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My notes for teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Wisdom literature - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs There are five books in the section in our Bibles known as ‘the writings’ - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs (also called Canticles and Song of Solomon). God put them there for us to learn from. We understand that they are not history, Law or prophecy. We accept they are wisdom literature. But nothing we say helps us interpret them all. They are five very individual books. Teach through page 69. It is designed to be the link from what we have already studied into wisdom literature. It sets the parameters within which we are working. Use some questions to lighten the page opposite, such as: Tell me what you know about narrative literature What is the most difficult aspect of working with/teaching the Law? How should we deal with prophecy? (From the quote opposite) Which group of people existed in Israelite and other Near Eastern societies who do not often exist in our day? Why must we look at the books of wisdom literature in our Bibles? The answer is in the next to last paragraph, but also these writings are easily misquoted, so we need to correctly understand them at some level. Student's worksheet: Lesson 19 Wisdom literature - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs Everything we have looked at so far in this Old Testament overview has been narrative - story, or teaching - the Law, or prophecy. Narrative - story is easy to understand even if we sometimes need help with the culture. It is what we learn from it that makes us think, how do we apply the lessons to ourselves? Teaching from God - the Law is not always as easy to understand, and we have to think carefully about how we apply it today. Prophecy needs our brains to work. Is this prophecy for then, for now, or for the future, or is it a combination? Now we come to a different form of language - Wisdom Literature. “The Jews speak of the Old Testament as the Law, the Prophets and the Writings. Included within the third division are Psalms and wisdom materials, such as Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. These wisdom books are associated with a class of people called “wise men” or “sages” who are listed with the priests and prophets as an important force in Israelite society, Jeremiah 18:18. Wise men were called upon to give advice to kings and to instruct the young. Whereas the priests and prophets dealt more with the religious side of life, wise men were concerned about practical and philosophical matters. Some of their writings, like Proverbs, were optimistic, as they showed the young how to behave in order to live prosperous and happy lives. Other materials such as Job and Ecclesiastes, were among more pessimistic as they wrestled with difficult philosophical and theological questions such as the problem of evil and the prosperity of the wicked (see also Psalms 37; 73). Both viewpoints - the optimistic and the pessimistic - are also found in the literature of other nations in the ancient Near East.” (The NIV Study Bible: Introduction to Proverbs, Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 1985, page 942). Sometimes these writings are hard to understand and hard to interpret. BUT God has put them into the canon of scripture, and preserved them for us through the centuries. Therefore we must find a way to understand and benefit from these words. The authorship and origin of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon are the subject of much discussion and diverse views. This is an overview of the Old Testament and for our purposes, we take Solomon to have some involvement in them. Page 69 Leader's notes: Lesson 19 - Wisdom Literature. You need to think of some proverbs you hear in your culture, in your language or those you come across in languages around you. For example in my country: ‘An Englishman’s home is his castle’ and ‘Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun’. The proverbs selected opposite (on page 70) encourage day by day living for God, and give a proposed outcome to balance the idea. They do not give promises. Teach through the first six paragraphs - involving two readers in reading the two proverbs mentioned. This is a very simple outline - introduction main text epilogue - which finishes where the introduction started - with the fear of the Lord. Hezekiah is mentioned in Proverbs 25:1 as collecting Solomon’s writings, not writing his own. Get the ladies to work in pairs to read and share their sentence. Others will probably have ideas to add! Student's worksheet: Lesson 19 - Wisdom Literature. Proverbs A proverb is a saying. All cultures have wise sayings about a variety of subjects. In the Bible’s book of Proverbs the sayings are about how to live a godly life. They are to encourage day by day living God’s way. They are not promises. Have a look at Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” If you say this is a promise, how do you explain the children who have been taught to live a godly life, and then made a different life choice for themselves? Your teaching was still valid: but the child is not a robot - he/she has freewill to choose. Have a look at Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Does everything always work out well for someone who trusts God? Has your path always been “straight” when you have followed His way? My husband has been a preacher and teacher for more than 45 years, but 37 years into that time our Sovereign God took away Colin’s ability to speak naturally, with cancer of the voice box. Proverbs in the Bible are wise sayings - sayings of probability - “eat today and you will be healthy tomorrow” - eating today cannot guarantee health tomorrow. What if you eat and then trip and break your ankle? The proverbs God has put into the Bible are to show a way, not promise an outcome. These proverbs vary in their length, and format. Some are comparisons. Some are positive and negative. Some are statements of fact. Now let’s look at the sections of the book of Proverbs. 1:1-7 introduction -the good living of verses 2-5 is brought about by verse 7, the conscious awareness of, and total respect for, God. 1:8-31:9 sayings attributed to Solomon, the wise, Agur and Lemuel 31:10-31 epilogue – an acrostic poem about the ideal wife. In Hebrew each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet e.g. A B C D Look up each Proverbs reference and share the main meaning in one sentence: 1:8-9; 10:1; 11:1; 11:13; 14:30; 15:1; 17:1; 17:3; 19:21; 22:1; 22:2; 23:10-11; 24:30-34; 27:15-16; 30:7-9; 31:4-9 The book starts with the fear of the Lord, 1:7, and ends with it too, 31:30. Page 70 Leader's notes: Lesson 19 - Wisdom Literature. Work through Proverbs 31:10-31 together. The ladies may well have more to add to what I have suggested opposite. Ecclesiastes ‘Meaningless’ summarises a life that has no God framework. So it is the contrast to Proverbs, which is advice to live God’s way, in His presence. Teach through the five paragraphs on page 71. Involve readers. This book is so different from anything else we have looked at because of its lack of a God framework, although He is mentioned. Let comments come from the class. Ask God to give you right and helpful responses. Student's worksheet: Lesson 19 - Wisdom Literature. Something for us ladies to live up to! Proverbs 31:10-31 - the wife of noble character. Her husband trusts her completely, verse 11 She is loyal to her husband and he knows it, verse 12 She plans and works hard, verses 13-19 She helps those in need, verse 20 She provides for her household, verses 21-22 Her way of life brings respect to her husband, verse 23 She uses her gifts to provide for her family, verse 24 She has concerns and plans but not worries, verse 25 She speaks with wisdom and uses her time well, verses 26-27 She lives in total respect of God, verse 30 Her works speak for her in the family and in the public arena., verses 28, 29, 31. This is a challenge for us all - it brings no guarantees but we must do our part. Ecclesiastes The name of the book comes from a word meaning teacher. Who was the Teacher? Maybe Solomon, but the phrase “son of David” could also be used for a later descendant of David. However, God put these writings into our Bibles and preserved them for us. We need to have a way of understanding them. In Proverbs God is frequently mentioned. In Ecclesiastes He is rarely mentioned. 2:24-26 the Teacher says that God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness to those who please Him and that otherwise all is meaningless, but does not explain how to please God. 3:1-8 is an often quoted true piece of writing, but with no consideration of God. In 3:9-20 the Teacher talks of the burden God has put on man, that God has set eternity in the heart of man, that man does not understand God’s ways and that the gift of God is for people to enjoy themselves. He also sees that God brings judgement but is there anything after death? No, says the Teacher. 5:4 God gives wealth and honour and then not health - meaningless - others get the wealth. 12:1 and 7 God is known as the creator. The teacher has looked at life from birth to death. He sees nothing beyond. He sees meaninglessness. He acknowledges that God exists. The only way to live is 12:13-14 “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring everything into judgement.” Many other people in the Old Testament had vibrant relationships with God, and found life very meaningful. Is your relationship with God duty? or love? 1:1-2 these are the Teacher’s words about a life lived without the conscious awareness of, and total respect for, God. “Everything is meaningless”. Page 71 Leader's notes: Lesson 19 - Wisdom Literature. Song of Songs I do not know how your ladies will react to this subject matter. Read through the rest of the lesson and you will discover that the main points I have made do not actually refer to much of the text of Song of Songs. They refer to principles, and move our thinking from whispers behind hands to straightforward Biblical understanding. Teach through page 72. Make sure you hold on to the control of the group. Enjoy the 3 x ‘Love is’ towards the bottom of the page. We try to understand and analyse – these three books of wisdom literature stretch our minds. This is my summary. Perhaps it is love that is the common theme for Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs? Living loving God. Proverbs. Living without loving God. Ecclesiastes. What is love? Exclusive, powerful and precious. Song of Songs. Student's worksheet: Lesson 19 - Wisdom Literature. Song of Songs. Here we have a love song, with intimate language and raw emotions. We struggle to accept that this is in the Bible. But it is part of the canon of scripture that God has preserved for us. Our ‘problem’ is that the whole book is a love poem. Through the centuries the Church has struggled to read, understand and learn from this book. Some have held that it is a picture of the love relationship between God and Israel, or the relationship between Christ and the Church, or between Christ and the individual believer. Some see it as a poetic drama of the beloved’s love for her shepherd more than for the king enticing her into the royal harem. Perhaps it is a series of amorous events and thoughts. 1:1 calls this song the greatest of songs, “Song of Songs”, so we do need to try and understand it! Let’s back track to Genesis. When God created man and woman, He brought the woman to the man as his helper and partner, with the intention that in having intercourse they became ‘one flesh’. They were naked and they felt no shame, Genesis 2:20-25. Then sin came and Adam and Eve were ashamed of their nakedness. The devil has had a wonderful time ever since, making us think wrongly or confusedly about sex. Sex and intimacy are God’s gifts within God’s plan. The devil has tried to make any talk of sex and intimacy embarrassing, furtive, something daring and secretive. God made two sexes become one flesh for making the next generation and for a special enjoyment that only each individual couple can know. God made two different sexes to make one couple. My relationship with my husband is not for public enquiry or discussion, but it is a real fact and not something to be ashamed of. It is God-given to us. We may still find it hard that feelings, and touches that are special and between a couple, should be publicly written about in our Bibles! What can we learn? 1. Love is exclusive 2:16 2. Love is powerful, 8:6-7 as strong as death unyielding as the grave mighty flame - like the very flame of the Lord cannot be quenched 3. Love is precious - it cannot be bought 8:7 “God intends that such love - grossly distorted and abused by both ancient and modern peoples - be a normal part of marital life in his good creation.” (From the NIV Study Bible: Introduction to Song of Songs, Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 1985, page 1004). Page 72

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 23 Persecution and the problems of growing – Paul Bible reference – Acts 8 verses 1-3; 9 verses 1-31; 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. Sometimes the growing church was respected by the people around. Acts 2 verse 46-47; Acts 5 verses 13-14. But other times Christians suffered persecution (see note 23 below) from the Jewish leaders (and later the Roman Emperors), Acts 4 verses 17-18; Acts 5 verses 17-18; Acts 7 verse 59 to 8 verse 2; Acts 12 verses 1-3. Early church leaders like Peter wrote letters to teach Christians how to respond to persecution. They must not fight back. People who live in Jesus’ Kingdom turn the world’s usual ways upside down. Stop and discuss (1) Have a student read: “Your conduct among the heathen should be so good that when they accuse you of being evildoers, they will have to recognise your good deeds and so praise God on the Day of His coming”, 1 Peter 2 verse 12. Have another five students read: 1 Peter 4 verses 12-16. (See your Bible). One verse each. Ask the class these questions about how to respond to persecution: 1. Should most Christians expect to be persecuted? 2. Should a Christian be ashamed when he/she is persecuted? 3. What things can a Christian do when persecuted? It is very hard to live this way! But the Holy Spirit gives power to help witness for Jesus. He helps Christians live the “Jesus way”, which is so different to any other way. See who can find the missing words from this text, 1 Peter 4 verse 19: “Those who s because it is G w for them, should by their g a trust themselves completely to their Creator, Who always k h p .” God helps His special people in difficult times. God is also able to work in the hearts of other people, even those who are against what He is doing. In Acts chapter 9, Acts 11 verses 25-30; and Acts chapters 13-28, a man with two names is in the middle of the story. Saul is his name in Hebrew. Paul is his name in Greek. Paul wrote at least 13 of the books in our New Testament. But when he is introduced in the Bible story he is not a Christian at all! Divide the class into four groups and have them sit, one group in front of you, another behind you, and one more on either side of you. Explain we are going to see four events in Paul’s life. Each event will be acted by one group. When all four have been looked at, one by one, each group will act its event again to make ‘a complete acted programme’ of Paul’s life. Note: 23 To ‘persecute’ is to treat someone very badly because of their race, religion, political beliefs, etc. MacMillan School Dictionary, Oxford 2004. p.88 Event 1: Paul sees Stephen killed for his Christian faith (Have the group to your left act this out as you speak. Make sure the group remember what to act, as later the class will do all four events together). From Acts 7 verse 57 to 8 verse 2. Members of the Jewish Council took hold of the Christian prisoner, Stephen. They were going to kill him. They dragged him out of the court room, and out of the city. At a place where there was a steep drop away from the road, they pushed and threw Stephen over the edge. Paul was standing nearby watching. As the men took off their coats they gave them to Paul to keep clean. Stephen lay hurt and bleeding. He struggled to his knees. He prayed, trusting himself to Jesus as he died. Paul was amazed at Stephen’s faith. The angry men dropped stones and larger rocks on top of him. The rocks hit him. The men kept on, until Stephen was dead. Paul did not throw rocks but he was pleased to see Stephen punished like this. He thought God was pleased too. Event 2: Paul gets official permission to arrest Christians (Have the group behind you act this out as you speak. Make sure the group remember for later what to act, when the class will do all four events together). From Acts 8 verse 3 and 9 verses 1-2. Paul, with some friends, went house to house to find the homes of Christians in Jerusalem. When he found them he dragged out the men, women and the children. Without mercy Paul took these people and put them into prison. He went to the Jewish High Priest to report what he was doing. Paul asked the High Priest to write letters introducing him to the Jews in Damascus – a city to the north-east. Paul took the letters with him. Paul wanted to spread the cruel persecution of Christians as far and wide as he could. He thought he was serving God by doing this, Acts 22 verse 3. Event 3: Paul meets the risen Jesus (Have the group to your right act this out as you speak. Make sure the group remember what to act, as later the class will do all four events together). From Acts 9 verses 2-9. Paul called a small group together for the journey to Damascus. It was about 240 kilometres and the journey would take about one week. They packed the supplies they needed. Paul kept the important letters safe in his pocket. After several days they could see the buildings of Damascus. Suddenly a very bright light, it seemed brighter than the sun, flashed around Paul. He fell to the ground. p.89 A voice from heaven said: “Paul, why persecute Me? I am Jesus”. Paul was shaking with fear. He did not expect anything like this to happen. Jesus continued talking to him. “Go into Damascus and listen to what I want you to do next”. Paul got up but could not see. He was blind. His friends led him by the hand to the city. Event 4: Paul joins God’s special people (Have the group in front of you act this out as you speak. Make sure the group remember what to act. When you finish this, the class will put all four events together). From Acts 9 verses 8-20. For three days Paul was blind. He refused all food and water at the place he was staying on Straight Street. He prayed and he prayed. In another house in the city God spoke by a vision to one of His special people called Ananias. God told him what had happened to Paul. God also told Ananias where to go and visit Paul. Ananias did not really want to go. He had heard about Paul’s violence from Jerusalem. At last Ananias obeyed God. He went to Paul. He prayed for Paul, firmly putting his hands on Paul’s head. God gave Paul his eyesight and He filled Paul with the Holy Spirit. Paul was soon baptised to show he had joined God’s special people. Now help the class re-tell the story of Paul’s conversion. (Note: You may prefer to finish the lesson below first and then have this re-telling at the end of today’s class). You could read the script yourself as each group acts their event, from 1-4. Or, a group member could read the script while the rest of the group act. Or, six group members could read the script – one point each, while the rest of the group act. Try to get everyone involved. Try to get the 4 groups to act the story from start to finish without stopping. It revises the story as it is done! Paul began to preach as soon as he could. His message is in Acts 9 verse 20. “He began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God”. Now Paul had met Jesus for himself he was changed in what he believed. It was also going to make a very big difference to everything he did. Paul was persecuted by people who used to be his friends, Acts 9 verses 23-25. He spent time back at his home town of Tarsus. He studied the Scriptures to learn how Jesus Christ was the promised Saviour sent from God. He later became a great teacher of Christianity. Some of the letters he wrote to people and to churches are in our New Testament. p.90 We will look at just four things that Paul wrote. Have each group look up one in their Bibles and read it to the class. 