If you already have a regular devotion habit that's great! If not, use this section to help you to study the bible every day!
Sword Practice Tip:
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12)
Make sure you read the bible for yourself, but when you are finding it hard to draw insight it can be helpful to combine your bible reading with quality teaching from the sermon at church, podcasts, books, articles, conversations and much more!
The Present Kingdom (Jesus):
Study based on God's Big Picture: Tracing the storyline of the bible, by Vaughan Roberts.
In fact, God's Big Picture is one such helpful book for helping us get more insight into how the whole bible is one coherent story about God's kingdom. We've finally made it to the new testament! Missed an episode? Click here to read previous posts.
We saw that in the Old Testament God made many promises to reverse the effect of the fall and restore kingdom blessings to a people who willingly live by God's blessings and rule. But each Old Testament story is just a little bit (or a lot) disappointing, as human sin gets in the way again and again. Enter: Jesus. Everything that was disappointing in the Old Testament find it's satisfaction in Jesus. Where Adam failed, Jesus doesn't. Where Israel failed, Jesus doesn't. Where the kings of old failed, Jesus doesn't. Where the temple worship failed to deal with sin satisfactorily, Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, the new temple and the great high priest. Where the law just brought condemnation, Jesus establishes a new covenant of grace. Where we were powerless over Satan's dominion on earth, Jesus is powerful. The kingdom of God is finally present! It hasn't yet come in all it's fullness, and there's work to be done in the meantime, but that's a story for next time. Please use the study guide below to explore for yoursef how God's kingdom is finally present with the arrival of Jesus.
Study Guide:
Monday: Luke 1:39-80 - What do we learn about the salvation Jesus brings through the words of Mary and Zechariah?
Tuesday: Genesis 12:1-3 - How does Jesus fulfil this Old Testament prophesy? Is there anything yet to be fully fulfilled?
Wednesday: 2 Samuel 7:11-16 - How does Jesus fulfil this Old Testament prophesy? Is there anything yet to be fully fulfilled?
Thursday: Isaiah 9:2-7 - How does Jesus fulfil this Old Testament prophesy? Is there anything yet to be fully fulfilled?
Friday: Isaiah 49:5-7 - How does Jesus fulfil this Old Testament prophesy? Is there anything yet to be fully fulfilled?
Got a question? Post it below!
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