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A Guide to Using the Stories in the OBS

The Reason for the Stories

The stories in the OBS tell about things that happened in the Bible. However, the stories are shorter than the Bible accounts, and the language is often easier to understand. The stories can help people learn about who God is and about what he has done. Also, each paragraph of a story has an image that can help people understand what happened in Bible times when clothing, houses, and culture were very different than they are today.

The Parts of the Stories

The Stories in the OBS can be used by individuals or groups of people who want to learn about God. The OBS includes several things to help people use the stories:

  • The text of the stories
  • The images in the stories
  • The study notes in the stories
  • The questions for the stories

How to Use the Stories

We suggest you use the stories in the following way:

  1. Choose a story to read. The stories will be easier to understand if you read the stories in order, beginning with the first story.
  2. Read the story. In a group, one person may read the story aloud, or the people may take turns reading portions.
  3. Look at the images. Use the images to help you understand what happened in the time of the story. Try to identify the people in the images.
  4. Refer to the Notes. Read the study notes whenever there is a word or something else that you do not understand in the story.
  5. Discuss the Questions. Read each question and think about the answer. The first set of questions help you see what the story says. The next set of questions help you think about what the story means to you. If you are in a group, allow different people to offer answers to the questions. Look at the answer to each question and see how it is the same as your answer, or different from it.
  6. Read the Summary. Read the story summary at the end of the questions. Think about what you have learned about God in the story. If you are in a group, ask the group what they have learned from the story.
31:1-8toi2meaning

What did God do in order to create everything except the first people?

God only spoke, and the universe and everything in it appeared. In that way, he showed his great power.

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In what way are people like God and made in his image? How are they different than God?

God made people to be like God, but not the same as God. That is, people have some of the characteristics of God that the animals do not have. However, people are not equal to God. They are in Gods image because they are like God in some ways (See: 1:9).

51:9-10nqcumeaning

In what way did God decide to make people to be different than the animals?

God decided to make people in Gods image and to be like him. He also decided to give them power over all of the earth and over the animals (See: 1:9).

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Why do you think God made the man and the woman in a different way than he made the universe and the other things in the earth?

God creates people in a more personal way than he created everything else. He formed the man from dust and breathed life into him. Then God formed the woman from one of the mans ribs. In this way, he showed that people were very important to him, and that they have a special purpose in creation (See: 1:10, 1:13).

71:11o115meaning

What two special trees did God plant in the garden?

God planted many trees in the garden, but he also planted two special trees. He planted the tree of life in the garden and told Adam that he could eat its fruit. He also planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil there and told Adam he would die if he ate fruit from that tree (See: 1:11).

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Why do you think God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden when he did not want Adam to eat its fruit?

God wanted Adam to be able to choose whether or not to obey God. Therefore, God planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden where Adam was. However, he warned Adam clearly that he would die if he ate fruit from that tree. And God allowed Adam to eat fruit from every other tree, so there was no reason for Adam to disobey God (See: 1:11).

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What did God do so that the man would not be alone?

God wanted Adam to have a helper who would be like Adam. But none of the animals were like Adam, so they could not be his helper. Therefore, God took one of Adams ribs and made the woman from it to be a helper for Adam (See: 1:12, 1:13).

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Why do you think God made the woman from the man rather than from the soil?

God wanted the man and the woman to become one. Therefore, he did not make the woman separately from Adam. Instead, God took part of Adam and made her from that. When Adam saw her, he understood that she was very much like Adam, and that God had made her especially for him (See: 1:13).

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How do you think a man becomes one with his wife?

God wants a man and his wife to have a special bond that is closer than their connection to any other person. It is even closer than the bond with their parents. As they grow to know each other more, they begin to think in similar ways and value the same things. People who have been married a long time often seem to know what each other is thinking without even speaking (See: 1:14).

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What all did God create?

God made the universe and everything in it. He made light. He made the sun, moon, and stars. He made the earth with its sea and dry land. He made all the plants, birds, and animals. And he made the first man and woman, and a made a garden where they could live.

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Why did God decide that everything he had made was very good?

God created everything so that everything would work together to accomplish what he wanted to happen (See: 1:15).

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What did God do after he finished making everything?

After God finished making everything in six days, he rested on the seventh day. God was not tired, but he had finished his work of making everything. He blessed the seventh day and made it a special day (See: 1:16).

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What did God want people to do on the seventh day?

God made the seventh day a special day. On that day, he wanted people to stop doing their normal work. Instead, they should remember that God created them and everything around them. Because they would not work on the seventh day, they would have more time to honor God and think about him than they did on the other days of the week (See: 1:16).

161:1-16kn32summary

God created everything that exists. He simply spoke, and the entire universe appeared out of nothing. However, God formed the first man and woman in a more personal way. He breathed life into the man, and then formed the woman from the man. God wanted people to be like him in ways that animals are not. God finished his work in six days, and set the seventh day apart as a time for people to remember how he had made everything.

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What did Adam and Eve need that they did not have in the garden?

Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the garden. There was no sin or shame, and they were able to walk with God and speak directly to him (See: 2:1).

182:2-4sc9qmeaning

How did the snake convince the woman to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?

The snake first questioned what God said (See: 2:2). He next called God a liar (See: 2:4). Finally, he told the woman that she could be like God (See: 2:4).

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Why did the woman eat the fruit?

Eve thought the fruit looked good, and she wanted to be wise like God. Therefore, she decided to disobey God and to eat the fruit.

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What did Adam and Eve do after they ate the fruit?

They were both ashamed, and tried to cover themselves with leaves. Then they tried to hide from God (See: 2:6, 2:7).

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What answer did Adam give when God asked if he had eaten the fruit?

Adam did not admit that he had sinned. Instead, he blamed his wife.

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What answer did Eve give when God asked her what she had done?

Eve did not admit that she had sinned. Instead, she blamed the snake.

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What would the snake do to Eves descendant, and what would he do to the snake?

Eves descendant would kill the snake by crushing its head. The snake would wound Eves descendant by biting him on the heel of his foot.

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What did God use to cover Adam and Eve?

God covered them with animal skins. Most scholars think this was the first animal sacrifice. God killed the animals and took their skins to cover Adam and Eve.

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What did God want to say when he said that Adams body would return to the soil?

God made Adam from the soil (See: 1:10). When he died, he would become soil once again.

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Why did God send Adam and Eve out of the garden?

God did not want them to eat from the tree of life in the garden and live forever as sinners.

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Why do you think Eve forgot about all the things God had given her, and only focused on the one fruit that God told her not to eat?

People often do not like someone telling them not to do something. They want to do whatever they want to do. Eve did not care that it was God who told her not to eat the fruit, or that God told her not to eat it in order to protect her.

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Why do you think Adam and Eve tried to cover their shame and hid from God?

When they disobeyed God by eating the fruit, they became sinners. They were so ashamed that they did not want God to see them.

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How did Adam and Eve answer God when he asked them what they had done?

Adam and Eve both blamed someone else for what they had done. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the snake. Neither of them was willing to tell God the truth about what they did.

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How did the curses match the way that Adam, Eve, and the snake disobeyed God?

Adam ate the fruit, so God made it difficult for him to grow food. Eve caused Adam to sin, so God gave Adam power over Eve. The snake spoke as if he were wiser than God, so God made him crawl on his belly.

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Why was it bad for Adam and Eve to know good and evil?

Their knowledge of good and evil was knowledge gained by personal experience. That experience of making an evil choice caused them to be separated from God. Their fellowship with him was broken (See: 2:12).

322:1-12riavsummary

God provided everything Adam and Eve needed in the garden. The fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was the only thing they could not have. The snake convinced Eve that God did not want them to be wise, and that was why God told them not to eat the fruit. So Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned by eating the fruit. They immediately were ashamed and hid from God. God cursed Adam, Eve, and the snake because of what they had done. Then God drove them out of the garden so they would not eat the fruit of the tree of life and live forever as sinners. But God also promised him that a descendant of the woman would later come and kill the snake.

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What did God decide to do about the wicked and violent people on the earth?

He decided to destroy them with a huge flood (See: 3:1).

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Why did God decide to destroy the world?

God created people to be with him. But God is good and cannot accept things that are evil. Because almost all the people became wicked and disobeyed him, he decided to destroy all those evil people (See: 3:1).

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Why did God save Noah and his family?

God did not want to destroy all that he had made. Therefore, he chose to save Noah and his family because Noah was a righteous person who honored God. God would allow Noahs descendants to fill the earth after the wicked people died.

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How was Noah different than the other people?

Noah was a righteous man even though he lived among wicked people (See: 3:2).

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What was the purpose of the boat that God told Noah to build?

The boat would keep Noah and his family safe during the flood (See: 3:3).

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Why was no one else besides Noahs family ready when the flood came?

The boat was very large, and it took Noah and his sons a very long time to build it. Many other people would have seen Noah building the boat and would have asked him about it. But none of them believed God would destroy them, so none of them were ready when the flood came (See: 3:4).

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How many people entered into the boat?

Eight people entered into the boat—Noah and his wife, and his three sons and their wives. No one else believed the flood would happen (See: 3:4, 3:5).

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Why did the animals come to the boat?

God sent some of each kind of the animals to the boat (See: 3:6).

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Why did other people not come into the boat when the rain began?

God himself closed the door of the boat before the rain began. After God did that, it was too late for people to enter into the boat and be saved from the flood (See: 3:6).

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How long did the rain last?

The rain continued for 40 days and 40 nights (See: 3:7).

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What happened to all the people and animals during the flood?

Noahs family and the animals that were inside the boat were safe. Every person and animal that was outside the boat died (See: 3:8).

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How long did the flood continue on the earth?

The boat floated on the water for five months, it took three more months for the mountains to be visible (See: 3:9). It was several more months before the land was dry enough for Noah and his family to come out of the boat (3:10 to 3:13).

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What was the first thing Noah that did when he came out of the boat?

Noah built and altar and sacrificed some of the animals to God (See: 3:14).

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Why did Noah build an altar and offer a sacrifice to God?

Noah was a righteous man who honored God both before and after the flood. He knew that God had saved him and his family. Therefore, the first thing he did when he left the boat was to honor God with a sacrifice (See: 3:14).

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What promise did God make to Noah after the flood?

God promised that he would not destroy the earth with a flood again. He put a rainbow in the sky as a sign of this promise (See: 3:15, 3:16).

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Why is the rainbow important?

The rainbow that appears after a rain reminds God and people of Gods promise. He said he will never destroy the earth again with a flood.

493:1-16yzj7summary

The story of the flood shows that God must punish people who sin against him. But he also wants to save people who honor him. Noah lived in a time when almost everyone was wicked. In spite of that, Noah honored God, and taught his family to honor him as well. Therefore, God made a way for Noah and his family to escape Gods punishment. Noah obeyed God. He built the boat and took his family into it. God then closed the door and protected them from the flood. After the flood, God told them to fill the earth again. Noah continued to honor God, and God promised never to destroy the earth with a flood again.

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Why was is wrong for the people to gather together in one city?

God had commanded Noah and his descendants to fill the earth again after the flood (See: 3:13).

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Why did the people want to live in one city?

The descendants of Noah became proud and wanted other people to honor and remember them. Therefore, they decided they did not want to obey God. Instead, they settled in one place where they could honor each other (See: 4:1, 4:2).

524:2kip7meaning

What was the purpose of the tower the people built in the city?

They built the tower to be tall enough to reach heaven (See: 4:2). Some scholars think they wanted to be able to go up to heaven. Other scholars think they wanted the gods to be able to come down from heaven.

534:2-3g19cmeaning

Why did God change their language?

God changed their one language into many languages so they could not understand each other (See: 4:3). As a result, they could not work together to continue building the tower or living together well. So they spread out over the earth in different language groups.

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Why do people today speak different languages?

People today speak different languages because God gave them different languages at Babel (See: 4:3). He wanted each language group to spread out across the earth and learn to honor him.

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Why did God send Abram to Canaan?

Abram already honored God where he lived. But, God told him to go to Canaan, the land that God would give to him. God wanted Abrams descendants to have a land where they could honor God. In this way, all the families of the earth could learn through them how to honor God.

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Who did God say he would bless through Abram?

God would bless all the people groups on earth through Abram and his descendants (See: 4:4).

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What land did God give to Abram?

God gave the land of Canaan to Abram and his descendants (See: 4:5, 4:6). He said they would always possess it. This is the land of Israel today.

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Why did Abram give his tenth to Melchizedek instead of directly to God?

Melchizedek was the first priest of God. Before that, Noah and other righteous people offered their sacrifices directly to God. But now God was providing a priest to help people honor God and to speak to them for him.

594:7nvwemeaning

Why did Abram give a tenth of his possessions to Melchizedek?

Melchizedek was a priest of God (See: 4:7). That is, he spoke for God and helped people worship God. Abram gave a tenth of his possessions to Melchizedek as an offering to God. In this way, Abram honored God.

604:8-9ortwapplication

Why was Gods promise to Abram so surprising?

God promised that Abram would have more descendants then the stars in the sky. No one is able to count all the stars! But Abram and Sarai did not yet have a son. It would not have seemed possible that they could have so many descendants.

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Why might it have been difficult for Abram to believe that he would have many descendants?

Abram and Sarai did not yet have a son (See: 4:8). Without a son, he could not have many descendants.

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Why did God declare that Abram was righteous?

God said Abram was righteous because Abram believed God (See: 4:8). Abram believed he would have many descendants even though he did not yet have a son.

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Noah was a righteous man. Why did his descendants begin to sin?

God destroyed all the wicked people in the flood (See: 3:8). So only the family of Noah survived to fill the earth. Although Noah obeyed God, he was not perfect. He received wicked desires from his ancestors, Adam and Eve. And he passed these on to his descendants.

644:1-9f7fysummary

Many descendants were soon born to Noah. But, even though Noah was a righteous man, his descendants did not obey God. They refused to fill the earth. Instead, they built a city and a tower to honor themselves. Therefore, God confused their language so they would separate into groups. Later, God chose Abram and promised to bless every language group through his descendants. Abram believed God would do this, even though he did not have a son. Therefore, God was pleased with Abram and declared him righteous.

655:1l0vameaning

Why did Sarai tell Abram to have a child with Hagar?

Sarai was now too old to have children (See: 5:1). The custom of that time allowed a woman to have a child through their servant.

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Should Sarai have told Abram to have a son with her servant Hagar?

The custom of the day allowed Sarai to have a son through her servant. But perhaps Sarai did this because she did not believe God could give Abram a son in their old age.

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What was the name of the son born to Abram through Hagar?

Abram named the son that Hagar bore him Ishmael (See: 5:2).

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What did God tell Abram to do to show his covenant with God?

As a sign of the covenant God made with Abram, God told Abram to circumcise every male in his family (See: 5:3).

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Who would be the son of promise?

Sarai would bear a son for Abram. His name would be Isaac. He would be the son of promise (See: 5:4).

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What were the meanings of the new names that God gave to Abram and Sarai?

Abraham means father of many and Sarah means princess (See: 5:4).

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Why was Isaac called the son of promise?

Isaac was the son of promise because God would fulfil his promise to bless all nations through him. Even though Ishmael was also Abrams son, God had chosen to bless Abrahams descendants through Isaac instead of through Ishmael (See: 5:4).

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Why did God give new names to Abram and Sarai?

In the Old Testament, people were often named according what kind of people they were, or what they would do. God gave Abram and Sarai new names to show that they would have many descendants and would be honored by them.

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How old were Abraham and Sarah when Isaac was born?

Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old (See: 5:5).

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What did God tell Abraham to do to his son Isaac?

God told Abraham to kill Isaac as a sacrifice to God (See: 5:6).

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Why did God test Abraham by asking him to kill Isaac?

God tested Abraham to show that Abraham would obey God no matter what God asked him to do. He would even sacrifice Isaac, his son of promise.

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Where did Abraham tell Isaac that they would get the lamb for the sacrifice?

Abraham told Isaac that God would provide the lamb for the sacrifice (See: 5:7).

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Did God want Abraham to actually kill Isaac as a sacrifice?

No, God told Abraham not to kill Isaac. God was only testing Abraham to see if he would obey God. God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead of Isaac (See: 5:8, 5:9).

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Was Abraham willing to kill Isaac as God asked?

Yes, Abraham was willing to obey everything God told him to do. He was ready to kill Isaac when God told him to stop (See: 5:8).

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Why did God say that Isaac was Abrahams only son?

Ishmael was also the son of Abraham. But Isaac was the son of promise that God had chosen to bless. Isaac was the only son through whom God would keep his covenant.

805:9levlapplication

Why did God provide a ram for the sacrifice?

Abraham told Isaac that God would provide a lamb for the sacrifice. But at that time, God provided a ram instead (See: 5:9). Abraham was speaking about a sacrifice in the future when God would provide a perfect lamb.

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Why did God say that he would bless Abraham?

God said he would bless Abraham because Abraham was willing to give God everything, even his only son (5:10).

825:1-10nkvvsummary

When Abram and Sarai were old, they still did not have a son as God had promised. Therefore, Sarai told Abram to have a son through her servant. Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram, but God had not chosen to keep his covenant with Abram through Ishmael. Instead, God allowed Sarai to give birth to Isaac in their old age. He was the son of promise. God tested Abraham to see if he would obey God and kill Isaac. When Abraham showed he was ready to do that, God stopped him and provided a ram for the sacrifice. God promised to bless the world through Abrahams family because Abraham obeyed him.

836:1b226meaning

What did Abraham send his servant to do?

Abraham sent him to get a wife for his son Isaac from among Abrahams relatives (See: 6:1).

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Why did Abraham send his servant so far away to find a wife for Isaac?

Abraham wanted Isaac to marry a woman who obeyed God. He did not want him to marry a woman from the tribes in Canaan who worshiped idols.

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How did Abrahams servant choose Rebekah as a wife for Isaac?

God led him to Rebekah (See: 6:2).

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Why did Rebekah agree to leave her family and marry Isaac, whom she did not know?

Perhaps Rebekah believed that God had led Abrahams servant to her. She trusted God to provide the right husband for her.

876:4ibm1meaning

Why did it seem as if Abraham would not have many descendants?

Isaacs wife, Rebekah, could not have children (See: 6:4).

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Why could Rebekah not have children?

We do not know why Rebekah could not have children. She had obeyed God to leave her family and marry Isaac. Perhaps God wanted Isaac to pray for Rebekah, so that they would understand that God enabled her to become pregnant.

896:5i9rkmeaning

What did Isaac do when Rebekah could not have children?

Isaac prayed to God, and God allowed her to get pregnant (See: 6:5).

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What did God tell Rebekah would happen to her two sons?

God told her that her sons would become two nations who would struggle with each other. The nation from the older son would obey the nation from the younger son (See: 6:6).

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Why were the babies struggling with each other while they were still in Rebekahs womb?

While the babies were in Rebekahs womb, God had already caused them to be the kind of people that he wanted them to be. They would continue to struggle with each other throughout their lives. Also, God had already decided that they would be large nations, and that the nation from the older brother would obey the nation from the younger brother. God decided this before they were born.

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Who was Rebekahs older son?

Rebekahs older son was Esau.

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Who was Rebekahs younger son?

Rebekahs younger son was Jacob.

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Why was Jacob holding on to Esaus heel?

Later on, Jacob would take Esaus place by receiving the honor and possessions that should belong to the firstborn son. Perhaps Jacob was holding on to Esaus heel as a sign that he was already trying to hold Esau back and to take his place.

956:1-7y8i0summary

Abraham wanted to make sure that his son Isaac married a woman who believed in God, and not a woman who served idols. Therefore, he sent his servant far away to the land of his relatives to find the right wife for Isaac. God directed Abrahams servant to Rebekah, who trusted God. After Isaac married Rebekah, they could not have children. But God answered Isaacs prayer and she became pregnant with twin boys. Even while they were in her womb, God told Rebekah that they would become two nations, and that the nation from the older son would obey the nation from the younger son. In this way, God chose to keep his covenant with Abraham through Isaacs younger son, Jacob.

967:1jg53meaning

How did Isaac and Rebekah treat their sons differently?

Isaac loved Esau more than he loved Jacob. Rebekah loved Jacob more than she loved Esau (See: 7:1).

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Why did Rebekah love Jacob more than she loved Esau?

Jacob stayed around the home where Rebekah lived. Furthermore, God had told Rebekah that her older son would serve the younger.

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Why did Isaac love Esau more than he loved Jacob?

Esau loved to hunt. Perhaps Isaac also loved to hunt, and to eat the wild animals that they killed. This may be the reason he loved Esau more than he loved Jacob.

997:2cgu7meaning

What did Esau give to Jacob in exchange for some food?

Esau was the firstborn. As the firstborn, he deserved to receive more of his fathers possessions then Jacob, and to be honored more than Jacob. However, Esau traded all those things to Jacob in exchange for some food (See: 7:2).

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Why was Esau willing to trade what was his as the firstborn for some food?

Esau did not care about the promises God made to Abraham. He was only interested in his food for that day. Later, he wanted to receive his fathers inheritance. But he was not interested in receiving anything from God.

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What problems happened because Isaac and Rebekah each loved a different son?

Jacob and Esau would have known that their parents did not love them equally. Perhaps this is why Jacob and Esau continually struggled with each other. They both tried to get what the other brother had.

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Why did Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac by having Jacob pretend to be Esau?

Rebekah and Jacob wanted Isaac to bless Jacob instead of blessing Esau (See: 7:3, 7:4).

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Jacob deceived Isaac to get his blessing. What does this tell us about Jacob?

It was good that Jacob wanted to have his fathers blessing. But he was wrong to deceive his father in order to receive it. Because he did that, he had to flee from his brother and spend twenty years in another country.

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Was Jacob a good person?

Jacob sometimes obeyed God, and he wanted Gods blessing. At the same time, Jacob had many faults. He often tried to trick people to get what he wanted. Nevertheless, God blessed Jacob because he had promised to Abraham that he would bless his descendants.

1057:4gfpxmeaning

Why did Jacob put goatskins on his neck and hands?

Jacob wanted his hands and neck to be hairy like his brother Esaus hands and neck. In that way, Isaac would feel the goat hair and think he was Esau (See: 7:3, 7:4).

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What did Esau plan to do to Jacob after Jacob stole his blessing?