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17: “Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come”. Paul knew this in his own life. God’s special people know this too. Romans 14 verse 17: “For God’s Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives”. God’s special people are spiritually alive – with the resurrection life of Jesus. That spiritual life makes a difference to every part of the life we have on earth. 1 Corinthians 12 verse 27: “All of you are Christ’s body, and each one is a part of it”. Every believer is important to Jesus. And every believer is important to the whole group of God’s special people – in this text called ‘Christ’s body’. Every Christian has a place in the body of the risen Jesus. Galatians 3 verse 29: “If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised”. Paul knew this was what God planned right from the very beginning. No human was good enough to shed blood and save anyone. God became human in Jesus. Jesus died and God raised Him to life again. Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, are all God’s special people – made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ. They had the promises of God. They looked forward to Jesus, God's promised coming Messiah. Christians are God’s special people. We place our faith in Jesus Christ in just the same way. We look back on what Jesus did. We believe Who He was on earth then: God the Son. And we believe He is the same in heaven now. Have the four readers read the texts (only) once more to finish class. Answers to ‘Stop and discuss’ 1. 1. Yes – 4 verse 12 2. No – 4 verse 16 3. “be glad that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings”, 4 verse 13 and “thank God that you bear Christ’s name”, verse 16, and “be happy to enjoy the Spirit of God resting on your life”, verse 14 Missing words: suffer … God’s will … good actions … keeps His promise. p.91

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Leader’s notes: Acts 15:40 – 18:22. A.D. 50-52 Like the last lesson, you will need to have gone through this page, and have your own answers, before leading the lesson! Lead from the front, but with the ladies split into twos or small groups. Encourage them to make notes so they have them for future reference. Walk round the groups as they work, inspiring them to keep on track. After a while get the ladies to share their information. Syria and Cilicia 15:40-41 consolidated, helped to improve local churches Derbe and Lystra 16:1-5 informed them about the Council decisions, from 15:23-29 supporting and backing up the letter’s content, verse 27 the result was increase as faith in Jesus Christ was reinforced. Move into a class-wide discussion from the Timothy questions opposite Mixed race, respected in local church, gifted, see 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6. The New Living Translation says in Acts 16:3 “In deference to the Jews of the area, he (Paul) arranged for Timothy to be circumcised”. He wisely considered other people’s viewpoints as well as his own. He wanted no barriers for his gospel. Back to looking for information. Read the Bible verses suggested: Phrygia and Galatia, Acts 16:6-10 unsure of direction, given clear answers Troas, Samothrace, Neapolis, Philippi, 16:11-12, ‘we’ 16:10-12 shows Luke joined them Think about guidance from this incident and the references opposite Philippi Acts 16:13-40 Read about three incidents: First incident verses 13-15 Ask the ladies what they have found out about Lydia, fill in five answers opposite: - devout, 200 miles from home, in business, hospitable, God working in her heart. Place of prayer – women there - no synagogue – that required ten Jewish men. Purple cloth was a luxury item. Paul did not walk away from a group of women – he was not by himself –‘we’ verse 13, probably included Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke, no-one could misunderstand. Second incident 16:16-22 Check answers the ladies found to five questions. Share this: Can you see a change in motivation within 16:19-21? The owners of the slave girl had a financial problem, but what they said to the magistrates was a racial and a religious argument. Jews have often been unpopular for their frequent business success, and because they stick to their religion and its rules, not integrating with their host community. As you well know racialism and religious persecution or oppression exist today. In the UK there is a big debate now about the treatment of Jews within one of the political parties. Here we find the same thing in Philippi a long, long time ago. Student's page: Lesson 21 Second Missionary Journey Acts 15:40 – 18:22. A.D. 50-52 Don’t forget you have a map where you can mark Paul’s route – page 4. It is different from the first journey. You are looking for what happened in each of the places, good or bad. Syria and Cilicia 15:40-41 Derbe and Lystra 16:1-5 What do you know about Timothy? 1. 2. 3. 4. Why did Paul decide it would be good for Timothy to be circumcised? Ouch! Paul is not saying that all new non-Jewish believing men have to be circumcised. He is saying that because he is taking Timothy on ministry where it would be good to be able to sit, talk and eat with Jews, table fellowship would not be possible with strict Jews unless Timothy was circumcised. Phrygia and Galatia, 16:6-10 How did they know where to go and where not? Can this work over decisions in your life? How? Troas, Samothrace, Neapolis, Philippi, 16:11-12 Why do you think they went to Philippi after the vision? See verse 12 and think! Guidance in 16:6-10 - compare John 15:26, 16:13-14; Galatians 4:6, 5:25. There is no formula for knowing what God wants us to do. We need to trust God the Holy Spirit working in us to show us the way, however He wants to. Philippi read Acts 16:13-40 First incident verses 13-15 What do you know about Lydia? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Paul thought women were of value and needed to know Jesus as much as men. Second incident verses 16-22 1, Who was doing the fortune telling? 2. Who was getting the money? 3. Was what the slave girl said in 16:17 right? compare James 2:19. 4. Why was Paul annoyed? 5. Why were Paul and Silas taken to the authorities? Page 46 Leader's page: Third incident in Philippi, Acts 16:23-40 Talk through the questions opposite The jailer – revise 12:19 - if there was an escape then the jailer would receive the punishment the prisoner was due to receive. This jailer was not going to wait for that. Pride? Much more likely to raise the standing and respect for the new, young church. Philippi’s church - Lydia and her household? The slave girl? The jailer and his family and household? Plus others who responded. Thessalonica, Acts 17:1-10 Read the verses and share answers to the questions opposite. Another house church - Jews, Greeks and influential women. Is it always right to stay and fight? Or is it always right to run away? Why? Berea, Acts 17:10-15 Same again! Athens, Acts 17:16-34 And again. The Areopagus was an intellectual debate centre where new ideas could be presented, thought about, questioned and otherwise discussed. Paul took something he saw in their city – an altar ‘To an unknown god’ – and he ‘talked them from there to Jesus’. A great guide in witnessing. Ask the group: If only a few respond positively, is it a successful mission? Corinth, Acts 18:1-18 Read the verses and share ladies’ answers. So we discover there were Christians in Rome. God gave a vision of Encouragement. Or Assurance. Or Confidence. Or Support. Gallio’s ruling means that Christianity became a protected religion under Roman law, and that Christians became innocent of breaking Roman law. God is able to use all rulers (even non-Christian ones) to further His will as He chooses. Ephesus, Acts 18:18-22 Jerusalem was still where the apostles and leaders were based. Antioch in Syria was his home church. Student's page: Third incident in Philippi, Acts 16:23-40 What was the first punishment for Paul and Silas? And the second? What happened then? Why did the jailer immediately think to kill himself? Do you think the jailer had heard Paul and Silas in the town? Why? Conversions, medical treatment, baptisms, a meal, an unplanned night they had! The authorities had decided to release Paul and Silas – why the delay? Did Paul and Silas refuse to leave quietly because of their own pride? If not, what others reasons did they have? In 16:40 the church met in Lydia’s house. Who do you think was part of it? On to Thessalonica, Acts 17:1-10 Who made up the new church? What emotion caused the riot? What did the believers do? Berea, Acts 17:10-15 Who was with Paul? check 17:14-15. What was the response? Who responded positively to the gospel? Trouble came from Thessalonica and once again the believers protected Paul. Athens, Acts 17:16-34 Had Silas and Timothy caught up with Paul? What distressed Paul? Where was Paul able to speak? At the Areopagus how did Paul start his talk? Is this a good method for us - always to ‘start where people are’? Were there any believers? Corinth, Acts 18:1-18 What job did Paul do? With whom? Why had they left Rome? Silas and Timothy arrive – what big change does Paul make? Why? The Jews oppose Paul, so what does he say and do? Who was converted? Can you describe God’s message in the vision, verses 9-10, using just one word? Would you like to have been in Paul’s teaching class for those 18 months? Why? The Jews take Paul to the area Governor who is not interested in their case -how significant is this? Ephesus, Acts 18:18-22 Why go to Jerusalem? Why go to Antioch? Page 47

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their leaders. Lesson 24 Spreading out to all peoples everywhere Bible reference – Acts chapters 10 – 28. Note: at the beginning of class you need to make a simple map using the classroom. You could use the whole class floor area to mark out the coast and the cities. As you mark the cities ask some students to sit in them. As the lesson moves on: Students seated will represent “not Christians”; and students standing will represent “Christians”. The last map printed at the back in the Good News Bible has most of the information you need. It is titled “Paul’s journey to Rome”. (map here page 96 may help you) The lesson will show how the Gospel spreads from Jerusalem (in the south-east of this map: bottom right corner), all the way to Rome (in the north-west: top left corner). Students will see this growth as more and more stand up across the map. Mark only the following on your map (from right to left, anti-clockwise). Copy only a basic outline of the coast. Write the names of the cities on paper, or ask a student who can remember and say the place name to sit in each city. Jerusalem Caesarea Cyprus Antioch in Syria Tarsus – see GNB map titled “Paul’s first missionary journey” Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe– see GNB map titled “Paul’s second and third journeys” Bithynia – see also this same map Philippi, Corinth– see back on the original GNB map Rome Spread the students between all the places marked on the map. (1) At the start all students should be seated as “non Christians”. They should be able to see ‘the map on the floor’, and read their Bibles. Start telling the story at this point: Jesus’ first disciples were Jews. And, to begin with, most of the new Christians were Jews in Jerusalem. (2) A few students stand as “Christians” in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit came upon these disciples at Passover, when Jews living in Jerusalem “ were joined by Jewish emigrants (see note 24 below) and sympathisers (note 25) from every country in the world, Acts 2 verse 5. Peter explained to everyone what was happening. Have a student read Acts 2 verse 41, “Many people believed his message and were baptised, and about 3,000 people were added to the group that day”. Notes: 24 Someone who leaves their country to live permanently in another. 25 Someone who supports something. p.92 (3) Many more students stand becoming “Christians” in Jerusalem. Point out that there are no Christians anywhere else. (Of course, in reality some travellers had gone to other places. But for the purpose of this lesson we are looking at the major movements of God’s special people). Jesus had told His disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem first and then in Judea, through Samaria, and to the whole world, Acts 1 verse 8. It was the terrible persecution in Jerusalem that forced the new Christians to move to other places. Have a student read Acts 8 verse 1, “That very day the church in Jerusalem began to suffer cruel persecution. All the believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the provinces of Judea and Samaria”. God used persecution to help His special people obey His command! (4) Most “Christians” standing in Jerusalem move – only a step or two – outside the city. A few move to Cyprus. One goes to Tarsus. God spoke to Cornelius, the Roman captain in Caesarea. God also told Peter to go from where he was staying and meet Cornelius at Caesarea. Peter was not sure about it. Cornelius was a Roman – a Gentile, not a Jew – and for Peter it was difficult to visit. But Peter went with some friends. When Peter arrived he told everyone in Cornelius’ house about Jesus. Have a student read Acts 10 verse 44, “While he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his message”. Have another student read what Peter said next. Acts 10 verse 47, “These people have received the Holy Spirit, just as we also did. Can anyone, then, stop them being baptised with water?” God showed Peter that the racism, nationalism, and tribalism of the world is broken down by real Christianity. God is above all of that! God turns it upside down. Any person from any background can believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved, showing it by baptism. That is the way to publicly join God’s special people. (5) Have a group of standing “Christians” move from Jerusalem to Caesarea. As they arrive some people, already seated in Caesarea, stand up to join them – becoming new “Christians”. So the growing church included Jews and Gentiles. Have the student who read Acts 8 verse 1 (see 4 above) read it again. Have another student read Acts 11 verse 19, “Some of the believers who were scattered by the persecution which took place when Stephen was killed, went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews”. (6) Have another group of standing “Christians” leave Jerusalem and journey 500 km to Antioch in Syria, (Modern day Antakya in Turkey). Wherever they went Christians usually began by speaking to Jews – like themselves – about Jesus. But in Antioch some whose homes were in Cyprus started speaking to the Gentiles as well, Acts 11 verse 20. p.93 (7) Have most of the standing “Christians” in Cyprus move to Antioch in Syria. They join the “Christians” from Jerusalem already there. All the Christians kept sharing the Good News about the Lord Jesus. Barnabas arrived from Jerusalem and Paul arrived from Tarsus to teach the new believers. Have a student read Acts 11 verse 21, “The Lord’s power was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord”. The new church gave money to help the believers suffering famine back in Jerusalem. Like Jesus, they cared for the poor. Perhaps that’s why they were first called “Christians” in Antioch. (8) Have Paul move from Tarsus to Antioch in Syria. Have many “not Christians” in Antioch stand and become “Christians”. As well as looking back to care for Christians in Jerusalem, the early church kept looking forward to areas where people had not heard the Good News of Jesus. God spoke to the church leaders in Antioch. He showed them towns and cities to the north east of them where no-one had spoken about Jesus. (Encourage students to see on the class map the “seated non-Christian” areas, and “Christian areas” where at least some people are standing). Have a student read Acts 13 verse 2, “While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Paul, to do the work to which I have called them”. Paul and Barnabas, with a small team, left Antioch and journeyed through Cyprus. They went north as far as Antioch in Pisidia. They also went on to Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Have a student read Acts 14 verse 3, “The apostles stayed there for a long time, speaking boldly about the Lord, Who proved that their message about His grace was true by giving them the power to perform miracles and wonders”. (9) Have a small team of standing “Christians” leave Antioch in Syria. They travel via Cyprus to Antioch in Pisidia, then on to Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. In every city that they visit, some seated “not Christians” stand as joining the “Christians”. God’s special people could not keep the Good News of Jesus to themselves. They had to give it away to other people. After all this travelling, Paul and his team arrived back at Antioch in Syria. Have another student read Acts 14 verse 27, “When they arrived in Antioch, they gathered all the people of the church together and told them about all that God had done with them and how He had opened the way for the Gentiles to believe”. (10) Have Paul’s team return to Antioch in Syria, leaving some standing “Christians” everywhere