TIPS FOR LEADERS
By
signing up for the course, participants are agreeing to the commitment
under "course description." Point
out the course requirements and procedure at sign-up. Emphasize the instruction not to
read ahead but to complete each exercise before moving to the next. Participants may use the instructor's lesson
sets only after that session.
Make
sure
participants have the first lesson at least one week prior to the first
session.
Prompt
participation in meetings by asking questions and assigning different participants
passages to read aloud or parts to lead in class participation. Leaders should work through each
lesson themselves before going through the instructor's materials. The ultimate goal is not only that each
participant have a clear understanding of the heart of the Bible, but that each
be able to lead others (friends, family, etc.) along the same path of
discovery.
Each
lesson ends with recommended reading, listening, or watching. Some of these could be used to build
additional group meetings/discussions around.
Though it naturally falls to the leader to set up and structure these
additional sessions.
Absentees are expected to
complete their lessons and go over them with another participant before the
next session.
THE KEY TO THE BIBLE, INSTRUCTOR - 1st SESSION
GET
ACQUAINTED - Ask each participant to give name; where grew up; where
live; and how long been in this area.
Ask participants to share responses to exercise 1.
1. Write in
one sentence your impression of what the Old Testament is about. The O.T. revelation is preparation for the N.T.
revelation - It sets the stage for the coming of Christ and redemption in
Him. 1 Pt.1:10-12a,
"[the
prophets] were serving you in the things that have now been announced
through those who preached the good news [Gospel] to you"
Employ the following METHOD
OF STUDY in part 2 and thereafter where appropriate: observe
and comment on - focus and think through what you are reading by interacting
with the passage: reorganize the wording; identify [label] what is being
stated; describe; categorize; summarize; draw conclusions; question; follow
leads; state implications.
My comments below are [bracketed].
2.
Describe the situation (context, see appendix A) and summarize what the
passages say about the theme of the Old Testament.
Read
aloud Mk.1:14-15. Ask for
other translations. What is the
context? [Jesus
continues the message of John the Baptist [continuity]
after John's arrest] "Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the
Jn.5:39-40, 45-47 and Lk.24:44-47 tell
us that every part of the O.T. speaks of Christ: the Scriptures; Moses
(Gen - Dt., law and history); Psalms (poetry); and
the Prophets (prophecy). [In Mt.5:17-18 "the Law or the
Prophets" refers to the whole Old Testament, prophecies as well as types]
Ask different people to look up the following verses and list
on the board the content of what was foretold. Most people have heard that the Bible is all
about Jesus and know it as a kind of slogan.
This series is designed to make the framework of the Bible clear, why it
necessarily must be and how it is revealed.
Lk.24:44-47
[Context: Jesus after He had risen appearing to His
disciples in
I
Cor.15:3-4 - "Christ died for our sins [vicarious] in accordance
with the Scriptures [predicted]…He was buried…He was raised [He
lives] on the third day in accordance with the
Scriptures." [anticipated]. Where is
this in the scriptures? > Jn.2:19-22
"destroy this temple…After He was raised from the dead, His disciples
remembered that He had said this and they believed the Scripture and the word
that Jesus had spoken." [About what? - Death and resurrection]
> References say it refers to Ps.16:10. Acts 2:25-27;
13:35 tell us exactly what that Psalm is
referring to.
Acts
2:25-31, "for David said concerning Him [Ps.16:8-11]" [specificity
of prophecy] His body would not decay (Ps.2:27) Acts 13:23-33, in raising Jesus from the
dead, God has declared Jesus to be His Son and fulfilled His promise to the
fathers, Ps.2:7.
Ask someone to read Ps.2 aloud. What is it about? The triumph of God's
plans [sovereign rule] over all opposition, "Today have I begotten You" refers to resurrection.
Acts 10:42-43 - [Context:
Peter speaking to a gathering of Gentiles about Jesus] "all the Prophets testify about Him [universal consensus] (He
is appointed to judge) that everyone who believes in Him receives
forgiveness of sins through His name." (Isa.53:11) Judge of all (Ps.2, "kiss the Son"); Forgiveness
of sins on the basis of faith
Acts 26:22-23 - [Context:
Paul later before King Agrippa] "I am saying what the Prophets and Moses said" [identity] Christ's
suffering and resurrection. Paul was
sent to proclaim light (v.23), ie. repentance and forgiveness of
sins offered to all (v.17-18), including
Gentiles.
{Mt.16:21 "From that time Jesus began to
show His disciples that He must go to
Ask, "Why couldn't the disciples understand the
Scriptures? Why do I have so much
trouble?"
More than
one simple answer (appendix B) - Sin blinds us to the truth; we were not taught to think;
don't put the effort into it; false preconceptions; etc.
{Jn.5:39-40 "You search the Scriptures …
It is they that bear witness of Me."}
{Braces} indicate material is not in
student lesson.
·
Go over the list we have been making and notice the many specific
things concerning Christ that we have found in the Old Testament.
Ask, "Why are we covering so many
passages that make approximately the same point?"
To show that the Bible makes this point
with overwhelming force.
Jn.5:45-47 "Moses wrote of Me. [Where? > Gen.3:15; Passover lamb; sin offering;
etc.]
He accuses you because if you believed Moses (his writings), you would believe
Me (My words)" [reason for unbelief in
Jesus]
{Acts 2:16-21 [Context: Peter's sermon at Pentecost referring to the gift of the Holy
Spirit] "this is what was spoken by the
prophet (Joel 2:28-32)"
Acts26:6 [Context: Paul later before King Agrippa]
"I am on trial today because of my hope in what God has promised our
fathers" [historic roots]}
Heb.3:5-6 "Moses was
faithful as a servant in all God's house for a testimony of those things
which would be spoken of afterward, but Christ was faithful as a son" [comparison and
contrast]
Ask, “How
or in what manner was the truth foretold”? Symbolically, in types and shadows
Heb.9:8-12 "the Holy Spirit
was indicating that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest
while the first tabernacle was still standing.
It was symbolic for [a parable of, it
typified] the present time" [representation by types and figures]
Col.2:16-17 "regulations
concerning food and drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths
are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of
Christ" [details of the law had a typological purpose]
Call on different people to continue answering questions
3-6.
3. Now,
having thought through the above passages, what is the Old Testament about? The Old Testament focuses on the coming of
Christ, his person and work.
Jn.5:39-40
"the Scriptures testify about Christ and the redemption He
accomplished"
Since
Christ is also the subject of the New
Testament, we must conclude that He is the subject of the Bible.
Why
is He so central? To answer this question, we must ask
several others.
4. What are the two great
works for which God is praised (2
Cor.4:6)? Creation and redemption
2 Cor.4:6 “For God who said ‘Let light
shine out of darkness,’ has shown in our hearts…”
Rev.4:9-11 "O Lord [God the Father] you are worthy to receive glory
and honor and power, for You created all things
and by Your will they exist and were created." [also Ps.148:1-6]
Rev.5:8-9 "You [God the Son] are worthy to take the scroll and
open its seals for You were slain and have ransomed [NIV purchased; NKJ redeemed]
us by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation" [also Ps.77:11-15]
The significance of the Sabbath is depicted in the 10
Commandments as a reminder of the completion of God's creative activity (Ex.20:8-11).
Later, there is a shift in
emphasis. The Sabbath is spoken of in
connection with God's deliverance of
5. What
happened after God created all things?
Adam disobeyed God and the whole creation was spoiled along with mankind Gen.3 [headship]
6. The issue then becomes one of recovery. How can sinners
dwell with God in His perfection of holiness?
Acts 26:18, by being sanctified
[set apart, made holy]
by faith in Jesus
Explain the concept of corruption (tainted or corrupted by mixing) &
purity (unmixed).
God
is absolutely pure so He cannot join with sinners (impure people).
7. So,
what is the pervading theme of the Bible?
redemption which means deliverance,
liberation through forgiveness.
Heb.2:14-15 "He…partook of flesh
and blood that through death, He might destroy the devil who has the power of
death and redeem all those who were subject to lifelong slavery through
fear of death"
Eph.1:7 "in Him we have redemption
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins"
Col.1:12-14 "in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins"
The history of redemption has recovery
and restoration of the creation as its ultimate goal.
FURTHER STUDY
Display
after session - The Unfolding Drama of
Redemption
God’s Big Picture – Tracing
the storyline of the Bible, a 2002 book by
PROJECT - to be completed by the 5th session: >> Explain Mt.2:13-15.
Look up the following
passages Theme:
Christ as fulfillment
Mk.14:49, "let the Scriptures be fulfilled," referring to
Christ's suffering and death
Rom.1:1-4, God promised His Gospel
beforehand in the holy Scriptures through His prophets
APPENDIX - A
Contexts, Categories,
and Vocabulary