Religious Study Review PDF

Lesson 1 Tuesday, 3 September 2024 8:47 pm LIFE PURPOSE Brokenshire College fulfills the Evangelical Christian Teaching Ministry of the Church. VISION STATEMENT Brokenshire College is the leading learning and transforming Evangelical Christian institution enabling learners to make a difference in...

Lesson 1 Tuesday, 3 September 2024 8:47 pm LIFE PURPOSE Brokenshire College fulfills the Evangelical Christian Teaching Ministry of the Church. VISION STATEMENT Brokenshire College is the leading learning and transforming Evangelical Christian institution enabling learners to make a difference in the world MISSION STATEMENT Brokenshire College is a learning organization engaged in the pursuit and diffusion of knowledge through the highest standards of instruction, research and extension. It leads a life of faith, learning and action that develop people to become intellectually competent, sensitive, spiritually mature, aware and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the community. It manages and develops wisely all resources to ensure sustainable growth of the institution as responsible stewards of God and contributes to the realization of a just, free and responsible Christian social order. CORE VALUES Core values FAITH is the relationship with God manifested through action with utmost confidence that God is always present in all human activities and life’s circumstances. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV) EXCELLENCE means to stand out in everything by being the best and doing the highest quality of work not only for oneself but for others. (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV) COMPASSION is a sincere and genuine love in action by being sensitive to the needs, feelings and sufferings of others. (Matthew 25:35 & 45 KJ) INTEGRITY refers to ones commitment to be consistent in words, actions, beliefs, and values anchored in the life and teachings of the Lord. (Philippians 4:8 NIV) JUSTICE values fairness by considering the welfare of others and doing things justly for fellow humans and for God. (Micah 6:8 NIV) SERVICE refers to one’s sensitivity and responsive-ness to the needs of others by offering and sharing our time, talents and treasures without expecting something in return. (Galatians 5:13 KJ) TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP is an act to develop leaders who can influence their followers with a high level of commitments to perform their duties and responsibilities in accordance with the standard of the institution and responsible stewards God’s creation. (Romans 12:2 KJ) Activity Wednesday, 4 September 2024 1:28 pm Name the Books of the Old Testament Canon. (25pts.) Torah (Pentateuch) 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. Numbers 5. *Deuteronomy Historical Books 6. Joshua 7. Judges 8. Ruth 9. 1 Samuel 10. 2 Samuel 11. 1 Kings 12. 2 Kings 13. 1 Chronicles 14. 2 Chronicles 15. Ezra 16. Nehemiah 17. Esther Wisdom Books (Poetry and Wisdom Literature) 18. Job 19. Psalms 20. **Proverbs 21. Ecclesiastes 22. Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) Prophetic Books Major Prophets 23. isaiah 24. Jeremiah 25. Lamentations 26. Ezekiel 27. Daniel Minor Prophets 28. Hosea 29. Joel 30. Amos 31. Obadiah 32. Jonah 33. Micah 34. Nahum 35. Habakkuk 36. Zephaniah 37. Haggai 38. Zechariah 39. Malachi Read and examine the selected stories of the great Patriarchs & Matriarchs of God’s people of Israel. (25pts.) 1. Abraham and Sarah - Genesis 12-25 Abraham is often considered the first Patriarch of Israel. God calls him to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation. Despite their old age, God promises Abraham and his wife, Sarah, a son. They struggle with faith, leading Sarah to give her servant Hagar to Abraham, resulting in the birth of Ishmael. However, God fulfills His promise, and Sarah gives birth to Isaac. Abraham's faith is tested when God commands him to sacrifice Isaac, but God intervenes at the last moment, providing a ram as a substitute. Key Themes: Faith, Covenant, Obedience, God's promises 2. Isaac and Rebekah - Genesis 24-27 Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, marries Rebekah. The story highlights the importance of family lineage and the continuation of God's covenant. Isaac and Rebekah have twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The narrative focuses on the rivalry between the brothers and the deception by Rebekah and Jacob to secure Isaac's blessing for Jacob instead of Esau. Key Themes: Family, Deception, Divine Providence 3. Jacob and Leah/Rachel - Genesis 28-35 Jacob, later renamed Israel, is a central figure in the history of Israel. After deceiving his father and brother, he flees to his uncle Laban's house, where he falls in love with Rachel. However, Laban deceives him into marrying Leah first. Jacob eventually marries Rachel as well, and the rivalry between the sisters leads to the birth of the twelve sons who become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob's story also includes his famous dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, his wrestling with God, and his eventual reconciliation with Esau. Key Themes: Divine Encounter, Struggle, Family Dynamics, God's Blessing 4. Joseph -Genesis 37, 39-50 Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, is favored by his father, which causes jealousy among his brothers. They sell him into slavery in Egypt, where he eventually rises to power due to his ability to interpret dreams. Joseph's story is one of forgiveness and God's sovereignty, as he forgives his brothers and saves them from famine by bringing them to Egypt. Key Themes: Forgiveness, Divine Providence, Redemption, Reconciliation 5. Matriarchal Roles The Matriarchs, including Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel, play crucial roles in the narratives. Their stories often revolve around themes of fertility, struggle, and God's intervention in their lives to fulfill His promises. Despite their challenges, they are essential in the establishment of Israel’s lineage and the fulfillment of God's covenant. Conclusion The stories of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs are rich with themes of faith, struggle, and divine interaction. They set the stage for the development of Israel as a nation and the unfolding of God's plan for His people. These narratives teach lessons about trust in God's promises, the complexities of human relationships, and the importance of covenant faithfulness Lesson 2 Monday, 2 September 2024 6:35 pm LESSON two: Definition- the BIBLE Bible (literal meaning) : “ta BIBLIA” means the book : because the Bible contains many books (OT- 39/ NT-27) : many books with in one book BIBLE: in depth meaning (from UCCP statement of Faith) : is the faithful witness of God’s self-revelation in the history of His people (Israelites/Jews), God’s inspired instrument to illumine, guide, correct, edify His people for their faith and witness. KEY POINT ONE: 1. Faithful witness – it records the beginnings, events and life journeys (biblical character) in their triumphs and defeats (good/ bad; weaknesses/ strength) 2. God’s self-revelation in the history: – history of the Israelite people as they encounter God. How God made known of Himself as the CREATOR, SUSTAINER, REDEEMER, ENABLER and JUST (also punishes sins) - Man’s apprehension/ understanding is limited therefore the power and goodness of God is shown as to HOW He works in the lives of the people - People knew His power and work in creation; His Spirit as He enabled the patriarchs, prophets, Judges, Kings to do their tasks; His love as he intervened showing, His compassion and care God’s inspired instrument - “inspired” means God breathe - Genesis 1:7 – God breathe in the breath of life into the nostril of the man He molded out from the dust and he came to life (creation of Adam) - Same way, the bible though written by human hands (writers) but its words were “inspired” – made alive as it gives guidance, it rebukes, illumine (give light) to people reading it leading them towards a change of character, attitude and wholeness. - The Bible therefore as one reads it with deep meditation and prayer, the reader will be transformed by its truth because God made it a LIVING WORD. - Living word – the Bible makes a difference in one’s life. Transformation from being a sinner to saint. people’s faith and witness : a transformed life now becomes a WITNESS one who shares to others of God’s love, power and works to others that God can also be known by them Lesson 3 Monday, 2 September 2024 6:54 pm THREE: Survey of the Old testament the book of Genesis 1-11: * The creation – How God created the earth and the man (Adam/ Eve) *Adam (hebrew: adama means soil/ earth) *Eve (Hebrew: chayah: to live, to give life – woman who gives birth) - the 1,000+ years where humanity populates the earth, the global judgment against mankind’s rampant sin in the flood (story of Noah) - First murder recorded in the Bible – killing of Abel by his brother Cain (Genesis 4:8) Genesis 12-25 God chooses Abraham and promises him a son, innumerable descendants that would become a nation, everlasting possession of the land of Canaan, protection and blessing. Genesis 25-50 records the lives of the next 3 generations of Abraham’s offspring and closes with the descendants of Abraham moving to Egypt to escape a famine. Abraham’s descendants: - Isaac (wife: Rebecca); children: Jacob and his twin brother- Esau Jacob – 12 sons, became the 12 tribes of Israel Jacob’s name was later changed by God into Israel (Genesis 35:10) Books of EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, DEUTERONOMY: Exodus - opens 430 years later with Abraham’s descendants grown from dozens to millions. -covers the calling of Moses and the liberating of Abraham’s descendants (Israelites) from slavery in Egypt. Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy cover the time when Israel left Egypt and conquered the land God promised to Abraham- the land of Canaan. It includes Israel’s 40year wanderings in the wilderness, the receiving of the law from God, and the death of Moses on the border of Canaan. Joshua: Records Israel’s conquest of the land being promised in Genesis. Judges: Records Israel’s 300+ year downward spiral into idolatry and the book ends with Israel becoming as wicked as Sodom and Gomorrah Ruth takes place sometime around the end of Judges. 1 & 2 Samuel: Records the 50+ year transition from the period of the judges to the period of the kings and contains the 80+years where Saul and David reigned. Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes were written/compiled during the reign of David or Solomon, during the time of 1 & 2 Samuel. It contain songs, poems and reflections about God’s power at work in the people’s lives 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles: Records the splitting of the kingdom after the time of Solomon.  The northern kingdom of Israel comprised the 10 tribes and her capital city is Samaria, and the Southern Kingdom comprised the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and her capital city is Jerusalem Note: 1 Kings 12:25-33 tells how Jeroboam, the first king of the divided monarchy of Israel, instigated the worship of 2 golden calves in Bethel and Ai to keep the people from remembering the Lord -This continued on in the Northern Kingdom of Israel through the reigns of 20 kings and over 200+ years of time, and 2 Kings 17 records how the 10 northern tribes went into captivity under Assyria and were lost in history. *The Northern Kingdom was captured by the Assyrians in 8th century BC (722-721BC) *(bigger number is earliest/ smaller is later) *2 Kings 17:7-18 – Assyrian captivity = Punishment for idolatry. The Northern Kingdom (10 tribes) were captured by the Assyrians and were held exiles This also continued on in the Southern Kingdom of Judah through the reign of 20 kings and over 350+ years of time, and 2 Kings 21:1-18 contains the long list of the sins of Manasseh and the divine condemnation of Judah, along with the promise of coming judgment. 2 Kings 24 – 25 record the fulfillment of the promises of judgment, and Babylon came and took Judah into 70 years of captivity. (587-586 BC – 6th century) – All the prophets were active during the period of the kings; before, during, or after the Babylonian captivity: - *prophets role: telling people about what God wants them to do *words of judgement, warnings, comfort, assurance The Pre-Exilic Prophets (before exile) *Isaiah, Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Micah, Nahum and Zephaniah prophesied before the Babylonian captivity and warned Israel of what was to come. The Exilic Prophets = Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel prophesied during the Babylonian captivity and gave direction for and explanation of the captivity, and Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations in response to the siege of Jerusalem. The Post Exilic Prophets = Malachi, Haggai and Zechariah prophesied after the Babylonian captivity and reminded the returned captives of the need for continued faithfulness to the Lord. The events of Ezra and Nehemiah occurred immediately at the end of the Babylonian captivity, and the events of Esther occurred around 50 years after Judah’s return from the Babylonian captivity. the 39 books of the Old Testament and these can be divided in four categories: The Books of the Law (a.k.a. Pentateuch or Torah): Genesis, Exodus, & gt; contains the Creation story to the end of the time when the Leviticus, Jewish people were in the wilderness after God rescued them Numbers, through Moses from their slavery in Egypt Deuteronomy - The Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First Samuel, Second Samuel, > tells the history of the nation of Israel that First Kings, Second Kings, describe the events from the conquest of the First Chronicles, Second Chronicles Promised Land to Israel’s restoration after Ezra the Babylonian captivity Nehemiah, Esther - The Poetical Books (a.k.a. The Books of Everyday Wisdom or The Writings): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, * Song of Solomon *. The Prophetic Books: Major Prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. Minor Prophets - Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. 1. Read and examine the story of God’s Covenant with the Great Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Israel: Abraham and Sara – Genesis 15: 1-21 Hagar & Ishmael – Genesis 16:1-16; 25:1-18 The Birth of Isaac – Genesis 21: 1-20; 22: 1-19 The Birth of Jacob and Esau – Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-46 Jacob wrestles with God – Genesis 32:22-32 2. Answer the following questions in reading the above mentioned narratives or stories of the great Patriarchs and Matriarchs of God’s covenant People. 2.1 - Identify the main characters of the story 2.2 –describe what God say and do in the story 2.3 Describe how the main characters responded 2.4 What is the message of the story which challenge your spirituality 2.5 What lesson your learned from the story 2.6 Identify the core values you discerned from the story. 3. Based on Genesis 12:1-3, Identify God’s promise/s to Abraham and Sara that were fulfilled in the lives of the following generations of God’s people Israel. 4. Situate your individual self and family in God’s sovereign will of his salvation to families and the whole of humankind. 5. Name and categorize the Books of the Old Testament Canon.