Weekly Guide ：Week 1
January 28, 2018
Genesis tells the story that God created man out of His own image, man’s downfall due to sin, and God’s plan and choosing of an imperfect nation to start His salvation process.
Question
Where did the world come from?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Chapter 1 verse 1 to chapter 2 verse 3 is the beginning of the book of Genesis. It is the prelude to the rest of the Bible.
-
God created the world from His word. All was good and He created man and woman from His image; He rested on the 7th day and made that day Holy.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walk with God - How does understanding that all things in the world are created by God’s word helps me to know the power of His word? Do I doubt the power of His word in transforming my own life?
-
Identity - How does it help to know my own value and worth knowing that God created me with His own image?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the man live when God created the world?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Genesis 2:4-4:26 is the first of the ten segments of Adam and Eve’s family history.
-
God created man and put him in the Garden of Eden. God also made Eve out of Adam’s rib so help each other and become one (Gen 2:4-25); The serpent deceived man and caused him to be separated from God (Gen 3:1-24); Man’s downfall continued with Cain’s murder of his brother Abel to Lamech’s arrogance. Only then, people began to call on the name of the Lord (Gen 4:1-26)
Meditation: My Story
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was the offspring of Adam and Eve’s relation with God developed?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The second segment of Adam and Eve’s Family history is the account their other son, Seth and his family.
-
Seth had Adam’s image; Adam died; Enoch walked faithfully with God; Noah “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands…”; Because of their wickedness, God “…will wipe from the face of the earth … the human race …” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
-
Contrast with Cain’s family.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walk with God - Am I like Noah, pray and live by God’s word? What is impeding me to walk with God?
-
Integrity - How much of my thoughts are good? Are evil? How can I keep my thoughts good and pure?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What is the result of sin?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
This is the third segment of Adam and Eve’s family, the account of Noah’s family.
-
Like Enoch, Noah walked with God. The flood was brought by the sin of the world. Noah was saved because of his righteousness and submission. The flood renewed the world, God established new covenant with Noah and gave him command “be fruitful and increase in number.” The sons of Noah continued to sin but Shem was blessed.
-
A race was selected from the sinful world and brought hope that the final salvation will come through them.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - Am I drifting in the sinful world like everyone else or live in God’s light as His children like Noah?
-
Fidelity - It seemed that Noah had an impossible task at hand but “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” Am I facing some tasks that seems to be impossible? Am I following His command?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the human history develop after the great flood?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The fourth segment of Adam and Eve’s family history, the account of Noah’s sons and their families.
-
The offspring of Noah’s sons Shem, Ham and Japheth became many of the ethnic groups familiar to Israelites. They then build the tower of Babel which caused them to scatter and speak different languages.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - People build tower of Babel to glorify themselves. Am I to glorify God or myself with the works I have?
-
Fidelity - My service at church came from God’s calling or to satisfy my own desire? Do I often ask God and follow His will in serving?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How does God’s salvation plan continue among the nations?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The tenth segment of the family history of Adam and Eve. The account of Shem’s family.
-
This history connects Abram (Abraham), the ancestor of Israel, to Noah’s son Shem and the history of the world. In another word, it connects the history of man’s downfall to God’s salvation plan. Luke 3:34-36 reminds us the importance of this family for their offspring Abraham will bring blessings to all people.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - God saves the people of His election. Do I understand I am one of the elected ones?
-
Fidelity - Can God use me to bring salvation to those people I know, such as family, friends, or co-workers?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the birth of Jesus Christ realize God's promise?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Genealogy of Jesus is recorded in Matthew. He descended from Abraham and David. He was of royal identity (1:1-18).
+ Jesus was born of virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, as God promised (1:22-23).
+ The Maji from the east followed God to see Jesus (2:1-12).
+ Joseph led his family to Egypt to escape from Herod and later came back to Nazareth to live. All have been foretold by God's prophets (2:15-23).
