Weekly Guide ：Week 2
February 04, 2018
Question
How did God call and protect Abram, the one He selected?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The seventh of ten segments Adam and Eve’s family history, Terah’s family.
-
Abram followed God’s calling and left Ur. Abram’s wife Sarai was unable to bear child. God promised Abram land, offspring, and nation. Despite Abram’s lie, God kept His promise and protected Sarai to bring forth the offspring He has promised.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - from God’s calling of Abram, we can see the calling to every Christians. Do I have faith to answer His calling?
-
Integrity - even the father of all faith Abram has moments of weakness and lied in Egypt. But God did not give up on him. Am I willing to lean on God to strengthen me when I’m weak?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did God protected the land He has promised Abram?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Continue from previous day’s scripture describing how God protected the land He promised Abram.
-
Abram and Lot separated due to the arguments between their shepherds. Lot chose the land that looked fine but full of sin. Abram rescued Lot and people of Sodom and became the blessing of these people.
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Genesis 2:4-4:26 is the first of the ten segments of Adam and Eve’s family history.
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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 did God promise Abram’s offspring?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The story of continuing promise. God’s covenant with Abram’s offspring.
-
God promised Abram that he would have offspring too numerous to count, will go back to the promised land. Abram and Sarai still attempted with their own effort and followed their own way. Even in human’s weakness, God is still faithful in His promise. His love went beyond Abram and took care the suffering Hagar.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - Although Hagar was a slave, she was still in God’s care. What encouragement and comfort does her story give me today?
-
Integrity - Despite the promise of God, Abram and Sarai often showed lack of patience and attempted to do things through limited human power. Have I or am I waiting impatiently? What does the story of Abram and Sarai remind me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did God strengthen His promise to Abram?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Genesis 17 continuing the theme of God’s Promise, the Covenant of Circumcision, reaffirming the promise of the nation, the offspring, and the land.
-
Before the promise of offspring was fulfilled, God made Covenant with Abram with circumcision, from which Abram and offspring were chosen and to be the blessings of all people. God renamed Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God - God’s promise seems to be out of reach. Abraham lowered his body to God but not in his heart and laughed. Am I a superficial follower by doing things my way? How does God’s reaffirmation of His promise encourage me?
-
Identity - God’s renaming of Abram and Sarai signifies their new identity. Do I value the new identity Jesus Christ has given me?
\
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
When will the promise of offspring be fulfilled?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Continues the theme of promise. God’s messengers pointed out the time when Sarah would give birth.
-
Like Abraham, Sarah laughed at the promise. However, this time God blamed Sarah in addition to reaffirming the promise.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God - God reaffirmed his promise repeatedly to strengthen Abraham’s faith. Do I remember God’s promise to me? Ask God to strengthen my faith and keep me focused on His promise.
-
Integrity - There’s nothing cannot be accomplished by God. Am I facing insurmountable difficulties? Remind myself of God’s promise, omnipotence, and love.
-
Fidelity - Abraham served as servant the three man who appeared before him. How am I reminded by his attitude? How can I serve those who God has placed beside me today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
God promised Abraham land. What would the sinful land that did not please Him become?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The becoming of the land, people, nation that were not pleasing to God.
-
As God going to judge Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham pleaded to God for them. Lot protected the angels and the angels led him out of Sodom. Lot’s daughter got offspring with human’s way.
Meditation: My Story
-
Integrity - Although Lot has learned God’s mind; his wife ignored the warning and looked back; his daughters got offspring with their way. How does Lot’s story remind me? How should I build a Godly family?
-
Fidelity - Abraham pleased to God for the sinful Sodom. What can I do for our sinful world today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus reveal his identify through answering John and Pharisees?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus answered John the Baptist's question while he was in prison. Jesus also explained to the crowds about John's identity and God's plan where heaven is for those who follow Jesus, not by one's own efforts. Jesus denounced the towns' people for they did not repent and then invited all to rest their souls in Him.
+ Jesus performed miracle during Sabbath to show He is the Lord of the Sabbath. He truly satisfied the law on Sabbath. Jesus rebuked Pharisees' remark that Jesus was from the Beelzebul.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus told John the Baptist: "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." Some gained faith after seeing God's deeds while others wavered and fell. May God bless me with ever strengthened faith.
+ **Identity** - Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. I can bring all my burdens to Jesus and ask what it means to be gentle and humble. What does it mean to take His yoke, and what should I learn from Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the parables Jesus used to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus used seven parables to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven: The parable of the sower, the parable of the weeds, the parable of the muster seed, the parable of the yeast, the parable of the hidden treasure, the parable of the pearl, and the parable of the net.
+ Jesus explained to the disciples the reason he spoke the parables to the crowds.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Even though we did not witness with our own eyes the miracle Jesus performed and did not hear with our own ears what Jesus spoke, but we are ever so blessed with God's word and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We ought to cherish what God has given us, study Bible every day, pray and obey to guidance of the Holy Spirit.
