Weekly Guide：Week 32
September 02, 2018
Forward
This week, we will complete our reading of the Gospel of Luke and continue into the Book of Acts.
Both Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts came from the same root that enables us to see the spreading of gospel and the rise of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ description reminds us that the Kingdom of God is not by chance but by His design to origin in the humble and the meek. We need to realize that it is God’s hand working behind the scene such that the existence of His kingdom does not manifest in a particular country or region but can be likened to yeast as an invisible force leavening in bread wherever God’s people are.
Jesus did not come back right away so that we may see God’s working in our history that His promises are not realized by the influences of man but revealed at time of His choosing. The power of God’s Kingdom is demonstrated through life’s transformation and disciple’s testimony of the eternal God’s glory and sovereignty. God’s Kingdom is not seen through grandiose building or architecture but through the continuation of spiritual lives within and throughout the church.
May God’s word renew you all each day!
Question
How did Jesus prepare the disciples for His death?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus predicted His own death and gave sight to the blind.
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Through Zacchaeus the Tax Collector, Jesus explained the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
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Through the parable of the minas, Jesus explained the importance of wisely put to work our gifts.
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Jesus rode donkey into Jerusalem. Jesus’ sorrow for Jerusalem.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Jesus said He came to seek and to save the lost. Am I unable to let go of my past sins and failures? How does Jesus’ word help me realize my value and worth?
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Fidelity - When the servant said to the master that he reaps what he did not sow, the servant looked down upon the mina his master entrusted to him. Am I able to see the gifts the Lord has entrusted to me and am willing to be used by Him to become the blessing of others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What conflicts Jesus had with the elders, the teachers of the laws, and the chief priests at the temple?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus cleansed the temple.
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Jesus used the parable of the tenants to illustrate the loss of Israel’s blessing.
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Jesus used paying taxes to Caesar to explain the relationship between religion and political power.
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Jesus predicted destruction of the temple and redemption belongs to those who endures.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity -Learning from Israel’s loss of its blessing as depicted in the parable of the tenants, how should we value our own identity? Do I deserve the blessings and salvation from Jesus? Can I put thankfulness back into my heart?
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Fidelity - The two small copper coins from the poor widow was more than what all others gave. Am I giving my all to serve God? What reservations do I have?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What were the last events before Jesus’ arrest?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus and disciples had Passover supper together.
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Disciples disputed who would be the greatest. Jesus predicted Peter to disown Him three times.
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Jesus was arrested at Gethsemane then put on trial before the council.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - Jesus asked his disciples to pray so they wouldn’t fall into temptation. Do I pray often for my own spiritual life? As my spiritual life is being molded, how do I avoid falling into temptation?
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Fidelity - Peter was confident that he would not disown Jesus. Do I know the biggest weakness in my heart? How does the understanding of that weakness help me stay away from temptation?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was Jesus crucified?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus was brought in front of Pilate for trial.
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The crowds were willing to let go of Barabbas but wanted to crucify Jesus.
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Jesus was buried in a grave which no one had yet been laid.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - The curtain in the temple was torn in two when Jesus died. The separation between God and man was reconciled since. Do I understand my close relationship with God and come to Him without fear?
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Fidelity - Joseph went to Pilate asking for Jesus’ body to burry in the grave dug out for himself. Am I being compassionate and serve fearlessly?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Jesus do after His resurrection?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two who were on the way to Emmaus.
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Jesus appeared in Emmaus and Jerusalem.
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Jesus commissioned the disciples and then was risen into heaven.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Jesus opened the disciples’ minds so they could understand the scripture from Moses to everything written about Himself. Am I able to see God’s plan and Jesus from the Old Testament? Pray and praise God for His omnipotence and thank Him for His eternal plan.
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Community - The disciples did not believe the women who told them the fact that they saw an empty grave without Jesus. How do I treat my fellow Christian’s testimonies? Can I accept them by the faith in our Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the disciples follow the commands Jesus gave before He was risen into heaven?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - As Jesus left the disciples, they prayed and waited for the Holy Spirit. Do I seek for God’s guidance and direction while waiting?
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Integrity - The first thing came to the disciples’ minds, when they realized Jesus’ authority in resurrection, was their own desire for the kingdom of Israel instead of the will of Jesus. This is a great reminder for myself: do not be limited by my own limited mind but seek God’s will!
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
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
### Question
Which tribe was the first to receive land?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Caleb and the tribe of Judah were the first to receive inheritance indicating the significance of the tribe.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The tribe of Judah was the first to receive the inheritance some hundred years after God promised Abraham and Jacob. Being children of God, we have the inheritance of grace in Jesus Christ. Pray for myself and fellow Christians to give thanks to the Lord for the spiritual home and the identity of being Children of God.
+ **Fidelity** - Caleb co-worked with Joshua for forty years. At age eighty-five, he asked Joshua to give him the hill country occupied by Anakites in their fortified cities because he had faith that God will help him drive out the Anakites. Do I often lax in my services and lust in self-indulgence because I feel I have done enough? Do I serve according to my ability or God's promise?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What tribes were the next to receive land?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The two tribes of Joseph's descend were next to receive their allotments: Ephraim and half tribe of Manasseh.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Ephraim was mentioned first in getting their inheritance even though Manasseh was Joseph's firstborn, because Jacob had put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh (Gen. 48:20). God elected us, the weak, and made us strong. How do I identify myself in Christ Jesus?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was the inheritance divided up for the rest of the tribes?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The inheritance was divided up in different way than the tribes of Judah and Joseph.
+ The Tribe of Benjamin was first to receive their inheritance which included the yet to be conquered Jerusalem. Then the remaining tribes.
+ The last was allotted to Joshua. The narrative on dividing the inheritance of land started and ended with the two Israelites of previous generation: Caleb and Joshua.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - As the leader of Israel, Joshua waited till the last to receive his inheritance. What can I learn from Joshua's humbleness to put the benefits of others first?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Levites get their allotment?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God established six cities of refuge. Three on the east side of Jordan River and three on the west. These are evenly distributed in the promised land to ensure that anyone who killed unintentionally could get to one of them within a half day. This was by the command God had given to Moses. (Deu. 19:1-13; Num. 35:9-34)
+ The Levites were spread out among the entire promised land and were allotted towns from the tribes. They were to live among the tribes to bring about God centered life to them.
+ When all promised lands were allotted and given to the Israelites, not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45)
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - The cities of refuge were not for the Israelites alone but for those gentiles living among them, as well. God treated everyone equally. God established the cities of refuge because He values our lives. We should value our own lives, too, because we were made with God's image. How do I view my spouse, family members, colleagues, and co-workers?
+ **Identity** -The Levites lived among the Israelites like the Simeonites. But their missions and identities were vastly different. God's election changes our identity and value. How has God changed me?
+ **Integrity** - Caleb painstakingly conquered Hebron but gave up to the Levites as a city of refuge and left himself the fields and villages around the city. What do Caleb's character and integrity remind me of?
+ **Walking with God** - God' promises never fall short! How does this fact encourage me in my struggles?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the two and half tribes go back to their lands on the east side of Jordan?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The two and half tribes of the east kept their promise to carry out the mission God gave them to help their fellow Israelites obtain their lands. Afterward, Joshua blessed them and asked them to serve and walk in obedience of the Lord. He reminded them to share the plunders of war with their fellow Israelites then sent them home.
+ The two and half tribes built an imposing altar near Jordan River. This brought suspicion from the nine and half tribes that they were serving other gods. Israelites sent priest Phinehas and heads of the nine and half tribes to question them. They gently proclaimed their faith in the Lord to resolve the situation and turned tension into peace.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Looking at the misunderstanding between the nine and half tribes of the west and the two and half tribes of the east. How does it remind me in my relationships with my co-workers, family, and spouse? How should I treat those who seem to have done something wrong to me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were Joshua's last words to the Israelites?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Chapter 23 is Joshua's final encouragement to the heads of the Israelite tribes. Chapter 24 is Joshua's final encouragement to the entire Israelite community, to renew the covenant with God.
+ Joshua counted the blessings God gave Israelites to remind them to fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Do not serve other gods and do not inter-mix and marry the gentiles.
+ Joshua let the people choose, made covenant with them, and set up a large stone as witness.
+ Joshua and Eleazar passed. The bones of Joseph were buried in Shechem. The age the Israelites wandered in the desert ended.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Joseph had faith in God's promise and his bones testified for God long after his passing. Pray to God to strengthen my faith as Joseph's and make my life a witness to God's glory.
+ **Fidelity** - What does the final encouragement Joshua gave to the Israelites mean to me? Am I willing to put myself and my family in front of the Lord to serve Him? How should I live out my life in serving the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses