Study to Teach and Preach the Bible

Transcription

1 1 Study to Teach and Preach the Bible Bram Beute Harold Kallemeyn The Timothy Leadership Training Institute and De Verre Naasten. All rights reserved

2 2 Preface This manual is for use in a group which meets regularly to work through the 21 lessons. Here are the beliefs and guiding principles of this course: 1. The Bible is the Word of God. 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 14:26 2. The Bible is complete. Revelation 22: The Bible is about Christ. John 5:39, Luke 24:27 4. There is always a danger to misuse and misunderstand the Bible. 2 Peter 3:16 5. The primary task of church leaders is to proclaim and explain the Bible. Titus 1:9 Through this course, you will develop your ability to proclaim and explain Biblical texts for God s glory. SALVATION ROAD Six important events recorded in the Bible are indicated by the following symbols (from left to right): 1. God creates and blesses the world. 2. The perfect world of God is broken because of sin. 3. Throughout the Old Testament God promises to heal the broken world through the Messiah. 4. Jesus suffered, died and rose again to heal and bless the world. 5. Jesus' disciples received the Holy Spirit and are sent into the world as servants to bring blessing and healing. 6. Jesus returns to establish the New Creation, where all that has been broken will be restored.

3 This symbol is the combination of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: alpha (A) and omega (Ω). In Revelation 22.13, the risen Lord proclaims: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. 3

4 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 st section Introductions 1. Introduction to Study to Teach and Preach the Bible 2. Introduction to the 3 Keys study tool: Luke 24: nd section Skill 1: Learning to preach and teach the Bible as one story about Christ 3. Learning to teach and preach the Bible as one story 4. Using the 3 Keys study tool: Acts 15: Learning to teach and preach the Bible as one story about Christ 6. Using the 3 Keys study tool: I Kings 11: Using the 3 Keys study tool: Ezekiel Using the 3 Keys study tool: Exodus 20-21:11 3 rd section Skill 2: Learning to preach and teach different kinds of Bible texts 9. Learning to teach and preach from stories 10. Learning to teach and preach from the Psalms 11. Using the 3 Keys study tool: Psalm Using the 3 Key study tool: Revelation 13:11-14:5 4 th section Skill 3: Learning to preach and teach to people with different needs 13. Learning to apply the Bible to the daily life of your listeners 5 th section Skill 4: Learning to preach and teach a subject found throughout the Bible 14. Subject study: marriage 15. Subject study according to choice 6 th section Skill 5: Learning to study an entire Bible book 16. Learning to study an entire Bible book: Ruth 17. Learning to study an entire Bible book: Philippians 7 th section Additional practice Choosing and Studying a Bible text using the 3 Keys study tool 8 th section Skill 6: Learning to evaluate Biblical teaching and preaching 18. Evaluating Biblical teaching and preaching (I) 19. Evaluating Biblical teaching and preaching (II) 9 th section 21. Conclusion and 4-6 month action plan

5 5 Lesson 1 Introduction Purpose: Participants will discover the reason for this course and the method used. Introductory questions Participants introduce themselves and briefly describe their teaching and/or preaching experience. Each participant answers the question: What is one of the biggest challenges you face in your teaching/preaching ministry? What is the task of a church leader according to Paul in Titus 1:9? Why is this task so important according to Ephesians 4:12? Who does Paul compare a Christian leader to in 2 Timothy 2:2-6? What must leaders sacrifice to do their task well? What do athletes do in order to win the prize? Teaching and preaching are gifts given by God to build up God s people. Teaching and preaching are also abilities to be developed continually through disciplined training. This manual offers disciplined training so that you can continue to develop your ability to teach and preach well. Learning to use a tool Through this course you will learn to use a tool useful for teaching and preaching. Learning to use this tool will take practice. Practicing this tool won t always be easy, but the result will be rewarding for you and for God s people. This tool is being used by thousands of preachers and teachers around the world. It will be familiar if you have already followed the TLT courses on Preaching and Teaching. The tool is called the 3 Keys Method through which you discover: 1. The content of the Bible text 2. The Good News in the text 3. God s call coming from the text Learning to develop skills A worker needs to develop skills to use the tools of his trade to accomplish excellent work. In the same way, this manual will help you develop skills to use the 3 Keys Method effectively in your teaching and preaching. Six skills will be developed through this manual:

6 6 1. Learning to see how a Bible text fits into God s plan of salvation and directs our attention to Christ. 2. Learning how God speaks us in different ways through different Bible texts. 3. Learning to preach and teach to people with different needs. 4. Learning how to study an important subject, using texts from the whole Bible. 5. Learning to study an entire Bible book 6. Learning to evaluate your own Bible lessons and sermons, and to evaluate those of others. Study Bible The New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible is used in this manual. It will be helpful for you to have a study Bible. Some lessons include notes taken from the study Bible of the NIV (2008 version). These notes are indicated by the letters SB. Assignments Each lesson ends with an assignment. Each assignment will take you several hours to complete and should be finished before the following lesson. Participants are encouraged to work on these assignments together, if possible. If you do not take the time to do the assignments each week, it is better that you not follow this course. Participants who do not complete the assignments do not learn well and will be a discouragement to others in the group. Discuss the times in the week that each one in the group can set aside for Bible study. Pray together about this before the end of the lesson. Assignment for next lesson What time (day and hours) can you regularly set aside each week to accomplish the assignments of this course? Is there someone in the group with whom you can do these assignments?

7 7 Lesson 2 Introduction to the 3 Keys Study Tool : Luke 24:13-35 Lesson Purpose: Participants will gain experience using the 3 Key method of preparing Bible studies and sermons by studying Luke 24: Report together on your assignment from lesson 1, in the large group or in smaller groups. In this lesson you will begin to practice the 3 Keys Study Tool by working through the three steps of each Key using the text of Luke 24: Using the 1 st Key you will discover the content of this text by asking the question: What are the ideas and events presented in this text? Using the 2 nd Key you will discover the Good News in the text by asking the question: What is God doing in this text? Using the 3 rd Key you will discover God s call from this text by asking the question: What is God s message to us from this text? 1 st Key: Discover the content of the text Step 1: Choose the text Preparation for teaching or preaching the Bible begins by choosing a text. In this lesson, the text is already chosen: Luke 24: Step 2: Read the text carefully. Make a list of the main events and ideas found in the text. In your group, read Luke 24: Then answer the questions below: Verses 13-14: Two sad disciples walk to Emmaus and talk about what happened to Jesus v : What happens in these verses? v : They talk together about what just happened to Jesus. v : What happens in these verses? v : What happens in these verses? v : The disciples are full of joy and return to Jerusalem to tell the story to Jesus disciples. Write down a few important words found in this text. Step 3: Answer these questions, using your Study Bible Where is this text on the Salvation Road? Is it before or after Pentecost? What are the main themes of the Gospel of Luke? What kind of a text is this: doctrine, song, law or story? To conclude the 1 st Key, read Luke 24:13-35 again carefully. Write down in one sentence what is happening in the text. When each one in the group has finished, share your sentences with each other. Remember, there is not just one correct way to write this sentence!

8 8 Before going on to the 2 nd Key, ask: Are the 3 steps of the 1 st Key clear to everyone? Allow time for questions and clarification in your group, if necessary. 2 nd Key: Discover the Good News in the text Step 1: Answer the questions: In this text, what is God doing? What obstacles is God helping his people to overcome? What is the Good News? In Luke 24:13-35, God, in Jesus-Christ: Comes to two discouraged disciples where they are. Explains how he fulfils the promises of the Old Testament in a way that their hearts are really touched. ( our hearts burned in us ) Accepts the invitation into their home. Opens their eyes to recognize that he is the risen Christ. Does not stay physically with them. Gives them joy and motivation to go and tell others what they experienced. Write the Bible verse references that relate to each action of Jesus. Now, think about these questions: What was so good about what Jesus did? What is the message of good news in this text? Write down your answers to these questions. Step 2: Read the chapter before and the chapter after the text. What do they say about God and what God is doing? Read Luke 24:1-12 and Luke 24: How do these texts help you better understand the good news in Luke 24:13-35? Step 3: Answer these questions: Do other Bible texts speak about this Good News? What are some of those texts? For example: Throughout history, God often came to his people in times of sadness and discouragement. For example Abraham (Genesis 15:1), Israel in Egypt (Exodus 2:23-25), Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10). What happens in these stories? Philip met the Ethiopian on his journey so that he could understand how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament promises and become a joyful disciple. (Acts 8:26-40) Jesus met Saul on the Damascus road. His eyes were open to recognize the risen Christ and bring the Good News of the Gospel to others. (Acts 9:1-16) Think of other Bible texts that talk about this message/good news. Read again your answers on the questions of the 2 nd key. What does Luke 24:13-35 show us about Christ? Before going on to the 3 rd Key, ask: Are the 3 steps of the 2 nd Key clear to everyone? Allow time for questions and clarification in your group, if necessary. 3 rd Key: Discover God s call coming from the text Step 1: Ask the questions: Why did the Good News of this text to be heard? How did it meet the needs of God s people so long ago? Here are two answers to those questions:

9 9 The two disciples needed to be met personally by Jesus and to understand how he was the promised Messiah. Christians in the early church who first heard this story, or read it in the Gospel of Luke, needed to be assured that: 1. Jesus was truly risen 2. Jesus was the promised Messiah 3. They could also meet the risen Christ through Scripture and the Holy Spirit 4. Jesus would come to them, where they were, and change sadness and confusion to joy and assurance to serve him. Step 2: Ask the questions: Does this message need to be heard today? How are our needs like those of God s people so long ago? Do those who will follow my Bible lesson or hear my sermon also need to be assured that: 1. Jesus is truly risen? 2. Jesus is the promised Messiah? 3. They can also meet the risen Christ through Scripture and the Holy Spirit? 4. Jesus will come to them, where they are, and change sadness and confusion to joy and assurance to serve him? Is one of these needs especially important for those who will follow your Bible lesson or hear your sermon? Step 3: Ask the question: How does the message of this text call us to love Jesus and follow him with confidence? Take time to think and pray about this question. It is the most important question of all! Before going on to the assignment, ask the question: Are the 3 steps of the 3 rd Key clear to everyone? Allow time for questions and clarification, if necessary. Assignment Read through the lesson again and answer in one or two lines the following questions on Luke 24:13-35: What is the main event or idea in this text? What is the message of good news found in this text? How does this text call and encourage us to love Jesus and follow him with confidence?

