 5 assertion that the virtuous are happy (e.g. Prov let the wise also hear and gain in learning, 3.13); it continues with the language of the way, and the discerning acquire skill, and the sharp contrast between the righteous and 6 to understand a proverb and a figure, the wicked.” the words of the wise and their riddles.

“The purpose of the book of Proverbs is to 7 transmit insights whereby one might learn to cope The fear of the Lord is the beginning of with life…. Proverbs invites the reader to knowledge; intellectual discipline as a life-giving synthesis of fools despise wisdom and instruction. keen observation and reflection, ethical concern,