+ **Identity** - How is the seed from the Kingdom of Heaven germinating in my heart? Pray to God and ask Him to soften my heart, remove the thorn and the rock, to produce crop a hundred times!
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What made those on the boat see Jesus as the Son of God?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The suspicion on Jesus' identity and the discussion on His wisdom and abilities intensified.
+ Jesus fed five thousand, walked on water, and those on the boat worshiped Him as the Son of God.
+ The pharisees challenged Jesus with ancestor's traditions. Jesus pointed out to them that they broke God's command for the sake of the tradition.
+ Jesus continued to heal more, fed four thousand, and the people were amazed and praised the God of Israel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - As Jesus began to reveal His true identity, some were more doubtful and refused Him while others got to know Him deeper. How did God lead me to know Him deeper? Did I ever refuse Him? How did God bring me out from the dead end?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Peter come to know Jesus' true identity?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Led by God, Peter came to know Jesus' true identity, but he did not understand when Jesus talked about His death and resurrection. Jesus transfigured before Peter, John, and James with Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him. They were covered with bright cloud and God said: "This is my son." Peter gotten to know Jesus deeper.
+ Jesus predicted His death and resurrection twice.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Peter did not come to know Jesus by his own rationale but by the guidance and revelation from the Holy Spirit. We, too, cannot know God without the Holy Spirit's guidance and revelation. Ask God to help me to know Him better and to love Him deeper each day!
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Whom should one be like to be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The disciples asked Jesus who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus answered that the greatest would be like a humble little child. Great responsibilities are bestowed on the people of God that we shall not cause others to stumble, not look down on others, but humbly point out others' mistakes, gather in unity and in Lord's name, and forgive each other whole heartedly without reservation.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Jesus set the requirements for people of God to be like Him, as God the most high, but willing to lower and humble Himself to serve, to give, to forgive, to be compassionate, and to build. Have I forgiven those who offended me? Ask God to help me to forgive, help me to repent and remove my sins that might have affected those around me, to help me unite with fellow Christians, and help me to be merciful and compassionate to the lost sheep of the world.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jesus encounter on the way to Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus led the disciples on their important journey to Jerusalem which would climax in crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
+ Continue the theme on persecution by religious leaders and the question of discipleship.
+ Personal reward and fame are wrong motivations for serving the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Am I looking for recognition and fame when serving God? If so, let me turn to God humbly and ask Him to lead me in my life of service.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus reveal his identify through answering John and Pharisees?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus answered John the Baptist's question while he was in prison. Jesus also explained to the crowds about John's identity and God's plan where heaven is for those who follow Jesus, not by one's own efforts. Jesus denounced the towns' people for they did not repent and then invited all to rest their souls in Him.
+ Jesus performed miracle during Sabbath to show He is the Lord of the Sabbath. He truly satisfied the law on Sabbath. Jesus rebuked Pharisees' remark that Jesus was from the Beelzebul.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus told John the Baptist: "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." Some gained faith after seeing God's deeds while others wavered and fell. May God bless me with ever strengthened faith.
+ **Identity** - Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. I can bring all my burdens to Jesus and ask what it means to be gentle and humble. What does it mean to take His yoke, and what should I learn from Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the parables Jesus used to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus used seven parables to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven: The parable of the sower, the parable of the weeds, the parable of the muster seed, the parable of the yeast, the parable of the hidden treasure, the parable of the pearl, and the parable of the net.
+ Jesus explained to the disciples the reason he spoke the parables to the crowds.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Even though we did not witness with our own eyes the miracle Jesus performed and did not hear with our own ears what Jesus spoke, but we are ever so blessed with God's word and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We ought to cherish what God has given us, study Bible every day, pray and obey to guidance of the Holy Spirit.
+ **Identity** - How is the seed from the Kingdom of Heaven germinating in my heart? Pray to God and ask Him to soften my heart, remove the thorn and the rock, to produce crop a hundred times!
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What made those on the boat see Jesus as the Son of God?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The suspicion on Jesus' identity and the discussion on His wisdom and abilities intensified.
+ Jesus fed five thousand, walked on water, and those on the boat worshiped Him as the Son of God.
+ The pharisees challenged Jesus with ancestor's traditions. Jesus pointed out to them that they broke God's command for the sake of the tradition.
+ Jesus continued to heal more, fed four thousand, and the people were amazed and praised the God of Israel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - As Jesus began to reveal His true identity, some were more doubtful and refused Him while others got to know Him deeper. How did God lead me to know Him deeper? Did I ever refuse Him? How did God bring me out from the dead end?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Peter come to know Jesus' true identity?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Led by God, Peter came to know Jesus' true identity, but he did not understand when Jesus talked about His death and resurrection. Jesus transfigured before Peter, John, and James with Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him. They were covered with bright cloud and God said: "This is my son." Peter gotten to know Jesus deeper.
+ Jesus predicted His death and resurrection twice.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Peter did not come to know Jesus by his own rationale but by the guidance and revelation from the Holy Spirit. We, too, cannot know God without the Holy Spirit's guidance and revelation. Ask God to help me to know Him better and to love Him deeper each day!