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Every step of Jesus' birth fulfilled what God had said through His prophets. God's promises do not change because of man's weakness. Am I unable to let go of my worries? Let me see God's faithfulness, remember His promises, pray and ask Him to carry my burdens and take away my worries.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus win over Satan's temptations?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, He came into scene in front of the Israelites.
+ Jesus got baptized in water then went into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. This was analogous to the Israelites where they went through the Red Sea and then wondered for forty years in the wilderness. However, Lord Jesus Christ won over all of Satan's temptations whereas the Israelites failed time after time.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** -Jesus faced same temptations as the Israelites: bodily necessities (food and water), testing God's will (Israelites went into Canaan without God), profit from Satan worshiping (golden calf, Baals). Israelites failed on all tests but Jesus won all with God's word. Jesus had set great examples for us to follow and be strengthened by Him so that we may win over temptations. What temptations have I won over through God? What temptations have I conceded to because I did not rely on God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jesus teach us about how we should live our lives?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus called the first disciples: "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." Jesus traveled throughout Galilee to preach Gospel, to heal the sick, and to drive out evil spirits. Many followed Him.
+ Jesus preached to those who followed Him the Gospel from heaven which is the Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:29). Today's reading covers 5:1-6:18 which includes the Beatitude (5:3-11), God's people's responsibility of being the salt and light of the world (5:12-16), how God's people should live their lives, and the true Godly spiritual life (6:1-18).
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What is the true blessing? What blessings am I pursuing? How does Jesus' teaching help me change my view on blessings? From Jesus' teaching on what our daily and spiritual life ought to be, what changes do I need to ask God to help me on?
+ **Fidelity** - God's people are the salt and light of the world. What are the functions of salt and light? How do I make use of these functions? Looking back, what opportunities did God give me to be the salt and light? Did I grab onto those opportunities?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What does Jesus teach about loving God and loving others?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Serve only God (6:19-34), treat others in God pleasing ways (7:1-12), and take root in Godly life our obedience and faith (7:13-27).
+ People were amazed as Jesus spoke with authority.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - We cannot serve both God and Money. What is our attitude when serving money? Often through different means God makes us see that when we value money more than Him we are actually serving money, although we may think otherwise. It is the distrust of God's supply and His protection that brings us worries and impedes our total reliance in God. What worries do I have? Ask God to help me lay down my worries to Him. There are many impurities in the root of my faith. Ask God Himself to purify me, to help me build the foundation of my faith on Him, the Rock.
+ **Community** - How should I treat my family members, fellow Christians, co-workers, colleagues, and neighbors according to the teaching Do Not Judge and the golden rule of Loving Others as Yourself? (Golden rule, 7:12, so in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What ability did Jesus show through the miracles He performed?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The chapters 8 and 9 record the miracles Jesus performed which displayed His great power had won over Satan's.
+ Two independent contents were inserted in between the miracles: 1. The cost of following Jesus (8:18-22); 2. Opposition to Jesus and the beginning of His persecution (9:9-17).
+ Jesus had compassion on the crowds when He saw them as lost sheeps without a shepherd which brought out the Great Commission in later chapters.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The power of Jesus is greater than Satan's. What challenges am I facing now? What power did Jesus show through the miracles He performed would allow me to see that none of the challenges I am facing is greater than God's authority? Jesus is merciful and has compassion on us who are lost. He is the good shepherd. How should I become familiar to His voice and follow Him to turn away from Satan's lies and troubles of the world?
+ **Fidelity** - There's a price to pay to follow God. Am I willing to pay that price and commit myself to Him today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jesus commission the twelve disciples to do?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus sent out His twelve disciples to spread the Gospel, reminded them of the difficulties they will face, the cost of following Him, as well as God's presence, His equipping, and the rewards.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - What did God commission me to do? (see Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) What does Jesus's command to the disciples to preach Gospel remind me of in my service to the Lord? Am I relying on my own skills, money, or God alone?
+ **Fidelity** - What does this attitude "freely you have received; freely give" (10:8) of preaching Gospel remind me? Do I have any reservation when preaching?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the birth of Jesus Christ realize God's promise?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Genealogy of Jesus is recorded in Matthew. He descended from Abraham and David. He was of royal identity (1:1-18).
+ Jesus was born of virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, as God promised (1:22-23).
+ The Maji from the east followed God to see Jesus (2:1-12).
+ Joseph led his family to Egypt to escape from Herod and later came back to Nazareth to live. All have been foretold by God's prophets (2:15-23).
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Every step of Jesus' birth fulfilled what God had said through His prophets. God's promises do not change because of man's weakness. Am I unable to let go of my worries? Let me see God's faithfulness, remember His promises, pray and ask Him to carry my burdens and take away my worries.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus win over Satan's temptations?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, He came into scene in front of the Israelites.
+ Jesus got baptized in water then went into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. This was analogous to the Israelites where they went through the Red Sea and then wondered for forty years in the wilderness. However, Lord Jesus Christ won over all of Satan's temptations whereas the Israelites failed time after time.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** -Jesus faced same temptations as the Israelites: bodily necessities (food and water), testing God's will (Israelites went into Canaan without God), profit from Satan worshiping (golden calf, Baals). Israelites failed on all tests but Jesus won all with God's word. Jesus had set great examples for us to follow and be strengthened by Him so that we may win over temptations. What temptations have I won over through God? What temptations have I conceded to because I did not rely on God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jesus teach us about how we should live our lives?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus called the first disciples: "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." Jesus traveled throughout Galilee to preach Gospel, to heal the sick, and to drive out evil spirits. Many followed Him.
+ Jesus preached to those who followed Him the Gospel from heaven which is the Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:29). Today's reading covers 5:1-6:18 which includes the Beatitude (5:3-11), God's people's responsibility of being the salt and light of the world (5:12-16), how God's people should live their lives, and the true Godly spiritual life (6:1-18).
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What is the true blessing? What blessings am I pursuing? How does Jesus' teaching help me change my view on blessings? From Jesus' teaching on what our daily and spiritual life ought to be, what changes do I need to ask God to help me on?
+ **Fidelity** - God's people are the salt and light of the world. What are the functions of salt and light? How do I make use of these functions? Looking back, what opportunities did God give me to be the salt and light? Did I grab onto those opportunities?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What does Jesus teach about loving God and loving others?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Serve only God (6:19-34), treat others in God pleasing ways (7:1-12), and take root in Godly life our obedience and faith (7:13-27).
+ People were amazed as Jesus spoke with authority.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - We cannot serve both God and Money. What is our attitude when serving money? Often through different means God makes us see that when we value money more than Him we are actually serving money, although we may think otherwise. It is the distrust of God's supply and His protection that brings us worries and impedes our total reliance in God. What worries do I have? Ask God to help me lay down my worries to Him. There are many impurities in the root of my faith. Ask God Himself to purify me, to help me build the foundation of my faith on Him, the Rock.
+ **Community** - How should I treat my family members, fellow Christians, co-workers, colleagues, and neighbors according to the teaching Do Not Judge and the golden rule of Loving Others as Yourself? (Golden rule, 7:12, so in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What ability did Jesus show through the miracles He performed?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The chapters 8 and 9 record the miracles Jesus performed which displayed His great power had won over Satan's.
+ Two independent contents were inserted in between the miracles: 1. The cost of following Jesus (8:18-22); 2. Opposition to Jesus and the beginning of His persecution (9:9-17).
+ Jesus had compassion on the crowds when He saw them as lost sheeps without a shepherd which brought out the Great Commission in later chapters.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The power of Jesus is greater than Satan's. What challenges am I facing now? What power did Jesus show through the miracles He performed would allow me to see that none of the challenges I am facing is greater than God's authority? Jesus is merciful and has compassion on us who are lost. He is the good shepherd. How should I become familiar to His voice and follow Him to turn away from Satan's lies and troubles of the world?
