We know that Northview people love to be in God’s Word and often ask for direction on different devotional apps and reading plans.

While there are several good options available through various sources, we’d like to encourage you to join in our Northview Devotional Guide which will guide you to read and reflect on the passages preached in our weekend sermons! We hope this will unite our congregation around the study of God’s Word, and help us to more readily absorb and apply the great teaching provided by our preaching pastors. Each week we’ll be providing a suggested schedule for working through a passage slowly (15 minutes a day). You’ll need a Bible and a notebook or blank paper to record your observations.

Each day we include a reminder to pray. If you are new to the Adoration / Confession / Supplication method, here are some questions to help guide you as you pray:

  • Adoration: What can you praise God for today?
  • Confession: What thoughts / attitudes / actions might you need to confess to God today?
  • Supplication: What will you ask God for today?
Printable Version

Day 1 – God’s Grace

Read Malachi 3:6-15 to familiarize yourself with this passage, and then focus on Malachi 3:6-7a.

  • What do we learn about God’s character in these verses?
  • What are the implications of his character for “the descendants of Jacob” (the nation of Israel)? 
  • Why does Israel deserve to be destroyed? 
    • Have you turned from God’s decrees and not kept them? 
    • Do you deserve the same punishment as Israel?
  • What offer does God make to Israel?
    • How does this offer to Israel encourage or challenge you today?

 

Pray in adoration:  As you pray, reflect on God’s grace. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and yet our unchanging God returns to us if we return to him! 

 

Day 2 – Robbing God

Read Malachi 3:6-9

  • In yesterday’s text, we noted that God was upset that Israel had turned away from his decrees, and in today’s text he identifies one specific decree which they have broken.  What are they doing that angers the LORD?  
  • Read Deuteronomy 14:22-29 and note what do you learn about the tithe?
    • How much was the tithe and what items were tithed?
    • What was the purpose of the tithe (v 23)?
    • Who benefitted from the tithe (v 29)? 
  • What consequences are being faced by the nation because they are robbing God by not tithing (Mal 3:9)?

 

Pray in confession.  Have you ever thought of giving as a discipline which teaches you to revere the Lord?  What does your generosity demonstrate about the state of your heart towards God and his people?

 

Day 3 – New Testament Giving

Tithing is not specifically mandated in the New Testament, but there is an expectation that Christians will give.  Read the following verses and record what you learn:

  • Acts 2:42-47. How did the first Christians treat their possessions?
  • 2 Corinthians 8:10-15. What principle should guide our giving? What is the purpose of  our giving?
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. What attitudes should mark our giving?

 

Pray today in supplication. Ask God to help you to trust him with your finances so that you can give generously and cheerfully according to your income. 

 

Day 4  – A Positive Test

Read Malachi 3:6-12 and then focus on verses 10-12.

  • What two commands does God give to the nation of Israel?
  • What reward does God promise to Israel if they “test” God by bringing in the tithe?

 

This Old Testament promise of physical blessing was part of God’s covenant with Israel (Lev  26, Deut 28).  In the New Testament, God does not make these same promises to any people group, but there is a sense that God blesses Christians in a variety of ways as we give. 

  • Read Philippians 4:14-19. What is Paul certain of in this text?
  • Read 2 Corinthians 9:8-11. How will God bless people who give?  Why will God bless  people this way (for what purpose? – see verse 11)

 

Pray today in adoration. Thank God for the ways in which he cares for the needs of his children. 

 

Day 5 – A Negative Test

Read Malachi 3:6-15 and then focus on verses 13-15.

  • What is God’s charge against Israel in this text?
  • What does it look like for Israel to “speak arrogantly” against God?  According to verse 14, what are they saying? 
  • What does it look like to put God to the test in this text?
  • Reflect: From this text it seems that the Israelites only want to serve God if they receive some sort of “gain” from him. Is this an attitude that you can identify in your own life?

 

Pray today in confession, asking God for a humble heart which recognizes his grace, and considers it an honor to serve him.