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Whom should one be like to be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The disciples asked Jesus who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus answered that the greatest would be like a humble little child. Great responsibilities are bestowed on the people of God that we shall not cause others to stumble, not look down on others, but humbly point out others' mistakes, gather in unity and in Lord's name, and forgive each other whole heartedly without reservation.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Jesus set the requirements for people of God to be like Him, as God the most high, but willing to lower and humble Himself to serve, to give, to forgive, to be compassionate, and to build. Have I forgiven those who offended me? Ask God to help me to forgive, help me to repent and remove my sins that might have affected those around me, to help me unite with fellow Christians, and help me to be merciful and compassionate to the lost sheep of the world.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jesus encounter on the way to Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus led the disciples on their important journey to Jerusalem which would climax in crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
+ Continue the theme on persecution by religious leaders and the question of discipleship.
+ Personal reward and fame are wrong motivations for serving the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Am I looking for recognition and fame when serving God? If so, let me turn to God humbly and ask Him to lead me in my life of service.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God call and protect Abram, the one He selected?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The seventh segment of Adam and Eve's family history, Terah's family. Mainly the story of his son, Abram.
+ Abram followed God's calling and left Ur. Abram's wife Sarai was unable to bear child. God promised Abram land, offspring, and nation. Despite Abram's lie, God kept His promise and protected Sarai to bring forth the offspring He has promised.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - From God's calling of Abram, we can see the calling to every Christians. Do I have faith to answer His calling?
+ **Integrity** - Even Abram, the father of all faith, had moments of weakness and lied in Egypt. But God did not give up on him. Am I willing to lean on God to strengthen me when I'm weak?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God protect the land He promised Abram?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Continue from previous day's scripture, God protected the land He promised Abram.
+ Abram and Lot separated due to the arguments between their shepherds. Lot chose the land that looked fine but full of sin. Abram rescued Lot and people of Sodom and became the blessing of these people.
+ Abram did not accept the gift from Melchizedek, the king of Sodom. Rather he gave a tenth of everything he owned and became the first in history to give tithe.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Abram did not accept the gift from king of Sodom but rather accepted Melchizedek's blessings and gave a tenth of his wealth to God. What do I learn from this in answering God's calling?
+ **Community** - Abram reconciled his differences with Lot and bravely rescued him. Are there differences between myself and others? How may I reconcile with them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God promise Abram of descendants?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The story of promise continues. God's covenant with Abram on his descendants.
+ God promised Abram that he would have descendants too numerous to count and would return to the promised land. Despite the promise, Abram and Sarai attempted to conceive with their own effort and went their own way. Even in human's weakness, God is still faithful in His promise. His love went beyond Abram to take care the suffering Hagar.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Although Hagar was a slave, she was still in God's care. What encouragement and comfort does her story give me today?
+ **Integrity** - Despite the promise of God, Abram and Sarai often lacked patience and attempted to do things on their own. Have I or am I waiting impatiently? What does the story of Abram and Sarai remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God reaffirm His promise to Abram?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Genesis 17 continues the theme on God's Promise, the Covenant of Circumcision, reaffirming the promise of the nation, the descendants, and the land.
+ Before the promise of descendants was fulfilled, God made Covenant with Abram with circumcision, from which Abram and his descendants were chosen and to be the blessings of all people. God renamed Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God's promise seems to be out of reach. Abraham lowered himself to God in flesh but not in his heart and laughed. Am I a superficial follower by doing things my way? How does God's reaffirmation of His promise encourage me?
+ **Identity** - God's renaming of Abram and Sarai signifies their new identity. Do I value the new identity Jesus Christ has given me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
When will the promise of descendants be fulfilled?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Continues the theme of promise, God's messengers pointed out the time when Sarah would give birth.
+ Like Abraham, Sarah laughed at the promise. However, this time God reproached Sarah in addition to reaffirming the promise.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God reaffirmed his promise repeatedly to strengthen Abraham's faith. Do I remember God's promise to me? Ask God to strengthen my faith and keep me focused on His promise.
+ **Integrity** - There's nothing God cannot accomplish. Am I facing insurmountable difficulties? Remind myself of God's promise, omnipotence, and love.
+ **Fidelity** - Abraham served as servant to the three man who appeared before him. How am I reminded by his attitude? How can I serve those whom God has placed beside me today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
God promised a land to Abraham. What would the sinful land which did not please Him become?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The becoming of the land, people, and nation that were not pleasing to God.
+ As God going to judge Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham pleaded to God for them. Lot protected the angels and the angels led him out of Sodom. Lot's daughter got their descendant through their own way.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Although Lot has learned God's mind; his wife ignored the warning and looked back; his daughters got descendants through their own way. How does Lot's story remind me of? How should I build a Godly family?
+ **Fidelity** - Abraham pleaded to God for the sinful Sodom. What can I do for our sinful world today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses