week of 12/29

Unit 04  Session 5

GOD 'S MIRACULOUS PRESENCE

EXODUS 17:1-7

 

Key Concept:

Complaining shows our doubts about God's presence.

God is supremely patient. From almost the moment the Israelites left Egypt, they were a faithless people filled with fear. But God's people were called to trust their Almighty God and remember all His faithful deeds and steadfast love. The story of the exodus and its aftermath is not just a story of God's power. It is the story of His presence - a holy, magnificent God condescends to be with fickle, undeserving people. And this Old Testament history foretells the coming of Christ, Who would dwell with His people and make a way for them to escape the bondage of sin.

As you examine Exodus 17:1-7:

✞   Consider that we test the Lord when we complain to others about God.

     

✞   Recognize that God has given us the gift of His presence, which provides us with 

    supernatural strength and help.

week of 12/22

Unit 04  Session 4

GOD 'S MIRACULOUS PROVISION

EXODUS 16:1-12

 

Key Concept:

God is our Provider, giving us our daily bread and all we need. 

Exodus is a book about God's miraculous deliverance. Through a burning bush, plagues, and an escape through the sea, God revealed His power and faithfulness to Israel. Despite God's assurance that He would provide for their every need, they doubted God's faithfulness. Three days after they worshiped God on the bank of the Red Sea, the Israelites grumbled against God (Exodus 15:24) Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of a cycle of forgetfulness and faithlessness.

As you examine Exodus 16:1-12:

✞   Reflect upon the truth that God provides for our needs and wants us to trust Him.

     

✞   Note that God always acts in ways that reveal His glory.

week of 12/15

Unit 04  Session 3

GOD 'S MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE

EXODUS 15:1-13

 

Key Concept:

God is our faithful Deliverer, able and powerful enough to save us from all things.

After the final plague of death to the firstborn son, Pharaoh finally let God's people go. But Pharaoh got angry and changed His mind, rallying the troops and pursuing the Hebrew people up to the Red Sea. Trapped, the people of God doubted that God could deliver. Through miraculous means however, God parted the Red Sea, led His people safely through, and defeated their enemies as the waters consumed them. Thus, God's promise to His people was fulfilled: "The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I receive glory through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen" (Exodus 14:18). It was time for the Israelites to celebrate.

As you examine Exodus 15:1-13:

✞   Contemplate the methods God used to protect His people from Egypt.

     

✞   Respond with worship because of God's faithful and powerful acts in your life.

week of 12/8

Unit 04  Session 2

GOD 'S MIRACULOUS PASSOVER

EXODUS 12:12-13, 21-28

 

Key Concept:

God will execute judgment but will give grace to those who follow Him.

After a reluctant start, Moses returned to Egypt to deliver God's message to Pharaoh. Through Moses, God performed undeniable displays of power. The Egyptians suffered through plagues that proved the one true God was more powerful than any of the false gods the Egyptians served. Despite seeing God's hand at work, Pharaoh proved hardhearted and ignored God's command. One last plague remained that would strike at the heart of Pharaoh and all of Egypt, and through this final plague, God would deliver His people from bondage.

As you examine Exodus 12:12-13, 21-28:

✞   Notice how blood was the distinguishing mark of salvation from the Lord.

     

✞   Consider how God's deliverance of Israel should encourage us to celebrate and worship Him.

week of 12/1

Unit 04  Session 1

GOD 'S MIRACULOUS CALL

EXODUS 4:1-5, 10-17

 

Key Concept:

When God calls, He equips His people for service.

Through God's sovereign and gracious provision, Jacob's family relocated to Egypt to escape death by famine. With Joseph stationed as a high-ranking official in Egypt, the Hebrews enjoyed freedom and flourished in the region of Goshen. As time passed by after Joseph's death, the Hebrews faced great oppression at the hands of the Egyptians. God heard their cries, remembered His covenant, and called forth a deliverer - Moses - to rescue the Hebrews from slavery. Miraculously saved from death as a baby, Moses grew up in the Egyptian court. Later, reluctant to take on Pharoah, Moses initially demonstrated resistance to God's call.

