Choose your own Adventure study

Winter Break 2016 - 2017 before you journey

Before we begin to study the word we need to check our hearts before the Creator of the universe. Our Lord doesn’t want us puffed up with information but wants us to know him and worship him.

Spend some time with these questions & God before you begin:

• Do I see studying the Bible as a way to worship God? Why or why not? • How do I view reading the Bible? • Is reading the Word a priority in my life? Why or why not? • What are things I value over reading the Word? Why would reading the word be valuable to me? Who can I ask if I don’t know why? • Do I feel pressure to read the Bible? Where does that pressure come from? • What expectations do I have on myelf when I read the Bible? Where did these come from? Are these helpful? • What are some reasons to be active in reading God’s Word? • What would help me desire to read the word more?

*Honesty with yourself & God is key! Choose your own Adventure 1 peter: To see how creating an outline of the text provides deeper understanding. 1 john: To see how God can continue teaching me though a book of the bible I have read many times. Ruth: To engage with God’s heart, specifically His kindness, through reading the Old Testament. 1 & 2 Samuel: To engage with God’s heart through reading the Old Testament. Tools for studying the bible: General tools for studying any part of the Bible! reading 1 peter with Dan luk The beauty of Outlines: One of my problems when reading a lot of content in the Bible is forgetting what I just read. Doing an outline of the passage really helps me to slow down and check my comprehension of the text. An outline is an attempt to put the content of the letter in my own words in short sentences or phrases. This causes my mind to work and make connections about the text. Once the outline is complete I can look at it and determine more about the letter like author’s intent, key themes, and purpose of the letter. Getting started: 1. Read 1 Peter 2. What is the purpose of Peter writing 1 Peter? 3. As you are reading, try to outline the passage and state the main points of each paragraph. 4. Use outside resources to study 1 Peter more thoroughly 5. Use new information to adjust your outline and make it better OUtside resources to study 1 peter

ESV Bible Resource: http://www.esvbible.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-1- peter/

Bible.org: https://bible.org/series/1-peter Check here when you are done and compare

Opening (1:1–2) Called to Salvation as Exiles (1:3–2:10) Praise for salvation (1:3-12) Our future inheritance is an incentive for holiness (1:13-21) Living as the new people of God (1:22-2:10) Living as Strangers to Bring Glory to God in a Hostile World (2:11–4:11) The christian life as a battle and a witness (2:11-12) Testifying to the gospel in the social order (2:13-3:12) Responding to suffering in a godly way (3:13-4:11) Enduring Suffering (4:12–5:11) Concluding Words (5:12–14)

What is the purpose of Peter writing 1 Peter?

I see that: • God is the author of my salvation in (1:3-12). • I am called to be living as a set apart group of people of God called exiles (1:22-2:10). • I will be a stranger in a hostile world to christians (2:11-3:12) • God gives me the power to suffer with endurance (3:13-4:11) More in depth commentary on 1 peter: https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Baker-Exegetical-Commentary- Testament/dp/0801026741/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480352176&sr=8- 1&keywords=1+peter+karen+jobes https://www.amazon.com/How-Read-Bible-Book-Guided/dp/0310518083/ref=sr_1 _1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480352055&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+read+the+bible+book+by+b ook reading 1 john with katie dresbach

Goal of this study: Read through 1 John multiple times in different ways to train ourselves to see the big picture of 1 John. Continue to pray that you can see and learn something new about God even after reading the whole book multiple times. Benefits of repetative reading: I know for me there are times when I read through a book of the Bible that I have read a couple of times and know the stories in it. I would just skim over most of it because I thought I already knew it and my brain would just stop at that. God helped me see that there is so much more to his Word than just knowing the stories. This happened when a year or two ago the pastors challenged our staff to read 1 Thessalonians over and over again for a month because it was our theme passage for that year. It wasn’t a fast, immediate transformation. It wasn’t suddenly fresh, but it took training my way of thinking. It took praying that God would open my eyes to see what he would have for me today. If I didn’t see something new then I could rest in his grace that I don’t always need something new and exciting to think about. Maybe he wants me to think about what he taught me the day before! Things to give a try: Here are some ideas to help you engage freshly with the big picture of 1 John. The goal is for you to have the freedom to use however much or little of this that is helpful to you! 1. Read 1 John all the way through a couple times over the course of your times with God. Continue to ask the question: What does God want me to learn today from his Word? 2. Read one section a number of times before moving on to the next section, then repeat. (Note - Chapter numbers weren’t added to the Bible until later, so they don’t always need to be read as a break in the author’s thought.) 3. Print out the book of 1 John to underline and mark things up that stick out to you and jot your thoughts down. (You could print a new one out every day to get a fresh look at it if you want.) 4. Spend a time with the Lord praying for this to transform your life. Ask him: Who else can I share what I learned to encourage them? 5. Try to train yourself to look for things on your own. However, if you feel like you’re in a rut you can use other resources to open your eyes to more things (see below) Other Resouces to Check Out: These give a brief overview of the book if you want to read it in a new way. Try to do study 1 John on your own first, then check if your thoughts are similar to others:

ESV Bible Resource: http://www.esvbible.org/resources/esv-study-bible/introduction-to-1-john/

Bible.org: https://bible.org/book/1%20John reading Ruth with lisa scott Ruth: a Hebrew narrative found in the Old Testament in between Judges and 1 Samuel The asset of the Old Testament: Sometimes we can unintentionally let the Old Testament take a back seat to the when we engage with God’s Word. However, we view the whole bible as the Word of God and “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteous…” (2 Timothy 3:16). Our hope is that by engaging with the story of Ruth we will connect with God’s heart, learn about his character, and learn how to engage with the Lord through the narrative text of the Old Testament! Theme of Ruth: This book highlights how God’s people experience His sovereignty, wisdom, and covenant kindness. These often come disguised in hard circumstances and are mediated through the kindness of others. Reading Ruth: Read all 4 chapters of Ruth (I recommend the first time you read it to be in one sitting)

While reading: • Write down your observations and questions • Look for repetition of key words & phrases • Look for God’s presence in the narrative, he is the ultimate character

Go back and read through Ruth more slowly (maybe take it one section or one chapter at a time, and do it over multiple sittings). Spend time digging deeper into your observations and questions from your first reading. Some suggestions for digging deeper • Take time to find out more about the genre, setting, author, intended audience, context within the Bible, themes, and literary features of this book. • Take some time to research the answers to these questions: • What is the genre of Ruth? What is the purpose of this genre in the Bible? • What was the time period of the judges, what was happening in the nation of Israel during this time? • Where is Moab, and what characterized this culture during this time period? • Where is Bethlehem, and what characterized this culture during this time? • What does it mean that Boaz was a redeemer for their family? • How do the characters of the story fit into the lineage of Jesus? • Consider these questions while reading: • What are the main themes found in Ruth? • What aspects of God’s character do you see strongly in this narrative? • How do you see God’s heart for people come out in this narrative? • How do the characters in this story fit into the bigger picture of God’s story? • Reflect on these questions: • In which areas of your life is it hard for you to trust in God’s character of kindness and faithfulness to His people? • How can we help our church live in faith, believing these things to be true about God’s character? Resources to use to dig deeper http://www.biblestudytools.com www.biblegateway.com www.bible.org www.biblehub.com Use a Talk with a small group leader, team leader, or pastor reading 1 & 2 Samuel with Kyle Riesenberg The benefit of reading narratives: Read through first and second Samuel over break. We want to engage with the Lord through books that are narrative and are in the Old Testament. What we’ve noticed in our lives and the lives of others is that we can unintentionally have the Old Testament take a back seat to the New Testament in our Bible reading and study. However, we view the whole bible as the Word of God and “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16). Our hope is that by engaging with 1st & 2nd Samuel we will connect with God’s heart, learn about his character, and learn how to engage with the Lord through the narrative text of the Old Testament!

Vision: At first blush this seems like a tall task, and to some degree it is a good amount of reading. However, these two books are historical narrative writings, meaning that they are stories about people who lived in a specific time and place. Due to the fact that they are stories they read pretty easily. the aim of studying 1 & 2 Samuel: • We would have an opportunity to engage with God’s heart for his people. • Learn to read narrative writings in the Bible in such a way to connect with God’s heart and will for us. • Engage with God in the Old Testament. Practice: Feel the FREEDOM to go at your own pace there is not a day by day plan. If you don’t finish both books over break, no problem. 1. Read through 1st and 2nd Samuel 2. As you read, engage with these questions or thoughts: (if you are overwhelmed, maybe just pick one thought or question to engage with as you read) Thoughts: • Remember you are reading something that happen at a point in time in history. Remember it is a story and it all plays off each other. • Try and visualize the scene. Make the story come to life. • Picture yourself in the story. Questions: • What does this tell me about God? • Ask yourself, how can I relate to this character? (Samuel, the Israelites, Saul, David, or any other character) • How would you have reacted under the circumstances that they were in? • Are there ways in which you experience something similar in your life to what the different characters are experiencing? And how do you respond? • What is God’s desired response? (By reading the story we see how God desired the person to respond.) Resources: The links below provide you with an overview of the book and the context in which the book is written. Use these in conjunction with your reading to more fully study out and engage with the text! (I recommend watching the videos before you read each book) NIV Study Bible Resources: http://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-1-samuel/ • Provides overview, content and themes, outline, and chronology of 1 Samuel http://www.biblica.com/bible/online-bible/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-2-samuel/ • Provides overview, content and themes, outline, and chronology of 2 Samuel Bible.org: https://lumina.bible.org/bible/1+Samuel+1 • Has study notes as you read • Provides you with the ability to look at the Hebrew word used and see the english definition of each word, as opposed to the the singular word that the hebrew is translated into in en- glish as. This helps us to understand why certain words are translated certain ways. • You can also create a username which will allow you to highlight verses and take notes to your account which you can then access later (this is free). Video resources: https://thebibleproject.com/product/read-scripture-1-samuel-video/ • Great overview of 1 Samuel. Includes themes that you can trace through the book! (8 mins long) https://thebibleproject.com/product/read-scripture-2-samuel-video/ • Overview of 2 Samuel. Continuation of the video above Who is… APPLICATION …the author? What do I do with it? TOOLS FOR STUDYING …the audience? …being discussed? Bible study is incomplete until you …accomplishing the action? THE BIBLE have thought through how to apply the particular passage to your life. Some Where is… passages will be more readily applicable This Book of the Law shall not depart from of the content, context and flow. Highlight ...the author? than others, but all Scripture is useful and your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day particular sections that stand out so that …the audience? helpful (2 Tim. 3:16-17). and night, so that you may be careful to do you can come back to them later. …the action taking place? according to all that is written in it. For then 1. List out a number of potential you will make your way prosperous, and What is the… applications. To get started, here are a then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 OBSERVATION …meaning of this word? few questions to consider: What do you see? …significance of this phrase? • Is there an example for you to …implication of this statement? follow? STARTING Observation lays the groundwork for all …overarching theme? • Is there a sin to repent of and/or Before you get started, think through the subsequent study. Cutting corners in this avoid? following: step can cause the entire process to unravel. Why did the author… • Is there a promise to trust? …choose this word? • Is there a prayer to repeat? • When will you read? Do you have a What are you observing? Everything. Your …include this phrase? • Is there a command to obey? consistent time? goal is not to determine what is and is …use this command? • Is there a condition to meet? • Where will you read? Do you have a not significant. Everything is significant. …connect these ideas? • Is there a verse to memorize? consistent place? Observation is kind of like panning for gold. …not say ____? • Is there an erroneous view exposed? • What will you read? Do you have a plan? Your goal is to dig up as much as possible • What else is the Lord pressing • What do you need? Do you have a Bible, and allow the later processes to sift the gold. 1. Consider the context. upon you? journal, pen and highlighter? 2. Compare multiple translations (ESV, 2. Choose one or two particular 1. Mark up the passage. Don’t be afraid NASB, NIV, HCSB). applications and prayerfully consider to write in your Bible. Circle, underline 3. Look up key words. how you might pursue greater PRAYER and highlight. Write in the margins. Get 4. Check out cross-references to see how faithfulness in them. Be specific about You should always approach the creative. this passage relates to others. what you will do (or not do) and whom Scriptures in a posture of prayerful 2. List 2-3 overarching themes you see in 5. When stumped, list out all the you will ask (in addition to the Lord) to humility and longing. Ask God to: the passage. various options and pros and cons help you. 3. List at least two observations per verse. of each. After due consideration, use • Incline you entirely to His Word. The more the merrier. supplemental resources such as the • Open your eyes to see the beautiful 4. Write down questions to think through ESV Study Bible or commentaries RECOMMENDED RESOURCES wonders of Christ and the glories of the in the step of interpretation. for helpful insights and background gospel. information. • How to Read the Bible for all its Worth, • Unite your heart to fear His name, 6. Don’t stop until you have considered Gordon D. Fee knowing that your desires are ever divided. INTERPRETATION how this passage fits into the • Satisfy you with His steadfast and What does it mean? overarching redemptive plan of God unfailing love. – the gospel. How does this passage Your observations will most likely lead to relate to the person and work of • www.biblegateway.com interesting and challenging questions about Christ? READING the text. The step of interpretation allows 7. Make sure to discuss insights The first step of study is to simply read you to sift through the various observations and questions with small group the passage a few times to get an idea in order to provide answers. community. Who is… APPLICATION …the author? What do I do with it? TOOLS FOR STUDYING …the audience? …being discussed? Bible study is incomplete until you …accomplishing the action? THE BIBLE have thought through how to apply the particular passage to your life. Some Where is… passages will be more readily applicable This Book of the Law shall not depart from of the content, context and flow. Highlight ...the author? than others, but all Scripture is useful and your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day particular sections that stand out so that …the audience? helpful (2 Tim. 3:16-17). and night, so that you may be careful to do you can come back to them later. …the action taking place? according to all that is written in it. For then 1. List out a number of potential you will make your way prosperous, and What is the… applications. To get started, here are a then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 OBSERVATION …meaning of this word? few questions to consider: What do you see? …significance of this phrase? • Is there an example for you to …implication of this statement? follow? STARTING Observation lays the groundwork for all …overarching theme? • Is there a sin to repent of and/or Before you get started, think through the subsequent study. Cutting corners in this avoid? following: step can cause the entire process to unravel. Why did the author… • Is there a promise to trust? …choose this word? • Is there a prayer to repeat? • When will you read? Do you have a What are you observing? Everything. Your …include this phrase? • Is there a command to obey? consistent time? goal is not to determine what is and is …use this command? • Is there a condition to meet? • Where will you read? Do you have a not significant. Everything is significant. …connect these ideas? • Is there a verse to memorize? consistent place? Observation is kind of like panning for gold. …not say ____? • Is there an erroneous view exposed? • What will you read? Do you have a plan? Your goal is to dig up as much as possible • What else is the Lord pressing • What do you need? Do you have a Bible, and allow the later processes to sift the gold. 1. Consider the context. upon you? journal, pen and highlighter? 2. Compare multiple translations (ESV, 2. Choose one or two particular 1. Mark up the passage. Don’t be afraid NASB, NIV, HCSB). applications and prayerfully consider to write in your Bible. Circle, underline 3. Look up key words. how you might pursue greater PRAYER and highlight. Write in the margins. Get 4. Check out cross-references to see how faithfulness in them. Be specific about You should always approach the creative. this passage relates to others. what you will do (or not do) and whom Scriptures in a posture of prayerful 2. List 2-3 overarching themes you see in 5. When stumped, list out all the you will ask (in addition to the Lord) to humility and longing. Ask God to: the passage. various options and pros and cons help you. 3. List at least two observations per verse. of each. After due consideration, use • Incline you entirely to His Word. The more the merrier. supplemental resources such as the • Open your eyes to see the beautiful 4. Write down questions to think through ESV Study Bible or commentaries RECOMMENDED RESOURCES wonders of Christ and the glories of the in the step of interpretation. for helpful insights and background gospel. information. • How to Read the Bible for all its Worth, • Unite your heart to fear His name, 6. Don’t stop until you have considered Gordon D. Fee knowing that your desires are ever divided. INTERPRETATION how this passage fits into the • Satisfy you with His steadfast and What does it mean? overarching redemptive plan of God unfailing love. – the gospel. How does this passage Your observations will most likely lead to relate to the person and work of • www.biblegateway.com interesting and challenging questions about Christ? READING the text. The step of interpretation allows 7. Make sure to discuss insights The first step of study is to simply read you to sift through the various observations and questions with small group the passage a few times to get an idea in order to provide answers. community.