Bible Challenge Week 28: Kings & Prophets – Jonah, Amos, Hosea

Elijah and Elisha instituted the Age of Prophets with an explosion of signs and wonders.  Now comes the hard part.  Or actually, it’s always hard, speaking truth to stony hearts, but the miracles will soon be out while oracles and exhortations are in.  Israel (the northern kingdom, that is) is hanging on only by God’s mercy: Amos and Hosea are sent to warn them, first by words and then by actions.

Jonah is a special case, and not just because of his big fish adventure.  He is sent to warn Israel’s enemies, a signal to him (and to us) that God’s heart is for the world, not just one nation or one race.  Jonah as the first “global prophet” is a stunning success in some ways and a miserable failure in others.

For the .pdf of this week’s challenge, with Bible passages, questions, and activities, click here:

Bible Reading Challenge Week 28: Kings & Prophets – Jonah, Amos, Hosea

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 27: Kings & Prophets – Elijah

Next: Week 29: Kings & Prophets – Micah and Isaiah

Bible Challenge Week 27: Kings & Prophets – Elijah

This week we turn to the next chapter in the Bible saga.  We’re not done with kings; in fact, since the kingdom divided, we’ve doubled that number.  But a new era is beginning, when more and more of God’s word will be entrusted to prophets.  Prophesy is hardly new in Israel: from the beginning of their residence in Canaan, bands, or “schools,” of roaming holy men (and a few women) appear in the narrative.  But in the vast majority of cases we don’t know their mission or their message.  Aside from Moses and Nathan, we don’t even know their names.

With Elijah’s appearance, that changes.  The era of the prophets has arrived, and this diverse group, spanning hundred of years, from various backgrounds and abilities, will be responsible for one-third of the content of the Old Testament.

Elijah, however, will be better known for what he did than what he said.  In fact, as in so many periods of Israel’s history, a new age is signaled by an explosion of miracles.  What does that say about Elijah, and his protoge Elisha?  For the .pdf of this week’s challenge, with Bible passages, questions, and activities, click here:

Bible Reading Challenge Week 27: Kings & Prophets – Elijah

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 26: The Kingdom – Failure!

Next: Week 28: Kings & Prophets – Jonah, Amos, Hosea

Bible Challenge Week 26: The Kingdom – Failure!

So far we’ve seen three kings that started out strong but finished weak, David being the best of them.  From now on the books of I & II Kings (and I & II Chronicles) will fall into a pattern, like the book of Judges.  For the most part this will be a depressing pattern, with a few rays of hope.  We’ll find out what the pattern is this week, along with the events that led to . . .

As we’ll see, divided hearts lead to a divided kingdom.  It makes you wonder about the United States today–how united are we?  What are we united around?

For this week’s download, including scripture passages, thought questions, and activities to interest the children, click below:

Bible Reading Challenge Week 26: The Kingdom – Failure!

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 25: The Kingdom – Wisdom

Next: Week 26: Kings & Prophets – Elijah

 

Bible Challenge Week 25: The Kingdom – Wisdom

Job asked, “Where is wisdom to be found?”  It’s a good question, but an even better question might be, “What is ‘wisdom’?”  These days we hear the adjective more than the noun: wise woman, wise words, wise government officials–well, admittedly, we don’t hear those words in combination too much.  I wonder if that says something about our times: we understand the characteristics of wisdom (what it looks like) without understanding it.

The Bible doesn’t make that mistake.  A quick glance at my concordance shows many more references to wisdom than to wise, which only makes sense.  The main character of the Bible is the source of wisdom.

Still, what is it?  This week’s survey of Job, Psalms, and Proverbs is aimed at answering that question.  (We’ll look at Ecclesiastes next week, and as for the Song of Songs, I’m not wise enough to fit that one in!)  For this week’s scripture passages, discussion questions, and activities, click below:

Bible Reading Challenge Week 25: The Kingdom – Wisdom

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 24: The Kingdom – Solomon and the Temple

Next: Week 26: The Kingdom – Failure!

Bible Challenge Week 24: The Kingdom – Solomon’s Temple

David’s reign ended with an ugly scramble for a successor, but God already had someone in mind.  Once again, he passed over the older sons to settle on a younger one–a boy who may have been overlooked in the mad scramble of palace intrigue, but who, we are told, was loved from birth (II Sam. 12:24).  Solomon was known for wealth, wit, and wisdom–and later for women.  But his place in redemption history was secured by what he built.

After 500 years, the Lord would have his temple.  The Ark of the Covenant, after residing in tents and barns and (one one memorable occasion) side by side with a pagan idol, would come to its place of rest within walls lined with gold.  Finally there would be a focus for Israel’s worship: a central place for sacrifice, for service, for prayers and for preaching.  The festival of the Temple’s dedication, with a long prayer by Solomon himself, would be like nothing ever seen before or since.

But the people should know that even a building as magnificent at their new temple can’t contain the majesty of God–Solomon himself reminds them of that.  But the’re going to forget, and so will he.  And so do we, when we fool ourselves into thinking that our man-made constructions are sufficient to explain God.

For the printable download including scripture readings, discussion questions, and activities, click here:

Bible Reading Challenge Week 24: The Kingdom – Solomon’s Temple

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 23: The Kingdom – David’s Fall

Next: Week 35: The Kingdom – Wisdom

Bible Challenge Week 23: The Kingdom: David’s Fall

What’s your idea of a hero?  Is there anyone today, in the military or the sports world, who looks like a hero to you?  To a nation that had been longing for the ideal king to lead them and a “Mighty man” to look up to, David fit that description: the teenage boy holding up the head of a giant, the captain who had “slain his ten thousands,” the loyal subject who became a generous monarch, the chief shepherd of his people who made them feel like somebody.

But, as he made sadly apparent once he had reached middle age, David was not their ideal king.  If anyone still hoped, their hopes would have been dashed to see the mighty slayer of ten thousands sneaking out of his palace at night to escape of his own son.

How long would God’s people have to wait for their ideal king?

Click below for the .pdf of this week’s study, with Bible passages, questions, and activities for kids and grownups:

Bible Reading Challenge Week 23: The Kingdom – David’s Fall

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 21: The Kingdom – David’s Rise

Next: Week 23 – The Kingdom – Solomon and the Temple

 

 

Bible Challenge Week 22: The Kingdom: David’s Rise

“The nation” is now a kingdom.  King Saul, as it happened, was a prelude.  Now the true king appears, the one God had in mind all along.  Every Sunday-school child knows about the boy who killed the nine-foot giant with a single stone, and the shepherd who killed predators with nothing but a stick and his bare hands.  David is also one of the few people in the Bible who receives a physical description.  From the minute he appears, it’s as if the Word is saying, “Watch this one: he’s special.”  But for all that, David’s purpose and place in salvation history outweighs his person.

Through David, the Lord wold accomplish two great milestones in the story of redemption.  What were they?  Click here to find out:

Bible Reading Challenge, Week 22: David’s Rise

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 21: Failure!

Next: Week 23: David’s Fall

 

 

Bible Challenge Week 21: The Nation – Failure!

FAILURE! is starting to sound like the buzzer on a talent show that tells the performer to clear the stage.  It’s an ugly sound–but if we don’t like it, just imagine it sounds to God!

Saul, like Samson before him, has a spectacular fall.  He’s a tragic character worthy of Shakespeare, who might have written a play about him if it hadn’t been sort of illegal to present Bible subjects on stage.  Still, I think of Saul as the “King Lear” of the Bible.  Which raises the question, why choose him in the first place?  Especially when the Lord has–and always had–another man in mind for a replacement, who made his appearance last week and will now come to “live in Saul’s head.”  The plot thickens . . .

To read more, click below for the printable download, with scripture references, thought questions, and activities:

Bible reading Challenge Week 21: The Nation – Failure!

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 20: The Nation – Saul

Next: Week 22: The Kingdom – David’s Rise

Bible Challenge, Week 19: The Nation – Samuel

After the chaos of Judges, the LORD is ready to move Israel to a new phase of history.  They’ve exhausted themselves by “every man doing what was right in his own eyes,” and they seem to recognize it.  They need leadership, direction, identity: “Give us a King, so we might be like the other nations!”

Of course, they already have an identity in the Holy One of Israel, but that’s just not immediate enough.  You know?  It’s too abstract, even though they still have the tabernacle and a priest and well-defined rituals.  They still need a person.  And maybe we’re not so different, even now: we need a Person to look to and identify with.  That Person is coming, but first he will be personified in a succession of kings.  And a transitional figure emerges, vital enough to have two books of the Bible named for him . . .

To read more click below for the .pdf with scripture readings, questions, and activities:

Bible Reading Challenge, Week 19: The Nation – Samuel

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 18: The Nation – Ruth

Next: Week 20: The Nation – Saul

Bible Challenge, Week 18: The Nation – Ruth

After all the mayhem of the book of Judges, Ruth is a sweet breeze blowing from the barley fields surrounding the House of Bread (or as it’s better known, Bethlehem).  It’s reassuring that even in times of war and strife, normal life goes on.  But Ruth is also a sweet story, a lovely example of ancient literary storytelling, and a significant link in the redemption story.

To see how, read on.  Here’s the .pdf of this week’s study, including scripture passages to read, questions to discuss, and activities:

Bible Reading Challenge, Week 18: The Nation – Ruth

(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible.  I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF.  The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids.  Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)

Previous: Week 17: The Nation – Failure!

Next: Week 19: The Nation – Samuel