As you examine Exodus 4:1-5, 10-17:

✞   Contemplate the fact God called Moses despite his excuses and insecurities.

     

✞   Identify ways God promised to equip Moses through His presence, power, and provision. 

week of 11/24

Unit 03  Session 4

GOD 'S TEST OF JOB

job 2:1-10

 

Key Concept:

Every circumstance in our lives is an opportunity to respond with faith in God.

The book of Job is unique in Scripture in that it lacks many of the attachments other Biblical books have to historical events, people, and places. Set on the outskirts of Israel in the land of Uz, the narrative features Job, his family, and his friends. In addition, a dialogue between God and Satan serves as the context and framework for an unfolding story about God's sovereignty, the existence of evil, and the reality of suffering in our world, even for those who are righteous.

As you examine Job 2:1-10:

✞   Identify how this story frames God's character as One Who both comforts His people 

    and sovereignly orchestrates all things toward good.

     

✞   Consider how you have experienced God's comfort amid suffering in your life and how 

    you can use that comfort to help others who are suffering. 

week of 11/17

Unit 03  Session 3

GOD WAS WITH JOSEPH

gENESIS 39:1-5A, 7-12, 19-23

 

Key Concept:

No matter our circumstances, God is always with His people and deserving of our obedience.

Genesis 37-50 tells the story of Jacob's sons who would become the twelve tribes of Israel, yet the focus is almost exclusively on one son in particular. With sinful favoritism rearing its ugly head once again in this family, Jacob favored Joseph more than his elder brothers because he was the son of his favorite wife. Jealous of their father's love for their younger sibling, Joseph's brothers hatched a plan to kill him but instead sold him off into slavery in Egypt. Though Joseph was separated and isolated from everything he had known, we see in his story a palpable reminder of the surety of God's presence and power to override evil and use it for good.

As you examine Genesis 39:1-5a, 7-12, 19-23:

✞   Recognize that Joseph was obedient in difficult circumstances because ultimately he 

    knew he would be sinning against God.

     

✞   Consider the reality of God's presence with you and how this should shape our view of 

    good and difficult things.

week of 11/10

Unit 03  Session 2

GOD'S PROMISE TO JACOB

gENESIS 28:10-22

 

Key Concept:

God is present with His people, faithful to His promises, and deserving of our worship.

Genesis 25-36 depicts God's ongoing faithfulness to Abraham's descendants, seen first through his son Isaac and then through his grandson Jacob. Despite manipulative and deceitful schemes to obtain both his brother's birthright and his father's blessing, from the womb, Jacob was the one chosen by God to receive the covenant promises passed down from Abraham and Isaac. God's work in and through Jacob's life reminds us that God uses and works through sinful people and unfavorable circumstances to accomplish His will.

As you examine Genesis 28:10-22:

✞   Identify how God's promises to Jacob mirrored those He made to Abraham and Isaac.

     

✞   Consider what genuine worship of God should look like in your life.

week of 11/3

Unit 03  Session 1

JACOB MANIPULATED ESAU

gENESIS 25:20-34

 

Key Concept:

God's will and ways are righteous, while our ways are sinful.

The second half of Genesis details the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham through the lives of Abraham's promised offspring. Like Sarah before her, Rebekah, Isaac's wife, was barren for years. Isaac prayed for his wife, and just as the Lord kept His promise with Abraham and Sarah, the Lord gave Rebekah twin sons: Esau and Jacob. The twins' ensuing sibling rivalry highlights a few major themes in the book of Genesis and within Scripture more broadly. God's covenant faithfulness is seen throughout the book as He keeps His promises and sovereignly works to carry out His plan.

As you examine Genesis 25:20-34:

✞   Evaluate each person's words and actions to determine what was good and what was 

    sinful.

     

✞   Consider what this passage teaches us about God's character and His faithfulness to 

    His own promises and unfolding plan.

week of 10/27

Unit 02  Session 4

GOD'S PROVISION FOR ISAAC

gENESIS 24:37-50

 

Key Concept:

God's people trust in God's providence in every aspect of our lives.

By Genesis 24, Abraham was much older, and Sarah had died. But Isaac was unmarried. Wanting to get his family affairs in order and ensure the covenant promises lived on to another generation, Abraham sought to find Isaac a wife. Not wanting Isaac to marry one of the pagan Canaanites, Abraham sent one of his servants in Isaac's stead to his old homeland. The servant, trusting in the Lord's faithfulness to his master, went to Abraham's homeland and did exactly as Abraham said, bringing Rebekah home to her new husband. 

As you examine Genesis 24:37-50:

✞   Note the servant's reliance on prayer and God's providence to help him be successful in 

    his mission.
     

✞   Reflect on how God orchestrated the events in the servant's journey to bring Rebekah to 

    Canaan for Isaac.

week of 10/20

Unit 02  Session 3

GOD'S TEST OF ABRAHAM

gENESIS 22:1-14

 

Key Concept:

The Lord tests our faith so it may be proven by obedience.

In keeping with God's covenant, Abraham's promised child finally arrived with the birth of Isaac. A few years later, God called to Abraham again; this time He commanded Abraham to take his son up a mountain and offer him as a sacrifice there to the Lord. Why would God ask Abraham to do such a thing? God put Abraham to the test to demonstrate Abraham's complete devotion to Him and, as we will see, God's merciful provision. This remained a fulfillment to God's promise and ultimately pointed to a greater fulfillment yet to come.

As you examine Genesis 22:1-14:

✞   Identify Abraham's actions that indicated he trusted God absolutely.
     

✞   Consider how the Gospel gives us encouragement to respond to tests and trials with faith.

week of 10/13

Unit 02  Session 2

GOD'S COVENANT WITH ABRAM

gENESIS 17:1-10; 15-19

 

Key Concept:

The almighty God makes it possible for humanity to be in relationship with Him.

Sojourning in his new home, Abram waited for God to bring about His promises, which included a son. Waiting isn't easy, and the aging Abram wondered if the promised child would ever come. Growing anxious, he and Sarai brought Hagar into the fold and bore Ishmael through her. But God did not need their help, only their faith. Ishmael would not be the inheritor of the blessing, and God had not forgotten His word. Everything He promised would come to pass. So Abram received a new name that reminded him of that truth and reconfirmed the covenant God had made with him. 

As you examine Genesis 17:1-10; 15-19:

✞   Consider the significance of God calling upon His people to live in His presence.
     

✞   Recognize that true faith always leads to obedient action for those who love Jesus 
    and are called by Him.

week of 10/5

Unit 02  Session 1

ABRAM OBEYS GOD'S CALL

gENESIS 12:1-9

 

Key Concept:

Faith is obeying and following God no matter the circumstances that come with it.

Genesis 12 opens a new era of God's revelation. For eleven chapters, God revealed the beginning of the world at a macro level. In Chapter 12, God begins to reveal the beginning of His covenant at a micro level, from many generations down to one man. Abram is the beginning of the story in so many ways. Our understanding of the grace of God revealed ultimately in Jesus Christ is strengthened by our understanding of the story of Abram way back in Genesis.

As you examine Genesis 12:1-9:

✞   Identify the sacrifices Abram made to step out in faithful obedience.
     

✞   Consider how knowing the love God has for us encourages us to obey and follow His call.

week of 9/29

Unit 01  Session 5

HUMANITY REBELS

gENESIS 11:1-9

 

Key Concept:

Humanity rebels against God's commands and needs to be restrained.

After living in the ark for just over a year, Noah and his family stepped out on dry ground. Then God made a covenant with Noah that He would never again flood the whole earth to destroy sin. Like He had commanded Adam, God commanded Noah and his sons to fill the earth by spreading out and multiplying. Creation had a fresh start. One would think obedience and a desire to walk with God would be foremost on the minds of every human being after the flood, but sin still corrupted the hearts and minds of each new generation. And once again, God would not tolerate their rebellion.

As you examine Genesis 11:1-9:

✞   Reflect on your attempts to bring God to our level or to worship Him on our terms.
     
✞   Identify ways God still restrains sin today.

week of 9/22

Unit 01  Session 4

SIN CORRUPTS

gENESIS 6:9-22

 

Key Concept:

Sin corrupts and must be judged, but God saves those who fear and obey Him.

