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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?
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b. What can we learn about the Lord from these events?
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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 ...).
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b. What impressions of the Lord does this section give you?
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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?
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b. What do you observe about God (His justice, priorities, values, and so on)?
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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?
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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.
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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?
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b. How can you apply this truth in your life? Try to think of at least one specific way.
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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.
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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"
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