Max Lucado - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World

2015 by Max Lucado

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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Nelson Books and Thomas Nelson are registered trademarks of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked CEV taken from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright American Bible Society, 1995.

Scripture quotations marked ESV taken from the English Standard Version, Copyright 2001. The ESV and English Standard Version are trademarks of Good News Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked KJV taken from the Authorized King James Version.

Scripture quotations marked MSG taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked NASB taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NCV taken from The Holy Bible, New Century Version, copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NEB taken from The New English Bible. The Delegates of Oxford University Press and The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961, 1970, 1989. Reprinted by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLV taken from the New Life Version, Christian Literature International.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TEV taken from Todays English Version. Copyright American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked TJB taken from The Jerusalem Bible 1966 by Darton Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday and Company Ltd.

Scripture quotations marked TLB taken from The Living Bible, copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

ISBN 9780718034825

ISBN 9780718036980 (eBook)

First Printing June 2015

CONTENTS

EBOOK INSTRUCTIONS

In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

THE CAST

The ten men of the Bible were going to focus on in this study werent exactly all what youd call a list of Whos Who in Purity and Sainthood. In fact, some of their antics and attitudes would make you think of the Saturday night crowd at the county jail. What few halos there are among this cast of characters could probably use a bit of straightening and polishing.

Their stories are marked by scandal, stumble, and intrigue. Yet they are also marked by remarkable faith.

Noah, who built an ark but then drank a bit too much wine from his vineyard.

Job, who thought he knew more about God than God did until God showed up and set him straight.

Jacob, who hijacked his brothers birthright and stole his blessing.

Moses, who murdered an Egyptian and fled to the wilderness.

David, the giant-killer who couldnt corral his testosterone.

Joseph, the man who went out on a shaky limb.

Matthew, the tax collector who left it all to follow Christ.

Lazarus, who... well, died.

Peter, who betrayed Jesus three times and then fled the scene.

And Paul, the killer of Christians who did a 180-degree-turn when he met Jesus on the Damascus Road.

We find our stories in theirs. We find our hope where they found theirs. And in the midst of them all... hovering over them all... we find the hero of it all: God. Maker. Shaper. Rescuer of sinking hearts. God. Passing out high callings, second chances, and moral compasses to all comers and takers. So if you ever wonder how in the world God could use you to change the world, just look at these men. This ragbag of neer-do-wells, down-and-outs, has-beens, failed followers, and despairing church leaders found hope not in their performance but in Gods proverbially open arms.

Each of us should do the same.

HOW TO USE THIS STUDY

This study guide is designed to help you delve into Gods Word and learn more about these ten fascinating men in the Bible. Each lesson contains the following elements:

OPENING INSIGHTS: To help you get to know more about these ten men, each lesson opens with an insight and a retelling of the characters story as drawn from Maxs books. Two reflection questions will then get you thinking about how each persons story relates to your own.

DAILY BIBLE STUDY: Each lesson contains five days of Bible study with insights drawn from Maxs books and leading questions to help you navigate the stories in Scripture.

POINTS TO REMEMBER: Each days lesson concludes with a summary of the main points in the study. These serve as reminders to the key points of Maxs teaching and a review at the close of your study time.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Each days lesson includes a prayer to help you focus your thoughts on God and move into your quiet time with him.

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES: Our lives are changed when we encounter Jesus, and our hearts are changed by what is kept there. The weekly memory verse will relate to the main theme of the lesson and help you hide Gods Word in your heart.

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS: Many Scripture quotes have been provided in the margins to help you follow the retelling of the story in your Bible. (Note: All of these quotes are from the New International Version.)

During the daily Bible study portions, in addition to answering the questions that have been provided, you will also want to make notes of what comes to mind when you read the selected passage of Scripture. Be sure to have pen and paper for writing. Commit this time to the Lord, and ask him to reveal himself to you as work through each of the lessons in this study guide.

FOR LEADERS

If you would like to lead a group through the material in this study guide, please see the section at the end of the guide for a basic design of how to set up your group time, navigate problems and opportunites that may come up during your discussion time, and get the most out of the study as a group.

W ATER. ALL NOAH CAN SEE IS WATER. The evening sun sinks into it. The clouds are reflected in it. His boat is surrounded by it.

Water. Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the west. Water.