STEP BY STEP THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT • LEADER GUIDE • Rick Mitchell LifeWay Press® Nashville, Tennessee © 1991 LifeWay Press® Revised 2000 No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing by the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to LifeWay Press®; One LifeWay Plaza; Nashville, TN 37234-0152. ISBN 978-1-4300-4191-7 Item 005741126 Dewey decimal classification: 221 Subject heading: BIBLE \ OLD TESTAMENT The Author Rick Mitchell is a graduate of the University of Alabama and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv). Rick became involved in small-group disciple making in 1984 and pastored for 20 years in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. He now serves as a bivocational minister and consultant to churches. Rick is employed as a corporate consultant doing leadership development, employee and executive assessment, and seminar development and training. He resides in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with his wife, Carol, and their daughters, Jennifer and Rachel. Cover design: Jon Rodda Cover photograph of Mount Sinai © David Degner Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, © 1971, 1973 by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission. To order copies of Step by Step Through the Old Testament Member Book, write to LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service; One LifeWay Plaza; Nashville, TN 37234-0113; fax 615.251.5933; phone 800.458.2772; email [email protected]; order online at www.lifeway.com; or visit the LifeWay Christian Store serving you. Printed in the United States of America Adult Ministry Publishing LifeWay Church Resources One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN 37234-0152 Contents The Author ������������������������������������������������������������������������������2 Enrollment/Attendance Form ��������������������������������������������������4 Introduction and Administrative Guide. .5 Introducing Step by Step Through the Old Testament ����������������13 GROUP SEssION 1 God and His Revelation ��������������������������������������������������������16 GROUP SEssION 2 God and His Creation ����������������������������������������������������������19 GROUP SEssION 3 God and the Patriarchs ����������������������������������������������������������22 GROUP SEssION 4 God and the Exodus ������������������������������������������������������������25 GROUP SEssION 5 God and His Law ������������������������������������������������������������������28 GROUP SEssION 6 God and the Land of Promise ������������������������������������������������32 GROUP SEssION 7 God and the Beginning of the Monarchy. .35 GROUP SEssION 8 God and the United and Divided Kingdoms . .38 GROUP SEssION 9 God and the Exile and Restoration ����������������������������������������41 GROUP SEssION 10 God and Wisdom ������������������������������������������������������������������44 GROUP SEssION 11 God and the Major Prophets 1 ����������������������������������������������47 GROUP SEssION 12 God and the Major Prophets 2 ����������������������������������������������50 GROUP SEssION 13 God and the Minor Prophets. .54 Unit Review Quizzes . .57 Memory Verses ����������������������������������������������������������������������64 Enrollment/Attendance Form Course Title __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Leader _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Session Date (Check Attendance) Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Report weekly attendance to your Discipleship Training director or general secretary. You have permission to reproduce this form for use with your small group. Introduction and Administrative Guide 5 Introduction and Administrative Guide SMALL-GROUP DISCIPLING AN OVERVIEW OF STEP BY STEP THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT The Small-Group Discipling Process Christian discipleship involves redirecting one’s life in For an introduction to the course, read the introduc- obedience to Christ so the disciple can follow Him and tion in the member book before you continue reading become like Him. A small group provides one of the this over view. best contexts for this to happen. The group relation- ship gives us insight as we learn. It provides support Step by Step Through the Old Testament is a 13-session as we redirect our lives under the lordship of Christ. survey of the Old Testament Scriptures. The basic course You will sign a covenant together to reinforce group goal is to offer adult Christians an overview of the 39 accountability and support. The more disciples serve books of the Old Testament. However, Step by Step together, the better they can help one another become Through the Old Testament is not just a book for reading. It like Christ. is part of a learning system designed to teach the content material and help people move into a deeper relationship Size of Groups for Effective Learning with God. Jesus preached to large crowds, but He did most of His discipleship training with a group of 12. He was even Step by Step Through the Old Testament is a preparation more intimate with three of His disciples who would be for ministry course. It directly relates to the ministries of key leaders in the early church. You need to provide a teaching and preaching, and will be a dynamic benefit to learning environment where God can do His best work in church leaders involved in the Bible study and member the lives of group members. Being in a small group makes training programs of the church. Members will come it easier to ask questions, share personal experiences, and away from the course with a broad grasp of the people, pray intimately with one another. Eight to 10 members places, themes, and message of the Old Testament. is the best size for a group of this nature. If more persons are interested in this study, provide for multiple groups Discipleship Training in order to create the best possible learning environment. Step by Step Through the Old Testament and other courses are offered through the church’s Discipleship Training. A Word About Multiplication If your church does not have regular member training, The goal of our Christian discipleship is to make you still can offer the course. In fact, some churches are disciples who will make disciples (see 2 Tim. 2:2). using this course and other courses to start or revitalize Discipleship is not complete until the disciple is help- their training of disciples through Discipleship Training. ing others to be disciples. As you lead the group, watch This and other similar studies are designed to equip for persons who show potential for becoming leaders adult Christians with knowledge and skills in basic min- themselves. Give them opportunities to share in lead- istry areas. The courses are taught using an interactive ing part of a session. If you must be gone, enlist one learning model. For maximum benefits, every element of these to serve as leader in your place. of the learning system should be utilized. Participants should complete each daily study on their own. They Strive for quality instead of quantity. Starting small and then meet weekly in a small group (8 to 10 people growing is better than starting big and failing. Com- maximum) to review, discuss questions that arise, share mit yourself to doing the kind of quality discipling that personal experiences and insights, and apply the truths requires patience, hard work, accountability, and vision. to life. The long-term benefit will be worth it. You will witness the infusion of renewed spiritual life and vitality into every area of the church as God grows and matures His people. 6 Step by Step Through the Old Testament Leader Guide The Uniqueness of Step by Step Order Resources Through the Old Testament Necessary resources should be ordered for the course 8 to You can see the primary theme of Step by Step Through 10 weeks prior to the first session. Course materials can the Old Testament in the unit titles. God is the author, be ordered from LifeWay Christian Resources. Allow time subject, and focal point of the Old Testament. This study for processing and shipping your order. Remember that will lead participants through a close examination of the leaders need time to prepare for the introductory session major people, places, themes, and events in which God and to enlist participants. Though you may not enlist par- chose to reveal Himself. In this study, participants should ticipants until later, you can estimate the quantity needed experience God speaking to them personally in the by ordering 8 to 10 member books and one leader guide literature of the Old Testament. for each small group. Resources include: • Step by Step Through the Old Testament Member Book Step by Step Through the Old Testament is an overview (item 001116311) course that offers a framework of knowledge for teachers • Step by Step Through the Old Testament Leader Guide and other leaders in the church as they seek to equip and (item 005741126, available as a PDF download lead God’s people. Any Christian will benefit from study- from