Student Life - Character. Old Testament People - Encounters with God

YOUTH SPECIALTIES

CHARACTER: OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLEENCOUNTERS WITH GOD
Copyright 2008 Clarity Publishers, Inc.

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ePub Edition June 2009 ISBN: 0-310-86130-6

Youth Specialties resources, 300 S. Pierce St., El Cajon, CA 92020 are published by Zondervan, 5300 Patterson Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530.

ISBN 978-0-310-27906-8

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: NewInternational Version. NIV. Copyright 1973,1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy,recording, or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published in association with Yates & Yates, LLP, Attorneys and Counselors, Orange, California

Cover design by Brandi K. Etheredge

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CONTENTS

INTRO
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The people of the Old Testament were fl awed. In this journal youll find stories of broken family relationships, deceit, adultery, and compromise. However, the Old Testament isnt really about the people. Its about a God who loves his creation. In this 48-week journal, youll see how God has led people of every generation to respond to him in faith and obedience. The features of this journal will help you dig into the Bible. Heres how to get the most from your time with God:

Introduction: These are short sections that introduce each week ofdevotionals. If youre studying the CHARACTER series on Sundaymornings, Wednesday nights, or in small groups, then each weekof devotions will coincide with what youre studying in class.Read the Introduction section to get a picture of what the weeksdevotions will center on.

Daily Devotions: Now were getting to the good stuff. This journalis designed to walk you throughfive days of devotions each week. And each devotion contains a Scripture passage and a paragraphof text. Always start by reading the Scripture passage in your Bible, and then read the text. Look for ways that the text unlocks some truths of Scripture you may not have noticed before.

Daily Questions: After each devotional paragraph, youll find questions designed to get you thinking. When you read these questions, take a moment to really consider what theyre asking. Listen to the Holy Spirit as he teaches you through Scripture. Then record your thoughts in the Journal Space.

Journal Spaces: Youll notice this book is different from manybooks youve read because its designed to be filled with yourthoughts. Use the space provided to record your reactions to each devotional passage. Or use it to write a prayer request or praiseto God. Use it any way you please. Its your journal. There are norules, just guidelines. The important thing is to listen to God andopen your heart in response to his leading.

If you take the time to read the devotionals prayerfully and with the anticipation God will reveal new things to you, then youll be amazed at what will fl ow through your pen or pencil and onto the pages.

GODS CHARACTER AND OURS

When you think of the words Old Testament, whats the first thing that comes to mind?

Maybe other wordssuch as Moses, Genesis, history book, old men with long beards, or Ten Commandments. Thats not exactly page-turning excitement at first glance. While all these words might work for a particular spot of the Old Testament, lets look at the big picture. Think about the word testament.

Today we might think of a testament as a testimonyas evidence of something. And the Old Testament is a kind of testimony. Its evidence of Gods movement through history. But the way testament was first used meant covenant. So whats a covenant? Its the relationship God made with his people. If youre a believer in Jesus Christ, then youre in a covenant with God. From the time he created the world, God has been reaching out to peoplecharactersin order to have relationships with them.

When Jesus came, he created a new relationship between God and people. (Thats why the Old Testament is old and the New Testament is new.) As a Christian, youre part of the new relationship. But to understand the relationship you have with God, you need to know where you came from. You need to know the past to understand your present and future. Well never fully understand the message of the New Testament if we dont know the Old. Well miss so much in the Christian life if we dont understand the Old Testament.

The pages of the Old Testament are filled with stories about people. Well call them characters. Sometimes its hard to understand they were real people just like us. They had issues and problems. Some led righteous lives. Others failed to follow Gods ways. Just as we do, they had their struggles and triumphs. This 48-week journal covers the same issues and problems we still talk about thousands of years later. We long for a perfect creation, fulfilled promises, and deliverance from slavery. We talk about things such as haircuts, dreams, feasts, and love. We gaze with suspense at spies, war, adultery, betrayal, and famine. And we dream about royalty, prophecy, visions, and beautyjust like the Old Testament characters. Times may change, but people stay pretty much the same.

God didnt include these characters in the Bible just so we could read a good story. He included them to reveal himselfhis characterto us. That makes this more than a study on Old Testament characters. This series is about God. After all, hes the One who created each character. Hes the One who brought them into relationship with himself, gave them purpose, and used them for his glory. And just as he worked in the lives of those characters, he desires to work in yours. Lets get started.

WEEK 1
JESUS AND THE OLD TESTAMENT

MEMORY VERSE

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have notcome to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17)

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to a yearlong journey through the Old Testament! Boring is the word some might use when the Old Testament is mentioned, but over the next 48 weeks youll discover that the first part of the Bible is anything but boring. If you like mystery, intrigue, suspense, heroes, villains, and the kind of action that would put many video games to shame, then youre going to love the Old Testament.

Each week youll discover how a character in the Old Testament was affected by faith in God. Right now, list your five favorite Old Testament characters.

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