they have been. Now the church was a mixture of people with different racial and religious backgrounds. Some problems came up between people. The Council of leaders back in Jerusalem p.94 were asked to rule on some issues – which they did, Acts 15. They were very thoughtful about how everybody would understand their decisions. Paul and a new team were still looking forwards, to people who had never heard the gospel. His old team went off to Cyprus from Antioch. Paul left and journeyed towards Bithynia. Have a student read Acts 16 verse 7, “When they reached the border of Mysia, they tried to go into the province of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them”. The team obeyed what they believed God was saying to them. They turned away to the west. (11) Have Paul’s old team go to Cyprus. Have Paul’s new team move to the edge of Bithynia, and then west (left) towards Philippi. After a vision from God clearly calling them, Paul’s team arrived in Philippi and later in Corinth. There were many challenges in these places, and other places around them. There was opposition. There was public debate. There were hardships and disasters. But everywhere the seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ was planted, and churches were started. Some people became believers. Have three students read Acts 16 verses 31-33, “They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your family”. Then they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; and he and all his family were baptised at once”. (12) Have Paul’s team arrive in Philippi. Have some of the seated “not Christians” from the city, stand to join the “Christians”. The team, with a few added to them, moved on to other cities including Corinth. There was trouble almost everywhere they went. It was not easy obeying God’s command to be witnesses everywhere. One night in Corinth God encouraged Paul by speaking to him directly. Have three students read Acts 18 verses 9-11, “Do not be afraid, but keep on speaking and do not give up, for I am with you. No one will be able to harm you, for many in this city are my people”. So Paul stayed there for a year and a half, teaching the people the word of God”. (13) Have the team move on to Corinth.Have many of the seated “not Christians” stand to join them. Threats against the Christians, and especially against Paul, grew worse and worse. Paul went back to Jerusalem to face organised opposition from the Jewish religious leaders. It ended with him being arrested. He was sent all the way to Rome. He was going to be tried by the most important court in the world. A few Christian friends met up with him when he got to Rome. Although Paul had never been there before, others had taken the Good News of Jesus. Some citizens of Rome had become believers. Paul was kept a prisoner at his own home waiting for his trial ,but he still served God. Have two students read Acts 28 verses 30-31, “For two years Paul lived in a place he rented for himself, and there he welcomed all who came to see him. He preached about the Kingdom of God p.95 and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking with all boldness and freedom”. (14) Have Paul in Rome, standing with a small group of other “Christians”. Slowly, in ones and twos, others stand to join them. Encourage the students to look back over their ‘living’ map. Ask, What do they notice? What can they remember of what you said? Where are there Christians? (Everywhere Christians have visited). Who directed the movement of Christians from place to place? (God the Holy Spirit). What did Christians talk about wherever they went? (Jesus Christ). How does the map compare with Jesus' command to His people? (He told them to go into all the world, and they have!) Was their work easy? (No, because of opposition and persecution). How did people usually show they were new believers? (By being baptised). Did everyone, in every place, join the Christians? (No). But those who did were glad to be among God’s special people! p.96

Bible reading John 18:28-19:16. In this Bible passage Jesus speaks four times. Each time he speaks to Pilate, the Roman governor, 18:28. Jesus, the God-man, knew exactly what He was doing. He steadily pursued the direction He had set for His life, to die for others. Pilate, representing the man-god Caesar, ducked, dodged and dived as he looked after himself. This whole trial of Jesus before Pilate is recorded more by John than any other gospel writer. If we remember why John wrote his gospel we may also try to see how his purpose is fulfilled in this narrative: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name”, John 20:31. Here we read of Jesus, the travelling teacher from Nazareth, standing accused and facing capital punishment. He is apparently in the hands of Pilate, historically known to be the governor of Judea from AD26-37.[1] At a much deeper level than could be seen, something of immensely awesome significance was happening. “The Lamb of God” was about to “take away the sin of the world”, John 1:29. “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”, John 1:11-13. John had written in the opening verses that Jesus came to all people without distinction. But he noted there would be exceptions – people who excluded themselves from what Jesus was doing – people who would not receive Him.[2] By chapter 18 the climax is near. Linking together the finish and the start of John’s gospel we note that there is: something to believe: “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God”, John 20:31 someone to receive: “The Word”, John 1:1; “the True Light”, John 1:9; “God the One and Only”, John 1:18; “Jesus Christ” John 1:17. Reader, please allow me to ask you important questions at this moment. 1. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe (trusting yourself to and committing yourself to) Jesus Christ? 2. Have you received Jesus Christ into your life? Have you received (taken into your life to enjoy friendship with, all day every day) Jesus Christ? “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life”, John 3:16. Many people love the darkness too much to welcome the light! Lots of people chose not to listen to God’s expressed word – Who is Jesus! Crowds do not appreciate Jesus Christ as God’s sole Incarnation – uniquely God on earth! But what is important at this moment is, what do you think? Four times Jesus speaks to Pilate in this Bible reading. By setting the conversation in context we will learn something from each one. The first speech is John 18:34. Having heard something of the accusation from the Jewish leadership Pilate asks Jesus a question. “Are You the king of the Jews?” Jesus replies to him, “Is that your own idea or did others talk to you about Me?” This reply is unique to John’s gospel.[3] Notice that Jesus the prisoner has become Jesus the one who is asking the questions! Jesus is really the judge. Today, we consider Who Jesus is. One day He will consider us, as our Judge! Pilate’s question, “Are You the king of the Jews?” is impossible to answer without a definition of “king of the Jews”. If the governor was fearful of the common understanding for a military rebellion led by a charismatic leader or guerrilla mercenary, then the answer was “No”. But in the true understanding of what was really happening beneath the surface of events, then the answer was “Yes”. Jesus was the Jewish Messiah, on David’s kingly throne. Which did Pilate mean? And what would you mean? Is your believing in Jesus and your receiving of Jesus based upon your own ideas, or on a revelation of what was genuinely happening, from God Himself? Is your believing and receiving ‘surface’ or ‘spiritual’? Is it visible or actual? Is it ‘guess-work’ or ‘God’s work’? Jesus is God: God is at work in Jesus in a very special way. The second speech is John 18:36. Jesus’ second words in this passage are: “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place”. John has already strongly shown that God is at work behind and through all that is happening. For example: “This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death He was going to die would be fulfilled”, John 18:32. The political situation was going to bring about Jesus’ death, and bring it about by crucifixion – not any other way. This would fulfil Jesus’ own words on several occasions.[4] He had warned that He would be betrayed. The Jewish priests and teachers would condemn Him. He would be turned over to the Gentiles (Roman authorities), who would mock, flog and crucify Him. And on the third day He would rise again. These words of Jesus would be fulfilled. So, uncannily to some extent, Jesus already knew what was going to happen. How did He know? If He was only a man, that is a puzzle. But God knows all things. And the Bible shows us that Jesus is God as a Man! “My kingdom is not of this world”, John 18:36. The word “kingdom” (Greek: basileia) means “rule or reign” much more than “territory”.[5] Jesus is concerned with ruling over people, not places. Unlike other kings Jesus rules people without borders. “My kingdom is not of this world…. my kingdom is from another place”, John 18:36. John has written that Jesus (the Word or expression of God) was living long before everything else. Earlier than the start of everything else “In the beginning was the Word”, John 1:1. John has recorded Jesus as saying, “You (people) are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world”, John 8:23. The reign and the rule of Jesus are resourced from out of this world! They affect this world but they are not attributable to this world. The reign of Jesus offers heaven on earth! It overcomes this world by using other-than-worldly methods. Jesus’ kingdom may not suit mankind’s ideas, but it show us God’s idea! Jesus rules His people wherever they are. Christians can be godly even where it is godless! In spiritual wellies Christians can slosh around in the world’s mud, keeping clear of the mud itself. From the two sayings of Jesus we have looked at so far we have learned that we should see below our surface guesswork to God’s real work. Remember, Jesus rules over certain people, not in certain places. His special people influence for Him wherever they are. The third speech is John 18:37. Pilate seizes on Jesus having a kingdom. “You are a king then!” he says. Jesus replies: (I paraphrase verse 37) “’King’ is your word, not Mine, because you don’t understand what I mean by it. We are talking of two different things”. In John 18:37 Jesus makes three clear statements: 1. “For this reason I was born”. This is the only clear reference to Jesus’ birth in the gospel of John. God was born as a man. 2. “For this reason I came into the world”. Many people leave this earth hoping to go to heaven. Jesus did the reverse! He left heaven and He came to this earth. 3. “Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me”. We will look at each one. “For this reason I was born”. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”. Jesus was born so that God could become a flesh and blood human being. God put skin on. The Creator Himself became the outstanding special One in His own creation. Jesus stood out from everyone else. This Man was stunningly God! “For this reason I came into the world”. John 17:5 records Jesus as saying: “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began”. It is as if He says: “I belong where I was; I don’t belong here”. “Before this world was, I was!” “I came here, Pilate, on a mission from My kingdom to the people of your world”. Why was Jesus born? For God to engage on a saving mission. For people to be able to understand God, and especially enjoy His love for them. “Everyone on the side of Truth listens to me”. John likes to use the word, “truth”. “(Jesus) Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”, John 1:14. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ”, John 1:17. “God is Spirit, and His worshippers must worship in Spirit and Truth”, John 4:24. “Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me””, John 14:6. Many times Jesus began His answers with the phrase, “I tell you the truth”.[6] He told people, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”, John 8:32. He said, “But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all Truth”, John 16:13. God is truth. God knows the truth. God reveals truth. “The ultimate truth is the self-disclosure of God in His Son, Who is the truth”.[7] On this axis the whole of life turns. Those who believe this truth spoken by Jesus and who receive the truth Who is Jesus Himself, are born again into Jesus’ kingly reign. They leave the apparent world for the actual world. They exchange life’s reflection for life’s reality. All of this is God’s idea and God’s implementation. It is not man-made! Did Jesus invite Pilate to be converted with His last statement, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me”? Whether He did or not Pilate turned his back on Jesus, John 10:38. He did not really want to know. We learn from this that those who don’t want to know are not forced! God is love. Faith is never forced on to anyone. The fourth saying is John 19:11. Following Pilate’s offer the crowd choose Barabbas to be freed and Jesus to be crucified, John 18:40; 19:6; 19:15. Jesus is flogged to teach Him a lesson, John 19:1. Such terrible flogging would take His strength from Him. He could not even carry His own cross all the way to the execution site.[8] Jesus would have been hurt by false homage jeered towards Him. He would have bled from the barbs of the date palm fronds. He was not only rejected, but also ridiculed. The words spoken by the Roman perpetrators of the flogging were terribly true: “Hail, king of the Jews”, John 19:3. In John 1:49 Nathanael whole-heartedly recognised Jesus, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel”. Here the Roman guards cold-heartedly dismiss Him. They pretend to worship one they see merely as a deluded pretender. In John 19:5 Pilate utters a shattering phrase without at all understanding what he is saying. “Here is the man”, in Latin “Ecce homo”. Pilate may have thought, “You Jews think this man is so dangerous you want him executed. Here he is bloodied, bruised, bowed, and surely beaten. Here is the man”. In the deeper perspective this man Jesus was the Word made flesh – real flesh, unmistakably a human being. Here is God as man. In 19:7 religion accuses God of blasphemy. God’s Law is used against God! This charge has been slowly surfacing throughout the gospel of John.[9] A jittery Pilate questions Jesus again, drawing from Jesus our fourth and final statement in this passage: “Jesus answered (Pilate), “You would have no power over Me if it were not given to you from above (where I come from)”, John 19:11. Behind Pilate’s next decision – to send Jesus to die on a cross – Jesus recognises, and remembers, and respects even if He cannot rejoice in it, the hand of God. Unwittingly, Pilate’s choice executes Jesus, and it executes the will of God. We learn that Jesus did not meet earthly power with power. He met it with proper perspective. It was as if Jesus thought: “This is not what it looks like to you, Pilate. God is still sovereign. I know that because I am God, not just the bloodied man you think I am.” The phrase said to Pilate: “the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of a greater sin”, John 19:11, could refer to Judas the betrayer or to Caiaphas the High Priest. To some extent Pilate is cornered by two men who were both calculating in their rejection of Jesus. So in John 19:13 and 19:16 Pilate judges the One to Whom the judgement of the entire world has been entrusted by God Himself.[10] Yet we must remember it is never man’s judgement of God that counts, but God’s judgement of man. It is God’s judgement of us that really matters. Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your king”, John 19:14. Neither Pilate nor the people recognised the real Jesus. When the chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar”, John 19:15, they did not only reject Jesus. They seemed to rule out any idea of a Messiah, “the betrayal of the nation by its own leadership”.[11] We must never follow any human leadership without questioning. All people can go astray. Only Jesus, the God-man, deserves total obedience. So what have we learned from these four sayings of Jesus in our Bible reading? It is God’s work and not guess work that shows us Jesus as the God Who died for humankind. Jesus rules people – not places, people who can cross over any earthly borders. It is God’s way to use people. Weak people often exhibit God’s strength. Faith can be found by people, but it can never be forced on people. God lovingly respects all of the people He has made. The way to meet earthly power is not with similar power, but with perspective. Always remember to look for what God is doing behind the things you can see. Think about Jesus speaking to some Pharisees within everyone’s hearing. He talked about the shepherd giving his life in the service of his sheep: “…I lay down My life only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father” John 10:17-18. It was as if Jesus was thinking: “No, Pilate, you’re not in charge. Not even Emperor Caesar is in charge. High priest Caiaphas was not in charge. Ex-disciple turned traitor Judas was never in charge. The baying mob does not rule, however loudly they shout, “Crucify him”. No, Pilate. I lay down my life”. Today we may say, “Democracy may choose by a vote, but it is still God’s will that prevails”. Power is from the Sovereign God above. In the crucifixion of Jesus God is ultimately removing the sin of the world. God becoming Himself the sacrificial substitute to whom the entire Bible message points.[12] Can you believe it? Will you believe it? Do you believe it? Believe Jesus and receive Jesus into your life right now. Faith is never forced. It is given by God. Accept it. The choice and its consequences are yours. by Colin Salter. Original message 25th March 2005; this one revised 2nd July 2007. Part of a series: “Who Jesus really is”. [1] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Leicester: IVP) 1991, p.590. [2] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Leicester: IVP) 1991, p.151. [3] See Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3 and John 18:36-37. [4] See Matthew 16:21, 17:22, 20:17-19. [5] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Leicester: IVP) 1991, p.594 [6] See John 1:51, 3:3, 3:5, 3:11, etc. Twenty-eight times in all. [7] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Leicester: IVP) 1991, p.595. [8] See Matthew 27:26-31; Mark 15:15-20. Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; John 19:17. [9] See John 5:18; John 8:58-59; John 10:33; etc. [10] See John 5:22. [11] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Leicester: IVP) 1991, p.606. [12] Including the animal skin in Eden; the Passover in Egypt; the sacrifices for atonement in the Temple; etc.

My notes for teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Lesson 20 - Psalms - Israel in song In the book of Psalms “we see the life of the believer pictured in all of its experiences of joy and sorrow, victory and failure.” (From 'What the Bible is all about' by Henrietta C. Mears, The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: Minneapolis, 1966 edition, page 183.) Teach through Basics page 73. Psalm 1 the first verse has one thought in line one, and two similar thoughts in line two. Verses 2, 4, 5 and 6 are one thought per line. Verse 3 has two ideas in line one and one in line two from the same picture, and the second idea in line two applies it to the “He” in the first word of the verse. You may want to play with Psalm 1 in the class: What are the two ideas in verse 2 Are they the same idea expressed in different ways? Can we love and be involved in God’s rules all the time? Verse 6 What is the truth that both these phrases can parallel? God enjoys those who walk His way, but those who do not follow Him will be judged. Who wrote the individual psalms? See who the ladies know. Get them to scan through the book of Psalms and find names. Teach, checking the references for instrumental and musical notes. Student's worksheet: Lesson 20 - Psalms – Israel in song Basics. We have now come to Psalms - the second of the Writings in the order of our Bibles, but the first book in the Jewish Writings. In Hebrew the title of the book means Book of Praise. So it was the Jewish hymnbook of praises to God, and they were usually sung. With translation into Greek in 3rd century B.C. the word Psalms began to be used. It is a book of poetry. For me that means it has to have rhyme and rhythm. That is because I was taught to think that way in school 1952-1965. Modern English poetry is much freer. Hebrew poetry has a large element of parallelism - the same or similar thought expressed at least twice in different words, in the same sentence, with about the same number of syllables - sometimes!! Psalm 1 :1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither. Whatever he does prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Who wrote the individual psalms? The names in the psalm headings tell us more than 70 psalms were written by David, one by Moses, some by Solomon, some by Asaph, some by the sons of Korah, one by Ethan the Ezrahite, one by Heman the Ezrahite, and more than 30 ‘orphan’ psalms (we do not know who wrote them!). The headings over the psalms appear to have been added later than the date of writing. When the heading says ‘of’ or ‘for’ or ‘to’, does it mean ‘written by’ or ‘is a favourite of’, ‘belonging to’ or ‘offered to’? We don’t know. It would be interesting to be sure, but the content of the psalm is more important than the heading. Also in the headings are ancient titles which define the kind of psalm but no-one is now very sure what they meant! There are also instrumental and musical notes - see Psalms 5, 6, 22, 57, 89 and 100. ‘Selah’ is also found within 39 psalms - for example see Psalm 46. Again no-one is sure of the meaning. Perhaps the best idea is that it suggests a pause to think. Page 73 Leader's notes: Lesson 20 - Psalms. Teach the first paragraph opposite (page 74). Look up the references for paragraph two. The next highlighted paragraph opposite is important. Considerations. Check out the ‘speak of Christ’ references together as a class. Teach the ‘cursing’ - imprecatory psalms. Teach after they have found and read the Psalm 55 reference. The great Christian thinker of the 20th century, C.S.Lewis wrote “The ferocious parts of the Psalms serve as a reminder that there is in the world such a thing as wickedness and that……is hateful to God”. (From Reflections on the Psalms by C.S.Lewis, Inspirational Press reprint: New York, 1994, page 148). Teach last paragraph. Student's worksheet: Lesson 20 - Psalms. How did the collection come to be? The number of popular songs grew as more were written and sung. Some were used a lot, some were lost in the mists of time. King Solomon probably organised the collecting of his father King David’s psalms, as the liturgy at the new Temple developed. Perhaps musicians and choir leaders also helped. There followed a long period of unrest and general lack of interest in God before the exiles to Assyria and Babylon. Some Jews returned from Babylon and rebuilt the Temple in 516 B.C. Ezra arrived in 458 B.C. and organised the priests and Levites - the scene was set for a revival in organised worship at the Temple and also in the synagogues, which had been started in the Babylonian exile when the Jews had no Temple focus. The synagogues concentrated on the Law, personal devotion and prayer, as they could not observe the sacrifices. The divisions in the Psalms as we have them probably came after this time. There are several psalms which seem to have been separated or joined up at various times. For example Psalms 42 and 43 were at some time one psalm - see verses 42:5, 11 and 43:5. But don’t let these details distract from the text of the Psalms - preserved by God for us to learn from and use in our private and public worship. Considerations Do the Psalms speak of Christ? Yes, they do! Jesus said they did in Luke 24:44. Check out Psalms 22:1-21 a picture of Jesus’ crucifixion 16:10 His resurrection (quoted in Acts 2:31) 98:9 His coming again to judge, … and there are many more. There are many references in Psalms used by Jesus and the Early Church to show that Christ’s coming and mission were long anticipated. Cursing - the imprecatory psalms - where the writer is asking God to pay people back, for example Psalm 55:12-19. Just think of what Jesus said about Capernaum in Matthew 11:20-24. Jesus is saying that these bad things will happen to Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because their people did not listen to God. Similarly, the psalmist is asking God to remember these people have ignored Him and engaged in evil, which is contrary to God’s nature. We have the advantage over the psalmist because we live after Jesus has said “I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Remember: as the last paragraph has reminded us, we live after the psalmists wrote. We need to add the perspective of redemption in Jesus Christ and of the promise of Jesus coming again to the Hebrew perspective in which the psalms were written. Page 74 Leader's notes: Lesson 20 - Psalms. I have used the word PSALMS twice as different acrostics to make sure the ladies understand the term acrostic. Perhaps write each acrostic on to a large card and explain this is a teaching aid in many situations, if teachers can think up correct and useful phrases. Remembering the truth of the phrase is the most important goal for using an acrostic. For example: Forsaking Standing Learn about All In Obey I Need Vow (promise) Trust Enjoy time with Him If you are working in a language other than English, you may have to improvise! Song of Ascents is interesting to me as a choir singer - I can visualise (and hear?) the Jews singing as they walked up to Jerusalem, or as they walked up steps during a Temple service. Understanding the phrase makes the scene come to life. Give five groups one Psalm each from pages 75 and 76, and set a time limit. Then get each group to share their understanding of the psalm, and present an application or encouragement or something to think about from the psalm. I am trying to get them to not just gather information for themselves, but begin to think how they can use that information with other people. Student worksheet: Lesson 20 - Psalms. Acrostic Psalms Psalms Praise in Set up to use Songs of experience to Alphabetical Almighty God who Letters as a Loves us Memory More then we can under- Stimulation Stand Psalm 119 is the obvious acrostic psalm, but so are Psalms 25, 34, 37, 111-112, 145 and Lamentations, which follows Jeremiah. Psalm 119 has a section for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic idea does not cross language translation very well. Speakers of those languages may be creative in their own teaching for their students’ memories. Songs of ascents probably relate to songs to sing going up to Jerusalem for the annual feasts at the Temple, or for certain parts of Temple worship - perhaps both. Psalms 120-134 Now to put all your knowledge to use…….. You need to work small groups and come up with an understanding of the psalm you are given an application of the psalm to life something to learn, do or think through and then present it as a group to all the other groups. Group 1. Psalm 23 compared to 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 17:34-37. And John 10:11-13. Think about what a shepherd does and what God does. Group 2. Psalm 51 compared to 2 Samuel 11:1-12:23. Think about sin, confession, restoration. Page 75 Leader's notes: Lesson 20 - Psalms. In Words of Wisdom, Tyndale House: Wheaton, 1967, Foreword, Dr. Billy Graham recommended reading one chapter of Proverbs and five Psalms every day. This way you read them all in one month. Psalm 119 and four others will have to be on a not busy day!! Sounds a good idea, but can we actually do it? There’s a challenge! Student's worksheet: Lesson 20 - Psalms. Group 3. Psalm 86 What attributes of God give David the ability to have confidence in approaching Him? Group 4. Psalm 99 compared with Exodus 19:16-25, 1 Samuel 7:5-9, Numbers 12:1-15. Group 5. Psalm 120 and 121. Compare the psalms - where is the psalmist in his own mind? What makes the change of thinking? Notice Psalm 137 - a Babylon experience! Don’t forget there are psalms outside of the book of Psalms: see Exodus 15:1-18; Judges 5:2-31; 2 Samuel 22:2-51; Habakkuk 3:2-19. Next time. One more wisdom book to go……………. Page 76

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Leader’s page: Acts 18:23-21:26 A.D. 53-57 Ask the ladies to keep their notes closed to start with 18:23 Paul goes back through the churches of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Pisidian Antioch, helping every believer grow in understanding and apply their newly found Christian faith into their daily lives Read 18:23 adding the names of the towns (above), which by now have been mentioned several times. Next ask the ladies the top question opposite. See what contributions you receive from the class. Then share yours, and then mine, using my 1,2,3 notes and paragraph opposite. So now we are travelling with Paul again. But first there is a piece of catch up information 18:24-28 Invite the ladies to work through the passage, in pairs, to answer the questions opposite. Share their answers, perhaps writing them on a board, until you have everything – build up a brief word-picture of Apollos. Suggest the ladies work through 19:1-20 using the questions opposite. 19:11-12 compare Acts 5:15, Mark 5:25-34 The miracle power is from God. His must be all of the praise. 19:17-20 Results from Paul’s ministry 1. awe city wide. Common people wondering, “What is going on?” 2. the name of Jesus was looked on very favourably, even reverentially 3. new Christians discarded their previous involvement in witchcraft 4. people responded positively to Jesus’ Gospel. The area was impressed. Share 19:21-22 Paul is thinking ahead. It would need forward planning because travel took so long. We know that now it is possible to fly from Juba or Khartoum to Nairobi, Kenya and on to Cape Town in South Africa, have a couple of days there and be back in four to five days. Paul and his companions would have walked a lot of each journey, possibly ridden a donkey or in a donkey cart part way, and sea journeys were in rowed sail boats. No engines or cars. Slow! So Paul is not saying ‘I’m going tomorrow’ – he is planning ahead. Always a good idea. We’ll watch how it works out. Student's page: Lesson 22 Third Missionary Journey Acts 18:23-21:26 A.D. 53-57 Paul is off again on his travels! 18:23. Can you think of three things that we have seen Paul consistently doing – things that motivated his life? My list would be: 1. telling people about Jesus 2. teaching people the truths about Jesus and Christian living 3. encouraging and strengthening young Christians Yes, there is overlap within those three things, but they summarise Paul’s reasons for doing what he did. Like a good parent Paul wanted to educate his ‘spiritual’ children properly. He knew this would be foundational in their lives. While Paul went to Jerusalem, and then back to Antioch for a break, someone else arrived at Ephesus where Paul had left Priscilla and Aquila. 18:24-28. What was his name? Was he local? an incomer? Alexandria, north Egyptian port, see map page 4. What else do you know about him? Who helped him, why and how? There is more than one described. How good are you at seeing a need and helping to meet it? Or coming alongside someone to assist their spiritual development? Note: Unusually for the time, Priscilla (the wife) is here mentioned first, before her husband. Perhaps she was the more able teacher? Or he ran the business? See Acts 18:18-19, 26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19. Wives and husbands may serve our Lord together, doing the same, or different, things. 19:1-20 Paul arrives at Ephesus - a very wealthy city, home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the most famous buildings in the Roman world. 19:1-7 in your own words, what was the gap in the disciples knowledge? 19:8-10 how long did Paul teach in the synagogue? Why so long? what took so much time in and from the lecture hall of Tyrannus? 19:11-12 Who did the miracles? Is this always the case? Why? 19:13-16 a mix of Jewish and pagan rituals – the evil spirit knew the difference between real power and merely claimed power 19:17-20 four results: 1. verse 17 2. verse 17 3. verses 18-19 4. verse 20 Page 48 Leader's page: Another challenge – Acts 19:23-41 Read the story and then invite the ladies to find six important points. Share their answers. 1. Those who benefitted from tourism in the Temple and from selling souvenirs stirred up trouble, verse 24. 2. They were frightened their income would stop because of the teaching about one God rather than ‘many gods’, verse 26. 3. Riot because Artemis was being confronted, verse 28-29. 4. Chaos, verse 32. 5. A senior administrator in the city spoke very sensibly and dismissed the crowd. It is easy to rouse a rabble! Verses 33-34. 6. God used a non-Christian administrator, who was proud of his city, to calm the situation, verses 35-41. 20:17-35 What were the main points of Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian Elders? (The only recorded speech of Paul made to believers). 20:17-21 You know how I lived among you – the tears, the testing, the upbuilding teaching - to both Jews and Greeks – focused on repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. 20:22-24 God is sending me to Jerusalem – I keep getting warnings from Him of prison, hardship – but I just want to be where God wants. 20:25-27 You will not see me again – I have taught you about the God we serve – you must now take collective responsibility for yourselves. 20:28-31 Be watchful shepherds of your own lives and of the life of the flock, the local church, for whom you have responsibility. There will certainly be attacks on you leaders and your flock. 20:32-35 I worked tent-making, Acts 18:3, while I was with you to provide for my own needs – now be blessed as you look after each other. 20:36-21:1a Prayer with high emotion on both sides, those staying and those going. 21:1-16 Ask, How did Agabus’ acted prophecy affect Paul? 21:11-14. Why? Do this if there is time, or choose to make time if you can. Think together about Paul’s attitude to ‘future suffering in God’s will’. Compare with Jesus, Mark 14:36, Apostles, Acts 5:29, Saul/Paul, Acts 9:16. We are not Paul or Peter or Jesus. How do we cope with following God’s will even if it is not the easier way we may choose left to ourselves? Perhaps our eyes are fixed too much on suffering and too little on God? Hebrews 12:1-3. Student's page: Another challenge – Acts 19:23-41 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Praise God He uses whoever He chooses to further His purposes. We can always rely on that. 20:1-6 Keep on adding to your map, on page 4. 20:7-12 Paul had a lot to say – to share and encourage. Note the danger of sermons that are too long! A sensational miracle. No sleep for Paul! 20:13-16 Paul was running out of time to get back to Jerusalem. 20:17-35 What were the main points of Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian Elders? Put them briefly into your own words. 20:17-21 20:22-24 20:25-27 20:28-31 20:32-35 20:36-21:1a 21:1-16 Follow the map once more. Who did Paul and Luke stay with? Where? 21:7-8 How did Agabus’ acted prophecy affect Paul? 21:11-14. Why do you think this? Think about Paul’s attitude to future suffering in God’s will. Compare with our Lord Jesus in Mark 14:36, and the disciples in Acts 5:29, Acts 9:16. I know we are probably not ‘spiritual giants’ like Paul or Peter or Jesus. I’m not! But why are we sometimes afraid of the suffering God leads us to face? Food for thought for all of us as our Lord Jesus Christ’s followers. Page 49

My notes for teaching the Old Testament, by Mama Brenda. Leader’s notes: Lesson 21 - Job and his wife Enjoy this reassuring lesson! This lesson takes a lot of consideration - so I have put Selah after several challenging paragraphs. Go through the paragraph and then have a minute of silence to try and feel what the characters in the story feel. Consider how you would react. You may need to sharpen the focus each time on what to think about. Teach through the first three paragraphs (opposite on page 77). Yes – that does mean chapters 4-31. Twenty-eight chapters of philosophical argument, followed by chapters 32-37, another six chapters of philosophical argument. Now to the story. Get the ladies to read Job 1:1-5 and pull out the information. Student's worksheet: Lesson 21 - Job and his wife Job is the first of the Wisdom Writings in our Bibles. It has much philosophical argument wrapped in a story. Its format bears little similarity to Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Song of Solomon - the other Wisdom Writings. In some ways we feel that it is more narrative, but the philosophical content shows the antiquity of human discussion about the problem of evil. It does not qualify as history because, although Job’s way of living puts him in a time frame, there is nothing else to date it by. The book of Job contains a detailed story which stands totally alone in the Scripture that God has preserved for us. It has details that are only otherwise mentioned in our Bibles in Daniel and Revelation, and occasional other references. It is an absolute treasure. The book of Job is possibly the oldest story in the Old Testament - probably from before writing and therefore handed down orally. It may have been committed to writing in the explosion of written material from the time of Solomon. Job is mentioned in Ezekiel 14:14,20 for his righteousness and in James 5:11 where his perseverance is mentioned. Paul quotes Job 5:13 in 1 Corinthians 3:19. Let’s break the book of Job into meaningful pieces. 1:1-5 Context of Job 1:6-12 Context of the heavenly realms (1) 1:13-19 Facts of the story 1:20-22 Job’s first reaction 2:1-6 Context of the heavenly realms (2) 2:7-10 Job’s second reaction 2:11-13 Job’s three friends come and sit with him 3:1-26 Job speaks Chapters 4-31 Philosophical arguments from Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Job Chapters 32-37 Elihu, a younger man, intervenes 38:1-42:6 God deals with Job 42:7-9 God speaks to Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. 42:10-17 Job’s new context 1:1-5 Context of Job Uz was a large area east of Jordan. See map on page 2. Job was not sinless, but he was morally good and spiritually godly. His substantial wealth was measured in herds of animals and numbers of servants - as was Abram’s, Genesis 13:1-7, and his grandson, Jacob’s, Genesis 32:13-16 (and those animals were just a gift for Esau, not the main flocks!). Job was an important man. His seven sons had their own houses and the three daughters were based with Job. They feasted at the various family houses. As these feasts ended Job was in the habit of making the family purified and then sacrificing a burnt offering on behalf of each of them, just in case any of them had sinned “and cursed God in their hearts” Job 1:5. He regularly acted as a priest in this way, and this was before the ceremonial laws of Moses existed. Page 77 Leader's notes: Lesson 21 - Job and his wife. 1:6-12 Ask the ladies to read and pull out the information. Make sure, perhaps with questions, that everyone knows exactly what is going on in this history. Teach through to verse 12. Selah. Who in heaven has absolute power? How do we know from this Bible passage? 1:13-19 read and check information in the paragraph Uz was east of the river Jordan Selah – all the animals, all his wealth, all his descendants gone. Think if that happened to you. 1:20-22 Encourage the ladies to read - what is the most important phrase? Selah – what would your reaction have been? Why? Student's worksheet: Lesson 21 - Job and his wife. Job 1:6-12 Context of the heavenly realms (1) A complete change of scene. Now we are in heaven’s throne room or council chamber as in 1 Kings 22:19 “I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left”, Psalm 89:5-7; Jeremiah 23:18, 22. Selah On this day there is an additional presence. Satan, literally ‘the accuser’, has come with the angels. How often the Evil One comes in alongside something that is good. God asks him where he has come from. God is omnipresent - present everywhere. Obviously Satan is not, but he replies that he has been to lots of places. God then initiates a conversation about Job, whom ‘the accuser’ cannot accuse of anything. So he tries to accuse Job of being a ‘fair weather Christian’ - being a believer when everything is fine. ‘The accuser’ challenges God and says “But stretch out your hand and touch everything that he has, and he will surely curse you to your face”. Job 1:11. Selah Who challenges who first? Yes, God challenges ‘the accuser’. Verse 12 “The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.“ 1:13-19 Facts of the story Back to the land of Uz. A messenger comes to Job: some local warlords have attacked and taken the oxen and donkeys. I was the only one left. Another messenger comes: the fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants. I was the only one left. Yet another messenger comes: more warlords came as three raiding parties and took all the camels. I was the only one left. One more messenger: your sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, and a mighty wind swept in from the desert and the house collapsed on top of them. They are all dead and I am the only one to escape. Selah 1:20-22 Job’s reaction 1 Job got up, he tore his robe and shaved his head as symbols of mourning. He fell to the ground in ……….. no, not in anger…..not in self-pity……..but in worship. Verse 21. “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Verse 22. Selah Page 78 Leader's notes: Lesson 21 - Job and his wife. Teach through page 78 (opposite) using the Selah pauses. Job 2:1-6 Invite the ladies to read and share what they have learned. Selah – as human beings and as women, we probably feel ‘Job does not need any more problems.’ But here we are looking at God’s belief in Job and at the throne room of heaven, at the scene of all ultimate authority. Job 2:7-10 We knew this was going to happen. Events that hurt our closest friends and family can sometimes make us react in ways that doubt God. We need to make sure that our faith is more important than the circumstances. That is hard – but necessary. Selah – can we react the way Job did? Job 2:11-13 ask the ladies to read on their own and then share what they have learned. Selah – do my, do your, words help, or merely satisfy me that I have said something? Could I do anything else which would comfort or help? Job 3:1-26 summarise these verses with the ladies as a class. Student's worksheet: Lesson 21 - Job and his wife. Job 2:1-6 Context of the heavenly realms (2) We are in the throne room of heaven again with God. The same characters involved. There is the same conversation plus this from God. “And he (Job) still maintains his integrity though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” There is the same kind of response from ‘the accuser’ - “Strike his flesh and bones and he will surely curse you to your face.” God gave Satan permission to damage Job’s life but he must spare it. Selah 2:7-10 Job’s reaction 2 ‘The accuser’ strikes Job with boils all over his body. Note that Satan is able to do this, but his power is limited by God. He is not omnipotent - all powerful - God is. Sitting among ashes - a sign of mourning - Job scrapes at the boils to get some relief. His wife tells him to give up trusting God, curse God and die. Later in history, Leviticus 24:10-16, it is made clear in the Law that those who curse God will die. Job says her reaction is like that of a foolish woman. He does not say she is a foolish woman, but in that reaction she has not been wise. Perhaps her care for her husband at that point of time became larger than her trust in God? If so, it was a wrong decision, but we understand how she got there! Job then says what is an amazing but true thought. “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” We are pleased when life is good, happy and easy. We thank God. But when things are not easy, happy and good - do we thank God or do we blame God? Verse 10, “In all this Job did not sin in what he said.” In the last few years there has been a tendency in England for Christians, when everything is happy, to say ‘God is good’. But God is always good all the time. Sometimes we don’t feel like expressing that truth, and we struggle to say ‘God is good’ when things are not the way we would like them to be. We must learn to be like Job. Selah 2:11-13 Job’s 3 friends come and sit with Job This was not the work of three short phone calls. Do you remember how long messages and information and arrangements took before phones? They heard, verse 11, and they met together by agreement to go and be with Job and comfort him. They were disturbed by what they saw. They had no words. Their presence was the gift of encouragement they brought. In England we always have to have words for every occasion - even when words do not satisfy. Your presence, your time, show that you care, and sometimes speak louder than words. A silent hug can be good in my culture! Selah. 3:1-26 Job speaks Job is the one who breaks the silence of seven days and seven nights. He wishes he had never been born verses 1-2. Verses 25-26 tell of his lack of peace, quietness and rest. But he does not blame God. Page 79 Leader's notes: Lesson 21 - Job and his wife. Work through page 80. We will not read chapters 4-37. Use my summary in the notes and move on. Selah. Think of the times life has been difficult. We may not understand now, but God had His purpose in it, and He walked through it with us. Yes, it was hard as we walked through. Job 38:1-42:6 – use only these selected verses: 38:4-39:30 What were the questions God asked Job? I counted the number of question marks in those verses, in the NIV Bible translation I was using – 40 – your translation may have more or less. All of them show us how great our God is. Perhaps the ladies could pick out a question each, one that especially speaks to them of how great God is. My favourite is Job 38:31-33. You are welcome to share it with me! 40:6-8 Ask a lady to read, and then question what it means. Our thinking can be just as devious as God suggests Job’s was. Job 42:7-9 Invite a lady to read the verses and then to comment on them. 42:10-17 Get a lady to read the verses. Make sure the ladies have understood that our obedience does not necessarily bring wealth or health. The ‘prosperity gospel’ is not true to the teaching of the Bible. Selah. God the almighty One, the all-powerful. We are human, frail and sinful, but we are loved by a great God. There is a place for reading the speeches of the comforters, but not in an overview of the Old Testament. Wait until your philosophy degree. There are however three shining jewels in the thirty-three chapters we have skipped over. Make sure you look at the next lesson and leader’s notes in good time. It is different! Student's worksheet: Lesson 21 - Job and his wife. Job chapters 4-31 Philosophical arguments from Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Job Chapters 32-37 Elihu, a younger man, intervenes These four men make many arguments, but we have the advantage over them because we have seen the scene in heaven. We have learned that God is using Job’s situation to teach spiritual powers a lesson. Selah Job 38:1-42:6 God deals with Job In chapter 37 Elihu talks of God in terms of thunder, driving winds, His roar, His majestic voice. Chapter 38 “The Lord answered Job out of the storm.” Perhaps God was also answering the storm going on in Job’s mind? Put 38:2-3 into your own words. What were the questions? 40:1-2 God challenges Job. How? 40:3-5 Job says he has no answer. 40:6-41:34 God speaks out of the storm again. Verse 8 He asks Job if Job would say God was unjust, in order to make Job seem right? 42:1-6 summarise what Job says to God. Job 42:7-9 God speaks to Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. Verse 7 God tells the three friends that they have not spoken truth about God. Job had spoken truth about God. God told them to make burnt offerings for themselves and Job would pray for them “and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly”. In verses 7 and 8 God says four times “my servant Job”. That’s where we started the story - 1:8 “my servant Job”. 42:10-17 Job’s new context The cosmic contest with ‘the accuser’ is over and Job is restored. Until he got to heaven Job did not know the reason for everything that happened. We do not have all the answers in our lives yet, but God wants our complete trust whatever the circumstances. The fact that God gave Job more than he had before, is not a promise that if we trust we will be rewarded in the ‘now’. Plenty of God’s saints have died poor in money, but rich in God. Selah You will have noticed that I have jumped chapters 4-37. God gives the reason in 42:7 - the three friends have said things that are not right about God. However, Job says three things in his discourses that we cannot leave out – see Job 19:25-27; 23:10; 28:28. A definite Selah to those three statements! Page 80

Leader's page and Student's page best viewed left/right side together Leader’s notes: James, pre 49-50 A.D., Galatians, 51-53 A.D., 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 51-52 A.D. Lead from the front. Perhaps ask the ladies what they think life was like in the time the book of Acts records – highlight as many differences as you can between then, and our lives today? Communications may be the biggest difference – there were no radios, televisions, CDs and tape players, photocopiers, telephones or computers. Electricity nor batteries for running these things did not exist either. The few books there were, were handwritten, not printed. Times have changed! Make sure the ladies have understood the first three paragraphs opposite. 1. James – research which of four ‘James’ wrote our letter of James? - share out the readings below and have ladies ready to read. Ask the ladies to read the two for the first James. Then work through the Scriptures for the three other ‘James’ we find in the New Testament. James the father of Judas – mentioned in Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13 James the son of Alphaeus - Matthew 10:3; Acts 1:13 James the brother of John - Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:13, 12:2 James the younger half-brother of Jesus - Acts 12:17, 15:13, 21:17-18, 1 Corinthians 15:7, Galatians 1:19. Conclusion : the last option fits best. Now look at the James section opposite. Share out the first six references - what does James call the people he is writing to in them? What is the significance of the descriptions? Look altogether at the next Acts (x2) and James (x1) references opposite. What are the main things James is writing about? James is very, very practical. It is hard to misunderstand what he is saying. Read the opposite verses, or get one of the ladies to read them, one at a time. After each one ask ‘how does this work out in real life?’ Try not to avoid the truths. It is a natural human defence mechanism to do so. Invite the ladies to fill in their short answer on the bottom line opposite. You might want a few minutes of quiet to let James’ practical challenges sink into class members’ hearts and lives, as the Holy Spirit works on His word. Student's page: Lesson 23 The Earliest Letters - James pre 49-50 A.D., Galatians 51-53 A.D., 1 and 2 Thessalonians 51-52 A.D. Sometimes we assume everywhere and every age functions the way we do in our culture and time. But the Middle East was a melting pot of cultures in Bible times - because of the rise and fall of Empires over the years and the growth of geographically wider spread trade. More contacts were made between different peoples. The first century A.D. was dominated by the Roman Empire - it’s legal structure, it’s geographic occupation of other countries, it’s roads, it’s military retirees settling in far flung corners. The century was also influenced by Greek thinking from the previous Empire. There were centres of education – Rome, Athens, Corinth, Alexandria - with much trade, travel and thinking between them. On the time line opposite page 5, the earliest New Testament letters are listed as James, Galatians and two to the Thessalonians. We need to try and remember the information we have gleaned from the narrative of Acts, and mix it with the local context from history, plus details found in the letters themselves. Then we can learn from these New Testament letters in colour, rather than only black and white. 1. James Most people think this was a letter written by James, a younger half-brother of Jesus, who became leader of the church in Jerusalem. He wrote this to Jewish believers, probably before the Council of Jerusalem, Acts 15. In James 1:19, 2:1, 2:14, 3:1, 4:11, 5:19, what does James call the people he is writing to? Three things. Why is this important? In Acts 2:5-11 Jews from all over the known world were frequently in Jerusalem, some living there, more visiting on business or religious celebrations. In Acts 2:41 3,000 people were added to the church . Some travelled home again – were these some of the people James wrote to? There was a Jewish diaspora – and then a Christian diaspora - just as there is now a Sudanese diaspora, James 1:1. God knows where we are, always, without fail! James is practical and personally challenging 1:2-5 How easy do you find ‘pure joy’ in the context of the passage? 1:19-20 Are you quick in producing ‘the righteousness’ that God desires? 2:1-4 Do you treat all people, each individual, equally? Why? What makes it hard? 2:14-18 Do your deeds tell the right things about your Christian faith? 3:3-10 Do you control your tongue or does your tongue control you? Why? 5:19-20 Do you look out for others? Do they look out for you? How? Now put together 1:5, 3:13, 3:17 and complete this sentence. ‘Get wisdom, show wisdom and humility, by being .......................................................................................................................................... ………………………………………………………………………………………………..............................................................................................................................’ Page 50 Leader's page: 2. Galatians Lead from the front again. Ask the ladies what they remember about Pisidian Anioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe, from our Acts lessons, pages 44-46. Paul was there several times. No-one is sure exactly when this letter to Galatians was written. Letters were precious because they were hand written and were passed on to be shared from one fellowship to another. What do you learn from Galatians 1:1-2? and 6:11? Paul would have used a secretary to write clearly and well on a scroll exactly what he dictated. Here he is so concerned for the Galatians that he takes up the pen and writes himself to underline the last lines of this letter. Large letters because he had eye problems? malarial headaches? shaky hands? We don’t know. But his concern and love for new believers shows clearly through. Ask someone to read the first reference opposite, 1:6-9, and talk about it together. Next use the two Galatians 3 references together and talk about them. Read all the references one at a time. Talk about and complete each one before moving on. Share Even after the decision of the Council of Jerusalem, Acts 15:19-29, there were obviously people who insisted that new believers needed to be circumcised, ‘to be the same as them’. They travelled around trying to influence and persuade new Christians to their way of thinking. Paul says that theologically they are wrong, and they are disagreeing with the decision taken at the Church Council of Jerusalem. “Don’t be foolish or bewitched by them”. 3. Thessalonians – still lead from the front. Thessalonica was a bustling seaport. It was a trade centre on the end of the busy Egnatian Way, (Via Egnatian), crossing between the Aegean and Adriatic seas. 1 Thessalonians was probably written by Paul from Corinth, Acts 18:11. After receiving back a report, he wrote 2 Thessalonians while still there. Ask someone to read the first line of all references opposite and then talk about the texts. Ask for the main thrust of each teaching? Why is Paul writing this particularly? Share: These letters are encouragement to keep believing to keep living Christ’s way to feel supported, ‘we love you and pray for you’ to ‘hang in there’ through difficulties Think: Who can you encourage this week? Student's page: 2. Galatians Acts 13:14-14:23, 16:1-5, and 18:23 all speak of churches in the Roman protectorate, then province, of Galatia – Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. We have seen in Acts that Paul visited this area several times so there may have been other local churches as well for which we do not have names. Antioch in Pisidia was on a trade route between Ephesus and Cilicia. It was a Roman colony with Greeks and Jews living within it. Iconium was a wealthy and productive region. Lystra was a Roman defensive town, while Derbe was on the border. What did Paul write to them about? Keeping this question in mind construct your brief summary below, for each of the Bible passages: 1:6-9 3:1-6 and 26-29 4:19-20 5:1-7 6:12-16 We all, always, need to be careful of travelling preachers - wherever they come from. Their background and home reputation we do not know and cannot easily verify. They may be saying something quite different from accepted Christian truth. Today this also applies to apparently ‘Christian’ literature, TV, radio, CDs, USB installed teachings as well. Weigh absolutely everything up carefully – test teaching and people against Scripture – don’t be gullible, easily taken in! 3. Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:1 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 6-10 2:1-4, 9-13, 17-18 3:7-13 4:9-12, 13-18 5:12-15 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 2:1-4, 15 3:6-13, 14-15, 17 Living Christianly is not usually easy. Try to give, and receive, help to/from one another. Page 51

25 lesson plans for children, young people and their teachers. Lesson 25 God brings everything to its climax– John Bible reference – Revelation 1 verses 4- 8; 4 verses 1-10; 5 verses 1-14; 19 verses 1-10; 21 verse 1 to 22 verse 21. Revelation is the only book of prophecy in the New Testament. It was written at a difficult time when the Christian church was persecuted. From chapter 4 Revelation explains events at the End Times. The story of God’s special people is still going on today. Beginning in Old Testament days it goes right on through the New Testament. It is not finished yet! Revelation tells how everything will end. Ask, what did the angels promise the disciples who watched Jesus being taken up into heaven after His resurrection appearances? (Acts 1 verse 11, “… This Jesus, Who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way …”). God promised Jesus will come again from heaven. Revelation tells important facts about heaven. It shows what will happen in the future when Jesus returns. God is working out His plan. It will be finished. It will succeed. John, the fisherman-disciple of Jesus, Matthew 4 verse 21, wrote Revelation. He was exiled to the island of Patmos. He was punished because he had preached “God’s word and the truth that Jesus revealed”, Revelation 1 verse 9. The Spirit of the risen Jesus was with John as he worked, probably digging heavy stone. Jesus showed John these events. John wrote them down. Divide the class into eight groups. Every group will read part of Revelation and answer two questions. The whole class can discuss their answers. Group 1: Have two students read, Revelation 1 verses 1-2, “This book is the record of the events that Jesus Christ revealed. God gave Him this revelation in order to show His servants what must happen very soon. Christ made these things known to His servant John by sending His angel to him, and John has told all that he has seen. This is his report concerning the message from God and the truth revealed by Jesus Christ” Who gave us the book of Revelation? (God, Jesus Christ, an angel, John). When will the things shown in Revelation happen? (Very soon.) History follows God’s time. We do not know the date when these things will happen, but they will. They are the next item on God’s agenda. First, God’s special people are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people everywhere. Next, Jesus will come back. 97 Group 2: Have a student read, Revelation 1 verse 7, “Look, He is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see Him, including those who pierced Him. All peoples on earth will mourn over Him. So shall it be!” Who were the people who “pierced” Jesus? (The Roman soldiers, at the Jewish leaders’ demand). Why is it important Jesus comes “on the clouds”?” (Because it was what God promised through the angels.) God can always be trusted to do exactly what He has said He will do. Group 3: Have a student read, Revelation 4 verse 11, “Our Lord and our God! You are worthy to receive glory, honour and power. For You created all things, and by Your will they were given existence and life”. Look earlier in the chapter and see who said these words. (The twenty-four elders, verse 10) To whom did they say these words? (God on the throne, verses 2 and 10) The twenty four elders probably represent the twelve Old Testament patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc., and the twelve New Testament apostles – Peter, Andrew, James, John, etc. These men are the “spiritual fathers” of God’s special people; the Old Testament Israel and the New Testament Christians. All worship the living God Who called them to follow. Group 4: Have two students read, Revelation 5 verses 9-10, “They sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to break open its seals. For You were killed, and by Your sacrificial death You bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation and race. You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they shall rule on the earth””. What event is meant here by “Your sacrificial death”? (Jesus’ crucifixion) In what two ways are God’s special people described? ( 1. “People from every tribe, language, nation and race”. Now made into 2. “a kingdom of priests to serve God”) We learn in chapters 6-8 there are judgements from God written on this sealed scroll. These judgements are very bad for people but Jesus’ death makes Him able to “buy” people safely from these judgements. No-one can buy their own safety, but Jesus can change anybody. All kinds of people are in His kingdom. They have been changed. They have chosen to live under Jesus’ rule. Group 5: Have three students read, Revelation 5 verses 12-14, “and sang in a loud voice: “The Lamb Who was killed is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honour, glory and praise!” And I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, in the world below, and in the sea – all living beings in the universe – and they were singing: “To Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honour, glory and might, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures answered, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshipped”. p.98 Where were lambs used in the Old Testament stories we have heard? (At the Passover, painting the door frames with blood. And in the temple sacrifices people made as part of their worship of God). Why is Jesus called "the Lamb Who was killed"? (Because Jesus' blood is now the protection for His chosen people. Jesus is the One Who helps people come to worship God). No wonder heaven is so excited! Everyone sings praises to God and to Jesus, the Lamb, for such a great salvation. Group 6: Have a student read, Revelation 19 verse 1, “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a large crowd of people in heaven, saying, “Praise God! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God!” How is this “Salvation” described in verses 7-9? (As the wedding feast of the Lamb). Do you know the Hebrew word for “PraiseGod”? Can you guess? (Hallelujah!). This chapter is the only one in the New Testament that uses the word, “Hallelujah” translated as “Praise God”. Early Christians used “Hallelujah” to express their thanks to God for His goodness in saving them. Everyone is invited to Jesus’ wedding in heaven. Everyone who believes He is God’s Son – the Saviour God gave to the world – will be there. It will be the greatest party ever. God’s special people make up the bride of Jesus Christ. Group 7: Have two students read, Revelation 20 verses 11-12, “Then I saw a great white throne and the One Who sits on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence and were seen no more. And I saw the dead, great and small alike, standing before the throne.Books were opened, and then another book was opened, the book of the living. The dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books”. Who do you think is the One sitting on the judgement throne? (To Cornelius, Peter preached that theJudge was Jesus. Jesus is the One God appointed to be the Judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10 verse 42. In Athens, Paul preached that theJudge was the Man God raised from the dead. Jesus will judge on the day God has chosen. Acts 17 verse 31). Why does John write “great and small alike” will stand and be judged? (He is saying that no-one can avoid it. Everyone is exactly the same before God). The throne is “great” because there is nothing as majestic and awesome as it. It is “white” because it shows God’s absolute purity. And it is just one throne because only one person is able to be Judge for all – Jesus! p.99 Group 8: Have four students read, Revelation 21 verses 1-4, “”Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and earth disappeared, and the sea vanished. And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband. I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God’s home is with human beings! He will live with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them, and He will be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared””. What three new things are mentioned in these verses? (a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem). How far away from God will people be? (No distance at all. God will be with them. His home will be with them). There are eleven words in verse 3 (in English) that describe heaven for God’s special people. What God has been working towards will have finally come to reality. The eleven words are, “He will live with them, and they shall be His people”. “He” is “God” and “His people” means everyone who believes in Jesus. Have the students say these words together: “God will live with them, and they shall be His people”, Revelation 21 part of verse 3. Repeat it several times to learn it. You may chose to use this summary of the whole course: The Creator God called people to follow Him. The first people chose not to. God still loved them and promised a way back for them into friendship with Himself. God called Abraham to be the father of His special people. As the family grew they forgot to honour God. Famine drove them to slavery in Egypt although God provided food for them through Joseph, the brother they had rejected. Moses led God’s people out from Egypt using the protection of a lamb’s blood. God gave His people laws to live by. Sometimes they obeyed and sometimes they did not. God kept encouraging them through His prophets. He gave them a king when they wanted a human leader. The human kings let God down and let the people down. King David was the best of them. God promised that one day in the future a king like David would reign from His royal city, Jerusalem. Other nations conquered Israel and Judah. The Israelites were scattered. The people of Judah were carried into exile. After a long time God moved Cyrus to let God’s people rebuild Jerusalem. Ezra and Nehemiah led the spiritual and civic restoration. God was silent for 400 years except for His written Old Testament word. Most people had forgotten that. They had a system of “do’s” and “don’ts” to live by. They hoped God would accept them. Angels announced God was entering the human race as the baby Jesus. He would live and He would die to become the Saviour for the world. Jesus death would make people p.100 right with God. God raised Jesus from the dead to life to show His power and to show Jesus is the Saviour. Some people who had followed Jesus in His life believed this message. They knew Jesus was more than human. They believed Jesus was God the Son in human form. After Jesus ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit came on to the “believers”, God’s special people began to go anywhere and everywhere telling others about this Jesus. In most places some joined them while others did not. It was difficult. The Christians suffered persecution. Yet the story continues today. All over the world Jesus is building up His special people. Through His apostles, and the New Testament added to the Old, God has given to all who believe the hope of life in heaven with Himself. Those who believe are baptised. The believers still witness about Jesus everywhere they can. When they meet together they eat bread and drink wine to remember Jesus death and resurrection. They look back towards the cross. And they look forward to Jesus’ coming again. This is the Bible’s Big (true) story. Hallelujah! Remember to teach the ACTIONS and VIDEO overview found and demonstrated on the homepage and introductory lesson. p.101

