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One Year Bible Challenge, Week 4

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Week 4

January 22 to 28, 20111

This is the “One Year Bible Challenge:” to read the entire Bible in one year. Assuming a normal reading level, this can be done by spending about 10-15 minutes per day, each and every day. See ReadTheWholeBible.COM for more information. If you would like details so you can join us, or if you have any other questions, please call Tom Truex. Or send an email by using the CONTACT form on K-Line.ORG.

OLD TESTAMENT READINGS: Genesis 44:1-Exodus 7:25

Themes and stories: Joseph gives his brothers more food to carry them through the seven year famine. The brothers still don’t recognize Joseph. Joseph finally reveals his identity to them. Joseph gives them more provisions to survive the great famine. Jacob’s family moves to Egypt. Pharaoh gives permission for them to settle in the Land of Goshen.

Joseph purchased, on behalf of Pharaoh, land and livestock from the Egyptians as they sold their possessions in order to have food to survive the famine.

Jacob prophesied the future of his descendants. Then Jacob died. His sons returned his body to Canaan so he could be buried in the same tomb as his father, Isaac, and grandfather, Abraham. Joseph’s brothers were concerned that Joseph still held a grudge against them for selling him into slavery many years before. They thought he might punish them, now that their father had died. But Joseph treated them kindly. Joseph died at the age of 110 years, and was buried in Egypt.

Begin Exodus. The Israelites were fruitful and multiplied. The new king (Pharaoh) in Egypt didn’t know Joseph, but he feared the Israelites were becoming too numerous and too strong. He made the Israelites slaves and ordered the slaughter of the baby boys. Moses’ mother put baby Moses in a basket in the river. Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and adopted him.

When Moses grew up, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. Moses killed the Egyptian. Moses fled to avoid detection for killing the Egyptian.

God spoke to Moses in a burning bush and chose Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Moses was afraid to be the one to lead them out of bondage. Moses asked God his name. The answer: “I AM.” Moses returned to Egypt and asked Pharaoh to let the Hebrews celebrate a festival in the wilderness. Instead, Pharaoh made Moses’ people work harder.

God told Moses to ask Pharaoh to let his people leave Egypt. God gave Aaron a staff that turned into a snake when he threw it down before Pharaoh. Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he wouldn’t let the Israelites leave. God sent the first of the plagues to afflict the Egyptians—the water in the Nile River turned to blood.

Discussion points: Moses asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites out of his land. God gave Aaron a staff that turned into a snake when he threw it on the ground. Pharaoh wasn’t convinced. Pharaoh’s sorcerers performed the same trick “by their secret arts.” Exodus 6:28 to 7:13.
Psalms: Psalm 18:37-23:6
Proverbs: Proverbs 4:11-5:23

NEW TESTAMENT READINGS: Matthew 14:13-19:12

Jesus Feeds 5000
Jesus feeds 5,000
Themes and stories: Jesus feeds 5,000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish. They had 12 baskets of leftovers.

Jesus walks on water. He healed all the sick people who were brought to him. He preaches about inner purity. He drove a demon out of a girl. Jesus fed another 4,000 (plus women and children) seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. This time there were seven baskets of leftovers.

Jesus’ teachings bring him into conflict with the Jewish religious leaders. Peter finally recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus predicts his death. Jesus is “transfigured” on the mountain—and meets with Moses and Elijah. Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy. Peter catches a fish, and finds a coin in its mouth, with which to pay the temple tax. Jesus warns against temptation, and against looking down on others. He tells the parable of the unforgiving debtor. Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce.

Discussion points: How are we to treat a fellow believer who sins? Matthew 18:15-20.

REVIEW / STUDY QUESTIONS:
  • Where was Goshen, and what was it’s significance (Hint: Not in Indiana.)? Genesis 45:10.
  • Why would the Israelites want to know God’s name? Exodus 3:13-15.
  • How were Pharaoh’s sorcerers and magicians able to duplicate Moses miracle? Exodus 7:11.
  • Jesus and the religious leaders are in conflict over tradition. But aren’t religious traditions good? Matthew 15:1-3.
  • What is the “rock” in Matthew 16:18?
DISCUSSION POINTS AND VERSES — Christian Men’s Breakfast only2

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, January 29, 2011 are now online — ”God can use EVEN YOU!”. Did you ever feel like you aren’t really important enough to accomplish anything for God? You aren’t the first person to feel this way. Yet throughout history, God has frequently chosen the least likely of his servants to carry out his instructions. Keep an open mind. God might need YOU! Discussion verses: Exodus 6:28 to 7:13 and Matthew 18:15-20.

FOOTNOTES

  1. The notes, summaries and points on this page are intended as bookmarks of important matters which are covered in this week’s readings. They are not intended as complete summaries of readings. Please forgive me if some of my summaries are not 100% on point. Read the manual–i.e. Bible–so that you will get a more clear understanding of the material. Thank you.
    –Tom Truex ↩
  2. Subject to change. ↩

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One Year Bible Challenge, Week 3

bible

Week 3

January 15 to 21, 20111

This is the “One Year Bible Challenge:” to read the entire Bible in one year. Assuming a normal reading level, this can be done by spending about 10-15 minutes per day, each and every day. See ReadTheWholeBible.COM for more information. If you would like details so you can join us, or if you have any other questions, please call Tom Truex. Or send an email by using the CONTACT form on K-Line.ORG.

OLD TESTAMENT READINGS: Genesis 31:17 – 43:34

Themes and stories:

Jacob went home to the land of his father, Isaac. There was a dispute about some allegedly stolen goods as Jacob departed. Jacob wrestles with an angel; then he makes peace with his brother, Esau.

Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, is defiled. Jacob’s sons convince the men in the family who caused the offense to be circumcised; then they killed them “when they were still in pain.”

God changes Jacob’s name to Israel. Jacob has 12 sons. Rachel and Isaac die.

Jacob loved his son, Joseph, the most, because he was born to him in his old age. Jacob made Joseph a fancy coat (KJV: a coat of many colors). Joseph had dreams casting him in a role superior to his brothers. Joseph told his brothers about the dreams. They hated him. They conspired to kill him. Instead they sold Joseph as a slave to a passing caravan. The brothers told their father, Jacob, that a wild animal had killed Joseph.

Joseph was taken to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, in Egypt. Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his house. Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph. He ran off. She lied to her husband. Joseph was thrown in jail.

While in prison, Joseph correctly interprets Pharaoh’s dream of an inpending famine in Egypt and the entire region. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of preparing for the years of famine to come.

Meanwhile, Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, and sent his sons to get some of it. The brothers don’t recognize Joseph. Joseph sends his brothers home with provisions, but makes them leave one of the brothers in Egypt.

Discussion points: Joseph sold into slavery. Genesis 37
Psalms: Psalm 13:1 – 18:36
Proverbs: Proverbs 3:16 – 4:10

NEW TESTAMENT READINGS: Matthew 10:24 – 14:12

Themes and stories:

Jesus teaches about the Kingdom. Jesus promises rest for the soul. Jesus heals on the sabbath, and his disciples pick wheat on the sabbath. The religious leaders don’t like these activities on the sabbath. Huge crowds follow Jesus, but the religious leaders accuse him of being Satan.

Jesus teaches using parables. King Herod kills John the Baptist. Jesus feeds five thousand men, plus the women and children who were with them, with five loaves of bread and two fish. There were twelve baskets of leftovers. Not bad!

Jesus walked on water. He drove a demon out of a girl. Again, Jesus fed another large crowd with very little food, and had lots left over.

Peter finally realizes Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus goes up a tall mountain where he meets with Moses and Elijah. Jesus performs more miracles, and continues to teach.

Discussion points: Jesus describes his true family. Matthew 12:46-50.

REVIEW / STUDY QUESTIONS:
  1. Who was the man with whom Jacob wrestled? (Genesis 32:24)
  2. Why did the Pharisees want to kill Jesus? (Matthew 12:14)
  3. Why does Matthew quote the Old Testament so often? (Matthew 12:17-21)
  4. What is so special about Joseph’s coat? (Genesis 37:3)
  5. What is a parable? (Matthew 13:2-3)
DISCUSSION POINTS AND VERSES — Christian Men’s Breakfast only2

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, January 22, 2011 are now online — ”Brotherly love”. Did you and your siblings (or your children) ever not get along? Well, compared to Joseph and his brothers, your family may not be as bad as you think! Discussion verses: Genesis 37

FOOTNOTES

  1. The notes, summaries and points on this page are intended as bookmarks of important matters which are covered in this week’s readings. They are not intended as complete summaries of readings. Please forgive me if some of my summaries are not 100% on point. Read the manual–i.e. Bible–so that you will get a more clear understanding of the material. Thank you.
    –Tom Truex ↩
  2. Subject to change. ↩

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One Year Bible Challenge, Week 2

bible

Week 2

January 8-14, 20111

This is the “One Year Bible Challenge:” to read the entire Bible in one year. Assuming a normal reading level, this can be done by spending about 10-15 minutes per day, each and every day. See ReadTheWholeBible.COM for more information. If you would like details so you can join us, or if you have any other questions, please call Tom Truex. Or send an email by using the CONTACT form on K-Line.ORG.

OLD TESTAMENT READINGS: Genesis 18:16-31:16

Themes and stories: Abraham bargains with God for the sake of Sodom. God agrees to not destroy it if Sodom held it even 10 righteous people. It didn’t. God rained sulfur (brimstone) and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s wife took a look and turned into a pillar of salt. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. God tells Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham obeys God. God provided a ram to substitute as the sacrifice in place of Isaac. Abraham’s wife, Sarah, dies. Abraham grows old. Isaac gets a wife (see “discussion points,” below). Abraham dies. Isaac has twin sons. Esau was born first, and technically had the “birthright”–he sold it to his brother, Jacob, for a bit of stew. Jacob pretended to be his older brother, Esau, so that his father, Isaac, gave him a special blessing. Jacob ran away to avoid his brother killing him for revenge. Jacob worked seven years for the father of the woman he wanted to marry. He was tricked into marrying the older sister, Leah, first. Jacob was allowed to marry Rachel, who was the woman he wanted to marry in the first place. But he had to work for Rachel’s father for another seven years. Jacob had many sons; some by his wives, and some by his wife’s maid. Jacob became wealthy, and decided to return home.
Key points: Eliezer: Profile of a true servant.
Psalms: Psalm 8:1-12:8
Proverbs: Proverbs 2:6-13:15

NEW TESTAMENT READINGS: Matthew 6:25-10:23

Themes and stories: Jesus teaches, among other things, to not worry too much, and not to be too critical of others (see “discussion points.”). Jesus also performs miracles, including healing people. Jesus calms a storm at sea, and drives demons into a herd of pigs. Jesus heals a bleeding woman and restores a young girl to life. Jesus sent out his twelve disciples.
Key points: “Judge not, that you be not judged.”

DISCUSSION POINTS AND VERSES — Christian Men’s Breakfast only2

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, January 15, 2011 are now online — ”Judge not”. In the Old Testament we discuss Abraham’s servant, Eliezer. The New Testament discussion focuses on the scripture, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Discussion verses: Genesis 24 and Matthew 7:1-5

FOOTNOTES
  1. The notes, summaries and points on this page are intended as bookmarks of important matters which are covered in this week’s readings. They are not intended as complete summaries of readings. Please forgive me if some of my summaries are not 100% on point. Read the manual–i.e. Bible–so that you will get a more clear understanding of the material. Thank you.
    –Tom Truex ↩
  2. Subject to change. ↩

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