June 12, 2023
June 18 | Discovery
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson titled “Warning for Temple Worshippers” (Jeremiah 7:1-15, 21-23).
Articles for tag: Israelites
September 26, 2022
Day of Atonement, Day of Remembrance
By Doug Redford If the Israelites of the Old Testament had the books that we have in our Old Testament, arranged into chapters as ours is, Leviticus 16 would have drawn their attention as the Day of Atonement neared much as Luke 2 gets our attention during the Christmas season. There we see outlined the proper procedure for observing that sacred day, which came to be known as Yom Kippur, literally the “day of covering.” The Jewish people will observe it this year on October 4 and 5. The final verse of Leviticus 16 captures the day’s significance: “Atonement is
April 4, 2022
Passover
Today, we are about to do something that completes the third panel of the story. Our Communion time is our Passover. . . .
August 10, 2020
Discovery Questions for August 16, 2020
Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What struggles have you faced over the last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the first two people to read Judges 2:10-19 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third helper to retell the story in their own words. Remind them to keep it simple. 2. What one word would you use to describe this summary of the Israelites during the time of the judges? (Give participants a few moments to think.) 3. Let’s look more closely at a few details: • Why
July 27, 2020
Discovery Questions for August 2, 2020
Study Questions for Groups 1. What answers to prayer did you receive over the last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Joshua 2:1-16 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask the same two readers to each read Joshua 6:15-25. Ask the third person to retell the story in their own words as if telling it to a group of adolescents. 2. What, if anything, surprises you from these passages? 3. Let’s look more closely at some of the details: • In what parts of this narrative do you
December 31, 2019
New Things
By Stuart Powell A spirit of optimism permeates our culture at the beginning of every year. The idea of newness is everywhere. However, it seems the “newness” quickly fades. Our government is still in strife. Our boss still makes unreasonable demands. Most of our resolutions are quickly broken. The temptations and sins that plagued us last year haven’t vanished. The old stuff that caused us to long for last year to end looks amazingly similar to the new stuff in our New Year. Israelites in Isaiah’s day faced similar struggles against the sinfulness of their age. They looked to God
October 1, 2019
Yom Kippur: Fulfilled in Jesus
By Jon Wren Beginning this Tuesday evening [October 8, 2019], over a period of the next 24-plus hours, Jews around the world will observe Yom Kippur. The holiday has its origins in Leviticus, where God instructed the Israelites to observe a “day of atonement,” which served to remind the people that sin separates them from God, and they cannot atone for it on their own. Over many centuries, the Jewish people have developed traditions and customs for observing Yom Kippur, and many of them come directly from Leviticus 16. One custom came from the instructions God gave the high priest
March 4, 2016
What Are You Waiting For?
By Jennifer Johnson As you read this it”s March, but I”m writing it in December. The lead times for print mean I”m usually penning reflections for an issue months before it goes to press, so although you are currently preoccupied with final preparations for Easter, I am in the middle of Advent. I have a love/hate relationship with this part of the church calendar. Christmas is my favorite time of year, but that”s because most of us jump right to the celebrating. Music, lights, special events, too much special food””we go right from Thanksgiving to Emmanuel. But Advent reminds us
November 11, 2013
Lesson for November 17, 2013: Beginning of Freedom (Exodus 13:17-22; 14)
By Sam E. Stone Last week we reviewed the institution of the Passover meal when the Israelites prepared to leave their bondage in Egypt. With the death of every firstborn Egyptian, Pharaoh relented and gave permission for God”s people to leave. As they did, the presence of God went before them, visible in a pillar of cloud and of fire (Exodus 13:21). God told them to take a most unlikely route. He directed them toward the Red Sea rather than going northward on the Via Maris through the land of the Philistines (13:18). Their circuitous route made Pharaoh conclude that
October 28, 2013
Lesson for November 3, 2013: God Prepares for Deliverance (Exodus 1″“4)
By Sam E. Stone In our study of Genesis we saw God appear to Abraham (Genesis 15), reaffirming his promise to make of him a great nation. But God indicated that Abraham”s descendants would have to remain in Egypt for 400 years (v. 13). While the Israelites were enslaved there, a baby boy was born. His mother hid him in a basket (a papyrus boat) and placed it in the Nile River, hoping his life would be spared. Pharaoh”s daughter found him and drew him out of the water, giving him the name Moses. Moses saw that, while he had
January 23, 2012
Lesson for Jan. 29, 2012: Israel Is Delivered from Egypt (Exodus 1-15)
Moses and Miriam praise God for Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea, while the experience at Marah demonstrates God's continuing provision and his call for his people to listen and obey.
August 9, 2011
Show Me the Glory
Tim Harlow reflects on Moses’ prayer in Exodus 33 and challenges Christian leaders to seek God’s presence, learn his ways, and ask to see his glory amid the frustrations of ministry.
July 25, 2011
Lesson for July 31, 2011: Return to God’s Ways (Judges 10:10-18; 11:4-6, 32, 33)
Israel’s repeated wandering from God in Judges reveals the dangers of complacency and idolatry—and shows how sincere repentance, faithful service, and godly leadership lead to a better path.
July 18, 2011
Lesson for July 24, 2011: Let God Rule (Judges 7:2-4, 13-15; 8:22-26)
Gideon’s story reveals how God works through weakness, confronts doubt, and calls his chosen people to remain faithful. His victories and failures offer a sobering lesson about trusting and submitting to God’s rule.
Memory Matters
Communion is a discipline of remembrance that calls Christians back to the saving work of Christ. Ethan Magness reflects on why remembering Christ’s sacrifice is essential to remembering who we are.
August 30, 2010
Lesson for Sept. 5, 2010: God Calls Moses (Exodus 3:1-6, 13-15)
Earl Winfrey reflects on God’s call of Moses through the burning bush, showing how timing, preparation, obedience, and God’s promise shape a life of service.
