In the WordSample

Week 47, Day 1 Read Hebrews 1-3 General Epistles - Hebrews An unforgettable moment in Olympic history… Derek Redmond, a British runner in the 1992 Summer Games, starts running in the semi-finals of the 400-meter dash. As he rounds a bend in the track, a powerful pain suddenly shoots up the back of his leg. Derek slows and eventually falls to the ground. He has torn his hamstring. Medical staff members run to Derek’s side, but he waves them off. Standing to his feet, Derek begins limping toward the finish line. As Derek approaches the final stretch of the race, his father runs to meet him on the field. With his father supporting him, they finish the race together. Most people have forgotten who won that 400-meter dash. But those who saw Derek Redmond finish his race will remember it forever. Why? Because he didn’t give up. No one would have blamed Derek for stopping after the fall, but he kept going. Derek came to the Olympics with a single goal in mind. He saw the finish line. He had something to strive for. And he went for it, no matter what. Goals make it possible to reach otherwise-unattainable heights. They allow you to push through obstacles that might ordinarily cause you to throw in the towel. Having a goal, a vision, is necessary for life (Proverbs 29:18). And you have proven to have vision. Over the course of this year, you’ve faithfully read the Bible and pushed through this devotional. Now you head to your last lap—the General Epistles. Like the Pauline Epistles, these are letters of direction and encouragement in the faith. Unlike the Pauline Epistles, the General Epistles have been written by a variety of different authors. Also, with the exceptions of Hebrews and Revelation, these letters are named based on authorship (rather than recipient, as Paul’s are). So let’s get started. The finish line is in sight. On your mark, get set...GO! Scripture Coverage: Hebrews–Revelation Scripture Reading: Hebrews–Revelation Book Genre: Epistles Main Theme: Letters from early Christian leaders to encourage and instruct in the faith Main Events: See the general description of each book Main Characters: Jesus Note: This section will focus on the reading rather than on answering questions. Before you read each Epistle, ask God to speak to you through His Word. As you read, consider how each book lines up with the summary provided.