Thursday, February 15, 2018

Farewell!

Greetings All,

With my new position I will no longer be updating this blog (except by occasional special request of your new teacher). Please follow-up with your new teacher for future class notes.

It has been a great pleasure to know and teach each of you. I will greatly miss each of you!

In the Joy of Jesus,
Mr. Ellis

Friday, February 9, 2018

Feb 9, Fri - Unit 7 Test

Next Quiz/Test: Today was your Unit 7 Test
- Next Friday is Quiz 8a: Psalm 13:1-2, 5-6

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their test.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Feb 8, Thu - Unit 7 Review

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 7 Test

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal: None given.  Students had a binder check & then we jumped into the game below.

Unit 7 Review Activity:
1) We can always be forgiven by God and healed of our sins, as long as...
 ...we are living.
2) When Israel began to cross the Jordan River, the water...
 ...piled up and stopped flowing!
3) We should have total (complete)...
 ...reliance on God.
4) Israel didn’t make the right first decision about Gibeon because they didn’t...
 ...pray to God about it.
5) We need to apply God’s truth to...
 ...every part of our life.
6) When Israel’s spies were in trouble, Rahab helped them, showing that she abandoned her old life and...
 ...trusted in God
7) Jesus came, fulfilling Moses’ prophecy of...
 ...a prophet coming like himself
8) To lead Israel into the Promised Land after Moses died, God choose...
 ...Joshua.
9) Joshua is a name that means, “The Lord...
 ...Saves!”
10) The name Joshua is actually the same as the name...
 ...Jesus.
11) To encourage Israel to personally follow God, Moses spoke them in about...
 ...four sermons.
12) Achan coveted and took wealth from Jericho, breaking God’s 
 ...ban on Jericho
13) We practically show that we have faith in God through our...
 ...obedient actions
14) Israel got the Promised Land because God...
 ...keeps His promises, provides & fought for them.
15) God breaks Jericho’s walls down when Israel trusted in & obeyed Him by walking around it, shouting, and...
 ...blowing trumpets.
16) Israel only had victory in their Promised Land battles because God continued to...
 ...provide for and protect them.
17) Israel as tricked into making a covenant of peace with...
 ...Gibeon, a nation of the Promised Land.
18) Finish this verse, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord...
 ...is one.” (there is only one God, God is one)
19) In Deuteronomy, we see that God has...
 ...great love for His people!
20) If we are to actually follow God, we each need to personally...
 ...respond to Him in faith.
21) When Gibeon was in trouble & reached out to Israel, Israel...
 ...helped them! (this led to great victory over 5 other cities!)
22) Beautifully paired with God’s justice, God also has...
 ...compassionate mercy for us.
23) God wants us to care for the needy, like this...
 ...widows, orphans, & foreigners.
24) Showing greater trust than when God parted the Red Sea before entering, before God started to pile up the waters of the Jordan River...
 ...Israel stepped into it!
25) God commanded the death penalty for false prophets, disobeying priest-judges, lying to get another killed, rebellious sons, ‘sleeping around,’ and human trafficking so that Israel would...
 ...purge evil from their midst!
26) When we seek God with all of our heart and soul, God says that we will...
 ...find Him!
27) Israel did not get the promised land because they were...
 ...big, powerful, strong, or righteous.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Feb 7, Wed - Conquering the Land

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 7 Test

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal: A Speck? Study packet, page 16
- Silently work through this page
- - Read the Bible verse on top
- - Read the paragraph on the top left
- - Then work through each question.
- When done: Ensure pages 6-8, 10-11, & 14-15 are done

Joshua 5-12) Conquering the Land: Study Packet, Page 2
Helping Gibeon: 10)
- Five of Gibeon’s neighbors feel like Gibeon betrayed them by befriending Israel
- - So…  they attack Gibeon!
- Gibeon asks for Joshua's help (What do you think Israel should do?)
- - W/God's encouragement Joshua leads Israel's army to completely defeat these five cities!
- God fought for Israel:
- - Sending confusion (esp. for the kings)
- - Sending deadly hail on them, &
- - Answering Joshua's prayer for the sun to stand still
- - - This happened for ~1 day
- - - This gave Israel the daylight that was necessary to see and completely defeat their enemies!

Victory: 10-12)
- With God's continued provision and protection—
- Israel defeated all of the major enemies of the land
- - Libnah, Lachish, Horam, Eglon, Hebron, & Debir—
- - - The entire southern region…
- - Hazor, Madon, Shimron, Acshaph, & the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Hivites—
- - - When they were all teamed up
- - The Anakites
- - - Then there was peace (v11:23)!
- This did 2 main things:
- - Executed God's justice
- - Made space for Israel to move in

Joshua 5-12) Conquering the Land: Study Packet, Page 3
Theology:
- God fights for His people, bringing them victory
- God wants us to keep our word and be trustworthy and reliable to our friends
- God's provision and protection brings us success--Think about it...
- - God threw armies into confusion
- - Encouraged Joshua to attack
- - Hardened the enemies hearts
- - Stopped the sun
- - Sent hail
- - And undoubtedly did more!

Anthropology:
- Simple trust in and obedience to God will sometimes illogically lead to amazing success!
- We must respect God's desires when He bans something from us
- We should always ask God about the big decisions in our life.
- It is very important to keep our promises

Unit 7 Process Grid:

Here's your picture summary:

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Feb 6, Tue - Conquering the Land

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 7 Test

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal: He Lost His Grip: Study packet, page 15
- Silently work through this page
- - Read the Bible verse on top
- - Read the paragraph on the top left
- - Then work through each question.
- When done: Ensure pages 6-8, 10-11, & 14 are done

Joshua 5-12) Conquering the Land: Study Packet, Page 2
Battle of Jericho: 5-6)
- Before going to battle…
- - Joshua ensures that all of the Israelites are circumcised
- - - Their parents didn’t follow God & do it
- - - This generation gets off on the right foot— fully obeying God… Even when it hurts!
- - They observe the Passover
- - - Eating some of the food from the Promised Land
- - - This is when the manna stops…
- The captain of the host of the LORD (possibly Jesus?) meets & speaks with Joshua
- - He gives Joshua directions on how to defeat Jericho… *
- Israel trusts and obeys God—
- - Breaking Jericho's wall simply by marching around it, shouting, & blowing trumpets!
- Jericho is under a ban—
- - everything but Rahab's family is destroyed as something only belonging to God

Battles of Ai: 7-8)
- Israel loses their next battle (against Ai)
- God reveals that it is because a man, Achan, breaking God’s ban on Jericho’s wealth
- - He coveted and stole some of it
- Achan and his supporting family were stoned to death
- - Then Israel again attacks Ai
- - Using an ambush & sneak attack, they win!

Covenant Renewal: Deuteronomy 11:26-29, 27, 28) Following Moses’ directions…
- Israel renews their covenant with God
- - The Law is read
- - Sacrifices are given
- 1/2 of Israel stand on Mount Ebal
- - Representing curses for disobedience
- The other 1/2 stand on Mount Gerizim
- - Representing blessings for obedience

Gibeonite Deception: 9) Other cities of the Promise land catch on to what Israel is doing…
- The city of Gibeon disguises themselves as travelers from out of town…
- - They trick Israel when they meet them & request a treaty
- - Israel makes a covenant of peace with them
- - - Why? They didn’t pray about it for God's wisdom…
- Three days later Israel realizes they were tricked
- - The Gibeonites will not be destroyed—
- - - God wants Israel to keep their promises (even when it hurts!)
- - But the Gibeonite people will have the lower quality jobs in Israel

Monday, February 5, 2018

Feb 5, Mon - Entering the Promised Land

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 7 Test

Handouts: Study Packet, Pages 22-23

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal: Where’s Your Focus? Study packet, page 14
- Silently work through this page
- - Read the Bible verse on top
- - Read the paragraph on the top left
- - Then work through each question.
- When done: Ensure pages 6-8 & 10-11 are done

Joshua 1-4) Claiming the Land: Study Packet, Page 2
Spying the Land:
- Joshua sends  spies into Jericho
- - Jericho’s king almost catches them!
- - How did they escape?
- - - Rahab, a prostitute—
- - - - Abandons her old life,
- - - - Trusts the LORD, &
- - - - Protects His spies!
- Because of this, the spies promise to spare her and her family
- - Who comes through her family?
- - - David...
- - - And ultimately Jesus!

Crossing the Jordan River:
- God caused the Jordan River water to pile up in a heap
- - As soon as the priests with the Ark of the Covenant…
- - - Stepped into it!
- - - How does this compare to Moses & the Red Sea?
- This let Joshua lead all of Israel cross the Jordan River…
- - During its flood stage!
- Joshua had each tribe pick up one large stone from the Jordan River as the crossed
- - They set these up together as a visual reminder & memorial of what God did here
- - - Future Israelites were to use this memorial to remind their children of this event

Joshua 1-4) Claiming the Land: Study Packet, Page 3
Theology:
- God is with His people
- God forgives us from any sin when we turn to Him
- God uses His great power to help His people do what He calls them to do

Anthropology:
- God's presence with His people causes His people to...
- - Not be worried or afraid in very hard situations
- - Be strong & courageous in doing what He calls us to
- It is vital that let God's Word change how we speak, act, & think
- We should meditate (fill our minds with) on God's word
- Our actions are the evidence of a true faith in God
- - “By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.” Hebrews 11:31 HCSB
- - “…Wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route?” James 2:25 HCSB
- It is wise to use physical things to remind us of God and His works

Friday, February 2, 2018

Feb 2, Fri - Quiz 7b

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Quiz 7b: Proverbs 21:23, 29-31 (ESV)
- Next Friday is your Unit 7 Test!

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their quiz.
- After the quiz, we caught up on some previous lessons (see previous posts)

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Feb 1, Thu - Claiming the Land

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 7b: Proverbs 21:23, 29-31 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal 7-5: Study Packet, Page 18
- Read Deuteronomy 18:15-19 (pg 161) & answer:
- - 1. These verses mention a Prophet like Moses coming—who do you think, from the Bible, this prophecy is talking about?  List a few ideas.  
- Read Acts 3:19-26 (Peter, pg 911) & Acts 7:37 (Stephen) & answer:
- - 2. Who do these two guys seem to be talking about?    Explain how you know. 
- Finally, read “A Prophet Like Me” from the bottom of page 13 on your Study Packet (‘Some Good Things to Know’) & answer:
- - 3. What does this teach about who is ‘like Moses’? 

Joshua 1-4) Claiming the Land: Study Packet, Page 2
God Encourages Joshua:
- This name means 'The Lord Saves" (the same as Jesus)
- He is:
- - To be strong and courageous
- - To let the Law always be in  his words, thoughts (meditations), & actions
- - Not to be terrified or dismayed
- Why?  Because "the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (1:9)

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Jan 31, Wed - Moses' Last Days

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 7b: Proverbs 21:23, 29-31 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal: Study Packet, Page 11
- Work through page 11 of your Study Packet
- - Read through the verses mentioned for each column below & fill in the missing information. When done, answer the questions at the bottom.
- - - Obeying God: Deuteronomy 28:1-14…
- - - Disobeying God: Deuteronomy 28:14-29, 64-68…
- - - For Reflection: Answer each w/2+ strong sentences…
- - - - “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”
– Galatians 6:7-8 NLT


Deut. 29-34) Moses’ Last Days: Study Packet, Page 2
Covenant Renewal:
- Moses leads Israel to renew their covenant with God
- - Israel is reminded that disobedience will lead to great loss (29)
- - Israel is called to obey God so that they may experience life & prosperity instead of death and adversity (30)
- "...I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life..." (30:19b-20a)' Last Words:
- Moses reminds Israel that God will fight for them
- - As Joshua leads them into the Promised Land (31-32)
- Joshua and Israel are to... "Be strong and courageous," because "It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”" (31:7–8)
- God tells Moses that Israel's future generations will fall away!
- God gives Israel a song to help convict them of this sin so they will repent from it & turn them back to God (32)

Moses' death:
- Just before his death, Moses blesses the tribes of Israel (33)
- God then has Moses went up Mount Nebo,
- - He privately shows him all of the Promised Land
- - Then Moses died and God buried him in a secret place (34)
- Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom and began to lead Israel

Deut. 29-34) Moses’ Last Days: Study Packet, Page 3
Theology:
- God does not make people follow Him, He gives them the choice
- God helps us repent from our sins
- God raises up the leaders that His people need

Anthropology:
- Obedience to God will enrich our lives
- Disobedience to God leads to more problems in life
- There is always the opportunity of forgiveness and healing from sin

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Jan 30, Tue - Covenant Reminders

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 7b: Proverbs 21:23, 29-31 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal 7-4: Study Packet, Page 18
- This week’s memory quiz talks about how our tongue can be dangerous.
- - 1) Write about some times your words have caused trouble and/or gotten you in trouble. (3 sentences)
- - 2) Write how you could ‘guard’ your words to keep this from happening in the future. (3 sentences)
- When done: Ensure that these are done: Study Packet pages 4-8

NOTE: Period 1 is behind & did not get to the below notes

Deut. 5-28) Covenant Reminders: Study Packet, Page 3
Theology:
- God has great love for His people
- There is only one God
- God is faithful to keep all of His promises
- When we need it, God will fight for us
- Justice & compassionate mercy are both very important to God
- Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of Moses' prophesy of one coming like him
- - An evil king tried to kill them at birth
- - They both ‘came from Egypt’
- - They both led slaves to freedom
- - They both performed amazing miracles
- - They both suffered at hands of those they loved
- - Do you notice any others?

Anthropology:
- We are both made & commanded to love God with our all
- It is our responsibility to teach God's truth to our children
- God's truth needs to be applied to every part of our life
- When we are too close to people not follow God, they lead us away from God
- We must humbly remember our total reliance on God
- We should care for the needy

Monday, January 29, 2018

Jan 29, Mon - Quiz 7b Preparation

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 7b: Proverbs 21:23, 29-31 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal:
- On your Study Packet, page 6:
- - Read the selections from Proverbs 21 (lower left side)
- - Answer questions 6-14 (lower right side)
- Next: Work on these Study Packet Pages
- - Page 6: Ensure you have finished questions 1-5
- - Page 7: Read the verses & answer the questions here
- - Page 8: Work on this crossword puzzle
- - Page 5: Study for Friday’s Quiz: Proverbs 21:23, 29-31