Esau planned to wait until Isaac died, and then to kill Jacob (See: 7:5).

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What did Rebekah do to prevent Esau from killing Jacob?

Rebekah and Isaac sent Jacob far away to her relatives so Esau would not kill him (See: 7:6).

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How long did Jacob stay away from home?

Jacob stayed with Rebekahs relatives for twenty years. Then he returned home with the family God had given him while he was away (See: 7:8).

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How did Jacob try to convince Esau not to kill him?

He sent many herds of animals to Esau as a gift so that Esau would not still want to kill him (See: 7:9).

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Did Esau still want to kill Jacob?

Esau was no longer angry with Jacob, and did not want to kill him. Esau and Jacob both lived in Canaan, and even buried their father together (See: 7:10).

1117:1-10vy9msummary

God chose to bless Jacob even before he was born, and he was faithful to do that. However, Jacob did not always act in a way that was right. He often deceived other people in order to get what he wanted. Nevertheless, God knew that Jacob wanted to worship God. Also, God promised Abraham that he would bless his descendants. Therefore, God blessed Jacob even when he fled from his brother. He brought Jacob back to Canaan again, and blessed his family. Jacob was not always right, but he believed God.

1128:1-2zs7umeaning

How did Jacob feel about his son Joseph?

Jacob loved Joseph more than he loved his other 11 sons (See: 8:1).

1138:2frn0meaning

Why did Josephs brothers hate him?

They hated Joseph because Jacob loved Joseph more than he loved his other sons, and because Joseph dreamed he would rule over his brothers (See: 8:2).

1148:2rdismeaning

What did Josephs brothers do to get rid of Joseph?

Josephs brothers sold him as a slave (See: 8:2). Then they deceived their father into thinking that an animal had killed Joseph (See: 8:3).

1158:2kjf0application

What mistake did Jacob make in the way he treated his sons?

Jacob loved one of his sons more than he loved his other sons. This was the same mistake that his father Isaac made. As a result, Jacobs sons hated Joseph and sold him as a slave.

1168:4-5tqpvapplication

Why was God with Joseph even as a slave and as a prisoner?

Joseph was always faithful to God, even when he suffered for doing the right thing. Therefore, God blessed Joseph and eventually restored him to his family.

1178:5mv1jmeaning

Why did the Egyptians put Joseph in prison?

The wife of Josephs Egyptian master lied and said Joseph tried to sleep with her. Her husband believed her and sent Joseph to prison (See: 8:5).

1188:5lv8lmeaning

What did God do for Joseph while he was in prison?

Joseph remained faithful to God, so God blessed him even in the prison (See: 8:5).

1198:6-8ea6pmeaning

How did Joseph get out of prison?

Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret (See: 8:6). When Joseph told him the meaning of the dream, Pharaoh made Joseph the second most powerful person in Egypt (See: 8:7, 8:8).

1208:6-8qlcmapplication

How did God make it possible for Joseph to go from prison to the palace in Egypt?

God caused Pharaoh to have a dream that no one could interpret. He then revealed the meaning of the dream to Joseph. In that way, God provided a way for Joseph to be released from prison and to begin to rule over Egypt.

1218:10-11dyo2meaning

Why did Josephs brothers come to Egypt?

There was a great famine and there was no food for them in Canaan (See: 8:10). They came to Egypt to buy food (See: 8:11).

1228:12ej2vmeaning

How did Joseph treat his brothers when they came to him in Egypt?

Joseph first tested them to see if they had changed. Then he told them who he was and promised to take care of them all in Egypt (See: 8:12).

1238:12xjl5application

Why did Joseph not punish his brothers?

Josephs brothers sold him as a slave. He could have been very angry with them. But Joseph saw that God was the one who sent Joseph to Egypt through his brothers evil actions. God did this to save Josephs entire family. Therefore, Joseph forgave his brothers and took care of them.

1248:13-14mvofapplication

Why did Jacob move his family to Egypt?

God caused the famine so that Jacob would have to move his family to Egypt. God wanted them to grow into a large nation there.

1258:15iq3jmeaning

Who became the 12 tribes of Israel?

God changed Jacobs name to Israel. The descendants of each of his 12 sons then became the tribes of Israel (See: 8:15).

1268:1-15mrersummary

God sometimes allows bad things to happen and people to do evil things. But God is always in control. He is doing the things that will fulfil his plan. He allowed Josephs brothers to sell him as a slave so that Joseph would be in Egypt. He even allowed Joseph to be in prison. But he blessed Joseph even there. Next, God cause Pharaoh to have a dream for Joseph to interpret. This made Joseph the second most powerful man in Egypt. Finally, God sent a famine throughout the land so that Jacob and his family would have to come to Egypt for food. But God had already placed Joseph in Egypt to care for them during the famine. God was always working in Josephs live, and Joseph was always faithful to him.

1279:1in4gapplication

God led the Israelites to Egypt. Why did they suffer there?

God sent the Israelites to Egypt to protect them during the famine (See: 8:12). However, the Egyptians later began to treat them badly and made them slaves. They suffered even though they had obeyed God. But God blessed them even while they suffered in Egypt.

1289:2dovpmeaning

Why did the Egyptians make the Israelites slaves?

They were afraid of the Israelites because there were so many of them (See: 9:2).

1299:3lrudmeaning

What did God do for the Israelites while they were slaves in Egypt?

God blessed them so they had even more children (See: 9:3).

1309:4cf9kmeaning

How did Pharaoh try to stop the Israelites from having larger families?

Pharaoh ordered his people to kill all the Israelite baby boys (See: 9:4).

1319:5-6fr1happlication

Why did Moses mother defy Pharaohs order to kill all the Israelite baby boys?

She knew that it was wrong to kill her son. Therefore, she did not obey Pharaoh. She hid Moses as long as she could, and then placed him a basket in the river so that someone might rescue him. By doing so, She made it possible for Moses to later rescue Israel from Egypt.

1329:6exo3meaning

Why did the Israelite woman put her baby boy in a basket in the river?

She did not want him to be killed. Perhaps she hoped someone would find him floating in the basket and rescue him (See: 9:6).

1339:7uw1zmeaning

Who did Pharaohs daughter hire to nurse the baby boy?

Pharaohs daughter hired the babys own mother to nurse him, although she did not know that she was his mother (See: 9:7).

1349:7ssiiapplication

How was Moses mother able to care for Moses?

God caused Pharaohs daughter to find Moses and want to keep him as her son. Then God caused her to hire Moses own mother to nurse him. In this way, God blessed Moses mother for refusing to obey Pharaoh and for doing what was right.

1359:8-9p276meaning

Why did Moses kill the Egyptian?

He was trying to save the Israelite whom the Egyptian was beating (See: 9:8, 9:9).

1369:8-10ofkwapplication

What happened to Moses when he tried to rescue his fellow Israelite?

Moses killed the Egyptian in order to save an Israelite. But then he had to flee from Egypt so Pharaoh would not kill him. It was not yet time for Moses to help the Israelites. And God did not want Moses to save them by his own power. Instead, God sent Moses into the wilderness until God was ready to send him to deliver the Israelites.

1379:12nibvmeaning

How did God appear to Moses?

God appeared to Moses in a bush that was on fire, but which did not burn up (See: 9:12).

1389:13rxrgmeaning

Why did God send Moses to the Israelites?

God told Moses to bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and to lead them to the land of Canaan (See: 9:13).

1399:14p40papplication

What did God tell Moses his name was?

God said he was Yahweh, which means I AM WHO I AM. That means God always exists and does not depend on anyone else. He also said he was the God of your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That means he is the same God that they worshiped hundreds of years before Moses. And he is the same God who made a lasting covenant with them.

1409:14mw5qmeaning

What did God say that his name was?

God told Moses that his name was I AM WHO I AM or I AM (See: 9:14).

1419:15tgvaapplication

How did Moses respond when God told him to go to Pharaoh?

Moses was afraid and did not want to go. Even though he was raised as part of the royal family of Egypt, he was not sure he could do what God told him to do. But God was kind to him and sent Aaron to help him.

1429:15p7ukmeaning

Why did God send Aaron to help Moses?

Moses said he did not speak well, so God sent his brother Aaron to help him (See: 9:15).

1439:1-15l3iusummary

Even while the Israelites suffered as slaves in Egypt, God was blessing them. He was also preparing Moses to rescue them, even while Moses was only a baby. He guided what happened to Moses so that he could meet Moses in the wilderness and send him to rescue the Israelites. He told Moses that he was Yahweh, their God and the God who had promised their ancestors that he would continue to bless them and give them the land of Canaan.

14410:1aq82meaning

How did Pharaoh respond when Moses told him that God wanted him to let the Israelites go?

Pharaoh not only refused to let the Israelites go, he also made work harder than before (See: 10:1).

14510:1l1zrapplication

Did God know that Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go when Moses asked him?

God already knew that Pharaoh would be stubborn and would not agree to let the Israelites go at first. However, he expected Moses and Aaron to tell Pharaoh what God had said and to wait for God to change Pharaohs mind.

14610:2zuoumeaning

What did God do to Egypt when Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go?

God sent ten terrible plagues that caused the people of Egypt to suffer greatly and to even die (See: 10:2).

14710:2b79qapplication

Why did God send the ten plagues on Egypt?

God wanted to show Pharaoh and all the people in Egypt that Yahweh is more powerful than Pharaoh and all the gods of Egypt. Even the other nations would hear about how God had forced Pharaoh to obey him and let the people go.

14810:2bqosapplication

Why did God send ten plagues instead of sending only the last plague?

God knew that the first nine plagues would not convince Pharaoh to obey him. However, those plagues showed all the people how powerful God was. When God had done that, he was ready to send the final plague to force Pharaoh to let the people go.

14910:4nxkgmeaning

How did Pharaoh respond to Moses when the frogs covered Egypt?

Pharaoh begged Moses to take away the frogs. However, he still did not let the Israelites go (See: 10:4).

15010:5zkunmeaning

How did Pharaoh act deceitfully about the plague of the flies?

Pharaoh promised Moses that the Israelites could leave Egypt if Moses stopped the plague. But when Moses did that, Pharaoh changed his mind and did not let them go (See: 10:5).

15110:7bl0xmeaning

How did God treat the Egyptians differently than the Israelites during the plague of the skin sores?

God caused the sores on the Egyptians, but not on the Israelites (See: 10:7).

15210:8-9hhf8meaning

How did Pharaoh again act deceitfully about the plague of the hail?

Pharaoh again promised Moses that the Israelites could leave Egypt if Moses stopped the plague of the hail (See: 10:8). But after the hail stopped, Pharaoh again changed his mind and would not let them go (See: 10:9).

15310:2-11ok3fapplication

What kinds of things did God cause to be plagues on the Egyptians?

God used the normal things of Egypt to punish them. He turned the Nile River, animals, insects, and even the sun into plagues that caused them to suffer. The Egyptians used to worship all of these things as gods before the plagues happened.

15410:11ye2qmeaning

How did God again treat the Egyptians differently than the Israelites during the plague of the darkness?

God caused the darkness on the Egyptians, but there was light where the Israelites lived (See: 10:11).

15510:7-11b05bapplication

Why did God cause some of the plagues to happen only to the Egyptians, and not to the Israelites?

Through the plagues, God was showing the Egyptians and the Israelites that the Israelites belonged to him as his people. He protected the Israelites from many of the plagues so everyone would know that he was their God.

15610:12etm2meaning

What did God decide to do to the Egyptians since Pharaoh refused to obey God after the first nine plagues?

God decided to send a final plague that would be worse than the other nine plagues. This one would cause Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt (See: 10:12).

15710:1-12t0cysummary

God knew that Pharaoh would be stubborn and would not easily let the Israelites leave Egypt. But God wanted to show that he was more powerful than Pharaoh or the gods of Egypt. Therefore, God sent nine plagues that punished the Egyptians for not obeying God. Each plague was more severe and caused the Egyptians to suffer more. During the plagues, God also protected the Israelites to show them that he was their God and that they were his people. Pharaoh continually refused to let the people go even as the Egyptians suffered from the plagues. However, God planned to send a final plague to force Pharaoh to obey him.

15811:1dbakmeaning

Who was God going to kill in this final plague?

He would kill the firstborn males of the Egyptian people and animals (See: 11:1).

15911:1k5ovmeaning

God had already sent nine plagues on Egypt. Did Pharaoh now believe that God would send another plague?

No, Pharaoh did not believe God would kill the firstborn males even though God had already sent nine plagues (See: 11:1).

16011:1k4rvapplication

Why did Pharaoh not believe that God would kill the firstborn males in Egypt?

Pharaoh had every reason to believe that God would do what he said. God had already sent nine plagues, just as he said he would. However, Pharaoh did not want to lose his power, so he choose not to believe God or to obey him, despite all the evidence that God has shown to him.

16111:2-3uqakmeaning

What did people in Egypt need to do to save their firstborn sons?

To save their firstborn sons, they needed to kill a perfect lamb and put its blood around the door of their houses. Then they must roast the meat of the lamb and eat it with unleavened bread (See: 11:2, 11:3).

16211:2-3xn81application

Why did each family need to kill a lamb in order to be saved from the plague?

God could have simply spared all of the Israelites. Instead, he required that they kill a perfect lamb. God wanted each person to decide to obey him.

16311:3wgkkapplication

Why did God tell the Israelites to put the blood of the lamb around the door of their houses?

When they put the blood of the lamb around their door, they showed God and other people that they believed God would save them from the plague. They trusted that the blood of the lamb would be enough to protect them from being killed.

16411:3z5llapplication

Why were the people to eat unleavened bread?

God wanted the people to believe that he would take them out of Egypt immediately after the plague. They were to hurry to get ready to leave Egypt quickly. They would not have time to wait for bread to rise. Instead, they would prepare it without leaven, so they could eat soon. Unleavened bread was therefore a symbol that they were eating quickly.

16511:5on82meaning

What happened to the Israelites with the lambs blood around their doors?

God passed over the houses with the blood on the doors and did not kill the firstborn sons inside (See: 11:5).

16611:6i1u5meaning

What happened to the Egyptians who did not put the blood on their doors?

God killed the firstborn son of every Egyptian who did not put the blood on their doors. It did not matter if they were poor or rich. Every one of them died (11:6, 11:7).

16711:8v53pmeaning

What did Pharaoh do after this plague?

Pharaoh told Moses and Aaron to take the Israelites and to leave Egypt immediately. All the Egyptian people also asked them to go away (See: 11:8).

16811:8oxbnapplication

Did God really kill the firstborn sons? Even the children?

God did exactly what he promised to do. He killed the firstborn son of any Egyptian family that did not kill the lamb and put its blood on the door. He did not spare the people who refused to believe and obey him.

16911:8wc9japplication

How did Pharaoh respond to this final plague?

Pharaoh was forced to finally obey God. God knew how to cause Pharaoh to let the people go. He also knew how to show Pharaoh that he was more powerful than Pharaoh and all the gods of Egypt. When the firstborn sons of Egypt died, Pharaoh let the people go exactly as God had told Moses he would do.

17011:1-8jiocsummary

God told Moses that he would do one final plague that would force Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. He also told him to have the Israelites kill a perfect lamb and put its blood around the door of their houses. The Israelites did exactly as God told them to do. The blood showed that they had believed and obeyed God. When God saw the blood, he spared the firstborn son of that household. The Egyptians, however, did not believe or obey God. They did not have the blood of the lamb on their doors to protect them. So God killed all of their firstborn sons. When this happened, Pharaoh and all the Egyptians knew that Yahweh was more powerful than Pharaoh and all the gods of Egypt. They finally agreed to let the Israelites go. God freed the entire nation from being slaves in Egypt, just as he had told Moses that he would do.

17112:1zii1meaning

Who also left Egypt along with the Israelites?

Some people from other nations who believed in God also left Egypt along with the Israelites (See: 12:1).

17212:1stqtapplication

Why do you think some people from other nations went with the Israelites from Egypt?

They would have seen all the plagues that God did to the Egyptians. Perhaps that is why they believed that Yahweh is God. They decided to follow him instead of the gods of Egypt.

17312:2seqvmeaning

How did God lead the Israelites?

God sent a tall pillar of cloud during the day. It became a pillar of fire at night. It went ahead of the Israelites to show them where to go. God was in this pillar (See: 12:2).

17412:3bi43meaning

Why did Pharaoh change his mind about letting the Israelites go?

God caused Pharaoh to change his mind so that he could show everyone that he is more powerful than Pharaoh and all the gods of Egypt (See: 12:3).

17512:3jqgzapplication

God had already forced Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt. Why did he make Pharaoh chase after them again?

Perhaps other nations would not know that God forced Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. God caused Pharaoh to chase after the Israelites so that he could completely destroy the Egyptians. In this way, people in every nation would hear about it and know that God was more powerful than Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt.

17612:4z1vsmeaning

Why were the Israelites afraid when they saw the Egyptian army coming?

They were trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea. They thought the Egyptians would kill them (See: 12:4).

17712:5ap1happlication

Why did God lead the Israelites to the Red Sea where they would be trapped, instead of leading them around it?

God wanted to use the Red Sea to destroy the Egyptians and to show the Israelites how powerful he was. For this reason, God led them to the edge of the sea instead of around it.

17812:6b2qvmeaning

What did God do to protect the Israelites from the Egyptians?

God moved the pillar of cloud between the Israelites and the Egyptians so the Egyptians could not see the Israelites (See: 12:6).

17912:7q8tgmeaning

What happened when Moses raised his hand over the sea?

God caused the wind to push the water to the left and to the right so that there was a path through the sea for the Israelites. The Israelites crossed the sea on dry ground (See: 12:7, 12:8).

18012:9-11yo8dmeaning

What happened to the Egyptians when they followed the Israelites into the sea?

God caused the Egyptians to panic and their chariots to get stuck. Then he closed the water over the Egyptians so that they all drowned (See: 12:10, 12:11).

18112:10pjhaapplication

Why were the Egyptians not able to immediately catch the Israelites before they finished crossing the sea?

There were so many Israelites that it would have taken a long time for them to all cross the sea. However, God placed the pillar of cloud behind them so the Egyptians could attack them as they were crossing the sea.

18212:12p2tumeaning

What did the Israelites believe about Moses?

They believed that he was a prophet of God (See: 12:12).

18312:12-13zu8sapplication

What did the Israelites do when they realized the Egyptians were dead?

The Israelites rejoiced and worshiped God. They realized that he had save them from dying and from being slaves. They were very happy and decided to obey God. They continued to celebrate the festival of the Passover every year as God commanded them to do.

18412:14bfqnmeaning

How do the Israelites remember every year that God defeated the Egyptians?

Every year, the Israelites celebrate the festival of the Passover by killing and eating a lamb with unleavened bread (See: 12:14).

18512:1-14h5c3summary

The Israelites left Egypt to go to the Promised Land, along with people from other nations who saw what God did to the Egyptians and believed in him. But God was not finished with the Egyptians. He caused Pharaoh to change his mind and chase after the Israelites so he could destroy Pharaoh completely. He made a way for Israel to escape through the Red Sea. But he killed all the Egyptians when they tried to follow them. In this way, he showed the Israelites and all the other nations that he was more powerful than Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. He also showed the Israelites that he would lead and protect them as they traveled to the Promised Land.

18613:1ne05application

Why did God bring the people to Mount Sinai?

This was the place where God had spoken to Moses from the burning bush. He promised Moses that he would bring the people out of Egypt to worship him there. God kept that promise and led them to that same place.

18713:2w8s0meaning

What did God say the Israelites would become if they kept his covenant with them?

They would become his prized possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (See: 13:2).

18813:2ht10application

Why did God say the Israelites would be a kingdom of priests?

Priests help other people worship God. They also teach people what God has said. All the people of Israel would be able to do these things for the other nations if they would obey God.

18913:3j2b1meaning

What were the signs of Gods presence when he came down on the mountain?

There was thunder, lightning, smoke, and sounds of loud trumpets (See: 13:3).

19013:4tqfymeaning

What was the first command that God gave to the people?

God told them not to worship any other god (See: 13:4).

19113:5nz7gmeaning

What were the Israelites supposed to do on the seventh day of the week?

They were supposed to keep the Sabbath day holy by resting and remembering God (See: 13:5).

19213:8t8q1meaning

Who was allowed to enter into the room in the Tent of Meeting where God was?

Only the high priest was allowed to go into that room (See: 13:8).

19313:9kmxhmeaning

What would the blood from an animal sacrifice do to the sin of the person who brought the animal?

The blood of the animal would cover that persons sin. He would become clean in Gods sight (See: 13:9).

19413:9o341application

Why do you think God said the blood of the sacrifice would cover a persons sin?

The sin of the person would still be there, but it would be covered. God would look at the blood instead of their sin, and would consider that person to be clean before him.

19513:10sgfpmeaning

What would God do to the people if they did not obey his commandments?

God would punish them if they did not obey him (See: 13:7).

19613:10z7oaapplication

Why did God write the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone?

God wanted the people to always remember his commandments. Perhaps that is why he wrote them on hard stone tablets with his own hand, instead of on clay, wood, or paper.

19713:11-12vvjimeaning

Why did the people make an idol to worship?

Moses remained on the mountain for a long time, and the people grew tired of waiting for him. Therefore, they asked Aaron to make an idol for them to worship (See: 13:11).

19813:4,5,12oe8lapplication

Why was it especially evil that the people made an idol to worship?

The first and most important command God gave them was not to worship any other god.

19913:13-14ma0tmeaning

What did Moses do when he came down the mountain and saw the people worshiping the idol?

He smashed the two stone tablets on which God had written the Ten Commandments. He then destroyed the idol and made the people drink the dust of it in water (See: 13:13, 13:14).

20013:14b9fwapplication

What did God send on the people to punish them for worshiping the idol?

God send a plague on them, which killed many of them. In Egypt, God sent plagues on the Egyptians. Now, God punished his own people with a plague because they sinned.

20113:15tohzmeaning

Why did God forgive the people?

He forgave them because Moses prayed for them (See: 13:15).

20213:15qo84application

Why did God tell the Israelites to make a tent where he could meet them?

The Israelites were traveling to the Promised Land. They could not build a temple which would be in one place. Instead, God told them to make a special tent that they could move with them and set up when they stopped in a place.

