Lesson Outlines and Preamble
Lesson Outlines and Preamble Each year, the July-August theme has an overarching theme of The Word of God, aimed at developing a more in-depth study of an entire book or theme in the Bible. This year, we have chosen to look at a character study of 6 Biblical characters. To provide a framework, we have included Lesson 1 and then going forward, each group shall read and do their own study based on the characters and key questions
Preamble “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” - Hebrews 12:1
There are many giants of the the faith in the Bible, Abraham, Moses, Joseph (the dreamer), King David and the Apostle Paul amongst others. Many can retell at least parts of their stories but what of Joseph Barnabas or King Jehoshaphat, Deborah or Isaiah? Our goal in this next theme, will be to explore some of these giants of the faith whose stories we may not be as familiar with. Who were these people and why are their stories in the Bible? What role did they play in bringing about God’s purpose on the earth? Is there anything we can learn from their lives, challenges and triumphs? Many of us will never be as famous as a King David or Moses, but as we will discover from the lives of these lesser known characters, all of us can be significant in bringing about God’s purpose. This theme will focus on individual lives, looking at their humanity/frailty, how they rose above this and became a significant part of the narrative for the Kingdom of God and specifically the application to our own lives, so we too can walk by faith and partner with God.
Walking with Giants Lesson Outlines and Preamble
Lesson Instructions Lifegroup Leaders - please look at these lessons in advance and prep your Lifegroup on the upcoming character to be studied.
Lesson Outcomes You will have studied six biblical characters and will understand how you can overcome your own frailties and challenges to proactively become a part of the story of the kingdom of God in the world at this time.
Key Study Questions Character Study Who was the character and why is their story in the Bible? What role did they play in bringing about God’s purpose on the earth? Is there anything we can learn from their lives, challenges and triumphs?
Personal Application ● What things personally hold you back? ● What things make you feel inferior or inadequate? ● What attitude should you have towards these things in light of the character you have studied? ● How can you overcome and step into the narrative of God’s Kingdom?
Lesson Outlines CHARACTER STUDY
OUTLINE AND SCRIPTURES
Lesson 1: Caleb
*Example lesson included* Covenant promise of God to Abraham. Who is Caleb? A man who saw things through the eyes of the covenant. Caleb took a sword and proactively become a part of fulfilling the promise of God to the Israelites. God poured out His Spirit on both the old and the young. Walking with Giants Lesson Outlines and Preamble
Lesson 2: Deborah
Judges 4 and 5 Challenge: a woman in a male dominated world faced a terrible enemy. Sisera army – one of the hallmarks of this army was their rape of women in the lands they conquered. So for both Deborah and Jael to be a part of bringing his demise is significant “Judges 5:28-30” to every man a girl or two. With the record Sisera’s army had with women, Deborah took a big risk going with Barak.. Imagine what some of her thoughts may have been “I’m a woman, if they catch me…”
Lesson 3: Isaiah
Isaiah 6-8 Isaiah’s name means “YHWH (the LORD) is salvation. He was a priest, and had a wife and two children (Shear Jashub, whose name means, “a remnant will return” and the second one was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, whose name means, “Swift is the plunder, and speedy is the prey” (Kroeze) reflecting Isaiah’s message to the people of Israel. He was known as a minister of the gospel, he was wealthy and walked closely with the kings. Longevity of ministry – spanned over 4 kings (could be up to 40yrs). Something to perhaps discuss as a Lifegroup - Are there any modern day comparisons to Isaiah you can think of e.g. Billy Graham, Henry Blackaby etc.
Lesson 4: Jehoshaphat
2 Chronicles 17-19 A friendly guy – powerful man. He had a passion for the Word. Walking with Giants Lesson Outlines and Preamble
He took the Word of God and went village to village to teach the Word. Sent out the worshippers before the Lord. 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 His frailty – could be pinpointed as his compliant nature. **Example Lesson included** Lesson 5: Mary (the Mother of Jesus)
Luke 1:28-56, 2:1-39 Very observant Jew (as seen by the attendance of feasts at various times, dedication of Jesus etc. Challenge - The stigma faced as a teenager, pregnant by the Holy Spirit whilst betrothed to Joseph. How did she respond to God?
Lesson 6: Joseph Barnabas
Acts 4:36-37, 9:26-30, Acts 11:19-30, Acts 13:1-7, Acts 15 Businessman and apostle. Wealthy, had a lot of property and was generous – sold some property and made it available to the early church. Saw the call of God on Paul – he accepted Paul when everyone else shunned him. Barnabas participated in the Council of Jerusalem, which dealt with the admission of gentiles into the Christian community. Paul and Barnabas proposed that gentiles be allowed into the community without being circumcised . The heart of the person no matter what their frailty – a heart after God and His kingdom. Challenge - standing up for who/what he believed in often times against popular opinion - in particular: Walking with Giants Lesson Outlines and Preamble
● Presenting Paul to the apostles in Jerusalem when they had already shunned him ● At the Jerusalem council ● Disagreement with Paul about taking John Mark (Acts 15:36).
Walking with Giants Lesson Outlines and Preamble
