Keep going! You are doing brilliantly — you are nearly half way through the Bible and another week of rich discovery lies ahead!

In the Old Testament reading this coming week, the work on the temple restarts with prophetic encouragement, and even royal support. Ezra arrives to teach God’s Word, and Nehemiah later rebuilds Jerusalem’s walls despite fierce opposition. The week ends in joyful covenant renewal as God’s people recommit to walk in his ways. In the New Testament readings, we see the early church growing through prayer, boldness, and the Spirit’s power, despite threats from outside and challenges within. Watch God raise up faithful servants like Stephen, whose powerful witness points forward even in death.

Week 4: 25 June – 1 July

OT – Ezra 5-Nehemiah 12

After opposition stops the building of the temple for a number of years, the prophets come along and challenge the leaders to re-build. The prophets stay alongside the leaders to help them. We see here perhaps a hint at the pattern of apostolic and prophetic foundations for church building. There is more opposition, but this time it is used by God to further his purpose. The pagan king – representing the authorities of this world – acts in favour of the builders. As well as apostles and prophets, the church needs teachers and such is Ezra the priest. He studies, obeys and then teaches the Word of God. He is radical in calling for obedience and holiness, represented by his dealing with the issues of intermarriage. Nehemiah is another great example of leadership as he returns, a number of years later, to rebuild the walls and gates. He also suffers great opposition but is not deflected from the work and is also helped by prophets and by the teacher, Ezra. The teaching of the Word of God and the recounting of their pilgrimage so far occurs amidst both joyful celebration and great seriousness as they renew their covenant to be faithful in obeying the Lord.

June 25: Ezra 5-7; June 26: Ezra 8-10; June 27: Neh. 1-3; June 28: Neh. 4-6; June 29: Neh. 7-8; June 30: Neh. 9-10; July 1: Neh. 11-12.

There is an introduction to Nehemiah here.

NT – Acts 4:13-7:60

Peter and John are released from prison and join the others for prayer. All are filled again with the Spirit. The infant church continues to experience both external opposition and internal challenges, along with the great miracles and blessing. The seriousness of what God is doing in establishing his Church as a witness to his kingdom is shown by the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira. There is more opposition from the religious leaders but internal troubles also. The dispute over the feeding of the widows could have led to division but the apostles arranged for men to administrate it so that they could release the apostolic leaders to the primary ministry of Word and prayer. These administrators were men of faith, wisdom and the Holy Spirit. One such was Stephen, the first to be martyred. He recounts the history of the Old Testament people of God to the religious leaders to show that it was the church, and not they, who were in the true line of the pilgrims of faith. He is stoned to death just as Saul, who is to become the great apostle Paul, stands by watching.

June 25: Acts 4:13-31; June 26: Acts 4:32-5:16; June 27: Acts 5:17-42; June 28: Acts 6:1-15; June 29: Acts 7:1-19; June 30: Acts 7:20-43; July 1: Acts 7:44-60.June 30: Acts 7:20-43; July 1: Acts 7:44-60.