The Story Reading

Sunday- The Story (pgs. 129-131)
Monday- The Story (pgs. 131-134)
Tuesday- The Story (pgs.134-138)
Wednesday- The Story (pgs. 138-141)
Thursday- The Story (pgs. 141-143)
Friday- 1 Samuel 15
Saturday- 1 Samuel 16

Bible in a Year (Chronological Reading)

Sunday- 1 Samuel 1-3
Monday- 1 Samuel 4-8
Tuesday- 1 Samuel 9-12
Wednesday- 1 Samuel 13-14
Thursday- 1 Samuel 15-17
Friday- 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalm 11; Psalm 59
Saturday- 1 Samuel 21-24

Memorize/Reflect: “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

Personal Reflection: What did Jesus do to make forgiveness of sins possible for you? How has the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus impacted human history?

Discussion: When Jesus said, “It is finished” he was declaring that the price for sins was paid and forgiveness could be offered to all who would receive His gift of grace. When did you receive the forgiveness of Jesus and how did you first hear the message of His grace and love? If you have not yet received God’s forgiveness, what is standing in the way?

Prayer Direction: Identify areas of sin and temptation that still linger in your life and offer them to God, one by one. Thank Jesus for the cross and empty tomb and acknowledge that you are no longer under the judgment of sin or a slave to temptation. Then, pray for power to resist the enticements of the enemy and strength to live in a way that honors and brings joy to the heart of God.

“Live It!” Challenge: Identify an area of temptation and struggle that seems to come up again and again in your life. Find one or two trusted Christian friends and tell them about your struggle. Ask them to pray for you and to keep you accountable to specific goals and boundaries you have set.

Monthly Prayer Focus: This Easter season we will focus on praying for the power of the risen Jesus to be alive in the lives of people we care about. This week, please pray for the glory and presence of the risen Christ to be experienced by Christians in parts of the world where there is persecution and oppression.

Extra Resources for this week: Buy a copy of The Story in the Shoreline lobby. You also might want to consider buying a study Bible. We also have several great children’s storybooks you might want to read with your children or grandchildren. If you want to go deeper, read: Exploring The Story, by Adam Barr.

Small Group Resources for this week: The Story Small Groups will start up again in a week. The next session will be: Standing Tall, Falling Hard, Chapter 10 of The Story and the Small Group Guide.

Easter Season Reading

Sunday- Philippians 3 and Revelation 20
Monday- 1 Corinthians 15
Tuesday- Matthew 28
Wednesday- Mark 16
Thursday- Luke 24
Friday- John 20
Saturday- John 21

Bible in a Year (Chronological Reading)

Sunday- Judges 6-7
Monday- Judges 8-9
Tuesday- Judges 10-12
Wednesday- Judges 13-15
Thursday- Judges 16-18
Friday- Judges 19-21
Saturday- Ruth 1-4

Memorize/Reflect: “Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

Personal Reflection: How does Jesus interact with Peter after the resurrection? How might this have impacted Peter’s view of himself (after he had denied Jesus three times)? How might this encounter with Jesus have set the direction of Peter’s future life and ministry?

Discussion: In John chapter 20, Jesus meets a number of different people. How did Jesus treat each one as he interacted with them (after His death and resurrection): Mary Magdalene, the disciples, Thomas, Peter? Why do you think Jesus had such different interactions with these various people?

Prayer Direction: Jesus restored Peter…in his friendship with Jesus and in Peter’s call to ministry. Pray that you will feel God’s love and the forgiveness of Jesus in any area you need restoration. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you power to repent and live in new, Christ-honoring, ways in this area of your life.

“Live It!” Challenge: Find a quiet and private place to meet with Jesus for a few minutes. Tell Him, “I love you!” Say it a number of times, out loud. Peter needed to reaffirm his love three times. Keep telling Jesus you love Him with your whole heart and want to follow Him with all your strength. Then, let Him know you want to serve Him in any way He would call you to.

Monthly Prayer Focus: This Easter season, we will focus on praying for the power of the risen Jesus to be alive in the lives of people we care about. This week, please pray for the glory and presence of the risen Christ to be experienced by your pastors, church directors, and L-Team members. If you don’t know all of these people, look them up on the Shoreline website.

Extra Resources for this week: During the Easter season, consider reading the gospels as listed in the reading above and also books such as: He Did This For You by Max Lucado and The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel.

Small Group Resources for this week: The Story Small Groups will take a break during the Easter season. We encourage the groups to plan one service project or have a social gathering during this time off. There will be no small group materials provided for the Easter series except what you find below.

Easter Season Reading

Sunday- John 13
Monday- John 14-15
Tuesday- John 16-17
Wednesday- John 18-19
Thursday- John 20
Friday- John 21
Saturday- 1 Corinthians 15

Bible in a Year (Chronological Reading)

Sunday- Joshua 9-11
Monday- Joshua 12-15
Tuesday- Joshua 16-18
Wednesday- Joshua 19-21
Thursday- Joshua 22-24
Friday- Judges 1-2
Saturday- Judges 3-5

Memorize/Reflect: “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27)

Personal Reflection: How does Jesus interact with people after He is risen from the dead? How can you interact with the risen Christ today?

Discussion: Jesus talked with two men as they walked along the road to Emmaus. How does Jesus communicate with you as you walk through a normal day? The men on the road missed the fact that it was Jesus walking with them. What are some of the ways we miss the presence of Jesus with us? How can we tune in more closely and notice when God is with us and speaking to us?

Prayer Direction: Pray for eyes to see God’s presence and ears to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Ask Jesus to show up in the flow of your day and for you to be more responsive to His presence and leading.

“Live It!” Challenge: Take a walk with Jesus this week. Don’t invite anyone but Jesus. Don’t wear ear buds or listen to music. Just walk quietly and invite Jesus to be with you and speak to you. As you walk, tell Him things you are thankful for and invite Him to communicate with you.

Monthly Prayer Focus: This Easter season we will focus on praying for the power of the risen Jesus to be alive in the lives of people we care about. This week, please pray for the glory and presence of the risen Christ to be experienced by your neighbors, co-workers, and friends at school.

Extra Resources for this week: During the Easter season, consider reading the gospels as listed in the reading above and also books such as: He Did This For You by Max Lucado and The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel.

Small Group Resources for this week: The Story Small Groups will take a break during the Easter season. We encourage the groups to plan one service project or have a social gathering during this time off. There will be no small group materials provided for the Easter series except what you find below.