september–december 2011 - cwr.org.uk · british youth for christ is part of youth for christ ......

SEPTEMBER–DECEMBER 2011

TO INSPIRE COURAGE SPIRIT CHARACTER

Mettle Sep/Dec 2011 text.indd 1 19/4/11 13:53:48

Copyright © YFC and CWR 2011

Published 2011 by CWR, Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8EP, England. Registered Charity No. 294387. Registered Limited Company No. 1990308.

Mettle Bible-reading notes are produced in association with British Youth for Christ. British Youth for Christ is part of Youth for Christ International, a movement of youth evangelism organisations in over 100 countries of the world. Please visit www.yfci.org for the country nearest you.

Series Editor: Simeon Whiting Contributors: Liz Etherton, Dani Knox, Phil Sheldrake, Simeon Whiting

The notes on The Bible are adapted from those previously published in Mettle September–December 2007.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of CWR.

See back of book for list of National Distributors.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translations (NLT), copyright © 1996, revised 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Other quotations are marked:NIV: Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton, a division of Hodder Headline Ltd. All rights reserved.

Concept development by YFC and CWR.

Editing design and production by CWR.

Printed in Wales by Stevens & George Print Group.


THE BIBLE PART 1 4

FAMILY PART 1 21

LEADING PART 1 35

HEROES PART 1 49

THE BIBLE PART 2 63

FAMILY PART 2 77

LEADING PART 2 91

HEROES PART 2 105

THE BIBLE PART 3 119

WELCOME TO this new issue of Mettle , where our core readings focus on the Bible. If you’re reading this, we guess you already think the Bible worth reading! Discover why the Bible is so important and how it can make a massive difference to the way we live.

Moving on, we’ll handle a few hot potatoes: ‘Family’, ‘Leading’ and ‘Heroes’. Families can be brilliant – but also very challenging. So we’ll unpack a few ideas on how to not just survive, but enjoy, family life. See yourself as a leader? Or does leadership sound a nightmare? ‘Leading’ will look at character as well as leadership skills. So whether leadership’s for you or not it’s still well worth the read. And, fi nally, we’ll fi nd out what we can learn from real-life heroes from the Bible and history.

Enjoy! The Mettle Team

CONTENTS

COURAGE SPIRIT CHARACTER … WELCOME TO


1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the

darkness was over the surface of the deep, and

1In the beginning God created the heavens and In the beginning God

created the heavens and In the beginning God

darkness was over the surface of the deep, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and surface of the deep, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and

TH

UR

S 1

SEP

BIBLE

4

THE

WHAT AN AMAZING work the Bible is: the most fantastic, exciting, dynamic and mind-blowing collection of books ever to exist. Many view the Bible as a set of rules and regulations: you can’t do this, you must do that! Rather, the Bible is God’s account of His relationship with human beings. Out of their love for God, key biblical characters were moved to document their stories, many not even knowing that God had inspired their words to speak to countless others throughout history.

The Bible recounts story upon story of God’s people, the Israelites, and their journey as a nation. Yet there’s

In the beginning God 11


1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the

In the beginning God created the heavens and In the beginning God


darkness was over the surface of the deep, and

In the beginning God created the heavens and In the beginning God

created the heavens and In the beginning God In the beginning God



surface of the deep, and

TH

UR

S 1

SEP

‘All Scripture is inspired by God … It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.’

READING: 2 Timothy 3:10–17

CHALLENGE In part one of ‘The Bible’ we’ll outline briefl y the ‘big story’ of the Bible and then concentrate on a few New Testament letters, written mostly by the apostle Paul. What do you believe about the Bible? Do you think it’s boring and irrelevant to modern life, or have you been amazed when reading it? Whatever your thoughts on it, take some time today to read a passage. Bear in mind that the passage you read has been inspired by God Himself!

5

KEY V

ERSE

v16

much, much more: ordinary people like Gideon are transformed into super leaders; fi shermen hang out for three years with a carpenter’s son (who just happens to be the Saviour of the world and Creator of the universe); blind people see, the lame walk, the dead are raised and demons sent fl eeing from a lunatic into a herd of pigs!

Is the Bible just an exciting read? No! In his second letter to his friend Timothy, Paul mentions what the Bible – or Scripture – is for. Today’s key verse explains the power of Scripture to determine right from wrong and how we can use it to teach others about a God who is passionate about us, His very own creation.


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The Bible is split into two Testaments: Old and New. Linked and inseparable, they create a stunning account of God’s creation and His covenant relationship with the Jewish nation, the laws and commandments He gave them to live by, His pain at their disobedience, His future promise of a Saviour; and then the life of the Person of God as Jesus stepping into the world and the early days in the growth of the Church, His followers. So, over the next few days, let’s take an overview of the ‘big story’ of the Bible to see how everything fi ts together …

In Genesis we fi nd a creation account of the world, then see the calling and obedience of Abraham as the fi rst Jew – the ‘Granddaddy’ of all Jews. From him, God promised that the whole Jewish race would follow. We chart the rise and fall of the nation of Israel, from the success of Joseph to the enslaving of Israel by Pharaoh. The book of Exodus is a dramatic read. Exodus, meaning ‘exit’ or ‘going away from’, recounts God raising up Moses to rescue His people from slavery with some of the most awesome miracles ever witnessed on earth!

‘I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.’

KEY VERSE v2

READING: Genesis 12:1–9FR

I 2 S

EP


7

CONTINUED

KEY VERSE v2

WEEK

EN

D 3

/4 S

EP

READING: 2 Samuel 7:1–17

Have you ever climbed a mountain? The view from a summit can be stunning. If it’s a clear day, you can see for miles and miles in every direction. It gives you a new perspective on where you’ve come from and helps you see where you’re going. This chapter from 2 Samuel is an example of the ‘mountaintop’ moments we fi nd in the Bible. Events like these remind us of what’s gone before and point us to the future God has in mind for us.

As God speaks to David, through Nathan, there are echoes of the promises He made to Abram, hundreds of years before (see Friday’s reading). So, we’re reminded of promises that God has already made and kept. God also points to a bright future for David’s family, with a guarantee that Israel’s king will always be one of David’s descendants. And we know that, ultimately, this promise is fulfi lled in Jesus, Himself a

‘Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’

KEY VERSE

v16


8

descendant of David (Matt. 1:1), who is not just King of Israel but King of the Universe forever!

The Bible is not just a collection of disjointed events and teachings. There’s a huge, glorious, overarching story to it, stretching from Genesis to Revelation. The covenant with Abram is part of the story of God’s faithfulness. So is David’s encounter with God here. Jesus is the high point of this story, as we’ll see in the next couple of days, and Revelation gives us a glimpse of how the story will end. The Bible is a story of God’s promises and of His faithfulness in fulfi lling them. We are part of this story, too. Our God is the same God who kept His promises to David and Abram. He keeps His promises to us, too.

WEEK

EN

D 3

/4 S

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THINK

Can you think of any promises God has made to

you, either in the Bible or as you’ve spent time

praying? Remind yourself that God will keep His

promises to you.


september–december 2011 - cwr.org.uk · british youth for christ is part of youth for christ ......

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