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Overview
A convenient, easy-to-use resource on the Bible that is also fun to read!
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781496412263 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Tyndale House Publishers |
| Publication date: | 03/11/2016 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 384 |
| File size: | 7 MB |
| Age Range: | 8 - 13 Years |
Read an Excerpt
Bible Travel Guide
For Students
By Stephanie Rische
Tyndale House Publishers
Copyright © 2016 The Barton-Veerman CompanyAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4964-1180-8
CHAPTER 1
GENESIS
Snapshot of Genesis
Have you ever turned on a TV program a few minutes late? Chances are you turned it off before the show was over because you couldn't figure out what was going on. To understand a television program, you have to see the beginning.
Now think of the Bible. If you want to find out what's going on in this big book — to get the whole picture — it helps to start with Genesis. Why? Because Genesis is the book of beginnings. It explains how just about everything got started. If you don't understand how this world began, it will be harder to figure out why and how God is going to end everything.
In Genesis we marvel at the awesome creation of the entire universe by the spoken word of God. And we get our first glimpse into God's character. We see that though everything else has a definite beginning, God is eternal. He always has been and always will be. We notice God's creativeness and power; we see his hatred and judgment of sin; we view his incredible love for his people even when they constantly disobey him.
Genesis is the book of beginnings: the beginning of the universe, of people, of sin, of salvation, and of an understanding of God. Take time to read Genesis. You will be amazed at how fascinating it is. Later, you may be interested to see how often other books in the Bible refer to something first mentioned in Genesis — the book of beginnings.
PURPOSE:
To record God's creation of the world and his desire to have a people set apart to worship him
AUTHOR:
Moses
TO WHOM WRITTEN:
The people of Israel and to all believers everywhere
DATE WRITTEN:
1450-1410 BC
SETTING:
The region presently known as the Middle East
KEY PEOPLE:
Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Joseph
SPECIAL FEATURE:
Genesis contains the record of the origins of the human race.
Itinerary
The Story of Creation (1:1–2:4)
God. That's where Genesis begins. All at once we see God creating the world in a majestic display of power and purpose culminating with a man and woman made like himself. In the first section of this book, God sets the stage for all of history.
The Story of Adam (2:4–5:32)
The second section highlights Adam and Eve and their immediate descendants. Before long, sin enters the world, and Satan is unmasked. Bathed in innocence, creation is shattered by the Fall (the willful disobedience of Adam and Eve). Fellowship with God is broken, and evil begins weaving its destructive web. We read how, in rapid succession, Adam and Eve are expelled from the beautiful Garden, their first son turns murderer, and evil breeds evil.
The Story of Noah (6:1–11:32)
God takes radical action in the third section. Into a world flooded with evil, he sends a watery judgment that destroys everyone on earth except for a small family led by Noah, the only godly person left. Unfortunately, sin also survives the Flood and immediately continues its destructive work.
The Story of Abraham (12:1–25:18)
In section 4 we meet Abraham, whom God chooses as the first father of the covenant people. God's plan begins to unfold. His ultimate purpose is not to judge people but to save them. Abraham experiences periods of sharp testing, but he remains faithful to God. Through Abraham we learn what it means to live by faith.
The Story of Isaac (25:19–28:9)
Section 5 takes up the story with Abraham's son Isaac. God keeps his promise to Abraham and gives him a son. Isaac does not demand his own way. He does not resist when he is about to be sacrificed, and he gladly accepts a wife chosen for him by others. Like Isaac, we must learn to put God's will ahead of our own.
The Story of Jacob (28:10–36:43)
Isaac's son Jacob is the central figure in section 6. Jacob lives a tenacious life. He faithfully serves Laban fourteen years for a woman he loves. Later, he wrestles with God. Although Jacob makes many mistakes, his persistence teaches us about lifelong service for our Lord.
The Story of Joseph (37:1-50:26)
Genesis closes with a fascinating account of Joseph's life. Joseph overcomes disastrous setbacks — family betrayal, slavery, sexual harassment, prison — by maintaining a calm reliance on God. Through Joseph's life we learn that suffering, no matter how unfair, can develop strong character in us.
Notebook
BEGINNINGS (1:1–2:25)
The name of this book means "beginning." Genesis introduces God as Creator of all that exists: the universe in general and life in particular. God announces the creation of human beings, with whom God shares his own image.
Genesis also describes the initial fall and persistent descent of human beings into sin. The moral infection passes from parent to child in each generation. But God also begins to work out the marvelous plan of salvation, which offers hope to the human race.
• What aspects of God's character are revealed in the first three chapters of Genesis?
• How much significance and value did God give humans by making them in his image? In what ways does that fact affect your life?
• What difference does it make when we think about the universe having been created by a personal Creator as opposed to thinking about ourselves as the product of mindless, purposeless, impersonal chance?
SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE (3:1-24; 6:5-22; 18:17–19:26)
Sin is destructive. It destroys the goodness of God's creation, ruining the life God intended. Sin results from human beings choosing to go their own way rather than obeying God. Sin leads to sin. Only God can reverse the consequences of sinful choices and provide an antidote for sin.
No person can escape the effects of sin. Each one is born with a sinful nature! Without God providing salvation, we would all be condemned to death because of sin. But God offers life that is good and glorifying to himself. The person who chooses neither to trust nor obey God misses out on the goodness and glory of God.
• How was the creation affected by Adam and Eve's sin?
• Does a person ever get away with sin? Explain.
• What are some of the common reasons people give for sinning even though they know that they are disobeying God?
• How have you learned to resist temptation?
PROMISES (6:18; 9:8-17; 12:1-3; 17:1-27)
In contrast to human sinfulness, Genesis also reveals the faithful, loving, and promise-keeping nature of God. For example, God promised to protect and provide for his people. God entered into special promises, called "covenants," or binding agreements. Through these covenants, God guaranteed his relationship with people.
One of God's core character traits is truthfulness. He can be trusted to keep his promises. God has not left the world in the dark about who he is and what his plans are. He has given us a written record. While we may not always know the details of what God will do, we can be confident that he will do what he has promised.
• What promise did God make to Noah following the Flood (see 9:8-17)?
• What were the details of the covenant between God and Abraham (see 12:1-3)?
• How do these promises inform your understanding of God?
• Which of God's promises do you claim in your own life?
OBEDIENCE AND PROSPERITY (45:1-11)
Choosing to obey God results in enjoying his goodness and glory. Everyone who makes the choice to obey will prosper. Appearances and experiences may temporarily seem to indicate differently, but those who honor God will eventually see their lives deeply benefited by God.
If a person wants to choose life, that person must put his or her faith in God. Growing in one's faith means discovering God's directions and obeying them. It also involves trusting that God will provide for all of life's needs. God is not boring, nor is he a spoiler of fun. God created life to be enjoyed and really lived! Wouldn't the Creator know best how we should live?
• In spite of his "failures," how would you defend the idea that Joseph was a truly successful person?
• Joseph had to choose what to do with his hurt and bitterness from being rejected and betrayed by his brothers. Based on 45:1-11, what did he do with those feelings?
• What are the basic guidelines you live by? If you haven't done so, write them down. How do they match the life of someone like Joseph?
• What would it take for you to be able to judge your teenage years a success?
Postcard
In spite of all the years between ourselves and our original parents, we are really not that different from Adam and Eve. The differences that do come to mind are superficial. We can understand a lot about ourselves by looking at our first parents' lives and the lives of other early people. In what ways are you living for God today?
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Bible Travel Guide by Stephanie Rische. Copyright © 2016 The Barton-Veerman Company. Excerpted by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction & User's Guide, vii,Introducing ... the Bible, xi,
Genesis, 3,
Exodus, 9,
Leviticus, 16,
Numbers, 21,
Deuteronomy, 27,
Joshua, 33,
Judges, 39,
Ruth, 46,
1 Samuel, 51,
2 Samuel, 57,
1 Kings, 62,
2 Kings, 67,
1 Chronicles, 74,
2 Chronicles, 79,
Ezra, 85,
Nehemiah, 90,
Esther, 96,
Job, 101,
Psalms, 107,
Proverbs, 113,
Ecclesiastes, 118,
Song of Songs, 124,
Isaiah, 130,
Jeremiah, 135,
Lamentations, 141,
Ezekiel, 146,
Daniel, 152,
Hosea, 157,
Joel, 162,
Amos, 166,
Obadiah, 171,
Jonah, 175,
Micah, 180,
Nahum, 184,
Habakkuk, 188,
Zephaniah, 192,
Haggai, 196,
Zechariah, 200,
Malachi, 205,
Matthew, 213,
Mark, 219,
Luke, 225,
John, 231,
Acts, 237,
Romans, 245,
1 Corinthians, 250,
2 Corinthians, 255,
Galatians, 260,
Ephesians, 265,
Philippians, 270,
Colossians, 275,
1 Thessalonians, 280,
2 Thessalonians, 284,
1 Timothy, 288,
2 Timothy, 293,
Titus, 298,
Philemon, 303,
Hebrews, 307,
James, 312,
1 Peter, 317,
2 Peter, 322,
1 John, 326,
2 John, 331,
3 John, 335,
Jude, 339,
Revelation, 342,
Bible Reading Plan, 347,
"Where to Find It" Index, 367,