eBook
Related collections and offers
Overview
Moses’ Last Words
Forty years in the desert had taught God’s people how to follow and not wander. Now, in sight of the Promised Land, Moses knew they faced the risk of settling down and getting comfortable—only to wander and not follow. Nearing his death, Moses gives the Israelites a new path to faithful living: remember and reaffirm. Remember God’s unwavering presence with them in the desert, and reaffirm their commitment to being His people, even life got more comfortable. Whether you are a wanderer or a follower, Moses’ last words will help you remain rooted in God’s love.
LifeChange
LifeChange Bible studies will help you grow in Christlikeness through a life-changing encounter with God’s Word. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again.
Features
- Cover the entire book of Deuteronomy in 13 lessons
- Equip yourself to lead a Bible study
- Learn even more with 7 bonus lessons on justice
- Imagine the Bible’s historical world
- Study word origins and definitions
- Explore thoughtful questions on key themes
- Go deeper with optional projects
- Add your notes with extra space and wide margins
- Find the flexibility to fit the time you have
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781612911199 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | The Navigators |
| Publication date: | 02/27/2014 |
| Series: | LifeChange |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 224 |
| File size: | 5 MB |
About the Author
The Navigators is an interdenominational, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people "know Christ and make Him known” as they look to Him and His Word to chart their lives.
Navigators have invested their lives in people for more than seventy-five years, coming alongside them life on life to study the Bible, develop a deepening prayer life, and memorize and apply Scripture, The ultimate goal is to equip Christ followers to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:2—to teach what they have learned to others.
Today, tens of thousands of people worldwide are coming to know and grow in Jesus Christ through the various ministries of The Navigators. Internationally, more than 4,600 Navigator staff of 70 nationalities serve in more than 100 countries.
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Lesson One
OVERVIEW
What Is Deuteronomy?
Bible teachers agree that it is important to do an overview of a book before studying it in detail. Because Deuteronomy is a long book, you might plan two weeks for the overview. This will give you plenty of time to absorb the "How to Use This Study" section on pages 7–10, the introduction on pages 13–17, and this first lesson. Many people find Deuteronomy intimidating at first glance, but it soon becomes manageable if taken gently at first. If you are studying with a group, see the "For the group" section on pages 25–27.
First impressions
If you have read the introduction on pages 13–17, you have some idea of what is in Deuteronomy. Still, there is no substitute for reading the book quickly yourself. If you spend ninety minutes doing this, you will have a much better sense of how particular passages fit into the whole work.
Use the chart on page 16 as a guide to the book's structure. The chart shows various ways of dividing Deuteronomy:
1. The far left column divides the book into the sections of a treaty to emphasize that this is the Sovereign Lord's covenant with Israel.
2. The center column shows where Moses begins and ends his three speeches. Notice that the first speech contains part of the basic requirements as well as the prologue.
3. The far right column suggests titles for each chapter of the book. Later in this study, you will make up your own titles.
For this overview, don't feel you must read every word of the book. In the upcoming questions, some important passages are suggested, but you need not limit yourself to these. The more effort you give to overview, the better prepared you will be for detailed study. Prayerfully consider the amount of the time you can devote to this.
The study guide allows space to answer questions, but if you want more room for further thoughts, optional questions, discussion notes, prayer requests, and plans for application, you can get a small notebook.
Most of the places named in Deuteronomy are on one of the maps on pages 17, 31, and 36.
1. Deuteronomy 1:1–3:29 is like the historical prologue in a treaty (see #1 on page 14); in it, Moses describes the Sovereign's unearned kindness toward His subjects.
a. Read at least 1:1,19-46; 2:14-15,24-25,31-37. Of what events does Moses remind Israel?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
b. What can we learn about the Lord from these events?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
2. In chapters 4–11, Moses states the basic things the Lord expects of Israel under the covenant.
a. Read two or three of these passages: 4:1-8,3235; 5:1-21; 6:4-9,20-25; 7:7-11; 9:4-6. What are some of the Lord's basic expectations? Notice the words that describe the covenant relationship between God and Israel (love, choose ...) and those that describe God's expectations (love, serve ...).
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
b. What impressions of the Lord does this section give you?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
3. The basic requirements of 4:1–11:32 are elaborated into specific laws in 12:1–26:19. Read a few of the laws, such as 15:12-18; 16:9-12,1822; 19:15. (The chart on page 16, the subtitles in your Bible, and the optional lessons on pages 163–214 may help you find topics that interest you.)
a. What kinds of matters do the laws cover?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
b. What do you observe about God (His justice, priorities, values, and so on)?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
4. Chapters 27–34 include a ceremony for renewing the covenant with each generation, a final exhortation to obey, and some things that happened when Moses transferred leadership to Joshua.
Read at least 30:19-20; 31:24-32:7; 33:1-4. Notice on page 16 how these chapters fit into the treaty. What do you observe about God's character and the old covenant?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
5. From the introduction and your first reading, what would you say Deuteronomy is about? Summarize it in a sentence, or give the book your own title.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
6. a. In your first reading of Deuteronomy, did you find anything you would like to commit to memory or apply? If so, what one truth would you like to concentrate on this week?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
b. How can you apply this truth in your life? Try to think of at least one specific way.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
7. As you skimmed Deuteronomy, you may have come across statements you'd like clarified or questions you'd like answered as you go deeper into this study. While your thoughts are still fresh, jot down your questions here to serve as personal objectives for your investigation of this book.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
For the group
This "For the group" section and the ones in later lessons suggest ways of structuring your discussions. Feel free to select and adapt what suits your group.
Get acquainted. Because Deuteronomy is a long book, group members might appreciate two weeks to do the overview. If so, you can take a whole meeting to cover the following:
1. Ask the group to read "How to Use This Study" on pages 7–10 at home, but go over any important or difficult aspects as a group. Explain anything you think might be unfamiliar to the group. Let people ask questions about the study guide.
2. The beginning of a new study is a good time to lay a foundation for honest sharing of ideas, to get comfortable with each other, and to encourage a sense of common purpose. One way to establish common ground is to talk about what each member hopes to get out of your group — out of your study of Deuteronomy, and out of any prayer, singing, sharing, outreach, or anything else you might do together. Why are you studying the Bible, and Deuteronomy in particular? You can also discuss what you hope to give in your group. If you have someone write down each member's hopes and expectations, then you can look back at these goals later to see if they are being met.
It is important that everyone knows what the group is going to do and what he or she is supposed to do. Also, you will be better able to discuss personal application if you begin to establish trust.
Worship. Some groups like to begin their meetings with prayer and/or singing. Some share requests for prayer at the beginning, but leave the actual prayer until after the study. Others prefer just to chat and have refreshments for a while and then move to the study, leaving worship until the end.
Introduction. Here are some questions to ask the group, to remind everyone of the main points in the introduction (pages 13–16):
1. Where does the name Deuteronomy come from?
2. What does Law (Torah) mean?
3. What is a covenant?
4. In what ways is Deuteronomy like an ancient Near Eastern treaty between a sovereign and a vassal? Why is this important? Why did God make a treaty with Israel?
5. The book of Deuteronomy contains three speeches by Moses to Israel. Who was Moses? Where and when was he speaking? What was the purpose of this series of speeches?
Observations. Taking each section of the book in turn, ask someone to summarize what it is about. Then let group members state their observations and impressions (questions 1–4). When you have discussed each section, summarize what you have learned so far about (1) God's character and (2) the old covenant. These will be the focuses of the whole study.
Let each person share his or her summary or title of the book (question 5). If you begin with a clear idea of what you think the book is about, you have something to reconsider and revise as you study in detail.
Application. Ask specifically how Deuteronomy is relevant to your lives. If the group is unfamiliar with making applications, try this exercise together:
1. Pick a verse that seems relevant to you. For instance, look at Deuteronomy 8:3, which Jesus quotes in Luke 4:4.
2. State the truth that is relevant to you.
3. Describe in general how you fall short of what this verse teaches.
4. Name one specific way you can act on what this verse teaches. For Deuteronomy 8:3, you can make fifteen minutes in the Bible a priority each day before breakfast or lunch. Pray for the grace to do this so that you are not relying on your own resources. Plan to memorize 8:3 and meditate on it for further applications.
5. Decide how you can hold yourself accountable for keeping this commitment. For example, plan to come to your next meeting ready to tell on which days you had to miss breakfast to spend time in the Bible, on which days you had both devotions and breakfast, and on which days you chose food rather than Scripture. At that time, if necessary, the group can help you assess whether your commitment was unreasonable or how you can change your schedule so that you will have time for both food and the Bible.
Questions. You may have questions about Deuteronomy that you can't answer yet. You can make a list of everyone's questions so that you can look for answers as you study. If this study guide and your reading of Deuteronomy can't answer a question, you might consult one of the references listed on pages 216–220 or ask your pastor for help.
Wrap-up. The group leader should have read through lesson 2 and its "For the group" section. At this point, he or she might give a one- or two-sentence summary of what members can expect in that lesson and in the coming meeting. This is a chance to whet everyone's appetite, assign any optional questions, omit any numbered questions, or forewarn members of any possible difficulties.
Worship. Many groups like to end with singing and/ or prayer. This can include songs and prayers that respond to what you've learned in Deuteronomy, or prayers for specific needs of group members. Many people are shy about sharing personal needs or praying aloud in groups, especially before they know the group well. If this is true of your group, then a song and/or some silent prayer and a short closing prayer spoken by the leader might be an appropriate end. You might pray in pairs, if appropriate.
Study Skill — Application
Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all Scripture "is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:6,11 explain that Old Testament laws and history were recorded to teach, encourage, and warn us and to give us examples to follow. Therefore, the last step of Bible study is always to ask ourselves, What difference should this passage make to my life? How should it make me want to think or act? In your overview of Deuteronomy, you may have encountered:
1. An aspect of God's unchanging character. You can meditate (see page 9) on the verse or verses that show this aspect. Mull them over in your mind and ponder their significance. How should God's character affect the way you pray, treat your family, act at work, use your time or money, and so on? Write your conclusions and decisions in a notebook or the blank space at the end of this lesson. Tell someone what you decided.
2. An ethical principle repeated in the New Testament, such as 5:7-21. How can you apply this principle to your life this week?
3. A moral lesson from Israel's experience. How is it relevant to your life?
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Deuteronomy"
by .
Copyright © 2011 The Navigators.
Excerpted by permission of NavPress.
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
How to Use This Study, 7,
Deuteronomy Timeline, 11,
Introduction — Why Deuteronomy?, 13,
Chart of Deuteronomy, 16,
Map: The Near East in 1400 BC, 17,
One — What Is Deuteronomy? (Overview), 19,
Two — The Land (1:1–3:29), 29,
Map: The Promised Land, 31,
Map: Regions of Canaan, 36,
Three — Reminders (1:9–3:29), 43,
Four — Reasons to Obey (4:1-43), 55,
Five — Love God (4:44–6:25), 67,
Six — Law and Faith (5:16-21; 6:20-25), 81,
Seven — Holiness (7:1-26), 93,
Eight — Pride (9:1–10:11), 103,
Nine — Doubting God (8:1-20; 10:12–11:32), 111,
Introduction to the Laws in 12:1–26:19, 123,
Ten — Covenant Renewal (27:1–28:68), 127,
Eleven — Choose Life (29:1–30:20), 135,
Twelve — Moses' Farewell (31:1–34:12), 145,
Thirteen — Review, 155,
Optional Lessons on Justice (12:1–26:19) A. Pure Worship (12:1-32), 163,