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.
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
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.
- Who was the man with whom Jacob wrestled? (Genesis 32:24)
- Why did the Pharisees want to kill Jesus? (Matthew 12:14)
- Why does Matthew quote the Old Testament so often? (Matthew 12:17-21)
- What is so special about Joseph’s coat? (Genesis 37:3)
- What is a parable? (Matthew 13:2-3)
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
- 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 ↩ - Subject to change. ↩
