For this week’s class we will look at a few outside videos that will help us understand some unique things about Christianity that highlight the differences from other belief systems in general. We will also focus on a specific question that is often misunderstood about Judaism, and that is: “Why did, and do, the Jewish people reject Jesus as the promised Messiah?” In addition, we will look at one very specific prophecy, among the hundreds of Old Testament prophecies, that predicts the actual week of Jesus’ triumphal entry, death and resurrection: “The Daniel 9 Prophecy.”

2023 A Case for the Old Testament, The History Continues…

Religious Pluralism, Part 3

Prayer and Reflection

1.  Write out your prayer cards and exchange them at the end of the class.

2.  Bible Practice: Memorizing helpful facts

a.  What are the five categories of the Old Testament books in the Christian Bible and what are the 39 books of the Old Testament in each of those five categories? (Hint 5-12-5-5-12)

b.  What are the “Major Historical Events” – the “Major Players” involved in those events – and the “Major Covenants” found in Genesis?

3.  Memory Verse:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Click here to check or review answers for Genesis chapters 24-26

Religious Pluralism, Part 3

How does Christianity compare on the most important questions we should ask?

Major  Belief System	Who is God?	Where did I come from?	What’s wrong with the world?	Is there a solution?	What is my purpose?
Biblical Christianity	Creator of everything; Monotheistic  and Triune Nature	Created in the Image of God	The Fall: Original sin = Human responsibility	Salvation by atonement through Christ’s death and resurrection	Do God’s will; spread the Gospel; bring truth and hope to a fallen world
Judaism	Creator of everything; Monotheistic	Created in the Image of God	The Fall: Original sin = Human responsibility	Following of the Law/Torah	Follow the Mosaic Law; live a sacrificial life; look for Messiah to come
Islam	Allah; Monotheistic	Created by Allah, NOT in the image of Allah	NO original sin; evil deception; the self	Salvation by arbitrary will of Allah; do more good than bad	Submission to Allah; if you earn it then it is possible to get to paradise
Eastern Religions	All matter and space is god; pantheistic or polytheistic	World is an illusion; we are part of the universe	Bad karma; Ignorance; human desires	Mystical experiences; eliminate desires	Accept karma-reincarnation; deny self/ personal extinction
New Ageism	Humans are gods; a higher power exists; pantheistic	Eternal universe—we’ve evolved and are evolving	Oppression; Western Civilization; religions	Personal autonomy; tolerance enforced by law; deconstruction	To create a utopian earth; self- improvement and enlightenment
Secular Naturalism/ Atheism	No god exists; only matter exists	We are a product of undirected evolution; Time + Chance	Humans NOT responsible: Genes, disease, environment, culture, etc.	Secular ideology; Humanism; better education and laws	Self-fulfillment; being a good person

Why did, and do, the Jewish people reject Jesus as the promised Messiah? by Allan Parr

Exploring the Daniel 9 Prophecy, by Evidence Unseen:

Join us again next week as we explore Christianity versus Islam!

Bible Study

NOTE: WE ARE SPENDING ONE MORE WEEK ON THIS PARTICULAR STUDY (SAME QUESTIONS AS LAST WEEK)

Each week we will have Bible study following the presentation. There will be questions presented here on the weekend, and basic answers will be part of the next presentation or posted mid-week for your review, depending on the topic. This can also be used to make a leader’s guide for your own small group and future studies!

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Note: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

1.  Review of Class Topic: Before getting into the Bible study questions, discuss today’s class presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Read, or re-read, Genesis Chapter 27 through Chapter 29, then answer the following questions:

2.  (Genesis 27:1-41) In this chapter, we find the story of Jacob and his mom, Rebekah, deceiving Isaac. What did Rebekah do, and why (cross-reference clue: go back to chapter 25:22-23)? What was the blessing that Isaac gave Jacob, instead of Esau; how did Esau respond when he discovered what had happened, and how did his father Isaac answer him?

Going Deeper: Culturally speaking, what was the importance of the blessing, and how is it different from the “birthright” Jacob also stole earlier (see chapter 25:30-34)?

3.  (Genesis 27:42 through 28:9) In this section Jacob is sent away. Where was Jacob sent, and why? Isaac blessed Jacob before he left – What part of the Abrahamic Covenant did Isaac emphasize (focus on 28:3-4)? Esau had previously married some of the “daughters of Canaan;” after this happened with Jacob, who else did he marry, and why?

4.  (Genesis 28:10-22) In this section Jacob begins his journey to Haran. Describe Jacob’s dream and what he saw (focus on verses 12-13)? Cross-reference with John 1:48-51 – who does the “Ladder” picture? What parts of the Abrahamic Covenant did God promise Jacob, and what did Jacob do and say after God spoke to him?

5.  (Genesis 29:1-20) In this section Jacob meets his family from Haran. What happened when Jacob met Rachel? How did Laban respond to meeting Jacob, and why? Who was Leah, and what was the comparison between her and Rachel?

6.  (Genesis 29:21-35) In this section Jacob begins his family by working for Laban. Describe how Jacob ended up with Leah, even though it was Rachel he loved, and how did God respond to Leah’s plight? How did Laban respond when Jacob confronted him? 

7.  Discussion: How does Laban compare to Jacob as a deceiver, and what lesson can we take away, as application, from the actions of these two men?

Please join us each week as we continue our case for the Old Testament!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15