The Biblical narrative continues with the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The prophet Elijah will pass the torch to his contemporary Elisha in the Northern Kingdom. The Kingdom of Judah will see some kings that follow the LORD, but not perfectly. The small book of Obadiah will pronounce judgement against the kingdom of Edom first, and then against all nations for their pride. Much ground will be covered this week, but there is still a big picture in mind. Behind all the people and their actions is God’s guiding hand. He is a morally perfect God who allows wicked acts for His perfect purposes. Some of these situations include miraculous events that only God could accomplish, and others seem random. Behind it all is a faithful God who is guiding history towards the coming of the true king, Jesus, who God ordained would be betrayed.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading - Week 33
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Chronicles or Kings or Obadiah , what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read 1 Kings 22:19-23. Whose idea was it to spread lies through false prophets? Who allows the plan to move forward? Read 1 Kings 22:7-8. What about Ahab’s behavior says that he would rather believe the lies over the truth? Read John 8:44.
Read 1 Kings 22:30,34. What was the point of Ahab’s disguise? What is surprising about the man who killed Ahab? How does this record show that God is sovereign over the kings, warriors, and spirits involved in the final days of Ahab’s life?
Read 2 Kings 5:1-2. Who told Naaman the way to be healed of his leprosy? Why is this act of kindness surprising considering her position and Naaman’s profession? Does God allowing this circumstance to come about shock you? Read 2 Kings 5:11-12. How was this act of humility more challenging for Naaman?
Read 2 Kings 5:1, 5. How is Naaman described in comparison to other men, and what did he bring with him as payment for healing? Who wrote Naaman a reference for Syrian kingdom legitimacy? Read 2 Kings 5:11-12. How was this act of humility more challenging for Naaman?
Read 2 Samuel 21:17. Read 1 Kings 11:36, 15:4. Read 2 Chronicles 21:6-7. What are these verses telling us about God’s trustworthiness?
SHARE IT.
Read John 8:44 and Ephesians 4:25. Are there times when you have trouble being honest with others? How do you struggle with either being gracious or being truthful?
Read Obadiah 1:15. How are you praising God for your salvation today, and that your own deeds have not fallen on yourself? (see P.R.A.Y. above)
Read Matthew 5:44. Who is it in your life that is your enemy you could be praying for right now? (see P.R.A.Y. above)
Read Acts 16:30-33. Like, Naaman, what did a jailer have to do to be saved? Is there an enemy of yours that might need to know how they can be saved? (see P.R.A.Y. above)
Read Philippians 4:6. What are you anxious about today that you can bring before the Lord? (see P.R.A.Y. above)
FINAL THOUGHT
God was faithful to the promise to preserve King David’s "lamp" in Jerusalem. We know that Jesus would come as the fulfillment of all God promised. Connecting the New Testament to the Old, Jesus said about himself in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We also know that Jesus was betrayed by a kiss. Satan would enter into Judas (John 13:27), and these things were ordained by God to happen to bring about the greatest act of mercy in the history of the world! In God’s infinite wisdom, He allowed Job to be tested, pharaoh’s heart to be hardened, Ahab lied to, a "random" bow shot, a Jewish girl to be taken captive to serve Naaman’s wife, and centuries later Jesus to be crucified. God is the sovereign ruler of all, and no person can question His righteous reign over His creation for His purposes. The chief end is Jesus, who “is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Hebrews 1:3)
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