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Overview
Many Christians are vaguely familiar with numerous Bible stories but do not know their context in the literary or historical arc of the Bible. Blessed to Bless gives meaningful organization to the multitude of Bible stories covered in over 1500 years of religious history. Primarily for teenagers, this book can be a resource for any individual or study group wanting a basic, yet comprehensive introduction to the Bible.
The themes, interpretations, genres, and philosophical framework of Holy Scripture are offered to the reader, organized into four historical “arcs.” Each chapter offers scripture, accompanying commentary, and questions for reflection or discussion. Bible vocabulary concepts are highlighted throughout the book, making it a perfect tool for youth group study, a biblical literature curriculum, or a personal challenge (for instance, to read the Bible in a year). A Leader Guide is available for free download on the Church Publishing website for classroom usage.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781640652460 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Church Publishing, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 04/17/2020 |
| Pages: | 344 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d) |
| Age Range: | 13 - 18 Years |
About the Author
Table of Contents
Introduction xiii
Section 1 The Book of Genesis 1
Unit 1 The Creation and the Fail 3
1 The Creation Story(s) 5
2 The Second Creation Story 7
3 The Fall of Humanity 9
4 The Consequences of Sin 12
5 Cain and Abel 14
6 The Long Ages 18
7 Noah and the Great Flood 20
8 Sloppy Drunk Noah 22
9 Tower of Babel 24
10 Is All of This Literal? 26
Unit 2 God Conceives a Blessing Culture 27
11 The Call of Abram and Sarai 29
12 Abram and Sarai's Undulating Faith 31
13 Circumcision and the Three Visitors 33
14 The Testing of Abraham 37
15 Isaac Marries His Cousin Rebekah 40
16 Jacob, Esau, and Tribal Leadership 42
17 Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah 44
18 Jacob Wrestles with a Man? an Angel? God? 46
19 Joseph and Promises Fulfilled 49
20 Abraham's Family Is the Foundation 51
Section 2 Exodus, Wilderness, Conquest, and the Judges 53
Unit 1 The Exodus: Forty Years in the Wilderness and the Halacha 55
21 Reviewing Genesis 57
22 Escape from Egypt 58
23 "Hangry" and Scared 63
24 The Ten Commandments 67
25 The Golden Calf and the Presence of God 72
26 The Tabernacle, Ark, and Priesthood 76
27 The Pathway of God: Halacha 80
28 More of the Halacha and the People Complain 83
29 Shema, Blessings, and Curses 87
30 A Bronze Snake and Balaam's Ass 90
31 The "Voice of God" 92
Unit 2 Joshua and the Conquest of Canaan, the Dark Period of the Judges, and the Call of Samuel 95
32 Canaan as a Symbolic Abstraction 97
33 Joshua and the Conquest of Canaan 101
34 The Period of the Judges 105
35 Canaanite Religion and Biblical Interpretation 107
36 Gideon, Jephthah, and Shibboleth 110
37 Samson the Antihero 114
38 Ruth and the Stages of Israel's Life 118
39 Job, the Man from Uz 123
40 Job's Three (Four) Friends 125
41 God Answers Job 129
42 The Call of Samuel 132
43 The Philistines 134
Section 3 United Monarchy, Divided Monarchy, the Prophets 137
Unit 1 The Rise and Fall of Saul, the Rise and Fall of David 139
44 Israel Demands a King 141
45 Things Fall Apart 144
46 God Anoints David 148
47 Saul Chases after David 151
48 David Rises to the Throne 155
49 David Builds Unity 159
50 David and Bathsheba 163
51 David's House Falls Apart 167
52 The Parents Eat Sour Grapes: Three-Fold Interpretation 170
53 Biblical Inspiration 174
Unit 2 The Reign of Solomon, the Temple, the Divided Kingdom, and the Prophets 177
54 Abishag the Shunammite 179
55 Wisdom 182
56 Downfall of Solomon 186
57 Fertility Religious and the Preophet Elijah 188
58 Elisha the Miracle Worker 191
59 Assyria Attacks from the North: Isaiah, Hosea, Amos 195
60 The Babylonian Conquest: Jeremiah the Weeping Prophet 200
61 Ezekiel the Street Artist and Daniel the Slave 205
62 The Valley of Dry Bones and Daniel, Part 2 210
63 Freedom from Persia: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther 213
64 The Chronicles and the Stages of Israel, Part 2 215
Section 4 Christianity Emerges Out of Judaism 219
65 The Chronicles 223
66 Messianic Expectations 224
67 John the Baptizer 229
68 Jesus the Healer, Part 1 233
69 Jesus the Healer, Part 2 235
70 The Divinity of Jesus: God and Human 238
71 Divinity Continued 242
72 Jesus the Rabbi 247
73 Temple Sacrifice and Synagogue Teaching 250
74 The Parables of Jesus 254
75 The Practice of Abstraction 257
Unit 2 The Passion, Atonement, Resurrection, The Church, and Aposties 261
76 The Passion and Resurrection of Christ 263
77 Atonement of the Cross 267
78 Blood and Nonblood Atonements 271
79 Jonah and Blessed to Bless 275
80 Jesus and the Canaanite Woman 279
81 The Great Commission and Acts of the Apostles 283
82 The Conversion of Paul for the Gentiles 286
83 Disciples and Apostles 291
84 The Twelve Apostles: Go Give God to Everybody 294
85 Paul Continued 300
86 The Epistles and The Revelation to John 301
Epilogue: Jesus is the Way of Love 305
Acknowledgments 309
Appendix A Bible Vocabulary Concepts 311
Appendix B Books of the Bible Songs 321
What People are Saying About This
“This is a family-friendly introduction to the Bible that I wish I’d have been able to pull off my shelf over my many years as a Children’s pastor.”
—Trevecca Okholm, author of The Grandparenting Effect: Bridging Generations One Story at a Time
"This book is for every parent who has ever said 'I don’t know enough to talk to my kid about the Bible.' Children learn by osmosis, when they’re joined in the lessons by parents and adults who care and want to learn with them. Tim’s work provides a detailed trail map for a families and friends to learn together. Each section gives depth to scripture, guidance to discussion, and encourages openness to wisdom; equipping caring adults with everything they need to raise up a generation of loving Christians, knowledgeable of the scriptures and their own place in them."
—Caren Miles, Associate for Faith Formation, The Episcopal Diocese of California