Pastor Colin Smith's four-volume masterpiece moves you past Bible stories to understand the Bible as one story--the glorious, unbroken account of Christ's work to redeem a fallen world. With this accompanying Study Guide, you'll be able to make the journey even more rewarding. The Volume One Study Guide matches the first volume of the book series, and will help you unlock the Bible Story from Genesis to Nehemiah.
Unlocking the Bible Story Study Guides will help you:
- Focus you or your small group's study time to be as productive and rewarding as it can possibly be
- Enrich your understanding of the book and your comprehension of God's Word
- Apply the book's lessons in ways that will change your life forever
Once you've finished volume 1, volume 2 is highly recommended as it will complete your study in the Old Testament--you or your small group could move through the entire Old Testament by using volumes 1 and 2 in less than a year. Then dive into the New Testament study guides by using volumes 3 and 4.
Pastor Colin Smith's four-volume masterpiece moves you past Bible stories to understand the Bible as one story--the glorious, unbroken account of Christ's work to redeem a fallen world. With this accompanying Study Guide, you'll be able to make the journey even more rewarding. The Volume One Study Guide matches the first volume of the book series, and will help you unlock the Bible Story from Genesis to Nehemiah.
Unlocking the Bible Story Study Guides will help you:
- Focus you or your small group's study time to be as productive and rewarding as it can possibly be
- Enrich your understanding of the book and your comprehension of God's Word
- Apply the book's lessons in ways that will change your life forever
Once you've finished volume 1, volume 2 is highly recommended as it will complete your study in the Old Testament--you or your small group could move through the entire Old Testament by using volumes 1 and 2 in less than a year. Then dive into the New Testament study guides by using volumes 3 and 4.
eBookNew Edition (New Edition)
Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
Related collections and offers
Overview
Pastor Colin Smith's four-volume masterpiece moves you past Bible stories to understand the Bible as one story--the glorious, unbroken account of Christ's work to redeem a fallen world. With this accompanying Study Guide, you'll be able to make the journey even more rewarding. The Volume One Study Guide matches the first volume of the book series, and will help you unlock the Bible Story from Genesis to Nehemiah.
Unlocking the Bible Story Study Guides will help you:
- Focus you or your small group's study time to be as productive and rewarding as it can possibly be
- Enrich your understanding of the book and your comprehension of God's Word
- Apply the book's lessons in ways that will change your life forever
Once you've finished volume 1, volume 2 is highly recommended as it will complete your study in the Old Testament--you or your small group could move through the entire Old Testament by using volumes 1 and 2 in less than a year. Then dive into the New Testament study guides by using volumes 3 and 4.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781575677958 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Moody Publishers |
| Publication date: | 03/01/2004 |
| Series: | Unlocking: Bible Studies , #1 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 48 |
| File size: | 3 MB |
About the Author
COLIN SMITH is President of Open the Bible and Pastor Emeritus of The Orchard church in northwest suburban Chicago. He can be heard daily on the radio broadcast, Open the Bible, and at openthebible.org. Colin is the author of many books, including: Fly Through the Bible, Heaven, How I Got Here, and Momentum: Pursuing God's Blessings Through the Beatitudes. He is married to Karen, and they have two married sons and five granddaughters.
Read an Excerpt
Unlocking the Bible Story Study Guide Volume 1
By Colin S. Smith
Moody Publishers
Copyright © 2004 Colin S. SmithAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-57567-795-8
CHAPTER 1
Life
Read GENESIS 1:1–2:25
Launching
1. What do you think most people believe to be the purpose of life? What factors lead you to this conclusion?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Who is God and why does it matter?
Who am I and why am I here?
Exploring
The Author Takes the Stage
2. There are two options to explain our existence: We were created by God or are an accident of history. What are the implications of each? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
3. Many in our world today believe that humans are a product of evolutionary forces. How is this affecting our view of human life? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
4. If God owns you, what difference should it make in the way you live your life? What difference should it make in the way you face troubling situations?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Understanding Ourselves
5. Read Genesis 1:27. How do human beings reflect God's nature and image?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
The Kiss of Life
6. We are made in God's image. We are totally dependent on Him for our next breath. How do these two statements provide a healthy view of ourselves and others? Which do you need to grasp better?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Taking a Walk with God
7. Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden of Eden. What are some of the similarities and differences between Adam and Eve's relationship with God and ours today? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
A Place Called Home
8. God provided a place, a purpose, and a partner for Adam and Eve (pages 25–27). What difference does it make to know that these are gifts from God?
a. Your place ____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
b. Your work (including school, caring for children, etc.) _______________ __________________________________________________________________________
c. Your marriage or your future mate _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
Spotlight on Christ
9. Jesus said that He came to give us life to the full (John 10:10). In what ways has a relationship with Christ enriched your life?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Applying
10. What is something new you learned about God or yourself from this study? How will it affect the way you live this week?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
This week, when you encounter someone who annoys you, remind yourself that the person is created in God's image. Note how it changes your view of that person.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
When praying this week, thank God for your place, your purpose, and your partner.
CHAPTER 2Curse
Read GENESIS 3
Launching
1. How would our world be different if sin had not entered the picture? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
If God made everything good, why is the world as it is today?
Exploring
Reading Your Opponent's Plays
2. Satan used three strategies to tempt Adam and Eve. Describe each in one sentence.
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
3. How do you see these same strategies in operation today? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
4. Which of Satan's strategies do you feel most vulnerable to? Why? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
5. The sixth paragraph on page 34 describes effective defenses for each of Satan's "plays." What have you found helpful in implementing these defenses in your life? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
The Knowledge of Evil/Excluded from Paradise
6. We have the knowledge of evil, and we have been excluded from the presence of God. What difference has this made to our lives and our world? ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Hope That Began with a Curse/A Curse Deflected
7. Why did God find it necessary to pronounce a curse? Why did God's curse not fall directly on Adam? What evidence can you see of the curse on the ground today?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Spotlight on Christ
8. Read Galatians 3:13. How does Jesus' death on the cross relate to ...
a. what happened in the Garden of Eden? __________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
b. our lives today? ______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Applying
9. What is something you can do this week to shore up your defenses against Satan's schemes? __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
10. Do you need to adjust your expectations for life in this world based on what you learned in this lesson? How? __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
We won't truly value a prescription drug unless we realize the severity of our sickness. In your prayer time this week, recognize before the Lord the dire diagnosis of humanity. Readily admit that this was (or possibly, still is) your diagnosis. Read through the prayer on page 40 and make it your own.
CHAPTER 3Salvation
Read GENESIS 6:5–22
Launching
1. What thoughts and emotions would you imagine Noah felt as he completed the massive ark? When have you experienced some of these same emotions in your spiritual journey? __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
What do I need to be saved from, and how can I be saved?
Exploring
Building a Biblical Worldview
2. Those who hold a biblical worldview believe that
• God created them,
• that He has absolute rights over them,
• and that every good gift in their lives comes from His hand.
Describe the attitudes and actions you would expect each of these convictions to produce in those who hold them. How are they impacting you?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Amazing Grace
3. How did God express His grace to Noah? How is He doing that same thing for humanity today? Have you heeded His message? How?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Deliverance Through Faith
4. How were Noah and his family saved? Why do you think the others did not get into the ark? __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. How did Noah demonstrate faith?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6. Noah faithfully communicated the message of God's judgment and deliverance. According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, what role do Christians have in making sure this message is communicated to everyone? What keeps you from communicating the message? __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Spotlight on Christ
7. How is Jesus like the ark? Why do you think so many people are failing to come in?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Applying
8. Have you recognized that judgment is coming and accepted God's deliverance through Jesus Christ? If not, pray the prayer on page 51 and get "in Christ" today. __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
9. Ask God to bring to mind the name of someone He would like you to share the news of judgment and deliverance with. __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
10. Is there an area of life in which you need to exercise more faith like Noah? What would walking by faith look like in this situation? __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER 4Judgment
Read GENESIS 11:1–12:3
Launching
1. Have you ever been surrounded by people speaking a foreign language? How did it make you feel?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Why did God cause the peoples of the world to speak in different languages?
Exploring
Parents in Pain
2. People began to pray as they saw the sin growing in the world. Think of a time when pain led you to prayer. Describe that experience. __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
God Applies the Brakes
3. In John 8:34, Jesus said, "Everyone who sins is a slave to sin." How does our sin make us slaves? Can you think of some examples? __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Judgment is God's way of cutting sin back. How have you seen this happen in the course of history or in our world today?
Prevention Is Better Than a Cure
5. Describe the preventive approach to sin. __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
What would this mean for someone struggling with:
• greed? _____________________________________________
• anger? _____________________________________________
• sexual purity? _____________________________________
• other: _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
The "New" Technology
6. What was the root sin of building the Tower of Babel? How have you observed this same sin today in individuals and cultures? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
7. How did the judgment at the Tower of Babel serve to cut back sin? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
8. God's judgment is never His final word. When God cuts sin back, it is always to create room for His grace. How did God show His grace after the Tower of Babel? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Spotlight on Christ
9. How is Jesus Christ reversing the effects of the Tower of Babel? How have you experienced this? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Applying
10. For personal reflection: Is there a sin that has taken root in your life? What steps can you take to get it under control?
CHAPTER 5Blood
Read EXODUS 3:1–15; 12:1–13
Launching
1. From what sources have you derived your mental image of God? How has that image changed over the course of your life? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Why is there such a strong emphasis on blood in the Bible story?
Exploring
God Breaks His Silence
2. Describe briefly what happened during the period between Abraham and Moses. (Use the time line on page 66 as a reminder.) ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
The Self-Sustaining Fire
3. How did Moses get an accurate picture of God? How can we gain an accurate picture today? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Confusion About God
4. How might Moses' upbringing have created some confusion about who God was? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
5. How are these same forces impacting young people in our culture today? How can we combat them? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
6. How do people fashion a god to their liking today? Are there aspects of God's character that you find difficult to accept? How do you handle that?
The Living God and the Other gods
7. What do the plagues reveal about God and His character? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
A Blood Sacrifice in Egypt
8. What danger was looming for all those in Egypt as the Passover approached? What danger looms for everyone today? What would it take for people to realize the danger? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Spotlight on Christ
9. How is the Passover a foreshadowing of Jesus as the "Lamb of God"? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Applying
10. Imagine God's judgment coming through your community like it did through Egypt. Would it pass over you or descend upon you? Why? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Praise Jesus Christ today as the Lamb of God who will bring you safely through the judgment of God.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Unlocking the Bible Story Study Guide Volume 1 by Colin S. Smith. Copyright © 2004 Colin S. Smith. Excerpted by permission of Moody 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
TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Life
2. Curse
3. Salvation
4. Judgment
5. Blood
6. Law
7. Atonement
8. Priest
9. Blessing
10. Courage
11. Giving
12. Evil
13. Covenant
14. Deliverer
15. Redeemer
16. King
17. Throne
18. Prophet
19. Temple
20. Worship
21. Sin
22. Righteousness
23. Joy