Foreign scholars arrive in Jerusalem with an amazing inquiry: where is the infant King of the Jews whose star has appeared in the sky? These academic skywatchers from eastern regions had sorted the clues and were looking for the long-promised Messiah. But Herod the Great was already proclaimed the King of Judea by the Romans. Academic, political, and religious interests collide in the familiar Christmas story, leading to the presentation of worshipful gifts at a modest house in Bethlehem and a divine warning about Herod's paranoid schemes.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Matthew 4:12-25. John the Baptist is arrested, and his ministry nears its intended end as Jesus' forerunner. Now Jesus begins His own ministry. Jesus brings light into predominantly Jewish regions (Roman provinces) far north and east of Jerusalem. His message of repentance is the same as John's, but Jesus can provide more than just ritual water cleansing. Jesus calls His first disciples, whose response demonstrates the cost of discipleship. Jesus uses miracles to show the unprecedented authority and agency of His ministry. Soon all of Galilee is talking about Jesus of Nazareth. We too can see that helping people is a great way to open people's hearts towards our greatest problem: the guilt of our sin and our need for forgiveness.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Matthew 3:13-4:11. Saving the Christmas story for a future session, we read about the start of Jesus' ministry from Matthew's account. First, Jesus is baptized over John's initial objections. Then Jesus begins 40 days of fasting in a desert area. At the end of those days, Satan make an unsuccessful attempt to tempt Jesus. Satan's three main offers teach us his playbook, as Jesus uses God's commands through Moses to demonstrate how we can fend off the enemy's attempts to steer us away from God's will into disobedience.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25. God forgives sin through Christ. Do we still need to have good works? Perhaps this is a question you've wondered. As we read Moses' words to the Israelites, we see that obedience is important for anyone wanting a relationship with God. It sets the stage for prosperity and becomes the basis for our perspective. Yet we don't obey God out of mere duty or for appearances' sake. Rather, it must be a heartfelt devotion that drives our behavior. We are to place God's commands in our heart and then pass them along, teaching each generation to love and obey God on a daily basis.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Deuteronomy 4:1-9, 15-20. Moses had much to say to the "Joshua Generation" who, unlike their unbelieving fathers, was about to enter and conquer the promised land. He sternly warned them to stay true to their God, following all of His commands and worshipping Him alone. Despite Moses' warnings, just was with past generations, future generations of Israel would be prone to wandering from faithful allegiance to God. As believers today, our allegiance to God through earnest, obedient living is the best evidence that we belong to God and our hearts have been genuinely transformed by the gospel.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Mark 12:41-44. Rich benefactors were putting large sums into the temple treasury in Jerusalem, but Jesus was not impressed until a poor widow woman dropped in two small coins worth slightly less than a dollar each in today's currency. Could this woman have given more than everyone else? And what does that teach us about God's expectations for giving?
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Malachi 3:6-15. A robbery had occurred! Resources that belonged to God were missing! How could this happen? Unlike a brazen thief who breaks into churches and steals from the community, often times the equivalent crime is this: believers not giving what God asks us to give.
In the Old Testament, 10% of the land's produce (the tithe) was to be given to support the Levites and priests and the work of the temple. A similar standard of giving motivates Christians today to support local pastors and the work of the church in promoting the gospel. Often, our shortcomings in giving are really shortcomings in obedience to God and trust in God. As we trust God to provide for our needs, we are freed to give generously. God dares us to follow His example of giving, warning we end up with less when under his curse, but also promising abundant blessings when we give as He directs.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Are we generous in giving? Cheerful in giving? Do we trust God to supply our needs so we can give our resources wisely to those in need? Did you know that when Christians give faithfully, we nullify many of the baseless arguments against the church today? What is holding you back from following Christ's example and giving the way God loves for us to give?
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Matthew 6:19-21,24-34. Where is your treasure? Are we pursuing earthly or heavenly priorities? Are we relying on self-effort or trusting in God's provision? As we explore these questions and seek the qualities of good stewards, we learn from the words of Jesus and Paul that our focus greatly impacts both our present and our future. Let us seek to be wise builders with the opportunities God provides us, with obedience as the hallmark of our heavenly allegiance and genuine conversion.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson wrapping up our 7 week study from the book of numbers. 2 and a half tribes have secured their inheritance on the east of the Jordan. 9 and a half tribes are readying to cross the Jordan and conquered their share of the promised land. What are God's instructions for his chosen people? What about the people already in the land? Is it just to expel the Canaanites from the land? And what are the dangers of not fully obeying God's instructions?
