Scripture Union Daily Guide for 20th August 2023
Read Scripture Union Daily Guide for 20th August 2023 Devotional, Sunday SU Daily Guide Reading
TOPIC: Social Equality In Jesus Christ
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that you sanctify my spirit, soul and body as I read your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: 1 Corinthians 7: 17-24
QUESTIONS FOR TODAY
• Q 7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
• Q 8: Is there any other Biblical passage that can help me understand this passage better?
Scripture Union Daily Guide for 20th August 2023 MESSAGE
Notice the basic principle Paul states three times in vs.17, 20& 24. Can this principle apply outside circumcision and slavery that he used?
Vs.18-20. Religious sphere: Christian Jews should not be apologetic about being Jews or try to remove their Jewish identity. Gentile Christians should not yield to Jewish pressure for circumcision. See Acts 15:1-5 and Galatians 5:1-3.
Vs.21-22. Social and economic spheres: The Christian slave should live in contentment in his new state as a free man in Christ. Was Paul condoning slavery? In his day slavery was part and parcel of society. A slave could be freed by his master or buy himself out of slavery. In the meantime, if he could gain his freedom, he was to go for it (v.22).
Does this mean one should forget about ambition and stay at the same social and economic level when one becomes a Christian? No. Aim high but be content while seeking to upgrade yourself. Paul not only taught contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-8), he practised it (Philippians 4:11-13).
Vs.23-24. Whose slave are you? Every Christian has been bought with the blood of Christ (v.23; 1 Peter 1:18-19) and therefore a slave of Christ. Our chief concern should be to please our Master who gave His life to redeem us.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
For further study: On slavery, see Ephesians 6:5-9 and Philemon.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Teach me contentment at every stage of my life and to make it my top priority to serve you faithfully.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with 2 Timothy 1:7
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Jeremiah 31‐33.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Sun, 20-Aug-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
PRAYER TEAM
I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the Lord says…Hab. 2:1
THANK GOD FOR:
►The commitment of prayer teams in Groups, Zones, Areas, Regions, to intercede continually for this ministry.
►Testimonies of answered prayers
PRAY FOR:
►Prayer team members will live correct lives, void of hypocrisy
►Each member will pursue a deeper revelation of God and His Word, so that our prayers will always align with the will of God.
PRAY AGAINST:
►Distraction, that will not allow His children to be focused in the place of prayer.
Scripture Union Daily Guide for 20 August 2023. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
READ ALSO: Our Daily Bread Devotional for 20 August 2023: Finding Open Spaces
