God’s Story Part 2 Last week we saw Part 1, from creation till the (almost) sacrifice of Abraham’s son Isaac. And we read and discussed Romans 4. What was this chapter about? Faith Righteousness Today we will watch Part 2, from Moses till John the Baptist and we’ll briefly discuss the shown stories. After that we will read John 1 and discuss how Jesus started a “new creation.”

John the Baptist DVD or YouTube Watch God’s Story Part 2 from Moses till John the Baptist DVD or YouTube minutes 30:48 – 54:16 English Mandarin Chinese

What have we seen? How the Hebrew people became slaves in Egypt The hard circumstances and the threads of Farao How a Jewish baby (Moses) was rescued and was raised in royalty Why Moses needed to flee to the desert for 40 years How God called Moses, a man of faith, to become the leader of the Hebrew people and how God used him to lead them through a series of God-sent plagues and Passover and to rescue “His son” Israel from slavery through the water What have we seen? How the Jews during 40 years in the desert received the 10 Commandments (the Law) and finally could occupy the land Kanaan How disobedient the people were to God and why the people twice were taken into captivity How God used prophets to warn the people and promised a Deliverer Why John the Baptist needed to come to announce the Messiah, Jesus, the ultimate “Passover Lamb”.

Gospel of John The apostle John begins his book by echoing words from the Bible’s creation story—In the beginning—showing his readers that this is a story of a new creation. Just as the first creation was completed in seven days, John uses the number seven to structure his book. For the Jews the number seven represented completeness and wholeness, a finished work of God revealing his purpose for the world. The story is told in two main parts: The first describes Jesus’ public ministry and has seven sections. Each section closes with a report on how people respond to Jesus, either in faith or unbelief. The second part is devoted to one weekend, the Passover weekend, when Jesus gave his life for the world. John records seven instances in which Jesus revealed his identity by using the phrase I am, the name by which God had revealed himself earlier. Similarly, John records seven miraculous signs that Jesus performed. John’s narrative mentions twice that the resurrection of Jesus took place on the first day of the week. In this way he confirms that the power of a new creation has broken into our world. We’ll do the I AM series after this God’s Story series.

We’ll read John 1:1-18 in English and Chinese 1In the beginning was the Word ( ), and the Word ( ) was with God, and the Word was God. 2He ( ) was with God in the beginning. 3Through him ( ) all things were made; without him ( ) nothing was made that has been made. 4In him ( ) was life, and that life ( ) was the light of all mankind. 5The light ( ) shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus 6There was a man ( ) sent from God whose name was John. 7He ( ) came as a witness to testify concerning that light ( ), so that through him ( ) all might believe. 8He himself ( ) was not the light; he ( ) came only as a witness to the light ( ). John John Jesus Jesus John John Jesus

9The true light ( ) that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him ( ), the ( ) world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own ( ), but his own ( ) did not receive him. 12Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ( ) — 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14The Word ( ) became flesh ( ) and made his dwelling among us (which means ). We ( ) have seen his (‘ ) glory, the glory of the one and only Son ( ), who came from the Father ( ), full of grace and truth. Jesus Jesus people of the all people people Christians Jesus a physical human Emmanuel disciples Jesus’ Jesus God

Let’s split into smaller groups to discuss today’s lesson

God’s Story, part 2; discussion questions From last week How would you describe faith and righteousness? For today, Old Testament Moses wasn’t perfect. He killed an Egyptian. He hid his crime. He had no self-confidence when God called him. God still wanted him to be His representative. On what basis did God choose him? God taught His people during a desert period and gave them the Ten Commandments. Look at Exodus 20:1-17. Which of these commandments is most helpful to practice in your life? The Jews were safe during the punishment of the Egyptians, when they followed God’s instructions through Moses (Exodus 12). What did they need to do? What happened to the Egyptians? How did the Jewish slavery end? Do you see any connection between this story and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, 1500 years later? Hundreds of prophecies over a thousand years recorded in the Old Testament predicted the coming of a Messiah, a Redeemer. Do you believe that these prophecies pointed to Jesus? For today, New Testament, John 1 From the time of the last prophet in the Old Testament, Micah (400 BC), to the birth of Jesus took 400 years. People may have doubted whether the Messiah would ever come. What was the role of John the Baptist in this and how did he show that? Look at vs. 29 and compare vss. 15 and 30. Close in a group prayer.