Weekly Guide：Week 30
August 19, 2018
Forward
We continue the reading on the Gospel of Luke this week.
Luke’s started by focusing on the facts of God’s deeds in history through Jesus Christ to prove the main character of Gospel is not an imaginary savior but one who teaches us that His way is the truth. No one would manufacture a God to bear the consequences of our sins. No one would design a hero to have a meager birth in the manger then a humiliating death on the cross. No one would create a king who rescues all but be rejected and insulted. The truth of gospel is revealed in Luke’s unique writing the core of our belief that takes root in historical facts based on a real story and a real person.
May God’s word renew you all each day!
Question
How did Jesus call His first disciples?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus called the first disciples.
-
Cleansed the leper and healed the paralyzed.
-
The Pharisees conflicted with Jesus for He healed during Sabbath. Jesus called Himself the Lord of the Sabbath.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity – Jesus proclaimed Himself as the Lord of the Sabbath because only God can give us true rest. Am I able to slumber peacefully facing the stress of life and value of the world?
-
Community – The friends of the paralyzed went extraordinary length to help him. Have I gone the extra mile for my fellow Christians? Can I become the blessing of someone in particular?
-
Fidelity – Jesus called on the disciples to fish for people. Am I preaching gospel for the Lord to win over the souls?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Jesus teach the crowd followed Him?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus picked twelve of His disciples to become apostles.
-
Jesus preached to the crowd on a level place about the blessings and the woes.
-
Jesus talked about removing the plank from one’s own eyes before taking a speck out of others’ eyes.
-
Fruit trees are identified by the fruits they bear.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity – Jesus prayed whole night before selecting His twelve apostles. Am I following God’s guidance and His will to act upon? Is there anything I need to pray and ask God for?
-
Identity – The blessings and woes in God’s eyes are totally different from the world’s. How do I know what is the true blessing? Or, what appears to be blessing would bring woe? Do I have a complete and clear understanding of God’s value and am willing to act upon it?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What is true faith?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus was amazed by the centurion’s faith and healed his servant.
-
Jesus raised from dead the son of a widow in the town of Nain.
-
Jesus’ identity clarified through John the Baptist’s question and Jesus’ answer.
-
A woman’s sins were forgiven for her faith.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity – For the centurion’s faith, Jesus said: “I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” As God’s elected ones, we are His children and made righteous by faith. Do I have any difficulty to give myself to Him?
-
Integrity – The woman knew she was unworthy so she humbly gave her best to Jesus. Do I often examine my heart to reveal my own weakness and humbly come in front of the Lord to ask for forgiveness?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What kind of person can be brother of Jesus?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus uses the parable of sower to depict the different people’s reactions to the truth.
-
Jesus said: “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
-
Jesus calmed the storm and drove out the demons into the pigs.
-
The woman who bled for years was healed for her faith. Jairus’ daughter was raised from dead for his faith.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity – The woman who bled for years would not dare to ask Jesus directly but touched His cloak from behind wished to be healed. Can I come fearlessly to Jesus and ask for His grace because I have faith in Him?
-
Integrity – “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Am I listening carefully to the voice of Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Jesus train His disciples?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus sent the twelve out to preach.
-
Jesus fed five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fishes.
-
Peter declared Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus predicted His death and resurrection and encouraged the disciples to take up their crosses and follow Him.
-
Jesus went up a mountain and transfigured. A voice in the cloud proclaimed Jesus as God’s son.
-
The disciples argued among themselves whom would be the greatest.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity – Jesus fed five thousand to their satisfaction with five loaves of breads and two fishes. How do I view God’s promise and supply to our daily needs? Am I still worrying about tomorrow?
-
Fidelity – Jesus said: “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me.” Am I willing to serve all who are in need? Whom around me is in need?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Jesus and the disciples encounter in places where they preached?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus said: “The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (9:56 NKJV)
-
Jesus sent seventy disciples to preach. They came back joyously and Jesus gave thanks to God.
-
Jesus used the example of the Good Samaritan to explain the command to love your neighbor. He compared Martha and Mary to explain the command to love God.
-
Jesus taught the disciples how to pray.
Meditation: My Story
-
Integrity – To the disciples for they wanted to destroy the Samaritans with fire, Jesus rebuked them that they did not know their own spirits. How do I face those who don’t accept me? Do I continue to love them as God does or turn away and curse them?
-
Fidelity – Jesus sent out the seventy in pairs to go ahead of Him. Do I have coworkers serving with me? Are we following Jesus and serving in unity?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How the Israelites should have lived in the promised land?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God gave Israelites the boundaries of the promised land and selected leaders, one from each of the 9 and half tribes. They followed the leadership of Joshua and high priest Elijah to distribute the land.
+ In Numbers 35, God gave the regulations on establishing towns. God also established the cities of refuge for those who have killed someone by accident as their places of refuge. This was to keep them away from the avengers to prevent endless revenge killings that would defile the promised land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - It is God's grace to establish cities of refuge for those who killed unintentionally to ensure proper trials. Sins of blood can only be cleansed with blood. Those who fled to the cities of refuge must wait for the death of the high priest. The blood of Jesus Christ has forgiven all our sins, intentional or not. He is the city of refuge for all God's people. Let me atone in front Jesus and pray to Him to release me from my sins, to give me protection and freedom in Him.
+ **Identity** - God's promise to Abraham was about to be realized! God kept His promise through 40 years of continuing complaints and rebellions from the Israelites. Even today, His promises to His people have not changed. What encouragements do I receive and how do I value myself with the promises He has given to me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God ensure the land of those who has no son will not go to other tribes?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ With God's permission, the daughters of son-less Zelophehad inherited his land. The family heads now faced a new problem. Namely, a tribe's land may go to other tribes in the Year of Jubilee if daughters with inheritances marry men from other tribes. Therefore, by God's command, Moses ordered: "They may marry anyone they please as long as they marry within their father's tribal clan." The daughters obeyed.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Zelophehad's daughters obeyed all God's commands. These daughters not only cared for themselves but also their father's property. God's children should look after not just themselves. Do I follow any of the world's viewpoints but against God's? What can I do to care for the church and fellow Christians?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did the previous generation of Israelites fail to enter the promised land 40 years ago?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The new generation of Israelites who have not reached 20 or yet to be born at the time of exodus from Egypt, have now finally reached the plains of Moab across the Jordan river from the promised land after 40 years of wandering journey. The Book of Deuteronomy documents the last days of Moses where he followed God's command to reiterate the laws and regulations so that they "fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good." (Deu. 10:12-13)
+ Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43 reflects on the past 40 years of Israelite's history.
+ Chapter 1 reflects on the event 40 years ago when the previous generation of Israelites forgot God's protection and the miracles God performed for them. They rebelled against God for their lack of faith in God and the fear of the large and powerful descendants of Anak.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Israelites spent 40 years wandering on a journey that could have been completed in 11 days. It wasn't the geographical distance but their lack of faith kept them from reaching the promised land. The distance to God's wonderful promise is probably a lot closer than I think. What do I need to let go of in order to win over my disobedience and to follow God whole heartedly?
+ Community, Fidelity - In addition to calling the knowledgeable and renowned to become spiritual leaders, God also calls on all to serve and be responsible in all kinds of tasks in church. How am I responding to Him to serve with others as a unified team in His work? How am I letting go of my own agendas and objectives so God can use me fully?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Moses summarize the way Israelites complete their wandering in the wilderness and the final push up north?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ All the men died 38 years after they refused to enter the land of Canaan due to fear. Now, Israelites obeyed God's command and pushed northward. They entered the land of Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites peacefully. However, they battled Sihon king of Heshbon when they went through the land as God began to put terror and fear of the Israelites on all nations under heaven. (Deu. 2:25)
+ Moses asked God to let him cross the Jordan river but God did not let him. God did, however, let him to go up to mount Pisgah to see the promised land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. We are often burdened by unimportant things and unable to enter God's rest even though we lack nothing. Can I let God take the burden off my shoulder?
+ **Community** - Moses encouraged Joshua: Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you (Deu. 3:22) Is there someone I can give encouragement to?
+ **Community** - Those two and half tribes gotten their lands before entering the promised land helped the rest of the people enter the promised land before settling on their one land. Have I thought about sharing what I have while indulging in God's blessings?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Moses plead desperately to Israelites?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moses pleaded continuously to Israelites to obey God's law and pass on the obedience to their descendants so they may continue living on the promised land.
+ Moses established three cities of refuge to the east of Jordan river for the two and half tribes.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - As a result of obeying God's law, will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." Is my head knowledge of God's law real wisdom? Do I have the law embedded deep in my heart?
+ **Walking with God** - God forbids idolatry because we believe what can be seen and ignore the unseen truth, way, and life. Do I believe my own eyes and what I see more than the unseen God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the ten commandments?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God gave Israelites the laws in chapters 5 to 11.
+ God reiterates the ten commandments to the new generation of Israelites. The ten commandments are the essence of the law. The first four are about God, the last six are about people.
+ Moses stressed "it was not with our ancestors that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today." (Deu. 5:3)
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - The Israelites feared God as they heard His voice in the fire. Jesus said: "because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) Do I fear God from the bottom of my heart so that I would obey His law and bring blessings to myself and descendants?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What testimonies did Moses give to the Israelites, pleading to them to obey God's commands?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moses reiterated again the great miracles and wonders of God from the past to appeal to the people to abide by the covenant with God. The commands were not too difficult for them or beyond their reach: "The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." However, if their hearts turn away from God and not obedient: "All the curses written in this book will fall on them." But when they and their children return to God and obey God with all their hearts and souls, then God will restore their fortunes and have compassion on them.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What God wants from me is not hard to do. It is my choice to let go many things right in front of my eyes because the reward is that glorious crown waiting for me in heaven. Let me reaffirm my goal before God, to walk on that narrow but the righteous path to the eternal life.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were Moses' final words to Joshua, the priest, the Levites, and the elders? What did God say to Moses and Joshua?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moses could not enter the promised land because God did not allow him and he was old. However, God brought up Joshua to lead the Israelites to cross the Jordan river, to go into the land of Canaan, to destroy the nations on that land. Moses encouraged Joshua in front of all Israel that God will be with him.
+ Moses commanded the Levitical priests and elders to read to all Israel the law every seventh year, the year of cancelling debts, so they can learn to fear God.
+ God said to Moses and Joshua that the people will forsake Him and break the covenant. He told Moses to write down a song "so that it may be a witness for me against them."
+ Moses finished writing the words of the Book of the Law and placed it beside the ark of covenant as a witness against Israel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Moses passed on to Joshua the duty of leading the people to war and to go into the land of Canaan. The burden laid upon Joshua seemed to be unbearably heavy from man's point of view. However, like the faith he had when first scouted in the land of Canaan, Joshua had complete faith that God will fight for Israel. What prevents me from accepting God's calling? Pray to God to strengthen my faith in Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Moses write in the song? What were the blessings to the twelve tribes?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Chapter 32: Moses wrote the song by God's command to recall God's blessings, people's rebellion, the punishments that followed, and God's promises and redemption. The song proclaimed that God is the rock and He is the only God. Moses asked the people to take all the words to heart so they can command their children to obey. The words are not idle; The words are their life. God once again told Moses that he will not enter the land of Canaan for he did not uphold God's holiness at the waters of Meribah.
+ Chapter 33: Moses' blessing to the twelve tribes. It began with God's glory and ended with praises to the graces the people have received. It is such a blessing being chosen by God and His mercy can be seen easily through Moses' blessing even though Israel would eventually fail.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The rebellious people of Israel worshiped those useless false gods. We, too, often spend much energy pursuing those temporary pleasures and corruptible materials. Like the children who see only the sand on a beautiful beach, we forget the eternal treasure in heaven. Pray to God to help me see beyond my nose, help me see what He has planned for me in heaven.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does God view the life of His servant?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moses went up to Mount Nebo by himself. God let him see the entire promised land of Canaan on top of Pisgah. God buried Moses. Moses died at age of one hundred and twenty, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.
+ With Moses' passing, Joshua became the leader of the new generation. The Israelites listened to him.
+ Moses is someone God knew face by face. He was the greatest prophet of Israel. Lord sent him to do all kinds of signs and wonders in Egypt and to show the mighty power and awesome deeds in the sight of all Israel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Moses did not lead the Israelites to go into the land of Canaan but still earned the highest approval from God. How do I view the success of my job, service, and parenting? Is my identity and value determined by the outcome of my work or by God? Is my satisfaction fulfilled by the world's view of success or by knowing God?
+ **Integrity** - God said to Moses: "you will not cross." Moses did not argue or rebel. When God not giving me what I want, do I view lightly His authority like Adam and Eve did by eating the forbidden fruit or do I obey like Moses did? Let me pray in front of God ask Him to give me an obedient heart.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Book of Joshua, the account of Israelites entering the land of Canaan to take possession the Promised Land.
### Question
How did God lead the Israelites after Moses' passing?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God called upon Joshua to succeed Moses and commanded him to lead Israelites to go into the land promised to their ancestors.
+ God continued to be the main character in the Book of Joshua.
+ See how important God viewed faith and covenant from the calling of Joshua.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - God told Joshua repeatedly "be strong and courageous" because He will be with them. Am I staying put because I rely on myself or am I strong and courageous because I have faith in God?
+ **Fidelity** - Compare the scene where God called upon Joshua to lead the Israelites to the scene where Jesus commissioned disciples in Matthew 28. Think about my life and faith. Am I staying on the east side of Jordan River where life is easy and safe or am I stepping out of my comfort zone to take up the great commission?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the first thing the Israelites prepared for before going into Canaan?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Joshua sent spies to Jericho. God saved the spies through the lowly prostitute named Rahab.
+ The spies brought back the news that Jericho was filled with fear. Compare this to scouts' report in Numbers 13-14 and how it affected the Israelites.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Rahab was a Gentile yet God used her to save His people. I was once among the Gentiles but God chose me. Compare my life before and after knowing God. How has it transformed through my new identity? Pray and ask God to continue transform me.
+ **Integrity** - I was a Gentile, I am imperfect, and I am still rebellious and full of sins. Reflect on my past identity and give thanks to the Lord. Atone to God and ask Him to remove my ugly mask. Ask the Lord to give me a spiritual buddy, to pray with me, to lift each other up, to grow and sanctify together.
+ **Fidelity** - It can be seen from Rahab's story that God is not biased against the Gentiles who believe and have faith in Him. Are there Gentiles around me? Can I treat them with grace and love them like God treated Rahab?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses