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The Grand Sweep: 365 Days From Genesis Through Revelation
Study the whole Bible in a year with J. Ellsworth Kalas.
The Grand Sweep: 365 Days from Genesis through Revelation guides adults to read through the Bible in a year, reading three to four chapters daily. The Psalms and Proverbs are scattered throughout the reading as devotional elements. Because the plan moves through the Bible in biblical sequence, readers grasp the grand weep of the Scriptures--something missed in most Bible studies that take up only a certain book or section of the Bible. Also, daily readings are manageable; someone who is just beginning a serious devotional life need not feel threatened or inadequate. By the time readers finish their year of reading, they will have a grasp of the biblical story from beginning to end. And with it, because of the daily discipline, a stronger devotional life. Kalas also provides a faithful daily summary of each day's reading, but with a devotional quality to encourage warmth of spirit as well as knowledge of mind. Congregations, study groups, and individuals can begin The Grand Sweep at any time during the year with this study. Allow at least 30 minutes daily when using this resource. Includes a reflection from son David Kalas and selected quotations from Kalas's 35 books.
The book includes:
Questions or directions and daily devotional summary/commentary for Days 1-7 each week call for written response to the assigned Scripture and provide a devotional element. "Prayer Time" suggests a focus for daily and weekly praying and invites you to identify persons and concerns for prayer. "How the Drama Develops" summarizes the week's Scripture and situates it in the ongoing biblical story. "Seeing Life Through Scripture" invites you to view life through the lens of Scripture in order to draw guidance and insights for living. Think of yourself in conversation with Scripture. "The Sum of It All" in a verse or verses, sums up the week's Scripture. Over the course of fifty-two weeks, the verses become a synopsis of the biblical story. The Grand Sweep is designed for personal use. The added component of a Leader Guide enables congregations and study groups to share the experience. It provides an overview of how to use the book as a study, along with specific content for weekly, monthly, or occasional group meetings.
The Grand Sweep: 365 Days from Genesis through Revelation guides adults to read through the Bible in a year, reading three to four chapters daily. The Psalms and Proverbs are scattered throughout the reading as devotional elements. Because the plan moves through the Bible in biblical sequence, readers grasp the grand weep of the Scriptures--something missed in most Bible studies that take up only a certain book or section of the Bible. Also, daily readings are manageable; someone who is just beginning a serious devotional life need not feel threatened or inadequate. By the time readers finish their year of reading, they will have a grasp of the biblical story from beginning to end. And with it, because of the daily discipline, a stronger devotional life. Kalas also provides a faithful daily summary of each day's reading, but with a devotional quality to encourage warmth of spirit as well as knowledge of mind. Congregations, study groups, and individuals can begin The Grand Sweep at any time during the year with this study. Allow at least 30 minutes daily when using this resource. Includes a reflection from son David Kalas and selected quotations from Kalas's 35 books.
The book includes:
Questions or directions and daily devotional summary/commentary for Days 1-7 each week call for written response to the assigned Scripture and provide a devotional element. "Prayer Time" suggests a focus for daily and weekly praying and invites you to identify persons and concerns for prayer. "How the Drama Develops" summarizes the week's Scripture and situates it in the ongoing biblical story. "Seeing Life Through Scripture" invites you to view life through the lens of Scripture in order to draw guidance and insights for living. Think of yourself in conversation with Scripture. "The Sum of It All" in a verse or verses, sums up the week's Scripture. Over the course of fifty-two weeks, the verses become a synopsis of the biblical story. The Grand Sweep is designed for personal use. The added component of a Leader Guide enables congregations and study groups to share the experience. It provides an overview of how to use the book as a study, along with specific content for weekly, monthly, or occasional group meetings.
- GenresDevotional
548 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1996
32 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
J. Ellsworth Kalas
84 books6 followersJ. Ellsworth Kalas has been part of the faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary since 1993, after thirty-eight years as a United Methodist pastor and five years in evangelism with the World Methodist Council. He has been a presenter on DISCIPLE videos and is the author of more than thirty books, including the popular Back Side series as well as the Christian Believer study.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 9, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this read through the Bible devotional. Some books are harder to return to the shelf than others and this is one of those. I thought Kalas’s tone was just right. His voice was not too intrusive into his writings on the Word. There are quotes from his other books throughout this one and my favorite is on the last page: “But our realist has one more question. Will love win? In a planet so badly disarrayed as ours, will love win?
I believe it will. Indeed, I'm altogether sure that love will win God's love, that is, and all the love that flows from it. But of course it's by faith that I've come to this conclusion, and I can't prove it.
But so what? I told you that love is a mystery.” I highly recommend this companion to a Bible read through.
I believe it will. Indeed, I'm altogether sure that love will win God's love, that is, and all the love that flows from it. But of course it's by faith that I've come to this conclusion, and I can't prove it.
But so what? I told you that love is a mystery.” I highly recommend this companion to a Bible read through.
December 30, 2021
An excellent companion for reading through the Bible in a year.
January 1, 2022
Guiding the reader through the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, with an overview was especially enlightening, especially for some of the chapters that lists families, land locations, sacrifices, and re-telling of the laws.
Though I won't use it in back-to-back years, I will return to this way of reading through the Bible again.
Though I won't use it in back-to-back years, I will return to this way of reading through the Bible again.
December 5, 2025
Great read!
Brief sweep through the whole Bible with important stops along the way. Great thoughts on many verses that warmed my heart.
Brief sweep through the whole Bible with important stops along the way. Great thoughts on many verses that warmed my heart.
July 14, 2021
A fantastic, in depth dive into the Bible. I’ve tried to read the Bible cover to cover before but always give up in Genesis. This was a great study to help break it up, explain what you were reading and reflect
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews