Tag: Old Testament prophets

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Bible Challenge Week 32: The Prophets – Ezekiel

Get ready for a wild ride!  Ezekiel was blessed or cursed with the most far-out visions of any Bible prophet, and we can only imagine what his audience thought.  Besides seeing the visions, he also acted them out, such as lying on one side for 40 days while subsisting on Ezekiel bread.

“Can these bones . . . live?”

Wheels within wheels, bones upon bones.  Ezekiel saw his visions in the Spirit, for he was deported from Judah at an early age and never saw his homeland again.  It seemed as though the Lord would never look upon his people again–in one stunning vision, Ezekiel saw the Holy Presence depart from those golden rooms and columned halls.  Would the people ever return?  Would God Himself return?  Could the dry bones of lost glory ever be restored?

For a printable download of this week’s challenge, including questions, activities, and scripture passages, click below:

Bible Reading Challenge Week 32: The Prophets – Ezekiel

(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 31: The Prophets – Jeremiah

Next: Week 33: The Prophets – Daniel

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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

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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

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Bible Challenge Week 20: The Nation – Saul

Be careful what you wish for!  That saying wasn’t current in 1050 B.C., but it’s the theme of the prophet Samuel’s speech to the people in I Sam. 8:10-18.  You want a king?  Here’s what kings do.

They still want a king, so God gives them one.

And it doesn’t seem like such a bad deal.  The first king of Israel has some kingly qualities, both on the outside and on the inside.  He has no palace or royal guard or many of the fancy trappings that come with a long-standing monarchy.  Still, once the crown is on his head it goes to his head, as power usually does.  We’ll begin to see that process this week.  And we’ll encounter another problem that has puzzled Bible readers ever since.

For the printable download, with scripture references, discussion questions, and activities, click here:

Bible Reading Challenge Week 20: The Nation – Saul

(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 19: The Nation – Samuel

Next: Week 21: The Nation – Failure!