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Numbers 22:21-35. Balaam was a prophet for hire. He said all the right things and seemed to want to honor God, but his heart was being captivated by greed. God knew his motives were corrupt. To keep Balaam from pursuing a reckless and destructive path, God used a simple donkey to first save Balaam's life and then instruct Balaam what it means to see spiritually, seek God first, and submit to God's instructions. All of us should pause and consider whether we are truly following God or if we are walking down a path that opposes God and seals our own ruin.
Scott Allen teaches today's lesson from Numbers 20:2-13. Again facing a need for water in the wilderness, the people once again grumble and complain and give full voice to their displeasure and cynicism. The people assume the worst motives for Moses and God despite their history of patient leadership and constant care for the people. Moses and Aaron take the people's accusations to God, who already has the solution for the situation. Yet Moses, caught up in emotions such as anger and frustration over the faithless and thankless people under his charge, fails to obey God's precise instructions. Not even Moses is above God's law, and while God still provides water for the Israelites, Moses learns that, as always, sin brings consequences.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Numbers 14:11-24. The Israelites had no excuse for their lack of faith in God. Time after time God had demonstrated that His sovereign power was sufficient for their every need and challenge. This disrespectful and doubting people was not fit for the promised land. Should God destroy the people and pick someone else. Moses' interceded for his people. How could God get glory even from a rebellious unbelieving generation? By offering forgiveness yet enforcing appropriate consequences. God plans shows that while He is often willing to forgive sin, He never excuses sin. Our choices have consequences that forgiveness does not erase. Nonetheless, those who follow God in faith and obedience do have hope of someday entering the promised land.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Number 13:17-31. On the cusp on entering the promised land, Moses assigned one person from each of Israel's 12 tribes to scout out the land of Canaan, the promised land. Starting at the far south, they traveled over 200 hundred miles to the north and then back again, stopping near the city that would one day be named Hebron to collect the fruits of this promised land. Yet a generation's opportunity was now in danger of becoming a missed opportunity as a majority of the spies had their eyes on the size and strength of their human enemies instead of trusting the strength of their God.
Scott Allen leads todays lesson from Numbers 11:4-17. Discontent was spreading throughout the Israelite camp. They wanted meat to eat, not this daily manna. Yet manna itself was a miracle provided by God to sustain the people through their wilderness journey. And their glowing recollection of their meals in Egypt neglected the fact that they were oppressed and mistreated as slaves. God had rescued them. Wasn't their freedom more important than a fish lunch? Moses was burdened and frustrated by the people's bad attitude. So we should reflect on whether we appreciate what we have, rather than spreading a negative attitude and becoming a discouraging thorn in our leaders' sides. Lastly, as brothers and sisters in the faith, we are called to help bear one another's burdens, as we see God providing support from the 70 elders in this story.
Scott Allen begins a study of the book of Numbers with chapter 9 verses 15-23. Numbers is the story of two generations in the wilderness journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. As God provides protection and guidance through a cloud representing his presence, the Israelites begin their journey with a positive example of careful obedience. As believers, we also have reason to carefully obey God's leading through His Word and His Spirit. For us, obedience is part of discipleship. For Israel, a lack of continued obedience would be the difference between conquering the promised land and wandering the wilderness for nearly 40 additional years.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Psalm 42:1-11. What should we do when God seems distant? When we cannot see or find God? When we can't understand why God has seemingly forgotten about us? When we can't trace God's hand, as the old quote says, we can still trust His heart. The Sons of Korah, descendants of the leader of a failed rebellion against Moses, direct us to find comfort in God's unchanging character when we find no comfort in our current circumstances. We can remember God's past deeds, praise His present attributes, and pray while trusting Him with our future.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Psalm 5:1-12. How should we respond when others intend us harm without cause? David could relate to that. He spent much of his adult life running from a paranoid King Saul. David learned to bring his case to God and trust the results to God's character. This allowed David to take the high road and avoid sinning himself. We can entrust wicked individuals to God's stern hand of justice and refuse to let troublemakers steal our joy and confidence.
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Psalm 139:1-16. In this psalm, David stands in amazement at God's great qualities. God knows everything about us (He is omniscient). God sees us no matter where we go because God's presence is everywhere (He is omnipresent). Lastly, God is intimately involved in human life from before birth to our last days, which gives purpose to every stage of life and acknowledges God's unlimited creative power (He is omnipotent).
Scott Allen leads today's lesson from the beloved Psalm 23. While we often cite this psalm in times of loss, we recognize that David wrote it as a reminder of God's guidance and provision during life. We discuss God's provision, path, presence, preparation, and protection. While our path may be well lit at times and at other times under intense darkness, we find comfort tracing the shepherd's faithfulness, trusting him during present and future trials, and treasuring our eternal fellowship with Him.