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Weekly Guide:Week 29

August 12, 2018


Week 29 Day 1: Death of Christ

Forward

This week, we will complete the reading of the Gospel of Mark and start on the Gospel of Luke.

Let’s look at the changes in number of people that followed Jesus throughout the Gospel of Mark. From the thousands of followers in the beginning of the book to the twelve disciples on the way to Jerusalem and from the welcoming crowds when He gloriously entered the Holy City to the hiding disciples after His arrest.

What does the disciples’ attitude remind me about my own faith? What would I do in such circumstance? Is my faith strong and unwavering? Would I hesitate and falter? When facing the sword swinging mob, would I coward and hide like the disciples?

The inattentive and weary faltered, the self-confident and self-assured wavered. Let’s armor ourselves with God’s word and pray for His presence when facing danger to overcome our own weakness.

May our Lord’s word renew you all every day!

Question

What happened to Jesus after His arrest?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 2: Resurrection of Christ

Question

What happened after Jesus’ death?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 3: John the Baptist

Question

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 4: Birth of Jesus

Question

What were the events surrounding Jesus’ birth and in His youth?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 5: Genealogy of Jesus

Question

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 6: Begin to Preach

Question

What did Jesus encounter when He started to preach?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

Scripture Reading

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 1: Curses and Blessings

### Question Why Balaam blessed Israelites when Balak wanted him to curse them? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Moab wasn't their target when the Israelites came to camp across from Jericho. Balak summoned Balaam to curse the Israelites but God made him to bless them instead. + Balaam was not a prophet. He seemingly proclaimed himself a prophet was in fact a spokesperson for all false gods. He was condemned many times in Bible for his immorality, injustice, and low ethics. (Num. 31:7-8,15-16, Deu. 23:3-6; Jos. 13:22;24:9-10; Neh.13:1-3;Mic. 6:5;2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14) ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - Why did Balaam changed locations and the ways to curse the Israelites? How was God's power shown through Balaam's failures? + **Identity** - God intervened and protected Israelites when Balak summoned Balaam to curse them. God always protects without us knowing. Let me count the blessings I received last week and know they were from God, not myself.

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 2: Corruption from Within

### Question How did the Moabites deceive Israelites, cause them to sin and anger God. {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + In reference to Numbers 31:8,16, the incident in this chapter was Balaam's plan. He tried to corrupt the Israelites to cause them to separate from God and lose His protection. + Phinehas was zealous for God's honor. He killed those sinful Israelites and turned away God's anger for the Israelites. God made with Phinehas and his descendants the covenant of peace, the lasting priesthood. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Satan's deception is like Balaam's, to corrupt God's people from within to lure them away from God. Am I falling for Satan's deception? Ask God to remind me and keep me alert. + **Fidelity** - Phinehas' zeal for God's honor contrasts with Israelites. By no mean God wants us to judge upon others nor He wants us to carry out justice for Him. What does zeal for God's honor mean in my daily life? How do I live it out?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 3: The Second Census

### Question What blessings and protections from God were revealed in the second census? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Israelites' number had not changed much in the 40 years. This was a blessing from God for He promised Abraham's descendants would become a great nation. + God blessed Zelophehad's Daughters for they had the rightful view of their inheritances. + Moses was denied entry into the land of Canaan. He asked God in his last prayer for a new leader who would lead the Israelites into the promised land. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - Israelites number changed little after plagues, disasters, killings, and other punishments. God's promises never change because of our weakness. Looking back in my life, do I often see my own failures or God's faithfulness? + **Community** - Moses' heart was with the people even though he was denied entry into the promised land. What can I pray for my family, church, and God's leading in my services?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 4: The Daily Offerings

### Question What were the Israelites' offerings in an entire year? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + The day of Moses' passing was getting closer. God commanded him to pass on the honor of leading the Israelites to Joshua. God commanded Moses to pass on the regulations on the offerings for each day, each sabbath, beginning of each month, and each festival. This was to prepare the Israelites for the worship centered life under the leadership of Joshua and high priest Elijah when they entered the promised land. + These were the minimum offerings required of the Israelites in addition to the voluntary offerings for sin, cleansing, etc. + These two chapters record the details of the materials for offerings. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - Priests presented burnt offerings each morning. Do I have a God centered life? Am I presenting the best of me and everything I do to God? + **Walking with God** - Priests have a lot of tasks on their hands. Their works doubled on each sabbath when the rest of the community didn't work. Matthew 12:5, the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent. No work is allowed during sabbath and many other festivals so that we may worship God with our full attention. Have I been ignorant about those days that are set apart for worshiping?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 5: War with Midianite

### Question How did the Israelites divide up the plunders and spoils from the war? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Numbers chapter 30 is the regulation for woman who took vows. Her father before she marries or husband after she marries are responsible for her spiritual direction and protection. + Numbers chapter 31 documents the holy war against the Midianites in the plains of Moab. God destroyed the Midianites for they deceived Israelites to cause them to separate from God. Balaam who planned the deception was killed in the war. Israelites had a complete victory and lost not a single life. Israelites followed God's direction regarding the captives, cleansing of those who touched the dead, offerings, plunders and spoils of the war. This set a precedence for the wars after the Israelites have entered the land of Canaan. ### Meditation: My Story + **Community** - God gave fathers and husbands great responsibilities to protect their daughters and wives. For daughters and wives, they must obey and follow the spiritual leadership from their fathers and husbands. As a father or husband, what will from God have I learned for teaching or guiding my daughter or wife? How have I applied it to my life? + **Identity** - Israelites did not lose one life in the war with the Midianites. God gave them special commands for cleansing themselves from the captives and spoils. What do the protection and requirements God gave Israelites for the war remind me of in the spiritual wars that I often face?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 6: Land of Wandering

### Question What should the Israelites' life be like when they arrive at the promised land? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + In Numbers chapter 32, the Gadites, Reubenites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had their eyes on the land to the east of Jordan river. They promised Moses that they would help the rest of the Israelites enter the promised land first. They saw the land was fertile and suitable for grazing, wanted to settle down quickly. Later, due to the lack of natural barriers, they were the first to be captured and occupied by the Assyrian before the entire nation of Israel fell. + Faithfully following God's command, Moses documented the 40 encampment sites during the 40 years of wandering in Numbers chapter 33. + God commanded Israelites to drive out the idol worshiping people to end idolatry from the promised land. He also commanded the tribes to distribute the land by lot according to their sizes. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Gadites, Reubenites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh choose the land by the value seen in their own eyes. But they never expected the disaster to follow. Are there things in my life that are valuable to the eyes of the world but not pleasing to God? + **Integrity** - When victory was in sight, God commanded the Israelites not to relax allowing idolatry to corrupt their hearts once they enter the promised land. Entering the promised land does not make an end to the journey of faith. While I enjoy many freedoms and privileges in my faith today, how can I remind myself to stay vigilant?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

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Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 1: Considerate and Forgiving

### Question Who were the cities of refuge established for? What is the proper way of going to battle in the eyes of our Lord? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + God established the cities of refuge for those who killed unintentionally. However, those who willfully kill would be put to death. + Any crime or offense needs two or three witnesses to convict the accused. No false witness is allowed. + Do not be afraid when going to battle. However, those who have just build a house, just planted vineyard, just got married may stay behind. Anyone who is afraid may stay behind. Offer peace to enemy first, engage in battle only if they refuse. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - God established the cities of refuge because He knows that people would avenge on those who harmed them unintentionally. Have I forgiven those who might have hurt me? + **Integrity** - God is fully considerate of those who have just built, planted, and married to allow them to stay behind. Am I being considerate of others and put myself in their shoes?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 2: Clean and Just

### Question What did Moses say about the rights of various people and marriage violations? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Verses 21:1 to 22:12 are regulations on unsolved murder, captive woman, firstborn, rebellious son, dead body on pole, stray animal, clothing as opposite sex (God hates sexual indistinction), mercy to animals, roof parapet, mixing of kinds (God dislikes disorder: Gen 1:4, 12, 21; Luke 16:13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18), and tassels of the cloak. + Verses 22:13 to 30 are about proof of virginity, adultery (exclude rape), forbid marrying father's wife. ### Meditation: My Story + **Integrity** - It can be seen clearly from the rights of captive woman and firstborn, and the lost things as well as the roof parapet that God wants us to treat others like ourselves and not take advantage of them. Have I recently forced others to follow my will? Atone to God for what I have done wrong.

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 3: Holy and Merciful

### Question What did Moses say about the assembly, camp, shrine prostitute, loan, and vow? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Not everyone may enter the Assembly of the Lord. Holiness and cleanliness must be kept as God is around. Properly treat the runaway slaves. Ban on shrine prostitutes. Ban on loan interest. Vow payment must not be delayed. Grapes and kernel of grains may be eaten but not taken away. ### Meditation: My Story + **Integrity** - The Israelites' camp must be kept clean and holy because God moves about in the camp. God is among us every day. Am I constantly examining myself to ensure there's no uncleanliness or unholiness in my heart or behavior to separate myself from God?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 4: Compassionate and Righteous

### Question What did Moses say about divorcing the wife, treating newly wedded wife, the widow, the fatherless, and flogging the guilty? What is the Family of the Unsandaled? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Chapter 24, a man may divorce his wife if he finds something indecent about her but must write a certificate of divorce. The newly wedded man must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid upon him for a year so he can bring happiness to his wife. Because the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt, they should not take advantage of the poor, must be compassionate, should not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, must help them and give them dignity. It is evil to kidnap and treat or sell others as slaves. Be very careful with skin diseases. The guilty will die for their own sins, family should not be put to death for them. + Chapter 25, the guilty should not be punished for more than the crime deserves. One must carry on his brother's name or become The Family of the Unsandaled. Even when desperate to help her husband, a woman should not seize other man's private part. Trade must be done fairly "For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly." Do not forget to blot out the name of Amalek. ### Meditation: My Story + **Community** - God wants Israelites to be compassionate to the foreigners, widows, and the fatherless. He wants them to be helped with dignity. He wants Israelites to be sympathetic and flexible to the poor. Not causing them insurmountable difficulties. God is full of mercy and grace to us. Have I been harsh toward others?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 5: Firstfruits and Tithes

### Question What did Moses say about the firstfruits and the third year? What about the thrice repeated phrase "this day?" {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + After entering the promised land, the Israelites must offer the firstfruit, and proclaim God's redemption and blessings. + The tenth of produce each third year must be put aside for the Levites, foreigners, widows, and the fatherless and proclaim that God's commands have not been forgotten. + Moses repeated three times "this day" the Israelites have made a covenant with God, that God is their God and they are His people. They have become His treasured possession as He promised. + Chapter 26 completes the declaration of the law and regulations started in chapter 12. ### Meditation: My Story + **Integrity** - All the goodness in my life are from God. I should be willing to give a tenth of what God gave me back to Him like Abel did. Ask God to help me remember all the blessings He has given to me over the years. Ask Him to help me to give tithe willingly.

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 6: Blessings and Curses

### Question What did Moses command? Whom did the Levitical priests say would be cursed? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Israelites' livelihood depended on their relationship with God. The relationship depended on their obedience to God's law. So, they were to write all the words of the law on some large plaster coated stones when they entered the promised land. + Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel that they have become God's people and must follow the commands and decrees given to them. Moses commanded six tribes to bless the people on Mount Gerizim and six tribes to pronounce curses on Mount Ebal. The Levites would recite to the people that anyone who dishonors their parents, moves boundary stone, leads blind astray, withholds justice from foreigners or fatherless or widows, has sex with animal, incest or dishonors his father's bed, kills in secret, kills innocent, does not uphold the law by carrying them out would be cursed. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - We always pick blessings over curses when asked. In reality, we often submit to our own fleshly desires and prides. We forget the sin behind the desires and prides. Let me atone in front of God, ask Him to purify my hear and sanctify me.

