30 Days to Understanding the Bible Session 7
These are the teacher's notes for a study of Max Ander's 30 Days to Understanding the Bible.
Chapters 16-17
I. The Gospel Era
(On the Board write out the following and leave spaces between the lines)
(Have map transparency of Palestine on the Overhead)
A. Early Life: Childhood to baptism
B. Early Ministry: Initial acceptance
C. Later Ministry: Growing rejection
D. Death and Resurrection: Final rejection
INPUT: Help me fill in this outline by recalling major events in Jesus’ Life and ministry under each point in the outline. And tell me some of the significance of each if you can.
(Below is a possible outline, point out general geographical movements as you gather input along)
1. Early life
Birth in Bethlehem
Flight into Egypt
Presentation as an infant in the temple
Discussion with learned scholars in the temple
2. Early Ministry: Acceptance
Temptations in the wilderness
Miracles of healing
Sermon on the Mount
Calling of His disciples
3. Later Ministry: Rejection
Clash with Pharisees and Sadducees
Withdrawal with His disciples
Teaching His disciples about His forthcoming death
Peter’s confession at Caesarea—Philippi
4. Death and Resurrection
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem
Last Supper with his disciples
Agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane
Crucifixion
Resurrection
Post-resurrection appearances
[Quiz pp. 123-124]
Now, let’s turn to the church era
II. The Church Era (Acts 1-12)
INPUT: Read out loud pp. 127-128. What impacts you from our author’s words?
The church is made up of imperfect people, however, it is the plan and program that God is using to accomplish his purposes today.
And speaking of imperfect people, who was presiding over the founding of the church (Peter—explain the accounts of Peter’s imperfections)
Even though Peter had imperfections God used Him. . . (Story line) Peter, shortly after the ascension of Jesus, is used by God to establish the Church, God’s next major plan for man.
A. Creation : Birth of the Church
(Explain or take time to read through Acts 1 & 2, explaining the significant events as you go along)
B. Growth : Organization of the Church (Acts 6)
(Read Acts 6:1-7 and explain)
(Bring out the following point: Notice Christ’s words and the fulfillment)
Acts 1:8” but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem. . .”
Acts 6:7” And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”
C. Persecution: The first Christian Martyr (Acts 7)
[Read Acts 6:8-15 and Acts 7:51-8:8]
INPUT: Why do you think God allowed them to be persecuted?
God probably wanted to “push” them out of just Jerusalem and scatter them to fulfill his goal of spreading good news to the Gentiles not just the Jews. And, because of God scattering them, again we see Christ’s predictions coming true. . . Compare Acts 1:8, with Acts 9:31
Acts 1:8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
D. Transition: A missionary to the Gentiles
(Read about Paul’s conversion and his purpose in Acts 9:1-18)
(Read Eph 2:11- 3:13 preaching to the Gentiles )
INPUT: How ought we respond to God in light of knowing that we are the “Gentiles”?
