Weekly Guide ：Week 3
February 11, 2018
Question
How did God fulfill His promise to Abraham’s descendants?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The story of promise continues. The birth of the son of promise, Isaac.
- Abraham was on the move again to the land of the Philistines and he once again called Sarah his sister. God kept Sarah, and thus the birth of Isaac the son of the promise. Isaac grew, and Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away. Abimelek and Abraham in peace with each other.
Meditation: My Story
-
Integrity - Abraham, the father of faith, once again lied to the Gentiles that Sarah was his sister and put others in danger. Have I been overpowered by sin repeatedly? What lessons can I learn from Abraham’s sin act?
- Fidelity - Ishmael was not the chosen descendant of God, but God still watched over him. How does this remind me of how to treat people who don’t know God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What should be the response to God’s promise?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Through God’s test of Abraham’s faith we learn how we should respond to His promise; Abraham got the first piece of land God promised him.
-
God tested Abraham and asked him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham was obedient through faith and God supplied the ram instead. God’s Covenant to Abraham was reaffirmed again. Sarah died and Abraham bought land to Bury Sarah. It was the first piece of land he had in the promised land.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walk with God - Abraham got to know more about God with the test: The Lord Will Provide. Have I or am I experiencing tests in my own journey of faith? How have these tests helped me to know more about God?
-
Integrity - What have I learned about faith and the actions that come from faith through the story of Abraham’s offering of Isaac? (Ref. Hebrews 11:17-19, James 2:21-22)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was the end of Abraham’s life long journey in God’s promise?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The theme on God’s promise to Abraham came to an end with his passing.
-
Abraham asked his senior servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. With God lead the way, he found Laban and brought Rebekah back to marry Isaac. Abraham took another wife, died at a good-old age of 175, and left everything to Isaac.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - Before Rebekah knew anything, God was already working to send Abraham’s senior servant to find her. Think about and thank God for what He has done for me in my life.
-
Fidelity - The senior servant was faithful to Abraham’s trust and sought God’s will. When he saw Rebekah as God’s chosen wife for Isaac, he testified in front of Laban’s family and did not linger. Do I serve with the same fidelity? Am I lacking in any area?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Does God’s promise ever unfulfilled?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Ishmael’s descendants. God’s promise is never unfulfilled.
-
As God has promised, Ishmael became the father of 12 tribes.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - Ishmael was conceived by human will. Although he was not the chosen son but God still blessed him. Ishmael was the ancestor of the Arabs today. How should I treat the offspring of Ishmael?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the chosen son continue his life?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The eighth segment of family story. The family of Isaac, the chosen son of God. The birth of the two sons of Isaac and their struggle.
-
Rebekah gave birth to twin sons for Isaac. According to God’s promise, the second son Jacob was going to be stronger than the first son Esau. Jacob bought the birthright of the first born from Esau with red stew. Esau despised his birthright. Isaac stayed in Gerar of Philistine according to God’s will. Isaac lied about Rebekah as his sister. Isaac was asked to leave because he has gotten too powerful. Isaac backed down from the disputes of the wells. God led him to a land with room. Philistine made treaty with Isaac.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - Although Jacob took seriously God’s promise, he chose to take mater in his own hands to gain the birthright by fraudulent means and caused family tension. Am I pursuing God’s promise by my own way? How should I gain blessings from God?
-
Community - Jacob chose peace in the well disputes and God led him to a land with room. Am I facing similar situations? Can I find peaceful resolutions?
-
Integrity - Isaac lied as Abraham did for his own protection. This might have been a trait passed down from father to son. Am I passing down the sinful traits to my offspring when I’m building my own family and bringing up my children? Ask God to help me repent and purify me.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did God’s promise and blessings continue?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jacob got Isaac’s blessing through deception and fled.
-
Isaac wanted to bless Esau but was old and had no clear vision. Rebekah helped Jacob to deceive Isaac and gotten the blessing that was meant for Esau. Esau was mad and wanted to kill Jacob. Jacob followed his parents will and fled to Laban. Isaac blessed Jacob before he left and reaffirmed the covenant God has made with him. Jacob met God and prayed to Him.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - Jacob pursued God’s blessing not His presence. God found Jacob instead and changed his life. Do I prioritize God’s blessing over His presence? Pray to God to help me know him and follow him, one step at a time.
-
Integrity - Although Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob, he obeyed God to bless Jacob when he learned His will. Obedience was a standout character of Isaac. Have I ever disobeyed God? How does Isaac’s example remind and help me to be obedient?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus go into Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus proclaimed Himself as King and cleansed His temple.
+ Most of the narrative is a series of parables on depiction of conflict.
