God blessed Noah’s family and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” The blessing was similar to that which God gave to their first parents, Adam and Eve, but it left out something: ruling the earth. For when Adam and Eve obeyed Satan rather than God, they lost their reign to him. And yet there remained elements of hope. The rainbow gave hope of life and told of God’s love and his desire for people to live kindly together. That God did not destroy the tree of life, but merely barred the way to it, gave hope that one day the way to it might be opened. The promise of a Serpent Crusher gave hope that the serpent’s rule would end. That Adam and Eve through pain could bear and sustain life gave hope that the Serpent Crusher’s bruised heel might be life-giving too. The story has just begun. Next week we meet the family through which the seed of the Serpent Crusher will be traced. Bible Outline Old Testament Five Books of Moses Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Histories Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Books of Wisdom Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Prophetic Major Prophets Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Twelve Minor Prophets Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi New Testament Four Gospels Matthew Mark Luke John History Acts Letters Letters of Paul Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians
Chapter 3: Joseph: From to Deputy Pharaoh Key Question: What can we learn from Joseph about trusting God through hardship and betrayal? From Favorite to Enslavement 29–31 Everyone knew Joseph was his dad’s favorite. His mother, Rachel, was the only wife his dad had truly loved. She was barren, though, and his dad prayed many years for her to have a child. Finally when his dad, Jacob, was 91, Rachel gave birth to Joseph, bringing joy to them both. Joseph was Jacob’s eleventh son. Eventually Rachel became pregnant again, but grief struck when she died giving birth to little Benjamin. Although the family was blessed in many ways, they suffered tragedies too, some from living in a harsh land and some from Joseph’s brothers’ bad choices, including his oldest brother, Reuben, sleeping with his dad’s concubine. When Joseph was seventeen, Jacob gave him a beautiful coat, inflaming his brothers’ jealousy. (a) What are some of the reasons Joseph’s brothers hated him (Genesis 37:2–11)? (b) What are some areas in which Joseph’s character perhaps needed to grow? (c) What are ways that parents can combat rivalry among their children? Not long after Joseph had brought a bad report to his father about how his brothers tended their flocks, Jacob again sent Joseph to check on his brothers. The brothers saw him coming and plotted to kill him. (a) How did the oldest brother, Reuben, attempt to rescue Joseph (Genesis 37:21–22)? (b) What plan did oldest—devise (37:26–27)? (c) The other brothers followed Judah’s leadership. How might Reuben’s incest have eroded his moral authority and lessened his effectiveness as a leader among his brothers?
And yet, said one day a prophet like him would arise. When he did, the people must recognize him and follow him, else they would be held accountable. For was a type of someone greater, someone yet to come: the seed promised to Eve who would crush the ancient serpent. Like Moses he would fast forty days and nights, do mighty miracles, intercede for sinners, and offer a covenant from God to people, a covenant sealed in blood. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake that all who looked to it might be saved from death, so would he be lifted up that all who looked to him might be saved from the death brought by the serpent that deceived Eve and her children.
Chapter 7: The Battle Begins Key Question: What can we learn from Joshua’s taking of the Promised Land that can help us conquer sin and fight spiritual battles? Joshua’s Call Pages 89–91 God called Joshua to lead the Israelites to inherit the Promised Land. They had already taken land west of the Jordan River from Amorites who answered their request for passage with an attack. Now it was time to enter the land. (a) What did God promise Joshua when he told him to lead the people to their inheritance from him (Joshua 1:5)? (b) If God was going to give him the victory, why did Joshua need to be strong and courageous to fulfill his calling (1:6)? (c) God calls us to overcome sin, fight spiritual battles, and minister to others. Why do we need to be strong and courageous to fulfill our calling? (d) If possible, describe a time you needed strength and courage to obey God. (a) What did Joshua need to do to succeed in his calling (Joshua 1:7)? (b) What did he need to do to ensure he obeyed God (1:8a)? (c) What result from doing this (1:8b)? (d) What can you learn from this that applies to what God calls you to do? (a) Why else should Joshua be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9)? (b) What can you from this when obeying God seems scary, difficult, or even impossible?
Chapter 11: From Shepherd to King Key Question: How did David live so as to fulfill God’s purpose for his life? Chosen 145–150 God rejected Saul as king because Saul refused to obey him. Saul forgot the Israelites’ purpose was to make God to all nations, and that his duty as king was to lead them in fulfilling this purpose. Instead, he sought what he thought would bring himself the most glory. God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king. (a) In 1 Samuel 16:7, what does God tell Samuel not to consider? (b) How do people tend to look at people? (c) How does God look at people? (d) Briefly describe a time you looked at someone based on outward appearances and discovered later that inside they were different. (Please do not share names if someone could be hurt.) Samuel anointed David with oil, and the Spirit of the Lord came onto him. The anointing had to be kept secret, though, or all their lives would be at stake. In time, the Philistines gathered to attack the Israelites. They had a champion named Goliath who was over nine feet tall. (a) What did Goliath propose be done instead of an all-out battle (1 Samuel 17:8–9)? (b) What was Saul’s and the rest of the Israelites’ reaction (17:11)? (c) The Israelites had wanted a king to lead their battles; how was Saul measuring up? (a) Why did David think he could defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17:34–37)? (b) David could have considered shepherding beneath him since he would one day be king, but instead he gave it his all. Why is it important to be faithful in work that seems small or insignificant? (c) If possible,
Changed Pages 277–279 King Xerxes sent commissioners throughout the kingdom to find beautiful girls for his harem so he could pick a new queen from among them. They found Mordecai’s cousin, Hadassah, who also went by a local name, Esther. (a) What happened to change Esther’s life (Esther 2:5–10)? (b) What have you learned about Esther so far? (c) What might have been some reasons Mordecai forbade Esther to reveal she was Jewish (2:10)? Esther was now in the king’s and would soon be one of his many concubines, having a status lower than a wife. Yet she had a chance to be elevated to a queen. (a) How might Esther have felt about this drastic change in life? (b) Have you ever had an unexpected life-changing event? If so, describe your feelings at the time. What happened to Esther (Esther 2:15–17)?
Mary came to Jesus and fell at his feet, weeping. (a) What does response to people’s tears tell you about Jesus (John 11:33–35)? (b) Jesus didn’t tell anyone not to weep, but instead wept with them, leaving us an example of how to comfort the grieving. If you’ve suffered a loss, what was the most helpful comment you heard? (c) What are some perhaps well-intentioned but unhelpful things Christians sometimes say to the grieving? Jesus told the people to remove the stone from the tomb, even though Lazarus had been dead four days and his body was decaying. Jesus called, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came to life and obeyed. had just demonstrated what he meant by his claim, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Not everyone appreciated the miracle. Some reported it to the Pharisees, who called a meeting of the Sanhedrin, the court that governed the Jews’ internal affairs. (a) Did the Jewish leaders doubt that Jesus performed miracles (John 11:47)? (b) They didn’t believe Jesus was who he said he was, and as religious leaders, they didn’t want the masses believing what they themselves didn’t believe. What other reason had they for not wanting people to believe in Jesus (11:48)? (c) What can we do to keep our own wishes from blinding us to truth?
And now we Jesus’ last week. On Sunday, Jesus rode a colt that had never before been ridden into Jerusalem. People ran ahead, throwing leafy branches and cloaks before him, and shouting “Hosanna,” a praise meaning “Save.” How were the people’s shouts particularly appropriate for Jesus’ mission (Mark 11:9–10)? On Monday, cleansed the outer court of the temple of buyers, sellers, and money changers, for this area was supposed to be a place for Gentiles to pray. Then he healed those who came to him while children shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” On Tuesday, Jesus taught in the temple, delighting the crowds. Sometime during the week, the disciples told that Greeks had come to see him—and Jesus replied thus: The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:23–25 And so Jesus illustrated the means of glorification. He prayed, “Father, glorify your name!” A voice from heaven answered, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” To the crowd of Jews and Greeks, Jesus said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Not just Jews—all people. (a) When we believe in in whom else do we believe (John 12:44, 49)? (b) What happens to those who believe in Jesus (12:46)? (c) What was Jesus’ purpose for coming into the world (12:47)? (d) What is the danger of rejecting Jesus and his words (12:48)? (e) Why are Jesus’ words crucial to accept (12:49)? (f) To what does the Father’s command lead (12:50)? (g) If Jesus was not who he said he was—God’s Son—does this speech allow him to be a “good teacher”? Explain.
disciples claimed to have seen Jesus alive after his execution. Herod and the Jewish leaders believed they lied and—knowing liars don’t make good martyrs—they threatened many with death. But by the power, wisdom, and boldness of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ followers were willing to suffer and die rather than recant their testimony that they had seen Jesus alive. a prayer asking for the Holy Spirit’s power, wisdom, and boldness. The Holy Spirit continued to work, and the harvest continued to grow. Next week we’ll see how will become known as the Apostle Paul—took the gospel to the Gentiles.
Persevering to the End Pages 439–452 Acts ends with Paul’s release from prison (AD 62/63). Initially, Rome considered Christianity a Jewish sect. Judaism was an authorized Roman religion and exempt from the otherwise universal mandate to worship the emperor. Rome tolerated Judaism’s monotheism partly because Jews seldom converted Gentiles. But Christians preached the gospel to Gentiles everywhere. Many Gentiles converted, causing social upheaval as shrines lost supporters and idol makers lost income. Idol worshippers detested the Christians’ insistence that manmade gods were not gods at all. They bristled over hearing lifestyles considered sinful. By the 60s, Jews and Gentiles throughout the Roman Empire despised the Christians. Jewish leaders convinced Rome Christianity wasn’t a Jewish sect, and Rome declared Christianity a new, unauthorized religion that called an executed criminal Lord instead of the emperor. In AD 64, the Great Fire of Rome burned much of the city, and rumors quickly spread that Emperor Nero had started the fire to facilitate a building project. Needing a scapegoat, he blamed the now reviled Christians. Imprisonments and grisly executions quickly followed for anyone bearing the name of Christ. Some he burned on posts to light the night sky; others he covered in animal skins and threw to dogs; and still others he crucified—including the Apostle Peter. In AD 66/67, Paul sat chained in a damp, dark dungeon in Rome. Knowing his execution neared, he wrote a letter to strengthen Timothy, a pastor whom he’d mentored. What stands out to you the most from Paul’s letter known as 2 Timothy (pages 456–458 in The Story)? Why? Paul persevered to the end. The testimony of the man who once persecuted the church, and then claimed to have encountered the living Jesus Christ, stands through the ages, for he boldly testified to having seen the resurrected Lord, no matter what it cost him in this life, for he looked forward to the life to come.