DIGGING DEEPER STUDY JANUARY 2021 For everything that was wri en in the past was WRITTEN TO TEACH US, so that through the ENDURANCE taught in the SCRIPTURES and the ENCOURAGEMENT they provide we might have HOPE. Romans 15:4 (NIV) As disciples of Jesus, God’s Word is central for teaching us how to live by faith both through the good as well as the diffi cult times. We are reminded in Scripture of God-stories that reveal the Creator’s faithfulness in seemingly impossible situations. While people and circumstances and history continually changed, God’s promises and presence have always remained constant. In the fi rst two weeks of 2021, Pastor Gus taught how our faith’s foundation is based on One Scripture, One Story, One Savior. We discovered what is in the Bible, how it was protected and advanced over the centuries, and ultimately how God’s Word is a light for our everyday path. Join us as we continue this journey through Scripture. As we will discover, no matter what century in history, including our present day—the odds are never too high for God. However discouraging our present situation may look, we will learn that God’s promises and presence continue to shine through. As followers of Jesus, let’s learn together how to— PUT FAITH INTO ACTION, WORDS INTO PRACTICE, AND LOVE INTO SERVICE. HOW TO USE THIS STUDY PRAY WRITE Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of My heart overfl ows with a good theme; I address my your miracle-wonders. Psalm 119:18 (The Message) verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1 (NASB) When you open up your Bible, you are not reading alone, even if you are the only person in the room! The Holy Use this guide to write down thoughts, concerns, prayers, Spirit is with you and always faithful to teach each of us. and next steps. The Scriptures teach us that we always Before you read the Bible verses, pause, and pray! Thank want to be doers of the word, not just listeners. Look for the Holy Spirit for being with you and illuminating your practical ways to share God’s love with others. Let’s be heart with God’s Word. light to the world through our actions. LISTEN LOVE Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I God worship. Psalm 34:11 (The Message) have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you Often when we read the Bible, we can easily get lost as love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV) our mind wanders. It’s totally normal for our minds to drift! Instead of getting frustrated, use those thoughts Reach out to someone and encourage them from what to direct you towards listening to the Holy Spirit. Those God teaches you through your time in prayer and the are often the people and circumstances we need to pay Scriptures. Serve in every practical way possible so that attention to the most! others can experience the love of Christ. INTRODUCTION Against All Odds launched 2021 with a focus on our primary source for wisdom, counsel, and life application— God’s Word. From Old Testament to New Testament we are a people under One Scripture, One PEOPLE OF Story, and One Savior. THE BOOK Pastor Gus reminds us of the amazing way the Holy Spirit watched over, guarded, and advanced God’s Word from one generation to the next. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, WE LEARNED THE BIBLE... it penetrates even to dividing > Is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21). soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the > Was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. thoughts and attitudes > Totals 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the of the heart. New Testament. Hebrews 4:12, NIV > Was authored by kings, prophets, leaders, and followers of Jesus > The fi rst completed book printed on the printing press in 1455. > Was assembled from over 5,600 New Testament Greek manuscripts that still exist today. ADDITIONAL > Confi rmed in it’s reliability in a discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls RESOURCES showing very little variants. FOR READING > Was translated into 7 languages by AD500, over 2,462 languages GOD’S WORD: by 2006. How to Read the Bible as Literature by Leland Ryken JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES THAT HE IS THE LIVING WORD: The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God “The Word became fl esh and made his dwelling among us. We have and His People seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the by Max Lucado & Randy Frazee Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, NIV) The Invitation by Eugene H. Peterson Eat This Book JESUS WAS THE FULFILLMENT OF ALL THE by Eugene H. Peterson, STORIES TOLD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT: What the Bible Is All About NIV: “Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Bible Handbook Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish by Henrietta C. Mears but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in God’s Story in 66 Verses: a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in Understand the Entire the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth Bible by Focusing on Just One wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.” (Matthew 5:17-18, The Verse in Each Book Message) by Stan Guthrie Northlanders— Let us continue to be a people of the Book, God’s Word. The Bible Jesus Read Remember that it is alive and active and ready to transform us more by Philip Yancey and more into the image of Jesus. All Scripture is GODBREATHED and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) To view the study guides on the introductory weeks of this series and the sermons they correlate with, visit NORTHLANDCHURCH.NET/DIGGINGDEEPER. JANUARY 16-17 WHAT DOES IT SAY NOAH Before you read today’s Scripture, ask the Holy Spirit to open up your mind PART 1 and heart to hear how the story of Noah is meant for you right now as you read the fi rst part of Noah’s story in Genesis 5:1-2 and 6:5-22, highlight words Genesis 5-9 and phrases that jump out at you. Lastly, answer and refl ect on the following questions that connect the story of Noah to your story today. When you see a rainbow in the sky, what comes to your According to Genesis 5:1-2, how did God create male and female? What does this say about our identity as people? mind? For many of us, that spectrum of light takes us _____________________________________________________________________________ to the story of Noah. We remember the promise of _____________________________________________________________________________ God’s words always to love and care for His children. _____________________________________________________________________________ As you read and refl ect these After God created man, what did God do to them? What does this say about next two weeks on the life of God’s heart toward what He created? Noah, pay careful attention to _____________________________________________________________________________ how God shows up. Look for the ways that Noah remained _____________________________________________________________________________ obedient against all the odds and voices of those who _____________________________________________________________________________ opposed him. Consider ways that we, as disciples of Jesus, When you look back at Genesis 6:5-22, list several things that had happened can walk in obedience to over time with those God had blessed? God’s commands and help _____________________________________________________________________________ others do the same. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ What was God’s response to all that He created? _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ How is Noah described in these verses? What stands out to you about the description of his character and actions? What was God’s response to Noah’s life? _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Noah wasn’t perfect, but he was described as being WHAT DOES IT MEAN righteous. Instead of walking away from God’s instruction, Noah was obedient and did everything God commanded him. The Scriptures describe God having grief and pain over what people were doing, the very people God had blessed. Some people view God as distant, distracted, ________________________________________________________ and disinterested in what He created. How do these deep reactions from God paint a different picture? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Describe a specifi c way that the enemy is tempting you to ignore God’s instruction for your life today. How have you ________________________________________________________ allowed that sin to become a roadblock in obeying Christ? In addition to these Scriptures helping us understand what God detests, we also get a clear picture of what ________________________________________________________ God desires. Based on what you read, describe what God noticed in Noah. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ God’s great love for us is held together by His covenant and promise always to watch over and shepherd us. God is the Why do you think this caught God’s attention? initiator and pursues us with great interest and care.