Weekly Guide：Week 29
August 12, 2018
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
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Pilate could find no accusation against Jesus.
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The Jews were rather release Barabbas than Jesus.
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Jesus was crucified along with two rubbers on the cross, mocked by the crowds, and laid in a tomb cut out of rock after death.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - After Jesus drew His last breath, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top down which signified the end of separation of God and man. Am I able to let go of my guilt and despair to come in front of God fearlessly as my own father, to accept His mercy and discipline? Do I have anything to ask from Him?
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Integrity - The chief priest, filled with Jealousy, instigated the crowds to ask for Barabbas’ release instead of Jesus. Do I continue to falter on certain things? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to soften my heart to atone in from of God and to be surrounded by His love.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What happened after Jesus’ death?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Two women saw a young man dressed in white in the tomb told them that Jesus has risen.
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Jesus appeared in front of many and rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith.
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Jesus commissioned the disciples to preach gospel to all creations and He worked with them as they went.
Meditation: My Story
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Community - Mary and two disciples saw Jesus after His resurrection and told the other disciples. But they did not believe them. What should be our attitude toward others’ testimonies? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to point the way of the truth and help us to accept each other.
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Fidelity - Jesus commissioned the disciples to preach gospel to all and promised to work with them as well as confirming His word with signs. Do I know that Jesus is working with us all today? How does this truth change my attitude toward service?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
- Why did Luke write this gospel?
- Where did he start?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Luke explains the reason for writing this gospel.
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Angel appeared to Zechariah and told him about the birth of John the Baptist.
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Angel appeared to Mary and told her about conceiving Jesus.
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Birth of John the Baptist and his father Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesized the coming of Messiah.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Mary had doubt about her conceiving Jesus while being a virgin, but she said: “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” How do I value my identity? Am I willing to let God’s will to be fulfilled on me or live by my own will?
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Identity - Mary: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Whom does my soul glorify? Where does my spirit rejoice in?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What were the events surrounding Jesus’ birth and in His youth?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus’ birth in a manger in Bethlehem. Angel brought the good news to shepherds.
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Simeon and Anna the prophet testified for Jesus’ identity and gave glory to God.
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Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Who would have thought that God’s son was born in a lowly manger? For God does not value material abundance but spiritual blessing. What do I value more? Is my pursue of material takes priority over God?
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Fidelity - Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. In the upbringing of my children, do I value such growth? What do I need to pray for my children?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
- How did John the Baptist preach in the wilderness?
- Who were Jesus’ ancestors?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, baptized people, and was locked up in prison by Herod.
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Jesus’ genealogy traced all the way back to Adam.
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Jesus won over the temptations from the devil.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - Jesus used God’s word to fend off the devil’s temptations in the wilderness. Am I living in God’s word or in cultural traditions and societal norm? Am I capable of fending off devil’s temptations?
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Fidelity - John the Baptist faithfully completed the mission God gave to pave the way for the Messiah. Do I understand my missions in life? Am I willing to follow God’s will faithfully?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Jesus encounter when He started to preach?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - The people in Nazareth did not believe Jesus because they thought they knew Him and His background. Do I have any prejudice toward the truth? Let me humble in front of God and let His word to do its work in me.
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Fidelity - Jesus was praised in Galilee but rejected in His hometown. Likewise, we may be met with refusal in our services and become other’s laughing stock. Am I willing to be misunderstood like Jesus and suffer for God.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why Balaam blessed Israelites when Balak wanted him to curse them?
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### 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
### Question
How did the Moabites deceive Israelites, cause them to sin and anger God.
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### 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
### Question
What blessings and protections from God were revealed in the second census?
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### 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
### Question
What were the Israelites' offerings in an entire year?
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### 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
### Question
How did the Israelites divide up the plunders and spoils from the war?
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### 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
### Question
What should the Israelites' life be like when they arrive at the promised land?
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### 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
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who were the cities of refuge established for? What is the proper way of going to battle in the eyes of our Lord?
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### 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
### Question
What did Moses say about the rights of various people and marriage violations?
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### 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
### Question
What did Moses say about the assembly, camp, shrine prostitute, loan, and vow?
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### 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
### 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?
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### 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
### Question
What did Moses say about the firstfruits and the third year? What about the thrice repeated phrase "this day?"
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### 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
### Question
What did Moses command? Whom did the Levitical priests say would be cursed?
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### 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
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Prayer
Notes and Responses