Bible reading John 20:1-18. All through his gospel John is seeking to prove that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God”, so that his readers and listeners will believe and become spiritually alive, John 20:31. John clearly believes in life after death. He believes that this life can be sampled before death too! Participation in this life is available through Jesus Christ the Saviour and Lord. Participation will take a person through physical death and on into the next part of life’s journey. It is like an airplane passenger, staying in the same seat, while gliding majestically up through the grey stratocumulus clouds before bursting into clear blue sunshine filled heavens. This life beyond life is the Christian hope. Life that is more than the one you were born with. Not just life here on earth. Life firing on all cylinders like a smooth running engine, with no misfiring at all. Life as God the Creator intends it to be. This life is the life of Jesus, which Christians share. Consider what John has written for us: “In (Jesus) was Life, and that Life was the Light of men”, John 1:4. Good light brings wonderful colour to our experiences in the world. “Yet, to all who received Him, to those who believed in (Jesus’) name, He gave the right to become children of God”, John 1:12. Children are at the beginning of new lives! God’s children are “born of God”, John 1:13. There is a life added on to this life. An extra life even in this life. Life – as it were – extended upwards into the second floor. Jesus said, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit”, John 3:6. The capital ‘S’ in most Bible translations shows this is the work of God the Holy Spirit in a human life. “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”, John 3:16. Life never ending. Being forever alive. Continuous non-deadness, in a real sense. Christians living even through their own death! One day I will live on: experiencing my own death, and discovering more beyond it. Jesus said, (I paraphrase) “I can give you Living Water”, John 4:10. Anyone who recognises Who Jesus is and who asks for this Living Water will be given it. Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him that sent Me and to finish His work”, John 4:34. We all eat and drink in order to physically live. This extra life we are now looking at has “Living Water” as it’s source and the food of obedience to God’s will as it’s strength. Jesus said, “The Son gives life to whom He is pleased to give it”, John 5:21. He continued, “Whoever hears My word and believes on Him Who sent Me, has eternal life and will not be condemned. He (or she) has crossed from death to life”, John 5:24. Chocolate Easter eggs are bought, and given, but they can only be eaten after being received! Christian believers have received Jesus. His life is God’s gift. Jesus’ life makes an eternal difference to the recipient’s destination when this present existence ends. Everyone does not automatically go to heaven, nor “Rest in Peace”, no matter how often the TV news shows bunches of flowers left at tragedy sites alongside cards with such wishes on! Jesus said, “The bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world”, John 6:33. He added, “I am the Bread of Life”, John 6:35. Thinking about Jesus is our staple diet of spiritual food. Thinking of Jesus is life-giving. True thinking of Jesus is life-sustaining. Jesus said, “Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one (human/Christian) who feeds on Me will live because of Me”, John 6:57. Jesus is full of spiritual nutrients and vitamins, bringing healthy spiritual life to the Christian who meditates on Jesus’ person and work. Jesus is a spiritual health food! In the shops of England I can choose from a variety of foods for a healthy life. But in regards to spiritual life there is only one option. It is found in Jesus! And only in Jesus! Jesus said, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life”, John 6:63. The expressions of Jesus are life-giving even in a desert climate. Jesus said, “… I lay down My life only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord …”, John 10:17-18. Jesus never once surrendered to sin in His entire life on earth. But He did surrender His life for sin, once and for all. Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He (or she) who believes in Me will live, though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die”, John11:25-26. This life we are considering is the person of Jesus. Just as Jesus’ life came safely through death, so everyone who shares His life will pass safely through death too! Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified”, John 12:23. The word “glorified” is John’s code word for the sufferings and death of Jesus from Nazareth. Verse 24 tells us that THE life is going to die! But death is not the end. Jesus’ death will produce much more life, just as a seed gives up itself to produce a plant with many more life-giving seeds. Verse 25 teaches that people who follow Jesus with this perspective are already living an eternal life. Human life is completed (glorified) by dying properly. Dying properly means following Jesus through physical death to undying life in the Spirit beyond. Jesus said, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” John 14:6. Jesus said, “I am the True Vine”, John 15:1. My paraphrase of verse 5 is Jesus continuing, “Remain true to Me and you will have a fruitful life”. Every spring season in England beautiful flowers emerge from the ground, or from plants that look almost dead. The Creator’s life is in them. There is no secret to successful Christian living except Jesus! And Jesus is no secret! Life can be seen in the right season because it simply breaks out of its cover. Jesus said, “Now this is eternal life: that (people) may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent”, John 17:3. And remember why John wrote all these things. “John wrote his gospel account so “that YOU may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing YOU may have life in his name”. Jesus is the Christian hope! His resurrection is the cause of our rejoicing. Because Jesus lives on after His death I can really live before mine! Real life is available to all people who will welcome Jesus into every part of their lives. So, who is this life-giving Lord Jesus? On Good Friday we remember Jesus is God – the God who died as a man. On Easter day we remember Jesus is man – the man who lives as God. I suggest four points to remember about Jesus as the man who lives as God, from John 20:1-18. 1. Jesus the man who was buried, John 19:41-42. Mary went to His burial place, verse 1. So did Peter and John, verse 4. They had seen Him die. They had watched from a distance. They noted where His body was put. They went out to that very spot. Jesus the man, whose body Nicodemus had brought in from Calvary. (Nicodemus seems to have been born again sometime between John 3:1-21 and 19:39-40. The dying Jesus Who bled blood and water, as John himself had seen, John 19:34-35. Jesus the man Who was bloodied and beaten before being crucified, John 19:1. This man Jesus was buried. Jesus the man Who Philip and the rest of the disciples had difficulty believing was anyone more than a mere man, John 14:8-9. Jesus the man whose own step-brothers did not see as anyone other than “their older brother”, John 7:5. In John 20:1-18 this man Jesus was recognised as living on after His death. He was recognised when He pronounced the name “Mary” (Greek: Mariam), John 20:16. The Man she took to be the gardener in the graveyard, but Who was really God-in-the-risen-flesh! Jesus lived beyond His physical death. God was living as a man so that He could die, then live again. 2. Jesus the man going back to His Father, John 20:17. Jesus said to Mary, “Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to My brothers and tell them, “I am returning to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God”. The word “return” means “to go back to”. Later on Jesus ascended to His Father in heaven, Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-10. Here, it is as if He is saying, “I am not yet in the ascended state. I have not yet ascended and remained in the ascended state”.[1] “This verse belongs to a handful of the most difficult passages in the New Testament”.[2] It probably means: “Stop touching Me for I am not yet in the ascended state. You don’t have to hang on to Me as if I am to permanently disappear. This is a time for joy and for sharing the good news …. I am alive and in the process of ascending to My Father”.[3] Three and a half years before His crucifixion Jesus was continually with His disciples. After His resurrection He was not continuously with them. His spiritual body was no longer constrained as it had been during His earthly life. His spiritual body was already transformed into its heavenly reality. Eternity took time to complete what was happening. Jesus wanted to help people believe. Later in John 20:27 Jesus invited Thomas to check that He is the same man, Jesus, by seeing and touching the wounds from the crucifixion process on His body. Thomas was convinced immediately. He spoke in awe and wonder, “My Lord and my God”, John 20:28. Several times John has reminded us that Jesus came from the Father. Now John writes that Jesus is going back where He came from. “The Word became flesh and (lived) among us… the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”, John 1:14. “He who does not honour the Son, does not honour the Father Who sent Him”, John 5:23. “And the Father Who sent Me has Himself testified concerning Me …”, John 5:36-37. “No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws him …”, John 6:44. “My teaching is not My own. It comes from Him Who sent Me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own”, John 7:16-17. “But (Jesus) continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world”, John 8:23. “… He Who sent Me is reliable”, John 8:26. “I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, …” John 8:38. “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and now am here”, John 8:42. (I am the) “One Whom the Father set apart as His very own and sent into the world”, John 10:36. His claims to have come from the Father resulted in Jesus being in court. Legalistic religion challenged the loving God over blasphemy. “This man claims to be the Son of God”, (see John 10:33). Jesus was so much a man His accusers did not recognise Him as anything else. Jesus simply said Who He was. He was killed for speaking the truth. The truth was that Jesus was (and is) God. “I am returning to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God”, John 20:17. 3. Jesus the man Who has brothers and sisters. The man Jesus has blood relatives, but not human blood from the same human father and mother. Jesus had no human father. He was not orphaned. His parents were not divorced. Jesus never at any time had had a human father. The blood that soaked into Calvary’s earth at the place where His cross sank into the ground bought Jesus His family! Blood relatives in a completely new way. Some women and some men. Some old and some young. Some people from every tribe, culture, race, and colour under the sun are altogether in Jesus’ family. John 20:17, “Tell My brothers” Jesus said to Mary. Not His human brothers – fellow children of Mary – but His disciples, (compare Mark 3:31-35). His born-again family are those who chose to follow Him in life and in death. Later, these disciples would see Him, John 20:19. In a locked room on the first evening after His resurrection, the third after His execution. Jesus appeared to join them. Seven days later they saw Him again in the same way and the same place, John 20:26-27. The disciples had breakfast with the risen Jesus on a Galilee beach, John 21:1-14. But to begin with these disciples only had the testimony of another to lead them towards their personal beliefs. Jesus, the Man they lived with for some three and a half years; Jesus the Man Who was buried; Jesus Who was going back to His Father – God in heaven; this Jesus was calling them His brothers! He was no mere man. He had conquered death. The grave could not keep Him under. He had eternal life. And reader, if you are “born again” (John 3:3-5), if you are “born of God”, (John1:13), you are Jesus’ brother or sister too! If you have “received Him”, (John 1:12), you share eternal life with Him, (1 John 5:11-12). 4. Jesus the Man to believe in. John tells us that Mary believed. She said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!”, John 20:18. John tells us that the disciples believed. “The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord”, John 20:20. Jesus’ first followers knew the facts they found faith and therefore they had a firm future, on a Holy Spirit inspired commission, “Peace be with you! (Arabic: Salaam alekum!) As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you”, John 20:21. John even tells us that doubting Thomas eventually believed, John 20:24-29. Thomas was blessed when he saw the nail prints in Jesus’ body, but he was not as blessed as he could have been had he simply believed the testimony of the others. And so John asks the question of us, his readers, centuries later. What about you? It requires a basic and uncomplicated answer. If you believe you have 100% complete life. If you do not believe you remain dead before God in your sin. You remain a dead loss, with a dead end. A dead duck who is dead beat! And if you choose to remain so dead, you will never know what it is to really live, either before or after your own earthly death. In his later letters John wrote this. “The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us”, 1 John 1:2. This Man Jesus “is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world”, 1 John 2:2. Jesus has taken the judicial wrath of God against sin, on to Himself. He now clothes those of us exposed by sin and its consequences with a made-to-measure outfit of His own righteousness. It brilliantly suits us! Our sin is imputed to God the Son Jesus Christ, and His right standing with His Father, God the Father, is imputed to us. God saves us and God sanctifies us. Jesus our Saviour is the man God Himself became in order to do precisely that. Now Jesus remains the God-man in heaven. God the Son’s divine nature is permanently united with His human nature. Jesus lives forever, not just as the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity (as before his Incarnation), but also as Jesus – the man born of Mary, the carpenter Messiah, having crafted the salvation of His people under his Father in heaven’s watchful eye! The Man Jesus fully met God’s requirements to solve the problem of human sin. And the Man Jesus fully meets man’s need of a Saviour! Jesus, the Man Who now lives again, as the God He has always been! I urge you to believe now and to have life in His name from this day onwards. by Colin Salter. Original message 27th March 2005; this one revised 5th July 2007. Part of a series: “Who Jesus really is”. [1] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Leicester: IVP) 1994, p.593-594. [2] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Leicester: IVP) 1991, p.641-642. [3] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Leicester: IVP) 1991, p.644.

