Mr. Ellis' Bible 8 Class

Wed, Feb 1 - 2 Kings Started

2012-02-01T07:29:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7b: Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Monday, Feb 6 to retake Unit 6 Test

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- APU: Monday, Feb 6 is your next APU! Make sure your grades are where you want them to be.
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 7: 2 Kings 1-10 and...
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah

Journal 7-7: Concerning Habakkuk...
God used the evil nation of Babylon to punish Judah for their sins
- What do you think about this?
- What do you feel about this?
- Would you do the same?
- Why do you think God did it?

An Introduction & Summary of 2 Kings: Continuing the history from 1st Kings…
- Prophets: Elijah to Elisha (and a few more)
- Israel: Ahab to Ahaziah, to Joram, to Jehu, to Jehoahaz (2K 1-10 covers these previous ones, that is as far as this unit goes, but 2 Kings continues...), to Jehoash, to Jeroboam II, to Zechariah, to Shallum, to Menahem, to Pekahiah, to Pekah, to Hoshea, to destruction by Assyria (2K 11-17, next unit's focus)
- Judah: Jehoshaphat to Joram, to Jehoram, to Ahaziah, to Queen Athalia (2K 1-10, this unit), to Joash, to Amaziah, to Uzziah, to Jotham, to Ahaz, to Hezekiah, to Manasseh, to Amon, to Josiah, to Jehoahaz, to Jehoiakim, to Jehoiachin, to Zedekiah, to exile by Babylon (2K 11-25, next unit's focus)

Ahaziah’s Ending: 2K 1:2-4
- Ahaziah is injured and seeks help from ‘Baal-Zebub’
- - 'Baal-Zebub' means ‘Lord of the Flies’
- - This was likely an insulting nick name used by the author for the false god known as 'Baal-Zebul', which meant 'Lord Prince'
- Elijah intercepts Ahaziah's messengers & shares God’s Word with them...
- - His dependence on other gods will lead to his death!
- Ahaziah sends 3 groups of 50 to Elijah after this to talk one-on-one with Elijah
- - The first two groups of 50 are killed by fire from heaven when they try to take Elijah
- - The 3rd group has a leader that humbles himself before Elijah
- - - Elijah goes will them
- - Nevertheless, Elijah confirms to Ahaziah that his fate is sealed.
- 2K 1:17: Ahaziah indeed dies, without even having a son

A Sampling of some Pre-Exilic Prophets: Worksheet
- Students worked on the questions for Amos, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah

Tue, Jan 31 - Zephaniah

2012-01-31T07:27:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7b: Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Monday, Feb 6 to retake Unit 6 Test

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- APU: Monday, Feb 6 is your next APU! Make sure your grades are where you want them to be.
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 7: 2 Kings 1-10 and...
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah

Journal 7-6:
- Open your Unit Handout to pg 44 & read the paragraphs about Zephaniah, then answer:
- - What does Zephaniah begin with?
- - - Sorrow
- - What does it end with?
- - - Singing
- - What is the “Day of the Lord”?
- - - A period of time when the Lord will do a special thing. A time of great tribulation, GOd's judgment on His people & their enemies
- - Who does God show judgment to in Zephaniah?
- - - On the Jews and His people
- - According to Zephaniah, what do God’s people have to look forward to?
- - - God's wonderful promises that His people will return to their own land & be blessed by God while also being a blessing to all the earth! There is great rejoicing ahead for God's people.

- When done, work on your handout:
- - “A Sampling of some Pre-Exilic Prophets”

The Pre-Exilic Prophet Table: Zephaniah (pg. 665)
- From: Unknown!
- To: Judah
- Approx. Time: 640-621
- Major Theme: Hope for the humble & righteous
- Key Verse: Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12
- Other Notes:
- - Zephaniah means, ‘The LORD Hides’
- - - Because God will 'hide' the humble & righteous from the day of judgment & disaster!
- - Announcing to Judah that God’s judgment on them is coming!
- - Coming ‘Day of the Lord’ is a judgment for all nations!
- - - This gets into future things, perhaps even the end days?
- - Like Amos, this ends w/hope: A remnant will be saved
- - - This term refers to a small amount of people, the 'remaining'
- - - The remnant is made up of the humble & righteous who still follow God

A Sampling of some Pre-Exilic Prophets: Worksheet
- Students worked on the questions for Amos, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah

Mon, Jan 30 - Memory Quiz 7b Preparation & Habakkuk

2012-01-30T07:05:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7b: Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Monday, Feb 6 to retake Unit 6 Test

Handouts: Unit 6 Test

Reminders:
- APU: Monday, Feb 6 is your next APU! Make sure your grades are where you want them to be.
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 7: 2 Kings 1-10 and...
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah

Journal 7-5: Read Habakkuk 3:16-19
- First) Re-write these verses in your own words. Don’t use things like ‘fig trees, olive crops, & feet of deer,’ instead use what would be like that for you today. Put some good thought into this.
- Second) Why do you think Habakkuk will still wait patiently on God’s justice, rejoicing in Him?
- - HINT: Think of the 3 ways God is described in vv18-19!

The Pre-Exilic Prophet Table: Habakkuk (pg. 662)
- From: ?
- To: Judah
- Approx. Time: 608-598
- Major Theme: God’s call for faithfulness
- Key Verse: Habakkuk 2:4 & 3:17-19
- Other Notes: Habakkuk means, “To Embrace”
- - A conversation between Habakkuk & God
- - A Book of Questions: (See Handout, pg 43)
- - - Habakkuk's 1st Question) Why doesn’t Judah’s evil get punished for their evil?
- - - - God’s Answer: Babylon will punish them.
- - - Habakkuk's 2nd Questions) How can God use another more evil country to punish Judah?
- - - - God’s Answer: Babylon too will be judged!
- - This ends with a psalm of praise where Habakkuk recognizes and celebrates God's power & holiness

Memory Verse Quiz Preparation:
- Your Verses: Habakkuk 3:17-19
- Your Question: Despite terrible things happening all around, Habakkuk will continue to trust in and worship God. He brings up three qualities of God that would help us do the same. Describe these qualities & tell how they can help us trust in God, even when times are bad.
- - The Qualities:
- - - Savior: Meaning... Deliverer, Rescuer, ‘My salvation’
- - - Sovereign: Meaning... Master, Ruler, Owner, Commander, Lord
- - - Strength: Meaning... Force, Might, Power, Army, Wealth
- - Show me some of your own critical thought in how these things could help one trust in God, even in bad times. Think of how you would answer this question, "In bad times, knowing God is sovereign/strong/my savior can help me trust him because..." Remember the focus is on how we could still trust in God during bad times; consider how these qualities help us to do this.

A Sampling of some Pre-Exilic Prophets: Worksheet
- Students worked on the questions for Amos, Nahum, & Habakkuk

Fri, Jan 27 - Quiz

2012-01-27T07:40:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Memory Quiz 7a: Hosea 6:1, 3, & 6 (NIV, 1984)
- Next Friday is Memory Quiz 7b: Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 7: 2 Kings 1-10 and...
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah
Journal: None given, students studied for their quiz.

After the quiz, students worked on the worksheet from yesterday,
"A Sampling of some Pre-Exilic Prophets"

Thu, Jan 26 - Amos & Nahum

2012-01-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7a: Hosea 6:1, 3, & 6 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Friday, Jan 27 to make up Memory Quiz 6b

Handouts: A Sampling of some Pre-Exilic Prophets

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 7: 2 Kings 1-10 and...
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah
Journal 7-4: Open your Unit Handout to pg 42
- Read the three paragraphs & answer these:
- - Describe the connection between Jonah and Nahum
- - - Written about 150 years after Jonah visited & those people of Nineveh repented
- - Why do you think the Ninevites changed?
- - - Various answers.
- - Where have we seen changes like this already in the Bible?
- - - Israel & Judah kept obeying & disobeying God, swinging from one side to the other!
- - Nahum tells of God’s love and His… What?
- - - Justice
- - What country would capture Nineveh?
- - - Babylon
- Read Nahum 1:15 & 2:2, then summarize the hope given to Israel/Judah.
- - Good news and peace would come again to them!
- - God will restore them to their splendor of old, destroying their enemies.

A Survey of Amos: Unit Handout, Page 39
- Read Top Summary: Israel was making money, was very help, & had no strong enemies; but they only pretended to worship God, were greedy, were unfair to the poor, and were more interested in themselves than God!
- See Outline
- - Amos 1-2) Prophesies: Warning the Nations
- - - Read 3 paragraph summary: The 'Oracles Against the Nations'
- - Amos 3-6) Sermons: Speaking about Israel
- - - Read 3 paragraph summary
- - - Read ‘Sidelight’
- - Amos 7-9) Visions: The Future of Israel
- - - Read 4 paragraph summary
- - - - God relents from sending a locust swarm and then from sending consuming fire
- - - - God judges Israel next to a 'plumb line' (a cord with a lead weight at the bottom, at the top of a wall you dangle it down to see if the wall is really straight); God's standards are 'straight,' like the plumb line; but Israel was 'crooked,' full of sin.
- - - Read 2 paragraph summary of Ch 9

The Pre-Exilic Prophet Table: Nahum (pg. 660)
- From: Judah
- To: Nineveh
- Approx. Time: 686-612
- Major Theme: God’s jealousy protects His people
- Key Verse: Nahum 1:2-3
- Other Notes:
- - Nahum means, ‘Comforted by the LORD’
- - About 150 years after Jonah’s visit (Probably the great grandchildren of those who Jonah met)
- - - Nineveh again became very evil & cruel, this time without repenting!
- - Nahum prophesied that Babylon (being used by God as judgment) would destroy Nineveh (Assyria)
- - - Remember that Assyria has already destroyed Israel (Northern Tribes) at this time
- - God is universally ‘sovereign’ (in charge), over all history & nations (Not just Judah or Israel!)

A Sampling of some Pre-Exilic Prophets:
Students worked on the questions for Amos & Nahum from this.

Wed, Jan 25 - Amos

2012-01-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7a: Hosea 6:1, 3, & 6 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Friday, Jan 27 to make up Memory Quiz 6b

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 7: 2 Kings 1-10 and...
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah
Journal 7-3: Read Amos 7:10-17
- Who is the priest? Amaziah
- What city is he and Amos in? Bethel
- Who is the king of Israel? Jeroboam (the second)
- What does the priest accuse Amos of? Raising a conspiracy against the king!
- Why doesn’t the priest want Amos speaking in this city? Various answers... He sees Bethel & the temple in it as a 'sanctuary for the king'
- Where did God take Amos from? Tending the flock (as a shepherd), & raising sycamore fig trees
- When the priest kicks Amos out of the city, what penalties will fall on his own family? His wife will become a prostitute; his sons & daughters fall to the sword; he will die in a pagan country
- What confident statement is made about Israel? Israel will certainly go into exile

The Pre-Exilic Prophet Table: Amos (pg. 647)
- From: Judah (He was a sheepherder)
- To: Israel
- Approx. Time: 760-750
- Major Theme: God’s Call for Justice & Righteousness
- Key Verse: Amos 5:18, 24
- Other Notes: Amos means, ‘Burdensome’
- - The ‘Day of the Lord’
- - - Jews thought this was when God would help them,
- - - But they disobeyed God & weren’t just to needy
- - - Instead it was a time of judgment!
- - An ‘Oracle Against the Nations’:Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah, & Israel!
- - Ending with hope after judgment! (9:11-15)

Tue, Jan 24 - Hosea

2012-01-24T07:31:00.000-08:00

>Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7a: Hosea 6:1, 3, & 6 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Friday, Jan 27 to make up Memory Quiz 6b

Handouts: Unit 7 Handout

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 7: 2 Kings 1-10 and...
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah
Journal 7-2:
- Read: Hosea 1:1-9 (pg 636)
- - What is the name of Hosea’s wife? Gomer!
- - What type of wife was she? An adulterous wife,
- - What were the names of Hosea’s three children? what do they mean? (Look at the notes e & f on the bottom of the page)
- - - Jezreel: God Plants (Because God would bring justice against Jehu's house due to the bloodshed he caused at Jezreel)
- - - Lo-Ruhamah: Not Loved (Because Israel was 'not loved' by God due to their consistent sins, following after other gods)
- - - Lo-Ammi: Not My People (Because Israel was 'disowned' by God, no longer considered His people)
- - Why were they named these?
- - - To consistently communicate God’s messages to His people
- - - Think of it...
- - - - They were visibly shown through a long period of time what God said to them at one time
- - - - When the town gossiped about these weird names, they would be reminded about what God said
- - - - Every time someone saw this child, it would remind them of God's message
- If done early, finish reading Hosea 1

Gomer’s Problems, Hosea’s Love:
- Read Hosea 3:1-5
- - Gomer did the role of a prostitute, leaving her husband Hosea & sleeping with other men
- - Things got bad enough that in order to get her back Hosea would have to pay money (like bail, perhaps?)
- - God tells Hosea to go & use his hard earned money to buy Gomer back (even though she doesn't deserve it!)
- Answer:
- - What did Gomer’s actions represent? Israel! Her unfaithfulness toward God, leaving him over and over again to follow other gods
- - - We do the same thing today, but instead of it being obvious 'false gods' that we follow, we make the following types of things our gods: ourselves (power, greediness, selfishness), our phones, our friends, our games, our books, our clothes, our money
- - What did Hosea’s actions represent? God & His continued love to Israel

Hosea in the New Testament:
- Yesterday we talked about Jesus’ use of Hosea 6:6, but more than that...
- See Handout, pg 36
- - Two ways Hosea relate to Jesus:
- - - A Prophesy of Jesus: Coming out of Egypt
- - - A Picture of what Jesus did for us, buying us back for His own
- - Read the summaries for Chapters 1-3 & Chapters 4-14

Mon, Jan 23 - Memory Quiz 7a Prep & Hosea Introduced

2012-01-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 7a: Hosea 6:1, 3, & 6 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Friday, Jan 27 to make up Memory Quiz 6b

Handouts: Friday I returned Memory Quiz 6b

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 7: 2 Kings 1-10 and...
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah

Friday: No notes were posted, we simply took a test.

Journal 7-1:
- Read Hosea 6:1-6 (pg 639)
- - What do you think v1 means when it says God, has “torn us”?
- - Why might God do this?
- Hosea 6:6, says “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice”
- - Share some ways you could have shown mercy (or ‘goodness’ in general) to someone this - weekend.
- - Share some ways you could show mercy this coming week!

The Pre-Exilic Prophet Table: Hosea (pg. 636)
- From: Israel
- To: Israel
- Approx. Time: 786-746
- Major Theme: God’s Unquenchable Love
- Key Verse: Hosea 11:8-9
- Other Notes:
- - Hosea means, ‘Salvation’
- - Prophesies focus on Israel’s salvation—
- - - Only possible by turning from idol worship to God
- - Two Stories:
- - - 1) Gomer: Faithless before Hosea
- - - 2) Israel: Faithless before God

Memory Verse Quiz Preparation:
- Your Verses: Hosea 6:1, 3, 6
- Your Question: Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 twice (Matthew 9:13 & 12:7). Based upon our classroom discussion and your thoughtful reflection of these verses—use complete sentences and your own words to thoroughly explain the main idea of these. Give a Jr. High example of what God does not desire, and also give a Jr. High example of what He does desire!
- Discussion
- - Compare the following:
- - - Hosea 6:6, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
- - - Matthew 9:13, Jesus said... "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. 'For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
- - - Matthew 12:7, Jesus also said... "If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'you would not have condemned the innocent."
- - You can tell this is an important lesson because Jesus brings it up twice just in the book of Matthew!
- - To summarize these verses...
- - - God doesn't want 'empty religious actions'
- - - - Sacrifices & burnt offerings were commanded by God for the people to do for a reason, to deal with the sin problem that they had & follow God more closely afterwards.
- - - - However, these became 'empty traditions' that they would do with no 'heart' behind it, doing it for the wrong reasons (because it was a 'chore' , an 'action' gained God's favor, or something to 'show off' in front of others).
- - - - Some modern 'sacrifices' we may give that could just be 'empty religious actions' include giving money to charity or church, volunteering/serving somewhere, going to church, etc...
- - - Instead, God wants a 'changed heart'
- - - - 'Mercy' is not an outward action, it is an inward character
- - - - The Hebrew word in Hosea for 'mercy' is 'cHesed', which describes the 'covenant love' (or 'loyal compassion') God has for us
- - - - Rather than empty outward acts, God wants us to have His love in our heart, which will then be demonstrated through our entire life.

Thur, Jan 19 - Unit 6 Test Review

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: TOMORROW is your Unit 6 Test! Study guide is already posted.
- You have until Friday, 1/20, to retake Memory Quiz 6a

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal: We did our notebook check.

Unit 6 Review:
1. After he became depressed, Elijah wanted to... what?
Die
2. After pouring water on God’s altar on Mt. Caramel, what did Elijah do?
Pray to God to answer with fire
3. By God’s command, Elijah anointed Hazael as king over what nation?
Aram
4. Describe the edible miracle God did in this past unit which helped three people live.
Making the widow’s oil & flour never run out during the drought!
5. How did Obadiah show his righteousness, even when serving King Ahab?
By protecting God’s prophets when Jezebel was hunting them!
6. How did this unit teach us that God works in quiet & small ways?
God spoke to Elijah in a gentle breeze
7. Jezebel worshiped Asherah & Baal—what were these ‘gods’ supposed to help with?
Storms, rain, & fertility – thus the significance of God causing a drought, it showed these gods had no real power!
8. Jonah (meaning ‘dove’) is a ‘Pre-Exilic Prophet’—what does that mean?
He prophesied before the exile
9. What animals did God deliberately command in the book of Jonah?
A fish & a worm
10. What city did Omri make the new capital of Israel?
Samaria
11. What did Ahab do with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram?
Release him
12. What did God do since Ahab rightly repented when confronted about the vineyard?
Delayed the consequences
13. What did ravens do in this past unit?
Deliver bread & meat to Elijah!
14. What does ‘Elisha’ mean?
“God is Salvation”
15. What is the difference between a ‘Major Prophet’ and a ‘Minor Prophet’ book?
Minor Prophet books are shorter than the other
16. What is the Major Theme for the book of Jonah?
God’s Universal Concern
17. What is the meaning of Micaiah?
“Who is like the LORD”
18. What is unique about Jonah’s book, when compared to other prophet books?
It is mostly historic narrative
19. What killed Ahab?
A random arrow
20. What was the name of Asa’s son (who was another good king)?
Jehoshaphat
21. Which prophet has a name meaning, “The LORD is God”?
Elijah (the prophet who moved around unexpectedly)
22. Who called whom a ‘Troubler of Israel’?
Ahab called Elijah this & Elijah called Ahab this!
23. Who do we see coveting in this past unit? (Coveting so bad it leads to murder!)
Ahab—he coveted Naboth’s vineyard
24. Who was Ahaziah & what is he known for so far in our unit?
Ahab’s son, the new king of Israal—also being evil
25. Who was Elijah told to anoint as the new king of Israel?
Jehu
26. Who was more evil, Omri or Ahab? Explain.
Ahab was more evil—both were evil than all who came before them & Ahab was Omri’s son.
27. Who wrote the opposite of a love letter to Elijah? Why?
Jezebel, because Elijah had the false prophets killed!
28. Why were farmers supposed to leave behind grain in their fields?
To care for the poor

Wed, Jan 18 - Jonah Concluded

2012-01-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 6 Test! Study guide is already posted.
- You have until Friday, 1/20, to retake Memory Quiz 6a

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Notebook Check: Happening tomorrow.,
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-10: Take out the blue Jonah packet
- Work on the second page, “Jonah & The Sailors”
- When complete, ensure…
- - Your other Jonah pages are done
- - Your Unit Handout pages are done (26, 27, 30)

Review "Jonah Handout 1: What did the LORD do?" answers from yesterday.

Name Meanings Reminder:
- 1st Major Israel Prophet = Elijah
- - “The LORD is God” (El + YHWH)
- 2nd Major Israel Prophet = Elisha
- - “God is Salvation” (El + Yasha)

Jonah Handout 2: Comparing Jonah & The Sailors
- Jonah
- - A Hebrew
- - Believed in 1 true God
- - Had relationship w/God
- - Spiritually insensitive, not listening to God
- - Uncompassionate toward Nineveh
- - Rebellious & disciplined
- The Sailors
- - Gentiles (Non-Hebrew)
- - Believed in many gods
- - No relationship w/God
- - Spiritually sensitive, seeking & following God
- - Compassionate toward Jonah
- - Brought to worship & commitment

Pictures: Some pictures were then shown of Jonah

Tue, Jan 17 - Jonah Continued

2012-01-17T07:19:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 6 Test! Study guide is already posted.
- You have until Friday, 1/20, to retake Memory Quiz 6a

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-9: Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in which we celebrate a key movement in our nation that brought about right justice and equality in our country.
- Read the following verses, then reflect on the Qs below: Deuteronomy 10:17-19, Deuteronomy 24:19-21, Proverbs 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:17, & James 1:27
- What do these verses teach about our role in caring for those who are most vulnerable to be treated without justice and equality?
- - You can see that God cares for those who are in great need (foreigners, widows, orphans, the poor, etc...), see Psalm 146:7-10 to see His heart on this!
- - In Deuteronomy 24 it explains their thing that is similar to modern 'soup kitchens;' when a farmer went through his field & harvested the grain--they were supposed to leave some back for the widows, foreigners, & orphans to pick up. That way those who had no steady job could still have food!
- - Prov 31:8 & Isaiah 1:17 point out how we're supposed to speak up for and defend the afflicted & needy, such as widows & orphans.
- - Therefore, He calls us to live out our religion by caring for those in need!
- Give two examples of how you can do this: Various answers given by students
- Extra time? Read & reflect on Psalm 146:7-10

After this we finished this discussion from Thursday's notes:
- 1 Kings’ Conclusion: 1 Kings 22

Jonah: A Review of our Introduction (See your Unit Handout, p28)
- Location in Bible? Minor Prophets
- The Characters? Jonah, Fish, God, The Sailors, The Ninevites (Remember that Israel viewed these as 'scum;' they hated them!)
- Setting? Joppa, Israel; The Mediterranean Sea; Nineveh, Assyria

Jonah Handout 1:
- For the next 20 minutes…
- In groups of 1-4,
- - Read through Jonah &
- - Answer Unit Handout 1, “What Did the Lord Do”
- - There should be one thing for every box.
- - - Look for things specific things this book says that God sends, appoints, or causes

Jonah Handout 1: What did the LORD do?
- 1:1) Came to Jonah & spoke
- 1:4, 15) Sent a great wind (made it grow calm)
- 1:17) Provided a great fish to swallow Jonah
- 2:6) Brought Jonah’s life out of the pit
- 2:10) Commanded the fish
- 3:1) Sent His word to Jonah
- 3:10) Had compassion on Nineveh, not bringing destruction
- 4:4) Replied to Jonah
- 4:6) Provided a vine, made it grow over Jonah
- 4:7) Provided a worm to eat the vine
- 4:8) Provided a scorching east wind
- 4:9, 10-11) Spoke to Jonah

Fri, Jan 13 - Mem Quiz 6b & 1 Kings End

2012-01-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Memory Quiz 6b: Jonah 4:10-11 (NIV, 1984)
- Next Friday is your Unit 6 Test! Study guide is already posted
- You have until Friday, 1/20, to retake Memory Quiz 6a

Handouts: Memory Quiz 6a

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal: None given, students studied for their quiz

After that we finished this discussion from yesterday's notes:
- 1 Kings’ Conclusion: 1 Kings 22

Thu, Jan 12 - Jonah

2012-01-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 6b: Jonah 4:10-11 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: None Given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-8: Work on your Unit Handout, complete pages 24, 25, 26, & 27. If all done, silently read your own book or 1 Kings 22.

Check yesterday's notes for: Pre-Exilic Prophets Table: Prophet: Jonah

Map: We looked at a map of Jonah's journey

1 Kings’ Conclusion: 1 Kings 22
- Asa’s son, Judah’s next King: Jehoshaphat
- Judah & Israel’s Alliance
- - To take back Israelite land from Aram
- Ahab asked his prophets, all approved!
- - 7-9, 13-18, 19-28) Except for Micaiah... (so annoying...)
- - - Meaning… “Who is like the LORD”
- - - His Prophesy: Ahab will die
- - 29-38) Ahab’s demise…
- - - Ahab knew Aram wanted to kill him, so...
- - - Ahab asks Jehoshaphat to dress up like a king while he (Ahab) goes in disguise
- - - Jehoshaphat agrees...
- - - In battle Aram Jehoshaphat cries out when all Aram's army tries to kill him!
- - - - But when they realize he isn't really Israel's king, they stop.
- - - Then a random arrow (really, see verse 34) hits and kills Ahab
- - - - Ahab dies in his chariot
- - - - The chariot is washed out in a dishonoring place, dishonoring Ahab, as God had said would happen.

- 41-50) Jehoshaphat rules Judah
- - A ‘Good King’ (like his father, Asa)
- - Lived at peace with Israel

- 51-53) Ahaziah rules Israel
- - Following the evil of his father & mother (Jezebel stays strong for a while!)

Jonah Movie: We began watching this in classes that had the time

Wed, Jan 11 - Naboth's Vineyard, 1 Kings' End, Jonah Intro

2012-01-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 6b: Jonah 4:10-11 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: Pre-Exilic Prophet Table (pink)

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-7: Read 1K 21:1-7, then answer…
- What does Ahab want? A vineyard
- Who does this belong to? Naboth
- How does Ahab try to get it? The right way, paying or trading for it!
- How does he respond when he can’t get it? He goes home & sulks/pouts
- What does Jezebel tell him to do? Get up, eat, & cheer up
- What does Jezebel say she will do? She will get the vineyard for him...

Naboth’s Vineyard:
- 1K 21:8-10) Jezebel writes a letter in Ahab’s name to elders in city, she tells them to...
- - Proclaim fast, seat Naboth in prominent place
- - Have two accuse him of cursing God & the king
- - Have him stoned to death
- 1K 21:11-16) All went according to plans
- - Jezebel has Ahab take the vineyard, since the owner is now dead.
- 1K 21:17-29) God is not pleased...
- - Elijah prophesies against Ahab & Jezebel
- - Both will die dishonorably (vv23-24)
- - Their family will also fully perish
- - Yet Ahab humbles himself before God! (vv27-29)
- - - So God will delay this disaster

1 Kings’ Conclusion: 1 Kings 22
- Asa’s son, Judah’s next King: Jehoshaphat
- Judah & Israel’s Alliance
- - To take back Israelite land from Aram
- Ahab asked his prophets, all approved!
- - 7-9, 13-18, 19-28) Except for Micaiah…
- - - Meaning… “Who is like the LORD”
- - - His Prophesy: Ahab will die (see vv29-40)
- 41-50) Jehoshaphat rules Judah
- - A ‘Good King’ (like his father, Asa)
- - Lived at peace with Israel
- 51-53) Ahaziah rules Israel
- - Following the evil of his father & mother

Pre-Exilic Prophets Table:
- Prophet: Jonah
- From (Where the Prophet was from): Israel
- To (Who the Prophesy was to): Nineveh, Assyria, yet... was it also written to Israel?
- Approx. Time: 786-746 BC
- Major Theme: God’s Universal Concern
- Key Verse: Jonah 4:11
- Other Notes:
- - “Jonah” means “Dove”
- - Jonah is also mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25
- - This prophet book is mostly narrative in nature (which is unique in prophet books!)
- - There is a heavy emphasis on God’s sovereign ('in-control') power over all nature
- - Shows God’s great concern for all nations (It wasn't 'all about Israel', it was 'all about God' & God wanted His message to be sent to all nations!)
- - It reminds Israel of her role in being a blessing to all nations by carrying God’s concern to them! (Something they often forgot...)

Tue, Jan 10 - Elisha, Ahab, Ben-Hadad, & the Prophets

2012-01-10T08:09:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 6b: Jonah 4:10-11 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form
- Devotion 3: Due TONIGHT! See RenWeb for further details.

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-6: Read 1K 19:19-21, then answer:
- Who does Elijah meet? Elisha! (a name meaning, "God is Salvation")
- What did Elisha sacrifice? His oxen
- What did Elisha use to burn it? The yoke & plow used for his job
- What was significant about this? He was giving up his job, his livilihood!
- - This showed a great sacrifice & trust in God!
- - It showed that he was fully commitment to God’s calling and never expected to return to his old job

Remember: The five main things God told Elijah when he was at Mt. Horeb:
- Go back to Israel
- Anoint Hazael over Aram
- Anoint Jehu over Israel
- Anoint Elisha as new prophet
- 7000 Still follow me.
- - What is significant of these last two things?
- - See also 2K 6:1-2
- - Though Elijah thought he was alone and none other followed God, Still 7000 did and God was going to bring through Elijah a new 'company of prophets,' those who would serve God powerfully!

Ahab & Aram: See your handout, page 25
- Aram fight's King Ahab
- - The first victory goes to Israel (Ahab's country)
- - - Ben-Hadad, Aram's king, says that Israel won because their god is only god of the mountains (where they were fighting at)
- - - God is not pleased that Aram views Him this way! So, to show them who He really is...
- - Ben-Hadad next attacks Israel on the plains, expecting to win since their god was supposed to rule the plains. Sure enough, though, they are greatly defeated! Also, King Ahab captures King Ben-Hadad!
- - - God wanted Ben-Hadad put to death for his crimes against Israel; however, King Ahab releases King Ben-Hadad because Ben-Hadad offers to give him things.
- 1 Kings 20:41-43) So, God sends a prophet to condemn King Ahab's actions
- - Making the story short, 'life for life' is the trade off. Because King Ahab let Ben-Hadad live, King Ahab's life must be given in place of Ben-Hadad. King Ahab's coming death was ultimately a result of this mistake.

Introducing the Prophets:
- What is a prophet? A messenger from God who delivered God's word to whomever God wanted.
- - Who are some examples? Jonah, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Samuel, etc...
- - Did every prophet get a book? Nope!
- What is the difference between major & minor prophets? Major prophets are longer, minor prophets are shorter--it has nothing to do with their importance or how spiritual they are.
- - Are they in order by when they happened? Nope
- - What is the different between pre-exilic, exilic, & post-exilic prophets?
- - - 'Exilic' refers to the 'exile' when Judah was taken captive by the nation of Babylon for 70 years, until their return.
- - - Pre-Exilic prophets lived & prophesied before this,
- - - Exilic prophets lived & prophesied during this, &
- - - Post-Exilic prophets lived & prophesied after this.
- What genre’s are in the prophets? Prophesy, Divine Dictation, Legal Code, Apocalyptic, Historic Narrative, Poetry, Laments, Prayers, and more!

Mon, Jan 9 - Mem Quiz 6b Prep & Jonah Intro

2012-01-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 6b: Jonah 4:10-11 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: Jonah Packet (blue)

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form
- Devotion 3: Due TOMORROW! See RenWeb for further details.

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-5:
Work on page three of the new blue packet, “Concerned for… What?”
- Put your name on the top & then on your own, quietly begin to work through this. Bring this to - class tomorrow and keep it in your notebook for the Notebook Check next week.

Reflection on the LORD's appearance to Elijah: This likely taught Elijah that even though God works in big visible ways (that whole 'fire from heaven' episode), He also works in quiet ways!

Jonah Handout 3: Concerned for… What?
- What were they each concerned about?
- - Jonah: The vine & himself
- - God: The Ninevites, Jonah, & even the cattle!

- How did you see this?
- - Jonah: He cries, whines, & wishes for death when the vine dies
- - God: God sent Jonah to Nineveh (instead of just destroying them), giving them a second chance! Also, God reaches out to Jonah to correct his attitude and have a relationship with him, even when he is being mean & whining

- Who did they want good things to come to?
- - Jonah: Himself! He wanted his comfort, his shelter, & his way wit Nineveh (their destruction)
- - God: The Ninevites & Jonah

- What did they create or tend?
- - Jonah:Nothing! Well, he 'made' the shelter, but that's the closest he got! He didn't 'tend the vine' yet he cared for it like it was his child
- - God: He created the Ninevites & cared for them, 'tending' them by reaching out to them in such ways as sending Jonah to them--shouldn't he have concern for them?

- What is the long-term result of what they cared for?
- - Jonah: The Vine: It would deteriorate and be gone, there was no long-term benefit from it or for it!
- - God: The Ninevites: They would live their lives affecting everyone around them and in the end die to either an eternity with Him or an eternity separated from Him!
- - - Consider C.S. Lewis' quote, "You have never met a mere mortal."
- - - We were made for eternity! Have the greatest concern in life for those things where last the longest, those things which are eternal, other people.

- What does their concern tell us about who they are?
- - Jonah: He was selfish & uncaring!
- - God: He is loving, concerned, values people and desires a relationship with them

Memory Verse Quiz Preparation:
- Your Verses: Jonah 4:10-11
- Your Questions: Based upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer:
- - In your own words explain at least two ways it Jonah was wrong in being so concerned about the vine’s death. (2 points)
- - - For your answer to this, look at the answers to our questions on the worksheet previous handout,"Concerned for… What? Jonah Handout 3".
- - - You can look at this question in two ways:
- - - - What was wrong with how much Jonah was concerned about just this vine
- - - - What was wrong with what he was not concerned about instead?
- - Explain how God views and treats Nineveh. (2 points)
- - - For your answer to this, look at the answers to our questions on the worksheet previous handout,"Concerned for… What? Jonah Handout 3".
- - - Make sure you hit both things--How does God view Nineveh? How does He treat them (give a specific example to help)

Fri, Jan 6 - Mem Quiz 6a

2012-01-06T07:42:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Memory Quiz 6a: Proverbs 15:3-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Next Friday is Memory Quiz 6b: Jonah 4:10-11 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: Service Reflection Essay & Community Service Evaluation Form (Golden colored)

Reminders:
- Service Hours: There are three things to turn in for this on April 16: Essay, Record Form, Comm. Service Evaluation Form
- Devotion 3: This is due Jan 10, See RenWeb for further details.

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal: None given, students studied for their quiz.

After this we:
- Discussed notes that were posted yesterday: The LORD Appears to Elijah: 1K 19
- Discussed their needed service hours upon completion of the quiz.

Thu, Jan 5 - Mt. Carmel & the Aftermath

2012-01-05T07:26:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: TOMORROW is Memory Quiz 6a: Proverbs 15:3-6 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!
- Devotion 3: This is due Jan 10, See RenWeb for further details.

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-4: Read 1 Kings 19:1-14
- List the key events in order of how they happen after the show-down on Mt. Carmel.
- Then answer…
- - Why did Elijah suddenly become so frightened?
- - - Jezebel threatened to kill him within a day!
- - Do you think you would have responded the same way? Why?
- - Elijah just experienced God in a powerful way (you know, that whole ‘fire from heaven’ thing). Now in his fear he couldn’t see God anymore. How did God show Himself to Elijah this time? Through a quiet whisper, like a gentle breeze.
- - Why do you think God chose this? Likely to teach him that God works in big & powerful ways as well as quiet and small ways.

Here we also finished our discussion of:
- The Showdown on Mt. Carmel! 1K 18:20-40
- Review yesterday's journal notes for this

After the Showdown on Mt. Carmel: 1K 18:41-46
- An end to the drought comes!
- By Elijah's advice, Ahab hitched his chariot and rode to Jezreel, yet Elijah ran ahead of him!
- What is odd about this? Elijah outran a chariot…
- How? The power of the LORD came upon him!

Elijah’s Fear & God’s Comfort:
- Remember what Jezebel did to the prophets of God? (Something Obadiah tried to thwart)
- - Kill them all!
- - Now that same fate falls on her prophets because Elijah had them all put to death!
- 1K 19:1-9)
- - Because of this, Jezebel seeks to kill Elijah
- - Elijah is understandably afraid and runs for his life!
- God provided food & rest for him.
- - During this time Elijah prays for death! (a bit overly dramatic, perhaps?)
- - Despite the powerful way God just revealed Himself (you know, that whole fire from heaven thing), Elijah become depressed in his fear--thinking that he was the last one left who truly followed God.
- - After being supplied food & rest, Elijah fled to Mt. Horeb (also called Mt. Sinai)

The LORD Appears to Elijah: 1K 19
- 9-11a) While at Mt. Sinai we again see Elijah's fear & depression
- 11b-13) Yet God ‘passes by’ Elijah, not in the wind storm, earthquake, or fire, but in the gentle breeze.
- - This likely taught Elijah that even though God works in big visible ways (that whole 'fire from heaven' episode), He also works in quiet ways!
- 14-18) God then encourages Elijah & gives him several commands
- - One encouragement was the reassurance that there were 7000 others who never bowed before the false gods--they also were still faithful to God alone
- - The commands were...
- - - Go back to Israel
- - - Anoint Hazael over Aram
- - - Anoint Jehu over Israel
- - - Anoint Elisha to take over after Elijah's work is done

Wed, Jan 4 - Elijah at Mt. Carmel

2012-01-04T07:46:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 6a: Proverbs 15:3-6 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: Devotion 3 Presentation Schedule (yellow)

Reminders:
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!
- Devotion 3: This is due Jan 10, See RenWeb for further details.

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-3: Read 1K 18:20-40
- Ahab gathers all the prophets of Baal and Asherah to Mt. Carmel with Elijah—then…
- What does Elijah say to Israel & those prophets? "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
- After their silence, what does Elijah challenge the prophets of Baal to do? Prepare a bull for a sacrifice, then call on the name of Baal to answer by fire in consuming the sacrifice.
- Describe what the prophets do.
- - They prepare an altar & put the bull on it to be sacrificed.
- - They called on Baal to answer them with fire, dancing around the altar, even cutting themselves!
- Describe what Elijah then does.
- - He taunts the prophets of Baal as they try to get their god to answer.
- - He then has the altar of the LORD rebuilt (with 12 stones, one for each tribe)
- - Next he built a trench around it, put the sacrifice & wood on it, & then dumped four large jars of water on it, three times over!
- - Finally, Elijah prays to God, asking that He answer with fire so that the hearts of the people may know He is God & be turned back to Him.
- What does God do?
- - God answers in fire, burning up the whole sacrifice, wood, stones, soil, & water!
- How do the people respond? They declare, "The LORD--He is God!"
- What then does Elijah do? Have the prophets of Baal killed.

Elijah & the Widow: 1K 17:8-24
- V7) 3 Yrs of Drought and…
- Vv8-9) What does God command? To Go to Zarephath of Sidon & stay there.
- - How will God care for him? A widow (a woman whose husband has died) will supply what he needs; this is an unlikely choice since widows are usually fairly poor & can't help others too much!
- Vv10-12, 13-16) Elijah’s obedience
- - Notice the widows hopeless state… She was getting ready to cook her last meal & die of starvation with her son!
- - Yet through Elijah's word & the widow caring for him, God made her little bit of flour and oil never run out! Not until the day rain comes on the earth.
- V17) Then the widow’s son dies
- - Vv18-21, 22-24) So Elijah intercedes (prayers) for him
- - God answers His prayer (Our prayers matter!) and the son is healed!
- - The woman believes Elijah all the more!

Obadiah & Elijah:
- 1K 18:1-6) Obadiah Introduced
- - A God-fearing man
- - Tries to obey the king, when possible (Great example to us!)
- V4) What did Jezebel do? Killed off the LORD's prophets!
- - What did Obadiah do? Hid 100 of them from her!
- 1K 18:7-16) Elijah meets Obadiah
- - What is Obadiah afraid of? That God will move Elijah before Obadiah returns with Ahab, then Ahab may kill Obadiah in anger!
- - - Why would he expect Elijah to move? Because Elijah had a habit of moving quickly & unexpectedly, appearing in one place & then suddenly being in another!

Elijah & Ahab: Prelude to the Showdown
- 1K 18:17-19) Elijah meets Ahab
- - What does Ahab call Elijah? "Troubler of Israel"
- - - Why do you think? Probably because he blamed him for the drought.
- - What does Elijah call Ahab? The real "Trouble of Israel"
- - - Why? Because they abandoned God's commands & followed Baal.
- - What does Elijah tell Ahab to do? Gather the people of Israel to Mt. Carmel & bring the 450 prophets of Baal & 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table.

The Showdown on Mt. Carmel! 1K 18:20-40
- Review your journal for this…
- We watched two videos in class that showed this, too!

Tue, Jan 3 - Memory Quiz 6a Prep & Elijah + Widow

2012-01-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 6a: Proverbs 15:3-6 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: Unit 6 Handout (white)

Reminders:
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!
- Devotion 3: This is due Jan 10, See RenWeb for further details.

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-2: Open your Unit Handout to page 27
- First: Read the Proverbs 15
- - V5) Spurns: To reject something in a rude way
- - V5) Prudence: The ability to live with reason/wisdom
- Second: Begin to work through the questions, from the top, to bottom.

Memory Verse Quiz Prep:
- Your Verses: Proverbs 15:3-6
- Your Questions: Based upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer:
- - In your own words, describe the two different things these verses say that your words (tongue) can do. (2 points)
- - - V4) "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,"
- - - - Obviously this isn't talking about physical healing or the literal 'Tree of Life' from Genesis
- - - - Instead this points out how our words can heal individuals of the hurt and problems they have (e.g. telling someone some good news, encouraging them, or complimenting them when they are having a bad day).
- - - - This also points out how our words can heal 'relationships,' such as by leading two people who were fighting or angry with each other to no longer have that anger and fight.
- - - V4) "... but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. "
- - - - The Hebrew word for 'deceitful' can also mean 'crooked' or 'vicious'
- - - - This points out how when we use our words to insult people, start rumors, spread gossip, cuss people out, and say other such things---it will bring hurt & pain, crushing someone's spirit.
- - Give a Jr. High example of the good use of your words. (1 point)
- - - This is something you will provide, based upon the discussion above.
- - - Careful not to be general, give a specific example.
- - Give an example from your life of when listening to correction helped you. (1 point)
- - - This comes from V5, "A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. "
- - - If you 'heed correction' you are listening to and following it. How has doing this helped you in the past? Give a specific example.

Elijah & the Widow: 1K 17:8-24
- V7) 3 Yrs of Drought and…
- Vv8-9) What does God command? To Go to Zarephath of Sidon & stay there.
- - How will God care for him? A widow (a woman whose husband has died) will supply what he needs; this is an unlikely choice since widows are usually fairly poor & can't help others too much!
- Vv10-12, 13-16) Elijah’s obedience
- - Notice the widows hopeless state… She was getting ready to cook her last meal & die of starvation with her son!
- - Yet through Elijah's word & the widow caring for him, God made her little bit of flour and oil never run out! Not until the day rain comes on the earth.
- V17) Then the widow’s son dies
- - Vv18-21, 22-24) So Elijah intercedes (prayers) for him
- - God answers His prayer (Our prayers matter!) and the son is healed!
- - The woman believes Elijah all the more!

Mon, Jan 2 - Elijah & Ahab Introduced

2012-01-02T07:56:00.000-08:00

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Memory Quiz 6a: Proverbs 15:3-6 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instructional Time: Unit 6: Elijah & Jonah (1 Kings 17-22 & Jonah)
Journal 6-1: Write about your Christmas Vacation
- What did you enjoy?
- What did you least enjoy?
- What was new &/or different?
- Where did you go?
- What do you hope to be different next time?

Pictures: I showed a few pictures from Elijah's life
- Being fed by birds
- Calling down fire from heaven on Mt. Caramel

A Quick Review: After Solomon died...
- What happened to the kingdom? It split!
- What was the name for the South? Judah
- - Who ruled this? David’s Family (Rehoboam, Abijah, & Asa)
- - Were they good kings? Only Asa was, so far!
- What was the name for the North? Israel
- - Who ruled this? Various Families (Jeroboam I & his son Nadab, Baasha & his son Elah, Zimri, Omri, & his son Ahab)
- - Were they good kings? Not one of them was! They all followed Jeroboam's first sin of worshiping idols outside of Jerusalem. Also, they began to worship the Baal & Asherah false gods!

Antagonist Introductions:
- Back to Omri… (King in the North, Israel)
- 1K 16:23-24) What city did he build? Samaria
- - What did this city become? The capital of Israel
- During Omri's rule, Israel actually experiences it's greatest physical prosperity (they were rich & powerful); however, spiritually they were in poverty. Physical blessings doesn't always mean you're pleasing God.... Nor does it always mean the opposite...
- 1K 16:25) What was unique about his kingship? He was worse than every king before him!
- 1 K 16:29-30) Who was his son? Ahab
- - What was ‘unique’ about his kingship? He took the title from his dad as being the worst king yet!
- - 1 K 16:31-33: Ahab’s further mistakes…
- - - What seemed trivial to him (seemed like it wasn't a big deal or a real problem)? Committing the sins of Jeroboam
- - - Who did he marry? Jezebel, a Sidonian (one of the women from the tribes God told them not to marry... )
- - - What 2 gods did he worship? Baal & Asherah (gods that were supposed to 'rule' storms, rains, & fertility or crops & families)
- - - As king, when he did this, he led the entire nation even further away from God!

Protagonist Introduction: 1 Kings 17
- V1) Elijah is introduced!
- - His name means “The LORD is God”, this is a very good name for a time when people were claiming that Baal & Asherah were gods. As a prophet, Elijah's own name declares that YHWH is God!
- - He appears somewhat mysteriously with no background! We only know that he is a "Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead"
- - What country is he a prophet to? How do you know? Israel, notice how he talks to Ahab, a king of Israel
- - What does he announce?
- - - He serves the LORD (YHWH, the personal name of God that He gave to Moses, in contrast to the false gods of Baal & Asherah that Ahab serves)
- - - There will be a drought for the next few years until he says otherwise.
- - Why do you think Elijah prays for this (James 5:17) and God then does it?
- - - One part of this is discipline. The country had sinned & gone against him. Furthermore, they were ignoring Him as the true God! So, he causes a drought to discipline them to help lead to repentance so they will follow God again. Remember Solomon's prayer of dedication in 1K 8:35... God may 'shut up the heavens' when his people sin against him.
- - - A second part of this is that it showed how little power Baal and Asherah had! Those fake gods were supposed to be in charge of rain & storms, yet now Elijah comes on behalf of The LORD & says that there will be no rain---emphasizing how Baal and Asherah have no true power.
- Vv2-6) Declaring this to the king leaves Elijah with few friends (he just said all the farmers aren't getting rain, and the kings supporters will likely want him dead) & he also has no food or water himself...
- - God still provides! How does He provide? Through Ravens bringing food
- - What does He provide? Meat & Bread (through Ravens) & water through where he lives
- - Where does Elijah live? Next to a brook/stream (thus he has water to drink

Thu, Dec 15 - Unit 5 Test

2011-12-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was your Unit 5 Test!

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal: None given, students studied for their test.

Merry Christmas to all & to all a Happy New Year!

Wed, Dec 14 - Test Review

2011-12-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: TOMORROW is your Unit 5 Test!
- Students have until Thursday, Dec 15, to make up Memory Quiz 5a
- Students have until Thursday, Dec 15, to make up Memory Quiz 5b

Handouts Given: Memory Quiz 5b

Reminders:
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal: For this students had their notebook check.

Grade 8 – Unit 5 – Test Review

1. According to Ecc., everything done under the sun is what?
Meaningless
2. After loosing the northern tribes, this foolish leader of Judah led his country to no longer follow God.
Rehoboam
3. Despite our hardships, Ecclesiastes encourages us to live life with this.
Joy
4. Ecclesiastes forces us to focus on the oft-avoided topic of death which points out our need for what?
Resurrection
5. How does Asa stand out in this unit? What is his unique quality?
He was the only good king!
6. Mr. Ellis describes Ecclesiastes not as ‘pessimistic & negative’ but as what?
Brutally Realistic
7. This is what Israel asked Rehoboam for when he first became king.
Less work!
8. This word, in the simplest definition, means ‘Preacher.’
Ecclesiastes
9. What are two of the three big themes Ecclesiastes considers the worth of?
Wealth, Knowledge, Power
10. What are two of the three things Jeroboam did when he removed worship of God from Jerusalem for Israel?
Created his own religious feasts, Made golden calves for worship, Set up his own priests
11. What country did Abijah and Asa rule?
Judah
12. What country did Baasha and Zimri rule?
Israel
13. What country did Omri and Ahab rule?
Israel
14. What did Egypt do in this past unit? Why?
Attacked Judah & looted the temple, due to Rehoboam’s sin
15. What did Jeroboam do in Dan & Bethel?
Build his idols & shrines
16. What does Solomon’s Song of Songs celebrate?
Love
17. What future fact about what our Creator will do does Ecc. tell us to remember?
He will judge us!
18. What two books did we look at this past unit that Solomon likely wrote?
Song of Songs & Ecclesiastes
19. What two key things did Ahijah prophesy for Jeroboam?
Promise of the kingdom & of his family’s destruction
20. What two things is Wisdom described as at the end of Ecc.?
A Goad & Nails, given by a Shepherd
21. What was Josiah (a descendant of David) going to do?
Destroy the altar Jeroboam set up
22. What word from this unit means “Symbolic Representation” it’s what some say Song of Solomon is.
Allegory
23. When Jeroboam, King of Israel, unsuccessfully tried to arrest the prophet, who later disobeyed God but had just condemned his new, what happened?
Jeroboam’s hand withered
24. Who followed the advice of young men (his peers) over the elders, leading to Israel’s division?
Rehoboam
25. Who prophesied that Jeroboam’s family would be completely destroyed?
Ahijah, the prophet
26. Who was overwhelmed by Solomon & what God had done for him?
The Queen of Sheba
27. Who were kings compared to—on whether they were good or bad?
King David!
28. Who, due to their great qualities as a worker, did Solomon put in charge of the forced labor of Joseph’s tribe?
Jeroboam

Short Answers: See RenWeb Study Guide

Tue, Dec 13 - The Kings of North & South

2011-12-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: THURSDAY is your Unit 5 Test!
- Students have until Thursday, Dec 15, to make up Memory Quiz 5a
- Students have until Thursday, Dec 15, to make up Memory Quiz 5b (Grade on RenWeb)

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!
- Notebook Check: This is TOMORROW, make sure it's in order so it goes quickly!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal 5-10:
- From your Unit Handout, work on:
- - Page 20 (try to find at least half of them)
- - Page 19 (if done with 20)
- Done? Then read through 1 Kings 15-16

Period 2: Review these notes from yesterday:
- The Disobedient Kings:

Kings of Judah (South): 1 Kings 15-16
The southern tribes, ruled by David's family
- David: Reigned for 40 yrs
- Solomon: Reigned for 40 yrs
- Rehoboam: Reigned for 17yrs
- Abijah (15:3): Reigned for 3 yrs, walked in all the sins of his father Rehoboam
- Asa: Reigned for 41 yrs
- - The only good king! (1K 15:11, 14), "As did what was right in the sight of his Lord like His father David"
- - Remember that they are always compared to David
- - But he did not destroy the high places of false worship, but he never tried to do it
- - At war with Baasha

Kings of the Israel (North):
The northern tribes, ruled by other families):
- Jeroboam I: Reigned for 22 yrs
- - Receiver of the "Worst King Yet!" award!
- - There will be a 2nd king with his name later on
- Nadab (15:26): Reigned for 2 yrs
- Baasha (15:34): Reigned for 24 yrs
- - Assassinated Nadab
- - He destroyed every last male in Jeroboam’s family, fulfilling God's punishment to him (15:29-30)
- - Prophesied against twice for his own evil! (Jehu the Prophet)
- Elah (16:13): Reigned for 2 yrs
- Zimri: Reigned for 7 *days*
- - Killed Baasha’s family & friends
- - Burned the kings palace over himself when he was attacked by Omri
- Omri (16:25): Reigned for 12 yrs
- - During his reign Israel was split for 5 years
- - Tibni: Reigned with Omri for 5 yrs
- - Omri was the new "Worst King Yet!"
- Ahab (16:30): Reigned for 22 yrs
- - Omri was the newest "Worst King Yet!"
- - He married Jezebel`

There were NO good kings in the northern tribes of Israel

Mon, Dec 12 - Israel's Falling

2011-12-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: THURSDAY is your Unit 5 Test!
- Students have until Thursday, Dec 15, to make up Memory Quiz 5a

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal 5-9: Read 1 Kings 13:31-34, Remember the story of the prophet who disobeyed God and listened to the lying prophet? The lying prophet is speaking now:
- What was learned through the disobedient prophet’s death?
- - Through his death the older prophet learned that the disobedient prophet's message really was from God!
- What does it seem Jeroboam learned from his message? Explain.
- - Nothing! He had the opportunity to repent & change, yet did not do so...
- What did Jeroboam’s sins lead to?
- - The complete destruction of his household, not one male descendant would be left to his family

Period 2, review these notes from last week:
- Rehoboam's Foolishness:

An Averted Battle: 1K 12:21-24
- Rehoboam musters troops from the tribes of Judah & Benjamin to go to war
- However, God sends Shemaiah, a man of God, to stop them
- - He tells them that this separation is from God.
- Thus God has mercy on His people by keeping them from a pointless civil war.

Jeroboam’s Idolatry: 1K 12:26-33
We haven't talked about this in class, but I'm putting the notes up now...
- Jeroboam's northern kingdom (Israel) still worships in Jerusalem
- - Jerusalem is in David's family's southern kingdom (Judah)
- - Jeroboam is concerned that because they go into Judah to worship, they will someday abandon him & return to the king of Judah.
- - As a result of this fear, Jeroboam develops ways to keep Israel from needing to go into Judah
- Jeroboam begins his kingdom by doubting God will let him keep it, therefore he sins in four main ways:
- - Creates Idols:
- - - God's law said to set up no idols
- - - Two Golden Calves are set up
- - - One in the northern city of Dan
- - - One in the southern city of Bethel
- - Moves worship outside Jerusalem:
- - - God 'put' his name on the Temple in Jerusalem & it was thus set aside as the focus location of worship for all Israel/Judah
- - - Jeroboam moved them from this
- - Appoints illegal priests:
- - - God's law said priests had to be from the tribe of Levites
- - - Jeroboam selects new priests, without worrying about what tribe they are from, thus picking many non-Levites!
- - Starts his own religious feast:
- - - God commanded certain feasts to be done (e.g. The Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, etc...)
- - - Jeroboam made his own versions of these
- - - This was likely because they would have to go into Jerusalem to actually celebrate these!

The Disobedient Prophet: 1 Kings 13
This is from your journal today...
- Imagine if your parents let you go to a party, but told you that you need to be home by 11pm.
- - Then at about 10:45 you tell your friend you need to go home.
- - But your friend tells you that your parents called them and said it was okay for you to spend the night.
- - What would you do? Most of us would probably call our parents to make sure it was really okay...

- So, back in 1 Kings 13, as Jeroboam is offering a sacrifice on his bad altar in Bethel
- - Suddenly a nameless prophet comes to him and prophesies against the altar, saying
- - - "O altar, altar! This is what the LORD saya: 'A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who now make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you' . . . This is the sign the LORD has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out." (1 Kings 13:2-3, NIV)
- - - The false priests' bones being burned on it not only would defile the altar but also show how Josiah, from David's house, would destroy this false religion.
- - Jeroboam does not like this prophesy & points to the prophet, commanding, "Seize him!"
- - - As soon as says this his hand shriveled up and the altar split apart & the ashes poured out!
- - - Jeroboam freaks and turns to the prophet, declaring, "Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored" (v6)
- - - - Notice how Jeroboam says it is "your God;" with his own words he betrays the fact that he no longer follows God
- - - - Mercifully, though, the prophet prays for him & his hand is healed
- - Jeroboam then invites the prophet to stay and have something to eat plus a gift
- - - The prophet says he cannot, for God said he was not to eat or drink in the North, nor is he to go home the same way that he came
- - - Therefore he doesn't join Jeroboam and begins to head home
- - On the way home an older prophet invites him to eat & drink, lying by saying God told him it was okay
- - - This is like the story told earlier with your parents and the party!
- - - We don't hear about the young prophet doubting or testing this lie, he simply goes along with it and enters the old prophet's house for a meal
- - During the meal
- - - God speaks to the old prophet
- - - God declares that as punishment for disobeying, the young prophet would not be buried with his fathers
- - - This implies he would die an early death away from anyone who knew him.
- - Then the young prophet heads home
- - - On the way a lion met him & killed him
- - - The lion and donkey stay by the body
- - - This draws attention from people who walk by & they start to talk about it
- - - The old prophet heard this, he went, saw it was the prophet, & brought him to his house on the donkey--burying him in his own tomb

The Disobedient Kings:
- 1K 14:1-20) In the Northern Kingdom of Israel
- - King Jeroboam's son is sick son
- - - He wants to ask God, through the prophet Ahijah, if he will survive
- - - Since Jeroboam is not following God, he tries to trick the prophet by having his wife come and pretend to be a commoner
- - God spoke to Ahijah before Jeroboam's wife came, letting him know she was in disguise
- - - When Ahijah hears Jeroboam's wife's footsteps outside his door, he greets her, already knowing it is her, despite her attempted disguise.
- - - She comes to find out about her son and finds out...
- - - - Her household will not have a male heir left in it...
- - - - Her son will die...

- 1K 14:21-31) Meanwhile in the Southern Kingdom of Judah
- - King Rehoboam leads Judah in worshiping false gods and their idols!
- - As a result of this, God allows Egypt to successfully attack them.
- - Jerusalem's Temple & King's Palace are looted, their valuables are taken away.

Fri, Dec 9 - Mem Quiz 5b

2011-12-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Memory Quiz 5b: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- THURSDAY is your Unit 5 Test!
- Students have until Thursday, Dec 15, to make up Memory Quiz 5a

Handouts Given: Memory Quiz 5a

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This happens at the end of this unit, make sure you are ready!
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!
- Unit 5's Test: Remember, this is next week on THURSDAY. The Study Guide was posted early for this. Start studying now to get a higher grade, not stress as much next week, & not worry about missing Wednesday Night Activities!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal: None given, student studied for their quiz.

We did some catch up lectures for notes previous posted.

Then we watched the David film.

Thu, Dec 8 - Ecc. End & Disobedient Prophet

2011-12-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: TOMORROW is Memory Quiz 5b: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- THURSDAY is your Unit 5 Test!
- Students have until Friday, Dec 9, to make up Unit 4 Test

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This happens at the end of this unit, make sure you are ready!
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!
- Unit 5's Test: Remember, this is next week on THURSDAY. The Study Guide was posted early for this. Start studying now to get a higher grade, not stress as much next week, & not worry about missing Wednesday Night Activities!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal 5-8:
Read 1 Kings 13:11-32
- If you get done reading it, write a reflection of your thoughts on this.
- Was the punishment fair? Why?
- How would you feel if you were the old prophet? Why?
- What do you learn from this about…
- - Listening to God
- - Lying
- - Our influence on others
- This Bible story can seem kind of unfair to us! Here's a way to think about it that helps....
- - Imagine if your parents let you go to a party, but told you that you need to be home by 11pm.
- - Then at about 10:45 you tell your friend you need to go home.
- - But your friend tells you that your parents called them and said it was okay for you to spend the night.
- - What would you do? Most of us would probably call our parents to make sure it was really okay or at least to make sure that our friend understood our parents correctly!
- - Similarly, the young prophet should have checked back with God to see if He really had changed His mind.
- - - Realize, the young prophet didn't even know the old prophet! Why should he trust him?
- - - Also, how often does God actually change His mind? If He was so clear to the prophet, why would the prophet expect Him to change?

Ecclesiastes, Conclusions: Review these notes from yesterday

Period 2 didn't get to the below notes yet

An Overview:
- Rebellion: After Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam became king but made a foolish choice which caused a rebellion, led by Jeroboam.
- Israel: While this use to be the name of all the Hebrew 12 tribes together, it now only refers to the 10 Northern Tribes--the country that Jeroboam rules.
- Judah: Since this was the major tribe that makes up the southern tribes, this is the name of the country that David's family rules.

Rehoboam's Foolishness:
- See your journal from yesterday
- 1K 11:41-43) Solomon dies and his son, Rehoboam, becomes the new king
- 1 Kings 12)
- - Vv1-5) All Israel came to make Rehoboam king
- - - They only have one request for him...
- - - Solomon worked them too hard, they ask for a lighter work-load
- - - Rehoboam asks them to come back in three days..
- - Vv6-7) Rehoboam asks the elders for advice
- - - They say that if he shows kindness to them now, they will forever be loyal to him!
- - Vv12:8-11) Rehoboam asks the young men for advice (those whom he grew up with).
- - - They seem to laugh at Israel's request!
- - - They say to make their work even harder!
- - Vv12:12-15) Rehoboam decides to abandon the elders advice and do what his friends say...
- - - Often our parents and other 'elders' around us have better wisdom than our friends...
- - - Rehoboam said, "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions."
- - - - A yoke is the 'neck brace' put onto animals to connect them to a cart for doing work.
- - Vv12:16-19) Israel responded with revolt, saying "What share do we have in David... To your tents, O Israel! Look after your own house, O David!"
- - - This was a poetic way of saying they were not going to follow the leadership of David's family any more.
- - In this revolt, the kingdom was divided for good, they never reunited.
- V20) Jeroboam then becomes king in the North

Wed, Dec 7 - Ecclesiastes Concluded

2011-12-07T07:30:00.000-08:00

Tue, Dec 6 - Ecclesiastes Continued

2011-12-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 5b: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- Students have until Friday, Dec 9, to make up Unit 4 Test

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This happens at the end of this unit, make sure you are ready!
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal 5-6:
- Open your unit handout to the page on Ecclesiastes
- - Read the verses (all of them)
- - Answer the questions (at the bottom)
- These are the verses: Ecc. 1:1-6, 3:1-4, 4:9-12, 11:9, 12:1, 12:13-14
- - Read them over if you’ve finished the Qs
- - Write a paragraph reflection on what they say that you think is most interesting.

Ecclesiastes & Futility:
- Read Ecc. 1:1-6)
- - What is futile?
- - - Wealth, power, & knowledge!
- - - Solomon had built all these up, yet in this book he declares they are futile!
- - Think about it... After you die, what is left?
- - - Your great power & influence with your friends (or enemies...) is completely gone!
- - - Your great wealth is given to someone else who may misuse it!
- - - Your knowledge may be preserved in books, but 100 years later, who will remember eve these? Very few!
- But, notice the context for this! What is futile & meaningless?
- - Things done "under the sun” (a phrase mentioned over 25 times in Ecc!)
- - Solomon emphasizes the frailty & mortal nature of all things in life,
- What this all emphasizes, a balance of two truths:
- - The frailty & mortal nature of all things in life
- - Our true need for God!
- - Think about it...
- - - Life is frail, therefore we have a true need for God!
- - - All things under the sun are meaningless, therefore we need to 'remember our Creator!'
- Mr. Ellis doesn't see Ecclesiastes as 'unashamedly pessimistic & negative'
- - Instead he sees it as ‘brutally realistic’

Ecclesiastes & Death:
- Ecclesiastes forces its readers to confront the significance of death
- - Death is not portrayed as a doorway, nor a friend
- - Death is seen as an enemy!
- - - An enemy that nullifies & destroys all accomplishments of life
- - - Think of it... All your power & influences is gone! All your wealth is given to others! All your knowledge won't help you where you're going!
- Like Job, Ecclesiastes brings some 'unsettled problems' that are not 'resolved' until the New Testament!
- - Through how Ecclesiastes portrays death, we see a great need for something more after life!
- - Ecclesiastes points out our need for a resurrection!
- In the New Testament, we see several things that relate to this...
- - Jesus defeated death by dying & then rising from the dead!
- - Also, in Revelation 20:14 we read the death will be 'killed' so to speak! It will be thrown into the Lake of Fire & plague mankind no more.

Handout Review: We read through the verses together on the handout & talked about different questions students had
- Ecc. 3:1-4) While earlier Solomon pointed out the meaningless repetition of things on earth, here he points out how there is a season for different things in life, being born-dying, planting-uprooting, killing (like war or animals)-healing, tearing down-building, weeping-laughing, mourning-dancing." This can be encouraging to us as we go through hard times--it is just a season and will someday end.
- Ecc. 4:9-12) These are your memory verses, see yesterday's talk for a discussion on them.
- Ecc. 11:9) Here we are encouraged to pursue joy, following the ways of our heart & eyes--but we are given one warning: "Know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment." Enjoy life, but enjoy the right things!
- Ecc. 12:1, 13-14) This too starts with a similar important reminder: "Remember your Creator...". There is also a good conclusion to the book, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God & keep his commandments..." Since all that is 'under the sun' is futile & meaningless, we must remember God and our relationship with Him! Following His commandments means more than following a list of rules, it's the way we act when in a relationship with Him, a relationship that brings meaning to life (and our life!). Finally it does end with another warning, "God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." This is an exciting promise & also a dire warning!

Mon, Dec 5 - Mem Quiz 5b Prep & Ecclesiastes Intro

2011-12-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 5b: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- Students have until Friday, Dec 9, to make up Unit 4 Test

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This happens at the end of this unit, make sure you are ready!
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal 5-5:
- Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- - Summarize the meaning of these verses in several different ways.
- - Give several examples from modern life that show the importance of this truth.
- - - See Memory Quiz discussion below to help answer these questions.
Share a time you suffered from not living in the way that these encourage!
- Open your unit handout to the page on Ecclesiastes
- - Scan the following verses & explain what they say about the author of Ecclesiastes:
- - - 1:1) “The son of David”
- - - 1:12) “King over Israel in Jerusalem”
- - - 1:16) Unrivaled wisdom
- - - 2:3) Opportunities for pleasure
- - - 2:4-6) Extensive building programs
- - - 2:7-8) Unequaled wealth

Ecclesiastes' Title: ‘Ecclesiastes,’ which means…
- “Preacher,” or…
- “An assembly,” or altogether…
- “Preacher before the assembly”

Ecclesiastes' Location in Bible:
- The fourth book in the "Poetry & Wisdom" section
- What do you think this focuses on, Poetry or Wisdom?
- - Definitely wisdom! (Song of Songs was much more poetic)

Ecclesiastes' Author: Solomon! Check out your journal for some reasons why...

Ecclesiastes' Audience:
- Who someone writes a book for, the audience, will determine much about what they put in the book! For instance, romance novels are usually going to be written if your crowd is women, whereas a sports novel may be written if your audience is men!
- From what is written in Ecclesiastes, it seems written for the wealthy, powerful, & well-educated
- - How might this shape what is written?
- - This will certainly determine what Solomon is writing
- - In America we are a very wealthy nation with a good education level; even though not many of us are 'powerful,' much of this book will apply to us!

Ecclesiastes' The Importance of Context:
- See your Unit Handout, on the page for Ecclesiastes for more details on this
- While this book mixes much wisdom in it and some can be used 'alone' and fully understood in that context, much of this book can be easily misused or misunderstood if you take something out of it without looking at what is written around it.
- This book was written to be read as a whole, when each section builds on the last until it's end

Ecclesiastes' Summary of the Book:
- See your Unit Handout, on the page for Ecclesiastes for more details on this
- This book seems to be the reflections of an old King Solomon
- What was his life worth, with all his fame, wealth, wisdom, & power.
- Some basic themes
- - How much you own or know is not important
- - The most important thing is loving & obeying God
- - With God, all things good gifts He gives are to be gratefully received & enjoyed to the fullest

Ecclesiastes' The Meaning of Life:
- See your Unit Handout, on the page for Ecclesiastes for more details on this

Ecclesiastes: Some Other Notes
- Is it unashamedly pessimistic & negative? We'll look at this more later
- A certainly has a very different tone from Song of Solomon!

Memory Verse Quiz Preparation:
- Your Verses: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- Your Questions: Based upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer:
- - In two sentences, explain what these verses are talking about.
- - - Here are some things to consider:
- - - - These verses talk about friendship.
- - - - They point out how friendship is important, valuable, helpful, & necessary for a healthy & safe life.
- - - - These verses are NOT just about marriage!
- - Give two examples of living out this wisdom in the Jr. High world.
- - - This will have to be your own creative thought.

Fri, Dec 2 - Memory Quiz 5a

2011-12-02T07:42:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Memory Quiz 5a, Song of Solomon 2:3-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Next Friday is Memory Quiz 5b: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- Students have until Friday, Dec 9, to make up Unit 4 Test

Handouts Given: Unit 4 Test

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This happens at the end of this unit, make sure you are ready!
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal: None given, student studied for their quiz.

After the quiz student worked on their Unit Handout, we had open questions, & then watched a video.

Thur, Dec 1 - Solomon's Decline

2011-12-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 5a, Song of Solomon 2:3-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Friday, Dec 2, to make up Memory Quiz 4b

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This happens at the end of this unit, make sure you are ready!
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal 5-4: Read 1 Kings 11:26-40
- Who is this man that rebels?
- - Jeroboam
- 26-28) What qualities does he have?
- - He is a man of standing & he did his work well!
- - Because of these qualities, Solomon put him in charge of the forced labor for Joseph’s house
- 29-33) What prophet met him?
- - Ahijah, the prophet of Shiloh
- What did this prophet tear up?
- - Tore a cloak & gave him 10 pieces
- What did this show?
- - This showed God would split the kingdom into pieces; because of Solomon's sins, not following God alone as David did (v33)
- Not all 12 pieces were taken away for the sake of what two things?
- - God wouldn't take all 12 tribes from Solomon, for the sake of David & Jerusalem (v32)
- - 37-39, 40) God’s promise to Jeroboam: If Jeroboam follows after God, he and his kingdom will be blessed!
- - So, Jeroboam begins to rebel...
- Who tries to stop this man?
- - So, Solomon tries to stop it by trying to kill him!

Solomon’s Decline:
- 1K 11:1-8) Solomon’s Wives
- - How many? 700 wives, 300 concubines
- - What was the problem?
- - - First, God commanded him not to marry into the tribes that they did!
- - - Secondly, these wives turned Solomon's heart away from God and to other gods! (which was the reason God said not to marry them to begin with!
- - 1K 11:9-13) God’s Judgment?
- - - He will split Solomon's Kingdom

- Two primary difference from David:
- - David never worshiped other gods!
- - Solomon doesn’t seem to repent

- What was David’s role as king?
- - Not leading the Golden Years!
- - Military king, preparing for it
- - Solomon had been safe from the outside, but when he sinned, God raised three leaders against him.
- - - Hadad the Edomite
- - - Rezon & his band of rebels
- - - Jeroboam an Ephraimite

Jeroboam: 1 K 11:26-39
- 26-28) What qualities does he have?
- - He is a man of standing & he did his work well!
- - Because of these qualities, Solomon put him in charge of the forced labor for Joseph’s house

- 29-33) Met by Ahijah, the prophet of Shiloh
- - Tore a cloak & gave him 10 pieces
- - This showed God would split the kingdom into pieces; because of Solomon's sins, not following God alone as David did (v33)
- - But God wouldn't take all 12 tribes from Solomon, for the sake of David & Jerusalem. (v32)

- 37-39, 40) God’s promise to Jeroboam: If Jeroboam follows after God, he and his kingdom will be blessed!
- - So, Jeroboam begins to rebel...
- - So, Solomon tries to stop it by trying to kill him!

Solomon's Decline: Continued...
- 1K 11:41-43) Solomon dies and his son, Rehoboam, becomes the new king...

Wed, Nov 30 - Solomon's Splendor

2011-11-30T07:42:00.000-08:00

Tue, Nov 29 - Memory Quiz 5a Prep & Song of Songs

2011-11-29T07:29:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 5a, Song of Solomon 2:3-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Friday, Dec 2, to make up Memory Quiz 4b

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This happens at the end of this unit, make sure you are ready!
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline
(1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal 5-2:
- On your Unit handout, page 22, finish any questions you still have as blank.
- Next, review Song of Solomon 2:3-6 (your Memory Quiz Verses

The Song of Songs:
- Main Purpose: Instructing or celebrating? Celebrating!
- - Specifically, celebrating love between a husband and wife!
- - One of God’s greatest gifts to mankind! :-)
- Love’s affects on a relationship are shown from several different sides:
- - Union & Separation
- - Ecstasy (which means excitement, to be ecstatic) & Anguish
- - Fulfillment & Longing
- - Look at any modern day 'romance movie' & you'll see these same themes dealt with!
- Love is seen as powerful; it makes one willing to give up everything for the one he/she loves

Memory Verse Quiz Preparation:
- Your Verses: Song of Solomon 2:3-6
- Your Questions: Based upon class discussion & your personal reflection of these verses, use complete sentences & your own words to specifically answer:
- - 1) What did we say the Song of Solomon could be an allegory of? Give the two reasons from class that could suggest this?
- - - Refer to our discussion below...
- - 2) Like Song of Solomon, give a modern day metaphor that describes beauty in each of these features: eyes, hair, teeth, & nose.
- - - Keep it in good taste, of course~
- - - You have a bit of fun here, but also try to think of something really good that is actually complimenting!
- - - Look at Song of Solomon 4:1-4 & 5:10-16 for examples of what I'm looking for

The Allegorical Interpretation: To help you answer Short Answer 2
- A Poem & Picture:
- - A Poem: Showing the closeness of a husband & wife
- - A Picture: Showing God’s love for us (the allegory)
- Why do some think it is a picture of God's love for us?
- - The NT explains how a Husband-Wife relationship is a ‘shadow’ of our true relationship with God. Something we will fully experience in heaven!
(Ephesians 5:21-32, Luke 20:34-35)
- - The NT describes the church as the 'bride of Christ' and Christ as a groom
(Rev 19:7, 21:2, 21:9)

Reviewing Song of Solomon:
- While ‘celebratory,’ it teaches by example!
- A love-relationship is…
- - To be equally shared & enjoyed between lovers: Not forced by one
- - Exclusive (2:2, 7:10): They exclusively desire the other
- - Both verbal & physical: They often speak their desire for/joy in the other!
- - Not condemned as innately evil: Romantic love relationships with emotional, verbal, & emotional intimacy are not wrong!
- - Not elevated to a religious act: These relationships aren't that good!
- - Something to be cherished & enjoyed!

What Song of Solomon Teaches by Example:
- While ‘celebratory,’ it teaches by example!
- A love-relationship is…
- - To be equally shared & enjoyed between lovers: Not forced by one
- - Exclusive (2:2, 7:10): They exclusively desire the other
- - Both verbal & physical: They often speak their desire for/joy in the other!
- - Not condemned as innately evil: Romantic love relationships with emotional, verbal, & emotional intimacy are not wrong!
- - Not elevated to a religious act: These relationships aren't that good!
- - Something to be cherished & enjoyed!

Mon, Nov 28 - Song of Solomon Intro

2011-11-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: - Friday is Memory Quiz 5a, Song of Solomon 2:3-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Tuesday, Nov 29, to make up Memory Quiz 4a
- Students have until Friday, Dec 2, to make up Memory Quiz 4b

Handouts Given: Unit 5 Handout

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This happens at the end of this unit, make sure you are ready!
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 5: Solomon's Splendor & Decline (1 Kings 9-16, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)
Journal 5-1:
- Notebook Check:
- - Pick up a notebook grading sheet from below
- - Ensure your notebook is in order
- - Put your name on top of your grading sheet
- - Pass your notebook (opened to Bible section) + grading sheet (on top) to the right

- Think about something you love… (could be a person, dessert, pet, game, etc…)
- - Write a poem to show your love for this!
- - Write about…
- - - Why you love it
- - - How much you love it
- - - In what way you love it
- - - What happens when you don’t have it
- - - Etc…

Song of Solomon:
- An old Jewish teacher named Rabbi Akiva claims “The whole world is not worth the day on which Song of Songs (also known as Song of Solomon) was given to Israel; all the writings are holy, but Song of Songs is the holy of holies!”
- This is an often ignored or missed book of the Bible
- Read the top of page 22 on your New Handout
- - Writer: The writer of the Song of Solomon was Solomon. Chapter 1, verse 1 begins with, “Solomon’s Song of Songs.”
- - Title: The title “Song of Solomon” can also mean “The Song of Songs.” This means that it is the best of all songs. The longest name could be, “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s”
- - Bible Location: The Song of Solomon is the last book in the Poetry & Wisdom section of the O.T..
- - Summary of the Book: The Song of Solomon is Solomon’s beautiful love song telling of the closeness of a husband and wife while describing real love as a love that makes one willing to give up everything for the one he or she loves.
- - Note on Headings: Song of Solomon’s headings are used to help the reader understand who is speaking throughout this poem. ‘Lover’ refers to the husband. ‘Beloved’ refers to the wife. ‘Friends’ refers to their friends!

From the Handout: Page 22
- Read all the verses in the middle section: Song of Solomon 1:1-4a, 2:3-6, 4:1-5, 5:10-16
- Answer questions 1-5 below.
- Answers to help you...
- - 1) A love poem between a man and a woman
- - 2) Romantic love is perfectly okay & encouraged in the Bible!
- - - BUT: It must be in the right relationship, between a husband (the Lover) & wife (the Beloved)
- - - NOTE: Make sure to read the heading on your Unit Handout for the Song of Solomon, you will be held responsible for that information!
- - 3) Defining "Allegory":
- - - 1: the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures & actions of truths or generalizations about human existence (you don't need to remember this one)
- - - 2: a symbolic representation (know this one)
- - 4) Some see Song of Solomon as an allegory of our relationship with God.
- - - More to come here…
- - 5) Do this on your own. Spend some time, be serious but also have fun with it!

Fri, Nov 18 - Unit 4 Test

2011-11-18T08:15:00.001-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was your Unit 4 test!
- Friday, Dec 2 will be Memory Quiz 5a, Song of Solomon 2:3-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Students have until Tuesday, Nov 29, to make up Memory Quiz 4a
- Students have until Friday, Dec 2, to make up Memory Quiz 4b

Handouts Given: Memory Quiz 4b was returned

Reminders:
- Notebook Check: This is happening on the Monday we return! Take 5 minutes to get it in order before getting to class; according to the RenWeb list. Thanks!
- Semester 1 Ending: This is coming soon! Make sure you're all ready~
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their test.

Thu, Nov 17 - Test Review

2011-11-17T09:44:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: TOMORROW is your Unit 4 test!
- Students have until Nov 29 to make up Memory Quiz 4a

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This is coming soon! Make sure you're all ready~
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal 4-10: Yesterday we looked at Solomon’s requests that God hear their prayers, forgive their sins, and teach Israel the right way when they do wrong. This is God’s answers. Read 2 Chronicles 7:11-16
- What did God hear? The prayers of His people
- What did God choose the temple as? A place where His people can give sacrifices (when they gave them in other areas, it was not a good thing!
- List each of the qualities the people need to have in order for God to hear their prayers, forgive them, & heal their land. Then describe each quality & give an example on how you can do it.
- - Humble themselves
- - Pray
- - Seek God's face (which sadly we sometimes don't do when we pray!)
- - Turn from their wicked ways.
- Since God does this, describe 2-3 qualities this shows us that God has.
- - Various answers here!

Unit 4 Test Review: Bingo!
1. Adonijah asked to marry this person
Abishag
2. After Solomon destroyed his possible enemies inside Israel, the Kingdom was...
Firmly Established
3. After the 14 day Temple dedication, 22,000 of these were sacrificed.
Cattle
4. After the Temple dedication, 120,000 of these were sacrificed.
Goats & Sheep
5. Along with a discerning heart, God gave Solomon riches and this
Honor
6. As King, Solomon was also a judge for his people, so thus he built this.
Hall of Justice
7. At the altar, the priests burn most of these
Sacrifices
8. Bathsheba worked with this person to have Solomon become king
Nathan
9. Before his death, this person warned Solomon to ‘take care’ of several people
David
10. David asked Solomon to show kindness to this man.
Barzillai
11. During Solomon’s reign, Israel enjoyed this time.
Golden Years
12. God spoke to Solomon through a...
Dream
13. God would listen to the what of His people at the temple?
Prayers
14. In general, Solomon was famous for his what?
Wisdom
15. One of the three main things Solomon asked God to do when Israel repents of sin, that God would do what from heaven?
Hear
16. One of the three main things Solomon asked God to do when Israel repents of sin, that God would do what concerning their sin?
Forgive
17. One of the three main things Solomon asked God to do when Israel repents of sin, that God would teach them the what?
Right Way
18. Sacrifices were washed in this
Brass Vats
19. Solomon built one of these for himself and his Egyptian wife.
Palace
20. Solomon had this person put to death after Adonijah was killed
Joab
21. Solomon specifically asked God for this, which God fully answered!...
Discerning heart
22. The Bronze Tank was used to wash these
Priests
23. The Most Holy place was separated from the rest of the Temple with this
Curtain
24. The number of years it took to build the Temple.
Seven
25. The Temple location.
Araunah’s Field
26. The Temple was made with the cedars of where?
Labanon
27. These angel-like creatures that represent God’s presence & holiness
Cherubim
28. This from (or of) God was put on the Temple.
Name of God
29. This is the name of the inner-most room of the Temple
Most Holy Place
30. This man killed Solomon’s enemies & became his military commander
Benaiah
31. This priest did not join Adonijah’s party and thus was welcomed by Solomon
Zadok
32. This priest joined Adonijah, but thankfully Solomon didn’t kill him
Abiathar
33. This was moved to the Temple once it was created
Ark of the Covenant
34. Two prostitutes fought in front of Solomon about ownership of a what?
Baby
35. What is the name of the bronze pillar which mean’s ‘Strength’
Boaz
36. What is the name of the bronze pillar which means ‘Sustainer’
Jachin
37. When Shemei left this city, he was put to death.
Jerusalem
38. While God’s presence would be here, God did not live at this location.
Temple
39. While Solomon wrote 1005 songs, he wrote 3000 of these.
Proverbs

Wed, Nov 16 - Test Help & Project/Report Sharing

2011-11-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is your Unit 4 test!
- Students have until Nov 29 to make up Memory Quiz 4a

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This is coming soon! Make sure you're all ready~
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal: None given, students prepared to share their Report/Project

Check out these notes, posted yesterday:
- The Temple’s Dedication:
- Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication: 1 Kings 8
- A Blessing & Dedication: 1 Kings 8

TEST HELP: And for those who want to study more for the test... Here are some things you can answer in conjunction with what I posted on RenWeb.
1. Sacrifices were washed in this
2. To prostitutes fought in front of Solomon about ownership of a what?
3. While God’s presence would be here, God did not live at this location.
4. This man killed Solomon’s enemies & became his military commander
5. These angel-like creatures that represent God’s presence & holiness
6. This from (or of) God was put on the Temple.
7. This is the name of the inner-most room of the Temple
8. God spoke to Solomon through a...
9. What is the name of the bronze pillar which means ‘Sustainer’
10. During Solomon’s reign, Israel enjoyed this time.
11. After Solomon destroyed his possible enemies inside Israel, the Kingdom was...
12. As King, Solomon was also a judge for his people, so thus he built this.
13. At the altar, the priests burn most of these
14. The Temple location.
15. One of the three main things Solomon asked God to do when Israel repents of sin, that God would teach them the what?
16. Before his death, this person warned Solomon to ‘take care’ of several people
17. Along with a discerning heart, God gave Solomon riches and this
18. One of the three main things Solomon asked God to do when Israel repents of sin, that God would do what from heaven?
19. Solomon built one of these for himself and his Egyptian wife.
20. The Bronze Tank was used to wash these
21. Solomon had this person put to death after Adonijah was killed
22. After the Temple dedication, 22,000 of these were sacrificed.
23. Adonijah asked to marry this person
24. God would listen to the what of His people at the temple?
25. The Temple was made with the cedars of where?
26. One of the three main things Solomon asked God to do when Israel repents of sin, that God would do what concerning their sin?
27. David asked Solomon to show kindness to this man.
28. This priest did not join Adonijah’s party and thus was welcomed by Solomon
29. The number of years it took to build the Temple.
30. The Most Holy place was separated from the rest of the Temple with this
31. While Solomon wrote 1005 songs, he wrote 3000 of these.
32. This was moved to the Temple once it was created
33. Solomon specifically asked God for this, which God fully answered!...
34. When Shemei left this city, he was put to death.
35. What is the name of the bronze pillar which mean’s ‘Strength’
36. In general, Solomon was famous for his what?
37. Bathsheba worked with this person to have Solomon become king
38. This priest joined Adonijah, but thankfully Solomon didn’t kill him
39. After the 14 day Temple dedication, 22,000 of these were sacrificed.

Tue, Nov 15 - Solomon's Buildings & Temple Dedication

2011-11-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is your Unit 4 test!
- Students have until Nov 29 to make up Memory Quiz 4a

Handouts Given: Memory Quiz 4a

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This is coming soon! Make sure you're all ready~
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal 4-9: From 1 Kings 8…
- Vv23-24) How is God described in...
- - Who is He? God of Israel, No one is like Him!
- - What has He done? Kept His promises to Israel
- Vv25-26) What does Solomon request? That He continue to keep His promises!
- - How does this request bring glory to God? It is asking God to do what He wants to do already, this is far from a selfish request.
- Vv27-30) Describe God’s relationship to the Temple, if God answered Solomon’s prayer…
- - Would He live there? Nope!
- - - Why not? God can't be contained by the heavens, even the highest heavens of space!
- - What was the Temple for? God to have his eyes toward it, day and night
- - What would God do with/to the Temple? Watch it, listen to the prayers of His people that are lifted to Him in it
- - What ‘of God’ or ‘from God’ will be there? God said, "My name shall be there," this represents several things
- - - It does not mean His name will literally be written on it
- - - It shows that He has approved the Temple
- - - A name represents who you are, the Temple's design represented who God was, His majesty & holiness
- - - This also represents how God will have His presence in the Temple; while He won't 'live in it' or be contained by it, He will manifest/demonstrate His presence in it!
- - What will God hear from the Temple? The prayers of His people, that He may forgive them.
- *KNOW THESE BASIC THINGS A SHORT ANSWER ON YOUR TEST

Building the Temple:
- 1K 5:13-16) What does Solomon do here? Have forced workers! (like slaves...) (at this time, not Israelites)
- 1K 6:1) How many years since Egypt? 480 years
- 1K 6:11-14) Of what does God remind them? If follow Him, He will fulfill His promise to David; He will dwell w/Israel, He will not forsake Israel
- 1K 6:38) How long did it take to build? Seven years

Solomon’s Building Projects: While the Temple was being built…
- 1K 7:1-5)
- - What does Solomon build? His Palace
- - Which is larger, the Temple, or this? His Palace
- V7) What is built here? The Hall of Justice & Throne Hall
- V8) What else is built here? A palace for his wife
- - Who did he marry? Pharaoh's daughter

The Temple’s Dedication: 11 months after it is completed, Solomon brings to the temple the country’s elders and…
- 1K 8:5-11) The Ark of the Covenant
- - How many sacrifices were offered? A lot! So many that they lost count!
- - Only the Law Stone Tablets remained inside
- - Notice the note on v8…
- - God’s glory powerfully fills the Temple!
- 1K 8:12-14, 20-21) Solomon’s Words
- - What did God fulfill? His promises to David

The Temple’s Dedication: 11 months after it’s completing, Solomon brings to the temple the country’s elders and…
- 1K 8:5-11) The Ark of the Covenant
- - How many sacrifices were offered? A lot! So many that they lost count!
- - Only the Law Stone Tablets remained inside
- - Notice the note on v8, whoever wrote this wrote it when the Temple was still built!
- - - The poles of the Ark of the covenant still poked through the Temple curtain/veil.
- - - Although Kings wasn't fully completed until after Judah and their Temple was destroyed, portions of it were written here before that point.
- - God’s glory powerfully fills the Temple!
- - - As a bright white cloud! Like how He showed His presence when they wondered through the wilderness
- - - God's presence was so intense the priests couldn't even enter it to work!
- 1K 8:12-14, 20-21) Solomon’s Words
- - What did God fulfill? His promises to David

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication: 1 Kings 8
- Vv22-24)
- - What does Solomon start with? Praise to God for who He is & what He has done!
- - Who is God faithful to in His covenant of love? His servants who continue wholeheartedly in His way.
- Vv27, 29) Will God live in the Temple? No!
- - What then, does Solomon want God to do here? To look toward it and hear the prayers of His people that are directed to it.
- Vv33-34, 35-36) Israel is encouraged to obey God
- - Solomon knows they will sin & so asks God to:
- - - *Hear from heaven
- - - *Forgive their sin
- - - *Teach them the right way
- - - Care for (or return to) their land
- - *Know 1st 3 for the test… (God does these today!)
- Vv52-53) Ending a prayer to the Sovereign LORD

A Blessing & Dedication: 1 Kings 8
- Vv56-61) Solomon’s Blessing on Israel
- Vv62-63) Dedication Sacrifices
- - 22,000 cattle!
- - 120,000 sheep & goats!
- Vv65-66) The Conclusion
- - Celebration for 14 days
- - The people left joyful & glad in heart—

- - Why? because of the good things God had done for them.

Mon, Nov 14 - Solomon's Temple for God

2011-11-14T09:52:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is your Unit 4 test!

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Semester 1 Ending: This is coming soon! Make sure you're all ready~
- Book Report or Art Project: Due TOMORROW!
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early! There is a lot of need around the holidays that you could likely help with! Food banks, shelters, church service projects, visiting care centers, visiting children's hospitals, and more! Look for these meaningful & helpful things to get your 7 hours of community service in. You also have 3 hours of school service you need to do. I recommend finding a teacher that you can help for 15 minutes a week (cleaning the class, sorting papers, etc...), in just 2-3 months you will have easily finished your 3 hours & greatly helped a teacher!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal:
- If you were to build a temple for God...
- - What would it look like?
- - Draw a picture &/or describe it!
- Take out your Unit Handout
- - Complete on the Word Search
- - Try to find all the words in the word search

The Temple of God--Introduced:
- David wanted to build the temple, but God said he was not allowed to; so instead David just made huge preparations for the Temple!
- Solomon took these preparations and began the building
- It was built at the old threshing floor of Araunah (Where God showed mercy)
- It was a HUGE building project!
- - Thousands were involved
- - In the later years of Solomon we hear that he forced many from Israel into labor that didn't want to do what he made them do! This caused a bit of friction and anger that later led to the divided kingdom.

The Temple of God--From the Unit Handout:
- See your unit handout, p15, we read the top notes and summarized the notes on the right side
- - The Cedars of Lebanon: These were known as the finest timber available; very few of these remain today where great forests once were. Solomon used some of these to build the Temple.
- - The Size: The Temple was not huge like a Cathedral, it was small like a chapel (90' long, 30' wide, 45' high --- My classroom is about 40' long, to give you something to compare this to, ' = foot/feet) because it wasn't meant to be a gathering for hundreds of people to worship in, it was meant to be 'the House of God,' a place where God would manifest His presence. Outside in the courtyards people would gather for worship.

- See your handout, p16, know the basics about the furnishings in the Temple. I won't describe these here, you are responsible to know it from your own handout. Here are the things to know about:
- - Cherubim:
- - Ark of the Covenant:
- - The Veil/Curtain: In the New Testament it shares that at Jesus' death the veil of the Temple tore in two, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51). How was this significant? Remember that this veil separated the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) from the people. This location represented God's very presence & greatest holiness. When God tore this veil it showed His choice to bring His presence among each of us who, through faith in Jesus Christ, are His own! As 1 Corinthians 6:19 shares, as a Christian, your body is now the Temple of God! The Holy Spirit of God Himself lives within each individual Christian. No longer is He separated and distant from us!
- - Folding Doors:
- - Golden Tables:
- - Bronze Pillars:
- - Altar:
- - Bronze Tank: Where Priests washed themselves for service
- - Brass Vats: Where animals were washed for the sacrifice. Vats sounds like Bats, a good way to remember this was for the animals. Plus there are plural vat*s* because there were many more animals sacrificed than priests working.

The Temple of God--Some Pictures: These were on the slideshow & will not be here.

Thu, Nov 10 - Mem Quiz 4b

2011-11-10T07:32:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Memory Quiz 4b: Proverbs 16:20-23
- Next Friday is your Unit 4 test!
- Students have until Monday, Nov 14 to retake Unit 3 Test

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- APU: On Monday (Next Week!)
- Semester 1 Ending: This is coming soon! Make sure you're all ready~
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday (Next Week!), November 15.
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early! There is a lot of need around the holidays that you could likely help with! Food banks, shelters, church service projects, visiting care centers, visiting children's hospitals, and more! Look for these meaningful & helpful things to get your 7 hours of community service in. You also have 3 hours of school service you need to do. I recommend finding a teacher that you can help for 15 minutes a week (cleaning the class, sorting papers, etc...), in just 2-3 months you will have easily finished your 3 hours & greatly helped a teacher!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal: None given. Students took the quiz, we had devotions, & had no new instructional material

Wed, Nov 9 - The Golden Years

2011-11-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: THURSDAY this week is Memory Quiz 4b: Proverbs 16:20-23
- Students have until Monday, Nov 14 to retake Unit 3 Test

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- APU: On Monday (Next Week!)
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday (Next Week!), November 15.
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early! There is a lot of need around the holidays that you could likely help with! Food banks, shelters, church service projects, visiting care centers, visiting children's hospitals, and more! Look for these meaningful & helpful things to get your 7 hours of community service in. You also have 3 hours of school service you need to do. I recommend finding a teacher that you can help for 15 minutes a week (cleaning the class, sorting papers, etc...), in just 2-3 months you will have easily finished your 3 hours & greatly helped a teacher!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal 4-7:
- Take out your Unit Handout
- Complete on the Word Search
- If done, read over the page with the temple picture

Period 2 we finished these notes from yesterday:
- Solomon’s Start: 1K 3:3-15
- Solomon's Wisdom in Action!

The Golden Years:
- 1K 4:20-25) This is the state of Israel/Judah during Solomon’s life
- - There was always great rejoicing
- - They had plenty of food & drink
- - They had lots of children!
- - They were safe from all outside enemies
- - It was a great time to be in Israel, their 'Golden Years' of history!

- 1K 4:29-34) Solomon’s wisdom & renown grows all the more!
- - He wrote 3000 proverbs & 1005 songs
- - Kings from all around sent people to Solomon to learn from him
- - Interestingly, in the Bible, the book of Proverbs is mostly written by Solomon, a man who lived nearly 3000 years ago--yet still today people seek wisdom and knowledge from him through what he wrote! Pretty cool, huh? :-)

Tue, Nov 8 - Solomon's Request & Wisdeom

2011-11-08T08:12:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: THURSDAY next week is Memory Quiz 4b: Proverbs 16:20-23
- Students have until Monday, Nov 14 to retake Unit 3 Test

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Operation Christmas Child: Tomorrow is the last day to bring home-packed boxes.
- APU: On Monday (Next Week!)
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday (Next Week!), November 15.
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early! There is a lot of need around the holidays that you could likely help with! Food banks, shelters, church service projects, visiting care centers, visiting children's hospitals, and more! Look for these meaningful & helpful things to get your 7 hours of community service in. You also have 3 hours of school service you need to do. I recommend finding a teacher that you can help for 15 minutes a week (cleaning the class, sorting papers, etc...), in just 2-3 months you will have easily finished your 3 hours & greatly helped a teacher!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal 4-6: Read 1 Kings 4:20-25
- Describe Solomon’s kingdom (list what it was like in this time)
- Would you rather live in David’s kingdom or Solomon’s? Why?
- Extra time? Work on your unit handout; the last two pages should be
finished by the notebook check.

Solomon’s Start: 1K 3:3-15
- Solomon starts off great, loving God and walking in His ways!
- God meets Solomon in a dream,
asking what Solomon would ask for
- - Solomon's Request
- - - Solomon starts his response by praising God for who He is and what He has done!
- - - He then continues by asking God for a discerning heart
- - - Notice that this is not a selfish request! Solomon didn't want to be 'the smartest guy around,' rather he asked for a discerning heart so that he could best do what God has asked him to do.
- - God's Response
- - - Because Solomon didn't ask for something selfish (riches, long life, enemies death) God will give his request and even give him more!
- - - Solomon receives a discerning heart, so there is no one as wise as he!
- - - God also gives him wealth & honor
- - - Furthermore, as long as Solomon follows the Lord, he will also have a long life!
- - Solomon's Response: He worships God for this

Solomon's Wisdom in Action!
- 1K 3:16-22)
- - Back in the day women would sleep with their children next to them at night so that they would stay warm
- - Two women with newborn babies are living together, Woman A & Woman B
- - Woman B wakes up one morning to find the baby next to her as dead!
- - - But, when she inspects him/her closely, she realizes it is actually Woman A's baby!
- - - Woman B accuses Woman A of killing her baby at night and switching her dead baby with Woman B's live baby
- - - Woman A denies this
- - - The issue goes to court, where Solomon (as king) is the highest judge!
- 1K 3:23-28)
- - Solomon hears the story from both women
- - Solomon commands that a sword be given to him; he says he will cut the baby in half and give half to each woman!
- - - Woman B cries out not to do this, but to fully give the baby to Woman A
- - - Woman A basically says, 'Go ahead, half and half!'
- - Solomon then says to give the baby to the woman who wanted him saved (Woman B), she is the true mother!
- - - Solomon tested their hearts, Woman A had already lost her child, she didn't care as much for this child, but Woman B loved this child enough to give him/her up!
- Thus all Israel heard of this and held Solomon in awe due to the wisdom God had given him to be a good ruler

Mon, Nov 7 - Memory Quiz 4b Prep

2011-11-07T08:07:00.000-08:00

Next Test/Quiz: THURSDAY next week is Memory Quiz 4b: Proverbs 16:20-23
- Students have until Monday, Nov 14 to retake Unit 3 Test

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Operation Christmas Child: Tomorrow is the Packing Party. Nov 10 is the last day to bring pre-packed boxes.
- APU: On Monday (Next Week!)
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday (Next Week!), November 15.
- Service Hours: These are due April 16, but please get them done early! There is a lot of need around the holidays that you could likely help with! Food banks, shelters, church service projects, visiting care centers, visiting children's hospitals, and more! Look for these meaningful & helpful things to get your 7 hours of community service in. You also have 3 hours of school service you need to do. I recommend finding a teacher that you can help for 15 minutes a week (cleaning the class, sorting papers, etc...), in just 2-3 months you will have easily finished your 3 hours & greatly helped a teacher!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal 4-5:
- On page 17 of your unit handout:
- - Read Proverbs 16:20-33
- - Answer questions 11-18
- When done, answer these in your journal:
- - Explain why following instruction is so valuable. Give a Jr. High example that shows this value.
- - Explain why it is important to ‘guide your mouth.’ Give a Jr. High example of what could happen if you don’t do this.
- - How can you better ‘guide your mouth’ in the future?
- If you have even more time, work on the last page of your worksheet

Memory Quiz Review:
- Your Verses: Proverbs 16:20-23
- Your Questions: Based upon our classroom discussion and your thoughtful reflection, use complete sentences to:
- - 1) Explain why following instruction is so valuable. Give a Jr. High example that shows this value.
- - - Verse 20 says, "Whoever gives heed (which means to follow/listen to) to instruction prospers"
- - - - The 'instructions' referred to here are not 'bad instructions,' but rather instructions you'd receive from: God or a wise person.
- - - - So, in the most basic sense, following these instructions causes us to prosper, but that is a bit too vague... In what ways/areas do you prosper? Explain this.
- - - Provide your own example from Jr. High life of someone prospering due to listening to instructions.
- - 2) Explain why it is important to ‘guide your mouth.’ Give an example on how you can better guide your mouth’ in the future.
- - - Verse 23 says, "A wise man's heart guides his mouth"
- - - - Guiding the mouth means that they think through & consider what they are going to say
- - - - So, if a wise person guides their mouth & don't just say what's on the top of their head--we should do the same!
- - - - But why is it important? Our words are powerful! Here are some examples of what happens if we don't guide our mouth
- - - - - We can hurt other people by saying the wrong things
- - - - - We look really foolish and say stupid things
- - - - - We don't hear what we should hear because we're too busy talking
- - - - - Others will trust us and enjoy being around us more when we speak this way
- - - Give some ways you can learn to grow in this, for instance...
- - - - Learn to listen more before talking
- - - - Thinking about the affect of our words before we speak (will it hurt others?)
- - - - Thinking about the truth of our words before we speak
- - - - Perhaps you know others? Add 'em in!

Fri, Nov 4 - Mem Quiz 4a

2011-11-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Memory Quiz 4a: Proverbs 16:2-3, 6-7
- THURSDAY next week is Memory Quiz 4b: Proverbs 16:20-23
- Students have until Monday, Nov 7 to retake Memory Quiz 3b
- Students have until Monday, Nov 14 to retake Unit 3 Test

Handouts Given: Unit 3 Test

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- Operation Christmas Child: I encourage you to take part! :-)
- - Packing Party: Tuesday, Nov 8 - Bring a set of items to help donate to join in!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their quiz.

Thu, Nov 3 - Solomon's Justice, Peace Secured

2011-11-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: TOMORROW is Memory Quiz 4a: Proverbs 16:2-3, 6-7
- Students have until Monday, Nov 7 to retake Memory Quiz 3b

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- Operation Christmas Child: I encourage you to take part! :-)
- - Packing Party: Tuesday, Nov 8 - Bring a set of items to help donate to join in!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal 4-4: Read Proverbs 16:6-7, then answer:
- What type of life leads to our enemies being at peace with us?
- - A life that is pleasing to the Lord
- How could things have been different for Adonijah if he had lived this way?
- - He and Solomon wouldn't have fought as much, he wouldn't have so big of an enemy
- Draw a cartoon (at least 4 frames) that shows someone living this truth out, and thus bringing peace with their enemy.
- Done? Work on your Unit Handout, finish page 17 & start the next page

Adonijah’s Error: Review these notes from yesterday.

Solomon Brings Justice:
- 1 Kings 2:13-25) Adonijah's End -- Review previous notes
- - Now all who supported Adonijah may be in trouble!

- 1 Kings 2:26-27) Solomon’s next target = Abiathar the Priest
- - His life is spared
- - He loses his job as priest, which fulfills God’s judgment on Eli’s house for their sins long ago

- 1 Kings 2:28-30, 31-32) Solomon’s next target = Joab, David's old Military Commander
- - Joab heard of Adonijah’s death and ran to the altar, holding onto the horns like Adonijah once did, seeking 'sanctuary'
- - Nevertheless, his life is taken by Benaiah
- - His job is then given to Benaiah

- 1 Kings 2:36-38) Remember that David also warned Solomon about Shimei...
- - Solomon makes a compromise, instead of killing Shemei, he puts him under 'house arrest;' as long as he stays in Jerusalem he will be fine
- - Shemei lives there for about 3 years, but then made a mistake...
- - - Shimei had a servant that ran away to Gath
- - - Instead of sending someone else after him, Shemei goes himself
- - - As a result of disobeying Solomon's command, guess what happens? Solomon has Benaiah execute him (1K 2:46)

A Kingdom Secured:
- King David had destroyed all Israel's outside enemies
- King Solomon has now just destroyed all their 'inside' enemies
- Therefore, as 1 Kings 2:46b says, “The kingdom was now firmly established in Solomon's hands."

Wed, Nov 2 - Adonijah's Error

2011-11-02T07:58:00.001-07:00

- Wed, Nov 2 - Adonijah's Error

2011-11-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Tue, Nov 1 - Memory Quiz 4a Prep & Solomon vs. Adonijah

2011-11-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 4a: Proverbs 16:2-3, 6-7
- Students have until Monday, Nov 7 to retake Memory Quiz 3b

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- Operation Christmas Child: I encourage you to take part! :-)
- - Packing Party: Tuesday, Nov 8 - Bring a set of items to help donate to join in!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal 4-2: Read 1 Kings 1:1-4 & answer……
- What is the state of King David?
- - He is old & can't keep warm
- How do his servants try to help him?
- - They try to find him a lady to take care of him like a full-time nurse
- Who do they find?
- - Abishag, a Shunammite
- Describe this young lady.
- - She was young & very beautiful

Memory Verse Quiz Preparation:
- Your Verses: Proverbs 16:2-3 & 6-7
- Your Questions: Based on our class discussion & your own personal reflection, use complete sentences & your own words, specifically answer:
- - 1. Explain how God judges if we are innocent in what we do. Give a short example to help.
- - - He judges our motives/intentions
- - - - He knows what we're thinking on the inside, what we really wanted
- - - - Remember 1 Samuel 16:7 & how God sees us
- - - Don't forget to add an example that shows this.
- - 2. What are *2 ways* you can do what verse 3 says?
- - - Think about these questions:
- - - - If you were to commit what you did to God, how would someone know you were doing that?
- - - - How would you know you're doing it?
- - - - Still stuck? What if you were committing something you did to your parents, how would that be seen? Now relate that back to God.
- - - This is something you will need to think of on your own. Here are some things we talked about, though, to help:
- - - - Trying to do things 'in Jesus name' (explain what this means, right now it's too abstract of an idea)
- - - - Doing things to please God (and not just yourself or others)
- - - - Asking yourself "What would Jesus do if He were in my position?" & then doing it
- - - - Inspecting your own motives & intentions and then changing them so they are more godly
- - - - Praying to God for help or guidance

David’s Failing Health: 1 Kings 1:1-4
- David: Is getting sicker & weaker
- His Servants: Choose to get him a young woman as a personal nurse
- Abishag: A Shunamite (her tribe); she cared for David in his final years

A New King? 1 Kings 1:5-8
- While David’s health was failing…
- Who decides he will be king? Adonijah, next oldest son
- Who joined him? Joab & Abiathar (priest),
- Who did not? Zadok (priest), Benaiah, Nathan (prophet), Shimei, Rei, & the Mighty Men
- They weren’t invited
- - This likely meant Adonijah was against them
- - Which could be very dangerous for them if he were king!

A New King!
- 1K 1:11-14)
- - After Adonijah makes his move to become king...
- - Nathan & Bathsheba act quickly to have David make Solomon king!
- - They make a good plan together where they'll both remind David of his promise to make Solomon king at about the same time
- 1 K 1:15-28) All goes as planned!
- 1 K 1:29-31) David remembered his promise (oath) to make Solomon king and confirms it
- 1 K 1:38-40) Solomon is made king!
- - Who joined him? Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, The Kerethites, & the Pelethites

Two Kings? Could this be the makings of a new civil war?
- We'll find out tomorrow!

Mon, Oct 31 - Notebook Check

2011-10-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 4a: Proverbs 16:2-3, 6-7
- Students have until Monday, Nov 7 to retake Memory Quiz 3b

Handouts Given:
- Memory Quiz 3b
- Unit 4 Packet/Handout

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- Operation Christmas Child: I encourage you to take part! :-)
- - Packing Party: Tuesday, Nov 8 - Bring a set of items to help donate to join in!

Instruction Time: Unit 4: 1 Kings 1-8, From David to Solomon
Journal 4-1:
- First: Pick up a notebook grading sheet from below. Pass your notebook to the left, grade. Return grading sheet below when finished.
- Second: Pick up your new unit handout from below, work on page 17:
- - 1st ) Read Proverbs 16:1-19
- - 2nd) Answer questions 1-10

We had two devotion presentations today, combined with the Notebook Check & handout work, there was no further instructional time, although we briefly discussed your memory quiz

Thu, Oct 27 & Fri Oct 28 - Unit 3 Test Review & Test

2011-10-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is your Unit 3 Test!
- Next week, Nov 4, is Memory Quiz 4a: Proverbs 16:2-3, 6-7
- Students have until Friday, Oct 28 to retake Memory Quiz 3a

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Unit 3 Notebook Check: Due this Monday, Oct 31!
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- Operation Christmas Child: I encourage you to take part! :-)
- - Packing Party: Tuesday, Nov 8 - Bring a set of items to help donate to join in!

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25

Thursday

Journal: None given, we reviewed for our test. See the notes below

Grade 11 – Unit 3 – Review

1. After David’s census, what city did the plague not destroy?
Jerusalem
2. For what three reasons did David praise God in his Psalm of Deliverance from 2 Samuel 22?
Being with him, Helping him, Saving him
3. From this unit’s talks, what area the two ways the Bible’s ‘history books’ can be arranged?
By Time or Theme
4. How did David respond when he found out Absalom was dead? Why did he respond this way?
He mourned & wept. He didn’t wanted Absalom killed
5. How did Mephibosheth respond to David’s departure from Jerusalem?
He mourned until he returned
6. That did ‘the Cushite’ do in this unit?
Tell David of Absalom’s death
7. What did a ‘Wise Woman’ do in this unit?
Saved the city of Abel
8. What did David do with Amasa?
Replace Joab
9. What did Gad do?
Speak to David about his sinful census
10. What did God promise to never take from David’s son?
His Love
11. What did the Ammonites become to David & why?
A stench in his nostrils, they humiliated his friends who came to show comfort
12. What happened over Araunah’s threshing floor?
The plague’s angel stopped, God showed mercy
13. What is a ‘Seer’?
A Prophet
14. What is an ‘Oracle’?
A Prophesy
15. What is Elhanan known for?
Killing Goliath/Lahmi
16. What is Rizpah known for doing?
Protected the dead bodies of Saul’s family
17. What is Sheba known for leading?
A revolt against David
18. What is the giant Rapha known for?
Being the father of the Philistine Warriors, Goliath, Lahmi, etc...
19. What is the name of the person that betrayed Mephibosheth?
Ziba
20. What two books have a lot of the same stories as Chronicles?
Samuel and Kings
21. What were the three possible consequences for David’s sinful census?
3 years famine, 3 months fleeing, 3 days plague
22. Which tribe restored David?
Judah
23. Who were David’s top three mighty men?
Elezar, Josheb-Basshebeth, & Shammah
24. Whose life did Abishai save from a Philistine warrior?
David’s
25. Why did David stop grieving after Absalom’s death?
Joab reproved him
26. Why does David say he chose the 3 day plague?
So he rested only on God’s mercy
27. Why was Chronicles written?
To give a different/new focus on Israelite history
28. Why was Israel suffering the three year famine?
Saul tried to kill the Gibeonites

Friday

Journal: None given, students studied for their test.

Students took their test and then quietly did other work.

Remember the Unit 3 Notebook Check on this Monday, Oct 31

Wed, Oct 26 - Summing up 2 Samuel

2011-10-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is your Unit 3 Test!
- Students have until Friday, Oct 28 to retake Memory Quiz 3a

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- Operation Christmas Child: I encourage you to take part! :-)
- - Packing Party: Tuesday, Nov 8 - Bring a set of items to help donate to join in!

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-11: Write down five major teaching points you think the books of 1 & 2 Samuel are teaching. What do you think are their ‘key themes?’ Write down five possible ones.

Check out these previously posted notes:
- David Builds an Altar: 2 Samuel 24
- The Final Key Pattern
- Summing Up 2 Samuel:

Tue, Oct 25 - David's Census & Altar

2011-10-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

Mon, Oct 24 - David's Mighty Men & Census

2011-10-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is your Unit 3 Test!
- Students have until Friday, Oct 28 to retake Memory Quiz 3a

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- Devotion 2: Due TOMORROW, November 25, by 11:59pm
- - Book Options: 1 Kings, Song of Songs (also called Song of Solomon), Ecclesiastes, & Jonah
- - Check your TurnItIn.com grademarks to see how to improve for this one! If your Devotion has not yet been graded, it will be by Friday, October 21
- Operation Christmas Child: I encourage you to take part! :-)
- - TOMORROW: Wrapping Party: Tuesday, Oct 25 - Bring a box or roll of wrapping paper to join in!
- - Packing Party: Tuesday, Nov 8 - Bring a set of items to help donate to join in!

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-9: Read 1 Chronicles 11:10-25
- Which Mighty Man would you want to be? Why?
- Were you surprised by anyone on this list? Why?
- Do you think someone is missing from this list? Why?
- If you had your own group of ‘Mighty Men’ (for you boys) or ‘Mighty Women’ (for you girls), what types of things would you want them to be famous for? Why?
- Somehow you still have more time? Make up a story as if you were one of David’s Mighty Men/Women. What did you do that made you famous?

David’s Mighty Men: 2 Samuel 23:8-39:
- Another tribute to God for blessing David & enabling him to be a good king
- There are two groups of the Mighty Men
- - The Three:
- - - Josheb-Basshebeth: “Sitting in the Seat” (their chief)
- - - Elezar: “God has helped”
- - - Shamaah: The meaning is uncertain, possibly “Ruins”
- - The Thirty: (approximately…)
- - - These include: Abishai (their chief), Asahel, Ittai, Benaiah (more to come on him…), Uriah, and more!

David’s Census: 2 Samuel 24
- Here is a dramatic theme change! We'll look at why later one...
- Vv1-2)
- - God is angry with Israel and is looking for a way to discipline them
- - These verses say that God incites David to take a census (where you count how many fighting men are in your country)
- - - Compare this to 1 Chronicles 21:1-2, where Satan incites David to do it!
- - - How can these both be correct? Remember from Job…
- - - - We know in chapters 1-2 that Satan was the one attacking Job
- - - - Yet Job & his friends recognize God as the one attacking him!
- - - - Their understanding is that what God ‘allows’ God 'does'
- - - Similarly in 2 Samuel
- - - - Because God allowed Satan to incite David, 2 Samuel says that God did it.
- - - - Job withstood this test from Satan, but David fell and sinned
- What exactly was sinful about the census?
- - Taking a census was not evil all by itself.
- - The sin could have been either of these things:
- - - The Manner David took the census in:
- - - - Exodus 30:11-16 explains rules for how to take a census
- - - - Everyone counted had to pay an atonement price for the census, or there would be a plague
- - - The Motivation David had when he took the census:
- - - - Does it show David's 'pride' & self-reliance?
- - - - Perhaps David wanted to see how strong he was & how big he was; this would be an issue of pride!
- Vv3-4) Joab tries to get David to change his mind and not take the census, but David overrules him.

These notes are for tomorrow & the following days, posted early in case you want to start studying for the test from them.

- Vv5-10) Joab and the army finish the census and report the results to David
- - After this David is 'Conscience-Stricken,' realizing that what he did was a sin!
- Vv11-13) God talks to David through a new individual, Gad the Seer (A Seer is like a Prophet)
- - God forgives, yet also gives consequences: David must choose between having 3 years of famine, 3 months of running from his enemies, or three days of a plague.
- - V14) David’s Choice? 3 Days of plague
- - - Why? To put himself into God's mercy alone, hoping for His mercy
- - V15-17) Does God show mercy? Yes! He stops the plague before it destroys Jerusalem
- - - What did David see? The angel of God who was striking the people with the plague
- - - Where does David see it? At the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite

David Builds an Altar: 2 Samuel 24
- Vv 18-20) A Key Location
- - Location: Araunah’s threshing floor
- - What is a ‘Threshing Floor’? Where they beat grain for the seeds to fall out, they grind these seeds up to make bread
- - In 2 Chronicles 3:1 we see that...
- - - Araunah has a second name: Ornan
- - - Solomon builds the temple at this same location

- Vv21-24) True Sacrifice
- - Araunah offers to give David the field and animals to sacrifice--David would need to sacrifice nothing to give this offering to God
- - David refuses this offer, declaring that he will not sacrifice to God something that cost him nothing.
- - - In our own lives we can greatly learn from this!
- - - - God is not pleased with 'sacrifices' that are easy and just our 'extra' stuff.
- - - - True sacrifice costs us something.

- V25) God hears and answers David's prayer, stopping the plague

Summing Up 2 Samuel:
- Key themes:
- - God’s mercy & faithfulness
- - God’s establishment of the monarchy
- - God’s covenant with David & Israel
- - - How blessings come to those who follow it
- - - How negative consequences come to those who break it
- - - How one can be fully restore after breaking it

- Why end on such a negative story?
- - Remember that this book was written after the kingdom of Israel was split in two.
- - This was a consequence for how they broke their covenant with God!
- - Perhaps this story is here to encourage them by showing how they could yet be restored if they come to God the right way, the way David demonstrates.

The Final Key Pattern: In contrast to David’s earlier mistakes…
- Recognize & Confess Sin:
- - No cover-ups—took full responsibility (vv10 & 17)
- Accept the Consequences:
- - Built the altar (vv18-19)
- - Would not let another pay for it (v24)
- A Repentant & Contrite Heart:
- - Brokenness, realizing total ‘badness’
- - Truly changing direction (vv10, 17, 24-25)

Fri, Oct 21 - Mem Quiz 3b

2011-10-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Memory Quiz 3b
- Next week is your Unit 3 Test!
- Students have until Monday, Oct 24 to retake Unit 2 Test
- Students have until Friday, Oct 28 to retake Memory Quiz 3a

Handouts Given: Memory Quiz 3a

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- Devotion 2: Due Tuesday, November 25.
- - Book Options: 1 Kings, Song of Songs (also called Song of Solomon), Ecclesiastes, & Jonah
- - Check your TurnItIn.com grademarks to see how to improve for this one! If your Devotion has not yet been graded, it will be by Friday, October 21
- Operation Christmas Child: This is starting up. Participation is voluntary. I encourage you to take part! :-)
- - Wrapping Party: Tuesday, Oct 25 - Bring a box or role of wrapping paper to join in!
- - Packing Party: Tuesday, Nov 8 - Bring a set of items to help donate to join in!
- National Make a Difference Day: Happening TOMORROW, October 22. This is a great way to get your Community Service done. do a google search for your city + "National Make a Difference Day" to see if there are any projects you can take part in.

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal:None given, students studied for their quiz.

After this we caught up on some lecture notes from yesterday.

Thu, Oct 20 - David's Battle, Psalm, & Oracle

2011-10-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: TOMORROW is Memory Quiz 3b: 1 Chronicles 16:23-26
- Students have until Monday, Oct 24 to retake Unit 2 Test

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- - I am extending permission for the Art project another 2 weeks to give people time to read more of their book & get a better idea of what type of art you want to do. Make sure to get permission from me by October
- Devotion 2: Due Tuesday, November 25.
- - Book Options: 1 Kings, Song of Songs (also called Song of Solomon), Ecclesiastes, & Jonah
- - Check your TurnItIn.com grademarks to see how to improve for this one! If your Devotion has not yet been graded, it will be by Friday, October 21
- Operation Christmas Child: This is starting up. Participation is voluntary. I encourage you to take part! :-)
- National Make a Difference Day: Happening Saturday, October 22. This is a great way to get your Community Service done. do a google search for your city + "National Make a Difference Day" to see if there are any projects you can take part in.

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-8: From 2 Samuel 21
- Verses 15-17:
- - What almost happened to David? He almost died at the hands of a Philistine warrior
- - Who saved him? Abishai
- - What did David’s men swear? That David would never again go to battle with them
- Verses 18-19:
- - Who killed the Goliath of these verses? Elhanan Some think this was a nick name for David, Elhanan means, “God is Gracious” or “Grace of God”)
- - What important note does 1 Chronicles 20:5 add? This was actually Lahmi, the brother of Goliath (Goliath apparently became like a title for these giant warriors
- Verses 20-22:
- - Who were these mighty Philistine warriors from? Rapha, he is their father. This name is Hebrew for 'giant' – not very creative..
- - At whose hands did they all die? David's and his men

The Philistine War:
- This is the beginning of the new ‘theme-based’ section—
- - Previous: David’s troubles
- - Transition: David fixes Saul’s problems
- - Now the focuses on: How God blessed David & enabled him to be a good king
- See your journal for notes of this first area.

David’s Psalm of Deliverance: 2 Samuel 22

- What is a Psalm? A song, poem, & prayer! Written as a response to God
- In Summary:
- - Reflection on God’s amazing qualities
- - Praises God’s faithfulness to David, always…
- - - Present with him
- - - Saving him
- - - Helping him
- Theme? Like before… God’s blessings and enabling!

David’s Last Song: 2 Samuel 23
- Still continuing the last theme
- V1) More than a Psalm, this is also an oracle
- - An oracle is a prophecy of God’s work in the future
- Vv2-4) What condition was David under when he spoke this?
- - Spirit of God was upon him!
- - This makes sense when you know verses like 2 Peter 1:21, "For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
- - David couldn't have spoken a real prophecy from his own will, it was initiated by the Holy Spirit
- Vv5-7) Praising God’s faithfulness
- - What has God made with David? An Everlasting Covenant
- - Not fulfilled until the time of Jesus
- - This looks at what happens to God’s enemies, they are like weeds, pulled out of the ground and burned

Wed, Oct 19 - The Gibeonite Revenge

2011-10-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 3b: 1 Chronicles 16:23-26
- Students have until Monday, Oct 24 to retake Unit 2 Test

Handouts Given: Devotion Presentation Schedule (Quarter 2) (yellow color)

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- - I am extending permission for the Art project another 2 weeks to give people time to read more of their book & get a better idea of what type of art you want to do. Make sure to get permission from me by October
- Devotion 2: Due Tuesday, November 25.
- - Book Options: 1 Kings, Song of Songs (also called Song of Solomon), Ecclesiastes, & Jonah
- - Check your TurnItIn.com grademarks to see how to improve for this one! If your Devotion has not yet been graded, it will be by Friday, October 21
- Operation Christmas Child: This is starting up. Participation is voluntary. I encourage you to take part! :-)
- National Make a Difference Day: Happening Saturday, October 22. This is a great way to get your Community Service done. do a google search for your city + "National Make a Difference Day" to see if there are any projects you can take part in.

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-7: Read 1 Chronicles 17:1-15, then answer:
- What does David want to build for the Lord? A house (the Temple)
- - God said 'no' to this because David was a man of war and has shed blood (1 Chronicles 28:3)
- - This wasn't that David wasn't 'good enough' to build the Temple because he killed people
- - Instead this is focusing on what God's purpose for David's life was.
- - - God wanted David to be the military warrior who destroyed Israel's enemies and brought peace to their land
- - - God had a different plan for his son, Solomon, who would rule during their 'Golden Years'
- - In our own life, God has a plan for us, too!
- - - Sometimes we may thing we know what God wants or try to tell Him what we're going to do
- - - We can learn from David the importance of listening to God, though, and following His plan for our life and not what we think is our 'good idea.'
- Where did God take David from? (v7) Being a shepherd
- Where did God bring David to? Being the ruler of a nation!
- Instead, what does God build for him? (v10) A house! (See the funny contrast? David wanted to do this for God, instead God will do it for David.
- Considering David’s son: (vv11-14)
- - What does God say this man will build? He will build the Temple
- - What does God say He will do for this man? God will establish His Kingdom
- - What does God say He will be for this man? A Father to him, thus David's son would be like His son. Notice the intimate relationship God wants here? He is definitely not a distant God!
- - What will God never take away from this man? His love

The Gibeonite Revenge:
- Concerning ‘themes’ vs. ‘chronology’
- - Remember this is most likely not chronological! (Earlier Shimei attacked David because of the blood he shed from Saul's family, but up until now, we don't hear of David being at all responsible for anyone in Saul's family dying.
- - Themes:
- - - The last 10 chapters focused on David’s troubles (Bathsheba, Amnon, Absalom, & Sheba…)
- - - They are moving to a focus on David’s blessings from God (David’s Song, Last Words, & Mighty Men)
- - - But 1st a small transition is needed, David needs to fix a problem Saul started.

- Now, the story details... From 2 Samuel 21
- - Vv1-3) Israel experienced 3 years of famine
- - - David wanted to know why they suffered like this, so he sought God in prayer
- - - God answered that Israel was suffering because of Saul’s genocide (when you try to kill an entire group of people) against Gibeonites
- - - - The Gibeonites were the tribe that tricked the Israelites into making a treaty with them when they were supposed to either leave the Promised Land or be destroyed.
- - - - Saul apparently thought he was doing well to try killing them off...
- - Vv4-6, 9) David asks the Gibeonites what he can do to make up for this.
- - - They don't want money, they want blood--specifically 7 sons from Saul’s family
- - - - These sons would be put to death, much like today if you are accused of war crimes & later sentenced to death for it.
- - - - David agreed to their demand and handed over 7 sons of Saul's family; but, he did spare Mephibosheth
- - Vv10-14) After these 7 sons are killed, their bodies are left exposed outside
- - - One of their female family members, Rizpah, goes to that sight and protects the bodies from wild animals (ground or bird)
- - - David hears about this and realizes he can again show kindness to Saul's family. So, he gathers those bones & the bones of Jonathan and Saul--giving them a proper burial
- - Then God brought relief from the famine

Tue, Oct 18 - Sheba's Revolt

2011-10-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 3b: 1 Chronicles 16:23-26
- Students have until Monday, Oct 24 to retake Unit 2 Test

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- - I am extending permission for the Art project another 2 weeks to give people time to read more of their book & get a better idea of what type of art you want to do. Make sure to get permission from me by October
- Devotion 2: Due Tuesday, November 25.
- - Book Options: 1 Kings, Song of Songs (also called Song of Solomon), Ecclesiastes, & Jonah
- - Check your TurnItIn.com grademarks to see how to improve for this one! If your Devotion has not yet been graded, it will be by Friday, October 21
- Operation Christmas Child: This is starting up. Participation is voluntary. I encourage you to take part! :-)
- National Make a Difference Day: Happening Saturday, October 22. This is a great way to get your Community Service done. do a google search for your city + "National Make a Difference Day" to see if there are any projects you can take part in.

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-6:
Remembering our short discussion yesterday, when David was accepted back to Jerusalem his own tribe, Judah, met him first and brought him back.
- Read 2 Samuel 19:40-43 & Proverbs 15:1)
- - What was Israel’s complaint against Judah? What was their complaint about? They didn't invite them to come when David was brought back to Jerusalem (they felt a little left out)
- - How did each side respond to the other? They grumbled against each other but didn't solve the problem, actually replying more harshly to each other.
- - In light of Proverbs 15:1, write down a better answer they could have given.
- - Think of a time when you or someone you know had this same problem. Briefly describe it & then write down what the gentler response could have been.

Sheba’s Revolt:
- 2 Samuel 19:40-43) After David returned as king, Israel grumbles at Judah, all is not well...
- 2 Samuel 20)
- - Vv1-2) Sheba, a trouble-causing man, leads a revolt
- - - He's considered a trouble-causing man, or as another translation puts it, a 'worthless fellow)
- - - Why? He takes advantage of the fight between Judah & the rest of Israel for a grab at power
- - - Instead he could have tried to heal the fight & problems, but he, in greed, tries to take power!
- - Vv4-7) Amasa (Absalom's old military commander), Abishai, & Joab are sent out by David to fight him
- - Vv8-13) Joab meets Amasa one-on-one, where Joab tricks him into thinking they ar friendly, only to kill him with a dagger
- - Vv14-22) David's forces come to the city Sheba is hiding in, the city of Abel. They lay siege to it.
- - - A wise woman came to the wall & found out why the city was about to be destroyed.
- - - She talked to the elders of the city & together they killed Sheba, throwing his head over the wall to Joab as evidence.
- - - Thus the revolt was quickly put down.

Mon, Oct 17 - Mem Quiz 3b Prep

2011-10-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 3b: 1 Chronicles 16:23-26
- Students have until Monday, Oct 24 to retake Unit 2 Test

Handouts Given: Unit 2 Test

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- - I am extending permission for the Art project another 2 weeks to give people time to read more of their book & get a better idea of what type of art you want to do. Make sure to get permission from me by October
- Devotion 2: Due Tuesday, November 25.
- - Book Options: 1 Kings, Song of Songs (also called Song of Solomon), Ecclesiastes, & Jonah
- - Check your TurnItIn.com grademarks to see how to improve for this one! If your Devotion has not yet been graded, it will be by Friday, October 21
- Operation Christmas Child: This is starting up. Participation is voluntary. I encourage you to take part! :-)
- National Make a Difference Day: Happening Saturday, October 22. This is a great way to get your Community Service done. do a google search for your city + "National Make a Difference Day" to see if there are any projects you can take part in.

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-5: Read 1 Chronicles 16:23-26 & then answer these questions:
- If verse 26 is true, explain several reasons why it is important to tell all peoples and the nations about God?
- In your own words, explain as many different reasons these verses provide for why we should worship God.

Memory Verse Quiz Preparation:
- Verses: 1 Chronicles 16:23-26
- Your Questions: Based upon our class discussion & your personal reflection, use complete sentences and your own words to specifically:
- - If verse 26 is true, explain several reasons why it is important to tell all peoples and the nations about God? We talked about several different answers here. Here are some of them…
- - - We must know the real God & His plans for us to know what our life purpose is & how life is meant to be lived (like a tool used for the right purpose) -- He can make a real difference in our lives!
- - - Living for false gods is a waste of one's time, energy, money & all around life, they can’t help you in this life or your afterlife!
- - - No other god can really help people, only the true God can bring health & growth that we need!
- - - Following this God is necessary to be saved & come to heaven
- - - Being the only true God and the true creator, He alone deserves their worship
- - - If you truly love others you will want them to know the real God
- - In your own words, explain four reasons these verses give for why we should worship God.
- - - His Salvation
- - - His Glory
- - - His marvelous deeds
- - - He is great
- - - He alone is real
- - - He created the heavens (everything)
REMEMBER to put these in your own words...

Fri, Oct 14 - Mem Quiz & Devotion 2

2011-10-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Memory Quiz 3a: 1 Chronicles 16:8-12
- Next Friday is Memory Quiz 3b: 1 Chronicles 16:23-26

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Book Report or Art Project: Due Tuesday, November 15.
- - I am extending permission for the Art project another 2 weeks to give people time to read more of their book & get a better idea of what type of art you want to do. Make sure to get permission from me by October
- Devotion 2: Due Tuesday, November 25.
- - Book Options: 1 Kings, Song of Songs (also called Song of Solomon), Ecclesiastes, & Jonah
- - Check your TurnItIn.com grademarks to see how to improve for this one! If your Devotion has not yet been graded, it will be by Friday, October 21
- Box-Tops for Education (& such): Bring these in! See school bulletin. Monday is the last day for this competition!
- Operation Christmas Child: This is starting up. Participation is voluntary. I encourage you to take part! :-)
- National Make a Difference Day: Happening Saturday, October 22. This is a great way to get your Community Service done. do a google search for your city + "National Make a Difference Day" to see if there are any projects you can take part in.

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal: None given, students studied for their quiz and announcements were shared.

A great reversal! We finished these notes from yesterday
- 2 Samuel 19:24-30) Mephibosheth comes out to meet David in an awful state
- - He hadn't cared for his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes---all showing his sorrow & grief at the king leaving.
- - He appeals to David that Ziba betrayed him
- - David splits his property w/Ziba to settle any problems

- Vv31-39) David helpers are rewarded!

Thu, Oct 13 - Return of the King!

2011-10-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 3a: 1 Chronicles 16:8-12
- You have until Friday, Oct 14, to retake Mem Quiz 2b

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Bring in your Box-Tops for education & such! See school bulletin.
- Operation Christmas Child is starting up. Participation is voluntary. I encourage you to take part! :-)

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-4: Read 1 Chronicles 16:8-11
- These verses emphasize the importance of being grateful for the things God has done in your life. List 10 reasons it is good &/or helpful to remember what God has done in your past for you or people you know.
- Yes, I know this is hard, but brainstorm as many as you can, even small ones!

Period 2: Review these notes from yesterday: Reproof of a King: 2 Samuel 19

Return of the King:
- - Vv9-10) Israel then debates, "Should we bring back David?"
- - Vv11-15) David’s writes Judah a letter asking to be restored
- - - V13) In this letter he promises to make Amasa (Absalom's previous military commander) David's own military commander, replacing Joab!
- - - - Strategically this is a great move, it will cause Judah to be more likely to accept David back as king, after all he is putting one of their people in a high leadership position
- - - - However, I don't feel good for Amasa... Joab is a bad man to have against you...
- - In the end, Judah brings him back!

A great reversal! 2 Samuel 19
- As David returns to Jerusalem, there is a great reversal of things that happened as he left...

- Vv16-23) Shimei comes out and repents, looking for David's forgiveness
- - 21) Abishai’s desire? He wants to kill Shimei
- - 22-24) But David is merciful—this day.

- Vv24-30) Mephibosheth comes out to meet David in an awful state
- - He hadn't cared for his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes---all showing his sorrow & grief at the king leaving.
- - He appeals to David that Ziba betrayed him
- - David splits his property w/Ziba to settle any problems

- Vv31-39) David helpers are rewarded!

Wed, Oct 12 - David hears of Joab's Death

2011-10-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 3a: 1 Chronicles 16:8-12
- You have until Friday, Oct 14, to retake Mem Quiz 2b

Handouts Given: Operation Christmas Child

Reminders:
- Bring in your Box-Tops for education & such! See school bulletin.
- Operation Christmas Child is starting up. Participation is voluntary. I encourage you to take part! :-)

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-3: David’ s son was just killed against his wishes. He wanted gentleness shown to him!
- Do you think Joab made a good or bad choice in this? Explain.
- If you were in Joab’s shoes, what do you think you would have done?
- How do you think David will respond to this?

Period 2: See these notes from yesterday:
- Israel’s Timeline:
- Israelite History Books:
- Chronicles Overview:
- 1 Chronicles 16: Setting the stage:

David's Response: From 2 Samuel 18, right after Absalom has been brutally killed by Joab & his men...

- Verses 19-23) David was waiting in a city during this battle, so Joab sent word to him of their success
- - Who wants to tell David of the victory? Ahimaaz, the priest's son
- - Who does Joab instead send?
- - - Joab thought this was a poor choice since he knew David would be upset that his son died
- - - Perhaps he feared David would treat Ahimaaz poorly, the Bible isn't clear on why Joab didn't want him to go
- - - Instead Joab sent a Cushite (a foreigner loyal to David)
- - Who ends up getting to David first?
- - - Though the Cushite took off running to David first, because Ahimaaz bugged Joab a bit longer, Joab finally let him also go
- - - Ahimaaz outruns the Cushite and reaches David first

- Verses 24-27)
- - Where is David anxiously waiting?
- - - Near the city entrance, between the inner & outer gates, for news of the battle
- - What does he assume when he sees Ahimaaz?
- - - He has a someone on the city walls waiting and watching for a runner from Joab
- - - He sees Ahimaaz & David exclaims that he is a 'good man' so it must be 'good news!' He is quite hopeful!
- Verses 28-30) What does Ahimaaz say of Absalom?
- - - Ahimaaz tells David of their victory but when David directly asks the condition of his son, Absalom, Ahimaaz won't tell him what happened, instead claiming in the confusion he didn't hear (in truth, Ahimaaz knew, but respecting Joab's wishes & wisdom, he doesn't tell David)

- Verses 31-32) What does the Cushite say of Absalom?
- - The Cushite arrives & also tells David of the victory, when David directly asks him about his son, he says that he wishes all of the king's enemies ended up like that guy! Coming from someone very loyal to David, this clearly means Absalom died, likely in a severe way.

- Verses 33) How does David respond?
- - David realizes that this means Absalom is dead.
- - He is 'shaken,' dismayed, and grief stricken
- - He goes to a very public place at the entrance of the city and mourns in a loud voice.

Reproof of a King: 2 Samuel 19
- Vv1-4) The Army Returns
- - Notice *how* they return--as though they are ashamed like people who went AWOL (Absent W/O Leave)
- - But they just won the battle & saved David’s life!
- - This could easily lead to a rebellion! Who wants to serve a king that gets upset when you when his battles?
- Vv5-8) Was it okay for David to feel this way? Sure! Feelings are something that God gave us, they are a part of who we are.
- - The problem was how David let these feelings control his actions.
- - - While our feelings are a healthy part of us, we shouldn’t let them control us!
- - As king, how should David have responded? Showing his thankfulness & pride for his army's success
- - Therefore–Joab reproves David’s excessive grief

Tue, Oct 11 - 1 Chronicles Introduced

2011-10-11T07:59:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 3a: 1 Chronicles 16:8-12
- You have until Friday, Oct 14, to retake Mem Quiz 2b

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Notebook Check: This was done today.
- Bring in your Box-Tops for education & such! See school bulletin.

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-2: Read 1 Chronicles 14:9-17 & answer:
- Describe the ways (more than one) David responds when he hears the Philistines have come to find and kill him.
- - Went to meet them in battle!
- - He prayed to God about if he should attack
- What did David do with the Philistine idols?
- - He burned them!
- What was the unique command God gave David the second time He spoke?
- - Wait until he hears a sound like marching on the balsam tree tops!
- What did this sound represent?
- - God had gone ahead of David in battle!
- What was the final result of David’s obedience?
- - His fame increased
- - God caused all nations around to be fearful of him

Introducing Chronicles:
- Many similar stories from Kings & Samuel
- - Chronicles is like Kings and Samuel; it use to be one book, but then was split into two (1st & 2nd Chronicles)
- A new look at Israelite history
- Seeing newly how God worked in their history

Israel’s Timeline: I showed a picture that summarizes Israeli history in the OT
- Students were encouraged to draw this in their notes as it will likely be an extra credit portion on a comping test...

Israelite History Books: When they were written...
- 1 & 2 Samuel: ~938 BC (After Judah & Israel divided)
- 1 & 2 Kings: ~550 BC (After Jehoiachin’s release from prison, before Judah was restored)
- 1 & 2 Chronicles: ~425 BC (After Judah was restored, during Ezra’s lifetime)

Chronicles Overview: We will not get into every story, but here is a summary of some stories...
- 1-9: This is a list of the genealogy (male leaders of families, who gave birth to who) from Adam to the beginning of 1 Chronicles. This reminds the Israelites where they came from
- 10: Only this one chapter (and a short genealogy in Ch 9) is devoted to King Saul, focusing on his death.
11-15: These five chapters highlight the first main things David did when he became king: conquering Jerusalem & bringing the Ark of the Covenant to that city.

1 Chronicles 16: Setting the stage:
- 1-3: David brings the Ark to Jerusalem
- 4-6: David organizes worship for God with the Ark of the Covenant
- 7: On that day, David committed a psalm (song) of worship & thanks to God
- 8-36: This is the psalm of worship & thanks that recognizes how good God has been to Israel

Mon, Oct 10 - Mem Quiz 3a Prep

2011-10-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 3a: 1 Chronicles 16:8-12
- You have until Friday, Oct 14, to retake Mem Quiz 2b
- You have until Tuesday, Oct 11, to retake Mem Quiz 2a

Handouts Given: Unit 3 Handout (white packet)

Reminders:
- Notebook Check TOMORROW! See RenWeb, it is posted as an assignment on that day. You need to put it in order before class starts.
- Bring in your Box-Tops for education & such! See school bulletin. One more week left!

Instruction Time: Unit 3: 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel 18:19-25
Journal 3-1: Work on ‘David’s Psalm of Thanks’ on the last page of your new unit handout:
- Read the Psalm (1 Chronicles 16:7-36)
- Answer the questions (You need to use the Bible to answer Q1)
- -1) It is right after the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem
- - 2) Make known what He has done; Tell of all His wonderful acts
- - 3) Various answers...
- - 4) Various answers... reference Memory Verse Quiz Prep below
- - 5) Reword the ending, "What do you see that is similar?" Find the answer on your own.
- - 6) Find the answer on your own.
- - 7) Find the answer on your own.
- - 8) Find the answer on your own.
- - 9) Find the answer on your own.
- - 10) Reword the ending, "What do you see that is similar?" Find the answer on your own.
- - 11) Reword this, " ...are we told to give thanks to God?" He is good & His love endures forever. He can save us and deliver us. He is Holy (His name is holy).
- - 12) So that they can give thanks o Him and glory in His praise!

Memory Verse Quiz Preparation:
- Your Verses: 1 Chronicles 16:8-11
- Your Questions: Based upon our class discussion & your personal reflection, use complete sentences to specifically answer:
- - These verses emphasize the importance of being grateful for the things God has done in your life. Write two specific things in your life that you are genuinely very thankful for.
- - - Various answers possible, give an honest answer for you, personally~
- - - Don't just list the thing, be prepared to share *why* you are thankful for it. A possible better way to word this is, "These verses emphasize the importance of being grateful for the things God has done in your life. List 2 distinct things that you are genuinely very thankful for & tell why you are thankful for each."

- - What are some reasons we spoke of for why it is good and helpful to remember what God has done in your past?
- - - Use these (both class lists) to refresh your memory, take the two that are most meaningful to you!
- - - Period 1's Ideas:
- - - - You could learn something that’ll help you in the future
- - - - - Realize that you’re not alone
- - - - - Be reminded that God can (and will!) guide you!
- - - - - Recognize His love/care for you!
- - - - - Remember He forgives you
- - - - Give you more trust and faith in God in case you hit a hard time
- - - - It gives you hope for the future
- - - - You can pass on knowledge to others! (Keeping them safe or helping them be smarter)
- - - - Reminds us that He is faithful & helps us to be faithful
- - - - Helps us understand what He might do in the future
- - - - Helps us remember He is real, even when we don’t ‘feel’ Him
- - - Period 2's Ideas:
- - - - It helps us to thank Him every day for what He has done
- - - - So we don’t get conceited, thinking “I did this by myself!”
- - - - So we don’t forget how awesome He is!
- - - - If we go through hard times, we still remember He is with us! (Even if we can’t ‘feel’ Him)
- - - - It’ll strengthen our faith by remembering the good times & things He did for us.
- - - - Helps us remember God is there during the good times!
- - - - It reminds us that God is…
- - - - - Always present!
- - - - - Good & mighty in power!
- - - - - Faithful & forgiving!
- - - - - Fair & Just
- - - - - Protecting us from what we are frightened of
- - - - - Merciful
- - - - - Compassionate / Caring / Loving
- - - - It can help you encourage other people in their hard times!

Fri, Oct 5 - Unit 2 Test

2011-10-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was your Unit 2 Test
- You have until Friday, Oct 14, to retake Mem Quiz 2b
- You have until Tuesday, Oct 11, to retake Mem Quiz 2a

Handouts Given: Memory Quiz 2b

Reminders: Notebook Check on Tuesday! See RenWeb, it is posted as an assignment on that day. You need to put it in order before class starts.

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal: None given, students studied for their test. After this, students took their test.

Tue, Oct 4 - Devotions & Review

2011-10-04T08:36:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: TOMORROW is your TEST!
- You have until Tuesday, Oct 11, to retake Mem Quiz 2a

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders: None given

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal: None given, students turned in their Pre-Reading form while watching a short video clip.

Devotion Presentations: Today we had several devotion presentations, this took most of the period

Test Review: With extra time we got back into review for the test

Mon, Oct 3 - Unit 2 Test Review

2011-10-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Wednesday is your TEST!
- You have until Tuesday, Oct 11, to retake Mem Quiz 2a

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Pre-Reading Form: Due TOMORROW. Make sure it is signed!

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal: None given, students prepared for our review activity

Review Activity Notes: Here are the notes from today's activity. Study well!

Bible 8 – Unit 2 – Review Game
1. A collection of songs, poems, hymns, and prayers – all responses to God
The Book of Psalms
2. A son of the David’s two priests.
Jonathan & Ahimaaz
3. Absalom stole this from the people of Israel
Their hearts
4. Amnon abused this woman, his half-sister, (she and Absalom had King David as dad and Maacah as mom)
Tamar
5. An extremely wise counselor who betrayed David and then lost everything
Ahithophel
6. David asks his generals to be _what?_ with Absalom (he didn’t want him killed!)
Gentle
7. David’s nephew, Amnon’s shrewd and close friend
Jonadab
8. David’s spy who gave David’s son bad advice.
Hushai
9. David’s two priests who kept the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem when David fled
Zadok & Abiathar
10. Even though David didn’t really punish Amnon, David felt this way when Amnon abused Tamar
Furious
11. In doing this, Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advice and fulfilled a consequence of David’s sin with Bathsheba
Sleeping with David’s 10 concubines
12. Mephebosheth’s servant
Ziba
13. Sometimes stories in the Bible are arranged according to their ‘meaning’ and not this
When they happened (chronology)
14. Tamar reaction to what Amnon did
Tear robes, ash on head, weep aloud, hand on face
15. The city where David’s son was crowned king
Hebron
16. The foreigner who refused to stay behind in Jerusalem
Ittai the Gittite
17. This is the feeling Amnon, David’s firstborn son, had after sleeping with his half-sister
Hatred
18. This killed more people than the sword in David’s final battle with Absalom
The forest
19. This man cursed David as he fled Jerusalem
Shemei
20. This man’s fields are burnt by Absalom so they can have a talk
Joab, David’s Military CC
21. This means to ‘Turn Around’ in how you act & think, it is what David did that let God forgive him
Repent
22. This most handsome man in all Israel led a revolt against his father to take over the kingdom
Absalom
23. This person told a story to David (convincing him to bring his son back) this was like Nathan the Prophet
The Woman of Tekoa
24. This Psalm was David’s response to his adultery with Bathsheba.
Psalm 51
25. This Psalm was David’s response to his sons’ rebellion.
Psalm 3
26. What David didn’t let Absalom see the first time he returned to Jerusalem
His face
27. The two that Absalom deceived in order to become king
David, Men of Jerusalem

Fri, Sep 30 - Mem Quiz

2011-09-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Memory Quiz 2b Psalm 3:1-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Wednesday is your TEST!
- You have until Friday, Oct 7, to retake Mem Quiz 2a

Handouts Given: Memory Quiz 2a

Reminders:
- Pre-Reading Form: Due NEXT Tuesday, October 4. Make sure it is signed!

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal: None given, students prepared for their quiz.

With extra time we continued to work through: Book 'Report' Instructions (Goldenrod)

Thu, Sep 29 - Book Report Introduced

2011-09-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Tomorrow is Memory Quiz 2b Psalm 3:1-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Wednesday is your TEST! (It is a short week, the study guide was posted last Tuesday night)
- You have until Friday, September 30 to retake Unit Test 1

Handouts Given: Book 'Report' Instructions (Goldenrod)

Reminders:
- Pre-Reading Form: Due NEXT Tuesday, October 4. Make sure it is signed!

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal 2-8: Read each verse below & explain in your own words what each teaches
- Proverbs 12:25) Our words can help others relax and be at ease (getting rid of anxiety)
- Proverbs 15:1) Our gentle words can turn anger away but our harsh words stir up anger!
- Proverbs 15:23) A word that is rightly suited for the occasion (apt) or timely brings joy & delight!
- Proverbs 25:11) Words spoken at the right time are like gold and silver!
- Next: Write one paragraph (3-5 sentences) summarizing what you can learn from all of these together & how you can apply it to your life.

Period 2: See yesterday's notes on Absalom’s Defeat: 2 Samuel 18

After this we talked about our upcoming Book Report

Wed, Sep 28 - Absalom's End

2011-09-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 2b Psalm 3:1-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Wednesday is your TEST! (It is a short week
- You have until Friday, September 30 to retake Unit Test 1

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Pre-Reading Form: Due NEXT Tuesday, October 4. Make sure it is signed!

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal 2-7: Read the following verses & then, on the paper, explain (in your own words) what each teaches (You will turn this in)
- - Job 13:5) Silence would be wisdom
- - Proverbs 10:19) Many words lead to unavoidable sin
- - Proverbs 17:27) Restrain words = understanding, it is wise to be silent
- - Proverbs 17:28) Even fools thought wise if keep silent; discerning if hold tongue
- Write one paragraph (3-5 sentences) summarizing what you can learn from all of these together & how you can apply it to your life.

Ahithophel vs. Hushai: 2 Samuel 17:23:
- After learning that his advice was not followed, Ahithophel goes home, puts his house in order and hangs himself

The Great Battle: 2 Samuel 18
- Vv1-4 David organizes his army
- - He wants to go to battle, but his generals don't want him to, they are afraid he would get killed, being so old now
- - David does what his generals ask
- V5: As they are about to leave, in the presence of all the other soldiers, David gives one last command, he tells them to be gentle with his son to Absalom'
- Vv6-8: The battle rages in the forest of Ephraim and the forest actually kills more people than the sword!

Absalom’s Defeat: 2 Samuel 18
- Vv9-10: Absalom meets some of David's men & ends up running off on his own (perhaps the soldiers that were with him fought as he fled)
- - While Absalom was riding on his mule, his head got caught in a tree so badly that the mule kept going and he was left hanging
- - This is an ironically embarrassing situation since Absalom was so proud about his hair, & it was likely his hair that got him caught!
- Vv11, 11-17: One of Joab's men sees Absalom
- - He doesn't attack him, but goes and tells his general, Joab
- - Joab goes to Absalom and stabs him with three spears
- - - Then he had ten other soldiers slash him with their swords (as if it was needed)
- - - Then they buried him with rocks in a big pit in the forest!
- - You can see how Joab wasn't that 'gentle' as David asked...
- - - More and more, we see Joab disobeying David’s commands & bringing a distrust between them.
- So, Absalom & his supporters in Israel were defeated & fled

Tomorrow’s Journal: Take out a blank pg of paper, Put name & period on top
- First: Read each verse below, on the paper, explain (in your own words) what each teaches –To be collected!
- - Proverbs 12:25)
- - Proverbs 15:1)
- - Proverbs 15:23)
- - Proverbs 25:11)
- Next: Write one paragraph (3-5 sentences) summarizing what you can learn from all of these together & how you can apply it to your life.

Tue, Sep 27 - Ahithophel vs. Hushai

2011-09-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 2b Psalm 3:1-6 (NIV, 1984)
- Next week is a short week, your TEST will be on WEDNESDAY
- You have until Friday, September 30 to retake Unit Test 1

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Pre-Reading Form: Due NEXT Tuesday, October 4. Make sure it is signed!

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal 2-6: Read 2 Samuel 16:20-23
- What does Ahithophel advise?
- - That Absalom sleep with David's 10 concubines in a place where everyone will know he did it (these are like his step-mothers, his actual mother was one of David’s ‘full wives,’ Maacah--see 2 Sam 3:3)
- - A concubine is basically a wife with less authority, power, & responsibilities
- - Yeah, it’s gross.
- What is this a fulfillment of?
- - It is the final mentioned specific consequence of David's sin with Bathsheba, what David did in private, someone would to do him in public
- Why do you think Ahithophel advised it?
- - It is a power play, showing that Absalom is in charge now (If David were in charge, he certainly would not allow this!)
- - It shows that King David & Absalom are definitely enemies
- - It forces the people of Israel now to choose a side to support, you can’t support both when they are so clearly enemies! (Who would you choose, the young, handsome, and promising prince--or the old king who just lost power?)
- How is Ahithophel’s counsel described?
- - Like hearing from God
- - He was well known for his wisdom, he knew how people, groups, & societies worked so well that it was wisdom as though God Himself were speaking

Selah: What does this word mean? See Unit Handout, page 11 on Psalm 3

Ahithophel vs. Hushai: (2 Samuel 16:15-17:23)
- 2 Samuel 16:15-19) Hushai comes to Absalom & successfully convinces Absalom that he abandoned David & is now on Absalom’s side--Absalom trusts him as a counselor.
- 2 Samuel 16:20-22) Ahithophel’s 1^st Advice. See your today’s journal for these details
- 2 Samuel 17:1-14)
- - Ahithophel’s gives more advice, telling Absalom to pursue David right away in order to defeat him
- - However, this time Absalom also asks Hushai for his advice
- - - Hushai recommends Absalom not attack yet, but rather wait to gather and better organize a larger army from the different parts of Israel
- - - This plan would give David time to get a safe distance away and then gather/organize his own army!
- - Absalom trusts Hushai instead of Ahithophel!
- 2 Samuel 17:15-22) So, Hushai tells the priests (Abiathar & Zadok) what is about to happen
- The priests send their two sons (Jonathan & Ahimaaz) to tell David the news
- - Absalom finds out two have left to tell David something, he sends out people to catch them
- - Yet the priests' sons escape & tell David the news...

- 2 Samuel 17:23) Ahithophel’s End
- - After learning that his advice was not followed, Ahithophel goes home, puts his house in order and hangs himself
- - Perhaps he realized that David would now come back & the death penalty would be his fate? We do not know.

Mon, Sep 26 - Mem Quiz 2b Prep & David's Flight

2011-09-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 2b Psalm 3:1-6 (NIV, 1984)
- You have until Friday, September 30 to retake Unit Test 1

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Pre-Reading Form: Due NEXT Tuesday, October 4. Make sure it is signed!

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal 2-5: Take out your Unit Handout
- Make sure Psalm 3 is complete (pg 11)
- Work on the Cross-Word Puzzles next
- Then, Read 2 Samuel 14

Period 2 see last Friday’s notes for these things: - Absalom's Campaign (or conspiracy): 2 Samuel 15:1-9
- Absalom’s Rise: 2 Samuel 15:10-12 - David’s ‘Flight’: (flight = to flee) -

Memory Quiz Preparation:
- The Verses: Psalm 3:1-6
- The Question: Based upon our class discussion & your personal reflection, use complete sentences to Put in your own words two different things God does for us (from these verses). Then describe how you can respond to each of these things.
- - Here are some of the qualities of God mentioned in these verses:
- - - Shield Around Me: This emphasizes how God protects us
- - - Bestow Glory on Me: Glory is weight or significance, this points out how God gives significance to us
- - - Lifts up My Head: Our heads are lowered by shame, pain, or fear; this shows how God lifts us out of that
- - - Answers Me: Two ways God gives answer, giving wisdom & knowledge or He positively does what we're asking Him to (e.g. 'Save me' is answered by being saved)
- - - Sustains Me: This is the idea that He gives strength and energy to go on, like how water sustains you on a really hot day.
- - Be able to describe how you can respond to these things, that is to say, if God is __(one of those things)__, I can respond by... Or with... (make sure you make your explanation clear

David’s ‘Flight’: - 2 Samuel 15:30-37) - - While fleeing, David heard that Ahithophel had betrayed him and was now serving his son
- - - David’s prayed that God turn Ahithophel's wisdom into foolishness
- - - This could mean he spoke foolishly, or that others thought it was foolish, even if right!
- - David had another older named Hushai
- - - David asked him to stay in Jerusalem as another spy
- - - He also asked him to disagree with Ahithophel's counsel & wisdom to Absalom
- - - Hushai did just this

- 2 Samuel 16:1-4) - - Mephibosheth's servant, Ziba meets David & claims that Mephibosheth had abandoned him for Absalom. David gives him Mephibosheth's property (Mephibosheth later denies this & claims Ziba abandoned him to lie about him and get his wealth)

- 2 Samuel 16:5-12) - - Shemei, a man from Saul's clan comes out and curses David as he leaves
- - He says God is repaying David for the blood David shed from Saul's household
- - - There is one problem... David hasn't done this yet...
- - - - This happens in 2 Samuel 21
- - - - This points out how the order of stories in the Bible is not always according to what happened!
- - - - This is annoying to us as westerners... We think of books like this as 'history books' where everything needs to be in chronological order--but it isn't
- - - - Sometimes Bible authors group things according to topics, not what order they happened in.

Fri, Sep 23 - Absalom's Rise

2011-09-23T07:06:00.001-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Memory Quiz 2a: Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12 (NIV, 1984)
- Next week is Memory Quiz 2b Psalm 3:1-6
- You have until Friday, September 30 to retake Unit Test 1

Handouts Given: Unit 1 Test

Reminders:
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4. Feel free to turn this in early. Make sure you re-read the instructions before doing so.

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal: None given, student studied for their quiz.

Absalom’s Rise: 2 Samuel 15:10-12
- Absalom’s final move for the throne was by going to Hebron to be crowned king
- - He deceived his father and 200 men from Jerusalem to do this
- - He invited David’s counselor, Ahithophel, to join him (Ahithophel knew what was going on)

David’s ‘Flight’: (flight = to flee)
- Remember Psalm 3 from your unit handout? It was written as a response to this
- 2 Samuel 15:13-18
- - David's entire household fled, except for his 10 concubines
- - Several groups of foreigners who were David's allies came with him:
- - - These groups were the Kerethites, Pelethites, & Gittites
- - - Ittai the Gittite wanted to come, David told him to stay back, but he refuses to remain back
- - David also sent his two priests (Zadok & Abiathar) back to Jerusalem with the Ark of the Covenant. They were to be his spies!

Thu, Sep 22 - Amnon, Tamar, Absalom

2011-09-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: TOMORROW is Memory Quiz 2a: Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12 (NIV, 1984)
- You have until Friday, September 23 to retake Memory Quiz 1b.

Handouts Given: Student IDs were given out!

Reminders:
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4. Feel free to turn this in early. Make sure you re-read the instructions before doing so.