+ **Fidelity** - There's a price to pay to follow God. Am I willing to pay that price and commit myself to Him today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jesus commission the twelve disciples to do?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus sent out His twelve disciples to spread the Gospel, reminded them of the difficulties they will face, the cost of following Him, as well as God's presence, His equipping, and the rewards.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - What did God commission me to do? (see Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) What does Jesus's command to the disciples to preach Gospel remind me of in my service to the Lord? Am I relying on my own skills, money, or God alone?
+ **Fidelity** - What does this attitude "freely you have received; freely give" (10:8) of preaching Gospel remind me? Do I have any reservation when preaching?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Where did the universe come from?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Chapter 1 to chapter 2 verse 3 is the beginning of the Book of Genesis. It is prelude to the entire Bible.
+ God create the world with His word. All was good and He created man and woman from His image; He rested on the 7th day and made that day Holy.
### Meditation: My Story
+ Walk with God - How does understanding that all things in the world are created by God's word helps me to know the power of His word? Do I doubt the power of His word in transforming my own life?
+ **Identity** - How does it help to know my own value and worth, knowing that God created me with His own image?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the man live when God created the world?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Genesis 2:4-4:26 is the first of the ten segments of Adam and Eve's family history.
+ God created man and put him in the Garden of Eden. God also made Eve out of Adam's rib for them to help each other and become one (2:4-25); The serpent deceived man and caused him to be separated from God (3:1-24); Man's downfall continued with Cain's murder of his brother Abel to Lamech's arrogance. Only then, people began to call on the name of the Lord (4:1-26.)
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - What does the downfall of Adam and Eve tell me? Am I doing things not to God's liking due to my own pride and desire?
+ **Identity** - Am I willing to call on God's name and face my own heart?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was the relationship between Adam and Eve's offspring and God developed?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The second segment of Adam and Eve's Family history is the account their other son, Seth and his family.
+ Seth had Adam's image; Adam died; Enoch walked faithfully with God; Noah "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands..."; Because of their wickedness, God "...will wipe from the face of the earth ... the human race ..." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Contrast with Cain's family.
### Meditation: My Story
+ Walk with God - Am I like Enoch, pray and live by God's word? What is impeding me to walk with God?
+ **Integrity** - How much of my thoughts are good? Are evil? How can I keep my thoughts good and pure?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the result of sin?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ This is the third segment of Adam and Eve's family, the account of Noah's family.
+ Like Enoch, Noah walked with God. The flood was brought by the sin of the world. Noah was saved because of his righteousness and submission. The flood renewed the world, God established new covenant with Noah and commanded him to "be fruitful and increase in number." The sons of Noah continued to sin but Shem was blessed.
+ A race was selected from the sinful world and brought hope that the final salvation will come through them.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Am I drifting in the sinful world like everyone else or live in God's light as His children like Noah?
+ **Fidelity** - It seemed that Noah had an impossible task at hand but "Noah did everything just as God commanded him." Am I facing some tasks that seems to be impossible? Am I following His command?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the human history develop after the great flood?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The fourth segment of Adam and Eve's family history, the account of Noah's sons and their families.
+ The offspring of Noah's sons. Shem, Ham and Japheth became many of the ethnic groups familiar to Israelites. They built the tower of Babel which caused them to scatter and speak different languages.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - People built tower of Babel to glorify themselves. Am I to glorify God or myself with the works I do?
+ **Fidelity** - My service at church came from God's calling or to satisfy my own desire? Do I often ask God and follow His will in serving?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God's salvation plan continue among the nations?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The fifth segment of Adam and Eve's the family history. The account of Shem's family.
+ This history connects Abram (Abraham), the ancestor of Israel, to Noah's son Shem and the history of the world. In another word, it connects the history of man's downfall to God's salvation plan. Luke 3:34-36 reminds us the importance of this family for their offspring Abraham would bring blessings to all people.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God saves the people of His election. Do I know I am of the elected?
+ **Fidelity** - Can God use me to bring salvation to those people I know, such as family, friends, or co-workers?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses