Daily Bible Reading - Term 1 Week 9

Week 9: How Jesus Came, and What He Was Like

This week looks closely at Jesus' arrival and his early years. The theology readings cover the announcement of his birth and a glimpse of him as a boy; the story follows a voice calling out and a season of testing in the wilderness.

This week's readings:

- 30 Second Theology — "How did Jesus come into the world?" (Luke 1:26–38) and "What was Jesus like when he was young?" (Luke 2:41–52)

- The Greatest Story Ever Told — "The Voice" and "The Desert"

Day 1 — How Did Jesus Come Into the World?

Reading: 30 Second Theology, "How did Jesus come into the world?" (Luke 1:26–38)

Mary receives news that will change everything, and responds with a willingness to be part of God's plan even without fully understanding it: "Let it be to me according to your word."

Journal prompt: Where is God inviting me to say "let it be" to something I don't fully understand yet?

Prayer: God, thank you for how you came into the world through Mary's willingness. Give me that same willingness to say yes to you today.

Day 2 — What Was Jesus Like When He Was Young?

Reading: 30 Second Theology, "What was Jesus like when he was young?" (Luke 2:41–52)

Even as a boy, Jesus is drawn to his Father's business, asking questions, listening, growing in wisdom. His humanity was real from the very beginning.

Journal prompt: What does it mean to me that Jesus grew and learned like I do, instead of skipping straight to being fully formed?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for growing up like I do, learning, asking questions, maturing. Help me trust you as someone who understands what growth feels like.

Day 3 — The Voice

Reading: The Greatest Story Ever Told, "The Voice"

A voice calls out, preparing people for what's coming, pointing away from itself and toward the one who's about to arrive.

Journal prompt: Is there a way I can "point" to Jesus for someone else this week, the way this voice pointed to what was coming?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for voices that prepare the way for you. Help me be one of those voices for someone this week.

Day 4 — The Desert

Reading: The Greatest Story Ever Told, "The Desert"

Jesus is tested in a hard, empty place before his ministry begins, showing that even he faced real temptation, and stood firm.

Journal prompt: What's a "desert" season I'm in right now, and what would it look like to stand firm in it the way Jesus did?

Prayer: God, thank you that Jesus faced temptation and didn't give in. When I face my own desert this week, help me stand firm too.

Day 5 — Integration

Reading: No new reading — look back over the week.

This week traced Jesus from his arrival to his testing, a real birth, a real childhood, and a real desert. Every part of his story shows a Saviour who understands what it means to be human.

Journal prompt: This week I read about how Jesus came into the world and grew up, and I watched him prepared for and tested before his ministry began. Where do I need to remember that Jesus understands what I'm walking through?

Prayer: God, thank you for this week. Thank you for a Saviour who is fully human and fully understands me. Carry that comfort into the week ahead.