20313:1-15dxuhsummary

God brought the Israelites to Mount Sinai just as he had promised Moses. He came down on the mountain with powerful signs and gave them the Ten Commandments and other laws to obey. He told them how to sacrifice to him, and how to meet him in the Tent of Meeting. But while Moses was still on the mountain with God, the people made an idol to worship. God was very angry and wanted to destroy them. Moses was also so angry that he smashed the Ten Commandments. But Moses prayed for the people and God forgave them.

20414:2-3ewb0meaning

Why did God tell the people to get rid of the Canaanites completely?

The Canaanites worshiped idols and did many evil things. God knew that if the Israelites lived with the Canaanites, they would marry them and start to worship idols also (See: 14:2, 14:3).

20514:2-3u81mapplication

What had the people of Canaan become like since Joseph and his family left?

Joseph and his family had been in Egypt for 400 years. During that time, there was no one in Canaan who worshiped God. The people there had become very evil and worshiped many idols.

20614:3hvikapplication

What often happens to people who live among people that worship other gods?

God said the Israelites would begin to worship the idols of the Canaanites if they lived with them. People normally begin to worship the gods of the people around them. This is especially true if they marry people who believe in other gods.

20714:5i9z0meaning

What did ten of the spies say about the land and people of Canaan?

They said the land was good, but that the people were giants. They said the Israelites could not defeat them (See: 14:5).

20814:6g37jmeaning

What did Joshua and Caleb say about the people of Canaan?

They said the people were indeed strong, but that God would fight for the Israelites so they could defeat the Canaanites (See: 14:6).

20914:6o7zsapplication

Why did Joshua give the people different advice than the other ten spies?

All 12 of the spies saw the same land and people. However, ten of the spies only thought about how hard it would be to defeat the people. But Joshua and Caleb thought about the good land and about how God would help them. They believed he would enable them to defeat the Canaanites even though they were tall and strong.

21014:7hlckmeaning

How did the people respond to the bad report of the ten spies?

They were angry that they had left Egypt. They wanted to choose a new leader to replace Moses and Aaron and to lead them back to Egypt (See: 14:7).

21114:7o01papplication

Why did the people want to go back and be slaves in Egypt?

The people were very afraid that the Canaanites would kill them. They thought it would be better to be enslaved in Egypt than to be killed. They did not trust God to protect them.

21214:8ap3kmeaning

How did God answer the people when they wanted to go back to Egypt?

God was very angry with the people, and promised that they would wander in the wilderness until all the adults died. Only their children would enter into the Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb would also enter the land because they wanted to obey God (See: 14:8).

21314:9-10q5q4meaning

What did the people do when they heard that they would die in the wilderness?

They attacked the Canaanites, but the Canaanites defeated them (See: 14:9, 14:10).

21414:11-12dmicmeaning

How did God take care of the people in the wilderness?

He gave them manna and quail to eat, and provided water for them. He also kept their clothes and sandals from wearing out for 40 years (See: 14:11, 14:12).

21514:12kx6yapplication

God made the Israelites wander in the wilderness for 40 years until all the adults died. Why did he take such good care of them during that time?

God was angry with the people who would not go into the Promised Land. But he kept his promise to Abraham to make his descendants into a great nation. Therefore, he continued to care for the Israelites in the wilderness, and for their children who would enter into the Promised Land after their parents would die.

21614:13m4x8meaning

Why could Moses not enter the Promised Land?

God told Moses to speak to a rock so that it would give water to the people. But Moses disobeyed God and struck a rock with a stick instead. In this way, he dishonored God before the people. Therefore, God did not allow him to enter into the land. He went up to a high mountain and saw the land, and then he died (See: 14:13, 14:15).

21714:13xweaapplication

Why did God punish Moses so harshly for striking the rock?

Moses was the leader of Israel. He spoke to them for God. Because everyone watched what Moses did, God punished him harshly so the people would be afraid to disobey God. For this reason, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.

21814:1-15ucwwsummary

God brought the people to the Promised Land, just as he said. But they were afraid of the Canaanites and refused to enter. Therefore, God made them wander for 40 years until all of the adults died. However, he cared for the people so that their children could enter the land. He kept his promise to Abraham. Moses saw the land, but could not enter because he had disobeyed God. Joshua became the leader of Israel after Moses died.

21915:1jt24meaning

Why did the two spies promise to protect Rahab the prostitute and her family?

Rahab believed in God and helped the spies escape from Jericho (See: 15:1).

22015:1qd4oapplication

Rahab was a prostitute. But God accepted her and her entire family as part of Israel because she believed in God. What does that tell you about who God is?

God is willing to accept any person who believes in him. It does not matter how much they have sinned. He will accept them even if other people do not think they deserve honor.

22115:2sp5gmeaning

How did God enable the Israelites to cross the Jordan River?

He caused the water upstream to stop flowing so the Israelites could walk across the river on dry ground (See: 15:2).

22215:2jymqapplication

God made a dry path through the Jordan River for Joshua and the Israelites. What had God done for Moses that was similar?

God made a path through the Red Sea so Moses and the Israelites could escape the Egyptians. In a similar way, God made a path through the Jordan River for Joshua. Perhaps God wanted the Israelites to know that he would work through Joshua in the same powerful way as he worked through Moses.

22315:3-5z0o9meaning

How did God make it possible for the Israelites able to defeat the city of Jericho?

They marched around Jericho, blew their trumpets, and shouted. When they did that, God caused the walls of the city to fall down so they could attack the people (See: 15:3, 15:4).

22415:3-4j7o3application

Would you expect the walls of a great city to fall down because a group of people marched around it and shouted?

This is not a normal way to attack a city with high walls. However, Joshua and all the Israelites obeyed God and did what he told them to do. As a result, God caused all the walls to fall down so they could destroy the city.

22515:5pztimeaning

What happened to Rahab and her family when the Israelites destroyed Jericho?

Joshua spared Rahab and her family, and they became part of the Israelites (See: 15:5).

22615:6i4wxmeaning

What did the Gibeonites do so that the Israelites would not destroy them?

They pretended to be from a country far away so the Israelites would make a peace treaty with them (See: 15:6).

22715:6x656application

Why do you think the Israelites did not ask God about the Gibeonites?

People often neglect to ask God for help unless they know they need him. Perhaps Joshua and the Israelites thought they could decide how to answer the Gibeonites without Gods help. Because they did not ask God, they made a terrible mistake. The Gibeonites deceived them, and the Israelites could not break their peace treaty with them.

22815:7a4rbmeaning

How did the Amorites respond when the Gibeonites made peace with the Israelites?

They joined their armies together to attack the Gibeonites (See: 15:7).

22915:9-10wmbsmeaning

What were the two miracles that God did to help the Israelites defeat the Amorites?

God sent large hailstones to kill the Amorites, and made the sun stay in one place so the Israelites would have enough time to completely defeat them (See: 15:9, 15:10).

23015:9-10hsvpapplication

In what way did God show his power over creation when he helped the Israelites defeat the Amorites?

God controlled the weather so that hailstones fell from the sky to kill the Amorites. He also caused the sun in the sky to stand still in order to make the day longer. Only Yahweh, who created all things, is able to do this.

23115:12tib0meaning

What did God give to each tribe after they finished fighting against the Canaanites?

He gave each tribe of Israel its own section of the Promised Land (See: 15:12).

23215:13p7sjmeaning

When Joshua called the Israelites together, what did they promise to do?

They promised to be faithful to God and to obey his laws (See: 15:13).

23315:1-13l2wasummary

God led the Israelites into the Promised Land and helped them defeat all their enemies. He did this in a way that showed how powerful he is. He stopped the waters of the Jordan River. He knocked down the walls of Jericho. He caused hail to fall that was big enough to kill the Amorites. And he made the sun stand still to help Israel. When he accepted Rahab and her family, he also showed that he will accept anyone who believes in him. And he worked powerfully through Joshua to give Canaan to Israel. This showed that he kept his covenant with Abraham.

23416:1f10rmeaning

How did the Israelites disobey God?

They did not keep his laws, and they did not drive out the rest of the Canaanites from the land. Also, they began to worship Canaanite gods (See: 16:1).

23516:2yda7meaning

What pattern did the Israelites keep repeating?

They would disobey God, so he would punish them by allowing their enemies to defeat them. When the Israelites repented, God would send a deliverer to rescue them (See: 16:2).

23616:5m6c7meaning

Why was Gideon threshing grain in a hidden place?

He was afraid the Midianites would find his grain and steal it (See: 16:5).

23716:6v43wmeaning

What was the first thing that God told Gideon to do?

God told him to tear down his fathers altar where his father worshiped an idol (See: 16:6).

23816:9e1cxmeaning

What two signs did God give to Gideon to prove that he would defeat the Midianites?

God caused a sheepskin to be wet, but the ground around it to be dry. Then the next night, God caused the sheepskin to be dry, but the ground to be wet (See: 16:9).

23916:10ibiwmeaning

What did God do when 32,000 men came to fight for Israel?

God had Gideon send most of them home. He kept only 300 soldiers (See: 16:10).

24016:12-13gtlsmeaning

How did Gideons 300 soldiers attack the Midianites?

They put torches in clay pots. Then they blew their horns and all broke the pots at the same time, showing the torches (See: 16:12, 16:13).

24116:14kd0jmeaning

How did God help Gideon attack the Midianites?

God confused the Midianites so that they attacked and killed each other (See: 16:14).

24216:16wpm2meaning

What did the people do with the special garment that Gideon made out of gold?

The people began to worship it as an idol (See: 16:16).

24316:18atecmeaning

Why did the people ask God to give them a king?

They wanted a king who was tall and strong, and who could lead them into battle against their enemies (See: 16:18).

24416:1-2y84vapplication

All of the Israelites did what they thought was right for themselves. Does this mean they obeyed God?

The Israelites did not think about God in the right way. Therefore, they thought it was right to worship idols even though God had told them to worship only him. In this way, they disobeyed God.

24516:3bpuuapplication

How many times did God send a deliverer to rescue the Israelites when they repented of their sin?

Every time the Israelites repented of their sin and asked God to help them, he sent a deliverer to rescue them. This happened many times.

24616:4qzuvapplication

Why did it take so long for the Israelites to ask God to save them from the Midianites?

The Midianites stole all of the Israelites crops for seven years before they asked God to save them. Perhaps they forgot that he could rescue them. Or perhaps they asked their idols to save them for seven years before they finally decided to ask God for help.

24716:5-6, 8-9o1fuapplication

What are some of the ways that Gideon showed that he was not very brave?

Gideon was hiding from the Midianites as he threshed grain. He tore down his fathers altar at night because he was afraid of the people. God had to show him two signs to convince him to attack the Midianites. And God sent him to the Midianite camp to hear a soldier talk about his dream so Gideon would not be afraid. In spite of his fear, God used him to save Israel.

24816:10u07yapplication

Why did God make Gideon send home all but 300 soldiers?

God wanted everyone to know that the Israelites defeated the Midianites because God helped them. He did not want them to think their own strength saved them. For that reason, he did not want Gideon to attack with a lot of soldiers.

24916:18pyslapplication

Were the people thankful that God send deliverers to rescue them from their enemies?

The people were not happy that God only sent them deliverers. Instead, they wanted a king like all the other nations had.

25016:1-18ta0rsummary

God and the people did not change. The people always disobeyed God and worshiped idols. And God always punished them when they sinned and rescued them when they repented of their sin. This pattern happened to the Israelites many times. With great power, God helped Gideon to rescue them from the Midianites. But after that, they worshiped idols again. They would not obey God. They did not want God to be their king. Instead, they finally asked God to give them a king so they could be just like the other nations who worshiped idols.

25117:1wplcmeaning

What kind of a man was Saul?

Saul was tall and handsome, just like the people wanted. But he became a wicked man who did not obey God (See: 17:1).

25217:2qsaomeaning

Who did God choose to become king after Saul?

God chose a young shepherd from Bethlehem. He was humble and righteous, and he trusted and obeyed God (See: 17:2).

25317:3ibhsmeaning

Who was Goliath, whom David killed?

Goliath was a giant enemy soldier who was three meters tall (See: 17:3).

25417:4kfiumeaning

How did David prove to Saul that he was not trying to kill Saul?

David cut off a piece of Sauls clothing in a cave. He could have killed Saul at that time, but he did not harm him. When Saul found out about it, he knew that David was not trying to kill him (See: 17:4).

25517:6q0nlmeaning

What did David want to build for God?

David wanted to build a temple where the Israelites could worship God and bring him sacrifices (See: 17:6).

25617:7hszqmeaning

How did God respond to Davids plan to build a temple?

God sent the prophet Nathan to tell David he would not be the one to build a temple. Instead, Davids son would build it (See: 17:7).

25717:8ul1ymeaning

Who did God say would rule forever?

One of Davids descendants would rule forever. This person would be the Messiah. But the Messiah would not come for almost 1,000 years after David died (See: 17:8).

25817:10-12z25umeaning

How did David sin against God?

David slept with Bathsheba. Then he murdered her husband, Uriah, who was one of Davids best soldiers (See: 17:10, 17:11, 17:12).

25917:14s62jmeaning

How did God punish David for his sin?

God caused Bathshebas baby to die. He also made Davids own family fight against him (See: 17:14).

26017:1-2c0pfapplication

In what ways was David different than Saul?

The people wanted Saul to be king because he was tall and handsome. But he was a wicked man. God chose David to be king because David was humble and trusted and obeyed God.

26117:2uh4xapplication

How might David have learned to be the king of Israel while he was a shepherd?

While he was a shepherd, David learned to be brave and to protect his fathers sheep. As a young man, he even killed a bear and a lion when they attacked the sheep. Because of this, he was able to protect the Israelites against their enemies.

26217:4hlfdapplication

Saul tried to kill David. Why did David not kill Saul when he found him in the cave?

David did not want to sin in order to be king. He chose to wait until the time when God would make him king. Therefore, he did not kill Saul. Instead, he trusted God to protect him from Saul.

26317:7iyygapplication

Why did God not allow David to build a temple?

David ruled Israel well, and God was pleased with David. God wanted David to be a good soldier for him. That was Gods plan for David. God wanted a different person to build a temple. Davids son would not be a soldier. He would be a builder. God would use him to build a temple. In this way, God would honor David by blessing his descendants.

26417:7yoigapplication

What was the greatest blessing that God promised to David?

God promised David that one of his descendants would be the Messiah. He would rule over Gods people forever.

26517:11-12if0wapplication

Why did David cause Uriah to be killed?

David tried to hide his sin by killing Uriah. If Uriah was dead, David thought no one would know the king was the father of Bathshebas baby.

26617:13-14fuvyapplication

Why did God punish David after he repented?

God forgave David when he repented. But because David had dishonored God before the people, God had to punish him. David accepted that punishment and obeyed God.

26717:1-14fxdesummary

God chose David to be the king of Israel. He was a humble man who obeyed God. Therefore, God promised that Davids son would build Gods Temple and that one of Davids descendants would rule forever. He would be the Messiah, who would come 1,000 years later. After David sinned terribly, he repented and continued to obey God. Although God punished him for sinning, he still did everything he promised David he would do.

26818:1orrymeaning

What did Solomon ask God to do for him?

He asked God to make him very wise (See: 18:1).

26918:2z0eqmeaning

Why did the people no longer offer sacrifices at the Tent of Meeting?

Solomon build the Temple for which David had planned and prepared. People now offered sacrifices and worshiped God there instead of at the Tent of Meeting (See: 18:2).

27018:3yn6cmeaning

Solomon married almost 1,000 women. How did that cause Solomon to sin?

Many of the women Solomon married were foreign women. They brought their gods with them, and Solomon started to worship those false gods (See: 18:3).

27118:4mzjnmeaning

How did God say he would punish Solomon for worshiping other gods?

God said he would punish Solomon by dividing the nation of Israel into two kingdoms after Solomon died (See: 18:4).

27218:5-6m6u2meaning

Why did the people rebel against Rehoboam?

They asked him to make them work less than Solomon did. Instead, Rehoboam said he would make them work harder. This made them angry, so they refused to serve him (See: 18:5, 18:6).

27318:7mscameaning

How many of the tribes of Israel remained with Rehoboam?

Only two of the 12 tribes remained with Rehoboam (See: 18:7).

27418:9ekf1meaning

What did Jeroboam make so the people would no longer go to Jerusalem to worship?

He made two idols for the people of the kingdom of Israel to worship (See: 18:9).

27518:11ir8gmeaning

How many of the kings of the kingdom of Israel were evil?

All of the kings of the kingdom of Israel were evil (See: 18:11).

27618:13ex33meaning

Were most of the kings of Judah good or evil?

Some of the kings of Judah were good men, but most of them were evil. They ruled badly, worshiped idols, and even sacrificed their children to false gods (See: 18:13).

27718:1rxydapplication

Why did it please God when Solomon asked God to make him wise?

Solomon did not ask for wealth for himself. Instead, he asked God to make him wise so that he could rule Gods people well. This pleased God, and so he also made him wealthy.

27818:3-4f70sapplication

What problem happened because Solomon married women from foreign countries?

Many people from other countries believed in God, and he accepted them. Solomon was not wrong to marry foreign women. But he was wrong to marry foreign women who still served other gods. Those women continued to worship those false gods. And eventually, they caused Solomon to worship those idols as well. This made God very angry.

27918:5-6r7hwapplication

Solomon was very wise. How was Rehoboam different than Solomon?

Unlike his father Solomon, Rehoboam, was very foolish. The people were willing to follow him if he would treat them well. But instead, he answered the people so harshly that most of the tribes of Israel refused to follow him.

28018:9nhn3application

Why did Jeroboam build idols for his people to worship?

Jeroboam may have wanted to worship idols. But he also did not want his people to continue to go to Jerusalem to worship. Jerusalem was in the kingdom of Judah. Judah was now the enemy of the kingdom of Israel. Therefore, the main reason Jeroboam made the idols was so his people would stay away from the kingdom of Judah. They worshiped the idols in the kingdom of Israel instead.

28118:13giewapplication

The kings of Judah were descendants of David. How is it that many of them were evil?

Even though David obeyed God, many of his children did not. Solomon obeyed God for a time, but then began to worship the idols of his foreign wives. Many of Davids other descendants also chose not to obey God. Each person had to decide for himself whether or not he would obey God.

28218:1-13qlfksummary

Solomon began as a good and wise king who ruled Israel well. However, he married many women who worshiped foreign gods. Eventually, Solomon also began to worship these idols. God was angry with Solomon and decided to divide Israel into two kingdoms. Ten tribes followed Jeroboam and formed the kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam made idols so the people would not go to Jerusalem to worship Yahweh at the Temple. All the kings of the kingdom of Israel were evil. Two of the tribes formed the kingdom of Judah and chose descendants of David as their kings. However, many of their kings were also evil. Even though they were descendants of David, they refused to obey God. The two kingdoms fought against each other for many years.

28319:2eytemeaning

Why did King Ahab try to kill the prophet Elijah?

Ahab was angry with Elijah because Elijah said there would be no rain in the kingdom of Israel. Elijah said this because Ahab and the people of the kingdom of Israel worshiped an idol named Baal (See: 19:2).

28419:3u0lpmeaning

How did God provide for Elijah while he hid from Ahab at the stream?

God sent birds to bring Elijah bread and meat to eat while he hid from Ahab (See: 19:3).

28519:4dhazmeaning

How did God provide for Elijah while he lived with the widow and her son?

God caused the widows jar of flour and bottle of oil to never become empty. For about three years, there was always enough food for them to eat even though there was no other food in the land (See: 19:4).

28619:6oo9tmeaning

What did Elijah tell the people to decide about when they came with the prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel?

Elijah told the people that they should stop changing their mind about God. If Yahweh is God, they should worship him, but if Baal is God, they should worship him instead (See: 19:6).

28719:7bm60meaning

How did Elijah say the people could tell whether Yahweh or Baal was the true God?

Elijah and the prophets of Baal would prepare a sacrifice on an altar. The people would know that the God who responded by sending fire onto the altar was the true God (See: 19:7).

28819:8ydnbmeaning

What happened when the prophets of Baal asked Baal to send fire on the altar?

Nothing happened when they asked Baal to send fire (See: 19:8).

28919:11sxy2meaning

What happened when Elijah asked Yahweh to send fire on the altar?

Fire fell from the sky and burned up the altar and everything around it (See: 19:11).

29019:14-15qicvmeaning

How did God heal Naaman of his skin disease?

Elisha told Naaman to dip himself in the Jordan River seven times. At first, he refused. But then he changed his mind and did what Elisha told him to do. God healed him as soon as he obeyed (See: 19:14, 19:15).

29119:17lmh4meaning

How did the people try to kill the prophet Jeremiah?

They put Jeremiah into a dry well and left him there to die. But later, the king sent his servants to pull him out (See: 19:17).

29219:18l78emeaning

How did the people usually respond to the prophets whom God sent to them?

The people did not believe what the prophets said. Instead, they hated the prophets and often tried to kill them. In spite of this, the prophets continued to speak to the people for God (See: 19:18).

29319:18i13smeaning

Who did the prophets remind the people that God promised to send to them?

The prophets reminded them that God would send the Messiah to them (See: 19:18).

29419:3-4c5riapplication

How did the prophet Elijah survive during the drought and the famine that it caused?

When there was no rain in the kingdom of Israel, there was also very little food. During that time, God provided food for Elijah in special ways. For a while, he sent birds to bring food to Elijah. Then he caused the food of a poor widow to never end so she could feed Elijah. God took care of Elijah because Elijah obeyed God and spoke Gods messages to the people.

29519:9bbfgapplication

Why did Elijah tell the people to pour water on his sacrifice?

Elijah told the people to pour water on his sacrifice in order to make it harder for it to burn. He wanted the people to know that Yahweh was truly the one who burned up the sacrifice. Therefore, he made the sacrifice so wet that only God could cause it to burn. He knew that nothing was too difficult for God.

29619:14-15lar5application

Why did Naaman not go to the river immediately when Elisha told him to go?

Perhaps Naaman thought what Elisha told him to do was too simple to cure his disease. At first, he thought he would have to do something more difficult in order to be healed. However, when he did the easy thing Elisha told him to do, he was healed!

29719:16afsaapplication

What did the prophets say the people must do so that God would not destroy them?

The prophets told the people they must repent. That is, they must change their mind about God and begin to think about him in a different way. They must understand that Yahweh is the true God and stop worshiping other gods. If they did not repent, God would destroy them because they sinned against him.

29819:1-18n82esummary

God always sent prophets to tell the Israelites to worship only him. But the people hated the prophets and refused to listen to them. They served idols instead of Yahweh. They even tried to kill the prophets whom God sent to them. But the prophets continued to speak for God, and God continued to care for his prophets. The prophets warned the people to repent or God would punish them. Even so, God still promised that he would send the Messiah to them.

29920:2-3uilsmeaning

What nation did God send to destroy the kingdom of Israel?

God sent the Assyrians to destroy the kingdom of Israel. The Assyrians were very cruel. They killed many of the Israelites and took the rest of them to Assyria (See: 20:2, 20:3).

30020:4w6mwmeaning

Who did the Assyrians bring to live in the land of Israel?

The Assyrians brought foreigners to live in the land of Israel. These foreigners married the Israelites who were left in the land. Their descendants were called Samaritans (See: 20:4).

30120:5ckh2meaning

What did the people in the kingdom of Judah do when they saw how God had punished the kingdom of Israel?

The people in the kingdom of Judah continued to worship idols, including the gods of the Canaanites. They refused to believe the prophets whom God sent to warn them (See: 20:5).

30220:6ae8bmeaning

What nation did God send to attack the kingdom of Judah?

God sent the Babylonians to attack the kingdom of Judah. As a result, the king of Judah promised to pay a lot of money each year to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of the Babylonians (See: 20:6).

30320:7-8fnhcmeaning

What did Nebuchadnezzar do to the kingdom of Judah when they rebelled against him?

Nebuchadnezzar sent his army to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple. They took away all the treasures of the city. They also killed the kings sons and made him blind. Then they led him away to Babylon (See: 20:7, 20:8).

30420:9s179meaning

Who remained in the land of Judah during the Exile?

The Exile is the time when many of the people of Judah were forced to go away to Babylon. During this time, Nebuchadnezzar left only the poorest people in the land (See: 20:9).

30520:10kyfemeaning

Did God forget his people after he punished them by sending them into exile?

God did not forget his people as they were away from the land. He continued to send his prophets to speak to them for him. He promised that they would return to the land after 70 years in Babylon (See: 20:10).

30620:12-13ruptmeaning

How did the Jews return to the land of Judah?

God caused the Persians to defeat the Babylonians. Cyrus, the Persian king, allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem. He gave them money to rebuild the Temple. Many of the Jews returned to Jerusalem. They also rebuilt the walls of the city (See: 20:12, 20:13).

30720:1-4ps3aapplication

Does it seem right that God would send the cruel, evil Assyrians to destroy his people?

God warned the kingdom of Israel that he would punish them, but they would not repent. Therefore, God sent the Assyrians to destroy them. Even though the Assyrians were a cruel people, God allowed them to defeat Israel in order to punish Israel. Later, however, he punished the Assyrians by allowing the Babylonians to defeat them.

30820:5ezjuapplication

Why do you think the people in the kingdom of Judah refused to repent after the Assyrians destroyed the kingdom of Israel?

People normally think they are not as bad as other people. Perhaps the people of the kingdom of Judah thought they were better than the people in the kingdom of Israel. They thought God would not punish them in the same way. But they were wrong. God sent his prophets to tell them that he would punish them if they did not repent. And he punished them just as he said that he would.

30920:7-8bk99application

Why do you think the Babylonians were able to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem?

The Temple was the place where God stayed with the Israelites. However, God did not stay with them because they sinned against him and worshiped other gods. Therefore, God left the Temple and allowed the Babylonians to destroy it.

31020:10ylckapplication

Why did the prophets say that the Israelites would only be in exile for 70 years?

God decided to allow the Jews to return to Judah after 70 years in exile in Babylon. He also decided to cause Cyrus and the Persians to defeat Babylon in order to let the Jews leave and go home to Judah. Since God knew beforehand that he was going to do this, he sent his prophets to tell the Jews that he would do these things.

31120:12g9dsapplication

How were the Jews able to rebuild the Temple?

God provided everything the Jews needed to rebuild the Temple. He even caused Cyrus, the king of the Persians, to give them the money they needed to rebuild the Temple. God wanted to live with his people there again. So he made it possible for them to rebuild the Temple where he would live with them.

31220:1-13b11csummary

The people in both of the kingdoms refused to believe that God would punish them. Even after God sent the Assyrians to destroy the kingdom of Israel, the people in the kingdom of Judah refused to repent and obey God. Therefore, God sent the Babylonians to destroy them as well. They were in exile in Babylon for 70 years before God caused a new king to allow them to return to Jerusalem. God made it possible for them to rebuild the Temple and the city of Jerusalem and to worship him there again.

31321:1ndiameaning

Who would crush the snakes head?

The Messiah, a descendant of Eve, would crush the snakes head (See: 21:1).

31421:2uujjmeaning

Who were the people whom the Messiah would save?

The Messiah would save people out of every people group in the world (See: 21:2).

31521:5qdwgmeaning

How would the New Covenant be different than the old covenant?

In the New Covenant, people would know God personally. They would love him and want to obey his laws. His law would be written on their hearts (See: 21:5).

31621:7mkx8meaning

What perfect sacrifice would the Messiah offer to God?

The Messiah would offer himself as a perfect sacrifice to God (See: 21:7).

31721:9u3jumeaning

What did the prophets say about the birth of the Messiah?

The prophets said the Messiah would be born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem (See: 21:9).

31821:11h6l3meaning

According to the prophet Isaiah, how would people receive the Messiah?

The prophet Isaiah said people would hate the Messiah and refuse to accept him. His friend would turn against him, and the people would kill him (See: 21:11).

31921:13n5e7meaning

According to the prophets, why would the Messiah die?

The Messiah would die because God would punish him for other peoples sins. He would die so they could have peace with God (See: 21:13).

32021:14tuvkmeaning

What would God do for the Messiah after he died?

The prophets said God would raise the Messiah from the dead (See: 21:14).

32121:15vmrrmeaning

After the prophets finished speaking about the Messiah, how much time passed before God send him into the world?

God sent the Messiah into the world 400 years after the prophets last spoke about him (See: 21:15).

32221:1jlo2application

Why do you think God spoke about the Messiah to Adam and Eve, even though God would not send the Messiah for a very long time?

When he first created the world, God already planned to send the Messiah to save us from our sins. Therefore, he began to tell people about the Messiah from the very beginning.

32321:2fnagapplication

Abrahams descendants were the Jews, who are Gods chosen people. Why is it significant that God told Abraham that he would bless all the people groups of the world through him?

God never planned to save only the Jews. Rather, from the very beginning, his plan was to save people from every people group in the world. However, God told Abraham that God would bless all these people through a Jewish descendant of Abraham. This descendant would be the Messiah.

32421:5m9eeapplication

The New Covenant will be written on peoples hearts. Why is this important?

The old covenant was written on tables of stone and paper. Even the Jews who received it often forgot about it and did not obey it. But God will write the New Covenant within people so they cannot forget it. Because God will change their hearts, people will obey the New Covenant. They will willingly worship and serve God.

32521:7i98zapplication

Why should we be encouraged that the Messiah never has to make another sacrifice for sin?

The Messiah offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God. God accepted his sacrifice in place of punishing us. Since his sacrifice was perfect, he never has to offer it again. That means God will never punish believers for their sins, since the sacrifice of the Messiah will always be enough to please God.

32621:13xq4aapplication

The Messiah never sinned. Why did God allow people to kill him?

God wanted the Messiah to die because that was the only way God could forgive peoples sins. God is holy and cannot ignore when people sin. But God punished the Messiah in the place of other people so God would not have to punish them.

32721:1-15i3qgsummary

When God first created the world, he had already decided to send the Messiah to die for peoples sins. Throughout history, God has revealed to us what the Messiah would do. He promised Adam and Eve that the Messiah would destroy Satan. He told Abraham that the Messiah would bless all the people groups in the world. He told the prophets that the Messiah would be a perfect prophet, priest, and king. He would be born of a virgin and never sin. But people would hate him and kill him anyway. God would allow this to happen so that the Messiah could die and be punished in the place of other people.

32822:1if9dmeaning

How many years went by when God did not speak to his people through a prophet?

God did not speak to his people through a prophet for 400 years (See: 22:1).

32922:1iypkmeaning

What problem did Zechariah and Elizabeth have?

They were very old, and Elizabeth had not been able to have children (See: 22:1).

33022:2lhe1meaning

What would John get the people ready to do?

John would get the people ready to accept the Messiah (See: 22:2).

33122:3yn9tmeaning

Why did Zechariah become unable to speak?

Zechariah became unable to speak because he did not believe the angel when the angel said Zechariah would have a son (See: 22:3).

33222:4puqameaning

To whom was Mary engaged to be married?

Mary was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph (See: 22:4).

33322:4jz4hmeaning

Who did the angel tell Mary that her son would be?

The angel said she should name her son Jesus, and he would be the Son of the Most High God who would rule forever (See: 22:4).

33422:5chlfmeaning

Why was Mary confused about how she could have a son?

Mary was a virgin. Therefore, she did not understand how she could have a son (See: 22:5).

33522:5o6kqmeaning

How did Mary respond when the angel told her that God and the Holy Spirit would come to her so that she would be pregnant?

Mary believed that what the angel said would happen to her (See: 22:5).

33622:6q7l6meaning

What did Elizabeths baby do when Mary arrived to visit Elizabeth?

Elizabeths baby jumped inside her when Mary arrived to visit (See: 22:6).

33722:6rfzkmeaning

Why did Zechariah and Elizabeth name their baby John?

The angel has commanded them to name their baby John.

33822:1k37fapplication

Why were Zechariah and Elizabeth unable to have children before this time?

Zechariah and Elizabeth were unable to have children, but this did not mean that they had done anything wrong. They honored God, and he was pleased with them. Therefore, God did a miracle through them, allowing them to become the parents of John in their old age.

33922:2-3buh0application

Was Zechariah being reasonable when he doubted the message of the angel?

It would certainly seem reasonable that Zechariah doubted the angel, because God had not spoken to his people for 400 years. However, God did not merely send a prophet to Zechariah. Instead, he sent one of his mighty angels. The presence of the angel should have convinced Zechariah to believe the message.

34022:4-5iu4qapplication

Mary was a virgin. Therefore, her son did not have a human father. Why do you think this was important?

Every descendant of Adam and Eve is born with a desire to sin. Marys son, however, is the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit. For that reason, he is holy and has never sinned. He is the only person who has ever been born who does not have this desire to sin. God did not need to punish him for his sins. Instead, he could be punished in the place of other people who sinned.

34122:6t56mapplication

How was baby John able to know when Mary came to Elizabeth, and to jump in Elizabeths womb?

John was already a person who could think and act even while he was in Elizabeths womb. He was already able to worship God by jumping inside Elizabeth when Mary came near with the baby Son of God inside her.

34222:7wl4bapplication

Why did God send John ahead of the Messiah?

The Messiah is the most important person who ever came to earth. When important people traveled somewhere in that time, someone went ahead of them to make preparations for their arrival and to tell people that they were coming. This is what John did for the Messiah. He told them that the Messiah was coming, and prepared people to accept him.

34322:1-7a36gsummary

God did not send the Messiah in the way that people usually arrive in the world. God did a miracle so that John could be born to elderly parents and prepare the way for the Messiah. Then God caused the Messiah to be born of a virgin so he would be without sin. The Messiah did not have a human father—he was the Son of God! There has never been anyone like him in the world.

34423:1ogdbmeaning

Why did Joseph decide to divorce Mary quietly?

Mary was pregnant, and Joseph knew it was not his baby. Therefore, he decided to divorce her. However, he decided to have mercy on her and not to shame her. Therefore, he was going to divorce her quietly (See: 23:1).

34523:2duaemeaning

The angel told Joseph how Mary became pregnant. How did he say this happened?

The angel told Joseph that the Holy Spirit placed the baby in her (See: 23:2).

34623:2y6t5meaning

What does the name Jesus mean?

It means Yahweh saves (See: 23:2).

34723:3r929meaning

How long did Mary remain a virgin?

Joseph did not sleep with her until after she had given birth (See: 23:3).

34823:4bj01meaning

Why did Joseph and Mary need to travel to Bethlehem?

Their ancestor, King David, was born in Bethlehem. The Roman officials told everyone to travel back to where their ancestors lived. Therefore, Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem (See: 23:4).

34923:6-7itzbmeaning

Who told the shepherds that the Messiah was born?

An angel told the shepherds that the Messiah was born. Then many other angels also appeared to the shepherds, praising God for what he had done (See: 23:6), (See: 23:7).

35023:8kc14meaning

What did the shepherds do after the angel told them about the Messiah?

The shepherds went to Bethlehem and found the baby in the feeding trough, just as the angel had told them (See: 23:8).

35123:9j1kcmeaning

Why did men come from the east to see the baby?

They studied the stars and saw an unusual star in the sky. They knew this meant the king of the Jews had been born. Therefore, they came to see him (See: 23:9).

35223:10qs1cmeaning

What did the wise men do when they saw the child?

They bowed down and worshiped him, and they gave him expensive gifts (See: 23:10).

35323:1u7reapplication

Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, and knew he was not the father of the baby. Why do you think he decided to have mercy on Mary?

Joseph believed that Mary was pregnant because she had been unfaithful to him and had slept with another man. Joseph could have been angry with Mary and wanted to punish her. Joseph was a righteous man, and did not want to marry an adulteress. However, he was a good man, and it appears that he loved Mary. Therefore, he decided to have mercy on her instead of punishing her.

35423:1rmdnapplication

How might Mary have felt when people learned that she was pregnant?

Mary must have been very sad when people learned that she was pregnant, because they did not believe that her baby was from the Holy Spirit. Everyone thought she was an adulteress. Even Joseph thought she had sinned, and did not want to marry her. However, Mary knew that she had obeyed God and was still a virgin. She waited patiently until God told Joseph that she was faithful, and that he should marry her.

35523:3bw07application

Why did Joseph not sleep with Mary until the baby was born?

God told Joseph that Mary was a virgin and that the baby inside her was from God. Perhaps Joseph was so amazed that the Son of God was in Marys womb that he kept her a virgin. Or perhaps he wanted to be able to tell everyone that Marys baby could not possibly be the result of a human father. Therefore, he did not sleep with her until Jesus was born.

35623:5zp9kapplication

How was the location of Jesus birth different than where you would expect the Son of God to be born?

Joseph and Mary were forced to travel far away to another city while she was pregnant. She gave birth to Jesus in a place where animals were kept. They were too poor to be able to find a proper room to stay in. None of their family or friends were with them. Joseph and Mary honored and obeyed God. And Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. However, they still faced many difficult situations. But God took care of them during that time.

35723:8-10kslsapplication

What did God do to encourage Joseph and Mary after Jesus was born?

God sent the shepherds to tell Joseph and Mary about the angels that visited them. He also sent the wise men who brought expensive gifts and worshiped Jesus.

35823:1-10dsh9summary

Life was very difficult for Mary when she became pregnant. Her friends and family, and even her fiancée, did not believe that the baby was from God. However, God intervened to tell Joseph to marry her. Joseph obeyed and kept her a virgin until Jesus was born. Joseph and Mary were all alone When Jesus was born. But God sent his angels and the wise men to celebrate his birth!

35924:1ensdmeaning

Where did John live?

He lived in the wilderness, apart from other people (See: 24:1).

36024:2jakfmeaning

What was the message that John preached to the people?

John told the people to repent, for the kingdom of God is near (See: 24:2).

36124:3zka8meaning

How did people respond when they heard Johns message?

Some of the people repented from their sins and John baptized them. However, many of the religious leaders who came to John did not repent (See: 24:3).

36224:4ul9cmeaning

To what did John compare the religious leaders who did not repent?

He compared them to poisonous snakes (See: 24:4).

36324:5mpqqmeaning

How did John respond when the religious leaders asked him if he was the Messiah?

John told them that he was not the Messiah, but that the Messiah was coming after him (See: 24:5).

36424:6y8vvmeaning

What was the title that John called Jesus when Jesus came to John?

John called Jesus the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world (See: 24:6).

36524:7lg5nmeaning

Why did John not want to baptize Jesus?

John said he was not worthy to baptize Jesus, but that Jesus should baptize John instead (See: 24:7).

36624:8omm7meaning

What came down and landed on Jesus after John baptized him?

After John baptized Jesus, the Spirit of God came down in the form of a dove and rested on Jesus (See: 24:8).

36724:8eyq4meaning

What did God say about Jesus when he spoke from heaven?

God said that Jesus was his Son, and that he was very pleased with Jesus (See: 24:8).

36824:9ls5lmeaning

What had God told John about the person on whom the Holy Spirit would stay?

God told John that the person on whom the Holy Spirit would stay would be the Son of God (See: 24:9).

36924:1-3pzkwapplication

Why do you think John preached in the wilderness instead of in a city?

Perhaps John wanted to preach Gods message to people who wanted to listen. Few people lived in the wilderness, so people had to make an effort to go there in order to hear John. Most of the people who came to John were serious about listening to his message.

37024:2iecpapplication

John told people to repent, for the kingdom of God was near. Why was his message so simple?

Johns message was indeed very simple. However, he told the people everything they needed to know at that time. That is, the Messiah was coming soon to establish his kingdom. People had to repent of their sins if they wanted to participate in that kingdom.

37124:3-4cllkapplication

Why do you think the religious rulers came to John?

The religious rulers did not come to John to repent of their sins. Perhaps they were curious about why other people were coming to see him. Or perhaps they were jealous that people were coming to John instead of coming to them. We know John did not think the leaders came for good reasons, because he called them poisonous snakes. Even today, some people come to hear preaching for evil reasons.

37224:5phy3application

How did John show that he was a humble man?

John openly said that he was not the Messiah, and that he was not worthy to untie the sandals of the Messiah. He also told Jesus that he was not worthy to baptize him. John is an example for us. He was a great prophet, but he knew the Messiah was greater than he was.

37324:6zpm6application

How can Jesus be both the Messiah and the Lamb of God?

The Messiah is the only person who did not sin. Therefore, he was the only one who could be a perfect sacrifice to God. In that way, he was punished for the sins of everyone in the world who believes in him.

37424:8-9bg7dapplication

Why did the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit appear together when Jesus was baptized?

By appearing together, they demonstrated that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all working together to save people from their sins, and to enable them to enter into the kingdom of God. When Jesus was baptized, he was doing what God the Father wanted him to do. The Holy Spirit guided Jesus to prepare him to do the work of the Messiah and to become the Lamb of God.

37524:1-9sjbasummary

John told people to repent and prepare for the kingdom of God. Many people came to him and repented that they had sinned. Jesus also came so John could baptize him, even though Jesus never sinned. God the Father spoke from heaven to say that Jesus, his Son, pleased him. And the Holy Spirit came in the form of a dove to show that he was with Jesus.

37625:1hvy8meaning

Why did Jesus go out into the wilderness?

The Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness (See: 25:1).

37725:1nyqimeaning

What did Jesus do in the wilderness before Satan came to tempt him?

Jesus had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights before Satan came to tempt him (See: 25:1).

37825:2cln4meaning

What did Satan tell Jesus to do the first time he tempted him?

Satan told Jesus to turn the rocks into bread so he could eat. (See: 25:2).

37925:3tvudmeaning

What did Jesus say was more important than eating bread?

Jesus said it was more important to obey God than to eat bread (See: 25:3).

38025:4slybmeaning

Why did Satan say that Jesus would not be hurt if he jumped off the top of the Temple?

Satan said the angels of God would catch Jesus so that he would not hit the ground (See: 25:4).

38125:5a0k8meaning

Why did Jesus refuse to jump off the top of the Temple?

Jesus did not want to test God, and God had not told him to jump off the Temple (See: 25:5).

38225:6vvmemeaning

What was the only thing Satan told Jesus to do in order to receive all the kingdoms of the world?

Satan told Jesus he would give him all the kingdoms of the world if he would bow down and worship Satan (See: 25:6).

38325:8xridmeaning

Did Jesus do any of the sinful things that Satan tempted him to do?

No, Jesus refused to do any of the things that Satan told him to do (See: 25:8).

38425:1pnlaapplication

Why do you think the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to fast for 40 days?

God wanted to prove that Jesus would not sin. To show this, he caused Jesus to be weak and hungry. Yet, even though Jesus was weak, he did not sin. He did not do what Satan told him to do.

38525:2r363application

Why do you think Satan tempted Jesus to turn a stone into bread?

Satan knew that Jesus was very hungry after he had fasted for 40 days and nights. Satan often uses a persons weakness when he tries to tempt them.

38625:4qo3rapplication

Why did Satan quote from the scripture when he told Jesus to jump off the top of the Temple?

Satan knows the scripture and can quote it. However, he does not use the scripture in the correct way. He tries to give the scripture meanings that God did not intend for it to have. Satan only uses the scripture to deceive people.

38725:6tk6uapplication

Did Satan really have the authority to offer all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus?

Jesus did not contradict Satan when. There is no reason to believe that Satan cannot give people wealth and power in this world.

38825:6ge4oapplication

How was Satan trying to deceive Jesus by offering him all the kingdoms of the world?

The things in this world will end. However, only God can give wealth and power that lasts forever in heaven. Jesus correctly chose to wait until God gave him all the kingdoms of the world so that he could rule forever in heaven.

38925:7br0eapplication

Why was it impossible for Jesus to worship Satan even for a short time in order to receive the kingdoms of this world from Satan?

God demands that people serve him alone. It is never right to serve Satan or anyone else—not even for a short time. We are to worship God only. We sin if we worship anyone or anything other than God.

39025:1-8q3x2summary

Jesus could not die for the sins of other people if he himself were a sinner. Therefore, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness so that Satan could tempt him. God wanted to prove to Satan and everyone else that Jesus never sinned, even though Satan personally tried to make him sin. Jesus was weak, tired, and hungry. Even so, he never sinned. He refused to do what Satan told him to do. He understood when Satan used scripture to try to trick him into testing God. And Jesus chose not to accept all the wealth and power in the world from Satan. Instead, he faithfully waited until God would make him ruler over the world. This would not happen until after he had suffered for our sins.

39126:1pzy4meaning

How did Jesus receive power to do the things that he did?

The Holy Spirit was giving him power (See: 26:1).

39226:2irz2meaning

Why did the people of Nazareth know Jesus well?

Jesus lived in Nazareth when he was a child (See: 26:2).

39326:2e2ammeaning

Who wrote the scroll that the leaders asked Jesus to read?

The leaders asked Jesus to read the scroll that the prophet Isaiah wrote (See: 26:2).

39426:4e64hmeaning

Who was the scripture about that Jesus read?

The scripture that Jesus read was about the Messiah (See: 26:4).

39526:4pz2jmeaning

Why were the people amazed?

Jesus said the things he had read were happening right then. He wanted to say that the Messiah was doing those things right then. This amazed the people (See: 26:4).

39626:5m9ekmeaning

Who did the prophet Elijah go to help?

Elijah went to help a widow from another nation (See: 26:5).

39726:6j53xmeaning

Who did the prophet Elisha heal?

Elisha healed a commander of Israels enemies (See: 26:6).

39826:7ql18meaning

Why did the people of Nazareth take Jesus out of the place of worship?

The people wanted to throw Jesus off a cliff to kill him because he said that the prophets helped Israels enemies (See: 26:7).

39926:8-9wvzfmeaning

What did Jesus do when the people in Galilee brought many sick people and people with demons to him?

Jesus healed them all (See: 26:8, 26:9).

40026:10xoi9meaning

What did Jesus call the 12 men whom he called to travel with him and learn from him?

Jesus called these 12 men his apostles (See: 26:10).

40126:1-5z2u1application

Jesus grew up in Nazareth. Did that influence how the people responded to him when he claimed to be the Messiah?

Because the people of Nazareth knew Jesus when he was a little boy, they continued to think of him as an unimportant person. Therefore, it was hard for them to believe that he was the Messiah. For this reason, Jesus said that people do not accept a prophet in the town where he grew up. Have you seen this happen?

40226:3-4jhvtapplication

Jesus did not directly tell the people of Nazareth that he was the Messiah. Instead, he read the scripture and said it was happening right then. Why do you think Jesus revealed himself in this way?

Jesus knew that the people of Nazareth did not want to accept that he was the Messiah. Therefore, instead of stating that as a fact, he read the scripture and said that it was talking about him. If the people of Nazareth wanted to know who he was, they could see that he was doing all the things that the scripture said the Messiah would do. If they were willing to believe in him, they could figure out for themselves from the scripture that he was the Messiah.

40326:5-7hpy9application

Why were the Jews so angry when Jesus told them what Elijah and Elisha did?

The Jews believed that God loved only Jews, and would not help people from other nations. They were wrong. Jesus spoke about Elijah and Elisha to show that God also loved people of other nations. God send the prophets to help the people who would believe in him. But he did not send them to help the Jews when the Jews did not serve him.

40426:10y18iapplication

Why did Jesus choose 12 men to be his apostles?

Jesus knew that he would die for our sins. After he would die, someone would have to be able to tell everyone what Jesus had done for us. Therefore, Jesus chose 12 men to prepare them to teach about him. They traveled with him and he taught them so they would be ready to be witnesses for him when he went back to heaven.

40526:1-10xodvsummary

Jesus went to the city of Nazareth in Galilee, the place where he grew up. The people there came together every week to worship God. However, they were not ready to believe that Jesus came from God. When he showed them in the scriptures that he was doing the work of the Messiah, they did not want to believe him. And when Jesus told them that God would accept people from other nations who believed in him, they were so angry that they tried to kill Jesus. Therefore, he left them and went away to preach to other people in Galilee. Many saw the works he did and believed in him. From those who believed, Jesus then chose 12 men to be with him as his apostles. They traveled with him, and he began to teach them so they could tell people about him.

40627:1h40xmeaning

Did the expert in the Jewish law really want to know how to have eternal life?

No, he only wanted to show that Jesus was teaching wrongly (See: 27:1).

40727:1omx1meaning

Where did Jesus tell the man to find the answer to his question?

Jesus asked the man to see what was written in Gods law (See: 27:1).

40827:2qvt8meaning

What did Jesus say would happen to the man if he did what Gods law told him to do?

Jesus said the man would have eternal life if he did what Gods law told him to do (See: 27:2).

40927:3duzomeaning

Why did the man ask Jesus who his neighbor was?

The man wanted to show people that he was living correctly (See: 27:3).

41027:4q15qmeaning

Why did Jesus tell a story to the man?

Jesus told the man a story in order to answer his question about who was his neighbor (See: 27:4).

41127:6-7jx76meaning

What did the priest and the Levite do when they saw the injured man?

The priest and the Levite both ignored the injured man and did not help him (See: 27:6, 27:7).

41227:8l5kymeaning

Why was it surprising that the Samaritan helped the injured Jewish man?

The Samaritans and the Jews hated each other (See: 27:8).

41327:11sybameaning

Which of the men was merciful to the injured man?

The Samaritan was the only one who was merciful to the injured man (See: 27:11).

41427:11v5i0meaning

What did Jesus tell the expert in the Jewish law to do?

Jesus told the expert in the Jewish law to be merciful to people in need, just as the Samaritan in the story did to the injured Jewish man (See: 27:11).

41527:1ad2lapplication

Why was it surprising that Jesus asked the expert in the Jewish law about what was written in Gods law?

The man knew far more about the Jewish law than any other person in Israel. He continually studied it and taught it to others. However, he did not really understand what the law meant. Therefore, Jesus started questioning him about the law so that he could show the man that he did not really know what Gods law taught.

41627:3m9m8application

Why do you think the man asked Jesus who his neighbor was?

The man knew Gods law said to love his neighbor as himself. But he also knew that he did not love other people as he should. Therefore, he asked about his neighbor because he was hoping that he only needed to love a few specific people in order to obey the law.

41727:6-7mdt2application

Why might Jesus have chosen to talk to this man about a priest and a Levite?

The Jews considered the priests and Levites to be the most spiritual people in Israel. They also considered the experts in the law to be very much like the priests and the Levites. Because the experts studied and taught Gods law, people assumed they knew more about God than other people did.

41827:8-11jgczapplication

Why might the expert in the Jewish law have been offended when Jesus compared the actions of the priest and the Levite to the actions of the Samaritan?

The expert in the Jewish law considered the priests and the Levites to be good people, but he hated the Samaritan. He thought all Samaritans were sinners. However, in the story that Jesus told him, the Samaritan was the only person who acted kindly to the injured Jewish man.

41927:8-10jeb2application

How much did the Samaritan show mercy to the injured man?

The Samaritan did not merely help the injured man a little bit. Instead, he did more for the injured man than anyone would expect him to do. He bandaged him, took him to the inn, and paid all of the expenses for the man.

42027:11feqbapplication

What does the story tell us about loving our neighbor?

The Samaritan saw another person who had a serious need. Although the man was a stranger from a people that the Samaritans hated, he felt compassion for him. He took care of the man, doing more than was necessary or expected to help him. He treated the injured man as he would like to be treated himself if he was in need. This is what it means to be a neighbor to someone.

42127:1-11qy7ssummary

The expert in the law who came to Jesus did not believe in Jesus, and he did not really understand Gods law. Instead, he wanted to embarrass Jesus. Jesus knew this, and so he questioned the man about the law. He then told a story that showed how a follower of God should treat other people. God gives eternal life to people who believe in him and obey him, rather than to people who hold powerful religious positions. When the simple Samaritan was merciful to the injured man, he acted more like God than do the most religious people in Israel.

42228:1q5sumeaning

What did the rich young ruler want Jesus to tell him?

The rich young ruler wanted Jesus to tell him how he could have eternal life. He wanted to live forever with God (See: 28:1).

42328:1zy6umeaning

How did Jesus respond when the man called him good?

Jesus asked the young man what he meant to say when he called Jesus good. Jesus did not wait for the man to answer. He reminded the man that only God is truly good. Perhaps Jesus was asking the man if he believed that Jesus was God (See: 28:1).

42428:1m4ljmeaning

What did Jesus tell the young man he should do in order to have eternal life?

Jesus told him to obey Gods laws in order to have eternal life (See: 28:1).

42528:3nmglmeaning

How well did the young man think he had obeyed the law?

The young man thought he had always fully obeyed Gods law. Of course, no one can do that. But he honestly believed that he had done everything that God asked him to do (See: 28:3).

42628:4euq8meaning

What did Jesus tell the young man to give up?

Jesus told the young man to give up all of his possessions (See: 28:4).

42728:4u16tmeaning

What did Jesus tell the young man to do after he gave up his possessions?

Jesus told the young man to follow him as his disciple (See: 28:4).

42828:5tmmnmeaning

Why did the young man go away sad?

The young man went away sad because he had many possessions, and he did not want to give them up (See: 28:5).

42928:6fecfmeaning

According to Jesus, how do riches affect whether a person enters heaven?

Jesus said that it was almost impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven (See: 28:6).

43028:2-3d2zcapplication

Why did the young man ask which laws he must obey?

The young man did not understand that people must obey all of Gods laws. God considers that we sin if we fail to obey even one of his laws. The young man wrongly thought that God would accept him if he faithfully obeyed some of Gods most important laws.

43128:4ld7wapplication

Why did Jesus talk to the young man about being perfect?

The young man wrongly thought he could be good enough to have eternal life. Jesus wanted him to know that he had to be perfect—that is, without any sin—in order to have eternal life. He could not keep Gods law perfectly. The only way for him to be perfect was to follow Jesus and trust that Jesus would save him from his sin.

43228:5c0f9application

If the young man wanted to have eternal life, why was he not willing to give up his possessions?

Jesus promised that the young man would have treasure in heaven if he followed Jesus. However, the young man could not yet see and touch that treasure. He had to believe that Jesus would reward him. However, he could easily see and touch the possessions that he already had in this world. Therefore, it was hard for him to give up his current treasure to gain something that he could not yet see.

43328:6-7tw49application

Why were the disciples so shocked to hear that it was almost impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven?

The people of that day believed that if God loved someone, he made them wealthy. The more possessions a person had, the more people thought God loved them. The disciples were shocked to hear that God does not necessarily accept a person who is rich.

43428:9-10nh0pmeaning

If disciples give up things for Jesus sake, how much more will they receive from him?

Disciples who give up things for Jesus will receive 100 times as much from him as a reward (See: 28:10).

43528:10oc23application

When will Jesus reward his disciples for giving up things for his sake?

Jesus does not say when he will reward his disciples. He may give them some things in this life, but most of their reward will be in heaven. Jesus clearly told his disciples that he would give them 100 times as much as they give up for him in this life. Other people may think they are poor in this life, but Jesus will richly reward them in his kingdom.

43628:1-10xdbisummary

The rich young ruler who came to Jesus genuinely wanted to receive eternal life. He thought that he had obeyed God enough to be worthy of eternal life. Jesus loved him, but also knew that the young man loved his possessions. Therefore, Jesus tested him by telling him to give up his possessions and to follow Jesus in order to have eternal life. However, this made the young man very sad. The disciples were surprised that Jesus did not accept the rich young man. But Jesus explained that he would reward the disciples who gave up their wealth for his sake.

43729:1y438meaning

What did Jesus mean when he told Peter to forgive his brother 70 times seven?

When Jesus told Peter to forgive his brother 70 times seven, he wanted to say that Peter should forgive his brother as many times as necessary without stopping (See: 29:1).

43829:2mdm5meaning

Would the servant ever be able to repay the money he owed to the king?

Since the servant owed 200,000 years wages, he would not be able to repay the king in his lifetime (See: 29:2.

43929:3z6tzmeaning

How would the king get his money back by selling the servant and his family as slaves?

The king would take the money that he would receive from selling the man and his family as slaves. This money would be a partial payment toward what the servant owed the king (See: 29:3).

44029:5-6eligmeaning

Would the servant who owed four months wages be able to repay the other servant?

The servant who owed four months wages might have been able to repay the other servant if he had time to earn the money (See: 29:5, 29:6).

44129:7nvdzmeaning

Why were the other servants disturbed by what happened?

The other servants thought the servant whom the king forgave had treated the other servant unfairly. He should have forgiven the other servant (See: 29:7).

44229:8ogtkmeaning

Why was the king so angry?

The king was angry because he had forgiven the debt of the servant, but now he saw that the servant was a wicked man. He was not willing to forgive other people as the king had forgiven him (See: 29:8).

44329:8ce4pmeaning

For how long did the king put the wicked servant into prison?

The king put the servant into the prison until he could repay his debt. However, his debt was so large that he would never be able to repay it. Therefore, he would be in prison for the rest of his life (See: 29:8).

44429:9cxczmeaning

Why did Jesus tell this story?

Jesus wanted his disciples to know that God had forgiven them, and that he expected them to forgive each other in the same way (See: 29:9).

44529:1mjbhapplication

Why do you think Peter offered to forgive his brother seven times?

Peter apparently thought that he was being merciful if he forgave his brother seven times. That seemed like a lot to Peter. However, Jesus answered that seven times was not enough. Disciples of Jesus should forgive 70 times more than that. That is, they should forgive their brothers without limit.

44629:2,5l2d3application

How did the debts of the two servants compare to each other?

The debt of the first servant was so large that it would be impossible to repay. The debt of the second servant was significant, but not impossible to pay.

44729:2-8vpv5application

Who do you think the king and the servants represent in this story?

In this story, the king represents God. The servants represent the disciples of Jesus. Every disciple owed God a payment for his sin that was impossible to pay, just as the servant owed the king a huge debt. However, God forgave their sin because Jesus died in their places. Therefore, God expects his disciples to forgive each other.

44829:9leyfapplication

How will God respond to disciples who do not forgive other disciples?

God will be very angry with disciples who are not willing to forgive other disciples. He will judge them severely.

44929:1-9myodsummary

Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a fellow disciple who sinned against him. He thought that perhaps seven times would be enough. But Jesus told him that he should continue to forgive his brother even 70 times more than that. Jesus then told a story to show that God is like a king who has forgiven his disciples a great debt of sin. Therefore, his disciples should also forgive their fellow disciples. The debt that they owe each other is much less than the debt they owed to God. If his disciples do not forgive each other, God will be angry with them and will punish them.

45030:1ifx4meaning

Why did Jesus invite his disciples to go to a quiet place to rest?

His disciples had been preaching and teaching about Jesus in many different villages, and they were tired (See: 30:1).

45130:2qfdxmeaning

What did the people do in order to see Jesus?

The people ran along the shore of the lake in order to get to the other side to be there when the boat carrying Jesus and his disciples would arrive there (See: 30:2).

45230:3rgn9meaning

How many people were in the crowd that waited for Jesus?

There were over 5,000 men in the crowd, but there were also many woman and children. We do not know the total number of people who were there (See: 30:3).

45330:3qecymeaning

How did Jesus respond to the crowds that waited for him?

Jesus had compassion on the people, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (See: 30:3).

45430:5sef6meaning

How much food did the disciples have with them?

The disciples only had five loaves of bread and two small fish (See: 30:5).

45530:7-8mgiwmeaning

What did Jesus do with the loaves and the fish?

Jesus thanked God for the loaves and fish, broke them into pieces, and gave them to his disciples to give to the people (See: 30:7, 30:8).

45630:8flljmeaning

What happened when the crowd ate the five loaves of bread and the two small fish?

The bread and the fish never ran out. The crowd ate as much as they wanted and they were satisfied (See: 30:8).

45730:9hjolmeaning

How much food was left over after the crowd ate what they wanted?

The disciples picked up 12 baskets full of food that was left over (See: 30:9).

45830:1jmp0application

Should disciples rest even when there is a lot of work to do?

Rest is a good thing. When God created the earth, he commanded people to rest on the seventh day of the week. When the disciples finished preaching and teaching, Jesus took them away to rest. People need to rest occasionally in order to do their work well.

45930:2-3c3pmapplication

How did Jesus respond to the crowd when they interrupted him and the disciples as they were going to a place to rest?

Even though Jesus wanted the disciples to rest, he was not angry with the crowds that followed them. Instead, he felt compassion on the people. Even though he and his disciples needed to rest, they taught and healed the people in the crowd.

46030:4-5wikaapplication

Why did Jesus tell the disciples to give the crowd something to eat?

Jesus knew that they did not have enough food to feed the crowd. He told the disciples to feed them so that the disciples would understand that it was impossible to do that. Then, when Jesus caused the bread and the fish to increase and feed them all, the disciples would understand that he had done what was impossible. They would know that God had worked through him in a mighty way.

46130:8y25mapplication

Who caused the food to increase?

Jesus was the one who caused the food to increase and satisfy all the people. The disciples passed out the food to the people, but Jesus was the one who continually gave them the food. When everyone had finished eating, the disciples knew that Jesus was the one who had done this miracle.

46230:9xybtapplication

Why do you think the disciples collected the leftover food?

Jesus wanted the disciples to see how much he had multiplied the food. The leftover food was more than the five loaves of bread and two fish that they had at the beginning. Those would fit into a single basket. But now there were 12 full baskets. Each of the 12 disciples had a full basket of leftover food.

46330:1-9y22vsummary

Jesus disciples were tired from preaching and teaching about Jesus. Jesus knew they needed rest, so he took them in a boat to a quiet place. However, thousands of people who wanted to see Jesus ran ahead to that place. But Jesus was not angry with them. Instead, he felt compassion for them. They did not have anyone to teach then and to care for them, so he did that. Even though there was not enough for the people to eat, Jesus multiplied the small amount of food they had and gave it to his disciples to give to the people. The food fed all of the people as much as they wanted to eat. The disciples had more food left over than they had before they fed the people. Jesus took the small amount of food that they had and enabled them to meet the needs of the entire crowd with it. Only God can do that.

46431:1qr47meaning

What did Jesus do after he sent his disciples across the lake in a boat?

Jesus sent away the crowd and then went up on a mountainside to pray alone (See: 31:1).

46531:2ozmcmeaning

What difficulty did the disciples have on the lake?

The wind was blowing hard, so the disciples were having difficulty crossing the lake in the boat (See: 31:2).

46631:3ojo7meaning

How did Jesus come to the disciples?

Jesus walked on top of the water to the boat in the middle of the lake (See: 31:3).

46731:4yinrmeaning

Why were the disciples afraid of Jesus when he came to them?

The disciples were afraid when they saw Jesus walking on top of the water because they thought Jesus was a ghost (See: 31:4).

46831:5awqnmeaning

What did Peter ask Jesus to do in order to prove that Jesus was not a ghost?

Peter asked Jesus to command him to walk to Jesus on the water (See: 31:5).

46931:6usdhmeaning

What happened when Peter stepped onto the water?

Peter was also able to walk on the water for a short distance (See: 31:6).

47031:6-7sfsomeaning

Why did Peter begin to sink in the water?

Peter began to sink when he took his eyes away from Jesus and looked at the waves instead (See: 31:6, 31:7).

47131:7q9l4meaning

What did Peter do to save himself as he was sinking in the water?

Peter shouted for Jesus to save him. Jesus reached out and grabbed Peter (See: 31:7).

47231:8ft09meaning

What happened to the storm?

The storm stopped as soon as Peter and Jesus stepped into the boat (See: 31:8).

47331:8zptkmeaning

How did the disciples respond when Jesus entered the boat?

The disciples were amazed. They all bowed down and worshiped Jesus as the Son of God (See: 31:8).

47431:1qlofapplication

Why did Jesus remain on the mountainside and pray until late at night?

Jesus believed that prayer was important even for him. He often spent time talking to his Father. Even when he was very busy, he took time to pray. He became an example for all of his disciples, and for us.

47531:2j52vapplication

Why do you think the disciples had difficulty crossing the lake? Jesus had sent them there.

A disciple who follows Jesus will still experience difficult times. Jesus did not say it was easy to be his disciple. In this situation, Jesus sent the wind against the disciples so he could show them that he had authority over the storm. God often causes difficult times in our lives so that he can show us his power.

47631:5-6ok0capplication

Why do you think it was wise for Peter to try to walk on the water to Jesus?

Peter often did not think carefully about things before he did them. Perhaps this occasion is an example. It may have been a foolish thing to do. But at the same time, it was also very brave. None of the other disciples tried to go to Jesus. They all remained in the boat and waited for Jesus to come to them.

47731:7pliaapplication

Why did Jesus say that Peter had little faith?

Peter began to trust Jesus. He asked to Jesus to cause him to walk on the water. That shows that Peter believed in Jesus. However, when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he began to fear that Jesus could not keep him safe on the water. His faith began to waver. At that point, he began to sink. His faith was not strong enough to trust Jesus for very long.

47831:8h3r0application

Why did the disciples worship Jesus?

The disciples saw that he had walked across the water of the lake during the storm, and that he had calmed the wind. Many of the disciples were fishermen. They knew that no mere man could walk on the water. They understood clearly that Jesus was doing things that only God could do. Therefore, they bowed down and worshiped him.

47931:1-8x41wsummary

Jesus stayed behind as he sent his disciples across the lake in the boat. While they went, he prayed to his Father until late at night. Jesus often spend much time in prayer, no matter how busy he was. Eventually, Jesus began to walk across the lake on the water toward the disciples. They were afraid when they saw him, but Peter asked permission to come to Jesus on the water. He walked partway to Jesus before he became afraid the waves and began to sink. Jesus saved Peter, but he rebuked him for not believing in Jesus enough. When Jesus got into the boat, the storm stopped. The disciples were so amazed at what Jesus had done that they all fell down and worshiped him as the Son of God.

48032:3-4wz3umeaning

How did the demon affect the man he possessed?

The demon made the man so strong that no one could control him. But it also made him scream all day and night, go around without clothes, and cut himself with stones (See: 32:3, 32:4).

48132:6ay54meaning

What was the name of the demon in the man?

The name of the demon was Legion because he was actually a group of many demons (See: 32:6).

48232:7r0xvmeaning

The demons asked Jesus for permission to do what?

The demons asked Jesus for permission to go into the pigs instead of leaving the region (See: 32:7).

48332:8hawhmeaning

What happened when the demons entered into the pigs?

All 2,000 pigs ran into the lake and drowned (See: 32:8).

48432:10dxv7meaning

What did the people of the region ask Jesus to do when they saw the man who was healed and heard that the pigs were dead?

Because the people of the region were afraid of Jesus, they asked him to leave them (See: 32:10).

48532:13y9ngmeaning

What problem did the woman in the crowd have?

The woman had been bleeding for 12 years. She spent all of her money on doctors and none of them could heal her. Instead, she got worse (See: 32:13).

48632:14ot0omeaning

What did the woman think would heal her?

The woman thought she would be healed if she could only touch Jesus clothes (See: 32:14).

48732:14-15amnsmeaning

What happened when the woman touched Jesus?

The woman immediately stopped bleeding when she touched Jesus. But Jesus knew that power had gone out from him, and asked who had touched him (See: 32:14, 32:15).

48832:16v20rmeaning

What did Jesus say was the reason the woman was healed?

Jesus told the woman that her faith had healed her. She was well because she believed that Jesus could heal her (See: 32:16).

48932:4hfvpapplication

How did the demons treat the man they possessed?

The demons caused the man they possessed to suffer and to bring shame upon himself. They caused him to harm even his own body. He would scream in pain all day and all night. Demons want to destroy the people whom God created.

49032:5-8rchsapplication

This story shows that Jesus had which power over the demons?

Jesus had the power to command the demons to come out of the man. He also had the power to decide where they could go after they left him. Jesus could send them into eternal punishment. The demons were afraid Jesus would do that. That is why they asked to go into the pigs instead.

49132:10iq5yapplication

Why did the people ask Jesus to leave their region?

The people were very concerned about the money they lost when their pigs drowned, but they did not care that the man was released from the demons. They asked Jesus to leave because they valued their possessions more than they valued other people.

49232:11rsz8application

Why did Jesus tell the man who was freed from the demons to go to his home?

The man wanted to follow Jesus as his disciple. But Jesus told the man to stay and to be his disciple among his own people. The people sent Jesus away. So Jesus told the man to stay at his home so that he could tell the people there about Jesus after Jesus went away.

49332:15-16uvtnapplication

Why did Jesus ask the woman to tell what had happened to her?

Jesus healed the woman because she believed in him. But Jesus also wanted other people to believe in him. For that reason, he did not allow the woman to be healed in secret. Instead, he caused her to tell everyone how he had healed her. In this way, she acted as his disciple.

49432:1-16e458summary

Jesus healed two people who were suffering greatly. The man had a demon that no one could control or remove. The woman was bleeding and no doctor could heal her. Jesus had the power to easily heal them both. However, he did not heal either person in secret. He sent the demons from the man into the pigs so that they died. As a result, everyone in the region heard that he had healed the man. Furthermore, he told the man who was healed to go home and to continue to tell everyone there what Jesus had done for him. Likewise, Jesus did not allow the woman to be healed in secret. He called her out before the crowd so that she could tell them all how Jesus had healed her. Jesus was preparing people to be able to tell everyone who he was and what he had done for them.

49533:1kccfmeaning

Why did Jesus get into a boat to teach the people?

The people were crowding too tightly around him. So Jesus got into the boat so that he would have room to speak to all the people (See: 33:1).

49633:2wtaxmeaning

What happened to the seed that fell on the path?

The birds ate the seed that fell on the path (See: 33:2).

49733:3c4simeaning

What happened to the seed that fell on rocky ground?

The seed that fell on rocky ground did not have enough soil for its roots, so it withered and died (See: 33:3).

49833:4et36meaning

What happened to the seed that fell among the thorns?

The thorns choked out the seed that fell among them so that it did not produce any grain (See: 33:4).

49933:5wwnwmeaning

What happened to the seed that fell on the good soil?

The seed that fell on the good soil produced 30, 60 or even 100 times as much grain as the seed that was planted (See: 33:5).

50033:6jo12meaning

What does the seed in the story represent?

The seed in the story represents the word of God that goes out to different people (See: 33:6).

50133:6xt83meaning

What does the seed on the path represent?

The seed on the path represents people who do not understand the word of God. Then the devil takes it away from them (See: 33:6).

50233:7yvx7meaning

What does the seed on the rocky ground represent?

The seed on the rocky ground represents people who hear the word of God, but then hardship causes them to stop trusting in God (See: 33:7).

50333:7je5umeaning

What does the seed on the thorny ground represent?

The seed on the thorny ground represents people who allow money and other things to distract them from their love for God (See: 33:7).

50433:9fd7dmeaning

What does the seed in the good soil represent?

The seed in the good soil is the person who hears and believes the word of God (See: 33:9).

50533:1liapapplication

Why do you think Jesus told this story to the large crowd?

There would be many kinds of people in the large crowd. They would respond to the words of Jesus in different ways. This story described how they would respond. They would all hear the words of Jesus, but only a few would believe his words and do what God wanted them to do. The other people would fail to love God for different reasons.

50633:7j74capplication

How can hardship and suffering cause a person to stop trusting in God?

Many people wrongly think that God will only allow good things to happen to them. Therefore, when they suffer, they think that God has deceived them or that he does not care about them. They stop trusting in him and following him. But God promised that people would treat his disciples badly.

50733:8ifdyapplication

How do worries about money and other things cause people to stop loving God?

Jesus said that people cannot love both God and money. They must choose to serve either God or possessions. Many people try do both, but they cannot. If they do not stop loving their possessions, they stop loving God. God is not pleased with these people.

50833:9ghznapplication

How does a person produce 30, 60 or 100 times as much fruit?

A single person can cause many other people to hear about Jesus and to love God. This may not happen all at once. But if they obey God throughout their lives and tell others about him, many people will respond to their testimony. The people may be their family, their friends, or even total strangers.

50933:1-9p1hssummary

A large crowd came to hear Jesus teach. There were so many people that he had to get into a boat in the water so that he had room to speak to them all. The people in the crowd would respond to his words in different ways. Some would not understand at all. Others would believe for a while and then fade away. But some would believe his words and serve God for their entire lives. For this reason, Jesus told the story about a farmer sowing seed. The seed fell on different kinds of soil, and it grew in different ways. The seed on the different kinds of soil represented the different people in the crowd. Jesus was telling the crowd and his disciples that they should pay attention to whether they believed the word of God. They should also make sure that they did not let anything else in their lives take the place of their love for God. If they continued to believe, they would accomplish much for God.

51034:1poacmeaning

What was Jesus talking about when he told his stories?

He was talking about the kingdom of God (See: 34:1).

51134:1ei9hmeaning

How did Jesus discribe the mustard seed?

The mustard seed was the smallest of all the seeds that people planted at that time (See: 34:1).

51234:2nlk8meaning

What happens to the mustard seed when it grows?

The mustard seed becomes bigger than other garden plants, so that even birds nest in its branches (See: 34:2).

51334:3mm91meaning

What happens to the yeast that a woman mixes into bread dough?

It spreads throughout the dough (See: 34:3).

51434:4j0rlmeaning

What did the man do when he found the treasure in a field?

He was filled with joy, and went and sold everything he had so he could buy that field (See: 34:4).

51534:5dsbymeaning

What did the merchant do when he found a perfect pearl?

He sold all that he had so he could buy that pearl (See: 34:5).

51634:7pj5cmeaning

How did the religious leader pray?

He thanked God that he was not a sinner like other men (See: 34:7).

51734:9uk4gmeaning

How did the tax collector pray?

He asked God to be merciful to him because he was a sinner (See: 34:9).

51834:10g26fmeaning

Which man did God declare to be righteous?

Jesus said that God declared the tax collector to be righteous (See: 34:10).

51934:1-2ipvoapplication

In what way is the kingdom of God like a mustard seed?

The kingdom of God will be small when it begins, but it will grow to become larger than all other kingdoms of the world.

52034:3t7c5application

In what way is the kingdom of God like yeast?

The kingdom of God will spread throughout the world.

52134:4hfjaapplication

In what way is the kingdom of God like a treasure hidden in a field?

The kingdom of God is so valuable that a person should be willing to sell everything they own in order to obtain it, and then rejoice.

52234:6kwimapplication

What wrong understanding did some people have about who God would accept?

Some people thought God would accept them because they did good things. Jesus told the story of the two men in order to correct their wrong understanding.

52334:10gw7sapplication

Why might the people who heard the story of the two men be surprised about who God accepted?

The people of that time thought tax collectors were evil and religious rulers were good. They did not understand that everyone is a sinner, and that God only accepts the people who humble themselves and confess that they are sinners.

52434:1-10a45ssummary

Jesus told five stories to explain what the kingdom of God is like. The stories of the mustard seed and the yeast showed that the kingdom of God will begin small, but will become larger than all other kingdoms, filling the whole earth. The stories of the treasure and the perfect pearl showed that the kingdom of God is so valuable that people should be willing to sell all they own in order to obtain it. And the story of the two men who prayed showed that God will only accept into his kingdom people who confess their sins. He will not accept proud people who trust in their good works instead of confessing their sins.

52535:2mdfdmeaning

Why did the religious leaders criticize Jesus?

The religious leaders criticized Jesus because he treated the tax collectors and sinners as friends (See: 35:2).

52635:5-6jxj9meaning

Why did the mans younger son decide to return to his father?

The younger son had no money, and was so hungry that he wanted to eat the food he gave to the pigs. He realized that the servants of his father lived better than that (See: 35:5, 35:6).

52735:6tyxqmeaning

What did the mans younger son want his father to do for him when he returned home?

The mans younger son wanted his father to treat him as a servant, and not as a son (See: 35:6.

52835:7gskqmeaning

What did the father do when he saw his younger son?

The father was so happy that he ran to his younger son and hugged and kissed him (See: 35:7).

52935:8y2gqmeaning

What did the mans younger son tell his father after his father greeted him?

The mans younger son told his father that he had sinned against his father and against God, and that he was not worthy to be his fathers son (See: 35:8).

53035:11ei22meaning

Why did the father need to go out to his older son?

The father went out to his older son because the older son would not come into the house where they were celebrating that his younger brother had returned (See: 35:11).

53135:12jlaxmeaning

Why was the mans older son angry with his father?

The mans older son was angry with his father because he thought his father treated his younger son better than he treated his older son. The mans older son thought his father should treat him better because he stayed home and worked while his younger brother went away and wasted his money (See: 35:12).

53235:3ytlsapplication

Why did the mans younger son demand that his father give him his inheritance while his father was still alive?

Perhaps the mans younger son only wanted his fathers possessions, and was not interested in honoring his father (See: 35:3).

53335:3d0ykapplication

Why do you think the father agreed to give his inheritance to his sons while he was still alive?

It seems that the father loved his sons more than he loved his possessions (See: 35:3).

53435:3iv7happlication

How is the younger son an example of people who run away from God and live according to their desires?

Many people are like the younger son. They want to live according to their own desires rather than to be friends with God the Father.

53535:7-8yzq4application

Do you think the father should have treated his younger son well when he returned?

Many people would think the father should have rejected his younger son since that son abandoned him. However, the father in the story was merciful, just as God the Father is merciful. He continued to love his son and accepted him with joy when he returned.

53635:7-9z93zapplication

How should people who have sinned, but who now want to come to God, expect God to treat them?

Jesus told this story to people who had sinned, but who were then coming to God. He wanted them to know that God will accept them when they come to him.

53735:11-12ycr8application

Why do you think some believers want to make it difficult for people who have sinned to come to God?

Some believers do not think it is fair that God accepts people who have sinned without punishing them. In this story, Jesus showed that God will not punish people who have sinned when they come to him and ask him to forgive them.

53835:13dgcwmeaning

Why should the father and his older son celebrate?

The father told his older son that they should celebrate because his younger brother had returned to them alive. This was a time to rejoice, rather than a time to be angry about the past (See: 35:13).

53935:1-13bc2rsummary

The religious leaders worked hard to try to please God. They were angry that Jesus treated tax collectors and sinners as friends when they came to listen to his teaching. So Jesus told this story to show them why God was happy when sinners returned to him. The father in the story represents God the Father. The older son represents the religious leaders. The younger son represents the tax collectors who sinned, but were now coming back to God. Jesus wanted the religious leaders to know that it was right to celebrate that these sinners were coming to God.

54036:1x4vdmeaning

Who did Jesus take with him when he went up the mountain to pray?

He took Peter, James, and John (See: 36:1).

54136:2tfq4meaning

In what way did Jesus face change as he was praying?

His face became as bright as the sun (See: 36:2).

54236:2p5z6meaning

In what way did Jesus clothes change as he was praying?

His clothes became as white as light, whiter than anyone on earth could make them (See: 36:2).

54336:3nbp0meaning

Who appeared with Jesus on the mountain?

Moses and the prophet Elijah appeared with him (See: 36:3).

54436:3r76hmeaning

What were Jesus, Moses, and Elijah talking about?

They were talking about Jesus death, which would soon happen in Jerusalem (See: 36:3).

54536:4eiwpmeaning

What did Peter offer to do for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah?

Peter offered to build three shelters for them (See: 36:4).

54636:5nzicmeaning

Who answered Peter?

God the Father answered as a voice from heaven (See: 36:5).

54736:5jlgcmeaning

What did God the Father tell Peter do to?

God said that Peter should listen to Jesus, because he was Gods Son whom he loved, and God was pleased with him (See: 36:5).

54836:5a5r4meaning

What did the disciples do when they heard Gods voice?

The disciples fell down on the ground in fear (See: 36:5).

54936:6gyzumeaning

What did the disciples see when Jesus told them to get up?

They no longer saw anyone there except Jesus (See: 36:6).

55036:7rs6qmeaning

When would Jesus allow the disciples to tell people what had happened on the mountain?

Jesus told the disciples that after he would die and come back to life, they could then tell people what had happened on the mountain (See: 36:7).

55136:1regdapplication

Why do you think Jesus took only Peter, James, and John with him up the mountain, and not the other disciples?

Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to see and hear more things than the other disciples. This may have been because they would become the highest leaders of the early church.

55236:2b8t0application

Why do you think the appearance of Jesus changed?

While Jesus was on earth, he appeared as a normal person. However, he was also God. On the mountain, he allowed the disciples to see a glimpse of his divine nature. Both his face and his clothes changed to the form they have in heaven.

55336:3drvrapplication

Why is it significant that Moses and Elijah were the two men who were talking with Jesus?

Moses represents all the law of God, and Elijah represents all the Old Testament prophets who prophesied that the Messiah would come and die in order to save people. When they appeared with Jesus, that showed that Jesus was the Messiah.

55436:4-5dma7application

Why was it not proper for Peter to make shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah?

Peter wanted to make three shelters in order to honor Jesus, Moses, and Elijah as equals. But they were not equal. Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. He was greater than Moses and Elijah. Therefore, God the Father spoke from heaven and told Peter to listen only to Jesus.

55536:7cufdapplication

Why do you think Jesus did not allow the disciples to tell anyone what had happened on the mountain right away?

The disciples did not yet understand what these thing meant. They would not be able to explain them properly at that time. However, after Jesus would die and come back to life again, they would understand these things, and could explain to other people what these things meant.

55636:1-7v0pssummary

Jesus took only his closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—up the mountain with him. He then allowed them to see him briefly change to his divine appearance and talk with Moses and Elijah about his coming death. The disciples were not yet able to understand what these things meant. But after the death and resurrection of Jesus, they would understand that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. They would then be able to explain to other people that God sent his Son Jesus as the Messiah to pay the penalty for the sins of other people.

55737:1x0lomeaning

What did Jesus say would be the result of Lazarus being sick?

He said that Lazarus illness would cause people to honor God (See: 37:1).

55837:2mdmxmeaning

How long did Jesus wait before he went to see Lazarus?

Jesus waited two days in the place where he was (See: 37:2).

55937:2-3grbemeaning

What did Jesus mean when he said that Lazarus was sleeping?

When Jesus said Lazarus was sleeping, he was using a polite way to say that Lazarus was dead (See: 37:2, 37:3).

56037:4iep0meaning

How long had Lazarus been dead when Jesus finally arrived at his home?

Lazarus had already been dead for four days by that time (See: 37:4).

56137:5uch0meaning

What title did Jesus give to himself when he spoke to Martha?

Jesus said that he was the Resurrection and the Life (See: 37:5).

56237:5whixmeaning

Who did Martha say that Jesus was?

She said he was the Messiah, the Son of God (See: 37:5).

56337:7ngm9meaning

Why was Martha afraid to open the tomb?

She was afraid that the body of Lazarus would smell bad because he had been dead for four days (See: 37:7).

56437:8u30gmeaning

What did Jesus say to his Father was the reason that he was praying to his Father?

Jesus said he was praying to his Father so that the people standing around would believe that God had sent Jesus into the world (See: 37:8).

56537:10c802meaning

What did Lazarus do when Jesus told him to come out of the tomb?

Lazarus became alive again and came out of the tomb, still wrapped in the grave clothes (See: 37:10).

56637:11zvr8meaning

Why did the religious leaders of the Jews plan to kill Jesus and Lazarus?

They envied Jesus, because the people believed in him (See: 37:11).

56737:2-3mvksapplication

Why do you think Jesus spoke about Lazarus death as if Lazarus were asleep?

Lazarus had died, but he would not remain dead. Jesus knew that he would make Lazarus alive again. Jesus perhaps said Lazarus was asleep in order to show that his death was temporary. In the same way, God speaks of all believers who die as being asleep. This encourages followers of Jesus when a fellow believer dies.

56837:2j1mcapplication

Why were the disciples surprised that Jesus wanted to go to Lazarus in Judea?

The Jewish leaders in Judea wanted to kill Jesus. However, Jesus was not afraid to die. In fact, he came to earth in order to die for sinners. Therefore, he was willing to go to Judea even though he knew they wanted to kill him there.

56937:3xbhaapplication

Why did Jesus wait for two days before he went to Lazarus?

Jesus did not want his friend Lazarus to suffer, or his sisters to grieve. But the most important thing to Jesus was to honor God. Therefore, Jesus allowed Lazarus, Martha, and Mary to suffer so that God would be honored when Jesus made Lazarus alive again. For followers of Jesus, suffering is temporary, and can bring glory to God.

57037:4-8dxywapplication

In what way was the faith of Martha and Mary limited?

Martha and Mary both believed that Jesus was able to prevent Lazarus from dying. However, neither of them understood that Jesus could raise Lazarus to life even after he had died.

57137:11jhy8application

Why do you think the religious leaders did not believe in Jesus even after he raised Lazarus from the dead?

The religious leaders hated Jesus because people listened to Jesus instead of to them. They wanted power over people so badly that they would not even believe in him when he performed a miracle that only God can do. Their sin kept them from seeing that Jesus was God.

57237:1-11qqwpsummary

Jesus honored God with everything he did. He was not afraid of people who wanted to kill him. He was willing to allow Lazarus to die even though it made Martha, Mary, and Jesus himself very sad. The most important thing was to honor God. As a result, Martha, Mary, the disciples, and many others saw God work powerfully through Jesus to raise Lazarus to life again. This proved that Jesus was the Resurrection, the Life, the Messiah, and the Son of God. However, even these proofs did not stop the sinful religious leaders from hating Jesus and plotting to kill him.

57338:1jvr7meaning

What does the Passover celebrate?

It celebrates how God saved the Jews from slavery in Egypt (See: 38:1).

57438:1osdjmeaning

What did Jesus tell the disciples would happen to him in Jerusalem after the Passover?

He told them that he would be killed there (See: 38:1).

57538:2saqpmeaning

What did Judas offer to do for the Jewish leaders in exchange for money?

He offered to betray Jesus to them so they could kill Jesus (See: 38:2).

57638:4ij0qmeaning

What did Jesus say the bread he broke represented?

Jesus said the bread was his body, which he would give for the disciples (See: 38:4).

57738:5vjg7meaning

What did Jesus say the cup of wine he drank represented?

Jesus said the cup of wine was the New Covenant in his blood, which he would pour out for the disciples (See: 38:5).

57838:8yt5ymeaning

As Jesus and the disciples walked to the Mount of Olives, what did Jesus say the disciples would all do that night?

Jesus said the disciples would all abandon him, like sheep scattering when their shepherd is struck (See: 38:8).

57938:9zqwlmeaning

What did Jesus say that Peter would do before the rooster crowed that night?

He said Peter would deny three times that he even knew Jesus (See: 38:9).

58038:12dfhemeaning

What did Jesus ask his Father to do when he prayed in the garden?

Jesus asked his Father not to make him drink the cup of suffering. But he also asked his Father to do his will even if there was no other way except for Jesus to die (See: 38:12).

58138:13wvl1meaning

What did the disciples do instead of watching with Jesus?

They fell asleep, because they were very tired (See: 38:13).

58238:14xruvmeaning

How did Judas betray Jesus to the crowd?

He pretended to honor Jesus by greeting him with a kiss (See: 38:14).

58338:15r0eomeaning

What did Jesus do for the servant of the high priest?

Jesus healed the servant after Peter cut off his ear with a sword (See: 38:15).

58438:4kl8sapplication

What new meaning did Jesus reveal about the Passover meal?

Jesus said the bread and the cup of wine at the Passover meal would remind the disciples that Jesus gave his body and shed his blood in order to save them.

58538:6nhn9application

Why did the disciples not suspect that Judas would betray Jesus?

Judas appeared to be just like the other disciples. In fact, they trusted him so much that they put him in charge of their shared money bag. Judas fooled all of the disciples. Jesus alone knew that he would betray Jesus.

58638:8-10uy74application

Why do you think the disciples did not believe that they would abandon Jesus?

The disciples thought they were brave enough to stand with Jesus. They were offended when he warned them that they would flee. Therefore, they fell asleep instead of watching and praying as Jesus had asked them. As a result, they were not able to stand with him when Judas and the crowd came for Jesus.

58738:12vjznapplication

What does Jesus prayer to his Father in the garden teach us about doing Gods will?

Jesus did not want to suffer and die, and asked his Father to spare him. However, Jesus was also willing to suffer in order to do his Fathers will. He knew that there was no other way for sinners to be saved if he did not die for them. Therefore, he was willing to be arrested and killed.

58838:14ymhwapplication

Why did the Jewish leaders need Judas to betray Jesus?

Jesus taught publicly every day, but the Jewish leaders were afraid to arrest him in front of the crowds who came to listen to him. They needed Judas to tell them when Jesus would be in a secluded place so they could arrest him in secret.

58938:15jg81application

Why do you think Peter struck the servant of the high priest with his sword?

Peter did not understand that Jesus must die for sinners. He had not listened each time Jesus told him this would happen. Therefore, he wrongly tried to save Jesus by force. But Jesus rebuked Peter and even healed the servant that Peter struck. He did not want his servants to prevent his arrest.

59038:1-15dniwsummary

Jesus knew that the Passover meal represented the way Jesus would suffer and die for sinners. He explained this to his disciples, but they did not understand him or believe that he would die. None of the disciples prayed or prepared for the time when Jesus would be betrayed. Even worse, his own disciple, Judas, betrayed him. Then the other disciples ran away. However, this did not surprise Jesus. He knew they would leave him and that he would die. That was the reason for which he came into the world.

59139:1kjplmeaning

Where did the soldiers first take Jesus after they arrested him?

They took him to the house of the high priest (See: 39:1).

59239:2bujlmeaning

What did the Jewish leaders do to try and prove that Jesus was guilty?

They brought many false witnesses who lied about Jesus. However, the witnesses did not agree with each other, so they could not prove that Jesus was guilty of anything (See: 39:2).

59339:3-4vb0umeaning

What question did the high priest ask Jesus, and how did Jesus answer?

The high priest asked if Jesus was the Messiah, and the Son of the living God. Jesus told the high priest that this was who he was (See: 39:3, 39:4).

59439:5qx89meaning

How did the Jewish leaders react when Jesus said he was the Messiah and the Son of God?

They all became angry and shouted that Jesus deserved to die. They blindfolded him, spit on him, hit him, and mocked him (See: 39:5).

59539:7xuy1meaning

What did Peter say when people outside the high priests house said he had been with Jesus?

Peter swore and said he did not know Jesus (See: 39:7).

59639:8uqmjmeaning

What did Judas do to himself after Jesus was arrested?

Judas went away and killed himself (See: 39:8).

59739:9s7r6meaning

What question did Pilate ask Jesus?

Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews (See: 39:9).

59839:10jb7nmeaning

Why did Jesus say his servants would not fight to defend him?

Jesus kingdom was not on earth, so his servants did not fight on earth to save him (See: 39:10).

59939:11br3jmeaning

What did Pilate decide about whether Jesus was guilty?

Pilate decided that Jesus was not guilty of anything, and told this to the crowd three times (See: 39:11).

60039:12t2d5meaning

Why did Pilate tell his soldiers to crucify Jesus?

Pilate was afraid the crowd would riot, so he ordered his soldiers to crucify Jesus in order to satisfy the crowd. Therefore, they whipped Jesus and prepared to kill him (See: 39:12).

60139:3-4wqrbapplication

What was the only charge the high priest was able to bring against Jesus?

Jesus had not done anything wrong, so the high priest could not find true witnesses against him. Finally, he accused Jesus of pretending to be the Messiah and the Son of God. Jesus really was Gods Son, so he was not pretending. He was innocent, but the high priest would not believe him. Therefore, the whole group of religious leaders condemned Jesus.

60239:6-8pcjtapplication

How is it encouraging to followers of Jesus that Peter denied Jesus?

Peter was one of Jesus closest disciples. He truly believed in Jesus, and became a leader in the church. However, even Peter denied Jesus when the people accused him. No believer is perfect. Jesus does not expect us to always do the right thing. Just as Jesus loved Peter in spite of his failure, followers of Jesus know he will forgive them when they repent of their sin.

60339:10-12dby3application

Why do you think God allowed Jesus to be falsely accused and condemned?

God knows that our fallen nature causes us to sin. His Holy Spirit enables people to do his will. By dying, Jesus took the place of sinners, accepting God's judgment of sin on himself, even though he was without sin. Paying the penalty for our sin, he made it possible for God to forgive sinners. So God allowed the Jewish leaders and the Romans to convict Jesus even though they knew he was innocent. Evil actions do not stop Gods plan or his will from happening.

60439:1-12e7absummary

When Jesus was arrested and tried, everyone who should have defended him turned against him instead. The religious leaders rejected the Messiah that God sent to them. Peter denied that he knew Jesus. And Pilate ordered his soldiers to crucify Jesus even though he knew that Jesus was innocent. But God used all of these evil things to accomplish his plan. He wanted Jesus to die in order to make a way for God to forgive sinners. And Jesus was willing to die in order to accomplish Gods plan.

60540:2a922meaning

What did the soldiers force Jesus to carry?

They forced him to carry the cross on which he would die (See: 40:2).

60640:2o0wfmeaning

What did Jesus ask his Father to do for the soldiers who crucified him?

He asked his Father to forgive them, for they did not understand what they were doing (See: 40:2).

60740:2wmtnmeaning

What did the sign above Jesus head say?

The sign said King of the Jews (See: 40:2).

60840:4krzlmeaning

What did Jesus promise to the robber who asked Jesus to remember him?

Jesus promised him that he would be with Jesus that very day in Paradise (See: 40:4).

60940:5qd19meaning

What did the Jewish leaders and people in the crowd tell Jesus to do so that they might believe in him?

They told Jesus to come down from the cross and to save himself (See: 40:5).

61040:6puoqmeaning

What happened to the sky as Jesus was on the cross?

The sky became completely dark for three hours in the middle of the day (See: 40:6).

61140:7exkqmeaning

What did Jesus cry out to his Father as he died?

He said that it was finished, and gave his spirit into his Fathers hands (See: 40:7).

61240:7a4f4meaning

What happened to the curtain in the Temple when Jesus died?

The curtain was torn in two from the top to the bottom (See: 40:7).

61340:8tujemeaning

What did the the Roman soldier say about Jesus when he died?

The soldier said the Jesus was certainly innocent, and that he was the Son of God (See: 40:8).

61440:9qayimeaning

Who buried Jesus?

Two Jewish leaders named Joseph and Nicodemus buried Jesus (See: 40:9).

61540:9r8n3meaning

How did Joseph close the tomb?

He rolled a large stone in front of the tomb to block the entrance (See: 40:9).

61640:2xgr9application

Why do you think Jesus said the soldiers did not know what they were doing?

The soldiers were Romans who did not know very much about the Jewish religion. They probably thought Jesus was an ordinary criminal, and they treated him as one.

61740:3uy7zapplication

They soldiers gambled for Jesus clothing. Why does that help us believe Jesus was the Messiah?

This action was one of many things that the scriptures, written hundreds of years before, said they would do to the Messiah. All these prophesies were fulfilled in Jesus.

61840:4i5ptapplication

Jesus told the robber who repented that he would be with Jesus in Paradise that day. What does that tell us about the way to enter into heaven?

The robber did not perform a single good deed. Instead, he simply confessed that he was a sinner, and asked Jesus to remember him in the kingdom. As a result, Jesus promised that he would be in Paradise (that is, heaven) that same day. The way to enter into heaven is to believe in Jesus.

61940:5fzbuapplication

Why do you think Jesus did not come down from the cross and save himself when the people asked him to?

The people who told Jesus to come down from the cross did not want to believe in him. They were only mocking him. They did not realize that he had the power to come down from the cross. But he came to earth to die for sinners. That was the will of his Father. He had to stay on the cross and give up his own life in order to make it possible for God to forgive other people who believed in Jesus.

62040:7o1hlapplication

What was finished when Jesus cried out?

When Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” he wanted to say that he had finished paying the penalty for the sins of everyone in the world. It was now possible for God to forgive those who repented and trusted in Jesus. People no longer needed to die for their own sins.

62140:7ems9application

Why was the curtain of the Temple torn from top to bottom?

The curtain of the Temple prevented people from seeing or entering into the most holy place in the Temple where God was. God in heaven above tore the curtain from the top to the bottom when Jesus died. He did this to show that Jesus had opened a way for man to approach God through the sacrifice of Jesus.

62240:8tsaqapplication

Why did the soldier say that Jesus was innocent, and the Son of God?

The Roman soldier had probably executed hundreds of criminals. He recognized that Jesus did not act like a criminal. Instead, he was a good man who asked his Father to forgive the soldiers, and who spoke kindly to the robber who repented. Furthermore, the miraculous signs that happened when Jesus died convinced the soldier that Jesus was not just a man—he was the Son of God.

62340:1-9suofsummary

Jesus suffered greatly as he died. The soldiers mocked and mistreated him. The religious leaders and the crowd mocked him. Even one of the robbers on a cross beside him mocked him. Despite this, Jesus remained on the cross and suffered in order to make a way for God to forgive sinners. He was willing to die in order to obey his Father and finish the task that he came to do. One of the robbers understood this, and went to heaven with Jesus. One of the soldiers also saw that Jesus was truly the Son of God. And two of the religious leaders believed in Jesus and honored him by burying his body. God was honored even through the death of his Son.

62441:1q7tlmeaning

What were the Jewish leaders afraid the disciples would do with the body of Jesus?

They were afraid the disciples would steal Jesus body and say he had risen from the dead (See: 41:1).

62541:2yjzumeaning

How did Pilate make sure the disciples could not steal Jesus body?

Pilate let them placed a seal on the entrance of the tomb, and also stationed some soliders there to guard it. (See: 41:2).

62641:3oriameaning

When did the women come to the tomb?

The women came to the tomb after the Sabbath day was over (See: 41:3).

62741:3x3homeaning

What did the woman plan to do at the tomb?

The women wanted to put more spices on Jesus body (See: 41:3).

62841:4sx58meaning

Who rolled the stone away from the tomb?

An angel from heaven rolled the stone away from the tomb (See: 41:4).

62941:4r7d7meaning

What did the soldiers do when they saw the angel?

The soldiers were so afraid that they fell to the ground like dead men (See: 41:4).

63041:5yjaxmeaning

What did the angel tell the women had happened to Jesus?

The angel told them that Jesus was not there, but that he had risen from the dead (See: 41:5).

63141:6grcxmeaning

What did the angel tell the women to say to the disciples?

He told them to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead, and would go ahead of them to Galilee (See: 41:6).

63241:8xfixmeaning

What did the women do when Jesus appeared to them as they were on their way?

The woman fell down and worshiped Jesus (See: 41:8).

63341:1c5pdapplication

Who was it that remembered Jesus promise to rise from the dead in three days?

It is surprising that the disciples did not remember the Jesus said he would rise from the dead in three days. Instead, it was the unbelieving Jewish leaders who remembered what he said. They did not believe him, but they did remember his words. The disciples should have remembered.

63441:2-4htc1application

Were the soldiers able to prevent the tomb from opening?

The Roman soldiers were the best soldiers of that time. However, they could not stand against the single angel that God sent to open the tomb. The strongest military force could not stop God from doing what he planned to do. When the angel appeared, they fell down like dead men.

63541:5-6ta7gapplication

How did the angel treat the women who came to the tomb?

The angel knew that the women had come to honor Jesus by putting spices on his body. Therefore, the angel spoke kindly to them and told them not to be afraid. He showed them the empty tomb, and told them that Jesus would meet them in Galilee.

63641:8gxy0application

Why do you think Jesus met the women, when he told them the same thing as the angel?

Jesus did not need to appear to the women. The angel had already told them that he was alive and would meet the disciples in Galilee. But Jesus also knew that the women had come to honor him. Perhaps he appears to them for that reason, so he could honor them for coming to serve him. The women were therefore the first people to see Jesus after he became alive again.

63741:1-8eg8usummary

Jesus had told the disciples and other people the he would become alive again after three days. Surprisingly, the disciples did not remember this, nor come to the tomb to see if he would rise again. Only the women came, and even they did not expect Jesus to be alive. The only people who seemed to remember that he promised to rise again were the unbelieving religious leaders. They remembered what Jesus said, and tried to stop people from believing that he would rise from the dead. They posted soldiers to make sure his body remained in the tomb. But they could not stop the plan of God. An angel struck down the soldiers, and Jesus rose with power.

63842:1fe8fmeaning

What were the two disciples talking about as they went to a nearby town?

They were talking about what had happened to Jesus. The women had said Jesus was alive, so they did not know what to believe (See: 42:1).

63942:2ohu6meaning

Who did the disciples think Jesus was?

They thought he was a foreigner who did not know what had happened in Jerusalem (See: 42:2).

64042:3dt1nmeaning

What did Jesus explain to the two disciples?

Jesus explained what Gods word said about the Messiah—how he would suffer and die, and then rise again on the third day (See: 42:3).

64142:4p1aimeaning

When did the two disciples to recognize Jesus?

They recognized him when he broke the bread with them (See: 42:4).

64242:5hn2jmeaning

How did Jesus convince the disciples in Jerusalem that he was not a ghost?

He showed them his hands and feet, and then ate a piece of fish before them (See: 42:5).

64342:8i0tzmeaning

What is the message that the prophets said Jesus disciples would proclaim?

They would tell everyone to repent so God will forgive their sins. They would tell this to people everywhere, starting in Jerusalem (See: 42:8).

64442:9we6emeaning

How many people saw Jesus at one time after he rose from the dead?

More than 500 people saw him at the same time (See: 42:9).

64542:10l47rmeaning

What did Jesus command his disciples to do?

He told them to make disciples in all people groups, and to baptize them and to teach them to obey everything that he had commanded them (See: 42:10).

64642:11xlnsmeaning

Where did Jesus go 40 days after he rose from the dead?

Jesus went up to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God to rule over all things (See: 42:11).

64742:1-2p627application

Why do you think the two disciples on the road did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead?

They had thought Jesus was the Messiah, so it was very difficult and discouraging for them when he died. Perhaps they did not want to believe the report from the women so that they would not be disappointed again if Jesus was not really alive.

64842:2vihlapplication

Why do you think the two disciples did not recognize Jesus?

It seems as if Jesus prevented the two disciples from recognizing him. Perhaps he wanted them to believe the things the prophets had written about him in Gods word before he revealed himself to them. From the time Jesus went back to heaven, people have not been able to see him, and must believe in him because of what Gods word says about him.

64942:6q6l8application

Why did the disciples in Jerusalem not believe Jesus was alive when he first appeared to them?

Jesus had told the disciples that he would become alive again after three days. The woman had also seen him alive at the tomb and told the disciples. And the two disciples who saw Jesus on the road told them that Jesus was alive. Even so, when Jesus appeared among them in the room, they thought he was a ghost. It is amazing that they did not believe he was alive even with so much proof. They only understood clearly after Jesus explained to them the things written about him in Gods word.

65042:8qiolapplication

What must people do in order for God to forgive them?

People must repent in order for God to forgive them. That is, they must change their minds about themselves and confess that they are sinners, and change their minds about God and confess that Jesus died to pay for their sins.

65142:10zjfnapplication

To whom are Jesus disciples to speak his message?

We are to proclaim Gods message about Jesus to all people groups everywhere.

65242:10nk24application

How long are Jesus disciples to proclaim his message?

We are to continue to proclaim his message until there are disciples among all people groups who obey everything that Jesus commanded us.

65342:11yslxapplication

How does Jesus help his disciples to proclaim his message?

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give power to his disciples so they can proclaim his message to everyone everywhere.

65442:11qxcyapplication

What is Jesus doing as his disciples proclaim his message?

Jesus is in heaven ruling over all things at the right hand of God. This encourages his disciples, as they know that he will enable them to do what he has commanded us. He will cause disciples to believe in him in every people group.

65542:1-11fgtrsummary

The disciples did not understand that the Messiah had to die for the sins of people. Therefore, they were so discouraged when Jesus died that it was difficult for them to believe that he was alive again—even when there was so much proof that he was alive. However, Jesus appeared alive to many of the disciples over a period of 40 days in order to prove to them from the word of God that he was the Messiah and had risen from the dead. He them sent the Holy Spirit to give them power so they could tell people everywhere to repent, believe in him, and obey all that he commanded us. Meanwhile, he is sitting at the right hand of God and ruling over everything.

65643:1kwfhmeaning

Why did the believers constantly gather together in Jerusalem?

They continually gathered together to pray (See: 43:1).

65743:3qjsdmeaning

What happened to the believers as they were gathered together during Pentecost?

As the believers were gathered together, the house was filled with the sound of a strong wind and something like flames of fire appeared over their heads. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages (See: 43:3).

65843:4xkoqmeaning

What astonished the crowd when they came to see the believers?

They heard the believers speaking in the native language of each person in the crowd (See: 43:4).

65943:5g0cymeaning

How did Peter reply when the crowd said the believers were drunk?

Peter told the crowd that they were not drunk, but that this was the Spirit of God poured out on the believers as the prophet Joel had said long ago (See: 43:5).

66043:6-7sm41meaning

According to Peter, how did God the Father honor Jesus?

God the Father honored Jesus by making him sit at his right hand, and by making him both Lord over everything and the Messiah (See: 43:6, 43:7).

66143:11gc18meaning

When the people asked Peter what they should do, how did he reply?

Peter told them to repent so that God would forgive them and to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (See: 43:11).

66243:12xwf9meaning

How many people believed what Peter preached and became disciples of Jesus that day?

About 3,000 people believed Peter and became disciples of Jesus (See: 43:12).

66343:13v2jdmeaning

What did the new believers do together in Jerusalem?

They continued to listen to the teaching of the apostles. They also met, ate, and prayed together. And they continually praised God together and shared everything they had with each other (See: 43:13).

66443:1wvu2application

What was the main thing the believers continually did when they gathered together?

Prayer was very important to the believers. They continually gathered together to pray to God as a group, in addition to praying individually. Perhaps that is why God did such powerful works among them.

66543:3-4nt9oapplication

How did the gift of speaking in other languages help the believers proclaim the message of Jesus?

The people in Jerusalem knew the believers could not speak the native languages of everyone in the crowd. When they heard and saw them do this, they knew it was a miracle. Therefore, they were ready to listen to Peter as he preached to them. They could also speak to any person from any language group about Jesus, and that person would understand completely what they said.

66643:6-9ks4xapplication

What did Peter tell the crowd about Jesus?

Peter told them that they had crucified Jesus, but that God had raised him from the dead just as the prophets had said he would. Peter and the believers were eyewitnesses of this. Peter also said that God had honored Jesus by making him sit at his right hand in heaven, and that it was Jesus who was sending the Holy Spirit.

66743:10wu2bapplication

How did people respond to Peters message?

God caused the people to be deeply moved so that they asked Peter what they should do. God will not always cause people to respond in this way, but on that occasion, 3,000 people believed the message and repented.

66843:12-13fo26application

How did the people of Jerusalem react when they saw that the believers continually met together to pray, praise God, and share with each other?

When everyone in Jerusalem saw how the believers treated each other and praised God, they thought well of them, and many more people became believers.

66943:1-13wo1ssummary

After Jesus went up to heaven, the believers continually met to pray together. Soon God sent the Holy Spirit to do a mighty work in them. He enabled them to speak in the native language of every person to whom they spoke. People were amazed at this. They listened to Peter as he told them that Jesus, whom they had crucified, had become Lord and Messiah and had sent the Holy Spirit to do this. When they heard this, 3,000 immediately believed in Jesus and were baptized. As they continued to meet together, other people saw how they praised God and helped each other. As a result, the church continued to grow.

67044:1bihdmeaning

Why was the crippled man sitting at the gate of the Temple?

He was begging for money from the people who were coming to the Temple (See: 44:1).

67144:2gl5xmeaning

What did Peter give the crippled man instead of money?

Peter told him to get up and walk in the name of Jesus (See: 44:2).

67244:4e1drmeaning

According to Peter, whose power healed the crippled man?

Peter said the man was not healed by the power of Peter and John, but by the power of Jesus (See: 44:4).

67344:5eisameaning

What did Peter tell the people to do?

He told them to repent and turn to God so that God would wash away their sins (See: 44:5).

67444:6sd7bmeaning

How many believers were there in Jerusalem after this message by Peter?

The number of believers grew to about 5,000 (See: 44:6).

67544:7zk7umeaning

What did the Jewish leaders do to Peter and John after they healed the man?

The leaders arrested them and brought them before the high priest and the other leaders (See: 44:7).

67644:8n8hwmeaning

According to Peter, what was the only way to be saved?

Peter said there is no other way to be saved except through the power of Jesus Christ (See: 44:8).

67744:9vpr7meaning

Why were the leaders shocked that Peter and John spoke so boldly?

Peter and John were ordinary, uneducated men. They should not have been able to speak so powerfully (See: 44:9).

67844:9yf7xmeaning

What did the leaders tell Peter and John before they let them go?

The leaders threatened to punish them if they continued to speak to the people about Jesus (See: 44:9).

67944:1-3uqhgapplication

What did the crippled man have to do in order to be healed?

It appears that the crippled man did not have to do anything to be healed. We do not even know if he believed in Jesus before he was healed. Instead, Peter believed that Jesus would heal the man, and God healed him.

68044:3pwkdapplication

How did the healing of the crippled man happen?

The crippled man was immediately and completely healed. One minute, he could not stand, and the next minute, he was able to walk and jump around. The change was so obvious to everyone that the people who saw it were amazed and responded to Peters message.

68144:4qj63application

Who gave the power to heal the crippled man?

Peter was very careful to tell the people that the power to heal the man did not come from Peter and John. Instead, Jesus healed the man because Peter and John believed in Jesus. Peter and John were very humble about the way God used them.

68244:5c7zvapplication

Why did Peter tell the crowd that they killed Jesus?

People cannot be saved if they do not repent. Therefore, Peter clearly explained how they had sinned by rejecting Jesus. Although they did not personally kill Jesus, they wanted Pilate to kill him, and so they were guilty of his death. They needed to confess that sin before God would save them, so Peter was not afraid to confront them.

68344:8p4e5application

Is there any other way to be saved other than through Jesus?

Peter very clearly told the religious leaders that there is no other way to be saved except through Jesus. The works of the leaders would not save them. No other god could save them. Jesus is the only way.

68444:9na8tapplication

What did the leaders decide was the reason that Peter and John spoke so boldly?

The leaders realized that they spoke so boldly because they had been with Jesus. It did not matter that they were not educated, and that they did not have important positions among their people. They followed Jesus and learned from him. Therefore, they were able to speak boldly and accurately for him.

68544:1-9ods2summary

Jesus has gone up to heaven, but he continued to give power to his disciples so they could do his work on earth. Jesus powerfully healed the crippled man through Peter so that many saw and believed Peters message. Jesus also enabled Peter and John to speak boldly to the Jewish leaders and to not be afraid of their threats. Instead, with great power, they continued to proclaim the message of Jesus to everyone. As a result, the church in Jerusalem continued to grow.

68645:2gbbvmeaning

What lie did the unbelieving Jews tell about Stephen?

They lied and said he was speaking evil things about Moses and God (See: 45:2).

68745:3em1smeaning

What evil things did Stephen say the people of Israel had done?

In the past, the people of Israel had always disobeyed God, rejected the Holy Spirit, and killed Gods prophets. But Stephen said that they had now done something even worse—they had killed the Messiah (See: 45:3).

68845:4s8asmeaning

What did the religious leaders do to Stephen when they heard what he said about them?

They dragged Stephen out of the city and threw stones at him to kill him (See: 45:4).

68945:5pfm3meaning

What did Stephen ask God to do for the religious leaders?

Stephen asked God not to hold it against them that they were stoning him (See: 45:5).

69045:6edkjmeaning

What did the believers do when the persecution forced them to leave Jerusalem?

They fled to other places and continued to preach about Jesus everywhere they went (See: 45:6).

69145:7aervmeaning

Who did the Holy Spirit tell Philip to go and meet on the road?

He told Philip to meet an important official from Ethiopia, who was riding in his chariot (See: 45:7).

69245:8do4fmeaning

What was the official reading when Philip approached him?

He was reading what the prophet Isaiah wrote about a man who was silent as a lamb when he was killed (See: 45:8).

69345:10y9cpmeaning

Who did Philip say Isaiah had written about?

Philip said Isaiah had written about Jesus (See: 45:10).

69445:11fwucmeaning

What did the Ethiopian ask to do when they came to some water?

The Ethiopian asked Philip if he could be baptized (See: 45:11).

69545:12pb3hmeaning

What happened to Philip after he baptized the Ethiopian?

The Holy Spirit took Philip away to another place where he continued to tell people about Jesus (See: 45:12).

69645:2-3ygk0application

How did Stephen respond when he was arrested and brought before the high priest and other leaders?

Even though people had lied about Stephen, he boldly proclaimed the message about Jesus. He was not afraid to tell the leaders that they had sinned and disobeyed God.

69745:4-5ka4eapplication

What was Stephens attitude toward the Jews who killed him?

Stephen did not condemn the people who killed him. Instead, he was gracious to them and asked God not to punish them for killing him. He loved his enemies even as he was dying.

69845:6eweeapplication

Did the persecution of the believers stop the message about Jesus?

God used the persecution of the believers to spread the message about Jesus even further than Jerusalem. Before the persecution, the believers only preached in Jerusalem. But after the persecution started, they scattered everywhere and preached the message wherever they went.

69945:7ljrbapplication

What was Philip doing when the Holy Spirit told him to go to the wilderness to meet the Ethiopian?

Philip was preaching in Samaria, and many people were believing in Jesus as a result. However, the Holy Spirit sent Philip away from Samaria to meet only the Ethiopian. It seems that it was so important that the Ethiopian believed that God took Philip away from speaking to many other people. Philip obeyed God and went.

70045:8-9p9lrapplication

When Philip approached the Ethiopian, how was it exactly the right time for the Ethiopian to hear about Jesus?

The Ethiopian was reading about the Messiah in the book of the prophet Isaiah, but did not know that Isaiah was writing about Jesus. The Holy Spirit brought Philip to the Ethiopian at exactly the right time when he was willing to listen to Gods message. Because Philip came to him then, the Ethiopian quickly believed and was baptized.

70145:11anfvapplication

Who suggested that the Ethiopian be baptized?

The Ethiopian himself knew that he should honor Jesus by being baptized in his name. Therefore, he asked Philip to baptize him. Philip did that, and the Ethiopian continued on to his home, happy to know Jesus.

70245:1-13aehqsummary

At first, the Jews approved of the followers of Jesus because of the miracles they did and the way they lived. But they soon turned against the believers. They accused Stephen of saying evil things about Moses and God, and then killed him. After that, they persecuted the believers and forced them to leave Jerusalem and scatter to other places. But God used the persecution to cause the believers to proclaim the message about Jesus to everyone everywhere. Many people believed in Jesus at the preaching Philip and others. But God also sought out individual people, such as the Ethiopian official, who needed to hear about Jesus. Even during the persecution, God was at work to powerfully grow his church.

70346:1ojywmeaning

What did Saul do to the believers in Jerusalem?

He persecuted them by going from house to house to arrest both men and women and put them in prison (See: 46:1).

70446:1t81imeaning

Why did Saul go to the city of Damascus?

The high priest gave Saul permission to go to Damascus to arrest the followers of Jesus there and bring them back to Jerusalem (See: 46:1).

70546:3sa8pmeaning

What happened to Saul as he was traveling to Damascus?

A bright light shone around him and he heard someone say, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” (See: 46:3).

70646:4fdoumeaning

Who did God send to Saul so that he could see again?

God sent a disciple in Damascus named Ananias to Saul to make him see again (See: 46:4).

70746:5djskmeaning

Who did Saul tell the Jews in Damascus that Jesus was?

Saul told them that Jesus was the Son of God and the Messiah (See: 46:5).

70846:7wfdrmeaning

How did Saul escape from the Jews in Damascus when they wanted to kill him?

Sauls friends lowered him over the city wall in a basket at night so he could escape (See: 46:7).

70946:8bkzqmeaning

What happened when Saul tried to meet with the apostles in Jerusalem?

The apostles were afraid of Saul until Barnabas took him to them and explained how Saul had boldly preached about Jesus in Damascus (See: 46:8).

71046:9mwaameaning

How were the believers in Antioch different from the believers in Jerusalem?

The believers in Antioch were not Jews (See: 46:9).

71146:10xzkameaning

Who did the Holy Spirit tell the followers of Jesus in Antioch to set apart to do Gods work in other places?

The Holy Spirit told them to set apart Barnabas and Saul to do Gods work, so they sent them out (See: 46:10).

71246:1uf95application

What was Sauls attitude about the believers before the Lord appeared to him?

Saul hated the believers and tried to destroy them. He guarded the robes of the people who killed Stephen. Later, he arrested believers throughout Jerusalem, and planned to do the same thing in Damascus. He was perhaps the least likely person we would expect God to save and use for his glory.

71346:2wmm7application

Why do you think Jesus told Saul that he was persecuting Jesus?

Jesus was already in heaven when Saul began to persecute the believers. But the believers represented Jesus on earth, so when Saul persecuted them, it was as if he was persecuting Jesus himself. Jesus cares about what happens to the believers.

71446:4u826application

What did God tell Ananias that he had chosen Saul to do?

God told Ananias that he had chosen Saul to declare his name to the Jews and to people from other people groups, and to suffer in Gods name. Even though Saul had hated the believers and persecuted them, God had a plan to use Saul to spread the good news about Jesus throughout the world of that day.

71546:6-7b4sqapplication

What happened in Damascus when Saul preached about Jesus?

Saul argued boldly with the Jews to prove that Jesus was the Son of God. However, it is not clear if many people believed. Perhaps arguing about Jesus is not the best way to convince people to repent of their sin. After a time, the Jews tried to kill Saul, and he had to escape at night.

71646:9oed7application

Who went to Antioch to teach the new believers there?

The two people who went to teach the believers at Antioch were Barnabas and Saul. Saul was the one who God said he would send to people of other nations, such as the people at Antioch. And Barnabas was the one who spoke for Saul and convinced the apostles in Jerusalem to accept him. Both men were uniquely prepared to teach people who were not Jews.

71746:10ie2papplication

How did the Holy Spirit send out Barnabas and Saul?

The Holy Spirit spoke to the believers in the church at Antioch in order to send out Barnabas and Saul. The church then prayed for them, placed their hands on them, and supported them as they went out to preach among the other people groups. God did not send them out alone. Instead, he worked through the church so the believers were deeply involved in the work of Barnabas and Saul.

71846:1-10f39zsummary

As the Jews continued to persecute the believers, God did an amazing thing. He chose to set apart Saul, one of the worst persecutors of the church, and cause him to preach boldly about Jesus! He appeared to Saul on the road in blazing light, rebuked him, and made Saul blind. As a result, Saul believed in Jesus and began to boldly proclaim his name. When the Jews drove him out of Damascus, he went to Jerusalem and continued to preach there. Later, he went with Barnabas to Antioch and taught the first believers who were not Jews. And finally, God told the church at Antioch to send out Barnabas and Saul to preach to other people groups everywhere. God continued to spread the message of Jesus.

71947:1axrbmeaning

Who was Paul?

Paul was Saul using his Roman name as he traveled through the Roman Empire (See: 47:1).

72047:2fdpcmeaning

Where did Paul and Silas meet Lydia?

Paul and Silas met Lydia in Philippi when they went to a place by the river outside the city where people gathered to pray (See: 47:2).

72147:3l963meaning

What did the demon enable the slave girl to do for her masters?

The demon enabled her to predict the future for people. They paid her masters a lot of money for that (See: 47:3).

72247:4agoymeaning

Why was Paul annoyed with the slave girl?

The demon caused her to keep telling people that Paul and Silas were servants of the Most High God (See: 47:4).

72347:6-7q4dwmeaning

What did the owners of the slave girl do when Paul forced the demon to leave her?

They became very angry with Paul and Silas, for they realized the girl could no longer tell the future, and people would no longer pay them. So they took Paul and Silas to the authorities, who beat them and put them into jail (See: 47:6, 47:7).

72447:9-10e9xzmeaning

What happened when the earthquake shook the jail during the night?

All the prison doors opened wide, and the chains of all the prisoners fell off. As a result, the jailer thought the prisoners had escaped, and planned to kill himself (See: 47:9, 47:10).

72547:11edn5meaning

What did the jailer ask Paul and Silas when they stopped him from killing himself?

The jailer asked them what he must do in order to be saved (See: 47:11).

72647:12fmn4meaning

Why did Paul and Silas baptize the jailer and his whole family?

Paul and Silas baptized them because they all believed in Jesus (See: 47:12).

72747:13-14n6ilmeaning

What did Paul do after he and Silas were released from jail in Philippi?

Paul traveled to many cities to preach the good news about Jesus. He also wrote many letters to teach and encourage the believers in the churches. Some of his letters became books of the Bible (See: 47:13, 47:14).

72847:1h85sapplication

Why did Paul and Silas go to the river in Philippi?

When Paul and Silas arrived in Philippi, they looked for a place where people would be willing to hear about Jesus. They went to the river because that was the place where people went to pray to God.

72947:1-2co1tapplication

Why did Lydia need to believe in Jesus if she already loved and worshiped God?

Lydia perhaps followed the Jewish religion. She knew about God, but she did not know about Jesus. When Paul and Silas told her about Jesus, she believed in him and was baptized. It is not enough for a person to believe in God. They must also believe in Jesus, whom God sent, in order to be saved from their sins.

73047:3-5a4ryapplication

Why was Paul so annoyed by the demon that was speaking the truth about Paul and Silas?

Demons are evil, and the enemies of God. Therefore, Paul was not willing to have them speak about God—even if what they said at that time was true. There can be no friendship between demons and the servants of God.

73147:8u8g6application

What were Paul and Silas doing in the middle of the night while they were in jail?

Even though the authorities beat Paul and Silas and threw them into jail, they were singing songs of praise to God. They trusted God completely, and were able to praise him in the most difficult situations.

73247:10mk8dapplication

Why did Paul stop the jailer from killing himself?

Paul had mercy on the jailer. Because he thought the prisoners had escaped, the jailer was so afraid that he planned to kill himself. But Paul and Silas remained in the prison instead of escaping so that they could tell the jailer about Jesus. As a result, the jailer and his whole family believed.

73347:14l06kapplication

To whom did Paul write the letters that became books of the Bible?

Paul wrote all of his letters to the believers in the churches of that time. However, the Holy Spirit guided Paul so that some of his books are also written to us today to encourage and teach us. Therefore, each book of the Bible has both an ancient and a modern audience.

73447:1-14z79wsummary

Paul never forgot that God saved him from persecuting the believers and enabled him to proclaim the message about Jesus to people in many different people groups. Because God was so gracious to him, Paul was willing to go anywhere for God, and to praise him even when he was suffering. As a result, God used Paul powerfully to preach to people in many cities throughout the world. In addition, Paul wrote many letters to believers in different cities to teach and encourage them. Many of these letters became books of the Bible and continue to teach and encourage us today. Therefore, Pauls ministry extended to places he never visited, and continues long after his death, even to today.

73548:1ll4lmeaning

What was the world like when God rested from its creation?

Everything was perfect, and there was no sin, sickness, or death. Adam and Eve loved each other and they loved God (See: 48:1).

73648:2y6l3meaning

Why do people die?

Everyone dies because Adam and Eve sinned against God (See: 48:2).

73748:4ncuvmeaning

What did God promise that the Messiah would do to Satan?

God promised that the Messiah would take away Satans power forever (See: 48:4).

73848:6igolmeaning

What did the sacrifices that the priest offered to God accomplish?

These sacrifices showed people that they had sinned, and that they deserved God's punishment (See: 48:6).

73948:7sxh7meaning

Who did God say he would bless through Abraham?

God said he would bless all the people groups on earth through Abraham (See: 48:7).

74048:8sookmeaning

Why do we call Jesus the “Lamb of God?”

God gave Abraham a lamb to sacrifice instead of his son, Isaac. In the same way, Jesus died in our place as a sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is called the “Lamb of God” (See: 48:8).

74148:9-10r0s9meaning

How is Jesus like the Passover lamb?

Just as God spared the Jews who put the blood of the lamb on their doors, he will not punish the person for whom Jesus shed his blood (See: 48:9, 48:10).

74248:12segwmeaning

Why is Jesus a greater prophet than Moses?

Everything Jesus did and said were the actions and words of God (See: 48:12).

74348:13i5bumeaning

Why is Jesus able to rule forever?

Jesus is the descendant of King David and also the Messiah. Therefore, he will rule forever (See: 48:13).

74448:1-3a4u0application

Why is there evil, suffering, and death in the world?

People do evil things, suffer, and die because Adam and Eve sinned against God. They became sinners because of that, and so did all of their descendants. As a result, every person in the world is a sinner.

74548:3r0enapplication

Why is there no peace between God and people?

When Adam and Eve sinned, they and their descendants became enemies of God. Therefore, there is no peace between God and people.

74648:6fg5lapplication

Why did God require sacrifices if they cannot save people from their sins?

God required sacrifices in order to show them that only Jesus, the perfect high priest, could offer a sacrifice that would take away their sins. Any other sacrifice does not save us, but only shows us that we need to believe in Jesus.

74748:7o4wqapplication

Who does God want to save from their sins?

God wants to save people from every people group from their sins. Therefore, we must proclaim the message about Jesus to every people group so they can believe in Jesus and be saved.

74848:8uaauapplication

How does the Lamb of God keep God from punishing those who believe in him?

Jesus was perfect, and never sinned. Therefore, when he shed his blood, he died to pay the penalty for our sins, and not for his own. We can be confident, then, that God will not punish us, since Jesus has already paid for our sins.

74948:11ld40application

How does a person accept the New Covenant?

The New Covenant that God made with us means that anyone who believes in Jesus belongs to God. It is no longer necessary to obey the Law (that is, the Old Covenant) in order to be saved. Jesus already completely fulfilled the Law. We only need to believe in him in order to be saved.

75048:13-14iorrapplication

How is Jesus a greater king than King David?

King David ruled over Israel. But Jesus will rule over the entire universe. Therefore, he is a greater king than his ancestor, King David.

75148:1-14kdmfsummary

The world was perfect when God created it. But Adam and Eve sinned against God. As a result, they and their ancestors became sinners and enemies of God. But God chose to make a way for there to be peace between God and people. He sent his Son, Jesus, as a great high priest to sacrifice himself as the Lamb of God to pay for our sins. No other sacrifice could do that. Everyone who believes in Jesus belongs to God, and God will not punish them. God wants people from every people group to believe in Jesus and be part of his kingdom when he will rule over the entire universe with justice and peace.

75249:1g20bmeaning

How did Mary become pregnant with Jesus?

She was a virgin, but the Holy Spirit came to her and made her become pregnant (See: 49:1).

75349:5x826meaning

What did Jesus say was better than anything else in the world?

He said to be in the kingdom of God was better than anything else in the world (See: 49:5).

75449:6udxqmeaning

Who did Jesus say were like good soil?

People who receive the good news about Jesus are like good soil, and God will save them (See: 49:6).

75549:7hj31meaning

What does God want to do for sinners because he loves them very much?

He wants to forgive them and to make them his children (See: 49:7).

75649:9mxt9meaning

How did God show that he loves everyone in the world?

He gave his only Son to receive the punishment due to sinners so that those who believe in him will escape the punishment and live with him forever (See: 49:9).

75749:11lwy4meaning

How is Jesus the perfect sacrifice to take away your sins?

Jesus never sinned, but he took the place of all sinners, receiving the punishment for sin (See: 49:11).

75849:15beiemeaning

What do you need to do in order to become a follower of Jesus?

If you believe in Jesus and confess what he has done for you, you are a follower of Jesus (See: 49:15).

75949:17rvhjmeaning

Does Satan tempt followers of Jesus to sin?

Yes, Satan will still tempt followers of Jesus to sin. But if you confess your sins, God will forgive you (See: 49:17).

76049:18hx41meaning

How can you become a strong friend of Jesus?

You will be a strong friend of Jesus if you pray and study his word, worship together with other followers of Jesus, and tell other people what Jesus has done for you (See: 49:18).

76149:1rgasapplication

Why is it important to us that Jesus is human as well as God?

Because Jesus is human as well as divine he can understand our struggles and weaknesses and will help us to serve God.

76249:2pvgwapplication

Why can we be confident that Jesus is God?

He did many powerful miracles for many people that proved he was God. He walked on water, calmed storms, healed sick people, drove out demons, and even raised dead people to life. If he were only a man, he would not have been able to do these things.

76349:5s7f1application

How can you know that you will be in Gods kingdom?

If you believe in Jesus and ask him to forgive your sins, God will save you and invite you into his kingdom.

76449:6faafapplication

What kind of soil are you—good soil, or hard soil on a path?

Only you can answer that question.

76549:14ezvhapplication

Will you pay for your own sins against God, or have you asked Jesus to pay for your sins?

Only you can answer that question.

76649:16m7uoapplication

Have you become a friend of God and a child of God, or are you still an enemy of God?

Only you can answer that question.

76749:17-18nt4vapplication

What are you doing to become a strong friend of God?

Only you can answer that question.

76849:1-18jewysummary

God sent his Son into the world to be human as well as divine. Jesus did many powerful miracles to prove he is the Son of God. Becoming human, he understood our weaknesses and struggles. Being divine, he is able to save us from our sins and make us friends and children of God. He taught us about God and his kingdom, and showed us how to live as his followers. He made it possible for all people to repent of their sins. We can ask God to forgive us because Jesus died for us. God wants every person to hear this message, and to believe in Jesus.

76950:2ldytmeaning

When did Jesus say the end of the world would happen?

He said his disciples would preach the good news about the kingdom of God to people everywhere in the world, and then the end would come (See: 50:2).

77050:3srsqmeaning

Will Jesus servants be treated well in the world?

No, Jesus said the important people in this world would torture and kill them because of him (See: 50:3).

77150:5vyvkmeaning

What did an enemy do to the field where a man planted good seed?

His enemy planted weeds in the field to ruin his crop (See: 50:5).

77250:10x0j4meaning

When the world ends, what will Gods angels do to all the people who belong to the devil and not to God?

His angels will gather the people who belong to the devil together and throw them into a very hot fire where they will suffer terribly (See: 50:10).

77350:10k473meaning

When the world ends, what will happen to the people who are righteous and have followed God?

They will shine like the sun in the kingdom of God their Father (See: 50:10).

77450:11lfazmeaning

When Jesus returns, what will happen to every follower of Jesus who has died?

They will rise from the dead and meet him in the sky (See: 50:11).

77550:13cnfemeaning

What will Jesus give to everyone who believes in him?

He will give them a crown, and they will rule with God forever and have perfect peace (See: 50:13).

77650:14pqldmeaning

Where will God throw everyone who does not believe in Jesus?

He will throw them into hell, where they will suffer forever and burn continually in a fire that never goes out (See: 50:14).

77750:15acycmeaning

What will happen to Satan when Jesus returns?

Jesus will completely destroy Satan and his kingdom and throw him into hell, where he will burn there forever (See: 50:15).

77850:16rlzpmeaning

What will happen to this earth when Jesus returns?

God will destroy the present heaven and earth and create a new heaven and earth that will be perfect.

77950:15h48rapplication

Should we be concerned that Jesus has not come back to earth for almost 2,000 years?

No, we should not be worried. Jesus promised to return at the end of the world, and he will keep his promise.

78050:2lh15application

What should followers of Jesus be doing as we wait for him to return?

We should be living in a holy way that honors Jesus, and telling other people about his kingdom.

78150:3e19papplication

What did Jesus want to say when he said, “The fields are ripe for harvest”?

He wanted to say that at any time, there are many people in the world who are ready to believe in Jesus.

78250:4aw96application

Should we let persecution stop us from telling people about Jesus?

No, people killed Jesus, and he said they will also torture and kill his servants. Jesus expects us to be faithful just as he was faithful to God.

78350:5-10fvrdapplication

Why are there so many evil people in the world?

Jesus said Satan places evil people in the world just as an enemy placed weeds in a mans field. These people will grow up together with believers, but Gods angels will separate them out at the judgement.

78450:13rjocapplication

Why will Jesus give us a crown?

He will give a crown to everyone who believes in him as a sign that they will rule with him forever. This should encourage us in this life.

78550:14-17ef9wapplication

Will God always allow evil and Satan to be in the world?

No, God will throw Satan and every evil person into hell where they will suffer forever. He will even destroy this earth where sin has been, and create a new heaven and earth that will be perfect. That is where believers will live forever with God.

78650:1-17v62wsummary

It has been almost 2,000 years since Jesus went up to heaven, but he will return just as he said he would. He is waiting for us to bring in the harvest by telling everyone about him. Some will believe in Jesus, but many will not believe in him and will even persecute us, his servants. But when the time is right, Jesus will return to judge those who did not believe in him, and will throw them into hell forever. However, he will create a new heaven and earth where he will rule forever together with everyone who believes in him. We will be with him in perfect peace forever.