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

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Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 1: Taking a Census

### Question What sin did David commit in his old age? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + David ordered Joab to take a census of Israel and Judah. + David knew he committed great sin and was conscience-stricken after the census was completed. + David picked plague out of the choice of three disasters. Seventy thousand from Dan to Beersheba died. + David built an altar for God, sacrificed burnt offering and fellowship offering. The plague on Israel stopped. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - What did David pick out of the three disasters God let him choose from? Why? How do I view God's discipline? + **Integrity** - Why did David take census? What similar mistakes have I done in my life? What does this remind me of?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 2: Success of Throne

### Question How did Solomon succeed David to become king for he was not David's first born? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + David was very old. Adonijah conspired with Joab and Abiathar in attempt to usurp the throne. + Nathan the prophet and Solomon's mother Bathsheba went to David to uncover the conspiracy. + David took an oath by the Lord to make Solomon king and anointed him in Gihon. David gave a charge to Solomon then died. + Solomon made Shimei to promise to stay in Jerusalem. Shimei broke the promise and was struck down. ### Meditation: My Story + **Integrity** - Adonijah attempted to usurp the throne and David had never rebuked him. David did not fulfill his responsibility as a father. He did not discipline his children and got to taste the consequences. For us who are parents, what can we learn from David's example? + **Fidelity** - Right after learning Adonijah's plan, David acted wisely and fulfilled his promise to have Solomon succeed him to the throne. David was decisive under God's witness. Likewise, we may be decisive without any doubt if we act in His Name.

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 59 Day 16: A Prosperous Kingdom

### Question What did Solomon ask the Lord for? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter while the Israelites were still sacrificing at the high places. + Solomon asked the Lord for a discerning heart. The Lord was pleased and gave Solomon the wisdom to govern. + God gave Solomon a wise and discerning heart, faithful officials and governors, gave prosperity for all people, and peace on all sides. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Why was God pleased with what Solomon asked for? What do I ask for in my prayers? Make a connection to what Jesus taught us in His Sermon on the Mount. What does it remind me of? + **Identity** - God's promise to Abraham of kingdom, people, and blessings is now becoming a reality under Solomon's reign. What promise from God have become a reality in my life?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 4: Building the Temple

### Question How did Solomon start in building the temple? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Solomon made a treaty with Hiram king of Tyre to build the temple. They transported lumbers on the sea from Lebanon to Israel. + Four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites came out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, he began to build the temple of the Lord. + Israelites worked together to build the temple. The inner rooms, cherubim, and outer rooms all followed the Lord's command. Seven years spanned in building the temple. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - What was the first building being constructed in the fourth year of Solomon's reign? Why did he start from this building first? What am I building up? What is the most important construction of my life? + **Fidelity** - Israelites worked with foreigners to build the temple. How do I see my own service? How do I see those co-workers of mine who are yet to believe in the Lord? How may I approach them?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 5: Building the Palace

### Question What did Solomon build next? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + It took Solomon thirteen years to complete the construction of his palace. He also built the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. + Solomon brought Huram from Tyre to cast bronze pillars, to cast the Sea of cast metal, to make movable bronze stands and bronze basins. + Solomon also made the golden altar and golden tables for the Lord's temple, the golden lampstands and the gold floral works, lamps, tongs, pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes and censers, the gold sockets for the doors of the innermost room, the Most Holy Place, and also for the doors of the main hall of the temple. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - How much time did Solomon spend on each building the temple and palace? What are the sizes of the temple and palace? How do I think about Solomon's action? How does that remind me to love God with a pure heart? + **Fidelity** - Compare Solomon's temple to Moses' tent of meeting (Exodus 25-27, 30-31.) What were the similarities and differences? What similarities and differences are there in their constructions? How can I serve to please God?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 6: Dedication of Temple

### Question How did Solomon dedicate the completed temple to God? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Solomon summoned the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord's covenant from the City of David. The glory of the Lord filled His temple. + King explained to whole assembly of Israel the purpose for constructing the temple, prayed to the Lord and then blessed them. + King sacrificed offers to the Lord with the whole assembly of Israel. + King Solomon gave twenty towns in Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre. King Solomon conscripted foreigner as forced labor. + Three times a year Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar he had built for the Lord, burning incense before the Lord along with them. + King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - Solomon brought the ark into the temple and God's glory filled the temple. Where is God's glory now that He dwells in us today? (John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 3:18) + **Identity** - Solomon's prayer to the Lord included thanksgiving, petition, repentance, and blessings. How may I incorporate all these into my prayer?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 29 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

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Prayer

Notes and Responses