Bible reading Revelation 5:1-14. Have you ever played that game where one person in the group says a word out loud, and all of the others have to reply quickly with the first associated word that comes into their minds? For example, I say “black” – you say “white”. I say “life” – you say “death”. I say “river” – you say “Nile” (or “Thames”, depending on where you live!). What comes into your mind when you hear this word: “Jesus”? May be you think of the Christmas story: the nativity, the shepherds, the angels, etc. May be Good Friday, Easter, the cross and the resurrection. Perhaps you think first of Jesus’ miracles, His healings, or 5,000 hungry people being fed using almost no resources. It could be you think how He bucked the establishment, going against the traditional teaching of the ruling Scribes and the Pharisees. Or how Jesus recruited a rag tag army of followers largely from among the common people. What comes first into your mind when you think of Jesus? You may think of the pre-incarnate God the Son, being in heaven’s glory before creation happened. Alternatively, you could spring to mind a theophany from our Old Testament – where “God cannot resist appearing in history”[1], like: His appearance to call Abraham, Acts 7:2,3; Genesis 11:31-12:4 – whose faith learned to live with uncertainty. Abraham left behind a comfortable familiarity when he was called to a definite uncertainty, and he obeyed. His appearance to comfort Hagar, Genesis 16:7 – a lady on the run with a challenging family situation. His appearance to Moses, Exodus 3:2-10 – at the burning bush, before Moses call to unbelievably tough and demanding service. His appearance to Joshua, Joshua 5:13-15 – before the battle of Jericho. His appearance to Gideon, Judges 6:11-18 – before the defeat of the Midianites. His appearance to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and the watching crowd, Daniel 3:16-28 – inside Nebuchadnezzar’s hot and fiery furnace. What comes into your mind when you think about Jesus? I want us to look now at the ultimate reality of Jesus. “Ultimate” means conclusive, highest, most significant.[2] These are the greatest and best factual concepts about Jesus that we can ever possibly know. The last Bible book, Revelation, starts off: “The revelation of Jesus Christ” 1:1 in the New International Version. Some translations prefer “the revelation from Jesus Christ”, see New Living Translation or J.B. Phillips. Both are correct. “Jesus is both the source and the subject of Revelation”.[3] The word “revelation” means uncovering – like pulling back the curtains to look through the window as the 6a.m. dawn comes. The Greek gives us the English word “apocalypse” – prophetic disclosure of momentous and shattering importance. In England packets of cigarettes all carry a government required printed warning: “Smoking can seriously damage your health”. Driving along our motorways we see government signs warning “Tiredness can kill, take a break”. Let me warn you of something. In the book of Revelation we see Jesus in a way that could seriously challenge our spiritual sluggishness! Our lethargy will be lost when we see Jesus in as much of His glory as we can manage. What comes into your mind when you think of the Lord Jesus? I understand Revelation 1:1,2 to mean this: Here is the way Jesus Christ really is, as God the Father first showed Jesus Himself when asking Him to pass it on to all of His servants. Grasping this will give those servants a sure and certain hope for the future, irrespective of what is going on around them now. It is an idea to read Revelation skipping over all the detailed imagery and action, and purely extract from it the descriptions it gives of Jesus! That’s what we are going to do now. The things we read we can then put into our minds to think about and meditate upon Him. They are biblical thoughts – how we should think correctly about the Lord Jesus. Given time these thoughts will mature our thinking about Him, about Who Jesus is and what He is doing. I have recently been in correspondence through our local newspaper the Western Morning News and their opinion columns. It has been about the person of Jesus. Someone wrote accusing me of “playing around with the word of God by setting forth Jesus as the deity”. I wrote in my starting letter “the most important questions anyone can answer are: Who was Jesus? Was Jesus actually God become man?”. I stated my own belief that Jesus was and is God. Now let us see what Revelation puts into our minds as ways to think about Who Jesus really is. I’m going to share 15 ideas. 1. Jesus is the world super-power, 1:5. “ruler of the kings of the earth”.[4] Never mind local, central or world government. Leave aside “power to the people”. Do not worry about the dominance of Khartoum, Cairo, Brussels, Washington or London. The Lord Jesus is the authority, the director, the real one Who exercises government over our world and over our ways. In 6:10,11 Jesus is called “Sovereign Lord, holy and true”. The sovereign is supreme. In the United Kingdom our elected parliament is technically belonging to our monarch. Every session of parliament is introduced by the Queen’s speech. In the speech the Queen says: “My government will …” Unlike the UK system of technical and ceremonial niceties, our Lord Jesus is “Lord of lords and King of kings”, 17:14. He reigns supreme. Submit your life to the government of Jesus, so that it shows in your every day life. Honour Him above all else. How do you think of Jesus? 2. Jesus is the great time keeper. Both the martyred and the living saints must learn Jesus is the great time keeper. “He is coming”, 1:7; “How long, O Lord?”, 6:10. We see a long term certainty beyond all temporary unknowns. Our hurry is never shared by our unrushed Master! He is never late. He is never early. He is so absolutely in total control. How do you think of Jesus? 3. Jesus has the real church in His grip, 1:12-20. Verses 12-16 describe a man of awesome appearance, with piercing eyes, strikingly pure white head and hair, dressed like an impressive person of dignity and influence of His day. He is top class. Jesus Christ the Lord. But, for our encouragement, we must also notice what is firmly held in His right hand. Verse 16 “seven stars”, explained in His own words, verse 20 “the angels or messengers (or representative delegates) of the seven churches”. Seven means the complete number. The seven cities mentioned stand for the entire Christian church. Jesus has such a grasp of His church – and therefore of us for we are the church – we can know for certain that nothing happening to us escapes His interest. 2:1, “He holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands”. Here we see Jesus, the dynamic Lord, involved in the life and the ministry of His churches. Listen to the repeated phrases of chapters 2 and 3, from the never ending, life-giving stream of His words. Jesus says: “I know”, “I hold”, “I will”, “I tell you”, “I have”, “I will come”. These are often repeated for slow learners like me! Jesus the super power has my life in His timetable and it is all going to schedule. How do you think of Jesus? 4. Jesus speaks true words that cut straight to the point, “ a sharp double-edged sword”, 1:16, 2:12, 2:16. Jesus’ word never fails to cut. It either cuts with the edge of salvation when it is taken on board, or it cuts with the edge of condemnation when it is ignored – filed away and forgotten in the pending tray! The same word always has this double effect. It can prune towards new life and in can excise dead wood for burning at one and the same time. Like a train that leaves the railway station on time: some people catch it while others do not. Different responses to the same train. How do you think of Jesus Christ? 5. Jesus is the starter and finisher of all that is important or significant. “I am the First and the Last”, 1:17; 2:8. The Greek letters “Alpha and Omega” 22:13, come from the beginning and the end of the Greek alphabet. Everything else is in between. Yes, there are many things in life. And we are all busy enough. But there are only a few vital things in life – and none more so than placing yourself into whatever it is that Jesus is doing. He is worthwhile. He is momentous. All He does is notable in eternity. Why waste your life doing only what a non-Christian can do? My son John has just bought his own boat and is learning to sail. Sailors put their sails to catch the wind and then they are excitingly blown along. All true Christians live in the power and ability of Jesus. How do you think of Jesus right now? 6. Jesus is set apart from everyone else and is Himself the standard and judge of right and wrong. He is “holy and true”, 3:7; 6:10. He is the “faithful and true witness”, 3:14. Jesus is accurate, specific; He is upright. Jesus can always be relied upon, like explorers trust their compass to point to magnetic north. Jesus is the template for quality control in our own lives. His pattern is our goal. We should conform to His image. In 3:7-13 no condemnation was spoken of Philadelphia to whom this description “holy and true” was made. Perhaps they had learned that the weaker they were the better Jesus shone through them. They had little strength, but Jesus was everything for them. How strange that we often talk about building “strong” churches! Do we think correctly of Jesus? 7. Jesus is the lion-hearted innocent lamb. 5:5,6 “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, …. a Lamb”. Jesus is the dominant principle in life. He does not resist when we wrong Him. His regal role is submitted to the way of gentle victory. There is a contradiction in Jesus that is not a denial of himself but a declaration of who Jesus truly is. “The wrath of the Lamb” 6:16,17. He is a Lamb who can be righteously angry. Are you thinking correctly of Jesus? 8. Jesus was crucified long before Calvary! 5:6,12 “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain”. 13:8 “slain before the creation of the world”. The English Standard Version and Good News Bible do not agree with this latter translation. The New International Version puts an alternative in the margin. The thought is right either way. Even if the translation is made that peoples’ names “are in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world”, at the very least it means that the idea of Jesus’ substitutionary atonement was from before the beginning of time. The human Jesus was as good as dead from the day of his birth. Calvary was always designed by God to be the crossroads of history. This is hot news! There is a cross on history – not just on a currant bun! The death of One sacrificial Lamb opened life with God to the world. All this God planned since for ever back. Do you think enough about the real Jesus? Will you do so from now? We could say more! 9. Jesus is our guide and keeper. 7:17, “the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd”. He and His way alone meet every need we ever have. 10. Jesus is the winner! 11:15, “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever”. Jesus has punched the air and done His victory somersault. The gold medal is around His neck. 11. Jesus is the absolute boss! 12:10, ”Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ”. He has authority – the power and the right to judge and to control others. 12. Jesus is the star of glory! In 21:22 John wrote, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple”. Jesus is the centre of worship. There is no temple in heaven. Why would we need the symbols when the reality is present? The singing, the shouting, the trumpet blasting of heaven – and it is going to be loud (trace the loudness through Revelation: 5:2, 6:1, 7:2, 7:10, 8:13, 10:13, 11:15, 18:2) – will be like a sports crowd or a pop concert audience lauding and applauding. The chant will be “JESUS! JESUS! JESUS!” Jesus is the star of glory and He is called from His own lips “the bright Morning Star”, 22:16. Jesus is far bigger than stars of film screen, sports arena or stage. The world may fear terrorism, nuclear war, ecological meltdown. But the Bible teaches our darkness of a long night is about to end, and a day without shadows or end is about to dawn. How do you think of the brilliant Jesus? 13. Jesus is permanent. 22:16, “The root and offspring of David”. Jesus lived long after King David in history but He lived well before King David in eternity. David was produced by Him, and centuries later David’s descendant produced the baby Jesus! There’s nothing and no-one Who can be counted upon like Jesus! What do you think of Him? 14. Jesus is making a comeback! 1:1, “What must soon take place”. 1:7, “Look He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him”. When some people make a comeback in their chosen careers they may not quite reach their former peak. Jesus will exceed His previous life on earth when He returns. Not just a few healings in Palestine, but no more sickness or pain! Not comfort for a grieving mother or sisters, but wiping every single last tear drop away! 22:7,12,20, “I am coming soon”, repeated three times in the last chapter of God’s final written word to us. You and I know the conclusion of history! It is told us in Revelation. Which brings us to the last of my fifteen of Revelation’s suggestions for ways to think of Jesus. 15. Jesus is the One who popped the question! Did you know you may be going to a wedding later this year? 19:7,8; 21:2; 21:9, all tell of this wedding of Jesus and His bride. This wedding you are going to is no ordinary one for you. You and I – if we are Christians – make up the bride! Jesus is the One who popped the question. He has invited us to be with Him. To be close to Him. To be one with Him. He has invited us to be one only with Him and with no-one else. Sadly, modern divorce rates only serve to spoil this picture. And this wedding is all planned. We do not know the date. But it will be a celebration for all the world. Every nationality will be represented. All the friends of Jesus – from day one to the last judgement day – will be at His Father’s home for the fabulous reception. There is no need to worry about the clothing side, feeling out of place etc. We will see Jesus as He is and we will be changed to be like Him! 19:6,7 “Hallelujah! For the Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready”. So, how do you think about Jesus? What comes into your mind when someone mentions His name? We sometimes get so discouraged and down, despairing and doubtful – because we are looking at the wrong things, staring in the wrong direction. From Revelation we have noticed: 1. Jesus is the world super power 2. Jesus is the great time keeper 3. Jesus has the real church in His grip. 4. Jesus speaks true words that cut straight to the point 5. Jesus is the starter and finisher of all that is significant 6. Jesus is set apart from everyone else and is Himself the standard and judge of right and wrong 7. Jesus is the innocent lion-hearted lamb 8. Jesus was crucified long before Calvary, in the Father’s plan 9. Jesus is our guide and keeper 10. Jesus is the winner 11. Jesus is the absolute boss 12. Jesus is the star of glory 13. Jesus is permanent 14. Jesus is making a certain comeback 15. Jesus is the One who popped the question to us: “Will you be in my bride on that day”? May God help us to think of Jesus as we really should and to be ready to be at one with Him on that day. by Colin Salter. Original message 25th January 2004; this one revised 27th September 2007. Part of a series: “Who Jesus really is”. [1] Stephen, Jonathan Theophany: Close Encounters with the Son of God (Epsom: Day One Publications) 1998, p.32. [2] Collins English Dictionary (Glasgow: Harper Collins) 1995. [3]Handbook to the Bible (Berkhamsted: Lion Publishing) 1973, p.646. [4] All Bible quotations are from the New International Version, unless stated otherwise.