10 10 Lesson 3 Skill 1: Learning to Teach and Preach the Bible as One Story about Christ Lesson Purpose: Participants will learn to teach and preach on the many different texts of the Bible as part of one big story. Report together on your assignment from lesson 2. Allow time for questions and discussion. 1. The Bible is one story, God s story. The Bible contains many stories. Make a list together of about 10 different stories found in the Bible. All these Bible stories are part of one big story. This big story that can be summarized in just three words: The first word refers to what happened in Genesis 1 and 2. What is that word? The second word tells what happened in Genesis 3. What word would you use to tell what happened in Genesis 3? The third word tells what happens in the rest of the Bible. What word summarizes what happens from Genesis 4-Revelation 22? The big story of the Bible tells how God is restoring a good relationship with the creation which was broken because of sin. This story is introduced very briefly in Genesis 3:15. Read this text together. Who is speaking here? To whom? Who else should listen to this message? Whose head will finally be crushed? By whom? What is the good news of this text? 2. The Bible covers several periods of history The Bible is like a journey with many stages or periods. The Salvation Road diagram illustrates how this story progresses from start to finish. The main event in this story is the death and resurrection of Jesus-Christ. *** DIAGRAM (p. 4 Learning to Read the Bible ) *** In this diagram, note the progression from salvation promised and prepared throughout the Old Testament (box 1-3) salvation accomplished (achieved/won/gained) through Christ s death and resurrection and salvation (box 4) salvation spread through the mission of the Holy Spirit in our time (box 5) salvation completed when Christ returns (box 6) Salvation was won with the death and resurrection of Jesus-Christ. Sin, Satan and death were forever beaten. But, we are still waiting for the day when they will be totally destroyed. This can be compared to a sickness. Imagine that you are sick. A doctor gives you the right medicine. You take it and your sickness is beaten. Still, you need time to recover and get back your old strength. Translate the titles of the 6 periods of the Salvation Road into another language spoken in your area. 3. Each Bible text is part of God s story To discover the meaning and message of a Bible text, it is important to understand its place in salvation history. Which period on the Salvation Road do the following texts speak about?

11 11 2 Samuel 8:1 Genesis 9:1 Revelation 21:1-2 Luke 2:6-7 Acts 14:21-22 Genesis 3:16-17 Some Bible texts look back to a former period or look forward to a future period. Which period on the Salvation Road do the following texts speak about? Job 38:4 Isaiah 65:17-18 Acts 7:2-3 Which period on the Salvation Road do the following texts speak about? Why is it important not to confuse that period with another period? Leviticus 5:15 Joshua 6: To understand a Bible text, it is important to understand the main subject of the Bible book in which the text is found. To discover the meaning and message of a Bible text, it is also important to have an idea of the Bible book the text is coming from. The Bible book of Joshua, for example, is about the conquest of the promised land. 1 Timothy is an instruction from Paul to Timothy on how he should care for the church at Ephesus. The main subject of a Bible book is often found at the beginning and the end of the book. A Study Bible will help you understand the main subject of a Bible book. What is the main subject of Exodus? Of Nehemiah? Of Romans? 5. To understand a Bible text, it is important to understand its immediate context To discover the meaning and message of a Bible text, it is important to read the verses or chapters before and after the text, called the immediate context. Answer the following questions by reading the text in its immediate context: Revelation 13:11 speaks about another beast. What was the first beast? In which verses is that found? Psalms 51:7 From what does the writer of this Psalm want to be cleansed? In which verses is that found? Why does Jesus tell the story of the lost coin in Luke 15:8-10? Where is the answer to that question found? 6. Learning assignment Which period(s) of the Salvation Road do the following Bible books refer to?: Deuteronomy, II Samuel, Job, Jeremiah, John, Acts, Philippians, Revelation In one sentence, write the main subject of each of these Bible books.

12 12 Lesson 4 Using the 3 Keys Study Tool : Acts 15:1-35 Lesson Purpose: Participants will gain experience using the 3 Key method of preparing Bible studies and sermon by studying Acts 15:1-35 Report together on your assignment from lesson 3. Allow time for questions and discussion st Key: Discover the content of the text Step 1: Choose the text. Acts 15:1-35 was chosen for this lesson. Step 2: Read the text carefully. Make a list of the main events and ideas found in the text. v. 1-2 v.3-4 v. 5-6 v v. 12 v v v Write down a few important words found in this text. Step 3: Answer these questions, using your Study Bible Where is this text on the Salvation Road? What are the main themes of the book of Acts? What kind of a text is this: doctrine, song, law or story? To conclude the 1 st Key, read Luke 24:13-35 again carefully. Write down in one sentence what is happening in the text. 2nd Key: Discover the Good News in the Text Step 1: Answer the questions: In this text, what is God doing? What obstacles God is helping his people to overcome? What is the Good News? What is the obstacle God is helping his people to overcome (v.1-2) What has God done through Paul and Barnabas? (v.3,4,12) What has God done to Peter? (v.7) What did God do to the Gentiles? (v.8-9) What did God say through the prophets about this? (v.15-18) What did God the Holy Spirit decide through the people in Jerusalem? (28-29) What is the Good News of this story? (10-11) Step 2: Read the chapter before and the chapter after the text: Acts 14:1-2è and Acts 15:36-16:40. What do these texts say about God and what God is doing?

