BIBLE STUDY OUR HERITAGE LEADERSHIP DISCIPLESHIP

BIBLE

TRUTH OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT WISDOM

COURSE A FALL 2020 FOR CORPS CADETS

COURSE A | FALL 2020 | 2nd EDITION Published by National Christian Education Department

CREATIVE TEAM As you study the theme of Captain Keith Maynor, Carolyn J.R. Bailey, Truth, you will learn about Steven Carpenter, Cari Nimeth, Joshua Duenke, what truth is and is not, the Erin Morris and Bethany Pousinho beginnings of The Salvation Army, C. S. Lewis and the MISSION STATEMENT practical skill of creative The Salvation Army, an international movement, writing, and what it means is an evangelical part of the universal Christian to say what you mean and church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. mean what you say. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name Old Testament will give you without discrimination. an overview of God's entire story. You'll learn about the COPYRIGHT life of Daniel and Nehemiah This publication is a national document and as well as John Wycliffe cannot be changed without the approval of the Commissioners’ Conference. All rights reserved. and William Tyndale. Every effort has been made to contact the You'll also dive deep into copyright holders, but should there be any errors the Ten Commandments. or omissions, The Salvation Army would be pleased to insert the appropriate acknowledgment New Testament provides a into future productions of this publication. continued overview of God's All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise story. You will learn what we indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New believe regarding inspiration International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, of Scripture, basic Bible study 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by steps, and how the Bible gives permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved us perspective. worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Wisdom lessons introduce Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ you to wisdom literature. You'll learn about Tom THE SALVATION ARMY Crocker, ARCs, and Harbor NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS Lights. You'll look at the 615 Slaters Lane example of Solomon and Alexandria, VA 22314 how fear of the Lord helps CENTRAL TERRITORY us make wise decisions. 5550 Prairie Stone Parkway Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 EASTERN TERRITORY 440 West Nyack Road West Nyack, NY 10994

SOUTHERN TERRITORY DOCTRINES & STATEMENTS 04 1424 Northeast Expressway Atlanta, GA 30329 AN ARMY IN TIME 38 THE PATH AHEAD 40 WESTERN TERRITORY 30840 Hawthorne Blvd. ACT 40 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 NOTES & DOODLES 42 09.20 TRUTH WHAT IS IT? 06

BECOMING 08

MAKE IT PLAIN 10

NO FINE PRINT 12

10.20 OLD TESTAMENT GOD’S STORY 14

PERSEVERE 16

READ IT 18

FREEDOM 20

11.20 NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENT 22

INSPIRED 24

THREE STEPS 26

FOOLISHNESS 28

12.20 WISDOM THE SOURCE 30

CHOOSE 32

MEANINGLESS! 34

DECISIONS, DECISIONS 36 THE DOCTRINES 1

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice. 2

We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

Together, the doctrines 3 and “I Will” statements form The Soldier’s Covenant We believe that there are (formerly Articles of War), three persons in the Godhead which is signed when —the Father, the Son and becoming a senior soldier. the Holy Ghost, undivided Each course of BOLD focuses in essence and co-equal in on 1-2 doctrines, helping power and glory. you know what we believe and why we believe it, 4 firmly based in Scripture. Our theology impacts our We believe that in the behavior. Our doctrines person of Jesus Christ the summarize our basic Divine and human natures theology. Check out the are united, so that He is Go Deeper section of each truly and properly God and lesson for “I Will” statements truly and properly man. that specifically relate to that lesson. Get to know 5 The Soldier’s Covenant better throughout BOLD. We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God. 6 “I WILL” G We believe that the Lord STATEMENTS I will abstain from Jesus Christ has by His alcoholic drink, tobacco, suffering and death made A the non-medical use of an atonement for the whole addictive drugs, gambling, world so that whosoever I will be responsive to the pornography, the occult will may be saved. Holy Spirit’s work and and all else that could obedient to His leading in enslave the body or spirit. 7 my life, growing in grace through worship, prayer, H We believe that repentance service and the reading towards God, faith in our of the Bible. I will be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, and purposes for which God regeneration by the Holy B raised up The Salvation Spirit, are necessary to Army, sharing the good salvation. I will make the values of news of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God and not endeavoring to win others 8 the values of the world the to Him, and in His name standard for my life. caring for the needy and We believe that we are the disadvantaged. justified by grace through C faith in our Lord Jesus Christ I and that he that believeth I will uphold Christian hath the witness in himself. integrity in every area of I will be actively involved, my life, allowing nothing in as I am able, in the life, 9 thought, word or deed that work, worship and witness is unworthy, unclean, untrue, of the corps, giving as We believe that continuance profane, dishonest or immoral. large a proportion of in a state of salvation depends my income as possible upon continued obedient D to support its ministries faith in Christ. and the worldwide work I will maintain Christian of the Army. 10 ideals in all my relationships with others; my family and J We believe that it is the neighbors, my colleagues privilege of all believers to and fellow salvationists, I will be true to the be wholly sanctified, and that those to whom and for whom principles and practices their whole spirit and soul I am responsible, and the of The Salvation Army, and body may be preserved wider community. loyal to its leaders, and blameless unto the coming I will show the spirit of of our Lord Jesus Christ. E salvationism whether in times of popularity 11 I will uphold the sanctity of or persecution. marriage and of family life. We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection F of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the I will be a faithful steward of world; in the eternal happiness my time and gifts, my money of the righteous; and in the and possessions, my body, my endless punishment of the mind and my spirit, knowing wicked. that I am accountable to God. BIBLE STUDY TRUTH

FOCUS it true that the Bible is DOCTRINE 1 IS the all-time bestselling book with the most published copies in the most languages? Is it true that Jesus died, was resurrected, and is the way to have freedom from sin and death? Is it true that Jesus’s favorite food was bread? The answers to these questions are actually not the real issue here. The issue is that we have lost the meaning behind “truth” to begin with. The world uses the word so carelessly (much like “love”), that we have lost sight of what Truth really is.

It is a fact that the Bible is the all-time bestselling book (facts can be verified; go ahead and Google it!). It is an opinion that Jesus’s favorite food was bread (read Luke 22:19; but Matthew 14:19 and Luke MEMORY VERSE 24:41-43 could help you form a different opinion). It is truth “Do your best to present that what Jesus did for us on yourself to God as one the cross is the one and only approved, a worker who does way of salvation. You may not not need to be ashamed and believe it, but what’s true is who correctly handles the still true whether we believe word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) it or not. That’s what makes

6 SEPTEMBER WEEK 1 DID YOU KNOW? it ultimate truth. It’s okay we gain an understanding to have doubts and question of ultimate truth and we Post-truth was named things at times. Not believing fight skepticism in our own the 2016 word of the year overall is skepticism. That’s hearts. And as this Truth by Oxford Dictionaries. the real enemy of truth. (Jesus) transforms and It is defined as “relating to changes us, we start to or denoting circumstances The ultimate definition of fight the skepticism in the in which objective facts Truth (with a capital T) is hearts of those around us, are less influential in simple: It is Jesus. He says and Truth continues to shaping public opinion it plain and simple. He is be revealed. Now, that’s than appeals to emotion Truth. Jesus is who He says revolutionary! and personal beliefs.” He is. This is life-altering In this case, according to truth! So, when we throw The Washington Post, “the around the word “truth” ‘post’ prefix doesn’t mean for any statement—including ‘after’ as much as it implies THE WORD facts and opinions—we lose Genesis 3:1 an atmosphere in which the revolutionary value of John 14:6 a notion is irrelevant.” ultimate truth. Knowing John 20:24-28 the number of copies of the Bible sold may win you ENGAGE some money on Jeopardy!® Discuss “Kant’s Wager.” but that’s about it. But knowing Jesus changes EXPLORE everything! 1. How would you explain the difference between If we want to know what fact, opinion, and truth? truth is, then we need to know what Jesus says. 2. Explain the difference By studying His words and between doubt and His actions here on Earth, skepticism.

3. Is it wrong to doubt? GO DEEPER Read through our doctrines 4. Why is skepticism the and discuss or journal which enemy of truth? points you hold as truth and which ones you are still APPLY unclear on. 1. How could we handle our Listen to transMission’s doubts so that we don’t CD We Believe. become skeptical?

Consider and share with 2. Play “Rewind, Edit.” someone how the 1st Commandment (Exodus 20:3) 3. How should we respond relates to ultimate truth. when others don’t agree Read other passages that that Jesus is the Truth? relate to this month’s theme: Proverbs 30:1-9; John 8:44; 4. What are some truths 16:13; 17:17; 18:33-38; Romans to hold on to so that you 1:18-20; Ephesians 6:10-17; can be confident in 1 Timothy 3:14-15; and ultimate truth? 3 John 1:3. PRAY

BOLD FALL 2020 7 OUR HERITAGE TRUTH

B E C O M I N G

FOCUS ccording to Webster’s Dictionary, distinctive means DOCTRINE 1 A“characteristic, making distinct—not alike, different; not the same; separate; individual; clearly perceived or marked off; clear; plain; well defined, unmistakable; definite.” The most obvious distinctive feature of The Salvation Army is its use of military structure, terminology, and other characteristics, like uniforms, MEMORY VERSE the flag and crest, and ranks. In the New Testament there is a lot of “fighting talk” that compares Christians “Do your best to present to soldiers. This “fighting talk” inspired . yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does Even though the work that led to The Salvation Army not need to be ashamed and was founded in 1865, it didn’t become The Salvation who correctly handles the Army as we know it until 13 years later, in 1878, when word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) the name changed.

8 SEPTEMBER WEEK 2 groups, which in turn were part of larger groups with a commander, which in turn were part of still larger groups with a commander at the head. Over all of them was William Booth, first General of The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army is G. RAILTON W. RIDSDEL B. BOOTH more than a name that sounded good to General DID YOU KNOW? William Booth; it is a name that embodies the truth of The very first rank created was Captain. The second was General. who we are as a church The third was Lieutenant. During his tenure, General (R) and a movement. removed the rank of Lieutenant. General (R) upheld the decision. Then, when he became General, (R) reinstated the rank. It’s the only rank to have been removed and later reinstated. THE WORD 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 1 Timothy 1:18-19 The change of The Christian and said they wanted him in 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Mission to The Salvation charge. So William brought Army was much more than together the members of the ENGAGE simply a name change. Conference and said he was Do “The Other Half” activity. It reflected William Booth’s taking over. They agreed. very strong sense that From there, he established EXPLORE Christians were at war with a military structure with 1. Have a debate about the sin in the world and this commanders over small pros and cons of uniforms. required wartime tactics and wartime leadership. William 2. “Order the Ranks.” GO DEEPER Booth’s idea of wartime leadership was all soldiers Read “I Will” statement A APPLY led by one General. of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” 1. Meet Brigadier Clifton Discuss or journal how it C. Sipley. William Booth had been relates to today’s lesson. working with a Conference Check out the videos on 2. According to “A Good that decided the direction and Soldier of Jesus Christ” of The Christian Mission. at vimeo.com/ by William Booth, are you It took too long. So instead of album/3215759. a soldier like the one he bringing things before the describes? What things Conference for permission, Read about Soup, Soap, would you like to change William Booth began acting and Salvation at tinyurl.com/ or improve on? first and reporting to the y2hss8rb. Conference afterwards. Watch for King and Country’s 3. What would “making “Fix My Eyes” at tinyurl.com/ war your business” and The members of the yc4b299h. What do you think “understanding your Conference noticed. Three this line means: “It takes a business” and “enduring early leaders—George Scott soldier who knows his orders hardship” look like in Railton, William Ridsdel, to walk the walk I’m supposed your life? and — to walk”? approached William Booth PRAY

BOLD FALL 2020 9 LEADERSHIP TRUTH

MEMORY VERSE “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

FOCUS DOCTRINE 1

robably one of the best- Pknown and loved Christian writers is C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia. Clive Staples Lewis was born on November 29, 1898 in , . In 1911, at the age of 13, he abandoned his childhood Christian faith.

10 SEPTEMBER WEEK 3 GO DEEPER of writers, including J. R. R. write confusing to people Read “I Will” statement A Tolkien, who met together who aren’t Christians or of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” twice a week for 16 years to Salvationists? Discuss or journal how it talk and share what they relates to today’s lesson. were working on. 2. What does it mean to be a Christian writer? Read a book by C. S. Lewis Over the course of his life, or watch The Chronicles of C. S. Lewis wrote more than APPLY Narnia movies—The Lion, 60 books. He wrote in a 1. Have you ever heard this— the Witch and the Wardrobe; variety of forms: essays on “I don’t lie, but Instagram Prince Caspian; or The Voyage literature and ethics and does”? What do you think of the “Dawn Treader.” theology, poems, criticism, it means? science fantasy, and fantasy. What did C. S. Lewis sound There are people who can 2. Look through or think like? Listen at tinyurl.com/ make the simplest thing about what you have posted yd6sghpn. complicated. But to make a recently—maybe the last 10 Find C. S. Lewis’s books you complicated thing simple and posts. Ask yourself these might not know at cslewis.com. understandable is difficult. questions about those posts: C. S. Lewis was a master Read Peer magazine. Consider at making things plain. • Am I seeking approval submitting an article. and validation? The Lion, the Witch, and the At 19, he was on the frontline Wardrobe was released in • Am I boasting? of World War I in France. 1950. He died on November Constantly comparing Injured in battle, he was back 22, 1963, a week before his myself with others? in England by 21, studying at 65th birthday. It was the Oxford University. same day President John F. • Am I discontent? Kennedy was assassinated. Am I complaining? At 27, Lewis became a tutor Am I spreading in English Language and bitterness? Literature at Magdalen College, Oxford where he THE WORD • Is this a moment to remained for 29 years. Habakkuk 2:2 protect? Philippians 4:8 At the age of 31, Lewis said • Is it kind? he became a theist (one who ENGAGE believes in a divine reality): Do the “Q&A” activity. • Am I getting caught up “I gave in, and admitted that in the mob mentality, God was God, and knelt and EXPLORE joining in on the attack prayed.” Two years later, 1. What are some examples without considering Lewis had a long conversation of Salvation Army jargon the person? with J. R. R. Tolkien about or Christian-ese that . The next day, make what we say or PRAY Lewis and his brother, Warren, took a motorcycle DID YOU KNOW? ride to the zoo. Lewis There is a Bible in tweets. It’s called The Twible: All the Chapters described his conversion of the Bible in 140 Characters or Less… Now with 68% More Humor! this way: “When we set out written by Jana Riess and illustrated by Leighton Connor. It has a I did not believe that Jesus tweet for each of the 1,189 chapters of the Bible and a summary Christ was the Son of God, of every book of the Bible in seven words or less. For example, and when we reached the zoo Habukkuk is summarized as “God takes calls from a disgruntled I did.” In 1933, Lewis started customer.” Philippians is summarized as “Joy, joy, joy from jail, jail, jail.” “The Inklings.” It was a group

BOLD FALL 2020 11 DISCIPLESHIP TRUTH

No Fine Print

FOCUS But when Charlie comes to DOCTRINE 1 the end of the tour as the “winner,” he finds out that he has unknowingly broken We cannot change the truth, the original 1971 the contract, and Willy but the truth can change us. INmovie Willy Wonka & Wonka tells him and his It sanctifies us (sets us apart) the Chocolate Factory, Willy uncle, “You get nothing! from the falsehoods woven Wonka makes all of the You lose! Good day, sir!” into our sin nature and children sign a contract championed by the world” before entering the once-in- Obviously, it’s important to (Randy Alcorn). Living out a-lifetime opportunity to tour read the fine print before truth is more than just being his factory. However, the signing anything, but what honest and not telling lies. contract goes on and on, with if we could live in a place It means we live out ultimate the print getting smaller and where there was no fine truth. We live out the truth smaller until it can’t be read print? That is too much to that Jesus is the only way to without a magnifying glass. ask for in a fallen world, but God, that He is our means of Of course, no one reads it; it’s not too much to expect salvation, and that following they simply sign and enter. of those who claim to be Him has eternal consequences. disciples of Jesus. As His MEMORY VERSE followers, we can live a life Once we understand what with “no fine print.” We say things are truth according “Do your best to present what we mean and mean what to Scripture, then we yourself to God as one we say. That’s living out truth. should be in a place where approved, a worker who does truth begins to change our not need to be ashamed and “Truth is more than mere character to become more who correctly handles the facts. It’s not just something Christlike. That is what word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) we act upon. It acts upon us. discipleship means.

12 SEPTEMBER WEEK 4 DID YOU KNOW? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was written by Roald Dahl based off a bedtime story he made up for two of his daughters. The book sold 10,000 copies in its first week. Up until the last moment, the Oompa-Loompas were going to be called the Whipple-Scrumpets. Roald Dahl wanted Maurice Sendak to illustrate his book—but he was too busy working on Where the Wild Things Are to accept the offer.

So, do you know ultimately 4. What would a transformed GO DEEPER what you believe, and why life look like to the world Read through our doctrines you believe it? And is it around us? and discuss or journal which changing you to look more points you hold as truth like Christ? APPLY and which ones you are still 1. Watch the “God’s Not unclear on. Dead” video clip.

Watch the movie The Lion THE WORD 2. What is the difference King and consider how it Ezekiel 36:23-26 between avoiding lies reflects basing decisions off John 8:31-32 and speaking truth? of lies rather than the truth.

What has been your truth? ENGAGE 3. How do we live out ultimate Read: tinyurl.com/yys6rtbj. Play “Does God’s Word truth in our daily lives so Say That?” that we show others the Remember to find and follow reality of God’s love? BOLD on social media: EXPLORE Web: corpscadets.com 1. What do we need to have 4. Do you have “fine print” as a foundation so we can in the words you speak? Facebook: facebook.com/ know truth? BOLDcorpscadets PRAY Twitter: 2. Learn about being @BOLDcorpscadets transformed by truth.

Instagram: 3. What are some ways @BOLDcorpscadets in which the truth transforms us?

BOLD FALL 2020 13 BIBLE STUDY OLD TESTAMENT

FOCUS There are many different it on their own. The Old DOCTRINE 1 styles of writing in the Testament shows us that Old Testament, including we need Jesus. law (the Torah), history he Old Testament (accounts of actual events), Those who at least have Tbegins with the creation poetry (for example, Psalms), basic knowledge of the Old account in Genesis and and prophecy (major and Testament may be familiar goes through the book of minor prophets who speak with some of the stories, Malachi. It includes 39 books God’s words to the people). such as Adam and Eve, Noah written by approximately There are also a variety of and the ark, Moses and the 30 authors over nearly styles within one book, such parting of the Red Sea, David 1,000 years. The first five as poetry sung in a history and Goliath, and Daniel in books of the Bible—Genesis, account, or law stated in the lion’s den. Most people Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, prophecy. are probably unfamiliar with and Deuteronomy—are other stories, such as about collectively known as the The Old Testament is the King Balak or the prophet Torah. Sometimes the Old story of how, after God Testament is referred to created humankind and they as the First Testament or sinned, God tried to make the Old Covenant. Jesus’s a way for people to connect genealogy and birth begin with Him again. No matter the New Testament or how hard humans tried, they New Covenant, which ends couldn’t do it. They couldn’t with His second coming be good enough or faithful as described in Revelation. enough. They couldn’t do

MEMORY VERSE “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6)

14 OCTOBER WEEK 1 GO DEEPER participants. The story that began with Adam and Eve, Read “I Will” statements H and J of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” Noah, Moses, David, and Discuss or journal how they relate to today’s lesson. Daniel continues on with Watch The Bible Project’s overview of the Old Testament us. God’s story is never- at tinyurl.com/y3995f3p. Check out more videos at changing because God is thebibleproject.com. never-changing. He still wants us to meet the Savior Read The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars to a New as we participate in the grand Understanding of the Authority of Scripture by N. T. Wright. story He is authoring today. Watch “History 101: The Protestant Reformation” at tinyurl.com/ yaxvmhh6 and a funny, animated history of Martin Luther at tinyurl.com/yam9bhmc.

Read other passages that relate to this month’s theme: Genesis THE WORD Numbers 23:19 1:1-31; Psalm 22:1-31; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 9:1-18; Isaiah 52:1-15; 1 Chronicles 29:12 Isaiah 55:10-11; and Romans 3:1-31. Zephaniah 3:5

Zephaniah. However, all ENGAGE of the stories in the Old Watch “Come With Me Testament are an important If You Want To Live.” part of the big story of God— and His love for His creation. EXPLORE 1. What are some of the DID YOU KNOW? Some people like to think of characteristics of God’s the Old Testament, or even authority? Castle Church in Wittenberg, the Bible as a whole, as God’s Germany still attracts love letter to humankind. 2. Learn about the setting visitors to see the door where More accurately, however, of Zephaniah. Luther nailed his 95 Theses. it’s a love story describing In dreams, doors symbolize God’s plan for all of us. The change. By examining the APPLY Old Testament, in particular, 1. How do we hear God “speak” tree rings of the door’s describes the history of the His authority today? wood, Europe’s oldest door Israelites—the people group is estimated to be 5,100 God chose to show us that 2. Learn about the years old. It was found in we need a Savior to bring us Reformation. Switzerland. The world’s back into a right relationship largest door is at the NASA with Him. That is why the 3. How does the Reformation Vehicle Assembly Building at Old Testament is incomplete impact us today? the Kennedy Space Center without the New Testament. in Florida. There are actually The Old Testament sets the 4. What does inspiration four of them. Each is 456 feet stage for the New Testament have to do with authority? high, and it takes 45 minutes arrival of the Savior, Jesus to open or close them. When Christ, God in the flesh 5. How will you allow God’s Queen Victoria died, the Irish among us. inspired Word to reveal were ordered to paint their His ultimate authority doors black. In defiance, they We are not just readers, far in your life? painted them a wide variety removed from the events of of bright colors. the Old Testament. We are PRAY

BOLD FALL 2020 15 OUR HERITAGE OLD TESTAMENT

persevere means to try to do TO or continue doing something in a determined way, even in the face of difficulty, or with little or no prospect of success.

Perseverance is not only the start and the finish of the race; it is every day in between. If you run a marathon, you don’t get credit for finishing if you didn’t run the entire race. PERSEVERE FOCUS DOCTRINE 1

Frederick Lorz learned this in the 1904 Olympic games. He started the marathon, ran nine miles and got tired, caught a ride for eleven miles, then ran the last 6.2 miles. He crossed the finish line first and was called the winner. But when spectators said he hadn’t 1213run the whole race, he said it was just a joke. Nobody found MEMORY VERSE it funny. He was banned for life by the Amateur Athletic Union, “Every word of God is flawless; reinstated, banned again, and he is a shield to those who reinstated. He went on to finish take refuge in him. Do not add five other marathons but is still to his words, or he will rebuke remembered as the guy who you and prove you a liar.” pretended to win the Olympic (Proverbs 30:5-6) marathon.

16 OCTOBER WEEK 2 Many of us know some of DID YOU KNOW? the stories of Daniel’s life but Ukraine ranks 6th in the world for drinking alcohol, has the 3rd don’t realize these stories took busiest McDonald’s in the world, and also claims Chernobyl, the site place over a long lifetime of of the world’s worst nuclear power plant disaster in 1986. Liberia faithfulness. Daniel was taken was founded and colonized by freed American slaves, who named into captivity and refused the the capital city after US President James Monroe. It’s home to the king’s food at 15. Already as a rare and endangered pygmy hippopotamus. teenager, he did what was right and stood up, even though he had no power. got promoted. He worked THE WORD hard and proved himself to Romans 5:3-5 Daniel interpreted King be trustworthy. He was neither Romans 15:4 Nebuchadnezzar’s first corrupt nor negligent. He also Hebrews 12:1-3 dream at 17, interpreted his consistently prayed three second dream between 38 times a day, even when it was ENGAGE and 48, and explained the against the law, and served Watch “Barcelona 1992 writing on the wall to King God continually. Olympics.” Balthazar at 81. He prayed for wisdom and insight. God When Daniel prayed, EXPLORE gave it to him. Daniel praised he confessed his own sin, 1. As New Testament people, God and had the courage petitioned for his people, why bother with the Old to speak difficult truth to and recognized the need Testament? the king. When the king for God’s grace. He said, praised him, Daniel gave “We do not make requests 2 Look at two stories of God the credit. of you because we are people persevering in righteous, but because of different circumstances: He was in his early 80s your great mercy” (9:18b). Lt.-Colonels Brian and when he was thrown into a Dorothy Knightley and den of lions. In between these Daniel’s faithfulness Major Lois Dueck. events, he did his job and he inspired faithfulness in others. Shadrach, Meshach, 3. Look up Liberia and and Abednego wouldn’t Ukraine in The Salvation GO DEEPER bow to the statue of the king. Army Year Book 2020. Read “I Will” statements B, C, Before they were thrown F, H, and J of “The Soldier’s into the fiery furnace, they APPLY Covenant.” Discuss or journal said: God will save us; but 1. What do you consider how they relate to today’s even if He doesn’t, we trust signs of mature Christian lesson. Him and will not serve your character? Read the article by Frank gods. God protected them. Powell at tinyurl.com/yaxffr7t. 2. Which of the signs of a Daniel remained in captivity mature Christian do you Who are the characters you for 70 years. He served four still need to work on? most admire on television, rulers and was a subject in How can you do that? in movies, or in books? Why three kingdoms. All the time Who can help you? do you admire them? Are the he remained faithful to the characteristics you admire God of Israel. In the end, God PRAY godly? Would you admire said to Daniel, “As for you, them in real life? go your way till the end. Read the book of Daniel. You will rest, and then at Mark each time he the end of the days you will demonstrates strong, rise to receive your allotted godly character. inheritance” (12:13).

BOLD FALL 2020 17 LEADERSHIP OLD TESTAMENT

READ IT

FOCUS DOCTRINE 1

it even important to read the Bible out loud anymore? IS What difference does it make? Everyone can have their own Bible. Wycliffe and Tyndale saw to that. Why, as a congregation, is it important to hear the Bible read? Now for a trickier question: How long would you stand to hear the Word of God read? In Nehemiah 7 and 8, we find out how important it was to the Israelites and how long they were willing to stand in order to hear it.

MEMORY VERSE to their faith, and affirms attentively to the Book of their understanding that the Law. The Levites helped “Every word of God is flawless; God has remembered and people understand what the he is a shield to those who reclaimed them” after Scripture meant. take refuge in him. Do not add their exile in Babylon. to his words, or he will rebuke They started to remember As they heard the law read you and prove you a liar.” who they were. aloud, they felt connected (Proverbs 30:5-6) to each other and to their Then Nehemiah gathered history. They wept when The wall of Jerusalem had them again, this time for they heard what they been destroyed. Nehemiah, the Festival of Tabernacles, should be doing—compared to the governor, organized which celebrates the way what they were doing rebuilding it. Once it was God provided for them —and when they realized completed, Nehemiah while they wandered in the that they had forgotten invited all of the Jews who wilderness. “All the people who they were. The Wesley had returned from exile came together as one in the Study Bible explains, “The to come to a dedication square…They told Ezra the hearing of the law inspires ceremony. This helped teacher of the Law to bring them to know that they them feel connected to the out the Book of the Law of are not a conquered people, city again—their religious Moses” (8:1). He did. Ezra, but rather, they are God’s and cultural center. The the priest, read the Law people.” Nehemiah the Wesley Study Bible explains aloud from daybreak governor, Ezra the priest that by inviting them, till noon. All the people— and teacher of the Law, “Nehemiah instills pride the men and the women and the Levites encouraged in the community, renews and all who were able to the people not to grieve their connection understand—listened but to eat and drink and

18 OCTOBER WEEK 3 DID YOU KNOW? More Bibles have been printed than any other book in history. The Bible has been translated into 531 languages, more than any other book, ever. An additional 2,883 languages have at least a portion of the Scripture. 1,800 languages still have nothing.

provide for others. They were it was important for them THE WORD told to let the joy of the Lord to hear, understand, and Nehemiah 8:1-18 be their strength. obey the Word of the Lord. It helped them remember ENGAGE The next day, they came who they were, where they Do the “Trading Bible again to listen and to learn had been, and that God had Words” activity. what they were supposed to not forsaken them. Then do. They learned that they they rejoiced! As a corps EXPLORE were to live in temporary community, it is important Learn about: shelters and proclaim God’s for us to do the same. Word in their towns and in 1. John Wycliffe; Jerusalem. To show their love for God and their desire to be 2. William Tyndale; and connected to their faith and GO DEEPER history, they went out and 3. Wycliffe Bible Read “I Will” statement A did it. They hadn’t celebrated Translators. of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” this festival during the exile. Discuss or journal how it Now, knowing what God relates to today’s lesson. APPLY wanted them to do and doing 1. Learn the do’s and it as a community gave them Look up Wycliffe Bible don’t s of Scripture great joy. They rejoiced. Translators at wycliffe.org. reading in public. Look up William Tyndale They stood and listened to 2. Practice the techniques and John Wycliffe at the law every day for a week you have learned. christianitytoday.com/history/ as though it was food and people/. drink. As a community, PRAY

BOLD FALL 2020 19 DISCIPLESHIP OLD TESTAMENT Freedom FOCUS DOCTRINE 1 GO DEEPER Read “I Will” statement A of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” Discuss or journal how it relates ablets. Not the kind that to today’s lesson. Tyou plug in to charge Watch “The Ten Commandments” music and use a stylus to write or video at tinyurl.com/y6tpfsku. type on. We’re talking big, heavy things made of stone. Learn how geography affects how You can probably picture we understand the Bible: tinyurl.com/ them: the tablets with the yyn9v5g4. Ten Commandments. It’s an Listen to or read the lyrics for “Lovin’ is Bible” “old school” image we have by The Aces. Compare it to Exodus 20. when thinking about the Share with a peer or leader what you notice. Old Testament. So, what does anything old school have to do with us today? do’s and don’ts is the complaint many people have against The Ten Commandments Christianity. They claim this have been reduced to trendy proves that God wants to statements. They’ve been put limit our freedoms. to music and catchy, rhyming phrases. You’ve probably In fact, the exact opposite heard them all before, is true! God, in His deep even if you don’t have them love for His people, wants memorized: DON’T have to protect the freedoms He other gods, make images of has given us as His image- God, or misuse God’s name; bearers. So, He set up DO keep the Sabbath holy boundaries. Homes don’t and honor your parents; have fences around them to DON’T murder, commit limit the family’s freedom; adultery, steal, give false rather, they protect the witness, or covet. family, both by keeping what is meant to stay in, in as well While a simple overview can as keeping what is meant to help us remember the Ten stay out, out. That’s how God’s Commandments, this list of commandments work, too. He wants to help us keep MEMORY VERSE sin out of our lives and keep holiness and relationship “Every word of God is flawless; with Him in our lives. he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add The Ten Commandments— to his words, or he will rebuke and the context surrounding you and prove you a liar.” each of them—make up a (Proverbs 30:5-6) promise between God and

20 OCTOBER WEEK 4 His people. While we may not have killed anyone or made a golden calf to worship, the spirit behind these commands still applies to us today.

THE WORD Exodus 20:1-17 ENGAGE Listen to “The Bible Using Pop Songs.” EXPLORE 1. How do the Ten Commandments reveal the freedom God intends for us?

2. Do you think the Ten Commandments are outdated, or do they still apply to us? Why or how?

3. Learn the current application of each commandment. APPLY 1. Recite the Ten Commandments in order.

2. What sums up the Ten Commandments?

3. Which commandment challenges you the most? How will you work on that? PRAY

DID YOU KNOW? According to Jewish law, the Sabbath is Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. As a day of rest, Christians now typically observe Sunday, or the Lord’s Day, celebrating His resurrection from the dead. Our English names for the days of the week actually come from Roman gods and their translation into Latin and Old English. For example, Saturday comes from the god of agriculture, Saturn, which is saeternesdaeg in Old English. And Sunday comes from the Latin dies solis or “day of the sun.”

BOLD FALL 2020 21 BIBLE STUDY NEW TESTAMENT

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he New Testament begins with the genealogy (or family Tline) of Jesus in Matthew and goes through the book of Revelation, which describes His second coming. It includes 27 books written by at least eight authors over approximately 30 years. The first four books of the New Testament— Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are known as the Gospel accounts. Sometimes the New Testament is known as the Second Testament or the New Covenant.

Like the Old Testament, someone else. Jesus said, the New Testament contains “Do not think that I have different types of writing, come to abolish the Law or including narrative (Gospels), the Prophets; I have not come letters (the majority of the to abolish them but to fulfill New Testament, largely them” (Mark 5:17). Jesus is the written by Paul), and fulfillment of everything that prophecy (Revelation). was promised!

The Old Testament included The New Testament is a lot of laws (commandments) God’s continuing story for and prophecy. All of these humankind. Many people were pointing to what was who have a basic knowledge to come: Jesus. Jews do may be familiar with some not believe that the New of the stories, such as Jesus’s Testament is part of inspired birth in Bethlehem, some of Scripture because they do His miracles, and His death not believe that Jesus is the and resurrection. And, most Messiah who was prophesied likely, some of His teaching about. So, they continue to might ring a bell—particularly observe all of the laws of the parables He told. But the Old Testament and await there is so much more that fulfillment of prophecy in we should dig into in order

MEMORY VERSE “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (John 1:1-2)

22 NOVEMBER WEEK 1 DID YOU KNOW? THE WORD Psalm 1:1-3 Benjamin Franklin, at age 22, began a Matthew 5:3-10 quest for moral perfection—perfected Hebrews 1:1-2 character. He knew what was right and wrong, but often struggled to do what was right. To help him on ENGAGE Do the “What Are You Filled his quest, he began each day asking With?” activity. himself “the morning question”: What good shall I do this day? He ended each day with “the evening EXPLORE 1. What does it mean to question”: What good have I done be blessed? this day? 2. Who are blessed? to understand the whole story God has for His 3. Use actions to show which creation, including how types of people are blessed. He wants us to live our lives for His glory. APPLY 1. How do the Ten The Old Testament set the Commandments fit stage for a world needing a in with having mature Savior. The New Testament Christian character? brings the Savior into the picture through historical 2. What are some of the narrative, letters, and attitudes of your heart? prophecy yet to be fulfilled. We can rejoice that the New 3. How can you change any Testament was fulfilled in attitudes that need to be Jesus, which gives us hope changed? and excitement for what is still left to be fulfilled: 4. How can you grow in the restoration of all of creation attitudes that Jesus wants for all eternity. you to possess? PRAY

GO DEEPER Read “I Will” statements B, C, F, and G of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” Discuss or journal how they relate to today’s lesson.

Watch The Bible Project’s overview of the New Testament at tinyurl.com/ y2jeox82. Check out more videos at thebibleproject.com.

Commit to studying the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) this month. Read it in various versions of the Bible. Discuss the Beatitudes with a friend or family member.

Read The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship by Dallas Willard.

Read other passages that relate to this month’s theme: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:18-23; Psalm 119:1-176; Proverbs 22:6; Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; and Hebrews 4:12.

BOLD FALL 2020 23 OUR HERITAGE NEW TESTAMENT INSPIRED

FOCUS the minds of the writers DOCTRINE 1 and simply have them jot it down like a secretary. That’s actually the idea behind any kids, and even other religious writings, Msome adults, hear almost always using just “God’s Word” and think that one author. What makes the the Bible was written with Bible unique is in fact its God’s actual hand holding unusual composition. Rather a pen to paper and writing than being written by one down words. The Bible is, person, it came from around in fact, a human document. forty different authors. And It was written by human they weren’t all scholars hands. But we believe it is or theologians. Among the also God’s Word—that it has writers were a political His thoughts, His teachings, leader, a military leader, His plan, and His character a shepherd, a king, a farmer, in its pages. We believe this a prime minister, a tax because we believe that the collector, a medical doctor, Bible is inspired by God. a rabbi, and a fisherman.

The Salvation Army Handbook Even beyond that amazing of Doctrine explains, “The fact is the reality that the terms ‘divinely inspired’ or Bible was written on three ‘given by inspiration of God’ different continents. Parts describe the ways in which of it were written in the the writers of the Bible, who desert and the countryside; often used many different some of it was written in literary sources, were so royal courts. Other parts enlightened and directed were written in exile on an by the Holy Spirit that they island as well as in prison. produced a trustworthy and The authors didn’t conspire enduring witness to God’s or work together either. saving work for humanity, Most of the writers didn’t centred upon the life and know the other writers of person of Jesus Christ.” Scripture. The Bible was written over a period of more This does not mean that God than fifteen hundred years. dictated what He wanted And yet, it is all one book communicated in Scripture. with one consistent theme: He didn’t speak words into the Triune God.

MEMORY VERSE “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (John 1:1-2)

24 NOVEMBER WEEK 2 human words that GO DEEPER have received life from God (breathed Read “I Will” statement A into), they are actually of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” words that God has exhaled Discuss or journal how it (breathed out). Through the relates to today’s lesson. Holy Spirit, He exhaled His Google “Brother Andrew, words through human God’s Smuggler.” authors, using their individual styles, personalities, and Watch “How We Got the perspectives to share His New Testament” at tinyurl.com/ breath—His words— gwuhcn9 and “Is the Bible with humankind. That’s True?” at vimeo.com/61374428. inspiration. Do a word study. Pick a word (like “truth”) and look up every verse in the Bible with that word, seeing what God has to speak Paul Enns writes, THE WORD to you (biblegateway.com is “In unity these Matthew 7:24-29 useful for this). books teach the 2 Timothy 3:16-17 triunity of God, the deity of Jesus Christ, ENGAGE 2. When people say, the personality of the Watch “Who Wrote the “Humans wrote the Holy Spirit, the fall and Bible – God or Humans?” Bible, so it is flawed,” depravity of man, as well how can you respond? as salvation by grace. EXPLORE It quickly becomes apparent 1. What makes the Word 3. How is the Word of that no human being(s) a solid foundation? God alive and active could have orchestrated the in your life? harmony of the teachings 2. Learn about the of the Scripture.” So what canonization process. 4. What difference does is the answer behind this it make for the Word amazing book? APPLY to be God-breathed in 1. Do you believe the Bible your life? Second Timothy 3:16 says, is the Word of God? “All Scripture is God- Why or why not? PRAY breathed…” The Greek word used here is theopneustos. DID YOU KNOW? It isn’t used anywhere else Here are some fun facts about breathing. An average person can in the Bible. At its core, hold their breath for 30-60 seconds. Denmark’s Stig Severinsen it is a word that describes currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest free God exhaling. Enns writes, dive (i.e., without breathing equipment) under ice. In 2010, he held “The Scriptures are not his breath underwater for 22 minutes. The lungs are the only organs something breathed into that can float in water. A sneeze travels up to 10mph. Asthma used by God; rather, the Scriptures to be treated with psychotherapy. Horses only breathe through have been breathed out their noses. by God.” Instead of being

BOLD FALL 2020 25 LEADERSHIP NEW TESTAMENT

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you feel like this? DO “I don’t know how to passage says. Interpretation ENGAGE study the Bible. Nobody ever tells us what the passage Do a “Sword Drill.” showed me. I tried reading it means. Application tells from the beginning but got us how the meaning of the EXPLORE stuck in Numbers. Who even passage applies to our lives. 1. What are the three uses most of these words? In inductive Bible study, the steps of the inductive It’s confusing. It’s boring. Bible is the primary source method? It’s hard.” of information about itself. 2. What are at least four MEMORY VERSE Bible teacher Kay Arthur things to consider during says, “Inductive Bible study the observation step? “In the beginning was the draws you into personal Word, and the Word was interaction with the 3. What are some tools with God, and the Word was Scripture and with the that can help us study God. He was with God in the God of the Scriptures.” the Bible? beginning.” (John 1:1-2) Through it, you learn “truth that transforms GO DEEPER When people are taught how you when you live by it.” to study the Bible, they “get Read “I Will” statement A the excitement of actually As you develop leadership of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” discovering stuff,” writes skills for God’s service, you Discuss or journal how it Bible teacher Dr. Howard will find new opportunities relates to today’s lesson. Hendricks. “That is what is to teach truth from God’s Watch the “Bible in a Minute” lacking today. We give people Word to people. But you can’t rap at tinyurl.com/y36x6axx. all the answers. If you don’t teach it if you don’t know it. have the basics, you are not And you won’t know it if you Watch the “New Home Boy going to get that much out of don’t study it. Translation” at tinyurl.com/ Bible study. Once people are y2z66yv5. taught how to do something, Listen to Munnday Morning they can see the value of it.” with Col. Richard Munn, THE WORD Series 1, Episode 1 on the The inductive Bible study Judges 5:3 Scriptures at saconnects.org/ method has three steps. Hebrews 4:12 munnday-mornings/. Observation tells us what the James 1:22-25

26 NOVEMBER WEEK 3 DID YOU KNOW? The word “Bible” has been used for a long time to refer to many things other than the holy Word of God. Project Runway’s Tim Gunn published his Fashion Bible in 2012, providing “the fascinating history of everything in your closet.” The Modern Yoga Bible, offering a depictive guide to yoga poses, was published in 2017. And in 2018 The Aces released a song titled “Lovin’ Is Bible,” with lyrics that include “You know I’m not religious, but your lovin’ is Bible” and “make me your disciple.” None of these things reflect scriptural values, despite having Bible in their title.

APPLY 1. Why does application matter?

2. Go over the “Application Questions.”

3. Discuss how we use our cell phones versus how we use the Bible.

4. Download a Bible app to your smartphone, with parent permission. PRAY

BOLD FALL 2020 27 DISCIPLESHIP NEW TESTAMENT

FOCUS have this ancient many unpronounceable names DOCTRINE 1 WEbook, written by and lists of who begat whom. some pretty crazy authors. It doesn’t make much sense. Sure, it may be the bestselling and most printed book of all So…why bother reading the time, but how many people Bible at all? actually read it? Many people have multiple copies sitting It comes down to perspective. on shelves, closed and dusty. Think about a time when There may be one sitting on you’ve been really dizzy. the Holiness table right now. Maybe you were on a spinning But who has actually read the teacup ride. Or you were a kid page it’s opened to? twirling around the room. Perhaps you’ve experienced Many people don’t believe the reality of vertigo for no what is written inside its particular reason. The world pages is true. Others believe seems like it is turning round MEMORY VERSE that, even if there’s some and round. The fact of the truth in there, it’s so outdated matter is, though, it’s not “In the beginning was the that it doesn’t really apply (well, not in the sense we Word, and the Word was to us today. After all, what’s mean here!). You’re the one with God, and the Word was with all the killing and the who sees it spinning. You just God. He was with God in the Canaanites and Jebusites need to sit still until it stops beginning.” (John 1:1-2) and other ites? There are so and you get your balance.

28 NOVEMBER WEEK 4 GO DEEPER Read “I Will” statement A of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” Discuss or journal how it relates to today’s lesson.

Pick a short passage (more than one verse) that you will commit to memory. A great, free tool for memorization can be found at scripturetyper.com.

Try your hand at some free Bible trivia games at christianity.com/trivia/.

Look up these verses about how our words should be used wisely: Judges 8:1-3; 2 Chronicles 10:13-14; Proverbs 10:19; 12:18; 15:1; 16:24; 25:15; Matthew 12:36-37; and James 3:1-12.

Read more about hermeneutics on pages 19-21 in The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine.

THE WORD 3. Is the Word still applicable Isaiah 40:7-8 to us today? Why or why not? The Bible may not seem Matthew 4:1-11 to make sense, but it’s not 1 Corinthians 1:18 APPLY the Bible that is confusing. 1. How can the Word help We are the ones who are ENGAGE you when you are tempted? confused! As we take the Watch “Bible Verse Trivia.” time to sit still, read it, 2. How can you study and and allow our perspective EXPLORE learn the Word? to adjust, even the crazy 1. What makes the Word Canaanites can help us foolish to those who are 3. Learn about hermeneutics. understand God’s character not saved? and His redemptive plan for 4. How will you get to know humankind—including us! 2. According to Scripture, the Word better? why should we pay attention to the Word? PRAY

DID YOU KNOW? Exegesis is a scary word for some. It’s a serious Bible study word. It means the “careful investigation of the original meaning of texts in their historical and literary contexts.” It is from two Greek words that, together, mean “to lead out of.” The process basically involves asking analytical questions about various aspects of the text and its context. The opposite of exegesis is eisegesis, which means “reading one’s own opinions into.”

BOLD FALL 2020 29 BIBLE STUDY WISDOM

THE MEMORY VERSE SOURCE “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

FOCUS Wisdom literature is Narrative literature includes DOCTRINE 1 made up of the books Job, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs. 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Proverbs is specifically 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, ne of the amazing things wisdom about proper living. Nehemiah, Esther, Matthew, Oabout the Bible is that it Ecclesiastes is about wisdom Mark, Luke, John, and Acts. includes a variety of genres, in the midst of a world that They each tell a story, or or types, of writing that often doesn’t make sense. history (see that—“his-story”? all have the same central And Job looks at wisdom It’s really all about Jesus!). message. It uses poetry and from the perspective of The Old Testament narrative prophecy and proverbs all to someone who is suffering. books tell the history of point to the Messiah, Jesus Wisdom literature is God’s people, Israel. In the Christ. Two of those Bible primarily about morality. New Testament, the Gospels genres are called wisdom It’s about knowledge as tell the story of Jesus, and literature and narrative well as how to use that Acts tells about early literature. knowledge properly. church history.

30 DECEMBER WEEK 1 Of course, each book of the happened to visit Susa and THE WORD Bible has a rich depth to it, shared the news about Proverbs 1:1-7 covering multiple themes. the terrible conditions in 1 Corinthians 1:19-25 One place where wisdom Jerusalem that the people literature and narrative of Israel had returned to. ENGAGE literature intersect is in Nehemiah learned about Watch “Star Trek: The Next Generation – Data’s Wisdom.” DID YOU KNOW? The three wise men who followed the star to visit Jesus came EXPLORE 1. What is the difference with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Frankincense was between worldly wisdom an oil that was burned in worship ceremonies, representing and godly wisdom? Christ’s priesthood. Myrrh was an oil used to prepare bodies for burial, representing His sacrifice. Both are still available today. 2. What does “fear of the They are used to facilitate clear thinking while focusing on a task Lord” mean? as well as to calm stressed nerves. APPLY the book of Nehemiah. the city being burned down 1. How is knowledge It is a book that tells the and the city wall being different from wisdom? story of Israel through smashed to the ground. the lens of morality and As an Israelite, he grieved. 2. Listen to “Wise Men” making wise choices. by Allen Krehbiel. Maybe you wouldn’t cry Nehemiah was a man who over a broken fence, but 3. Do you have a “fear of the lived in the same era as the city’s walls were a big Lord”? If so, how do you Haggai and Ezra. During deal. Jerusalem was the show it? If not, why not? this part of history, the place where God chose to Babylonians had captured dwell. It was a holy city. PRAY the Israelites,taken them And with nothing dividing away from Jerusalem, burned it from its neighbors, there GO DEEPER their city and Temple, and would easily be a mixture Read “I Will” statements basically destroyed all of what was holy and what A, B, and C of “The Soldier’s they knew. But leadership was profane. The God- Covenant.” Discuss or journal changed, and the people of fearing Israelites couldn’t how they relate to today’s lesson. Israel were allowed to return have that. Nehemiah was to their beloved Jerusalem, God-fearing. Because of Do a word study on wisdom. where they began building his position, he was able Start in the book of Proverbs. it back up once again. to ask the king for a favor. Watch your favorite movie He asked for a leave of or TV show with a friend. Nehemiah lived in the year absence from his job to Discuss the wise and foolish 445 BC in a place called return to Jerusalem and choices you see the main Susa (modern day Iran) help rebuild the city’s characters making. and was a cupbearer to the walls. The king granted king. It may sound boring his request. Watch some Kung Fu Panda to have a job that’s just wisdom at tinyurl.com/ about serving drinks to But before Nehemiah did y4xjf8cb. royalty, but it was actually this, the story actually Read other passages that a position of honor. Because begins with Nehemiah’s relate to this month’s theme: it was common to attempt decision to seek wisdom Job 12:13; Psalm 111:10; to kill the king—including from the only source of Proverbs 3:13-19; Proverbs by poison—a cupbearer true wisdom. 7:1-5; Ecclesiastes 7:11-19; had to be a person the king and 1 John 1:6-7. trusted. Nehemiah’s brother

BOLD FALL 2020 31 OUR HERITAGE WISDOM

FOCUS Tom Crocker’s father died DOCTRINE 1 when Tom was 17. Tom left school and worked to support his mom and five siblings. om Crocker went from being an alcoholic He worked as a salesman, Tand drug addict living on the streets factory worker, real estate of Detroit in the 1930’s to being named agent, and court clerk. “Chicagoan of the Year” for “selfless He even served in devotion to saving souls” in 1951. the Navy and in How does that happen? He made local politics. choices. Some led him in the wrong direction. Others led him in the right direction.

At some point, he started drinking. His pattern was drink, sober up, get a job, start MEMORY VERSE drinking again, and keep “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of drinking until he got fired. knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) DID YOU KNOW?He tried to stop. In rehab, Several Native Americanhe totem was animals introduced are considered to wise, but each also has other morphinecharacteristics: to avoid the owl (messenger, insight); whale (navigator); spider (networker, balance); snake (shrewdness,suffering of drying impulsive); salmon (determined, intense); out. He became rhinoceros (solid, good judgment); parrot (language, prophecy); a drug addict moose (steadfastness; headstrong); and started dolphin (kind, playfulness); stealing. bee (organized, productive, community); and the coyote, who is a combination of wisdom and folly.

32 DECEMBER WEEK 2 Nobody would hire him. We must make him realize GO DEEPER He ended up on the streets. that we care and that Jesus His friends and family gave Read “I Will” statements cares. We must encourage up on him. When several C, F, and G of “The Soldier’s him to seek Christ as his hospital stays didn’t work, Covenant.” Discuss or journal Saviour, assuring him that the court committed him how they relate to today’s lesson. through Christ he will be to the State Mental Hospital Watch “Can’t Feel My Face” given the strength to live as “hopeless, incurable, and by The Weeknd at tinyurl.com/ a sober Christian life.” a menace to society.” ofgkx8m and “The A Team” by Ed Sheeran at tinyurl. When he was finally com/9kfam9x. Discuss released, he woke up on what they say about drug THE WORD the street one night, certain addiction. Are they pro-drugs Joshua 24:14-15 he would die without help. or anti-drugs? Ephesians 5:15-20 He said, “Two men—I don’t know who they were—helped Watch stories of restoration ENGAGE get me… to the Army. I asked at tinyurl.com/zmodpyx. Watch “I Bet My Life” the officer, ‘Do you think Click on “Adult Rehabilitation by Imagine Dragons. your Jesus can do anything Centers.” for me now?’ The officer said, Watch a 30-minute EXPLORE ‘Yes, Tom, I’m sure He can documentary on the Adult 1. Play a game based on AA’s if you’re ready…’” Rehabilitation Centers at twelve steps. tinyurl.com/hsrmsqj. Tom was ready. From that 2. What are adult day, he never had another rehabilitation centers, also drink or took any more for those who wouldn’t called ARCs? What does the morphine. Once he was come in to have a chance ARC program include? clean and sober, Tom started to talk with him alone. working at the Harbor Light. The courts sent people to 3. What is the Harbor Light? Tom became a soldier, the him at the Harbor Light What does the Harbor Corps Sergeant Major, and instead of to jail. He treated Light program include? then an officer. He led everyone with kindness nightly open-air meetings, and dignity. Captain Tom APPLY counseled new converts, Crocker helped establish 1. What other kinds of and held early morning Harbor Light programs addictions are there? prayer meetings. He started throughout the United a Convert’s Club to help States. More importantly, 2. What strategies do people people from falling back into he helped thousands of men use to try to get you to old habits. He raised money and women lost to drugs and use drugs or alcohol or to upgrade the facilities alcohol find hope and new to have sex? with a detox unit, more beds life in Jesus Christ. and recreation equipment. 3. What strategies will you He got local businesses to Describing the Harbor Light use to make good choices? donate food. He even started program, Captain Tom an employment office. This Crocker wrote, “The officer 4. Whom do you walk like? became the standard for must help everyone on his Harbor Light programs. staff to realize that every PRAY program at the Harbor If people were missing, he Light is built upon the truth tracked them down, like a that ‘Jesus saves from the shepherd looking for lost uttermost to the uttermost.’ *A run-down part of a town sheep. He stood outside the The *Skid Row alcoholic frequented by vagrants, Harbor Light every morning thinks no one cares for him. alcoholics, and drug addicts.

BOLD FALL 2020 33 LEADERSHIP WISDOM

FOCUS DOCTRINE 1 MEMORY VERSE “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and ave you ever felt like there’s no point to instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) Hit all? Like everything you do is useless. It’s all been done before. Nothing really brings joy. That’s how Solomon felt. And he He had to make many tough calls as king. He wrote about it in Ecclesiastes. It is a book that also made several poor choices that led to his explains all of the ways that life is meaningless. downfall. And he struggled to find meaning. Sounds like a real downer, doesn’t it? His whole point, though, is that life really is But Solomon was wise. With his wisdom, meaningless…apart from God. We can only he achieved many things during his reign have true satisfaction in this life if God is in as king. He organized the government and our life. Solomon also explained that we won’t created a new tax system. He worked out a ever fully understand God’s purposes, and we profitable trade system with neighboring have to be okay with that. Some people refer countries. And he oversaw the construction to this as a “theology of contentment.” of the original Temple in Jerusalem.

Solomon was David and Bathsheba’s second Part of the king’s role was also to judge son. Maybe you remember how that marriage on matters that the people could not work started…not so great. David lusted after out for themselves. Have you ever heard of married Bathsheba, got her pregnant, had her babies being switched at birth? (After all, husband killed, and then married her. But God there was a whole TV series about it.) Well, is the Redeemer, and He redeemed their sinful it even happened back in Old Testament choices, advancing His Kingdom for His glory days. In this case, however, it was done through them and their children. on purpose. Two women each had a baby. One woman’s baby died in the middle of Even though God redeems our sinful choices, the night. She noticed and took action— there are often lasting consequences. Solomon’s by switching her dead baby with the other life wasn’t easy. His younger brother plotted woman’s baby who was still alive. When the to take Solomon’s place on the throne…twice. other woman woke up in the morning, she knew this wasn’t her baby dead at her side. DID YOU KNOW? So, they took the matter to the king. The Temple Solomon built was Israel’s first How do you figure out which one is temple. They had a tabernacle for 400 years. telling the truth? Solomon decided David gave Solomon the design for it and to order the living baby to be cut in accumulated materials for him to start the work. half. Crazy, you say? Yes, it was…crazy The construction began just under 500 years wise! Because, of course, the real mother after the Israelites came out of Egypt and took immediately cried out, “No!” She said the seven years to complete. It is estimated that, other woman could have the baby. Because in today’s currency, the project cost about that’s what loving mothers do. They’d rather 3-6 billion dollars. hurt than see their child hurt. Solomon then

34 DECEMBER WEEK 3 THE WORD 1 Kings 2:1-6 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 ENGAGE Watch “Solomon the ‘Wise’ King.” EXPLORE 1. Explore the life of Solomon, what he asked God for, and ordered that the woman who GO DEEPER what God granted him. cried out be given the baby. Read “I Will” statements In his wisdom, he could see 2. What are some scriptural A, B, and C of “The Soldier’s who the real mother was. benefits of wisdom for Covenant.” Discuss or journal In fact, his wise justice is those in leadership? how they relate to today’s lesson. still used as an example today, even among people Watch the LEGO® version APPLY who don’t believe the words of “The Wisdom of King 1. Why is it important for of the Bible. That’s wisdom. Solomon” at tinyurl.com/ leaders to have wisdom? jpwk9dh. What could happen if Maybe all of life wasn’t so they don’t? If you are a Star Wars fan, check meaningless after all. out Christian Wisdom of the 2. Describe someone you Jedi Masters by Dick Staub. think of as wise. What makes them wise? What are some of their other qualities?

3. How can you begin to grow in wisdom personally? PRAY

BOLD FALL 2020 35 DISCIPLESHIP WISDOM

FOCUS he book of Proverbs can seem DOCTRINE 1 Tlike a list of thoughts to be found inside fortune cookies. “He who seeks good finds goodwill, MEMORY VERSE but evil comes to him who searches for it” (Proverbs 11:27). “Stern “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of discipline awaits him who leaves knowledge, but fools despise wisdom the path; he who hates correction and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) will die” (Proverbs 15:10). “An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end” (Proverbs 20:21).

It was written this way on purpose—not for fortune cookies, mind you—but so young people could learn and memorize it. The short phrases help keep them easy to remember and recite. In fact, they are typically even shorter in their original Hebrew —usually only two lines of six to eight words.

36 DECEMBER WEEK 4 DID YOU KNOW? Very practical in nature, foolish choices. It’s up to us to they give basic truth choose. The decisions are not Some bad decisions go about morality, integrity, made for us. In this sense, down in the history books. discipline, justice, common we decide our destiny. Make In 1962, one record label sense, and much more. wise choices, end up with God. decided guitar groups were Make foolish choices, end up becoming ancient history, We all have decisions to in destruction. But God doesn’t so they passed on signing make on a daily basis. From leave us completely on our The Beatles…and missed out the moment we wake up, we own to make decisions. on the $50 million in record get to decide whether or not He provides wisdom for us sales The Beatles earned in we’ll get out of bed. We decide through Scripture and the one year alone. The company to get up. Is that a good power of the Holy Spirit. that makes M&M’s® passed decision? Well, that depends. We just have to ask. on having their candy appear If we are healthy and need to in the 1982 blockbuster, get to school or work, then E.T., because they thought it’s a great decision. If we the alien looked like a pig. have a contagious illness, Reese’s Pieces® got the THE WORD then it’s a really bad decision. Luke 2:52 spot and a 65% jump in sales. James 1:5 And of course, there was Making good decisions is James 3:13-18 the 1912 decision to put more than deciding between only 16 lifeboats—enough right and wrong—it’s about to carry 1/3 of the passengers ENGAGE making wise choices. Watch “The Marshmallow —on the Titanic. We all know Test.” how that turned out. Wisdom, Proverbs explains, is in contrast to foolishness. EXPLORE Our faith is determined by 1. The fear of the Lord is either regularly making wise the beginning of wisdom. choices or regularly making What are some other steps?

2. What are some characteristics James gives of godly wisdom?

3. How does this differ from worldly wisdom? APPLY 1. What are some common decisions that most teenagers have to make? GO DEEPER 2. What are some decisions Read “I Will” statements A, B, and C of “The Soldier’s Covenant.” you don’t have to make yet? Discuss or journal how they relate to today’s lesson.

Listen to “Mama Said” by Lukas Graham at tinyurl.com/jb6o58u. 3. What difficult decisions Discuss the line, “An old friend can give advice when new friends are you currently facing? only know a half story.” 4. How will you apply Listen to Avicii’s song “Wake Me Up” at tinyurl.com/l9x6mjl. God’s wisdom to those What does this song get right or wrong about wisdom? decisions? If you like Avicii, check out Capital Kings or David Thulen. PRAY

BOLD FALL 2020 37 B.C. 425 1455 1623 Time frame The first Bible Blaise Pascal 1400 of Ezra and is printed on the is born Earliest writings Nehemiah’s printing press 1724 of the Old ministry and Immanuel Testament begin leadership Kant is born 4 1829 Jesus is born William & Catherine in Bethlehem Booth are born A.D. 1843 Elijah Cadman 27 is born 1865 Jesus begins William & Catherine His ministry Booth open the Christian Mission 30 1517 Jesus dies on American Martin Luther nails the cross and Civil War ends “The 95 Theses” rises from 1300 to the door the grave 1878 The Ten The Christian The Reformation Commandments 95 Mission is renamed begins are given to Moses The last book The Salvation Army of the New 1205 11 doctrines Testament Joshua leads adopted the Israelites is written 1879 300 Salvation Army The New uniforms are first Testament is 1844 William Ridsdel introduced canonized is born 1888 1384 1849 Jack the Ripper John Wycliffe George Scott active in East dies before Railton is born End of Bible translation is complete 1856 1525 Bramwell William Tyndale 1439 Booth is born Johann finishes the 950 Gutenberg first English 1861 Time frame of creates the translation of the American Civil Solomon’s life, printing press New Testament War breaks out reign, writing, and temple construction 640 Time frame of Zephaniah’s prophetic ministry 1898 600 C. S. Lewis Time frame is born of Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry 1904 Frederick Lorz Book of Daniel tries to cheat in the is written Olympic games A HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF THE SALVATION ARMY’S PLACE IN WORLD HISTORY

1971 2002 The Bible The movie “Word of Project begins Willy Wonka & God Speak,” “Wise Men,” by the Chocolate by MercyMe, Allen Krehbiel, Factory premiers is released is released 1984 2005 2015 The first The movie “I Bet My Life,” by Terminator Charlie and Imagine Dragons, movie premiers the Chocolate Factory premiers is released 1912 1986 The Titanic sinks “Creed,” by 1914 Rich Mullins, WWI begins is released 1918 There is a WWI ends nuclear power plant disaster 1916 in Chernobyl Clifton Sipley 1991 is born “Mama Said,” by Lt.-Cols. 2008 The movie Kung Fu Lukas Graham, 1939 Knightley first Panda premiers is released WWII begins arrive in Liberia 1951 2010 2016 1942 Tom Crocker is The Radical Post-truth is named Wycliffe Bible named Chicagoan Disciple, word of the year by Translators of the Year is founded by by John Stott, Oxford Dictionaries is published William Cameron 1963 2019 Townsend C. S. Lewis dies 2013 Dorothy Knightley is President The Twible (the Bible in tweets) John F. Kennedy The movie is published is assassinated Avengers: 1964 “Wake Me Up,” by Endgame The book Avicii, is released premiers Charlie and 1992 “Old Town Road,” the Chocolate Derek Redman’s by Lil Nas X, Factory is father helps is released published him cross the finish line in the The final Skywalker 1966 Summer Olympics saga movie, The first episode Star Wars: The of Star Trek airs 1993 Rise of Skywalker, Major Dueck premiers 1945 opens the WWII ends Mayak corps 2020 The Coronavirus in Ukraine 1946 pandemic impacts The Dead Sea 1994 2014 the world Scrolls are The movie “Fix My Eyes” & “It’s discovered The Lion King Not Over Yet” by The single premiers for King & Country, “Level of Concern,” 1950 are released by Twenty One The Lion, the Witch, The last episode of Pilots, is released and the Wardrobe Star Trek: The Next The movie God’s is published Generation airs Not Dead premiers THE PATH AHEAD

THE BOLD SCOPE & SEQUENCE (2020-2025)This is the current course year. YEAR 1 This is the current course. COURSE A Is it true that COURSE B the Bible is FALL 2020 the all-time SPRING 2021 9.20 Truth bestselling book? 2.21 Trinity 10.20 Old Testament 3.21 Love 11.20 New Testament 4.21 Holy Spirit 12.20 Wisdom Trinity comes from 4.21 Worship the Latin word “trinus” (threefold). Don’t forget FYI to do this!!! “Act” replaced “DIY”

This can be done any time during the course. As a brigade, choose two of the four themes. Then choose one option under that theme and complete the activity. For one Act, ACT you may complete all four weeks of SOAPs instead. THEME 3: NEW TESTAMENT THEME 1: TRUTH • articipate P in NB4: The Bible reading • e honestB on social media. campaign for spiritual renewal. • iscuss D “poetic license,” • emorize M Scripture. “fake news,” and • o Dinductive Bible study for a month. “confirmation bias” in social media. THEME 4: WISDOM THEME 2: OLD TESTAMENT • isit V a Harbor Light or ARC or • resent P Scripture to participate in a prison ministry. the congregation. • ork W through the “Relational Choices” process. It’s always a good idea Below is what we’ll be studying to plan ahead. over the next 4 years. YEAR 2 What’s is social justice? The word COURSE C COURSE D • Human rights? “church” FALL 2021 SPRING 2022 • Equality? comes from the Greek 9.21 Identity 2.22 Ethics • Access? word ecclesia. 10.21 Resurrection 3.22 Purity & Sex • Quality of life? The more 11.21 Church 4.22 Social Justice • Common good? you know! 12.21 Marriage 4.22 Tolerance • What else?

YEAR 3 “For if you forgive COURSE E COURSE F other people when John and Charles SPRING 2023 they sin against you, FALL 2022 Wesley, ever heard your Heavenly Father 9.22 Salvation of them? 2.23 Stewardship will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 10.22 Wesleyan Theology 3.23 Forgiveness 4.23 Faith Do you have it in your 11.22 Multiculturalism to forgive others? 12.22 Creation Care 5.23 Service

YEAR 4 Does knowing how “Everyone is not to draw count as supposed to be the COURSE G COURSE H a spiritual gift? same. Be healthy, FALL 2023 SPRING 2024 Asking for a friend. and take care of yourself. But be 9.23 Grace 2.24 Spiritual Gifts happy with the 10.23 Mercy 3.24 Spiritual Disciplines beautiful things that make you you.” 11.23 Justification 4.24 Social Health That’s solid advice 12.23 Self-Esteem 5.24 Integrity Did you know your from Beyoncé. social relationships have an impact on your mental health, YEAR 5 physical health, and God calls some mortality risk? to become COURSE I COURSE J officers and FALL 2024 SPRING 2025 others into 2.25 Worldview World religions “Doing the 9.24 Spiritual Warfare is a fascinating Most Good.” 10.24 Holiness 3.25 World Religions topic. Both are 4.25 Heaven & Hell His will. 11.24 Sacramental Living 12.24 Calling 5.25 Missions Notes & Doodles Use this space to jot down thoughts, capture your artistic talent, or scribble furiously to make the ink in your pen flow. Post a photo of it and tag us on social media! #BOLDcorpscadets

1 WE BELIEVE THAT THE SCRIPTURES OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS WERE GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD AND THAT THEY ONLY CONSTITUTE THE DIVINE RULE OF CHRISTIAN FAITH AND PRACTICE. DOCTRINE 1

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