+ The conflicts between Jesus and religious leaders eventually led to His crucifixion.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - What does the story of Jesus cleansing the temple teach me how to treat the place of worship? How do I face my own anger and others' sins?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Jesus' purpose in Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus announced the woes against the hypocritical Pharisees and the teachers of the law.
+ Jesus left the temple and declared the judgement against Jerusalem, the destruction of temple, and the signs of the end times.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Bible warned repeatedly against false prophets. Am I being vigilant to the ignorance of the world and its teaching? Am I able to distinguish the heresy from the truth?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What do Jesus' disciples need to prepare for the end of times?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The need to serve and to be alert as the end of times is near. The parable of the Ten Virgins teaches us the importance of being alert and be prepared because no one knows when Jesus will come again.
+ The parable of the Bags of Gold tells us to serve faithfully while waiting for the second coming of the Christ.
+ When Jesus comes again, those who are in His kingdom will take the inheritance while the others will be judged.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Am I waiting alertly for Jesus' second coming? If He comes today, do I have the assurance in getting the inheritance?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Jesus betrayed and taken?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ In His last hours on earth, Jesus told His disciples: "As you know, the Passover is two days away-and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified." (26:2)
+ The Holy Communion was established and took place on the Passover Supper.
+ Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, was betrayed by Judas, got arrested, and was denied three times by Peter.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - How does Jesus' sorrow in Gethsemane help me during my time of sorrow? Do I understand He knows the difficulties and challenges I face and He can carry for me all my burdens?
+ **Identity** - Do I understand the meaning of the cup and bread in the Holy Communion that Jesus has established for His disciples?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Jesus tried and crucified?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Jews would rather release Barabbas but not Jesus while He was being tried before Pilate.
+ Jesus died of crucifixion. The curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Tearing of the curtain in the temple signifies the gap between God and mankind had been cleansed with Jesus' blood. Can I come willingly and fearlessly in front of Jesus to off load all my worries and burdens to Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Jesus resurrected and what were His commands afterward?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Gospel of Matthew reaches the climax. The rise of Christ from resurrection is central to the Christian belief.
+ Jesus' salvation is fully displayed in the reversal of His death on the cross.
+ Jesus' great commission to His disciples and His promise that He would be with us until the end of the age.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus' resurrection helps us to believe that those who take faith in Him will have eternal life. Is my life reflecting that belief or am I living only for my earthly life?
+ **Fidelity** - The great commission to the disciples is to make disciples of all people. What in my service is taking part of that great commission? Am I living out the calling of the great commission?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus go into Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus proclaimed Himself as King and cleansed His temple.
+ Most of the narrative is a series of parables on depiction of conflict.
+ The conflicts between Jesus and religious leaders eventually led to His crucifixion.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - What does the story of Jesus cleansing the temple teach me how to treat the place of worship? How do I face my own anger and others' sins?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Jesus' purpose in Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus announced the woes against the hypocritical Pharisees and the teachers of the law.
+ Jesus left the temple and declared the judgement against Jerusalem, the destruction of temple, and the signs of the end times.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Bible warned repeatedly against false prophets. Am I being vigilant to the ignorance of the world and its teaching? Am I able to distinguish the heresy from the truth?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What do Jesus' disciples need to prepare for the end of times?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The need to serve and to be alert as the end of times is near. The parable of the Ten Virgins teaches us the importance of being alert and be prepared because no one knows when Jesus will come again.
+ The parable of the Bags of Gold tells us to serve faithfully while waiting for the second coming of the Christ.
+ When Jesus comes again, those who are in His kingdom will take the inheritance while the others will be judged.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Am I waiting alertly for Jesus' second coming? If He comes today, do I have the assurance in getting the inheritance?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Jesus betrayed and taken?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ In His last hours on earth, Jesus told His disciples: "As you know, the Passover is two days away-and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified." (26:2)
+ The Holy Communion was established and took place on the Passover Supper.
+ Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, was betrayed by Judas, got arrested, and was denied three times by Peter.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - How does Jesus' sorrow in Gethsemane help me during my time of sorrow? Do I understand He knows the difficulties and challenges I face and He can carry for me all my burdens?
+ **Identity** - Do I understand the meaning of the cup and bread in the Holy Communion that Jesus has established for His disciples?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Jesus tried and crucified?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Jews would rather release Barabbas but not Jesus while He was being tried before Pilate.
+ Jesus died of crucifixion. The curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Tearing of the curtain in the temple signifies the gap between God and mankind had been cleansed with Jesus' blood. Can I come willingly and fearlessly in front of Jesus to off load all my worries and burdens to Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Jesus resurrected and what were His commands afterward?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Gospel of Matthew reaches the climax. The rise of Christ from resurrection is central to the Christian belief.
+ Jesus' salvation is fully displayed in the reversal of His death on the cross.
+ Jesus' great commission to His disciples and His promise that He would be with us until the end of the age.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus' resurrection helps us to believe that those who take faith in Him will have eternal life. Is my life reflecting that belief or am I living only for my earthly life?
+ **Fidelity** - The great commission to the disciples is to make disciples of all people. What in my service is taking part of that great commission? Am I living out the calling of the great commission?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God fulfill His promise to Abraham's descendants?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The story of promise continues. The birth of the son, Isaac, whom God had promised.
+ Abraham was on the move again to the land of the Philistines and he lied again calling Sarah his sister. God kept Sarah, and she gave birth to Isaac the son of promise. Isaac grew, and Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away. Abimelek and Abraham in peace with each other.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Abraham, the father of faith, once again lied to the Gentiles that Sarah was his sister and put others in danger. Have I been overpowered by sin repeatedly? What lessons can I learn from Abraham's sin?
+ **Fidelity** - Ishmael was not the chosen descendant of God, but God still watched over him. How does this remind me of how to treat people who don't know God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the proper response to God's promise?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Through God's test of Abraham's faith, we learn how should we respond to His promise; Abraham got the first piece of land God promised him.
+ God tested Abraham and asked him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham was obedient through faith and God supplied the ram instead. God's Covenant to Abraham was reaffirmed again. Sarah died and Abraham bought land to Bury Sarah. It was the first piece of land he had in the promised land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ Walk with God - Abraham got to know more about God through the test: The Lord Will Provide. Have I or am I experiencing tests in my own journey of faith? How have these tests helped me to know more about God?
+ **Integrity** - What have I learned about faith and the actions that come from faith through the story of Abraham's offering of Isaac? (Ref. Hebrews 11:17-19, James 2:21-22)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the end of Abraham's lifelong journey in God's promise?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The theme on God's promise to Abraham came to an end with his passing.
+ Abraham asked his senior servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. With God lead the way, he found Laban and brought Rebekah back to marry Isaac. Abraham took another wife, died at a good-old age of 175, and left everything to Isaac.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Before Rebekah knew anything, God was already working to send Abraham's senior servant to find her. Think and thank God for what He has done for me in my life.
+ **Fidelity** - The senior servant was faithful to Abraham's trust and sought God's will. When he saw Rebekah as God's chosen wife for Isaac, he testified in front of Laban's family and did not linger. Do I serve with the same fidelity? Am I lacking in any area?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Does God's promise ever fail?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Ishmael's descendants. God's promise is never unfulfilled.
+ As God has promised, Ishmael became the father of 12 tribes.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Ishmael was conceived by human will. Although he was not the chosen son but God still blessed him. Ishmael was the ancestor of the Arabs today. How should I treat the descendants of Ishmael?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the chosen son continue with his life?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The eighth segment of the family story. The House of Isaac, the chosen son of God. The birth of the two sons of Isaac and their struggle.
+ Rebekah gave birth to twin sons for Isaac. According to God's promise, the second son Jacob was going to be stronger than the first son Esau. Jacob bought the birthright of the first born from Esau with red stew. Esau despised his birthright. Isaac stayed in Gerar of Philistine according to God's will. Isaac lied about Rebekah as his sister. Isaac was asked to leave because he had gotten too powerful. Isaac backed down from the disputes of the wells. God led him to a vast land. Philistine made treaty with Isaac.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Although Jacob took seriously God's promise, he chose to take matter into his own hands to gain the birthright by fraudulent means and caused family tension. Am I pursuing God's promise by my own way? How should I seek blessings from God?
+ **Community** - Jacob chose peace in the dispute of the well and God led him to a vast land. Am I facing similar situations? Can I find peaceful resolutions?
+ **Integrity** - Isaac lied as Abraham did for his own safety. This might have been a trait passed down from father to son. Am I passing down the sinful traits to my descendants when I'm building my own family and bringing up my children? Ask God to help me repent and to purify me.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God's promise and blessings continue?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jacob got Isaac's blessing through deception and fled.
+ Isaac wanted to bless Esau but was old and had no clear vision. Rebekah helped Jacob to deceive Isaac and gotten the blessing that was meant for Esau. Esau was mad and wanted to kill Jacob. Jacob followed his parents' will and fled to Laban. Isaac blessed Jacob before he left and reaffirmed the covenant God has made with him. Jacob met God and prayed to Him.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jacob pursued God's blessing not His presence. God found Jacob instead and changed his life. Do I prioritize God's blessing over His presence? Pray to God to help me know him and follow him, one step at a time.
+ **Integrity** - Although Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob, he obeyed God to bless Jacob when he learned His will. Obedience was a standout character of Isaac. Have I ever disobeyed God? How does Isaac's example remind and help me to be obedient?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses