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Maps |
How did people in the Bible find their way around without a map app? This session focuses on how they navigated their world.
Opening:
The scriptures are not only historical, but also are intended as a map to help us find our way. Review the complete passage of Psalm 119:105-112 and discuss:
- Thy word is a lamp unto my feet... This refers to directing our path. How may the scriptures be used to assist us in decision-making? Have you used the scriptures as a tool for personal decision-making? Are there dangers associated with taking Old Testament historical laws as literal direction for today?
- Thy word is a ... light unto my path. This refers to enlightenment, or knowledge. Scripture not only directs our path, but is a source of wisdom and knowledge. Consider the Bereans of Acts 17:11: "The people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth." How important is it to verify supposed truth, as the Bereans did?
Old Testament:
- God leads the Hebrews out of Egypt and across the sea, using clouds by day, and fire by night (Exodus 13:17-end, Exodus 14:19-22)
- Scouts explore and map Canaan (Numbers 13:1-25)
- Nehemiah maps the walls by night (Nehemiah 2: 11-16)
New Testament:
- Following the star in the East (Matthew 2: 1-12) and returning home by another way
- The Man Born Blind seeks the Pool of Siloam (John 9: 1-7). How could the blind man find it? Siloam is a rock-cut pool on the southern edge of the main ridge on which Jerusalem was built, and served as part of the water system developed by King Hezekiah. See also Nehemiah 3:15.
- Review the scope of Paul's three missionary Journeys (Acts 13:1-14:28, 15:36-18:22, and 18:23-21:17) - most Bibles have this as a map in the back or use this summary from Gracepoint.
Closing:
- Consider the scriptures as a map, in light of "John Wesley's Quadrilateral"; which encourages us to base our lives on these four criteria: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. (See UMC explanation and Wikipedia article).
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Revised Apr 25 2016 by Rick Mills rickmills9@gmail.com
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