Confirmation Class November 8th, 2015

UNDERSTANDING YOUR BIBLE – PART TWO

Before we begin, let’s review from last week.

• How many books are in the Old Testament? • How many in the New Testament? • Who wrote the most books in the New Testament? • What language was used to write the Old Testament? Are you remembering? If not, be sure to review last weeks lesson a couple of times. You start remem-bering in no time!

Last week we took a very general look at the Old and New Testament. This morning, we are going to take a closer look at the Old Testament, and how it is structured.

LET’S GET STARTED!

We’ll move slowly, but remember to be sure to stop your teacher if you are feeling like you are moving too fast. We’re on your side, and we want you to learn!

The Bible is divided into TWO MAIN SECTIONS. What are they?

The Testament

And the Testament.

We’re going to focus on the OLD Testament today and discover HOW the 39 books of the Old Testa-ment are arranged. But first, some basic information that will help us understand today’s lesson.

GOD AND THE NATION OF ISRAEL Turn to the first book in the O.T. – In Genesis chapter 12 we discover a VERY significant event. In this passage, God makes a promise to a man called Abram that changes the course of the entire world.

Abram, who later had his name changed to Abraham, was chosen by God to become a nation that would have a special relationship with God.

Look at Genesis 12:2. What promise did God make to Abraham? “I will make you into a .”

Abraham and his descendants eventually became the nation known as ISRAEL

ABRAHAM > ISAAC > JACOB > 12 SONS (TRIBES) OF ISRAEL

What was the name of the nation that God created through Abraham?

Israelites are known as Jewish people, or Hebrews. So when you hear people talk about Jewish people, or Hebrews, they are talking about people who are part of the nation of .

In Genesis 12:3 God promises that all people on earth will be ___________________ through Israel.

Jesus was Jewish. So how is it that Israel blessed all the nations on earth? Because Jesus was .

UNDERLINE in your Bible Genesis 12:2,3 and write the word ISRAEL next to it on the edge of the page. These maps show us the land that God gave to the Nation of Israel. Although God made that promise to Abraham almost 4000 years ago, Israel still lives there today!

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ISRAEL The entire Old Testament is about God’s relationship with Israel. Every book in the O.T. somehow deals with Israel and her people’s relationship with God.

Review • Who was the individual that God chose to create a Nation for Himself? • What is another name for a person who lives in Israel? • How were all the nations of earth blessed through Israel?

Can you find and circle the nation of Israel on this map?