Genesis 37 - 38; Lesson 26

John's study this week:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

Genesis 37

1. Genesis 37:1 – 4 Israel’s beloved son, Joseph (age 17) brought a bad report to his father about his brothers and who, because Joseph was loved more by his father than the brothers, was hated by his brothers of Israel’s other wives and had not a kind word for him.

2. Genesis 37:5 – 8 One day, Joseph had a dream which he told to his brothers, about grain sheaf’s  bowing to Joseph which his brothers rightly interpreted that they would be ruled over by Joseph some day and they hated him more because of the dream.
3. Genesis 37:9 – 11 Joseph had a similar dream, but with the sun, moon and eleven stars representing his family, bowing down to Joseph to which even his father was skeptical and his brothers hated and were jealous of him more, but his father kept this matter in mind.
4. Genesis 37:12 – 18 While Joseph’s brothers were grazing Israel’s sheep near Shechem, Israel sent Joseph to them to see if all was well with them and finding them found that they plotted to kill him.
5. Genesis 37:19 – 22 Joseph’s brothers said “Let’s kill him and throw him into a cistern telling that an animal killed him.” But Rueben heard this and tried to rescue him from them saying don’t kill him, but throw him into the cistern as he planned to rescue Joseph later.
6. Genesis 37:23 – 32 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, threw him in a cistern then sold him to Midianite merchants on their way to Egypt for 29 shekels of silver then slaughtered a goat and dipped Joseph’s robe in the blood then took the robe to their father Jacob and lied about what they did.
7. Genesis 37:33 – 35 Jacob recognized it declaring for himself that some animal must have devoured Joseph then tore his clothes and mourned for Joseph and would not be comforted by all his sons and daughters.
8. Genesis 37:36 – 36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.

Genesis 38

9. Genesis 38:1 – 5 Judah left his brothers and went down to Adullam where he meets a Canaanite girl, married her and made love to her who then became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er, then she conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan and then for a 3^rd time gave birth to another son and named him Shelah.

10. Genesis 38:6 – 7 Judah then got a wife named Tamar for his firstborn son, Er, but who was wicked in the Lord’s site and so the Lord put him to death.
11. Genesis 38:8 – 10 Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.” But Onan was also wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death also.
12. Genesis 38:11 – 23 Judah then encouraged Tamar to live in his home and for some reason disguised herself as a shrine prostitute then enticed Judah to sleep with her, and became pregnant by him.
13. Genesis 38:24 – 26 Judah found out that Tamar was pregnant and accused her of prostitution, yet when confronted with the seal and cord he’d given her, hid his shame and actions and would not sleep with her again.
14. Genesis 38:27 – 30 When the time came for Tamar to give birth, she gave birth to twin boys, the first, Zerah, whose hand came out of the womb first had a red thread tied to his hand, but then the hand went back inside and the 2^nd boy, Perez was born, then Zerah.
 

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

1. Genesis 37 Joseph is sold into slavery, yet God protects him for his greater future plan.

Application: How has God protected you through some trial or persecution revealing His goodness, grace, protection and purpose to you?

2. Genesis 38 God shows grace, using Tamar and Judah’s sin resulting in offspring from whose lineage Christ and our redemption will come.

Application: How has God shown grace in your life through an un-Godlike situation and turned it to His glory?

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence – ten words or less):

God’s protects Joseph, and Tamar receives grace revealing His love.

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

TCTATS: To cause the audience to see that to accomplish His plan, God protects us and give grace turning un-Godlike situations into Godly outcomes.

1 Peter 1 - 2; Lesson 28

John's study this week:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

1 Peter 1

1. v1 - 4 Peter writes and greets the Asian churches extolling them of God’s greatness to those obedient to Christ who in His mercy has given us new birth and hope of eternal inheritance.

2. v5 – 7 Our heavenly inheritance awaits us by God’s power and supports us through the trials of life, proving our faith to be greater than gold which perishes.

3. v8 – 9 By faith we love Christ and are filled with joy, even though we have not seen him, and will receive salvation as an end result.

4. v10 -  11 The prophets who told of the grace to come searched to find the timing of the Holy Spirit’s prediction of the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that followed.

5. v12 The prophets were not serving themselves but serve you by preaching the Gospel message.

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6. v13 -  16 Set your minds on the hope of Christ and knowing better now that you have Christ in your life, do not be conformed and be tempted by evil desires of your old life for it is written:  “Be holy, because I am holy.”

7. v17 - 19 Live life as foreigners with reverent fear of a loving God, and not be tempted of this world, but live as a redeemed people, by the precious blood of Christ.

8. v20 – 25 Through Christ we believe in God, who raised him from the dead and has been revealed in these last times and is to be glorified so that our faith and hope will be in God, so purify yourselves by obeying the truth having been born again, and love one another from the heart.

1 Peter 2

9. v1 – 3  Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind and like newborns crave the spiritual milk and taste and see that the Lord is good.

10. v4 - 6 We are like living stones being built into a spiritual house and are to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus who is the basis of our faith.

11. v7 -  8 To believers the stone (Jesus) is precious and the cornerstone of our faith who keeps us from stumbling unlike those who disobey the message and do stumble.

12. v9 – 10 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

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13. v11 – 12 Abstain from sinful desires and wage war against our earthly desires, living good lives among the pagans of this world so they will see good deeds exemplified.

14. v13 - 15 Submit ourselves for the Lord’s sake to earthly authorities for by doing good we will silence the criticism of foolish people.

15. v16 - 17 Live as free but god fearing and righteous people; even as God’s slaves, showing respect and love believers yet fear God and honor the authorities over you.

16. v18 - 22 As God’s slaves submit yourselves to your masters for it is right to bear up under suffering as they know God, even in receiving unjust punishment suffering in doing good before God.

17. v23 -  25 Remember how Christ suffered bearing our sins and by his wounds we are healed.

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. Holy living is expressed in the Gospel message and prophets tell of God’s plan for salvation through Christ.

1 Peter 1:1-12

Application:  Who will you tell this week of God’s plan of salvation?

Application: What can you do to live up to the message of the Gospel?

II. Holy living is what Christ would have for believer’s lives.

1 Peter 1:13- 2:10

Application: How will you bring holiness into your everyday life? At work and play?

Application:  How does one become holy without becoming “holier than thou” in our attitudes?

III. Holy living is what we are to do, as slaves of God to be living examples to this pagan world.

1 Peter 2:11-25

Application: How will you remember to imitate Jesus this week?

Application: Are you a light to this world, at home, at work, at play and not just at church?

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

Believers’ Holy Living is central as examples of the Gospel.

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to live holy lives as is God’s desire.

James 3 - 5; Lesson 27

Chuck's study this week:

Lesson    27

Passage  James 3-5

Content (List of Topics or Events)

It’s the little thing -- our Tongue (James 3:1-16) a. Teachers tongue is to a strict standard  (1-2) b. Tongue is small but like other small things can do significant things (3-8) c. Tongue can praise and is a mirror of heart (9-16)

It’s the heart thing -- Godly Wisdom (James 3:17-4:12) a. Wisdom of heaven defined 3:17-18) b. Quarrels come from wrong motives (4:1-3) c. Friendship with world is hatred to God’s motives (4-10)

It’s the life focus  thing -- Goals and Destiny (James 4:13-5:16) a. Our future is in the Lords hands (4:13-17) b. Use of Wealth can condemn (5:1-6) c. Wait patiently for the Lord (7-11) d. Be honest in your dealings (12) e. Pray on all occasions; prayer is powerful (13-16)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Division	Scripture
It’s the little thing -- our Tongue	James 3:1-16
It’s the heart thing -- Godly Wisdom	James 3:17-4:12
It’s the life focus thing -- Goals and Destiny	James 4:13-5:16

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Tongues express heart; Godly Wisdom brings patient prayerful endurance

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

To Learn that our heart should focus on God desire and plans for our lives

Specific Application Questions

	1.       How is your speech reflective of your relationship with God?
	2.       Where do you go for wisdom?
	3.       How do your goals reflect your heavenly vision?
	4.

Principles to Remember

	Our tongue reflects our heart
	Doing your own thing is not what God desires; it’s doing His.
	Our goals are fragile unless connected to God

James 1 - 2; Lesson 26

John's study this week:

Content

(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

James 1

1. v1-4 Be joyful in all kinds of trials as our tested faith and perseverance brings maturity that we will lack for nothing.

2. v5-8 Ask God if you lack wisdom, and He will give it to you without finding fault doing so believing w/o doubts you will receive, and conversely, if you doubt, you will be like a wave tossed on the sea and should not expect anything from God.

3. v9-11 Those in humble and rich places should both understand that all things, like flowers) wither and that they should only take pride in their relationship with God.

4. v12 Whoever perseveres through trial by standing with God will be blessed with promised a crown of life promised by the Lord.

5. v13-18 When tempted don’t say that it is God who tempts and God does not temp with evil as only good gifts come from above. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we be the first fruits of His creation.

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6. v19-21 Be quick to listen, slow to speak and watch your temper as this does not produce righteousness, and, get rid of moral filth and evil in your life holding on to the word of God which can save you from such.

7. v22-25 Don’t just listen to the Word, but apply it to your life, looking intentionally at the perfect law that gives freedom and blessing.

8. v26-27 Take control of your speech lest it deceives you, care for orphans and widows in need, which will help you keep from being polluted by the world.

James 2

9. v1-4 Don’t show favoritism by outward appearance thus betraying unrighteous thoughts by our discriminating and judgmental thoughts.

10. v5-7  Look inside the hearts of though of humble and poor lives as they are the ones who are rich in faith and will inherit the kingdom He promised as opposed to the men who outwardly look good who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong.

11. v8 -11 Keep God’s laws found in scripture and don’t show favoritism as that is sinful, but rather love instead of being a law breaker, as Christ commanded, for we are all guilty as we all have sinned.

12. v12-13 Live by the law of freedom in Christ, showing mercy rather than judgment, as mercy triumphs over judgment.

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13. v14-25 Faith by itself saves, yet our faith in Christ and His saving grace will produce works of righteousness for Christ’s sake as faith is demonstrated by action.

14 v26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Divisions

(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. Consider it joy when encountering temptations & trials  

James 1:1-18

Application:  With whom can you share how trials have brought about maturity in Christ?

Application: When temptations come, how are you showing the joy of having Christ in your life?

II. Live by the God’s law that gives freedom

James 1:19-2:13

Application: How are you handling your muttering, complaints and wrath?

Application:  How does one become a doer of the word?

III. A believer’s faith will be naturally demonstrated in our works because of Christ’s saving grace.

James 2:14-26

Application: How is that faith thing working for you?

Application: We’re not saved by obedience, but our obedience shows we’re saved.

Subject Sentence

(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

James speaks to believers’ attitudes concerning trials, freedom, and works. (10 words)

Aim

(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

Cause audience to think about their attitudes concerning trials, judgment, and faith demonstrated works.