Hosea 4:6 – We need to constantly refresh our knowledge of the Bible.

Creation, and the people begin to sin (Genesis 1-11)

• Genesis 1:1 – God created the universe.

• Genesis 1:26 – God created man.

• Genesis 3:6 – Even sins, followed by Adam. They are cursed and banished from the garden.

• Genesis 6:7 – Sin becomes so bad that God decides to flood the earth.

• God is in charge and people need a savior!

Abraham and three promises (Genesis 12-50)

• Genesis 12:7 – The three promises:

  • “I will make you a great nation” à Exodus 1:7

  • “To your descendants I will give this land” à Joshua 21:43

  • “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed” à Acts 3:26

• The 12 tribes of Israel

Deliverance from Egypt, Law of Moses, Canaan (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua)

• Egyptians begin to far the Israelites and enslave them.

• Moses leads them out of Egypt.

• Exodus 19:18; 20:1ff – God gives the law, which will stand for the next 1500 years.

• Joshua 3:17 – The people cross the Jordan river into the promised land.

United and divided kingdoms (Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles)

• Joshua 2:18-19 – The people enter a cycle with the judges.

• I Samuel 8 – The people demand a king.

• Saul, David, and Solomon each rules for 40 years.

• The kingdom divides after Solomon into Israel (north) and Judah (south).

• Israel is taken in Assyrian captivity (II Kings 17:6-18), followed by Judah into Babylonian captivity.

Captivity, return, and rebuilding (Ezra, Nehemiah)

• Ezra 1:1-4 – Cyrus proclaims that the people can return

• Ezra 7:10

Jesus and the good news (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

• Matthew 1:1-17

• Matthew 4:23-25 – Jesus preaches and works miracles.

• Matthew 27:33, 37, 50-54 – The Jews finally are angered enough with Jesus to demand his crucifixion at the hands of the Romans.

• Matthew 28:1-7 – Jesus rises from the dead.

• Matthew 28:16-20 – The great commission.

The New Covenant begins (Acts)

• Acts 1:1-8 – Jesus sends out the apostles.

• Acts 2:4, 22-23, 36-42 – The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and preached on Pentecost.

• Acts 11:26; 5:11 – Disciples are first called Christians, collectively known as the church.

The Bible tells the story of sin and of how to accept the lifeline that God provided.

II Corinthians 5:9-10 – We will answer to God in the end!

Jude 1:11

Genesis 4:3-8

The way of human opinion substituted for the way of the faith

• Hebrews 11:4

• Cain evidently knew what God wanted but went his own way.

• Matthew 15:8-9

• II John 1:9

• Galatians 1:6

The way of envy, hate, and intolerance toward those who adhere strictly to God’s Word

• Galatians 4:16

• Judge 1:10, 15-16

The way of willful contempt for divine authority

• Jude 1:8

The way of divine condemnation

• Genesis 4:11

• Judge 1:14-15

The way of eternal regret

Are you walking in the way of Cain or in the way of God and eternal glory?

I John 2:15-17

We need to sensitive ourselves to sin.

• Jeremiah 6:15; Ephesians 4:17-20 – These people had become callous to sin.

• Ephesians 5:3-6 – The immoral and impure will not enter heaven.

• I Kings 12:28; 15:25-26 – These types of sins tend to get worse with each generation.

We need to use the Bible as the standard of morality.

• Galatians 5:19-26

• II Peter 1:8

• When is the last time you changed because of something you read in the Bible?

We need to take courage! Brighter days are ahead.

• II Thessalonians 1:6

• Romans 12:2

• Let’s strengthen our trust in God and lead our families toward heaven.