If Adam and Eve had hoped their firstborn son, Cain, would be the promised Seed to defeat the serpent, their hopes were crushed when Cain murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy. Grieving the loss of Abel, Adam and Eve had another son, Seth - a son in Adam's likeness. Unlike Cain's descendants, who lived however they pleased, Seth's descendants walked with God and hoped for reprieve from the curse of sin. While sin and violence corrupted humankind, Noah, whose name means rest, was a righteous man who followed God. God would soon enact righteous judgment against sin on the whole earth, but God showed grace to Noah.

As you examine Genesis 6:9-22:

✞   Identify ways you can live blamelessly in a world that does not value what God values.
     
✞   Reflect on times when you have experienced the blessings of faithful obedience in your 

    own life.

week of 7/15

Unit 01  Session 3

HUMANITY HATES

gENESIS 4:1-12

 

Key Concept:

Sin leads us to disordered feelings and responses, and to hateful actions.

Adam and Eve, the first image-bearers of God their Creator, sinned and were banished from the garden of Eden. Exiled from the garden, Eve gave birth to two sons, Cain and Abel. As their story unfolds, we find the consequences of sin continue to spread from Adam and Eve's decision to take of the forbidden fruit, not trusting in God's good character and instruction. Thus begins he long story of humanity's pride and sinful ways, revealing our full need for a Savior and Redeemer Who will forgive us of our sins and make us new.

As you examine Genesis 4:1-12:

✞   Reflect upon parts of your life in which you fail to give your all or your best to God.
     
✞   Contemplate how sin derails our sense of purpose and productivity.

week of 9/8

 Unit 01  Session 2

HUMANITY DISOBEYED GOD

gENESIS 3:1-7, 15, 21-24

 

Key Concept:

Sin results in shame, separation, and death.

God created everything good: the sky, the land, the sea, the animals, and so forth. Then the writer of Genesis continued to recount in greater detail the creation of humanity. God formed Adam out of dust and placed him in the perfect garden of Eden. Adam was free to eat any fruit except from the knowledge of good and evil. Then God introduced into His creation Eve, who would help Adam fulfill God's purposes. Blameless, they were naked without shame. However, this changed after Satan came on the scene in the form of a serpent to deceive and manipulate.

As you examine Genesis 3:1-7, 15, 21-24:

✞   Identify lies Satan might use today to make us question God and His goodness.
     
✞   Think about how our view of God impacts our approach to repentance of sin.

week of 9/1

Unit 01  Session 1

GOD CREATED HUMANITY

gENESIS 2:7, 15-25

 

Key Concept:

God created humanity for relationships.

In the beginning, in Genesis 1, God created the heavens and the earth. In six days, God created the domains of the sky, sea, and land and filled them with lights and living creatures. But for all the wonder of the created world around us and the universe beyond us, the Lord made human beings as the pinnacle of His creation. We were created, both male and female, uniquely in the image of God. The world was created for humanity and humanity for the world, a realm to steward together in God's name. And God declared it all to be "very good" in His sight. In Genesis 2, the Scripture zooms in on the creation of the man and woman God made in His image.

As you examine Genesis 2:7, 15-25:

✞   Identify how we ought to relate to God and others because of how God created humanity.
     
✞   Contemplate the changes that ought to occur in your life if you believe in the Bible's 
    account of the creation of humanity.

week of 8/25

Unit 36  Session 3

WORHIPING OUR GLORIOUS GOD

REVELATION 21-22

 

When Jesus returns, He will renew all of creation and live with His people forevermore.

Amid all of the descriptions of judgment, it's easy to lose sight of the marvelous blessings of God's people found throughout the Book of Revelation. Sinners will be judged, but saints - those saved through faith in Jesus' work on the Cross - will be saved. Not only will they be saved, but they will inherit an eternal dwelling place that far surpasses the beauty of this earth primarily because sin, death, and pain will never be found there.

Points to consider:

✞   The Lord is coming again to 

      renew His creation.

