Daily Bible Readings - Term 1 Week 12

Week 12: Cleared Out and Made New

Part Two of The Greatest Story Ever Told begins, narrated by Ta'om, "the Sceptic." The story turns to a confrontation and a conversation about being born again, while the theology readings ask the two most important questions of the whole faith: is Jesus still dead, and where is he now?

This week's readings:

- 30 Second Theology — "Is Jesus still dead?" (John 20:1–7) and "Where is Jesus now?" (John 14:1–4)

- The Greatest Story Ever Told — "Turning the Tables" and "Reborn"

Day 1 — Is Jesus Still Dead?

Reading: 30 Second Theology, "Is Jesus still dead?" (John 20:1–7)

The tomb is empty. This is the hinge the entire Christian faith turns on, not a story about a good teacher who died, but a Saviour who is alive.

Journal prompt: If I really believed Jesus was alive right now, not just in the past, what would change about how I pray?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that the tomb is empty and you are alive. Help me live today like that's actually true.

Day 2 — Where Is Jesus Now?

Reading: 30 Second Theology, "Where is Jesus now?" (John 14:1–4)

Jesus tells his disciples he's going to prepare a place for them — he hasn't disappeared; he's gone ahead. His absence isn't abandonment; it's preparation.

Journal prompt: Does it comfort me to think of Jesus preparing a place for me, or does it feel distant and hard to picture? Why?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for preparing a place for me. Help that promise feel real and near, not distant, today.

Day 3 — Turning the Tables

Reading: The Greatest Story Ever Told, "Turning the Tables"

Jesus confronts corruption head-on, overturning what's been allowed to go unchallenged for too long. His anger here is aimed at protecting what's sacred, not losing his temper.

Journal prompt: Is there something in my own life I've let slide that Jesus would want to "turn over", a habit, an attitude, a compromise?

Prayer: God, thank you for caring enough to confront what's wrong. Show me anything in my own life you want to clear out, and give me courage to let you.

Day 4 — Reborn

Reading: The Greatest Story Ever Told, "Reborn"

A private, honest conversation about what it means to start over completely, not just improving, but being made new from the inside out.

Journal prompt: What would it look like for me to ask God for a genuinely fresh start in one specific area of my life this week?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for offering a real new beginning, not just a patch-up. I ask you to make me new in the area I've been struggling with most.

Day 5 — Integration

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

This week held the two biggest claims of the Christian faith, that Jesus is alive and that he's gone ahead to prepare a place, alongside a story of him clearing out what was corrupt and offering a genuine fresh start.

Journal prompt: This week I read that Jesus is alive and preparing a place for me, and I watched him confront what was wrong and offer new life instead. Where do I need him to clear something out and make me new this week?

Prayer: God, thank you for this week. Thank you that Jesus is alive, that he's preparing a place for me, and that he offers real new beginnings. Carry that into the week ahead.