In the Footsteps of the Savior Bible Study Guide
2023 by Max Lucado
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HarperChristian Resources, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
ePub Edition January 2023: ISBN 978-0-310-16384-8
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked AMPC are taken from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition. Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright 1995 by American Bible Society. For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.
Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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First Printing February 2023
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Streaming Video Access is included with this study guide.
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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 Here]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).
T heres something significant about knowing the location where an important event took place. Just think about when a friend tells you a riveting story. What do you want to know? You want to know where it happened. You want to know what the surroundings were like. You want to be able to picture yourself there so you can better understand what actually happened.
Its the same with the stories you read in the Bible. When you know where Jesus miracles, sermons, and interactions actually took place, you can put yourself there. You can see what Jesus saw. You can feel what he felt. You can hear what he heard. You can better understand what was happening in the world of his day... which can help you better understand why Jesus did what he did and said what he said. The location adds context.
Ive had the opportunity to visit places in Israel where many of the stories we read about in the Gospels and Acts took place. Locations such as Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Temple Steps and Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, and the coastal town of Caesarea Maritima. As you go through this study, you will see what these places look like today and hear a story from the Bible about what happened there. It is my hope that seeing them will help you better experience the people and places that shaped Jesus life.
Whats more, it is my goal that seeing these places will help you to connect with Jesus humanity. The Bible states that Jesus was born in a real town called Nazareth, walked on real roads in Israel, traveled by boat on a real lake in Galilee, taught the people from a real hillside known as the Mount of Beatitudes, spoke to many others from the steps of a real temple in Jerusalem, and finally was crucified and rose again from a real tomb in that same city. None of these places were invented... for as you will see in this study, you can visit them today.
God has more in store for you than you can imagine. Im praying this study will give you a life-altering encounter with him as we walk In the Footsteps of the Savior.
M AX L UCADO
G rab your passport and pack your bags. You are about to embark on an adventure through some of the most prominent cities, towns, and locations in the New Testament. Why are these places so important? Its because Jesus and the disciples were there.
This study will take you to some of the important places where key events in the Gospels and Acts took place. You will visit the city of Capernaum, where Jesus raised a girl to life. The Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on water. The Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus told the people to trust God and not worry. The Temple Steps in Jerusalem, near the place where Jesus had a conversation with a Pharisee at night. The Garden Tomb, believed by many to be where Jesus rose from the dead. And the city of Caesarea by the Sea, where the disciple Peter received an important lesson on who is in and out of Gods kingdom.
Before you begin this journey, keep in mind there are few ways you can work through this material. You can experience this study with others in a group (such as a Bible study, Sunday school class, or any other small-group gathering), or you may choose to study the content on your own. Either way, the videos for each session are available for you to view at any time by following the instructions provided on the inside cover of this study guide.
G ROUP S TUDY
Each session is divided into two parts: (1) a group study section, and (2) a personal study section. The group study section provides a basic framework on how to open your time together, get the most out of the video content, and discuss the key ideas together that were presented in the teaching. Each session includes the following:
Welcome: A short note about the topic of the session for you to read on your own before you meet together as a group.
Connect: A few icebreaker questions to get you and your group members thinking about the topic and interacting with each other.
Watch: An outline of the key points that will be covered in each video teaching to help you follow along, stay engaged, and take notes.
Discuss: Questions to help your group reflect on the material presented and apply it to your lives. In each session, you will be given four suggested questions and four additional questions to use as time allows.