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal 2-4: Read: 2 Samuel 15:5-12)
- List the different people Absalom deceived & tell how he deceived each
- If you were one of the people of Israel, who do you think you would follow—David or Absalom? Why? (Explain with details)

Main Characters & Plot is Introduced: Review this from yesterday. The Evil Deed is Done: 2 Samuel 13:9b-22
- Amnon gets alone with Tamar and forces her to sleep with him [he rapes her :-(]
- After this, Amnon hates her with far greater and more intense hatred than he had previous loved her with. (This is what happens in relationships where the 'physical side' is brought in where it shouldn't be! It really messes with the relationship and is never worth it, no matter how strong that temptation may be!)
- Amnon sends her out
- - Tamar tears her robes, puts ashes on her head, wept aloud, and then lived as a desolate (ruined) woman the rest of her life
- - Absalom talked with her and found out what happened,
- - - He takes her into his house to care for her (since no man would want to marry her now)
- - - He also hates Absalom & holds a grudge against him
- David heard about this & became furious, but he didn't do anything substantial about it.

Absalom's Revenge: 2 Samuel 13:28-31
- 2 years later...
- Absalom kills Amnon as revenge for what he did to Tamar (invited him to a party & had men kill Amnon when Amnon was drunk)
- When David heard about this at first, he was wrongly told that Absalom had killed all his other sons! later he finds out that it was only Amnon.
- After murdering his half-brother, Absalom fled the country

Period 2: We will get to the below stuff later this week. Period 1 looked at it today.
Joab's Appeal: 2 Samuel 13:38-39 & 14:1-20
- Remember that Joab is David's military commander & also an advisor
- David seems split, he wants Absalom back but does nothing about it (vv13:38-39)
- Joab hires the 'Woman of Tekoa' to make up a situation similar to David's & come before David for his advice and help for about how to handle it. (kind of like what Nathan the prophet did with the story of the poor man and his lamb).
- David gives says how he will help & then she asks why he doesn't do the same thing for his own son
- David then recognizes that Joab must have put this woman up to this
- Nonetheless, David indeed brings his son Absalom back--kind of.
- - David allows Absalom to return to Jerusalem, but he will not see him face to face.

Absalom's Qualities: 2 Samuel 14:25-27
- Absalom is known as the 'hottest' guy around!
- King's son (that's royal blood!); Handsome with no physical imperfections!
- He also is very vain about his hair! He grows it out until it is too heavy for his head, then he cuts it off and weighs it (it's usually around 5 lbs by that time). We will later find out how his pride for his hair is ironic...
- He starts a family, too, married with kids!

Absalom's Full Restoration: 2 Samuel 14:28-33
- Absalom lived in Jerusalem for 2 years without seeing his father & king -- David
- He doesn't like this and knows that if he talks to Joab, he can probably be returned to the David's presence
- - Two times he tries to talk with Joab--both times Joab ignores him.
- - Then Absalom sets Joab's fields on fire (they were next door to his own)
- - Suddenly Joab wants to talk...
- After their discussion, Joab goes to King David & King David invites Absalom back home
- - Absalom comes before King David, bows, then they kiss & 'make up' (0r so it seems...)

Absalom's Campaign (or conspiracy): 2 Samuel 15:1-9
- At this point we read how Absalom started a very smart 'political campaign' (trying to 'win people over' to support him as king)
- He stand outside the city gate & met anyone who came to see King David about a complaint (remember the king served like a 'judge' making decisions to settle problems and complaints between people)
- - Absalom would meet them and let them know that David couldn't meet them and had no representative to do so.
- - Then Absalom would mention how, if he were judge of the land, he would hear every complaint and case that people brought and then make sure they had justice!
- - We read in this that Absalom ends up 'stealing the hearts' of all Israel!
- - He has really set himself up nicely to make a move to be king...

Wed, Sep 21 - The Calamity in Family Starts

2011-09-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 2a: Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12 (NIV, 1984)
- You have until Friday, September 23 to retake Memory Quiz 1b.

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4. Feel free to turn this in early. Make sure you re-read the instructions before doing so.

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal 2-3: Certainly forgiveness from God is based upon our heart and right attitude in coming to Him. Now, read Matthew 6:9-15 & consider what else Jesus teaches about forgiveness:
- When does God forgive us? When we forgive others!
- According to these verses, do others have to ask for forgiveness? It doesn't say anything about it. Forgiveness starts in our heart. We need to have an 'attitude of forgiveness' and forgive people before they even 'ask for it.'
- How do you think you, personally, can grow in being able to better forgive others? Many possible answers here!

Reviewing David’s Great Sin: 2 Samuel 11-12
- What 6 mistakes (or sins) did David commit? (1) Not being at war (2) Lust of eyes (3) Adultery (4) Murder (5) Cover Up (6) Pretending everything is okay
- Who rebuked him? Nathan the prophet
- What was David’s response? True repentance
- Did God forgive him? Why? Yes! Because David came with the right attitude, truly repentant
- So David suffered no consequences, right? Wrong!
- What three consequences did David suffer?
- - Calamity (continual hard times & even violence) in the family
- - Someone will sleep with his wives in public
- - The child between David & Bathsheba will die

Main Characters & Plot is Introduced: 2 Samuel 13:1-9a (The Consequences Continue)
- Amnon: David's eldest son who 'loves' his half-sister, he became 'sick with love'
- - Perhaps a result of David's sin where he saw something he wanted (Bathsheba) & just took it, Amnon has a similar mentality--he sees something he wants (Tamar) & plans to just take it!
- Tamar: David's daughter, beautiful & unmarried, a virgin
- Jonadab: David's Nephew, Amnon's shrewd (sneaky & smart) friend who suggests the idea Amnon uses to get alone with Tamar
- David: King of Israel, completely ignorant on what was about to happen.
- Absalom: The full-blood brother of Tamar (having the same father & mother)

Tue, Sep 20 - Mem Quiz Prep & The Psalms

2011-09-20T08:25:00.000-07:00

Mon, Sep 19 - Mem Quiz 2b Prep & Psalm 51

2011-09-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 2a: Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12 (NIV, 1984)
- You have until Friday, September 23 to retake Memory Quiz 1b.

Handouts Given: Unit 2 Handout

Reminders:
- Devotion 1: Due TOMORROW! Let me know right away if you have any questions!
- - Make sure you download the form from RenWeb & submit it to TurnItIn.com.
- - E-mail me if you have any issues.
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4. Feel free to turn this in early. Make sure you re-read the instructions before doing so.

Instruction Time: Unit 2: David's Repentance & A Troubled Family
Journal 2-1: Pick up the two papers beneath this board.
- 1st) Take out your notebook (already in order, right?)
- - Put your name on top of the grading sheet.
- - Set the grading sheet on top of the notebook.
- - Pass your notebook to the right
- - Grade your neighbor’s notebook
- 2nd) On your Unit Handout, Read through Psalm 51, &…
- - Underline what David did
- - Circle what David asks God to do
- - Finally, answer questions 1-9 (possibly collected?)

Psalm 51:
- What is the Psalm’s heading? “A Psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed Adultery with Bathsheba”
- - Not every Psalm gives such a specific heading, but one like this can really help us understand the depth of the song better!
- - David is repenting for several very bad sins and God does forgive him!
- - Knowing his can help us understand the depth of this Psalm & its relation to our life even better

- This Psalm shares David’s repentance!
- - Repent: Means 'to turn around'
- - - If you're sinning by doing one thing, you stop, and go the opposite direction to do what is right
- - - Repentance involves a change of actions (trying not to do the sin, making the sacrifices it takes to change the bad habits) & a change of mind (thinking about the sin differently)
- - - Through this, God forgives us!
- - Forgiveness: Definted: "A term used to indicate pardon for a fault or offense; to excuse from payment for a debt owed." (Reference: Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 2003)
- - - When God forgives us, He no longer holds us guilty of the sin we have
- - - This does not mean that all consequences will be gone!
- - - However, this does show that we don't have to suffer a penalty to 'make up' for it.
- - - For instance, if you broke my chair & I forgive you, it means you don't have to pay the price for breaking it--however, the chair is still broken & a consequence may be that I don't let you sit in it again!

Memory Verse Preparation: We just barely started talking about this today, we'll finish it tomorrow.
Your Verses: Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12
Your Questions: Based upon our class discussion & your personal reflection, use complete sentences to specifically answer:
- Can David make God forgive him? Why or why not?
- - No! Forgiveness is only something God can give freely from His grace
- - God doesn’t have to forgive anyone, yet in His grace He chooses to forgive us when we come to Him rightly
- - Grace: Giving us something we don't deserve (or 'cannot earn'); grace that is 'required' is not grace at all! It is not earned, but freely given.
- How can David be forgiven?
- - If David can't earn/buy this, how can it happen? This is different from the last answer!
- - David must come to God with the right attitude!
- - What is this attitude? V17: A broken & contrite spirit/heart
- - - Contrite: ‘Crushed’ ‘Beaten to Pieces’
- - - This is far more than just feeling or saying ‘sorry!’
- - - This is being humble & repentant, wanting to change from what you were doing, recognizing the full guilt & sinfulness of the actions
- Explain how getting a pure heart is more than just ‘being forgive.’
- - See the definition of forgiveness above--- it involves only the removal of guilt
- - David wants more than just a removal of guilt---he wants something added, or changed
- - - David's desire is to be changed on the inside so that he no longer acts in this way
- - That's true repentance! And that's why David ends up being 'A man after God's own heart'

Fri, Sep 16 - Unit 1 Test

2011-09-16T12:12:00.001-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Unit 1 Test.
- Next Friday will be Memory Quiz 2a: Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12 (NIV, 1984)
- You have until Friday, September 23 to retake Memory Quiz 1b.

Handouts Given:
- Memory Quiz 1b
- Picture Packages (for those who ordered them)

Reminders:
- Grade 8 Notebook Check: This is on Monday. This is posted on RenWeb: Here are the items & order you should have for them in your 3-ring binder. Have them in order BEFORE class!
- - 1. Syllabus: Purple) Name on top
- - 2. Instructions: Written Devotion: Goldenrod) Name on top
- - 3. Delivery of Devotion Instructions: Goldenrod) Name on top
- - 4. Devotion 1 Presentation Schedule: Yellow) Name on top
- - 5. Instructions: Book Selection & Pre-Reading Form: Goldenrod) Name on top
- - 6. Pre-Reading Form: Green) Name on top
- - 7. Unit Handout: White) Pg 2 should have answers written next to each paragraph. Page 3 should be completed. Optional Work: Page 5 & 6
- - 8. Journals & In-Class Notes: At the end of your 3-ring binder section should be your Journals (1-1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) & any notes you took in class
- Devotion 1: Due Tuesday! Let me know right away if you have any questions!
- - Make sure you download the form from RenWeb & submit it to TurnItIn.com.
- - E-mail me if you have any issues.
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4. Feel free to turn this in early. Make sure you re-read the instructions before doing so.

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal: None given, students studied for their test

After this, students took their test.

Thu, Sep 15 - Test Review & Notebook Contents

2011-09-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: TOMORROW is Unit 1 Test!

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Unit 1 Test: The study guide is posted on RenWeb as an 'assignment' for this Friday. Check it out early this week & start studying! Let me know if you have any questions. Short answers are NOT discussed in class unless you ask about them!
- Grade 8 Notebook Check: This is on Monday. This is posted on RenWeb: Here are the items & order you should have for them in your 3-ring binder. Have them in order BEFORE class!
- - 1. Syllabus: Purple) Name on top
- - 2. Instructions: Written Devotion: Goldenrod) Name on top
- - 3. Delivery of Devotion Instructions: Goldenrod) Name on top
- - 4. Devotion 1 Presentation Schedule: Yellow) Name on top
- - 5. Instructions: Book Selection & Pre-Reading Form: Goldenrod) Name on top
- - 6. Pre-Reading Form: Green) Name on top
- - 7. Unit Handout: White) Pg 2 should have answers written next to each paragraph. Page 3 should be completed. Optional Work: Page 5 & 6
- - 8. Journals & In-Class Notes: At the end of your 3-ring binder section should be your Journals (1-1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) & any notes you took in class
- Devotion 1: Due Tuesday, September 20, let me know right away if you have any questions!
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4. Feel free to turn this in early. Make sure you re-read the instructions before doing so.

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal: None given, students prepared for the review game

Test Review: This is for your final review for the tests. Don't rely on this to study from. In the future answers will likely be removed from this...

3 Job & 2 David:
1) The one whose arguments had the weakness of making God too distant & impersonal
Who is Elihu?
2) The one who insulted David for his dancing
Who is Michal?
3) The emotion Job’s friends shared with him for 7 days
What is sympathy?
4) This is a key, unnamed, kingly quality of God seen in Job 1-2 and Job 12:14-17
What is Sovereignty?
5) These are the two major themes of Samuel
What is... "God is Lord over history & God’s plans are accomplished (even when humans fail)"?

Job 1:
1) The person broke the 7-day period of silence
Who is Job? (He did this after his friends first came)
2) That which God did not double for Job
What are Job's children?
3) The approximate time that the events of Job likely took place
What is the time of Abraham?
4) The "sometimes annoying" thing God used to answer Job
What are questions?
5) The thing Job admitted to God when he responded for the second time
What is ignorance? (That Job didn’t fully understand God)

Job 2:
1) The person who told Job to curse God & die
Who is Job's wife?
2) The reason Job's 3 main friends thought Job was suffering
What is sin? (or that Job deserved it due to sin)
3) A word that can mean either 'Accuser' or 'Adversary' in English
What is Satan?
4) The way (or form) through which God presented Himself to answer Job
What is a storm?
5) The 3D structure for Job
What are "Dilemma, Debates, & Deliverance"?

Job 3:
1) Job's youngest friend
Who is Elihu?
2) The section of the Old Testament where we find the book of Job
What is "Poetry & Wisdom"?
3) The emotion Elihu felt before talking, the same emotion David felt when he first heard the story of the poor man and his sheep
What is anger?
4) A word that could mean 'Where is the Father?' or 'Persecuted One'
What is Job?
5) These are the two beastly creatures in the book of Job.
What are the Leviathan (water creature) & the Behemoth (Ground creature)?

David:
1) The prophet who confronted David in his sin & spoke to him of the Temple
Who is Nathan?
2) The man who died after touching the Ark of the Covenant
Who is Uzzah?
3) The man David showed kindness to by giving land to him & inviting him into the palace
Who is Mephibosheth?
4) This is what God promised David's household and kingdom would be (even though David couldn't build the Temple like he wanted)
What is eternal (or enduring forever)?
5) What God gave David, besides consequences, for his sin
Forgiveness

It could also help you to know another big issue Job deals with besides ‘Why bad things happen’ and ‘Following God when suffering’:
- Enduring in hardship with faithfulness to God
- Having hope when things seem hopeless
- Holding to your integrity when everything is against it

Wed, Sep 14 - David's Sin & Repentance

2011-09-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Unit 1 Test!
- Memory Quiz 1a may be retaken until September 15 -- students who want to do this need to let me know via e-mail so I have a copy for them in the office.

Handouts Given: Delivery of Devotions Instructions (Goldenrod)

Reminders:
- Unit 1 Test: The study guide is posted on RenWeb as an 'assignment' for this Friday. Check it out early this week & start studying! Let me know if you have any questions. Short answers are NOT discussed in class unless you ask about them!
- Devotion 1: Due Tuesday, September 20, let me know right away if you have any questions!
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4. Feel free to turn this in early. Make sure you re-read the instructions before doing so.

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal 1-10: Read 2 Samuel 11:1-27
- List the order of events in your journal
- - Just summarize with key words/actions
- If you finish this:
- - List all the bad things David did here
- - If you were in David’s family or court & you knew what just happen:
- - What would you be thinking?
- - What would you want to do? Why?

More Victories! See yesterday's notes...

David’s Great Sin:
- We will focus on 6 main mistakes & sins that David makes here
- 2 Samuel 11:1) #1) Where should the king be? At battle, this is the 1st mistake--perhaps the sin of laziness!
- 2 Samuel 11:2-5) #2 & 3) Two sins here, Lust of the eyes & committing adultery!
- - David steals Uriah's wife (Bathsheba) to sleep with her. He really didn't need another wife, he had 7 after all...
- - Bathsheba comes to David and tells him that she has become pregnant!
- 2 Samuel 11:6-13) #4) David commits another sin by attempting to cover-up his adultery
- - He does this cover up by inviting Uriah home & trying to get him to sleep with his wife.
- - Then when the child is born he would think it was his own!
- - But Uriah doesn't sleep with his wife, he has more honor than David here and doesn't want the 'comforts of home' when he should be at war with his fellow country men!
- - - David should have had the same perspective at the very beginning
- 2 Samuel 11:14-17) #5) ‘Indirect’ Murder
- - Instead of admitting fault, when Uriah doesn't fall into David's trap, David sends a letter that Uriah carries to Joab, his military commander.
- - The letter tells Joab to put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is worse, and then to have everyone else step back.
- - Joab follows David's command & sure enough, Uriah is stuck down & dies.
- 2 Samuel 11:26-27) #6) Pretending everything is okay
- - The final sin David has here is to go on pretending everything is okay.
- - When he hears that Uriah is dead, he takes Bathsheba as his wife and goes on as though nothing happened
- - Now he even looks like he's doing a good thing by marrying the poor, grieving widow after her husband tragically died in battle!
- - But, as v27 says... "God was not pleased..."

Nathan’s Rebuke:
- In God's displeasure, He sends Nathan, His prophet, to David to confront David in his sin.
- 2 Samuel 12:1-4: Nathan tells a story of a poor man who has very little in this world, mostly just a young ewe (female) lamb. The rich man next door, who has all sorts of lambs, takes the poor mans lamb & kills it to feed a guest.
- 2 Samuel 12:5-9
- - As king, David is also judge of his country & makes legal decisions as well as decides the punishment people deserve for their crimes
- - When David hears this story he is outraged! He demands that that man be put to death.
- - Nathan then tells David that HE (David) is that man! Nathan explains what God was saying, David had all he needed & if he wanted more he could have just asked God--but what David did with Bathsheba was a huge sin!
- 2 Samuel 12:10-14
- - David repents & seeks forgiveness (See Psalm 51 for the fullness of his repentance)
- - God does forgive him!
- - Yet, even when God forgives us of our sins, we still may suffer some consequences, David suffered three main consequences for this sin:
- - - There would always be fights and calamity in his household
- - - Someone would sleep with his wives in public, thus committing against him what he committed against Uriah & taking it a step further with public humiliation
- - - The child born to David & Bathsheba would die.

David’s Repentance:
- 2 Samuel 12:15-16
- - For days David mourns & cries out to God to change His mind about the child dying
- - David lies on the ground & will not eat anything at this time
- V18: However, God does not change this consequences & the child dies
- 2 Samuel 12:20-23
- - David responds very surprisingly to this, he stops mourning: getting off the ground, cleaning up, & putting on fresh clothes
- - His advisers ask him why, since usually people mourn before a death & not afterward.
- - David explains that he thought in his mourning God would change his mind, but since He didn't, what use is it to mourn any more? The dead child can't come back, but David will instead go to him.
- - - This relates to what some people call the 'Age of Accountability,' regarding the question, "What happens to a young child when they die?" The Bible doesn't give a clear answer to this, but many believe from verses like this one that a child will go to heaven when they die. Because, David went to heaven & he would 'join the child.'

- One quick note that we'll talk about next unit, David is known as a 'man after God's own heart;' what makes him different from most others is not that he does not sin, but that he truly repents of his sins afterward. See Psalm 51 for David's repentance.

Tue, Sep 13 - David's Victories & Kindness

2011-09-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Unit 1 Test!
- Memory Quiz 1a may be retaken until September 15 -- students who want to do this need to let me know via e-mail so I have a copy for them in the office.

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Unit 1 Test: The study guide is posted on RenWeb as an 'assignment' for this Friday. Check it out early this week & start studying! Let me know if you have any questions. Short answers are NOT discussed in class unless you ask about them!
- Devotion 1: Due Tuesday, September 20, let me know right away if you have any questions!
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4. Feel free to turn this in early. Make sure you re-read the instructions before doing so.

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal 1-9: Read 2 Samuel 6:12-23
- What does David choose to do now? Why?
- - Again he wants to take the Ark to Jerusalem
- - Because Obed-Edom's household is getting blessed for it; why not move that blessing into the capital city & hopefully bless all through it!
- How did David start off better this time?
- - He actually has it carried on the poles by the priests as it is supposed to be moved.
- - He also gives sacrifices to honor God during this move
- What unique thing does he do during this?
- - He dances... In a linen ephod... Somewhat like boxers.
- Who despises him for it?
- - Michal, Saul's daughter that he married
- - She complains & accuses him of being vulgar by dancing in the sight of the girls
- Summarize how David defends his actions.
- - He was dancing before God alone; and before Him he will become even more 'undignified' (humble)
- - He wasn't dancing before the maidens of Israel, they will still respect him

The Ark of God: Part 2 --- Review Journal

PICTURE: David Dancing at Ark (we also saw part of a video of this...)

The Temple of God:
- 2 Samuel 7:1-7
- - David seeks to build a Temple for God's Ark to be in; a beautiful building to honor God in
- - A New Character is introduced: Nathan the Prophet
- - Nathan at first says he can build the temple
- - - Then God tells Nathan that David's request is actually denied, but…
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16) God makes an important covenant with David!
- - Remember that a covenant is 'A promise between two parties/people that defines their relationship'
- - David's son (Solomon we find out later) will build a temple to honor God
- - Key to remember is that God promises that David's house will endure forever!
- - - This seems to be a lost promise in the future when Israel is destroyed, yet we see in the New Testament that Jesus is a son of David (through his mother & father), thus David's 'kingship' continues through Jesus & God's promise is seen to come true more powerfully than before known! (Jesus rules as a king over God's kingdom, forever)

Note on Chronicles: Some of you have read in 1 or 2 Chronicles while looking for a devotion passage, you may have noticed it talks about the same stories we've talked about here. We will, at a later date, look at why that is.

Victories of ‘David’: 2 Samuel 8
- David triumphs over: the Philistines (v1), Moab (v2), Zobah (v3), The Arameans (v5), Hadadezer (v8), & Edomites (v13)
- - David is a warrior king, bringing safety to his country & people
- Why was David so successful? 2 Samuel 8:13-15
- - V14, the LORD helped David wherever he went, and
- - V15, David acted with justice & righteousness for all his people

David’s Kindness:
- 2 Samuel 9:1-3, 6-7
- - David seeks to show kindness to Saul’s household for Jonathan’s sake
- - After asking around he finds out that Jonathan has one son still alive—Mephibosheth
- - Mephibosheth has been crippled since being a young child
- - David invites him into his palace & restores to him the inheritance of his grandfather Saul, showing kindness to one who could have claimed ownership of the thrown (being the grandson of the previous king)

More Victories!
- 2 Samuel 10:1-5
- - The Ammonite king dies & David sends some men to sympathize with the rulers in their lose
- - The Ammonites instead think David is trying to spy out the land and humiliate his friends!
- 2 Samuel 10:6-19
- - David is not pleased and the Ammonites learn this quickly...
- - Ammon hires Aram as mercenaries to help fight David
- - Joab & his Abishi defeat both of them
- - The Arameans choose not to team up with the Ammonites again

NOTE: Something added to the post on September 2:
Reviewing the Handout: Chapters 32-37: A New Friend Speaks
- Elihu: “God lets bad things happen to good people to purify them”
- Job 37:23-24)
- - Is v24 a question or a statement? (see c)
- - Elihu's argument had two main problems. He saw God as too distant & not personal
- Job: He doesn't have a chance to respond

Mon, Sep 12 - Job Ends & 2 Samuel 6

2011-09-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Unit 1 Test!
- Memory Quiz 1a may be retaken until September 15 -- students who want to do this need to let me know via e-mail so I have a copy for them in the office.

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Unit 1 Test: The study guide is posted on RenWeb as an 'assignment' for this Friday. Check it out early this week & start studying! Let me know if you have any questions. Short answers are NOT discussed in class unless you ask about them!
- Devotion 1: Due Tuesday, September 20, let me know right away if you have any questions!
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4. Feel free to turn this in early. Make sure you re-read the instructions before doing so.

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal 1-8: Read 2 Samuel 6:1-11:
Remember that the Ark was left abandoned during Saul’s reign after it was returned from the Philistines…
- On what did David move the Ark?
- - A cart carried by oxen
- What is wrong with that choice?
- - It is only supposed to be carried on poles by priests! David should have known better...
- What dramatic & tragic thing happened?
- - Uzzah touched the Ark when it looked like it may tip over
- Why do you think this happened? Various possible answers, but a few to highlight:
- - Disobedience: God made it clear in His Law that only people from a select group could touch the Ark. Uzzah, as a Levite, would know the Law & know he could not legally touch it. See Ex. 25:14-15 & Num. 4:15
- - Irreverance: The Ark represents the very presence and holiness of God. Humans are immoral and far from holy. God made it clear that He & His Ark are to be treated as set apart from common things. When Uzzah (an immoral human) touched the Ark he was treating as common what represented God's holy presence . Had the Ark hit the ground, that would have been 'okay' in that the ground has no moral value--David would have been embarrassed, but Uzzah would still be alive because he better respected God's holiness and God's Law.
- What are your thoughts on this? Various answers...
- How does David respond? He is both angry & fearful!
- What does God do for where the Ark stays, Obed-Edom’s place? He blesses Obed-Edom & all his family!

A New Testament Reflection: For Job, seeing & hearing God was enough, but...
- Job looked for some things that he never found:
- - Job 9:32-35 – An Arbitrator (between he & God)
- - Job 16:19-21 – An Advocate (in heaven)
- - Job 19:25-27 – A Redeemer (in the end)

- In the New Testament we see how Jesus fills these holes:
- - Romans 8:34, "Christ Jesus … is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
- - Hebrews 9:24," For Christ ... entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence."
- - 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
- - Hebrews 7:25, "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."

- Summarizing:
- - Jesus can save us completely--He is our Redeemer!
(By His life, death, & resurrection!)
- - He come before God the Father as our…
- - - Advocate (A person who pleads for or in behalf of another, an intercessor)
- - - Arbitrator (A person empowered to decide a dispute or settle differences)
- - - Intercessor (A person who pleads or petitions another on behalf of someone else to settle differences between them, to mediate)
- - - Mediator (A person who settles a dispute to reconcile differences)

Entering 2 Samuel 6-11:
- What section of the OT is this in? The Books of Samuel
- Title & Background: Named after Samuel (the last Judge, a Prophet, & the 'anointer’ of Israel’s 1st two real kings)
- Author: Anonymous (Samuel, Nathan, & Gad?)
- - Originally 1 book! (Like Kings, Chronicles, & Ezra-Nehemiah)
- Timing: The events take place right after the Judges
- Major Themes:
- - God is Lord over history
- - God’s plans are accomplished (even when humans fail)

Outline Samuel:
- 1 Samuel
- - 1-7) Samuel's Righteous Leadership
- - 8-15) Disobedient Saul
- - 16-31) Faithful David
- 2 Samuel
- - 1-4) David as king over Judah
- - 5-9) David’s Accomplishments & Glory
- - 10-20) David’s Weaknesses & Failures
- - 21-24) Final Reflections on David’s Reign

The Ark of God (Part 1): See the journal activity

Fri, Sep 9 - Job Concluded

2011-09-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Today was Memory Quiz 1b, Next Friday is your first Unit Test!
- Memory Quiz 1a may be retaken until September 15 -- students who want to do this need to let me know via e-mail so I have a copy for them in the office.

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Devotion 1: Due in about a week & a half (Tuesday, September 20), let me know right away if you have any questions!
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal: None given, students studied for their quiz.

The Deliverance:
- Chapter 42)
- - Job 42:1-6: Job’s 2nd response, two things to remember:
- - - He uses God's words
- - - He admits his ignorance (not knowing something), specifically he was talking about God more than he actually knew.
- Why doesn’t Job put his case before God? I asked the classes response for this, later I will give some of my own--specifically...
- - Simply seeing & knowing more about God gave him the confidence not to 'need' all the answers

The Deliverance: God Restores
Chapter 42:
- Job 42:7-9
- - Who is rebuked?
- - - Job's three friends--Eliphaz, Zophar, & Bildad
- - - God is angry with them because they did not speak what was right, as Job actually did!
- - God says that after Job prays for them, they will be forgiven
Job 42:10-13, 16-17)
- What does Job get back after all these bad things? Twice as many possessions as he had previously!
- How old did he live to be? 140 years (another reasons why we are confident he lived in the time of Abraham, that was about the same age Abraham & his children lived)
- And he lived happily ever after… But…

A Reflection on Job:
- What are we to learn through all this?
- Why do bad things happen to good people?
- - This is addressed a bit--maybe Satan is tempting us, maybe God is testing us
- - But is that the point?
- Why should I serve God when I suffer?
- - Or simply, “Why should I follow God?”
- - Remember what we see in chapters 38-42…
- - - We see God is Almighty, far above humanity and...
- - - We see God is also near: He hears, watches over, and cares for us!
- - This seems to be a bigger point than the first!

The Big Issues in the Book of Job:
- Why bad things happen to good people
- Following God even when suffering
- Enduring in hardship with faithfulness to God
- Having hope when things seem hopeless
- Holding to your integrity when everything is against it!

Thu, Sep 8 - God's Answer

2011-09-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: TOMORROW is Memory Quiz 1b: Job 19:25-27 (NIV, 1984)
- Memory Quiz 1a may be retaken until September 15 -- students who want to do this need to let me know via e-mail so I have a copy for them in the office.

Handouts Given: Memory Quiz 1a

Reminders:
- Devotion 1: Due Tuesday, September 20, let me know right away if you have any questions!
- Pre-Reading Form: Due Tuesday, October 4

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal 1-7:
- Read Job 39, part of God’s answer to Job
- - List all the animals mentioned on it’s own line
- - - Hawks/Eagle, Horse/Locust, Doe/Fawn, Mountain Goat, Ox, Wild Donkey, Ostrich/Stork
- - Next to the animal, write down what God sees &/or directs
- - - Many things you could put here!
- - What does this tell us about God?
- - - He is in charge
- - - He can see everything
- - - He knows all things
- - - He cares about His creation
- Read Luke 12:22-24 (Jesus is talking)
- - What does he point out about God based upon how He ‘sees & directs’ animals?
- - - God cares for the ravens, a simple bird--how much more does He care for us! We are much more valuable to God than a bird
- - How might this relate to Job?
- - - Perhaps helping Job see that God does see him, knows how hard things are for him, and will still care for him just as He cares for the animals
- - How might this idea comfort Job? Why?
- - - I'll leave this to your own reflection.

The Deliverance: God Answers! Continued...
- Job 38:19-21)
- - God asks Job & his friends where light/darkness goes & comes from; then ending with 'you know, right? You were born back then?"
- - We would call this sarcasm today... While some see it as always 'mean' or 'demeaning' there can be a good use to it--God would have that done
- - Here we see an expression of God's sense of humor! Humor is not a bad thing, although it can be used in bad ways.
- - Using sarcasm, God is getting Job & his friends to realize that they don't fully understand and know Him as they think they do.
- Job 39) See your journal for today

- Chapter 40-41)
- - Job 40:1-5) God pauses for Job's response...
- - - Job responds by saying he can't say anything or answer God
- - - - It seems he fears God so much and feels so humble at this point that He isn't learning what is needed.
- - - So, God goes into another speech!
- - Job 40: 6-14)
- - - God confronts Job with some very strong & even fearful words here!
- - - Job is encouraged to 'brace yourself like a man,' in essence, he isn't supposed to just back up in fear, but to listen and be ready to learn something!
- - - If Job learned from chapter 39, he hopefully knows that though God's words sound frightening, he can still trust He is going somewhere good in this speech!
- - Job 40: 15-24) The Behemoth is described. Possibly a Hippopotamus, an elephant, an alligator, or even a dinosaur? A beast who's power God had made--how much more powerful must God be!
- - Job 41:1-11) The Leviathan is described. This is a water beast (reference your Unit Handout, page 3). God describes His power in creating & controlling this beast--in contrast to how we cannot. All the more we can see His power here!

PICTURES: We saw a few pictures of art for what the Leviathan and Behemoth may have looked like.

Tue, Sep 6- Why Hardships? & God Responds

2011-09-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday is Memory Quiz 1b: Job 19:25-27 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts Given: Devotion Presentation Schedule (2011-2010, Quarter 1)

Reminders:
- Mt. Hermon Retreat: This is tomorrow! Please see today's school bulletin for final details.
- Devotion 1: Due Tuesday, September 20, let me know right away if you have any questions!
- Pre-Reading Form: This is due Tuesday, October 4

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal 1-6: Read Psalm 34:15-18.
- Why do you think God allows troubles to come on the righteous? Some answers we discussed...
- - It tests our faith (seeing if it is 'just talk' or real -- and it makes us stronger!
- - It helps us get closer to Him and other people who help us through them
- - It builds our character and shapes who we are (often our hard times are those things that seem most significant to us in helping us become who we are!)
- - We can use our experience to help others going through similar experiences
- Why do you think He then delivers the righteous from their troubles when they pray? Some answers we discussed...
- - Because He loves them
- - Because He promised to do so
- - Because He wants us to succeed
- - So that we can strengthen others through it
- How is God close to the brokenhearted. What does this closeness ‘look’ or ‘feel’ like? Some answers we discussed...
- - The Bible: It's like a letter from a friend that reminds us that they care about us--so the Bible reminds us who God is, how He cares for us, & that He will help us through our hard times
- - Other God-followers: Often God works through the church to encourage, build up, give wisdom, and comfort the brokenhearted.
- - Directly from God: God can also directly communicate with us! This is sometimes hard to notice and can sometimes confuse us where we wonder, "Wait... Was that my idea, or is this from God?" Sometimes a feeling, new insight or wisdom, and through other such things God will talk to us.

The Deliverance: God Answers!
- Chapter 38-39: Job & his friends thought they knew God; many people think they know everything about God, how He acts, what He will do if I do this, etc... Now, though, God truly introduces Himself to them!Now God truly introduces Himself…
- Job 38:1-7)
- - God answers Job out of storm
- - God 'answers' Job and his friends with questions!
- - - While this sometimes annoys people...
- - - This can have a great benefit to us:
- - - - It causes us to think more
- - - - Sometimes it shows us that we really do know the answer, we just have to think differently about it
- - - - We often remember things better when we answer questions 'on our own.'

Thursday we'll look more into this. What did God's questions cause Job to think about?

Fri, Sep 2 - Mem Quiz 1b Prep - Took Mem Quiz 1a

2011-09-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Next Friday is Memory Quiz 1b: Job 19:25-27 (NIV, 1984)

Handouts Given: Picture Day Form (Bring this on Tuesday!)

Reminders:
- Picture Day: This is on Tuesday, you have a dress down for it.
- Pre-Reading Form: This is due Tuesday, October 4
- Devotion 1: Due Tuesday, September 20, let me know right away if you have any questions!

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal: None given, students studied for their quiz

Reviewing the Handout: Chapters 32-37: A New Friend Speaks
- Elihu: “God lets bad things happen to good people to purify them”
- Job 37:23-24)
- - Is v24 a question or a statement? (see c)
- - Elihu's argument had two main problems. He saw God as too distant & not personal
- Job: He doesn't have a chance to respond

Memory Quiz Preparation: Introductory Discussion
- Your Verses: Job 19:25-27
- Note how Job is maturing in his faith in God through this book—
- What is his new hope? He has a Redeemer! (Different idea from an Arbitrator)
- - What does it mean to ‘redeem’? To 'buy something back'
- So, what is a ‘redeemer?’ Someone who 'buys something back'
- Who is Job’s redeemer? Remember, Job leaves Questions that the New Testament answer!
- - Job has a new hope here that he has a Redeemer!
- - Someone who would 'buy him back' from all these hard ships
- - He didn't have hope for an Arbitrator, although he desired one
- - Perhaps here we see a 'maturing' in Job's view & a strengthening of his hope?
- - He has a greater hope now that in the end he will be rescued.

Memory Quiz Preparation: The New Testament’s Redeemer
- Memory Quiz Question 1) Who does the New Testament say Jesus redeemed and what did He use to redeem?
- - Acts 20:28 (NIV) “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
- - Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) “In him we have redemption [to be redeemed] through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace”
- - 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV) “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect..”
- - Revelation 5:9 (NIV) “And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Memory Quiz Preparation: Summarized
- Your Verses: Job 19:25-27
- Your Questions: Based upon our class discussion & your personal reflection, use complete sentences to specifically answer:
- - 1) Who does the New Testament say Jesus redeemed and what did He use to redeem?
- - - Who? The people of God, aka the church
- - - What Used? The blood of Jesus, His sacrifice & death on the cross (that was the debt that we owed for our sins--it is the price that He paid!)
- - 2) What do the words ‘flesh’ and ‘skin’ emphasize about how Job will see his Redeemer?
- - - He will have an afterlife
- - - He will see His Redeemer (God) as a physical, real person (not just a spiritual being)

Thu, Sep 1 - Job's Maturing & Elihu

2011-09-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Tomorrow is Memory Quiz 1a: Job 9:32-35

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Book Report: Choose your book & purchase/borrow it as soon as possible!
- - Tomorrow September 2: I'd like to know what book you've chosen to get
- - Tuesday, October 4: The Pre-Reading Form is due
- Devotion 1: Start working on this! It is due Tuesday, September 20

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal 1-5:
- What if you were in Job’s shoes… How would you respond?
- - Would you continue to ‘fear the Lord’? (1:9)
- - Would you ‘curse God and die’? (2:10)
- - Would you admit guilt even if you couldn’t think of anything wrong that you did?
- - Would you do something altogether different? (Explain)
- - Why?

Fearing the Lord: Job 1:8 says that Job fears the Lord…
- What does it mean, ‘Fears God’? It means we have a reverence, respect, & honor for Him, listening & obeying what He says

A Character Review:
- Job: A Righteous Man (prosperous at 1st!)
- God: Sovereign in Heaven
- Satan: Meaning the Adversary or Accuser
- Wife: “Curse God and die!”
- His 3 Friends: Know their names (Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar,)
- - At 1st they don't say anything, mourning and sympathize with Job, comforting him with their presence
- - Then at 2nd they become fellow accusers! See below...

Job (part 2…) The Dilemma
- Chapters 15-31: The Debates Continue…
- - Job’s friends accuse him more severely/strongly
- - Job asks for God to defend him
- - Some key themes here that we'll look more at later include The Redeemer, Hope, & Integrity

- On page 2 of your handout, read the paragraphs & then write your answers next to them…
- - For (1): Why do you think Job didn’t curse God? Various answers...
- - For (12): Circle God’s qualities; Underline what He can do.
- - - Qualities: Wisdom, Power, Counsel, Understanding, Strength, Victorious, leads
- - - What He Can do: See above qualities & tear down, imprison, hold back waters, lets waters loose, owns deceived/deceiver, makes counselors wrong, makes judges fools
- - For (16): Notice how Job matures from (9) to (16)! Describe what he now trusts in.
- - - You can see he trusts in God much more!
- - - In chapter 9 he didn't believe he had an arbitrator, someone to help him in his struggle with God
- - - In chapter 16 he now has confidence in a witness in heaven (to testify on how Job is), an advocate on high (to appeal for Job), and an intercessor (to speak on his behalf)!
- - - What a change & growth of hope he is beginning to have!
- - For (19): How do you think Job can see his Redeemer ‘in his flesh’ after his ‘skin has been destroyed?’
- - - We will discuss this further tomorrow...

A New Friend:
- Read Job 32:1-14 & answer…
- - Why did Job’s friends stop debating? Job was righteous in his own eyes & they couldn't convince him otherwise
- - What is the name of the new friend? Elihu (Remember his name!)
- - Why didn’t he speak earlier? He was younger
- - What emotion is he feeling? Anger! Why? His friends were done and couldn't disprove Job; yet Job seemed to just justify himself and not God
- - If you had been silently sitting and watching this debate—How would you respond? Why? Various answers...

Wed, Aug 31 - Job 1-2

2011-08-31T07:26:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: THIS Friday, Sept 2, is Memory Quiz 1a: Job 9:32-35

Handouts Given: Unit Packet (White)

Reminders:
- Book Report: Choose your book & purchase/borrow it as soon as possible!
- - THIS Friday September 2: I'd like to know what book you've chosen to get
- - Tuesday, October 4: The Pre-Reading Form is due
- Devotion 1: Start working on this! It is due Tuesday, September 20

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal 1-4: Read through Job 1.

Re-Enacting Job 1 & 2 : Students took parts & we 'acted out' or 'dramatically read through' this

Job 1 & 2 Review:
- Job 1:1-5) Job: A rich, powerful, & holy man w/big family
- Job 1:6-12) The LORD: King in heaven; gave Satan (whose name means ‘Adversary’ or 'Accuser') gets permission to attack Job
- - KEY: Why did Satan ask for this? He accused Job of only following God because God blessed him. Satan said that if God removes his blessing to Job, Job will stop following Him, even cursing Him!
- 1:13-19) Job loses wealth, family, power!
- Job 1:20-22) Job responds: sorrow, but still follows and worships God! Job does not charge God with doing wrong
- - He says a key thing here, "The LORD has given, the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." He still chooses to bless God's name!
- - The song 'Blessed be the Name (of the Lord)' is from this.
- Job 2:1-8) Satan comes back & now gets permission to attack Job’s health
- - Why? He claims again that Job only follows God for the blessings, specifically his health
- Job 2:9-10) Job’s wife tells him to curse God & die
- - Job makes another key statement, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
- - Both this one and the one before emphasize the major question/theme of this book--Should I serve God even when I'm suffering?
- Job 2:11-13) Job’s friends come: Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, mourning w/him 7 days and effectively sympathizing with him--this is the best they do!

Job (part 2…) The Dilemma (In the midst of the storm…)
- No, Job was not in a literal storm, I use this as an 'symbol' of the hardships he encountered
- Reviewing the Handout for this section
- Chapter 3: Job breaks the silence--Read Job 3:1-10
- - He curses the day he was born!
- - You see a maturity in Job throughout this book, as he processes & works through His grief
- Chapters 4-7:
- - Eliphaz claims: “You’re being punished for sin”
- - Job asserts: “But I’m innocent!” (which we know is correct from the opening description of Job!)
- Chapters 8-10:
- - Bildad claims: “But you must deserve punishment”
- - Job asserts: “But I don’t!”
- - - It is in these verses that this weeks memory quiz lies, where Job longs for Arbitrator to come between He and God
- Chapters 11-14:
- - Zophar claims: “Stop sinning & pray for forgiveness!”
- - Job says: “I don’t understand why I’m being punished or what I did wrong.”
- - See Job 13:2-4, Job is rather upset with his friends at this point, calling them 'worthless physicians' and

Tue, Aug 30 - Mem Quiz Prep & Job Intro

2011-08-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: THIS Friday, Sept 2, is Memory Quiz 1a: Job 9:32-35

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Book Report: Choose your book & purchase/borrow it as soon as possible!
- - THIS Friday September 2: I'd like to know what book you've chosen to get
- - Tuesday, October 4: The Pre-Reading Form is due
- Devotion 1: Start working on this! It is due Tuesday, September 20

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal 1-3:
- Read: Job 9:32-35
- Note: Job is talking
- - The ‘he’ and ‘him’ in v32 refer to God
- - To ‘arbitrate’ is to solve an argument between people (like a ‘mediator’)
- Answer:
- - How has someone ‘arbitrated’ for you? Expand/Explain.
- - How did this help things for you?

The Book of Job: A Storm is Coming…
- Section: The Bible section that Job is in is "Poetry & Wisdom"

- Author: Unknown! It started as a verbal tradition (memorized and passed down from generation to generation)

- Title: Named after the main character, Job!
- - What does his name mean?
- - - Hebrew Meanings: "Persecuted One" (appropriate because he is attacked by Satan) or “Where is the Father” (appropriate because he often asks 'Where is God in my suffering?')
- - - - Perhaps the meaning of both of these was intended!
- - - Arabic Meaning: Repent (Appropriate because his friends keep telling him to repent!)
- - - If I test you, I'll likely look for 'Persecuted One' as the correct answer, or give you all three of the above ones plus a fake one and ask which isn't correct.

- Date: 2 things to look at…
- - When was the book written?
- - - Likely during the reign of King Solomon or King Hezekiah due to their love of wisdom literature
- - - However, we don't really know for sure!
- - When did the events in it take place? Likely during the time of Abraham, because...
- - - There is no mention of Israelite history or law
- - - Job lives a long life, like Abraham's day (cf. Job 42:16, 140 years!)
- - - Job's wealth is not measured by gold, silver, or other metals, but by how much livestock he owns. (like the Judges & their donkeys)

- Structure:
- - Dilemma of Job: Chapters 1-2
- - Debates of Job: Chapters 3-37
- - - The biggest chunk
- - - ‘Poetic’ debates
- - Deliverance of Job: Chapters 38-42

- Theme: But what is the Big Question that this book deals with? Two Possibilities…
- - "Why do bad things happen to good people?"
- - - This likely isn't the main point, though, as most of the book doesn't deal with this
- - - Certainly this question comes into play at times, but it doesn't seem central
- - "Why should I serve God when I suffer?"
- - - Reworded, "Why do we follow God: because He gives us things (like a comic Santa Claus) or because of who He is?"
- - - This seems more like the focus considering what Satan accuses Job of in chapter 1

Memory Verse Quiz Preparation:
- Your Verses: Job 9:32-35
- Your Questions: Based upon our class discussion & your personal reflection, use complete sentences to specifically answer:
- - First, note that Job brings up many questions that it does not fully answer!
- - - Many of Job's questions, though, are answered in/through the New Testament.
- - - Consider these two key verses that relate to Job's desire for an Arbitrator/Mediator:
- - - - Colossians 1:21-22, "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled (to bring you to peace, as an arbitrator would) you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—"
- - - - 1 Timothy 2:5-6, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time."
- - Who could arbitrate for Job?
- - - The New Testament makes it clear that we are enemies of God because of our sin. (Col 1:21)
- - - His 'wrath' is upon us (like Job thought God's 'rod' was upon him).
- - - Jesus ('God the Son') comes between us and the 'God the Father' to 'arbitrate' and brings us into a peaceful relationship with each other
- - - Remember how Genesis points out that our sin is what destroyed that peace to begin with...
- - How was this arbitration done?
- - - Jesus had to take the wrath of God off of us
- - - He did this by volunteering to suffer on our behalf--the punishment that belong to us (the 'rod of God' fell on Him)
- - - He arbitrated by suffering for us (dying on the cross for our sins). taking our penalty & allowing God to have a good relationship for us (because now our sin has been paid for, it was like a debt that had to be filled by our broken relationship & punishment)
- - - Simplest answer: He suffered for us and took our penalty from God away.
- - Therefore, how can our response be different from Job’s? A few different answers here...
- - - We can have confidence/trust/faith in our relationship with God
- - - We can be grateful
- - - Plenty of other answers are great--as long as you show good thought & an appropriate connection to these verses.

Mon, Aug 29 - Devotion Overview

2011-08-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

Fri, Aug 26 - Syllabus, Pre-Reading Form, Devotions

2011-08-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday, Sept 2 is Memory Quiz 1a: Job 9:32-35

Handouts Given:
- Instructions: Book Selection & Pre-Reading Form (Goldenrod colored)
- Pre-Reading Form (Green colored)
- Instructions: Written Devotion (Goldenrod colored)

Reminders:
- Quiz: Start studying for your quiz! I encourage you to take at least 30 minutes on Tuesday & Thursday to study for quizzes and tests.
- Book Report: Choose your book & purchase/borrow it as soon as possible!
- - Friday September 2: I'd like to know what book you've chosen to get
- - Tuesday, October 4: The Pre-Reading Form is due
- Devotion 1: Start working on this! It is due Tuesday, September 20

Instruction Time: Unit 1: Job & 2 Samuel 6-12
Journal 1-1:
- General directions for taking journals:
- - Take out a piece of paper
- - Write the Journal # & date at the top (Journal 1-1: August 23, 2011)
- Read Luke 10:38-42 (p 735), then answer:
- - What does this story seem to teach? Write down as many ‘things we can learn’ from this as possible (big or little)
- - Think of an example from your life that helps teach the same thing.

No more instructional time was given. We finished going through our Syllabus & then went through the handouts (above) for the Pre-Reading Form, Book Report & Devotions.

Thu, Aug 25 - Syllabus

2011-08-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday, Sept 2 is Memory Quiz 1a: Job 9:32-35

Handouts Given: None given

Reminders:
- Read the Parent-Student Handbook! (Found online at RenWeb), you are responsible to know this

Instruction Time: Unit 1

None given, we finished going through our Syllabus today.

Wed, Aug 24 - Paperwork & Introducing the Bible Quiz

2011-08-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

Next Test/Quiz: Friday, Sept 2 is Memory Quiz 1a: Job 9:32-35

Handouts Given:
- Class Syllabus (Keep this for the whole year, inside your notebook/binder, brought to class daily)

Reminders:
- Read the Parent-Student Handbook! (Found online at RenWeb), you are responsible to know this

Instruction Time: Unit 1

Introductory Bible Quiz:
1. N/A
2. What does the word ‘Bible’ mean?
From biblion, Greek for ‘Books’
3. What does the word ‘Holy’ mean?
Set Apart
4. What does the word ‘Testament’ mean?
Covenant, a promise between two people (or groups)
5. Instead of just being ‘a book’ the Bible is more like what?
Many answers can be given here! I said 'a library' because it's a collection of books, but it is also God's Word, and much more!
6. What are the names of the two big sections of the Bible? Old & New Testaments
- a. What happened to start the new section? Jesus was born!
- b. How many books are in the first of these sections? 39
- c. How many books are in the second of these sections? 27
- d. How many books total are in the Bible? 66
7. What version of the Bible do we use for this class?
NIV, 1984
8. Describe how you can find a book in the Bible if you don’t know where it is yet.
Use the Contents, on page vii
9. How does Hebrews 4:12 describe the Word of God (the Bible)?
- Living, Active, Sharp, Soul-Dividing, Judging thoughts & attitudes
- This means it is relevant to us today, it can affect how we live, think, and feel right now!
10. How does 2 Timothy 3:16 describe all Scripture (the Bible)?
- God-Breathed, useful to teach, rebuke, correct, & train
- This points out what the source of all Scriptures is--God Himself!
- This is a pretty bold statement, considering that 'all Scriptures' hadn't even been finished yet! Also, consider that all Scriptures were written over 2000 years by 40 different people, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents! It would definitely have to be a 'God-thing' for them to all agree & be what Paul is arguing here!
11. What does Psalm 19:10-11 say about God's Word?
It is sweeter than honey, more precious than gold, By following it we are warned to stay from evil & we are given a great reward!

After this we continued to read through our syllabus.

Welcome to Bible 8!

2011-07-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

Greetings All!

Welcome and congratulations on finding my class notes blog! I recommend that you bookmark this page (add it to your favorites) so that you can easily access it in the future.

On this blog you will find all sorts of helpful information for students & their parents. Nearly every day after school (by around 5pm) this blog will be updated based upon our classroom discussion and activities. To find a previous day of notes not on the front page anymore, use the 'Blog Archives' on the right to find the specific day required. You can also use the 'search' function in the top left white bar to find a specific word, type it in & press enter.

Were you absent one day?
Check back here to see what we talked about in class! Realize that all my Bible classes for this grade share this blog, so some things you missed may have been covered in yesterday's notes, too. Class Notes from each day of instruction will be found here.

Do you have a Memory Quiz to study for?
Find the quiz questions and our discussions on it posted here during the week prior to the quiz!

Do you have a Unit Test to study for?
Nearly always, whatever I will test you on has already appeared on the blog posts for that unit. About 5 days before the test, I will post a general study guide on RenWeb, use the previous blog notes, your class notes, your memory, handouts, and the Bible to start studying then. The day before a test I put on this blog a final review from our in-class review. Use this as a final review from your last 5 days of studying.

Do you think you missed an important reminder in class?
Key reminders given in class are posted at the top of each day's blog.

Please do remember, this blog does not replace RenWeb or in-class handouts--it compliments them. You will still need to regularly check RenWeb. Check RenWeb daily for assignment due dates, announcements, some handout digital copies, and other key information.

I wish you the best in the coming year ahead and look forward to joining you on your journey through it! Please feel free to e-mail me (see RenWeb or your syllabus for e-mail address) if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Mr. Ellis