Quiz Preparation:
- Your Verses: Proverbs 21:23, 29-31
- - Keeps: To watch, guard
- - Bold: To show oneself as strong, to defy
- - Upright: Right, Pleasing, Straight
- - Avail: To help/benefit
- Your Questions: Based upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer:
- - 1) Explain how guarding what we say keeps us from trouble? Explain and also give one example.
- - - Some general ideas we talked about include...
- - - - When we get mad and want to just say what's on our mind, we can insult people and tear them down--we needed to guard our mouths!
- - - - When we don't think about what we say we can just say something stupid, insult people, or even lie!
- - - - When we need to be quiet and we're loud we can get in trouble, too
- - - There are more things you could add here, show me you personally thought this through.
- - - Be specific in what you describe! Aim for three, since it is a 3-point question.
- - 2) What does verse 31 teach about our responsibility & the Lord's responsibility in the hard times we face?
- - - Check out the verse, "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD"
- - - Our responsibility is to do our best to prepare for what is happening, to 'make the horse ready for battle,' so to speak
- - - But, we have to realize that ultimately God is responsible for what happens! "Victory rests with the LORD"

Friday, January 26, 2018

Jan 26, Fri - Quiz 7a

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Memory Quiz 7a: Proverbs 8:10-11, 13-15 (ESV)
- Next Friday is Quiz 7b: Proverbs 21:23, 29-31 (ESV)

Handouts: None Given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their quiz.
- After the quiz, we caught up on previously posted notes.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Jan 25, Thu - Covenant Reminders

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7a: Proverbs 8:10-11, 13-15 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal 7-5: Study Packet, Page 18
- Read the below verses from Deuteronomy & the question for each:
- - 1) Deuteronomy 5:10, What does God show to thousands of generations of those who love Him & keep His commands?
- - 2) Deuteronomy 7:8–9, Why did God bring Israel out of slavery? What words describe His covenant here?
- - 3) Deuteronomy 7:13, What will God have and do for His people?
- - 4) Deuteronomy 10:15, How did God respond to Israel’s ‘fathers’?
- - 5) Deuteronomy 23:5, Why didn’t God listen to Balaam?
- - 6) Deuteronomy 33:3, What does God have for these people?
- - 7) Considering the focus of these verses, in ~3 sentences, summarize what God does to practically show Israel His love.
- Are you already done? Study for tomorrow’s quiz

Catch-Up: We caught up on some notes from yesterday, see that post for these notes.

Deut. 5-28) Covenant Reminders: Study Packet, Page 2
- Cleaning Out the Promised Land: 7)
- - Israel must fully destroy the people living in Canaan
- - Or they will lead Israel into sin!

- Israel is reminded not to be arrogant:  (7:9, 8:17-18, 9:4-6, 20:1-4)
- - They didn't get the land for being big, wealthy, righteous, or strong—
- - They got it because:
- - - God is faithful to keep His loving covenants,
- - - God will provide for them,
- - - God fights for them,
- - - The current nations have lost it due to their evil

- Legal System:
- - God sets up an dynamic legal system that will thoroughly investigate crimes to execute correct justice
- - Parents or children may not killed for the other's sins (24:16)
- - To purge evil from Israel, God commanded death for many sins
- - - False prophets (13:5)
- - - Disobeying a priest-judge verdict (17:12)
- - - False witnesses who were trying to get someone else killed (19:15-19)
- - - Rebellious sons (21:18-21)
- - - Women or men who 'sleep around' (22:20-24)
- - - Human traffickers (24:7)

- Compassion for the Needy: God commands compassion on the needy, 
- - Especially orphans, widows, & foreigners (24:17-22)

- A Prophesy: Moses prophesies that God will raise up a prophet like him from Israel,
- - He commands Israel to listen to Him (18:15)

- Blessings and Curses: Israel is reminded that...
- - diligent obedience will lead to blessings
- - But disobedience will lead to curses

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Jan 24, Wed - Learning from History

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7a: Proverbs 8:10-11, 13-15 (ESV)

Handouts: Study Packet, Pages 1-3 (white)

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal 7-3: Study Packet, Page 17
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9, then answer…
- 1) What titles/names are used for God?
- - The Lord, our God
- 2) How is God described?
- - Being one God
- - Being our God
- 3) Summarize how are we supposed to love God?
- - With all of who we are!
- 4) Give examples of how you can love God with your…
- - Heart (Your mind, will, ‘inner person’)
- - Soul (Your passions, desires, emotions)
- - Strength (Your might, force, power)
- 5) What specific, different things is Israel supposed to do with these commands?
- 6) What ways do we use now days to remind ourselves of God’s commands?
- - They were told to talk about them regularly with their children, tie them as symbols to their hands, bind them to their foreheads, & write them on the door frames of their houses/gates
- - Today we can remind ourselves of God's Word by...

Deuteronomy 1-4 - Learning from History: Study Packet, Page 3
Theology
- - God desires a faithful and blessed relationship with His people
- - God faithfully loves His people, even through their sin
- - - He will not forget His promises or covenants
- - God reminds His people of what they need to know
Anthropology:
- - We each need to personally respond to God
- - - Our parents cannot do it for us
- - We should help each other remember God's truth
- - If we seek for God with our all, we will find Him

Deut. 5-28) Covenant Reminders: Study Packet, Page 2
A Loving God:
- - In multiple places Moses reminds Israel of God's great love for them (5:10, 7:8-9, 7:13, 10:15, 23:5, 33:3)

The Shema: 6:4-9)  Hearing and Obeying God
- - It is a major verse in Deuteronomy frequently used by Jewish worshipers today!
- - Jesus quotes this in Mark 12:29-30 & Matthew 22:37 & Luke 10:27!
- - - It is also known as The Greatest Commandment
- - Some translation Notes:
- - - Shema: This is the first word, "Hear"
- - - - Meaning both ‘Hear & Obey’
- - - Elohim: "The LORD our God/Elohim" Literally this word means 'gods', a plural word!
- - - - This could be for two reasons; sometimes a plural word would be used to recognize the majesty & greatness of the one being referred to.
- - - - Some also think it could be a hint or foreshadowing of the Trinity (God the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit--three persons of our one God)!
- - - The LORD is One: This truth is vital for Old Testament & New Testament! Especially after referring to God as 'Elohim,' it is emphasized that there is only one God.
- - - Heart, Soul, & Might: This means we are to love God with all of who we are!
- - This calls on Israel to…
- -- Recognize the LORD is their God & He is one
- -- Love God w/their all,
- -- Teach God's Word to their children,
- -- Apply God's word to the hearts (thoughts) & actions, &
- -- Put reminders of God's Word all around

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Jan 23, Tue - , Deuteronomy Intro

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7a: Proverbs 8:10-11, 13-15 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Deuteronomy - Joshua 12
Journal 7-2: Deuteronomy is Moses’ last words to Israel before he dies and they entered the promised land. Here, much of Israel’s laws & history with God (from the Pentateuch) is re-visited—
1) Tell of a time that someone ‘repeated the rules’ for you. Why do you think they did it? How do you think they wanted it to help?
2) Tell of a time that someone reminded you of what you did in the past and it wasn’t to ‘rub it in.’ Why do you think they did this? How do you think they wanted this to help?
3) Why do you think Moses did this? Below are some important reasons I gave
- - The Law & their history are both very important! (describing how they can have a relationship with God & explaining where they came from)
- - This is a new group of adults, many were not even born when the first Law was given & they hadn't lived through some of the history explained.
- - Moses wants to leave them with what’s most important before he dies—how to keep a strong relationship with God
- - They are just about to enter the Promised Land, if they don't follow the Law they will lose the land—Moses doesn't want this to happen!

The Pentateuch Table: Deuteronomy
- Period 1 caught up on this today (see yesterday's post) 

Deuteronomy 1-4 - Learning from History: Study Packet, Page 2
The Context of Deuteronomy:
- - Name meaning: 'Second law,' because it repeats the law
- - 40 years after leaving Egypt, Israel is in the wilderness on the east side of the Jordan River, Moses speaks these final words to Israel, as about four different sermons that...
- - - Encourage Israel to obey & commit to God in a relationship
- - - Prepare Israel to enter and then keep the Promised Land
- - This new generation is reminded of God's Law so they can...
- - - Know what God said ~40 years ago
- - - Personally respond to God's covenant & draw near to Him
- - - Know how to experience God's blessings in Canaan and not be kicked out!
Israel Learns from their History:
- - Moses reminds them of God's faithful love despite their parents sin
- - Moses urges Israel to obey God, reminding them....
- - - "the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." (4:24)
- - - - A Consuming Fire: Think of the imagery Israel has had these past 40 years that show this, the 250 tribe leaders that supported Korah being consumed by fire, Aaron's disobedient sons offering 'strange incense' to God & being consumed by fire, Mt. Sinai appearing to be being consumed with fire when Moses was in it, the pillar of fire that led them at night---such imagery would make them see God as powerful, holy, righteous, and awe-inspiring!
- - - - A Jealous God: A 'healthy jealousy,' similar to how a man does not want his wife to sleep with other men, God does not want His children/followers to follow after other gods! That's not what we were designed for, it ruins our lives!
- - - If they fall into sin, God will discipline them (4:25-28)
- - - - But, if from "there you will seek the LORD your God & you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart & with all your soul. . . For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them." (4:29, 31)
Joshua: God choses him to lead Israel after Moses (1:38, 3:28)

Monday, January 22, 2018

Jan 22, Mon - Quiz 7a Preparation

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7a: Proverbs 8:10-11, 13-15 (ESV)

Handouts: Unit 7 Study Packet (white)

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7
Journal 7-1: Study Packet, Page 6 & 17
- Pick up Unit 7 Study Packet (pages 4-21) from below
- - On page 6, read Proverbs 8:10-16 & 24:1-4 (top two sets)
- - Answer questions 1-5 on page 6
- On page 17 answer these questions like a ‘normal journal’
- - 1) List two physical things you desire & then explain why wisdom is better than each.
- - 2) Explain why, in general, wisdom is better than most tangible things that people desire.
- More time?
- - Write a short story (1-2 paragraphs) that shows the value of wisdom & knowledge over what most people value.

Quiz Preparation:
Your VersesProverbs 8:10-11,13-15
- - Perverted: To be unnatural or abnormal in a wrong way
- - Counsel: Advice (biblically, 'God's plan')
- - Sound Wisdom: Understanding that leads to success, good results
Your Questions: Based upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer:
- - 1) List two tangible things (actual objects) you desire & then specifically explain why wisdom is better than each of those things, separately. 
- - - These verses bring up three things people desire, gold, silver, & rubies
- - - It points out that wisdom, knowledge, & understanding are far better than these!
- - - Think about it...
- - - - What is the long term benefit of wisdom vs. wealth?
- - - - How does wisdom help you in a greater way in more areas of your than mere wealth?
- - - - What would you rather have, a gift of $100 dollars, or...
- - - - - The ability to gain $100 on your own, or even
- - - - - The wisdom on how to wisely use $100
- - - Please use your own example!
- - - You need to think of two different Jr. High examples that show this same principle--things that you personally desire, but where getting wisdom would be far better.
- - 2) “To fear the LORD is to hate evil” – Describe what this means.
- - - We know that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom/knowledge; here we know more about what it means to fear the LORD
- - - On contrast to just being frightened by God, fearing God means that we honor & respect Him.
- - - Think, if you honor and respect your parents, what does that mean you will do?
- - - - You'll obey them
- - - - You'll listen to them
- - - - You'll do what they ask.
- - - It's similar with God, when we fear Him, we will do these same things
- - - Along with that, and most related to this verse, we'll begin to love what He loves & hate what He hates.
- - - - Therefore, since God hates evil, we too will begin to hate evil!
- - - - Evil won't look good to us
- - - - We'll try to avoid evil in our own lives & even stop it in the world around us!
- - - If we truly 'Fear the LORD,' it will be demonstrated through our hating of evil

The Pentateuch Table: Deuteronomy
Key Idea: Renewed Covenant (38 years ago their parents were told the 1st one!)
The Nation: Made Ready (To enter the Promised Land)
The People: Re-Taught (What it means and what it is to be God's people)
God’s Character: Loving Lord (Seeking a real relationship with them and wanting to bless them!)
God’s Role: Rewarder (What God will do if they follow Him)
God’s Command: “Obey!”

Friday, January 19, 2018

Jan 19, Fri - Unit 6 Test

Next Quiz/Test: Today was your Unit 6 Test
- Next Friday is Memory Quiz 7a: Proverbs 8:10-11, 13-15 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took the Unit 7 test.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Jan 18, Thu - Unit 6 Test Review

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 6 Test

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal: Students had a binder check & then we completed the below review game:

Unit 6 Review Questions:
1. After leaving the Promised Land, Korah led a rebellion—what did he rebel against?
Aaron & his family being the priests (thankfully Korah’s sons did not take part in this!)
2. Based upon this unit, experiencing God’s presence, care, & guidance in our lives should be our… what?
Highest Pleasure
3. Based upon this unit, what is the greatest possible blessing?
God’s own presence with us!
4. Concerning God’s saving & providing work—what did the feasts do?
Reminded Israel of them, celebrated them, & taught about them
5. Concerning our relationship with God, what does it reveal when we complain about things?
That we don’t trust or that we are unsatisfied with His care, guidance, & provision
6. Explain how Moses sinned in this unit.
He disobeyed God by striking a rock to get water -- (He lost his temper & had pride)
7. How did Joshua & Caleb distinguish themselves from the other Israelites?
They agreed with God that He could give Israel the Promised Land right away.
8. How did the Christmas story relate to this unit?
The Magi may have used the prophesy of Balaam to know that the star meant Jesus was born!
9. How did we describe the type of commitment & obedience that God requires of us?
Unqualified, complete and without limitations!
10. How did we say that we should pray, based on stories in this unit?
Humbly & in ways that agree with God’s will
11. In general, how did the feasts encouraged Israel to respond to?
Praise, joy, thanksgiving, repentance, trust, & faith
12. In the Feast of Tabernacles, Israel remembered how God cared for them for 40 years wandering in the wilderness.  Happening during the autumn fruit harvest, what emotion often went with this?
Joy!
13. Name three different types of discipline that God used in this unit.
Ground swallowed, Fire consumed, Snakes attacked, Disease/Plague broke out, Leprosy was given
14. On what holiday would the High Priest present an offering to God in the Holy of Holies & also release a scapegoat into the wilderness?
The Day of Atonement (This symbolized both God’s forgiveness & also how we must send sin away!)
15. Rams horns (shofars) were blown in celebration of the Feast of Trumpets—this recognized the civil… what?
New Year
16. This unit shared that Moses was the most… what?
Humble man
17. This unit showed stories of several sinners.  What did Moses often pray for God to have for these sinners? It is something that God will often give instead of discipline!
Mercy
18. What did Balak hire Balaam to do?
Curse Israel (something God told Balaam not to do—Balaam ended up giving advice that led Israel to sin)
19. What did Israel demonstrate when they ate the God-provided quail without any thanks or self-control?
Gluttony—something God does not like!
20. What does it mean that Jesus was the ‘firstfruit’ of the resurrection?
He was the first of many more humans who will be resurrected into the new & perfect body
21. What does the story of the Bronze snake teach about Jesus?
He would be lifted in the wilderness, & would save people who looked at Him in faith
22. What feast did Jesus use when he instituted “The Lord’s Supper’ (aka “Communion” or “Eucharist”)?
The Passover (remembering when God ‘passed over’ Israel when He judged Egypt)
23. What is a right way to respond to God when you are blessed?
Be grateful, be content, & continue to trust Him
24. What three things did the Feast of Jubilee help Israel do?
Keep from oppressing each other, keep from building up excessive wealth, give people a new start
25. What was the consequence of Moses sin in hitting the rock to get water when God only told him to speak?
He would die before entering the Promised Land
26. When does God keep His promises?
Always! Even when it seems unlikely (e.g. His people sinned) or if it takes a long time
27. When this happens it could mean that God is disciplining me, but that’s not always the case.  No matter what, it can always help me grow as a Christian.  What is ‘this’?
Bad things
28. Which feast celebrated God’s giving of the Law and the wheat harvest to his people? It came 7 weeks after the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Feast of Weeks
29. Which feast gave thanksgiving to and showed trust in God, recognizing that all of the harvest was from him?
Firstfruits
30. Who received leprosy due to rebelling against Moses?
Miriam (Aaron supported her in this rebellion

Process Grid:


Picture Summary:

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Jan 17, Wed - 40 Years in the Wilderness

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 6 Test

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal 6-4: Study Packet, Page 14
- 1) Why do you think God has mercy on people who keep sinning against Him?
- 2) Who are some people that keep ‘sinning against you’ that you need to have mercy on?
- 3) How do you think that you can change your heart to have more mercy on other people?
- All done?
- - Catch up on incomplete Study Packet pages
- - Study for Friday’s test

Numbers 20-36 – 40 Years in the Wilderness: Study Packet, Page 2
The Lows: Many sad things happen to Israel in the next years
Death: Miriam & Aaron both die of old age
Doubting God: People continue to complain against God’s provision and care. One consequence was a plague of venomous snakes. A person could be healed from the venom if they looked at a bronze snake statue that God told Moses to set up in the center of camp.
Moses Sins: God tells Moses to speak to a rock for it to produce water. In anger & pride, Moses rebukes the people & hits the rock for water. Consequently, he will die before entering the Promised Land.
Edom: These distance relatives of Israel make them travel miles out of their way to go around their land.
Moab’s Attacks: Balak, Moab’s King, hires Balaam to curse Israel. This doesn’t work, but they later successfully tempt Israel w/sexual sins that also cause them to worship false gods at Baal Peor.

The Highs: Thankfully, several good things also happen!
Blessings: Each time Balak tried to get  Balaam to curse Israel, God turned it into a blessing for Israel’s great growth, prosperity, & success, God’s faithfulness to them, & future conquering ruler
Victory: Israel wins their battles against: Arad, Amorites, Bashan, & Midian (who drew them into the sin at Peor, even Balaam is killed)

Preparing to Enter Canaan:
- A new census is taken of the land: They now have 601,730 fighters
- God chooses Joshua to lead Israel when Moses dies
- New laws help Israel transition to being settled in a land
- Reuben, Gad, & half of the tribe of Manasseh are given permission to settle in Gilead, east of the Promised Land’s Jordan River border.
- Cities of Refuge & the Levite cities are set up to care for Israelite physical & spiritual needs throughout the land

Numbers 20-36 – 40 Years in the Wilderness: Study Packet, Page 3
Theology:
- - God’s plans for His people are full of great blessings
- - God fulfills His promises, even when it take years & seems unlikely
- - A sinner’s curse has no power compared to God’s blessings!
- - God requires unqualified commitment & obedience from those who follow Him
- - Jesus’ salvation was symbolized by the Bronze Snake:
- - - Both were “lifted up . . . in the wilderness” (John 3:14)
- - - Looking at the snake brought physical healing—
- - - - Looking at Jesus in faith brings spiritual healing!
- - God can use sinful people for His good works (like how He used Balaam to prophesy about Jesus as a conquering ruler to be recognized by a star coming from Judah [Numbers 24:17])
Anthropology:
- - Sin has severe consequences and stubborn rebellion against God leads to failure in our lives
- - Success in life depends on doing God’s will in the way He prescribes.
- - Spiritual healing is not earned, it is received as a gift when we look to Jesus in repentance & faith
- - Even godly people can fall into big sins
- - - We must always guard our hearts!
- - Leading others into sin leads to terrible consequences
- - Our relationship w/God is healed when we confess and repent of our sins & follow His way for atonement.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Jan 16, Tue - Rejecting God

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 6 Test

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal: Study Packet, Page 8
- Open your Bible to Psalm 19
- On your Study Packet, page 8
- - Read the story at the top
- - Follow the instructions to answer the questions below
- All done? Study for Friday’s Memory Quiz

After some catch-up from yesterday (see those notes), we got into the below...

Reading Through Numbers 22:`1-25: We answers these questions together.
- Open your to Numbers 22:1-35 & prepare to answer these questions in your Study Packet:
- - 1) v1) What territory is Israel in?
- - 2) v2) Who is the terrified king of this territory?
- - 3) vv5-6) What did this king try to hire Balaam for?
- - 4) vv10-12) What does God say—should Balaam go?
- - 5) What does the king next promise Balaam if he curses Israel?
- - 6) v19) Does Balaam want God to change his mind?  Explain.
- - 7) v22) Why do you think God is angry with Balaam?
- - 8) What saved his life? How did Balaam treat it? Why?
- - 9) vv28-30) What odd thing happened third time Balaam was saved?
- - 10) v35) Summarize the angel’s message and rule for Balaam.
- Five Readers:Narrator, Moab & the Donkey, Balak’s Emissaries ,Balaam ,God & His Angel
- We then dramatically read through these verses, answering the questions as we went.

Numbers 10-19 – Rejecting God: Study Packet, Page 3
Theology:
- - God’s discipline and punishments
- - - Can be terrifying!
- - - Are sometimes simply Him giving us what we sinfully want
- - God will provide our needs
- - God has great plans for our future
- - God has mercy and forgiveness
- - - But He also shows justice
- - God listens to our right prayers!
Anthropology:
- - We have the freedom to reject God’s good gifts
- - We must avoid gluttony (eating greedily)
- - Complaining is never good for us (Philippians 2:14-15)
- - We demonstrate a right trust in God when we are grateful & content w/what He blesses us with
- - When asking God for something, we need to pray…
- - - In humble faith (James 1:6)
- - - For things line up with His desires for our life (John 14:14, 16:23)
- - We should pray for God’s mercy on sinners
- - When we disobey God it can delay our receiving of His great blessings in our and our family’s lives

Friday, January 12, 2018

Jan 12, Fri - Quiz 6b

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Quiz 6b: Psalm 15:1-4 (ESV)
- Next Friday is your Unit 6 Test

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their quiz.

After this we caught up from notes on earlier blog posts that we fell behind on.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Jan 11, Thu - Rejecting God

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 6b: Psalm 15:1-4 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal: Study Packet, Page 7
- Open your Bible to Psalm 19
- Go to page 7 of your Study Packet
- - FIRST: Find all of the blank lines on top
- - SECOND: Try to find solve the word-search puzzle
- You may work together on this
- - Remember to speak quietly & stay on task
- All done? Study for Friday’s Memory Quiz

Numbers 10-19 – Rejecting God: Study Packet, Page 2
Things quickly go wrong when Israel chooses to…
- Reject God’s Provision: Multiple times Israel complains, being unsatisfied w/God’s care, guidance, & provision.
- - God disciplines them w/fire around their camp, providing way more meat than they need, and sending a plague!
- - Moses feels overwhelmed & asks for death or for help!
- - - God gives him 70 spirit filled men to help lead Israel
- Reject God’s Prophet: Miriam/Aaron criticize & doubt Moses
- - God defends Moses, calling him “a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth … faithful in all My (God’s) household” (HCSB). Miriam & Aaron are disciplined
- - Moses prays for God to have grace on them & He does.
- Reject God’s Gifts: God brings Israel to the Promised Land!
- - We watched a video that dramatically showed this story
- - 12 spies explore the land & find it populated by strong people
- - - All but two (Joshua & Caleb) lead the people to doubt God can really give them this land; they complain & want to return to Egypt.
- - When God tells Moses He will destroy Moses prays for God to have mercy and He does
- - - Israel will spend 40 years in the wilderness until everyone 20+ years old died (except Joshua & Caleb); then their children will enter
- - Israel tries to enter the Promised Land (also known as Canaan) on their own power—they fail & flee into the wilderness
- Reject God’s Priest: Korah (a Levite) leads 250 strong leaders to rebel by rejecting Aaron & his family as the only priests.
- - God discipline: Korah’s 250 followers are consumed by fire, the ground ‘swallows’ he & his direct followers, but his sons survive!
- - When Israel blames Moses for this, 14,700 more die in a plague as Moses & Aaron again pray for God to have mercy!
- - God then shows that He chose Aaron’s family to be the priests by miraculously causing Aaron’s dead wooden staff to sprout, bud, blossom, & produce almonds overnight!
- - God then gives more rules for Levites and Priests

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Jan 10, Wed - Preparing for Canaan

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 6b: Psalm 15:1-4 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal 6-3: Study Packet, Page 13
- Thinking about all of the things we’ve studied in Leviticus—Offerings, Priests, Laws for Food/Health-Life, Feasts & Festivals, & Blessings & Curses—
- Specifically, which of these things… (explain your answers…)
- - 1) Do you most want to learn more about?
- - 2) Do you think are most odd?
- - 3) Did you enjoy studying most?
- - 4) Do you still have questions about? (write the questions here)
- All done?
- - Draw a picture in this box from one of these topics.
- - Study for Friday’s quiz

The Pentateuch Table: Fill in the information for the book of Numbers
- Key Idea: Wandering (in the wilderness)
- The Nation: Directed (By God)
- The People: Tested (By God--Will they really obey?)
- God’s Character: Just (As in, ‘Justice’)
- God’s Role: Sustainer (Of His people)
- God’s Command: “Go in!” (Into the Promised Land)

Numbers 1-10 – Preparing for Canaan: Study Packet, Page 2
- About Numbers: 
- - This book summarizes Israel’s ~40 yrs in the desert
- - It does this in a way to teach us how to live holy lives dedicated to God
- Chapters 1-10 focus on… 
- - Organizing for War:  Moses takes a census of the fighting men
- - Organizing for Worship:  Moses assigns different clans of Levi distinct jobs for the Tabernacle & its items.
- - Purity Laws: Given for physical, spiritual, & marital purity.
- - Nazirite Vow: Rules are given on how to dedicate yourself to God
- - Priestly Blessing/Benediction: God commands the priests to pray & speak a special blessing of His favor & presence on His people.
- - Israel’s Devotion: Israel devotes gifts & themselves to the Lord.
- - The Passover: Israel celebrates this & prepares to leave the Sinai desert & go to the Promised Land (only 1.5 years after the exodus)!

Numbers 1-10 – Preparing for Canaan: Study Packet, Page 3
- Theology:
- - God wants to bless us with His favor, presence, & peace, but we cannot fully enjoy these unless we  confess & repent from our sins to walk in obedience
- - “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” – Numbers 6:24–26 NLT
- Anthropology:
- - Our greatest blessings come from God
- - We must seek spiritually & marital purity
- - Dedicating ourselves to God is very special & very serious
- -  Our highest pleasure should be to experience God’s presence, care & guidance in our lives.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Jan 9, Tue - Blessings, Curses, & Vows

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 6b: Psalm 15:1-4 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal 6-2: Study Packet, Page 13
- Answer these questions:
- - 1) What do you think are the greatest 3 blessings that God could ever give to a human?
- - - Explain what each blessing is in at least one 5+ word sentence.
- - - Explain why you think this is such a great blessing.
- - 2) Why do you think that God gives blessings to people?
- All done?
- - Study for Friday’s Quiz
- - Work on Devotion 2

Leviticus 23-25, Feasts & Festivals: Study Packet, Page 3
Theology:
- - God wants us to remember & celebrate who He is & what He does for us
- - Jesus used the Passover to remind us of His broken, sinless body (unleavened bread) & the new covenant in His blood (cup)
- - Jesus is the firstfruits of our resurrection:
- - - He was the first human to be resurrected to the new, perfect body (more will come!)
Anthropology:
- - It is good for us to rest from work so that we can remember, celebrate, & teach about God’s saving & providing work.
- - Our land is important & should be cared for.
- - We should work against oppression and greed while helping people get new starts in life

Leviticus 26-27 – Blessings, Curses, & Vows: Study Packet, Page 2
Blessings:
- - God promised Israel rewards for obedience
- - - E.g. plenty of water & crops, peace, victory, & large families
- - But, the greatest blessing was God’s very presence w/them!
Curses:
- - God promised Israel discipline for disobedience
- - - E.g. bad health, defeat, drought, wild beasts,  terror & weakness, loss of land
- - God would turn against them
- - - Things would get worse & worse to break down Israel’s pride & hostility against God
- - - Why? So that they would repent & be restored back into a right & blessed relationship w/God.
- - God would turn against them & things would get worse & worse!  Why?
- - - To break down Israel’s pride & hostility against God
- - - So that they would repent & be restored back into a right & blessed relationship w/God.
Vows: Rules were given about how to dedicate yourself & your things to God.
- - What could you dedicate?  Your houses, fields, animals, tithe, & more!
- - The importance of keeping your vows is stressed!
- - - Keep your word!

Leviticus 26-27 – Blessings, Curses, & Vows: Study Packet, Page 3
Theology:
- - God holds us accountable for our actions
- - He will disciplines us for disobedience
- - He will bless us for obedience
- - “I will place My residence among you, and I will not reject you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.” –  Leviticus 26:11–12 HCSB
Anthropology:
- - We should live holy lives of dedicated service to God
- - When bad things happen to us: We should realize that…
- - - God could be using them as discipline
- - - Every bad thing is not God’s discipline (Luke 13:1–5 & Acts 28:3-6)
- - - It can always help us become a stronger Christian (James 1:2-4 & Romans 5:3-5)
- - It is important for us to keep our promises

Monday, January 8, 2018

Jan 8, Mon - Quiz 6b Prep

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 6b: Psalm 15:1-4 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2: This was due today
Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal 6-1: Study Packet, Pages 6 & 13
- In your Study Packet, on Page 6,
- - Read Psalm 15:1-5 (bottom left)
- - Answer questions 7-10 (bottom right)
- - - 7) What can be a benefit of reading this psalm before coming before God in worship? (Quiz Short Answer 1)
- - - - Here are some ideas shared by previous classes:
- - - - Confession: Sin separates us from getting close to God, this psalm can help us confess & repent from our sins to receive God’s forgiveness.
- - - - Focus: This can also help keep you from distractions, focusing you on what is most important & right to be & do in life
- - - - Relationships: This can help keep you from causing problems in relationships with people—things that distract us from God
- - - - Preparation: You can get your heart ready for whatever God has in store for you
- - - 8) In general, who is fit to draw near to God in worship? 
- - - - Those who are righteous, even perfect! - - - 9) The Bible tells that all have sinned, so how do you think one can become ‘fit’ for worship? 
- - - - The Bible shares that we receive this through a relationship with God through confession & repentance with faith in Jesus Christ- - - - We enter this relationship with God by...
- - - - - Admitting our sins (agree with God about them)
- - - - - Believing in Him (through Jesus, what He said)
- - - - - Confessing Him as Savior & Lord
- - - - - - And thus committing our life to Him!
- - - - After this, though, even those who are in a relationship with Jesus will sometimes make mistakes & sin
- - - - - No problem--come right back to God, confessing even these sins to God, asking His forgiveness & repenting of them
- - - - - You can be confident that He forgives you!
- - - 10) List three areas (from verses 2-5) that you need to work on this week as you draw closer to God's presence. 
- - - - This is a pretty personal question--I hope you put some god thought into it!
- On page 12, as Journal 6-3, answer these questions: describe each of the different ways this verse says to…
- - How do these verses say to use your tongue (words)?
- - How do these verses say to NOT use your tongue?

Quiz Preparation:
Your VersesPsalm 15:1-4
- - We used PDP Cornell Notes for this.  Here are your vocab words:
- - - Sojourn: A temporary Stay
- - - Slander: Defame, Using words to make someone look bad
- - - Reproach: To blame falsely
- - - Vile: Evil, Wicked
Your QuestionsBased upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer:
- - 1) Describe two or more ways this psalm can be beneficial to read before worshiping God.
- - - See the notes for question 7 above
- - 2) In your own words, describe two ways this verse tells us to use (or not use) our tongue. Give at least one Jr. High example
- - - There are several possible answers here, read the verses and put two or more of these in your own words & provide an example

Catch-up: We caught up with notes posted last week.  See previous Posts. .

Friday, January 5, 2018

Jan 5, Fri - Quiz 6a & the Service Project

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Quiz 6a: Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)
- Next Friday is Quiz 6b: Psalm 15:1-4 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2: Due Jan 8, Take lessons learned from Devotion 1 as you write this. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 2 Book Choices). Start this early to make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their quiz.

Service Project Instructions: After the quiz we talked through these.

Leviticus 23-25, Feasts & Festivals: Study Packet, Page 2
- Israel’s Feasts & Festivals: 
- - Reference your key details notes on page 12
- - Use this to match these w/their descriptions on the test
- Some general things to remember: 
- - These feasts remembered, celebrated, & taught…
- - - Who God is &
- - - What He did for Israel
- - - Especially His saving & providing work
- - These feasts called Israel to respond to God in…
- - - Praise, praise, joy, thanksgiving, repentance, trust, & faith!
- - Several included giving sacrifices & blowing shofars (rams horns)
- Some specific key things to remember : 
- - The Sabbath Year: Gave rest to the land
- - - This prevented over-farming, which destroyed  a land.
- - The Year of Jubilee: By returning property & freeing slaves, this festival:
- - - Kept Israel from long-term oppression of each other
- - - Discouraged an excessive buildup of wealth
- - - Gave everyone a chance for a new start
- The Growing Anticipation! 
- - Many of these could not be celebrated yet…
- - They looked forward to when Israel received their land!
- - How can you celebrate the wheat & barley when you have no fields? 

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Jan 4, Thu - Israel’s Festivals & Feasts

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 6a: Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2: Due Jan 8, Take lessons learned from Devotion 1 as you write this. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 2 Book Choices). Start this early to make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal:
- Get back to work on your Jewish Holiday posters
- You have 10 minutes to finish this
- - Remember these key things:
- - Write your names in the corner (make it small)
- - Include all key info. from your paragraph or verses
- - Add in multiple pictures (with color) to help!
- - Copy your group’s info to page 12 when you’re done
- We will have presentations at the end of class

Presentations on Israel’s Festivals & Feasts: Study Packet, Page 12
- Each group shared what they learned
- Students took key notes on page 12 of their Study Packet
- - Get these from a fellow student if you were gone

Presentations for Israel’s Festivals & Feasts: Study Packet, Page 12
- Here are some notes about these, if you missed the class presentations.
- - Find more information on the posters (posted in class).
- Israel's Festivals & Feasts:
- - Sabbath: A Day of Rest (a weekly event)
- - Passover: Remembering God’s Deliverance (Somewhat like our 4th of July celebration)
- - Feast of Unleavened Bread: Remembering God’s Deliverance
- - Firstfruits: Giving thanks to God for the Barley Harvest (the 'firstfruit' was the first part of that harvest, offered as a sacrifice to God)
- - - Fruit: This refers to the part of a plant you can eat (not just apples, oranges, etc..., but the seed/head of the grain)
- - - In this feast, the "first fruit" of the barley harvest was offered to God as a sacrifice
- - - This had two means for them:
- - - - 1) It was a way of giving God thanks for what He provided, giving the first & best back to Him
- - - - 2) It was a way of expressing your faith and trust in God; just as He gave you these first fruits, you trust that He will give you more to come--therefore you can sacrifice these to Him.
- - - In the New Testament Jesus is called the first fruits of the resurrection of the dead. This is because, just as the first fruit of the barley harvest proved/showed that more barley was to come, Jesus' resurrection showed/proved that we too would be resurrected--there is more to come! An awesome future hope.
- - Feast of Weeks: Remembering when God gave of Law; Giving thanks to God for the Wheat Harvest
- - Feast of Trumpets: Their Civil New Year! (Like our December 31 to January 1 celebration) The Shofar (a trumpet made of a ram's horn) was blown all throughout the land for this! In modern Hebrew this is called "Rosh Hashanah"
- - Day of Atonement: We know of this from our last unit, Israel’s Sin were 'atoned for.' In modern Hebrew this is called "Yom Kippur"
- - Feast of Tabernacles: A 1-week feast where they lived in tents/tabernacles and remembered how God took care of them during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Jan 3, Wed - Israel's Festivals & Feasts

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 6a: Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2: Due Jan 8, Take lessons learned from Devotion 1 as you write this. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 2 Book Choices). Start this early to make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal 6-1: Study Packet, Page 12
- Answer these:
- - 1) What are your top 2 favorite holidays?
- - - This could be a national holiday, a vacation time, a personal/family holiday (e.g. birthdays & anniversaries), a religious holiday, etc...
- - 2) Explain why each of these is your favorite
- - - E.g. What do you like about each one?
- - 3) Explain what each of these celebrates.
- All done?
- - Draw a picture of what it looks like when you (and/or your family) celebrate one of these holidays.
- - Study for Friday’s Quiz
- - Work on Devotion 2

Israel’s Festivals & Feasts: Study Packet, Page 12 
- Students worked in table groups to study two of Israels' feasts 
- They made a small poster that demonstrated what they taught 
- These posters will be completed & shared with the class tomorrow 

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Jan 2, Tue - Quiz 6a Preparation

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 6a: Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)

Handouts:
- Unit 6 Study packet (white)
- Devotion 2 Presentation Schedule (yellow)
- Service Project Instructions (pink)

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
- Devotion 2: Due Jan 8, Take lessons learned from Devotion 1 as you write this. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 2 Book Choices). Start this early to make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Leviticus 23-27 & Numbers
Journal: Study Packet, page 6
- On your new Unit 6 Study Packet, page 6--
- - Read Psalm 1:1-6 (to left of page 6) – Answer questions 1-4
- - Read Exodus 32:1-6 (from Bible) – Answer questions 5-6
- - - Save questions 7-10 for next week
- - Read the bottom story of this same page, “A Story of Peer Pressure: The KC Kid”– Answer the Reflection Questions
- You may work together on these—Just keep conversations quiet & focused on the questions
- Are you done?
- - Study for Friday’s Quiz: Psalm 1:1-3
- - Work on Devotion 2: Due on Monday!

Psalm 1 Discussion: Study Packet, Page 6
- 1. Circle the three things a man is blessed for not doing.  Then summarize them in your own words below.
- - We should avoid negative influences (bad peer pressure) on your life (the wicked, sinners, scoffers/mockers).
- - Avoid the type of relationships with sinful people that lead to you being more like them! 
- - We should not make close friendships with people who are going to cause us to do wrong things.
- - Choose your friends carefully, because they will determine who you become!
- 2. Describe the better choice, seen in v2.  
- - Instead of spending time with the wrong people, we are supposed to try and spend time getting to know God better!
- - - We should try to 'spend time with God' through knowing His Word more. 
- - - Just like how we become like the people we spend most our time around, we will also become more like God if we spend most of our time trying to get to know Him better!
- - We are to delight in the Law (Word) of God:  
- - - We should want and enjoy (and try to enjoy more) hearing from God in the Bible
- - We are to meditate on this Law: 
- - - Consider what it means and how it applies to us (our thoughts, attitudes, actions, words, relationships, etc...) 
- - We are to do this ‘day & night’-- all the time! (it isn't isn't just something to do on Sundays or in Bible class) 
- 3. Give an example on how Jr. Highers can do this and what good results could happen.
- - Various answers could be given (e.g. going to church, talking about the Bible with friends, joining youth group or a Bible study, reading the Bible daily, Trying to memorize Bible verses, etc...) 
- - The result is that you're 'like a tree planted by streams of water...", you "prosper" 
- - - You are nourished by God's Word & it gives many amazing benefits ('fruits') in your life!
- - - You prosper, not necessarily physically (e.g. money), but more so with things that matter much more--your character, your relationship with God, the impact you make on others, etc...
- - - - You become more like God & make a better influence on those around you! 
- 4. What does v4 say the result of the wicked is? 
- - They are like chaff that gets blown away
- - What is Chaff?
- - - The outer layer, or ‘skin’ of a seed.
- - - It is not able to be used for anything helpful. 
- - - It is considered worthless and as trash. 
- - - It blows away in the wind & quickly burns up when set afire
Read Exodus 32:1-6 from your Bible; then answer Qs 5-6
- 5. How did Aaron fall into ‘peer pressure’?  What sin(s) did this lead to?
- - The people pressured him into making he golden calf
- 6. How do you think could Aaron have resisted this peer pressure?
- - Various answers. 

Quiz Preparation: Study Packet, Page 4
- Your Verses: Psalm 1:1-3
- - Counsel: Advice
- - Scoffers: One who thinks it is funny to sin (they mock righteousness)
- - Meditates: To thoughtfully consider something
- - Yields: To give
- Your Questions: Based upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer:
- - 1) Summarize what this Psalm encourages us to avoid and then says what we are blessed to do instead.
- - - Remember, these verses deal with what things you allow to influence your life.
- - - Look at questions 1 and 2 above to help answer this. 
- - 2) Give a junior high example of how you can make the better choice and what a possible matching result could be (that goes with the ideas in this Psalm).
- - - Look at questions 2 & 3 above. 

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Dec 14, Thu - Unit 5 Test

Next Quiz/Test: Today was your Unit 5 Test
- Don't worry about the next quiz--enjoy your Christmas break!  :-D

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 2: Due Jan 8, Take lessons learned from Devotion 1 as you write this. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 2 Book Choices). Start this early to make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 5: Exodus 21 - Leviticus 22
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their Unit 5 test.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Dec 13, Wed - Unit 5 Review

Next Quiz/Test: THURSDAY is your Unit 5 Test

HandoutsNone given

Reminders:
Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
Devotion 1 PresentationBe ready to present on your day! See class schedule.
Devotion 2: Due Jan 8, Take lessons learned from Devotion 1 as you write this. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 2 Book Choices). Start this early to make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 5: Exodus 21 - Leviticus 22
Journal: None given, Students had a binder check & then we jumped right into the below review activity.

Unit 5 Review Activity: .
1. How does the New Testament reveal that God made final atonement for mankind? 
Jesus died for our sins
2. Which tribe repented from their sins with the Golden Calf and joined Moses in stopping the riot? 
Levi (The Levites)
3. When God revealed His glory to Moses, He taught us that He has mercy and compassion on…  who? 
Whoever He wants to have it on (we can’t deserve it)!
4. Hebrews 12:29 shares, “our God is a consuming fire.” What did we say this symbolized? 
God’s ultimate beauty and holiness as well as His destructive justice on unrepentant sinners
5. What key thing symbolized God’s presence with His people? 
The Tabernacle
6. As you entered the tabernacle, holiness increased, showing that God is… what? 
Totally righteous & separate from sin
7. Early in this unit, what did we say involves all areas of our life? 
Holiness and godliness
8. What two things did we say that God’s followers should pray for others to receive? 
God’s mercy & grace
9. What two things did God’s gifts to Bazalel & Ohaliab teach us about how to use our gifts? 
We should use them for God’s glory and the good of others
10. What group had the job of teaching Israel God’s law and helping them have a close relationship with God? 
The priests
11. When should we confront and correct sin? 
When it is possible & proper (appropriate)
12. In offering unauthorized incense to God, what two things were Nadab and Abihu not doing? 
Honoring God, Treating God as holy
13. What happened at the Mercy Seat (in the Holy of Holies)? 
God annually revealed His presence and offered forgiveness to Israel
14. What was used to maintain and restore a good relationship with God? 
Offerings/Sacrifices
15. What does it mean to be ‘stiff-necked’? 
To be stubborn
16. List two things Moses asked God to do (or not do) that God then did (or didn’t do), just as Moses asked? 
All seen after the golden calf sins: Not destroy Israel, show Moses His glory, Personally continue to be with Israel
17. What does God take seriously, remain totally separate from, and offer a way to fix? 
Our sins! (the ‘fix’ is the forgiveness He offers)
18. Why couldn’t priests have alcohol before serving God? 
So they could determine what is holy/common, determine what is clean/unclean, & teach Israel God’s Word
19. What does God pair His discipline with? He disciplines us with… 
Mercy!
20. How did God describe Israel after their golden calf sins? 
They corrupted themselves and were stiff-necked (stubborn)
21. The five offerings were given for the forgiveness of sins and what other things? 
Recognizing God’s goodness, Giving God’s thanks, Increasing our fellowship with God
22. What happened with the scapegoat? Why? 
Israel’s sins were symbolically put on it & it was chased out of the community to symbolize how we must remove sin from our lives and communities (also symbolizing how our sins were placed on Jesus!)
23. How does God want His people to compare to those who do not follow God? 
We should be holy (set apart) from them—meaning we should be like God and in a close relationship with Him
24. What happened to Moses when he spent a lot of time in God’s presence? 
His face began to glow, reflecting God’s glory!
25. What was used to symbolize the prayers of God’s people and how they please God? 
The incense burned in the Tabernacle
26. God, who is holy, commands that we be holy and then teaches us… what key related thing? 
How to be holy!
27. What does ‘atonement’ refer to? 
The method God used to deal with our sin & bring us back into a close relationship with Himself.
28. What did God use a bright cloud to do? 
Show His presence with and leadership for His people