Skip to the content.

« PrevNext »
Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4
Day 5Day 6Day 7Day 1
Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5
Day 6Day 7Day 1Day 2
Day 3Day 4Day 5Day 6
Day 7Day 1Day 2Day 3
Day 4Day 5Day 6Day 7

Weekly Guide:Week 35

September 23, 2018


Week 35 Day 1: Testimony in Jerusalem

Forward

We are completing the reading on the Book of Acts and starting on the Book of Romans.

Romans was written in Corinth when Paul was on his third missionary trip. It was written to the disciples in Rome who were mostly Gentiles and some Jews. This is the most influential book in Bible in the history of church. The significance of its topics, the references to the Old Testament, the vastness of its subjects, and the wealth of God’s grace are second to none in all books of Bible.

May you all be renewed in God’s word every day.

Question

What dangers did Paul face in Jerusalem?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 2: Stand for Truth

Question

How did Paul testify for the truth under the persecution?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 3: Explain the Truth

Question

How did Paul testify for the truth in front of King Agrippa?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 4: High Sea Disaster

Question

What did Paul encounter on the way to Rome?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 5: Preach with Boldness

Question

How did Paul continue to preach gospel after he had arrived in Rome?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 6: Gospel of God

Question

What is gospel?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

Scripture Reading

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 1: Tribe of Judah

### Question Which tribe was the first to receive land? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### 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


Week 35 Day 2: Tribes of Joseph

### Question What tribes were the next to receive land? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### 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


Week 35 Day 3: The Other Tribes

### Question How was the inheritance divided up for the rest of the tribes? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### 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


Week 35 Day 4: Tribe of Levi

### Question How did the Levites get their allotment? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### 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


Week 35 Day 5: Back to East

### Question How did the two and half tribes go back to their lands on the east side of Jordan? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### 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


Week 35 Day 6: Joshua's Last Words

### Question What were Joshua's last words to the Israelites? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### 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


Week 35 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 1: Full to Empty

### Question What faith did Ruth display? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + During the age when everyone did as they fit, Elimelek fled famine with wife Naomi and two sons for he had little faith. They left Bethlehem in "full" to Moab, a land God despised. God brought suffering to them and Elimelek and his two sons died in Moab. One of the daughter-in-law left Naomi and went back to her home and the Moabite god. The other determined to stay with Naomi and God. + The famous quote of Ruth, a true display of faith: "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." Ruth became the ancestor of David, an important member in Jesus' lineage. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - Elimelek's weak faith caused him to leave the promised land into the seemingly plenty of Moab because he loved the world more than God's promise. Naomi was saddened but never complained about her suffering. She displayed great faith with her life right in front of her two Gentile daughters-in-law. Orpah could not uphold what she had started, left God and went back to the world of idols where she had come from. Ruth, envy of Naomi's God, was determined to follow Naomi and became a great testimony of faith. What do these people remind me of? Where do I stand in the journey of my life right now?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 2: Covered with Grace

### Question What life testimony did the Gentile Ruth live out? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Ruth gleaned in the field for mother-in-law Naomi and herself and was protected by the gracious Boaz. + Ruth was richly rewarded just as Boaz's blessing for her: "May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Ruth, a Gentile woman, her love for Naomi and faith for God became a great testimony to the Israelites. God's grace covered the Moabite woman Ruth aplenty even though the law dictates that the Moabites are not chosen as His. It is by God's election that changes our identity. What is my identity before and after I have come to know God? How do I identify myself and my value now? + **Integrity** - What Boaz saw in Ruth was not lust but her faith in God. From what can I see Boaz's tenderness and respect toward Ruth? How should I view those who are in need?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 3: A Guardian Redeemer

### Question How did Boaz fulfill his responsibility as a guardian-redeemer? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + When one dies, according to the law, a close relative is obligated to redeem his family, marry his wife, and buy his land to maintain the inheritance. Naomi followed this law to find a home for Ruth. Ruth obeyed Naomi's will and Boaz obeyed the law to fulfill his obligation. ### Meditation: My Story + **Integrity** - God's grace was realized through Naomi's love, Ruth's obedience, and Boaz's faithfulness. Through me, God's grace may also come to others. What can I learn from Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz's integrity in love, obedience, and faith and apply that to my service to the Lord?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 4: Bitter to Sweet

### Question What was Ruth's role in God's plan? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + According to Israelite's law and in the presence of the elders, Boaz and another relative decided on Ruth's marriage. Boaz married Ruth by faith just as Ruth followed Naomi by faith. + Naomi gained an heir who eventually became the ancestor of King David of Israel. Her bitterness turned into sweetness. + God's promises to His people never change. Even a Moabite woman had become an important part of His salvation plan. ### Meditation: My Story + **Fidelity** - The relative who was closer to Naomi than Boaz was not willing to marry Ruth because "I might endanger my own estate." This was because Ruth's future son would not be under his name and yet inherit the land he would redeem. So, he would rather not take on the responsibility of redeeming and gave it to Boaz in order to protect his own interest. Although Ruth's child became Naomi's son and named under Elimelek, Boaz's name was the one recorded in Jesus' genealogy: "Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth" (Ruth 4:21, Matthew 1:5). Contrasting to the relative who held on to his own estate, Boaz was willing to give up his but was rewarded the greatest blessing. How does Boaz's selfless and faithful service remind me?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 5: Awaiting Holy Spirit

### Question How did the disciples follow the commands Jesus gave before He was risen into heaven? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Jesus instructed the disciples to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. + The disciples selected new apostle to replace Judas. ### Meditation: My Story + **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? + **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


Week 35 Day 6: Holy Spirit Filled

### Question + How did the Holy Spirit raise the first church? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + The Holy Spirit filled the apostles to enable them to speak in tongues of different native languages of the crowds declaring God's wonders. + Peter addressed the crowds that Jesus is the Messiah. + About three thousand heard and accepted his message were baptized and added to their number that day. ### Meditation: My Story + **Integrity** - Would I feel being cut to the heart and come to God to ask for forgiveness if someone spoke of my past sins, whether intentionally or not? We all need someone who can point out our spiritual weaknesses. More importantly, we need to listen to Holy Spirit's guidance. + **Fidelity** - Peter said: "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." We would not turn a blind eye to the unbelievers if we understand from bottom of our hearts the corruptness. Do I truly understand the corrupt generation I'm in?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 1: Bringing the Ark

### Question How was the ark of the Lord brought to Jerusalem? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. + David summoned the Levites to carry the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord. + David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals. + David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing. + As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart. + They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. + He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol, thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel. + David appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord. + David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day's requirements. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - From David's praise: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. How is God in control of my life, present, past, and future? How should I give thanks to God? + **Fidelity** - Compare the two attempts David made in moving the ark (13, 15). What were the results and the causes? How do these remind me of my service to the Lord? + **Fidelity** - What were David's reasons for praising the Lord? (23-24, 26, 33-34) Have I overlooked any?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 2: Wish for Temple

### Question What was God's response to David's wish to build the temple? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + David wished to build the temple for the Lord but He said: "You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in." + The Lord promised David that his descendant would build the temple for the Lord and the Lord would establish his descendant's throne forever. + David prayed humbly to the Lord. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - Why did God refuse David's wish to build the temple? (17:5-6) What did God promise him? God's promise was much greater than what David asked for. Have I been refused by God? What happened afterward? + **Identity** - Read carefully David's prayer. What was David's attitude and knowledge of God and himself reflected in the beginning of the prayer? What can I learn from it?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 3: Defeat Everyone Everywhere

### Question What were the David's military accomplishments against the gentiles? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + David defeated the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Arameans. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. + He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. + David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. + Hanun humiliated David's envoys. + Joab and Abishai defeated the Arameans and the Ammonites. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - David's undefeated military records in chapter 18 show the realization of God's promise to him in chapter 17. How is God leading me in my life? How am I responding to Him? + **Community** - David sent envoys to comfort Hanun. Instead, Hanun humiliated the envoys and started a war. Have I experienced a similar situation where my good will was ill-treated? How should I view this from the viewpoint of salvation and grace?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 4: Taking a Census

### Question What did David do after his victory? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins. David took the crown from the head of their king. + David's army defeated the Philistines three times. + Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. David repented so the Lord sent a plague on Israel. + David bought land from Araunah, built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The Lord put His sword back into its sheath. ### Meditation: My Story + **Integrity** - David and his men defeated the Philistines three times along with the giants they faced. What kind of giants I need to face in my life? How may I gain strength from the Lord to defeat the giants of my life? + **Integrity** - What kind situation was David in when he was incited by Satan to take a census? Why wasn't God pleased with it? When am I vulnerable to the temptations? + **Integrity** - David was pleasing to God but still did things not pleasing to God in his old age. What warnings do I see from this?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 5: Preparations for Temple

### Question What preparations did David do for the construction of the temple? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + David provided a large amount of iron and more cedar logs than could be counted. + David called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord. + David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. ### Meditation: My Story + **Fidelity** - Even though God did not allow David to build the temple for Him but David still made preparations for the person God had chosen. How do I view the duties God placed in my hands? What would I do if I need to be a stepping stone of others? + **Fidelity** - Learning from the order David gave to all the leaders of Israel, what characters should I possess when leading others?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 6: The Levites' Duties

### Question What were the duties of the Levites? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. + Levites twenty years old or more were counted individually and served in the temple of the Lord. + The divisions of the descendants of Aaron. + The rest of the descendants of Levi casted lots for their duties. ### Meditation: My Story + **Fidelity** - In addition to preparing the material resources for constructing the temple, David also prepared human resources. In my service at church, how may I take care of both material and human resources? + **Fidelity** - What were the different duties in the temple? What similarities do they compare to the duties in churches today?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 35 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}

Prayer

Notes and Responses