Genuine Faith Bible Reading Challenge

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The hopeless woman in Luke 8:43–48 thought long and hard on her wish to break through the crowds and stand next to Jesus. She experienced menstrual issues, which kept her bleeding and unfit to socialize in her culture, according to the laws of the day. Can we stop for a second and think about this? Dealing with the bleeding problem itself must have been terrible, but to be a social outcast because of it? And furthermore, this problem had been going on not for days or weeks or months. This nameless woman had been dealing with the problem for twelve years. I can hardly wrap my brain around her endurance.

While each gospel tells her story, the book of Luke highlights it in a fresh way, revealing an important detail the others don’t mention. “There was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone” (verse 43).

Not only was this woman still suffering after twelve long years, but she had spent her last coin in an effort to find the right medical care. Luke’s mention of this detail clearly highlights how desperate the woman was. If only she could discover the antidote that would stop the bleeding.

We don’t know if she saw Jesus heal others or if she had only heard stories of the miracles he had performed. We don’t know if she wished for a moment to speak to him. Whatever the circumstances, she took the initiative to act on her hope. She believed that Jesus could heal her. If she could only get a little closer, if only the crowd wasn’t so pressing…

Whatever her thoughts, she made her way to Jesus, one step at a time. When she was close enough, she reached out and simply touched his clothing. Her fingers didn’t even make it to his skin, but with hope, by faith, they brushed the hem of his garment.

Instantly, the blood clotted. Her miracle came true.

However, in her ultimate moment of joy, fear struck her heart. He knew she had touched his clothing. “And Jesus said, ‘Who was it that touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!’” (verse 45).

Do you think the woman was afraid to admit what she had done? She, who had been an outcast for years—how dare she touch the Son of God? Peter attempted to make logic of the situation. But of course, Jesus knew more had happened than Peter could fathom in the moment. And he said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me” (verse 46).

With trembling, the woman who bore the mark of “unclean” for more than a decade boldly stepped forward and declared her faith, as well as the result of it. She had to feel that no one could possibly understand. How could anyone really comprehend what she had endured for so many years?

But Jesus did. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace” (verse 48). 

(Excerpt above from One More Step: Finding Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up.)

Do you really take God at his Word today? How strong is your faith?

Welcome to the March Genuine Faith Bible reading challenge! This month’s Bible reading plan will encourage your faith to grow authentically!

March Bible Reading Challenge

Would I have enough faith to believe that if I only touched a piece of Jesus’ clothing, I would be healed? I’d like to think so if the situation presented itself, yet in reality, I know there are promises in God’s Word that I fail to fully believe. Maybe you too? This month’s reading is going to encourage a genuine faith in God as we read what the Bible has to say about believing him in totality! It’s going to be wonderful!

How to Participate

If you’ve never joined a Bible reading challenge here before, each day we follow the plan and read the passage. You can share what you are learning on social media or just keep it between you and God. My goal through the reading is to draw closer to Jesus, and I want that for you too!

For this month, we will use the hashtag #genuinefaith. Almost every day, I post on Instagram or Facebook about what I’m learning through the passages and sometimes I post the Bible journaling pages I work on throughout the study.

On Fridays, I post a summary of what I learned through the week here on the blog and invite you to share what God is teaching you in the comments.

Additional/Optional Bible Reading Challenge Features for March

Bible Journaling

As you may know, I’ve been working on learning to Bible journal a little art and since you’ve been asking, I’ve got a FANTASTIC tool to help us both consistently read God’s Word, study it, meditate on it, and enjoy it. Use this Bible Journaling Guide to process the Bible reading through your choice of journal writing, art, or both.

And now for the Bible reading plan, Genuine Faith.

1. Luke 8:43-48
2. Hebrews 11:1-10
3. Hebrews 11:11-21
4. Hebrews 11:22-31
5. Hebrews 11:32-29
6. Matthew 6:28-34
7. Acts 11:19-23
8. 1 Corinthians 16:13&14
9. Matthew 8:24-27
10. Matthew 17:14-20
11. Matthew 21:19-22
12. Acts 15:7-11
13. Hebrews 6:1-3
14. Proverbs 3:1-6
15. Matthew 9:1-8
16. Matthew 9:18-26
17. Matthew 9:27-31
18. Matthew 25:14-23
19. Luke 7:1-10
20. Luke 18:1-8
21. Acts. 3:11-16
22. Romans 1:1-7
23. Romans 1:9-17
24. Mark 9:14-29
25. Mark 11:20-25
26. Luke 8:9-15
27. John 3:27-36
28. John 8:31-38
29. John 14:8-14
30. John 20:24-29
31. Romans 10:9-17

Printable or Digital

Just screenshot the graphic to your smartphone and mark it as a favorite for easy daily access. For a simple printable copy, click on the graphic or HERE and print out two copies of the Bible reading plan. Share one with a friend!

 

Hooray! It’s up a few days early! Who’s ready to dig in on March 1st?

Be sure to come back tomorrow for this week’s summary of the True Love plan!

By his grace,

Rachel