     * What are you most looking 

        forward to in the new 

        Heaven and earth?

     * How can we also be in the 

        business of renewing and 

        restoring in this life?

✞   The Lord is coming again to 

      reveal His glory.

     * How is God dwelling within 

        us without a temple appealing?

     * Whether light is literal or 

        figurative or both, how is 

        living in constant light appealing?

✞   The Lord is coming again to 

      reside with His people.

     * What do you imagine you will 

        spend your time doing in Heaven?

     * How is your longing to see Christ 

        face to face and eternally 

        reflected in your life?

week of 8/18

Unit 36  Session 2

WORHIPING OUR CONQUERING KING

REVELATION 19-20

 

Jesus will return one day to receive His bride, the church, and to end sin and death once and for all.

The worship that filled the first portion of the book of Revelation continued to overflow to the end. John's vision captured the heavenly worship that is taking place now and will take place in the future. Along the way, John highlighted the nature of Jesus' return, the fate of God's people, and the future for those who reject Jesus' offer of salvation.

Points to consider:

✞   The Lord is coming again to 

      receive His bride.

     * How is Jesus' return like a 

        marriage celebration?

     * How can you praise God 

        for inviting you?

✞   The Lord is coming again to 

      crush all rebellion.

     * How does Jesus' justice 

        encourage you?

     * How can you see Jesus 

        as a warrior more?

✞   The Lord is coming again to 

      judge sin and death.

     * What makes the concept 

        of judgment difficult?

     * How should a believer 

        respond to the thought 

        of Heaven and why?

week of 8/11

Unit 36  Session 1

WORHIPING OUR RESURRECTED LAMB

REVELATION 4-5

 

The risen Jesus is worthy of worship because He has conquered sin and death.

The book of Revelation is the most vivid description of the victorious, resurrected Christ. John, the brother of James and author of several New Testament books, received a vision from God that captured the essence of the eternal dwelling of Christ and His people. As the nature of the content suggests, this book is filled with themes and images that are often difficult for the modern reader to grasp. It's important for readers to distinguish between the essential themes of the book and those secondary topics that are up for debate among Christians. Revelation 4-5 presents the main theme of the entire book - the resurrected Christ is worthy of worship!

Points to consider:

✞   Worthy is the King Who has created.

     * What crowns might you need to 

        lay aside in order to worship 

        Jesus properly?

     * How can we try to convince 

        others that Christ is worth 

        our worship?

✞   Worthy is the Lion Who has conquered.

     * What is something you seek 

        to keep securely sealed or 

        locked, and why?

     * What does Jesus' ability to 

        open the scroll tell us 

        about Him?

✞   Worthy is the Lamb Who was resurrected.

     * When you think of Jesus, do 

        you think Him more as a 

        Lion or a Lamb, and why?

     * If you were to write a new 

        worship song, what 

        elements would be in it?

week of 8/4

Unit 35  Session 6

ENDURANCE AND CHRIST'S EXALTATION

PHILIPPIANS 3

 

Christ is exalted when His people allow the Spirit to work through them as they pursue the things of Heaven rather than earth.

The Greek city of Philippi is the first town in Europe where Paul established a church (Acts 16:12-40), so we can imagine the fatherly care and loving concern he always held for people in this congregation. But his letter to the Philippians was composed when Paul was a prisoner in Rome. Like any good sermon - and this was most certainly a sermon in writing - Paul included elements of encouragement, thankfulness, information, and warning.

Points to consider:

✞   Christ's exaltation comes through 

     the work of the Spirit.

     * What false teachings today may 

        make us stray from exalting and 

        boasting in Christ alone?

     * How do we make sure we are 

       boasting in Christ and Christ alone?

✞   Christ's exaltation comes through 

     the losses of the world.

     * What are some things we need 

        to see as losses compared to the 

        surpassing value of knowing 

        Jesus Christ?

     * How would you write your 

        spiritual life goal?

✞   Christ's exaltation comes through 

     the promises of Heaven.

     * How can we find encouragement in

        knowing that Paul hadn't reached 

        his goal yet at this stage of his life?

     * What kind of faith life would invite 

        others to imitate it?