13 13 Step 3: Answer these questions: Does the Bible talk about the Good News of this text in other places? What are some of those texts? How do the following texts help us appreciate the good news of God s love through Christ found in Acts 15:1-35? Psalm 87 Isaiah 2:1-4 Ephesians 2:11-16 Romans 3:21-24 Colossians 2:13-14 Think of other Bible texts that talk about the good news found in Acts 15:1-35. Read your answers on the questions of the 2 nd key. What does Acts 15:1-35 show us about Christ? 3 rd Key: Discover God s call coming from the text Step 1: Ask the questions: Why did the Good News of this text to be heard? How did it meet the needs of God s people so long ago? Here are three answers to those question The early Christians needed to know that God goes beyond our expectations and preoccupations. God is gathering those who are not like us into the church. They also needed to be reminded that we are saved by God s grace and not by our works. They also needed to be reminded not to unnecessarily offend Jews by their behaviour. Can you think of other needs met by the Good News of this text to those who heard it so long ago? Step 2: Ask the questions: Does this message need to be heard today? How are our present needs like those of God s people so long ago? Think about your own needs and the needs of those who will follow your lesson or listen to your sermon. Compare these present needs with the needs of the early Christians so long ago. What present needs are like the needs of the early Christians? Is one of these needs especially important for those who will follow your Bible lesson or hear your sermon? Step 3: Ask the question: How does the message of this text call me to love Jesus and follow him with confidence? Take time to think and pray about this question. It is the most important question of all! Assignment Before the next lesson, read through the lesson again and answer in one or two lines the following questions related to Acts 15:1-35: What is the main event/idea in this text? What is the message of good news found in this text? How does this text show us God s love for us and encourage us to love Jesus and follow him with confidence?

14 14 Lesson 5 Learning to Teach and Preach the Bible as One Story about Christ Lesson Purpose: Participants will learn to teach and preach Christ from the whole Bible. Report together on your assignment from lesson 3. Allow time for questions and discussion. 1. Introduction Think about the last time you taught a lesson or preached from an Old Testament text. What was that text? As we have seen, the Bible contains many books, but more than anything else it is one book that has one message, one story. It is the story of God saving the world. The Salvation story can be divided into six periods as shown in the Salvation Road diagram. God s story can also be divided into two periods: the Old and the New Testaments. This lesson is about our responsibility to teach and preach from the Old Testament. 2. The Old Testament was important for the early Christians How would you answer someone who says it is not important to teach or preach the OT? Read Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:16. Why was the Old Testament important for Timothy and also for the early Christians in Epheses and in Colossia? 4. The Old Testament is fulfilled in Jesus Christ The Old Testament tells how God began his plan of salvation after the fall of the human race. This salvation was accomplished in Jesus Christ. Read Luke 24:44. What is the word in this text that describes what will happen to everything written about the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament? Read Hebrews 10:1a. In this text, the word law refers to the Old Testament. What is the word used in this text to describe the Old Testament? Think about what happens when you walk in the early morning with your back to the rising sun. Your long shadow goes before you. Someone waiting for you around the corner of a building can tell that you are coming because your shadow is going in front of you. We can call this kind of shadow a foreshadow: a shadow that goes before. The Old Testament presents Christ like a foreshadow. He has not yet come, but we know that he is coming because of the Old Testament promises. The New Testament presents the fulfillment, the actual achievement of salvation through Christ. In the rest of this lesson, we will consider how three kinds of Old Testament texts foreshadow Christ: laws, prophecies and psalms. In lesson 9 we will consider how Old Testament stories foreshadow Christ. 5. Laws

15 15 In the Old Testament, God gave many different kinds of laws. These laws were given for different reasons, for example: To show how to live a good and blessed life. What does Psalm 1 say about those who delight and follow God s law? To protect those who are weak and vulnerable. What does Deuteronomy 24:14-15 say about paying a worker on time? So that they would know that they were sinful and needed God s forgiveness and grace. Read Romans 3:20-24 Through the different kinds of laws in the Old Testament, we see a foreshadow of Christ and his kingdom. There are at least three kinds of Old Testament laws. 1. Ceremonial laws showed how to conduct sacrifices and temple ceremonies. These laws foreshadow Christ s work to reconcile God with his people. The Israelites made sacrifices in order to be reconciled with God. Who is Jesus according to John 1:29? How is Leviticus 4:27-31 a foreshadow of Christ s work of reconciliation? 2. Civil laws showed Israel how to organize into a national, civil government. These laws were given by God to teach his people how to live together, to practice justice and to be a blessing to each other and the surrounding nations. These laws were a foreshadow of Christ s coming kingdom. How is Exodus 23:5 a foreshadow of Christ s coming Kingdom? See Matthew 6: Moral laws present the basic guiding principles of life before God and with others. The most well known example is the Ten Commandments. Moral laws have at least three purposes: 1) they teach us as God s people how much we need a Savior because, if we are honest, we know that we cannot keep these laws perfectly, 2) they give us an image of Christ s love and perfection and 3) they are like guideposts to enable us to practice God s justice and be a blessing to others. How does Leviticus 19:18 foreshadow Christ? Read Exodus 20-21:11. Where in this text do we find 1) ceremonial laws, 2) civil laws, and 3) moral laws? 6. Prophesies The prophets were called to proclaim and explain God s Word to his people. They spoke about four different periods in history. 1. They spoke about the past, when God redeemed his people and made a covenant with them, because Israel often forgot God s great deeds and their covenant responsibilities. 2. They spoke of the present time in which they were living to condemn wrong acts, to pronounce judgement and to promise redemption.

16 16 3. They spoke of Jesus coming, when the hearts of God s people would be changed so that they could love and serve God with all their heart. 4. They spoke about our responsibilities as Christians and Christ s promised return. Sometimes a prophecy in the Old Testament refers to several historical periods at the same time. These prophecies can be compared to filling a glass with water little by little. Part, but not all, of the prophecy was fulfilled during the time of the prophet. More of the prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus came. Final fulfilment will come when Christ returns. Isaiah 7:14 is an example of a text which is fulfilled little by little. Isaiah 7:14 speaks about the time of Isaiah but also about what future time? (See also Matthew 1:23) About which two periods is Joel 2:28-31 speaking? Where is this text fulfilled in the New Testament? Many prophecies in the Old Testament speak of Christ s coming. What do the following texts tell about the coming of Christ? Isaiah 61:1-3 Micah 5:1 Zachariah 9:9 Zachariah 12:10 Make a list of 3 or 4 other Old Testament prophecies that foretell the coming of Christ. 7. Psalms In what way do the following texts foreshadow Christ? Psalm 1:1-3 Psalm 22:1, 17,18 Psalm 89:38,39 Many Old Testament Psalms are quoted in the New Testament showing how they foretold the coming of Christ. Where are the following texts quoted in the New Testament? Assignments o Psalm 110:1-4 (This is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament) o Psalm 16:8-11 o Psalm 118:22 1. Choose three Bible texts from the Old Testament, a text about 1) a law, 2) a prophesy, and 3) a Psalm. In three or four lines, write how each text foreshadows Christ and how it encourages us to love him and follow him with confidence. 2. The Old Testament is part of the Holy Scripture. Still, we do not practice everything which is commanded in the Old Testament. In a few lines, write an example of an Old Testament command that we as Christians no longer practice. Explain why we don t practice it.

17 17 Lesson 6 Using the 3 Keys Study Tool : 1 Kings 11:26-40 Lesson Purpose: Participants will gain experience by using the 3 Key method to prepare a Bible lesson or sermon from an Old Testament text. Report together on your assignment from lesson 5. Allow time for questions and discussion 1 st Key: Discover the content of the text Step 1: Choose the text. 1 Kings 11:26-40 was chosen for this lesson. Step 2: Read the text carefully. Make a list of the main events and ideas found in the text. v v v. 31,35,37 v. 33,39a v. 32, 34,36,39b v. 40 Write down a few important words found in this text. Step 3: Where is this text on the Salvation Road? What are the main themes of the book of 1 Kings? What kind of a text is this: doctrine, song, law or story? To discover the main themes of 1 Kings, read the text from the Study Bible in the table below. 1 & 2 Kings describes the history of the kings of Israel and Judah in the light of God s covenant. Central is that the welfare of Israel and her kings depended on their submission to and reliance on Israel s covenant God. They are called to be obedient to the covenant regulations made at Sinai and respond faithfully to God s prophets. To conclude the 1 st Key, read Luke 1 Kings 11:26-40 again carefully. Write down in one sentence what is happening in the text. 2nd Key: Discover the Good News in the Text Step 1: Answer the questions: In this text, what is God doing? What obstacles is God helping his people to overcome? What is the Good News? What will God do because Solomon did not walk in his ways? What did God promise Jeroboam? What conditions did God set for Jeroboam s success? How many times did God talk about David in this text? What verses affirm that God will stay faithful to the house of David even though Solomon is unfaithful? What is the Good News of this text related to David and his descendants? (v.36,39b) Step 2: Read the chapter before and the chapter after the text: What do these texts say about God and what God is doing? What happened before the story of 1 Kings 11? What happened after?

18 18 How does the immediate context help you better understand the good news in 1 Kings 11:26-40? Step 3: Answer these questions: Does the Bible talk about the Good News of this text in other places? What are some of those texts? How do the following texts help us appreciate the good news of God s love through Christ found in 1 Kings 11:26-40? Psalm 132:11-18 Luke 1:32-33 Revelation 22:16-17 Read again your answers on the questions of the 2 nd key. What does 1 Kings 11:26-40 show us about Christ? This story shows that a better king than Solomon is needed. God judges Solomon because of his unfaithfulness. But, God does not abandon his people because of a bad king. How much more, God will not abandon his people being led by the good king Jesus. 3 rd Key: Discover God s call coming from the text Step 1: Ask the questions: Why did the Good News of this text to be heard? How did it meet the needs of God s people so long ago? Those who first heard this story needed to understand why they (Israel) were in such trouble. It was because they had abandoned their covenant God. needed a good king, much better than Solomon. needed to know whether there was any hope for them (Israel) after being so disobedient. Step 2: Ask the questions: Does this message need to be heard today? How are our present needs like those of God s people so long ago? Think about your own needs and the needs of those who will follow your lesson or listen to your sermon. Compare these present needs with the needs of the early Christians so long ago. For example, the need to: be reminded about what happens if we turn away from God? understand what happens when leaders disobey God? put our trust in King Jesus, sent by God to save us and lead us in obedience? be assured that with Jesus, there is hope for us even after we are disobedient? What present needs of God s people are like the needs of God s people so long ago? Is one of these needs especially important for those who will follow your Bible lesson or hear your sermon? Step 3: Ask the question: How does the message of this text call us to love Jesus and follow him with confidence? Take time to think and pray about this question. It is the most important question of all! Assignment

19 19 Before the next lesson, practice the 1 st Key with a Bible text of your choice that is not studied in this module. Step 1: Choose a text Step 2: Read the text carefully several times. Make a list of the main events or ideas of the text. Write down a few important words found in the text. Step 3: Where is this text on the salvation road? What is the subject of the Bible book? What kind of text is this?: a story, a prayer, a promise, a teaching or a law? (Your Study Bible will help you answer these questions.) Write down in one sentence what is said or what is happening in the text.

20 20 Lesson 7 Using the 3 Keys Study Tool : Ezekiel 34 Lesson Purpose: Participants will gain experience by using the 3 Key method to prepare Bible lessons and sermons from Ezekiel 34. Report together on your assignment from lesson 6. Allow time for questions and discussion. 1 st Key: Discover the content of the text Step 1: Choose the text. Ezekiel 34 was chosen for this lesson. Step 2: Read the text carefully. Make a list of the main events and ideas found in the text. 34: : : : :25-31 Write down a few important words found in this text. Step 3: Where is this text on the Salvation Road? What are the main themes of the book of Ezekiel? What kind of a text is this: doctrine, song, law or story? To discover the main themes of Ezekiel, read the text from the SB in the table below. Ezekiel 34 is in the third part of Ezekiel. What is the theme of this part? The Book of Ezekiel has 3 parts: 1. Ezekiel lived with his fellow exiles in Babylon. For the first seven years of his ministry ( b.c.) he faithfully preached to his fellow Jews God s judgement: Because of all her sins, Jerusalem would fall (see chs. 1 24). 2. After being informed by the Lord that Jerusalem was under siege and would surely fall Ezekiel gave a series of judgments on the seven nations of Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon and Egypt (chs ). The day of God s wrath was soon to come, but not on Israel alone. 3. Once news was received that Jerusalem had fallen, Ezekiel preached God s word of hope for his people they would experience revival, restoration and a glorious future as the redeemed and perfected kingdom of God in the world (chs ). To conclude the 1 st Key, read Ezekiel 34 again carefully. Write down in one sentence what is happening in the text. 2 nd KEY: Discover the Good News in the text Step 1: Answer the questions: In this text, what is God doing? What obstacles is God helping his people overcome? What is the Good News? Who is God judging? (34:1-9) What will God do with them (34:10)?

21 21 What will God do then? (34:11-16) And what will He do then too? (34:17-22) Who will God appoint? (23-24) What will God do to his people (25-29) How are these deeds of God good news? Step 2: Read the chapter before and the chapter after the text. What do these texts say about God and what God is doing? How does this immediate context help you better understand the good news in Ezekiel 34? Step 3: Answer these questions: Does the Bible talk about the Good News of this text in other places? What are some of those texts? Who is called a shepherd in Psalm 23 and in Psalm 78:70-72? Who calls himself a shepherd in John 10:11? What does he do for the sheep? Who will separate the sheep from the goats? (34:18; Matthew 25:31-46) David died centuries before Ezekiel prophesied, so how can God appoint his servant David as the shepherd of his people? (34:23,24 and Luke 1:31-32) Read again your answers on the questions of the 2 nd key. What does Ezekiel show us about Christ? 3 rd Key: Discover God s call coming from the text Step 1: Ask the questions: Why did the Good News of this text to be heard? How did it meet the needs of God s people so long ago? Those who first heard this story lived in the period when Jerusalem was destroyed and God s people were sent in exile. They needed encouragement and hope. They wondered whether God would restore his people and give them a new start. Can you think of other needs met by the Good News of this text to those who heard it so long ago? Step 2: Ask the questions: Does this message need to be heard today? How are our present needs like those of God s people so long ago? Think about your own needs and the needs of those who will follow your lesson or listen to your sermon. Compare these present needs with the needs of God s people so long ago. What present needs of God s people are like the needs of God s people so long ago? Is one of these needs especially important for those who will follow your Bible lesson or hear your sermon? Do some of the people that will hear your lesson or sermon suffer and sometimes feel that they are far from God and God s promises for them?

22 22 Step 3: Ask the question: How does the message of this text call us to love Jesus and follow him with confidence? Take time to think and pray about this question. It is the most important question of all! Assignment Before the next lesson, practice the 1 st key with a Bible text of your choice that is not studied in this module. Step 1: Chose a text Step 2: Read the text carefully several times. Make a list of the main events or ideas of the text. Write down a few important words found in the text. Step 3: Where is this text on the Salvation Road? What are the main themes of the Bible book? What kind of text this is: a story, a prayer, a promise, a teaching or a law? (Your Study Bible will help you answer these questions.) Write down in one sentence what is said or what is happening in the text.

23 23 Lesson 8 Using the 3 Keys Study Tool : Exodus 20-21:11 Lesson Purpose: Participants will gain experience by using the 3 Key method to prepare a Bible lesson or sermon from Exodus 20-21:11. Report together on your assignment from lesson 7. 1 st Key: Discover the content of the text Step 1: Choose the text. Exodus 20:21-11 was chosen for this lesson. Step 2: Read the text carefully. Make a list of the main events and ideas found in the text by completing the following sentences 20:1-17 God gives the 20:20-21 Moses 20:22-26 God forbids and tells how 21:1-11 God tells how to Write down a few important words found in this text. Step 3: Where is this text on the Salvation Road? What are the main themes of the book of Exodus? What kind of a text is this: doctrine, song, law, story or a combination of several kinds? To conclude the 1 st Key, read Exodus 20-21:11 again carefully. Write down in one sentence what is happening in the text. 2 nd Key: Discover the Good News in the text Step 1: Answer the questions: In this text, what is God doing? What obstacles God is helping his people to overcome? What is the Good News? Of what is God reminding his people? (see 20:2) Why are God s laws Good News? (see also Lesson 5 under 5. Laws ) God gives laws about serving Him (20:3-11; 20:22-26). These laws are Good News. Why? God gives laws about serving others(20:12-17). These laws are Good News. Why? God gives laws on the treatment of servants (21:1-11). These laws are Good News. Why? Step 2: Read the chapter before and the chapter after the text. What do these texts say about God and what God is doing? How does the immediate context help you better understand the good news in Exodus 20-21? Step 3: Answer these questions: Does the Bible talk about the Good News of this text in other places? What are some of those texts? For example:

24 24 Exodus 23:9. What does this text remind Israel of? Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Matthew 22: What is the heart of the law, according to this text? Christians are instructed to obey Jesus commands as He obeyed his Father s command (John 15:10). What does Jesus command in John 15:12? Read again your answers on the questions of the 2 nd key. What does this text show us about Christ? 3 rd Key: Discover God s call coming from the text Step 1: Ask the questions: Why did the Good News of this text to be heard? How did it meet the needs of God s people so long ago? Israel needed to: be reminded of what? (20:2). be assured that God would not abandon them in the desert. know how to live with (20:3-11) and with (20:12-17) know how to (20:24-26) know how to (21:1-11) Step 2: Does this message need to be heard today? How are our needs like those of God s people so long ago? God s people need: To be reminded that God To be assured that God will not abandon them To understand how God s commandments help them live in freedom from sin and the power of evil How may the commandments given in 20:3,20:17 and 21:2 still help God s people to live in freedom? Step 3: How does the message of this text call us to love Jesus and follow him with confidence? The heart of the commandments is love. Christ has fully loved God and his neighbours. I am called to be bound to Him and follow Him in this. What does John 15:9-10 say about this? Through the civil laws (like in 21:1-11) you may remember God s compassion for those in need and his words. What does God say about that in Micah 6:8? We are reminded that, just as God did not abandon Israel in the desert, God will not abandon us. We will become God s.

25 25 What does John 14:15-17 say about this? 3. Assignment Chose one section of this text which would be appropriate for a sermon or Bible study. Give special attention to the Good News of the text and answer again the questions from the 2 nd Key concerning this one section.

26 26 Lesson 9 Skill 2: Learning to preach and teach different kinds of Bible texts especially stories Lesson Purpose: Participants will learn to fix our eyes on Jesus when teaching or preaching from Bible stories. Report together on your assignment from lesson Introduction In this manual, attention is given to five kinds of Bible texts: 1. Stories to remember and admire God s great acts throughout history. 2. Prayer and praise to come to God in times of joy and distress. 3. Promises to bring us assurance and comfort. 4. Teaching (doctrine) to help us understand ourselves and our calling as God s people. 5. Commands (law) to show how we can honour God and advance His Kingdom. Give two examples of each of these different kinds of Bible texts. In this lesson, we will consider the way the Good News comes through Bible stories. 2. God speaks to us through stories Many Old and New Testament books tell of God s actions in history. Give several examples of Old and New Testament books that tell many stories. Read Deuteronomy 5:15, Psalm 78:7, 1Corinthians 11: Why is it important for us to be reminded of the Bible stories we already know? When we listen to Bible stories, even those we already heard many times, we are reminded of God s power, faithfulness and love. Our trust and love for God is strengthened. But, Bible stories do more than just remind us of past events. 3. Stories affect us Think about a story someone told you recently, not a Bible story. What made that story interesting? Stories captivate our interest because they tell how a problem or difficulty is being overcome. Stories that don t tell about a difficulty or problem aren t usually very interesting. Think about two or three Bible stories that are interesting because they tell about how a difficulty was resolved.

27 27 When we listen to an interesting story, we often put ourselves in the place of the main characters of the story. We imagine that we were there at that time, like the main characters in the story. We and share some of their experiences of fear, of sadness or of joy. As we identify with the characters in the story, we experience the story. This is also what often happens when we watch a film. Think about how a story or a film you heard or saw recently when you identified strongly with one of the characters and experienced a little of what he or she experienced. Bible stories, like other stories, invite us to imagine and experience the events that are being told. For example, when we hear or read the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we imagine what it was like to be one of the disciples. We feel their discouragement and then their thrill at having met the risen Christ. We identify with them and experience, in a small way, what they experienced. Good Bible teachers and preachers tell Bible stories so that their hearers can imagine and experience the events of the story they are telling. Bible stories are like all stories, because they present a problem which is being resolved, and they bring us to imagine the events and experience what it was like to be there. 4. Bible stories build our faith But, Bible stories are also different from other stories. They are special stories. They are special because they are inspired by God. They are also special because they tell how the problems presented in the story are being overcome in a special way by God s actions. So, it is important to tell Bible stories in a different way then we tell other stories. When we tell Bible stories, we naturally imagine what it was like to be there, just as in any story. But it is even more important to focus attention on what God has done. If, when we tell a Bible story, we just focus attention to what happened to the human characters in a Bible story, what will happen? We won t feed the faith of those who are listening to us. Why not? Because our faith and love for God is not based on what human beings do but on God s power and faithful love. We dishonour God if we preach or teach Bible stories that bring most attention to the human characters in the story instead of bringing most attention to God s actions. If you told the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus in a very interesting way and concluded by saying that we should always invite strangers to eat in our homes, what would be missing? 5. Old Testament Bible Stories The Old Testament tells many stories about leaders like Joseph, Moses, Deborah, David, Ahab, and Elijah. Sometimes these leaders are faithful and, during these times, Israel enjoys a period of blessing. The stories of their faithfulness are inspiring! But, often the leaders are unfaithful and God s people suffers. (Remember lesson 6 about Solomon s failure to be a good king.) These stories (in themselves) are quite discouraging. However the main story of the Old Testament is that through all these events, God stays faithful to his promise to send the Messiah.

28 28 Faithful leaders in the Old Testament, like Moses and David, are a positive shadow of the coming Messiah. They show in a small but imperfect way what the Messiah will be like. Unfaithful leaders, like Ahab, show how much God s people need a much better leader. Both the inspiring and the discouraging stories show how much we need a truly Good Shepherd and how thankful we can be to God for sending him. 6. Hebrews Hebrews 11 reminds us of the faithful lives of many Old Testament believers. Read Hebrews 12:1-3. According to this text, on what should we focus our attention ( fix our eyes on ) after remembering the faithful lives of Old Testament believers? When we remember the faithful lives of Old Testament believers and then fix our eyes on Jesus, our faith and the faith of those we teach is strengthened. Why? What, according to this text, does Jesus do that no other great leader can do? 7. Learning to fix our eyes on Jesus when teaching and preaching It is a great challenge for teachers and preachers tell Bible stories in such a way that their hearers will grow in their faith and love for Jesus-Christ. The manuals Biblical Preaching and Learning to Read the Bible will assist you in this task. How would you tell the following Old Testament stories so that your hearers fix their eyes on Jesus and grow in their faith and love for Jesus-Christ? (Answer in one or two sentences.) Moses when he intercedes for Israel after their sin (Exodus 32:9-14, 34:8-9) Samson in the temple of Dagon at the end of his life (Judges 16:23-31) David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) Make a list of five other Old Testament leaders. Think about how to tell the stories of their lives so that your hearers will grow in their trust and love for Jesus Christ. 8. Assignment Using the 3 Keys study tool, study a story of someone in the Old Testament. Then, write a 2 page outline of a lesson or sermon that will help your hearers grow in their trust and love for Jesus Christ.

29 29 Lesson 10 Learning to Teach and Preach from the Psalms (1) Lesson Purpose: Participants will better understand the Psalms to faithfully and effectively teach and preach from them. Reports: Form groups of 2 or 3 persons. Present to each other a summary of the lesson or sermon you made after lesson 9. Introduction to the Psalms The Psalms are given us to help us express ourselves personally or together before God, in all kinds of circumstances. God wants us to come to Him truthfully, as we are, telling Him how we really feel, and He is glorified when we do. This means that we honour and praise God not only in thanksgiving, but also when we come to Him in need and distress, when we pray for guidance and even when we confess our sins. When a child is comes to his or her father to ask for help, in what way is the father honoured? Psalms teach us to come to God to ask for His help and to praise Him for it. Give an example of a Psalm that helps you come to God for His help or to praise Him for it. Look at the verses in parentheses (below) to answer this question: What is a central word or idea in these Psalms? Psalm 8 (see 8:1) Psalm 51 (see 51:1-2) Psalm 88 (see 88:14) Psalm 119 (What word do you find in 119:1,7,13,18?) Psalm 105 (see 105:5) Psalm 148 What word is repeated in 88:1-7? The Psalms help us: 1. remember what God has done and what he expects of us, 2. bring to God our happiness and joy (thanksgiving, wonder), 3. bring to God our sadness and distress (facing danger, thinking of our own sin and the sins of others) Identify 2 Psalms which help us remember God s work and will for our lives 2 Psalms which bring our joy to God, and 2 Psalms which bring to God our distress Assignment Using the 3 Keys study tool, study Psalm 1. Then, write a 2 page outline of a lesson or sermon that will help your hearers grow in their trust and love for Jesus Christ.