Weekend Recharge!

BE SURE TO REVIEW THE “HANDHOLDS THROUGH THE BIBLE” FOLLOWING THE REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS.

Below are reflective questions for you to prayerfully consider; choose one or two to focus on this week. 

1. PRAY: Ask God to open your heart so you can hear him speak to you about the issue.
2. RESPOND: Confession. Repentance. Surrender. Thanksgiving.
3. ACT: Take the steps to do what God is calling you to do.

Questions for Reflection 

1. Where has self-righteousness or pride replaced dependence on God in your life? Are you approaching God as someone who needs his mercy, or as someone who believes your goodness, efforts, or religious activities earn his favor? 

2. What would childlike faith look like in your relationship with Jesus right now? Where is God inviting you to surrender control, depend more fully on him, and trust him with humility and expectation?

3. Are you trying to earn God's favor through your morality and good works, or are you living by the grace of a Savior who has done what you could never do? How would deeper dependence on Jesus change the way you live this week? 

4. If Jesus has opened your eyes to who he is, how is that changing the way you live?
   Like the beggar who immediately followed Jesus and glorified God, what is one specific way your faith should lead you to follow, praise, or point others to Jesus?

5. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but he was already seeking Zacchaeus. Where do you see Jesus pursuing you in your life right now, and how are you responding to him?

6. The servants were evaluated not by what they had been given, but by how they used it. If Jesus evaluated your faithfulness today, where would you sense his encouragement and where might he be calling you to greater faithfulness? 

7. Jesus promised that he would return. How does living with the expectation that the King is coming back change the way you approach your work, money, relationships, priorities, and everyday decisions?

HANDHOLDS THROUGH THE BIBLE

CAMDE–400–CALY

Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

“CAMDE”—HANDHOLDS THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT

CREATION (Genesis 1–11)
We considered this part of God’s story in the first month of our study. It is foundational to understanding the whole story. We learned about Yahweh Elohim, the powerful and personal God who breathed the breath of life into humanity. Sin disrupted God’s fellowship with Adam and Eve, so God graciously began the story of redemption by promising a Savior (Gen. 3:15). After the flood, the earth was populated by Noah’s descendants. 

ABRAHAM (Genesis 12–50)
God promised a Savior and chose Abraham to be the founder of a nation through which the Savior would come. This promise was passed down to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In this section, common issues like lying, jealousy, envy, betrayal, and mockery of God continue as God reveals his plan for his people. Finally, through a series of events, Jacob’s small clan settles in Egypt and eventually becomes a powerful nation. 

MOSES (Exodus–Joshua)
For four hundred years in Egypt, the nation of Israel grew stronger. Eventually, the pharaoh enslaved Israel and ordered the killing of all male Israelite infants. Moses was spared, raised in Egypt’s royal courts, and educated at its finest universities. But when he took matters into his own hands by killing an Egyptian who was mistreating a fellow Israelite, he was forced to flee for his life. Forty years later, God called Moses to deliver Israel from slavery. However, because of Israel’s continued disobedience, the nation wandered in the desert for forty years. Moses died, and Joshua was appointed to lead Israel into the promised land. 

DAVID (Judges–Song of Solomon)
David represents the period of the judges (forerunners of the kings) and the kings of Israel, who ruled over both the united and divided kingdoms. The Davidic Covenant promised that David’s throne would be established forever (2 Sam. 7:16). This promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the King of kings (Rev. 22:16). This section includes Ruth, Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah, important leaders in God’s story, as well as books of poetry and proverbs.

ELIJAH (Isaiah–Malachi)
In Matthew 17:1–5, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus while he was with Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. Moses represented the law, and Elijah represented the prophets. Prophets appeared before, during, and after the exiles.^[1] They warned Israel of the consequences of disobedience and looked forward to the promised Messiah.

400 (YEARS BETWEEN OLD TESTAMENT AND NEW TESTAMENT)

After the Old Testament ends with the book of Malachi, four hundred years pass before God speaks again through the last prophet, John the Baptist. This time is known as the Intertestamental Period or the Silent Period. 

“CALY” —HANDHOLDS THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT

Christ (Matthew–John)
The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), along with John’s Gospel, tell the story of Jesus on earth—his incarnation, teachings, crucifixion, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances. 

Apostles (Acts)
The Acts of the Apostles begins with Jesus' ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit lit the flame that ignited the church. In Acts, we follow Peter and Paul, learn how Jews and Gentiles were united into one body, and see churches begin to form throughout Europe and Asia. 

Letters (Romans–Jude)
The New Testament includes 21 letters, 13 of which were written by Paul. Most of these letters are directed to churches, with a few sent to individuals. 

Yet-to-Come (Revelation)
The Revelation of Jesus Christ was given to an angel, who then revealed it to the apostle John while he was exiled on the Island of Patmos. The Revelation begins with letters to seven churches and then describes the judgments that will end life as we know it, ultimately ushering us into the eternal kingdom.