Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
111111111
2
3
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
This Journal Belongs t o: _____________________________
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS:EPHESIANS: IDENTITY
Week 1: God's Purpose Fulfilled ? Ephesians 1:1?14
Week 2: Thankful & Prayerful ? Ephesians 1:15?23
Week 3: By Grace Alone Through Faith Alone ? Ephesians 2:1?10
Week 4: United in Christ ? Ephesians 2:11?22
Week 5: Mysteries Solved ? Ephesians 3:1?13
Week 6: Submitted & Strengthened ? Ephesians 3:14?21
Week 7: Body Building ? Ephesians 4:1?16
Week 8: New Creation ? Ephesians 4:17?32
Week 9: New Direction ? Ephesians 5:1?21
Week 10: Family Matters ? Ephesians 5:22?6:9
Week 11: Battle Plans ? Ephesians 6:10?24
ECCLESIASTES: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?
Week 12: A Definition of Vanity
Week 13: Why Are We Here?
Week 14: Wisdom v. Folly
Week 15: No Vanity in God
ADVENT: THE DAWNING OF THE NEW
Week 16: Promises Made
Week 17: Promises Remembered
Week 18: Promises Kept
Week 19: Promises Rejoiced In
5
INTRODUCTIONThe heart of PRSM is to "be disciples who make disciples." We can't do this without God's Word. We can't follow God without listening to Him and we can't listen to Him without hearing Him through His Word.
Below you will find the graphic that shows how we approach Scripture and how to read it. There are three easy steps!
1. READ: Read the text and ask, "What is it saying?"2. REFLECT: Look for clues in the text in order to understand what
it means. Who are the characters? What is the context? Why do they use certain words?
3. RESPOND: All Scripture is to be put into action in obedience. How can you apply it to your personal life where you are at?
I pray that this journal is fruitful for your walk with Christ and you grow in Him as well as one another!
-Patrick Meador, Student Pastor
6
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
Sample journal entry Read Colossians 3:1?11
T hose t hat have been r a ised wit h Chr ist should set t heir minds on t hings of heaven. Each Chr ist ian needs t o kill t he ear t hly , s inf ul par t s of him or her self . T hose aspec t s belong t o t he old self , not t he new self . T his means put t ing of f t he old self and put t ing on t he new self , r enewed a f t er our Cr eat or : J esus Chr ist .
Even believer s need t o int ent iona lly kill t he desir es of t he f lesh. Unt il we a r e in heaven, st r uggle wit h sin will be p r esent . We must const ant ly kill t his sin by put t ing of f t he old self and put t ing on t he new self , seeking t he t hings t hat a r e above. By put t ing of f t he old self and put t ing on t he new self , r enewa l comes. Renewa l comes as we seek and st r ive a f t er t he t hings t hat a r e above. T hr ough r edemp t ion in t he blood of Chr ist , a ll a r e one blood in Chr ist .
I need t o be int ent iona l in killing sin in my lif e. I must put of f my f or mer self , t he t hings t hat g lor if y myself but do not g lor if y G od. Af t er put t ing of f t he old self , I must put on t he new self , seeking t he t hings t he br ing G od glor y . Each day , I must ask myself t he quest ion of how I am doing t his.
7
Q & A- Who wrot e Ephesians? Paul- Who did Paul w r it e Ephesians t o? The church in Ephesus- When did Paul w r it e Ephesians? A.D. 62
Why did Paul w r it e Ephesians? John MacArthur says "This is a letter of encouragement and admonition, written to remind believers of their immeasurable blessings in Jesus Christ."
Ephesians was written to help disciples of Christ know who God is and know who we are in Christ. As we better understand who God is, we can better imitate God.
As Paul explains to us who God is, we can then understand who we are to be as we are to look more and more like God! This is how Paul helps us to understand our identity.
8
WEEK 1: GOD'S PURPOSE FULFILLEDOVERVIEW
This week you will begin to read through the book of Ephesians. We will spend 11 weeks on this litt le letter that Paul wrote. In the letter you will learn two main things:
1. Who God is2. Who you are to be
Paul helps us to focus on our IDENTITY in Christ rather than culture.
The goal of this week is to focus on the fact that God's purpose of salvation was fulfilled. God's plan was fulfilled by God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
DAY 1: Learn who wrote the letter and who it is written to, as well as how the letter is introduced.
DAY 2: Learn how we are a part of God's plan of salvation.
DAY 3: Learn that salvation is God's plan.
DAY 4: Learn that our salvation is sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit.
DAY 5: Learn how the passage as a whole weaves together and how God's plan of salvation is fulfilled in Christ.
9
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 1: DAY 1
Read Ephesians 1:1?2
August 13
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
10
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 1: DAY 2
Read Ephesians 1:3?6
August 14
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
11
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 1: DAY 3Read Ephesians 1:7?10
August 15
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
12
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
13
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 1: DAY 4Read Ephesians 1:11?14
August 16
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
14
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 1: DAY 5
Read Ephesians 1:1?14
August 17
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
15
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 1: DAY 6reflection
August 18
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses."
-Ephesians 1:7
16
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
17
WEEK 2: THANKFUL & PRAYERFULOVERVIEW
Last week you started reading through Ephesians and learned the fact that God's plan for our salvation was fulfilled in Christ on the cross. This week, we continue our study through Ephesians in Ephesians 1:15?23.
In these verses, Paul emphasizes the reasons we have to be thankful and prayerful as believers. Paul is thankful for us, because of how Christ has secured our salvation for us (as we learned in Ephesians 1:1?14).
As Paul is thanking God, he prays for his fellow brothers and sisters that God may grant them deeper understanding of who God is. In Paul's words, "I pray that the eyes of your heart be enlightened that you may know..." (Ephesians 1:18).
What are we to know? He lists a few things in vv. 18?19:
- "What is the hope of his calling"- "What is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the
saints"- "What is the immeasurable greatness of his power"
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn to be thankful?through prayer?for the faith of others.
DAY 3: Learn what we are to pray for others and what we are to know of God.
DAY 4: Learn of how God's power played out in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
DAY 5: Learn of how our thankfulness and prayers are tied to knowing God and His power.
18
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 2: DAY 1Read Ephesians 1:1?14
August 20
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
19
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 2: DAY 2Read Ephesians 1:15?16
August 21
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
20
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 2: DAY 3Read Ephesians 1:17?19
August 22
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
21
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
22
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 2: DAY 4Read Ephesians 1:20?23
August 23
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
23
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 2: DAY 5Read Ephesians 1:15?23
August 24
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
24
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 2: DAY 6reflection
August 25
"And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way."
-Ephesians 1:22?23
25
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
26
WEEK 3: BY GRACE ALONE THROUGH FAITH ALONE
OVERVIEWSo far, you have learned how God has fulfilled his plan through Christ for you to be saved and that we are to be thankful and prayerful for such a salvation!
This week, you will read Ephesians 2:1?10. Paul explains the fact that all Christians are not saved by earning our salvation, but salvation is by grace. The way that we access this salvation is through faith (Ephesians 3:12).
Paul makes a distinction of two stages of our lives:
1. We were dead in our sins2. We are now alive in Christ
The only way that we are now alive, is because of Christ dying on the cross for our sins and raising on the third day. Through Christ 's death and resurrection, God shows grace. Through our faith, we access God's grace and receive eternal life through the forgiveness of sins. So both we and God play a part here:
- God has grace- We have faith
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn of the previous life that we lived, before Christ.
DAY 3: Learn of what our new life in Christ is supposed to look like and how it is different from the previous life.
DAY 4: Learn how we are saved and what we are saved to do.
DAY 5:Learn of the author of our salvation, what He brings us from and what He brings us to.
27
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 3: DAY 1Read Ephesians 1:15?23
August 27
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
28
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 3: DAY 2Read Ephesians 2:1?4
August 28
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
29
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 3: DAY 3Read Ephesians 2:5?7
August 29
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
30
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
31
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 3: DAY 4Read Ephesians 2:8?10
August 30
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
32
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 3: DAY 5Read Ephesians 2:1?10
August 31
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
33
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 3: DAY 6reflection
September 1
"For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift?not from works, so that no one can boast."
-Ephesians 2:8?9
34
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
35
WEEK 4: UNITED IN CHRISTOVERVIEW
We are now in week 4 of our study in Ephesians. So far, you have learned:
1. God's purpose in salvation2. Be thankful and prayerful in what God does3. We saved by grace alone through faith alone
This week we will read Ephesians 3:11?22. Paul teaches us that all people, no matter what background they come from, are welcome to come to Christ in faith. No longer does one have to be a Jew in order to be a part of the nation of Israel, but all nations and ethnicities can come under the name of Jesus Christ! We are all UNITED!
In Paul's own words, "You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household" (Ephesians 2:19). We are now family, brothers and sisters!
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn of what life would have been like without Christ and without being a part of Israel.
DAY 3: Learn of how Christ has torn away all racial and ethnic distinctions in order to create "one new man."
DAY 4: Learn of how all Christians are part of God's household?the church?built together for the glory of God.
DAY 5: Learn of how all people, under the name of Christ, are united by the name of Christ.
36
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 4: DAY 1Read Ephesians 2:1?10
September 3
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
37
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 4: DAY 2Read Ephesians 2:11?12
September 4
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
38
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 4: DAY 3Read Ephesians 2:13?16
September 5
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
39
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
40
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 4: DAY 4Read Ephesians 2:17?22
September 6
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
41
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 4: DAY 5Read Ephesians 2:11?22
September 7
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
42
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 4: DAY 6reflection
September 8
"But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
-Ephesians 2:13
43
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
44
WEEK 5: MYSTERIES SOLVEDOVERVIEW
There are a lot of confusing things in the world. We ask questions like:
- Why does gravity work like it does? - Why are people so mean? - Is Elvis still alive? - Was the moon landing a hoax?- Is bigfoot real? Or the abominable snowman?
Why are these things confusing? The answer is simple! They are mysteries. Mysteries, left unsolved, are confusing. The gospel, until revealed in Jesus Christ, was confusing, because it was incomplete. Today, the gospel is still incomplete because Jesus has yet to return.
Paul, in Ephesians 3:1?13, helps us to understand that the gospel is no longer a mystery, but is now solved since Christ has revealed it to us! How awesome is that??
The mystery that was solved is actually very simple: All people can be saved, no matter what background, baggage, or anything else they bring to the table. The blood of Jesus is sufficient to cover all of it!
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn of what the mystery is that Paul says is now revealed.
DAY 3: Learn of the purpose of God now revealing his mystery, and how we can play a part.
DAY 4: Learn of what this revealed mystery means for us.
DAY 5: Learn what the mystery is, why it was revealed to us, what it means for us, and how we can play a part in it.
45
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 5: DAY 1Read Ephesians 2:11?22
September 10
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
46
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 5: DAY 2Read Ephesians 3:1?6
September 11
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
47
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 5: DAY 3Read Ephesians 3:7?11
September 12
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
48
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
49
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 5: DAY 4Read Ephesians 3:12?13
September 13
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
50
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 5: DAY 5Read Ephesians 3:1?13
September 14
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
51
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 5: DAY 6reflection
September 15
"In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him."
-Ephesians 3:12
52
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
53
WEEK 6: SUBMITTED AND STRENGTHENEDOVERVIEW
There are a lot of big things out in the universe that we cannot conquer or understand. Mankind has yet to reach Mars. Mankind has a lot to learn about our own oceans. There are new species of fish and animals discovered constantly. Doctors make new medical discoveries every day.
God is so far beyond mankind in power and wisdom that we struggle to understand Him. Even though we may not understand everything about Him, we are to submit to Him and His power and follow Him. He will extend his strength to us by filling us with His Spirit. But, we must first submit to Him.
This week, you will learn of our submission to God and our strengthening in God. To learn this, we must understand how powerful and mighty God really is, which Paul briefly covers.
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn of how we are to submit to God and be strengthened in Him.
DAY 3: Learn of the scope of God's love, and our part in it.
DAY 4: Learn of the might of God's power and His glory through His power.
DAY 5: Learn of how our submission to and strength in God is linked to His love and His power.
54
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 6: DAY 1Read Ephesians 3:1?13
September 17
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
55
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 6: DAY 2Read Ephesians 3:14?17a
September 18
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
56
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 6: DAY 3Read Ephesians 3:17b?19
September 19
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
57
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
58
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 6: DAY 4Read Ephesians 3:20?21
September 20
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
59
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 6: DAY 5Read Ephesians 3:14?21
September 21
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
60
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 6: DAY 6reflection
September 22
"To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
-Ephesians 3:21
61
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
62
WEEK 7: BODY BUILDINGOVERVIEW
Paul begins to pack a lot into the next half of Ephesians. Ephesians 4 is a rich chapter with a lot to learn and act on in our lives.
Let 's understand a shift that Paul takes in Ephesians. There are 6 chapters in this letter and they can be broken into two halves.
1. Chapters 1?3: Learning about God2. Chapters 4?6: Obeying God
As we enter chapter 4, Paul shifts from teaching us about God to calling us to obey God. He begins this as he says, "I... urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received" (Ephesians 4:1). He is calling us to obey everything that he has covered in chapters 1?3.
In Ephesians 4:1?16, Paul focuses on the body of Christ (the church) being built up in one God, so that we will give God the glory that he deserves by functioning as a unified body of believers.
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn how we are to work together as a body of believers with so much in common.
DAY 3: Learn that grace is given for us to utilize our gifts in the church.
DAY 4: Learn that all believers (saints) play a part in the life of the church.
DAY 5: Learn that the church?the body of Christ?is built up through Christ, for Christ. He does this by empowering Christians with His Spirit in order to grow as a body!
63
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 7: DAY 1Read Ephesians 3:14?21
September 24
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
64
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 7: DAY 2Read Ephesians 4:1?6
September 25
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
65
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 7: DAY 3Read Ephesians 4:7?10
September 26
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
66
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
67
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 7: DAY 4Read Ephesians 4:11?16
September 27
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
68
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 7: DAY 5Read Ephesians 4:1?16
September 28
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
69
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 7: DAY 6reflection
September 29
"But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head."
-Ephesians 4:15
70
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
71
WEEK 8: NEW CREATIONOVERVIEW
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!"
This passage is a litt le like an extended version of 2 Corinthians 5:17. Paul tells us that we are "new creations." But how are we to act as such? Ephesians 4:17?32 help us to understand how to do so!
First, as Paul says, "the old has passed away," we no longer live in our old lives.
Second, as Paul continues, "the new has come," we now live a life reflective of Christ. No longer are the works of the flesh what others see, but the fruit of the Spirit. We do this by putting away what is evil, and clinging to what is Godly!
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn of what our lives are no longer supposed to look like.
DAY 3: Learn of how we are to lay aside our old life, and seek a new one.
DAY 4: Learn of what our new life?in Christ?is to look like.
DAY 5: Learn of how we transform into the image of Christ, restored toward the original image of God in Genesis 1:26.
72
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 8: DAY 1Read Ephesians 4:1?16
October 1
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
73
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 8: DAY 2Read Ephesians 4:17?19
October 2
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
74
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 8: DAY 3Read Ephesians 4:20?24
October 3
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
75
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
76
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 8: DAY 4Read Ephesians 4:25?32
October 4
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
77
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 8: DAY 5Read Ephesians 4:17?32
October 5
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
78
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 8: DAY 6reflection
October 6
"Take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God's likeness in righteousness and purity of truth."
-Ephesians 4:22?24
79
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
80
WEEK 9: NEW DIRECTIONOVERVIEW
Imagine you were going on a vacation to Disney World, but had no idea where it was. How would you get there? You need a direction! A destination means nothing without a direction.
God has given us a direction to follow in order for us to "walk" in the right path. As Paul opens Ephesians 5, he says, "be imitators of God" (Ephesians 5:1). By following God, we imitate God. We have a clear direction to follow!
We further follow God according to His will, not our will. To do so, we have to understand what God's will is. How do we do that? We seek Him through the Holy Spirit, read His word, so He can be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Last week, we learned that we are a New Creation, but this week we learn that as a New Creation, we are given a New Direction.
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn of what it is to be an imitator of God.
DAY 3: Learn what the distinction between light and darkness is.
DAY 4: Learn what it is to understand God's will through the Spirit.
DAY 5: Learn how to have a New Direction by imitating God through following His will.
81
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 9: DAY 1Read Ephesians 4:17?32
October 8
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
82
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 9: DAY 2Read Ephesians 5:1?5
October 9
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
83
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 9: DAY 3Read Ephesians 5:6?14
October 10
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
84
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
85
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 9: DAY 4Read Ephesians 5:15?21
October 11
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
86
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 9: DAY 5Read Ephesians 5:1?21
October 12
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
87
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 9: DAY 6reflection
October 13
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord."
-Ephesians 5:8
88
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
89
WEEK 10: FAMILY MATTERSOVERVIEW
The last few weeks, Paul has helped us understand our new identity as a New Creation and our New Direction as well.
This week, we will begin to explore the dynamics of family life. A husband and wife is to reflect the church through their marriage. A parent and child is to reflect the relationship that we have with God. All relationships, are to reflect God's relationship with man in some form or fashion. Take this week to heart as you will one day be a parent, a wife, or a husband.
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn of how a marriage is to reflect the relationship of Christ and the church.
DAY 3: Learn of how parents and children are to relate to one another.
DAY 4: Learn of how servants serve their masters.
DAY 5: Learn of the order of family and how it reflects the relationship that God has with human kind.
90
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 10: DAY 1Read Ephesians 5:1?21
October 15
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
91
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 10: DAY 2Read Ephesians 5:22?33
October 16
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
92
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 10: DAY 3Read Ephesians 6:1?4
October 17
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
93
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
94
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 10: DAY 4Read Ephesians 6:5?9
October 18
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
95
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 10: DAY 5Read Ephesians 5:22?6:9
October 19
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
96
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 10: DAY 6reflection
October 20
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right."
-Ephesians 6:1
97
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
98
WEEK 11: BATTLE PLANSOVERVIEW
Paul closes his letter of Ephesians with a call to fight. He calls us to action. He calls us to war.
As he calls us to war, he describes the armor we are to put on in order to engage the enemy. This week, you will read about the Armor of God and how it can help you fight the good fight of faith that Paul mentions in another of his letters.
The very last day of reading this week will have you read the entire letter of Ephesians. I know that 's a lot, but it will be very rewarding to see how the entire letter weaves together after you have read it thoroughly over time!
DAY 1: Look back at the previous passage to gain the context of what is coming this week.
DAY 2: Learn who our enemy is, what we fight with, and how we fight!
DAY 3: Learn of the heart we are to have for one another in God.
DAY 4: Learn of the spiritual side of things, and how we have a spiritual family as well as spiritual enemy.
DAY 5: Learn how the entire letter of Ephesians weaves together and see the main points.
99
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 11: DAY 1Read Ephesians 5:22?6:9
October 22
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
100
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 11: DAY 2Read Ephesians 6:10?17
October 23
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
101
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 11: DAY 3Read Ephesians 6:18?20
October 24
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
102
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
103
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 11: DAY 4Read Ephesians 6:21?24
October 25
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
104
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 11: DAY 5Read Ephesians 1:1?6:24
October 26
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
105
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 11: DAY 6reflection
October 27
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil."
-Ephesians 6:11
106
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
107
Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon thousands of years ago. Solomon is trying to teach us something through this book. He is trying to tell us that there is more to life than what is offered here on earth. The question he sets out to answer is, "What is the meaning of life?"
What would you say? Is it fulfillment through winning games? Is it popularity? Is it success? Is it money? Is it boyfriends or girlfriends? What will life mean when the trophies shatter, when the boyfriend or girlfriend breaks up with you?
Only one thing, or person, will last for eternity: Jesus Christ! He is worth far more than all of these things! Solomon's words are important for us in the 21st Century. I hope you enjoy the journey through the book of Ecclesiastes! I know that I am excited!
108
WEEK 12: A definit ion of vanityOVERVIEW
Vanity is a word that our culture doesn't use very often. Many of you may not know what the word means. Here is a simple definition:
- Vanity: the quality of being worthless
Why is this such an important word? Because we need to understand that everything in the world is complete vanity in comparison to God. Consider these examples:
- Trophies are vanity compared to the crown of righteousness that God will give us
- Food is vanity compared to the Tree of Life that God will allow us to partake of in heaven
- Possessions are vanity compared to the possession of a relationship with the one, true God
Is there any vanity in your life that you are clinging to that you need to let go of?
This week, Solomon will helps us understand what vanity is and where vanity may be found in our lives.
DAY 1: Learn that all in the world, other than God, is vanity.
DAY 2: Learn that there is a vanity in wisdom.
DAY 3: Learn that there is a vanity in pursuing what we want over what we need.
DAY 4: Learn that there is a vanity in life.
DAY 5: Learn of the vanity of work.
109
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 12: DAY 1Read Ecclesiast es 1:1?11
October 29
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
110
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 12: DAY 2Read Ecclesiast es 1:12?18
October 30
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
111
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 12: DAY 3Read Ecclesiast es 2:1?11
October 31
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
112
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
113
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 12: DAY 4Read Ecclesiast es 2:12?17
November 1
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
114
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 12: DAY 5Read Ecclesiast es 2:18?26
November2
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
115
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 12: DAY 6reflection
November3
"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind."
-Ecclesiastes 1:14
116
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
117
Week 13: WHY ARE WE HERE?OVERVIEW
Last week, as we began to read through the book of Ecclesiastes, we explored the meaning of vanity. This week, we will explore more the question of "Why am I here?"
You may sometimes ask yourself what your purpose is in life, why you are on this earth, and then struggle to find a place to fit in. Solomon says that the only place that we fit in is in God's will. Everything else is worthless and will not bring happiness.
DAY 1: Learn of the fact that there is a time for all things to happen, that happen. Reflect on Romans 8:28 for this.
DAY 2: Learn of our purpose, those created for God and bringing His glory.
DAY 3: Learn that our lives are the length of a second on this earth, but we do have a part to play in God's plan.
DAY 4: Learn how we are to view the evil that is in the world.
DAY 5: Learn that it is not possession nor wealth that will bring joy.
118
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 13: DAY 1Read Ecclesiast es 3:1?8
November 5
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
119
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 13: DAY 2Read Ecclesiast es 3:9?15
November 6
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
120
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 13: DAY 3Read Ecclesiast es 3:16?22
November 7
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
121
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
122
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 13: DAY 4Read Ecclesiast es 4:1?3
November 8
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
123
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 13: DAY 5Read Ecclesiast es 4:4?16
November 9
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
124
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 13: DAY 6reflection
November 10
"I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him."
-Ecclesiastes 3:14
125
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
126
WEEK 14: WISDOM V. FOLLYOVERVIEW
We hope that you have been enjoying your journey through Ecclesiastes! You are now halfway through your time in the book, and will finish up next week.
Think through what you have learned so far and how you have grown in your relationship with God. Jot down on the line below what you have learned and how you have grown.
___________________________________________________________________
Let 's keep learning and growing! This week, we will see the distinction that God makes between wisdom and folly, and what that means for our lives.
DAY 1: Learn that we are to fear God and what that means for our lives.
DAY 2: Learn that all money and status we can attain is vanity.
DAY 3: Learn of the difference between wisdom and folly, and how they play out in the lives of man and woman.
DAY 4: Learn of the result of the heart that fears God.
DAY 5: Learn that God has revealed just enough of His will to us in order to obey Him, but we do not know all things.
127
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 14: DAY 1Read Ecclesiast es 5:1?7
November 12
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
128
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 14: DAY 2Read Ecclesiast es 5:8?6:11
November 13
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
129
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 14: DAY 3Read Ecclesiast es 7:1?29
November 14
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
130
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
131
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 14: DAY 4Read Ecclesiast es 8:1?13
November 15
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
132
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 14: DAY 5Read Ecclesiast es 8:14?17
November 16
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
133
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 14: DAY 6reflection
November 17
"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong."
-Ecclesiastes 5:1
134
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
135
WEEK 15: No Vanity in godOVERVIEW
You are now on the final week of reading through the book of Ecclesiastes. Do you remember the goal of our study through this book? To discover the meaning of life!
What do you think Solomon has told us the meaning of life is? Write it in the line below:
___________________________________________________________________
This last week will carry quite a bit of information, so there will be no main theme for the week. Remember, as we began reading through Ecclesiastes, we looked at the word, "vanity." Do you remember what it means? You may flip back to the week 11 intro to find out. Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes closes the book by referencing his main theme of vanity and then calling the reader (you and me) to "fear God and keep his commands" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
We hope you have learned something through this journey and look forward to the next few weeks of this journal!
DAY 1: Learn that good things can happen to bad people, bad things can happen to good people, and what we need to know about it.
DAY 2: Learn that wisdom is better than power.
DAY 3: Learn that even though we cannot understand God, He is the only One who is not vanity.
DAY 4: Learn that everything is meaningless apart from God.
DAY 5:Learn that we should fear God and keep His commandments.
136
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 15: DAY 1Read Ecclesiast es 9:1?10
November 19
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
137
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 15: DAY 2Read Ecclesiast es 9:11?10:20
November 20
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
138
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 15: DAY 3Read Ecclesiast es 11:1?10
November 21
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
139
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
140
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 15: DAY 4Read Ecclesiast es 12:1?8
November 22
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
141
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 15: DAY 5Read Ecclesiast es 12:9?14
November 23
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
142
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 15: DAY 6reflection
November 24
"The righteous, the wise, and their works are in God's hands."
-Ecclesiastes 9:1
143
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
144
I am sure Advent is a new word for you. You may be wondering, "What does it mean?" Well, even though its a foreign word, it has a simple meaning.
- Advent: "coming" or "arrival"
Advent is a time in the life of the church, leading up to Christmas, that we focus on and rejoice in the birth of Christ as the beginning of the greatest act of love that has ever taken place, a man dying on the cross for the sins of the world.
Without the birth of Christ, we could not have the cross of Christ. Without the birth of Christ, we would not have the Savior that we need. Without the birth of Christ, we would still be dead in our sins and trespasses.
Our journey through Advent will look at prophecies about the birth of Christ and then the actual accounts of the birth of Christ. We pray that you not only grow in what you know about God, but that you grow in how much you know God personally!
145
WEEK 16: PROMISES MADEOVERVIEW
Advent will be our final study for 2018. You will receive your new journal for Spring 2019 in just a few weeks, so finish strong!
Remember, Advent means "coming" or "arrival." We are subtitling our Advent series "The Dawning of the New," because it is the newness of Christ in the world that brings hope, joy, and love to fulfillment!
The study will be broken down into four sections:
1. Promises Made2. Promises Remembered3. Promises Kept4. Promises Rejoiced In
This week, we will be focusing on Promises Made in the Old Testament. These will be prophecies about Christ 's birth, death, and resurrection.
DAY 1: Learn of the initial promise of the gospel, at the very beginning of Scripture.
DAY 2: Learn that Jesus will be a prophet, where He will be born, who He would be born through, and that he will have an eternal throne.
DAY 3: Learn of some of His tit les and roles He would fulfill.
DAY 4: Learn how He would come into the Holy City, approaching the time of His crucifixion.
DAY 5: Learn of how He takes the sin of the world.
146
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 16: DAY 1Read Genesis 3:15; 12:3; Galat ians 3:8
November 26
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
147
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 16: DAY 2Read Deut eronom y 18:15; Micah 5:2;
Isaiah 7:14; 2 Sam uel 17:6
November 27
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
148
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 16: DAY 3Read Isaiah 9:2?7
November 28
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
149
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
150
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 16: DAY 4Read Zechar iah 9:9?10
November 29
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
151
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 16: DAY 5Read Isaiah 52:13?53:12
November 30
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
152
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 16: DAY 6reflection
December 1
"But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities punishment for our peace was on him,and we are healed by his wounds."
-Ecclesiastes 53:5
153
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
154
WEEK 17: PROMISES REMEMBEREDOVERVIEW
Last week you looked at the prophecies that foretold the birth of Christ as well as His death. These prophecies may have been made hundreds and even thousands of years before His birth. Promises need to be reiterated sometimes for people to remember them.
This week, you will see these promises remembered as an Angel approaches certain characters in the Bible and tells the how these promises will come to fulfillment.
DAY 1: Learn of the prediction of John's birth.
DAY 2: Learn of the prediction of Jesus' birth.
DAY 3: Learn of Mary visiting Elizabeth, the woman who would give birth to John the Baptist.
DAY 4: Learn of the birth of John the Baptist.
DAY 5: Learn of what John the Baptist 's role is and how the prophecies in the Old Testament are beginning to reach fulfillment.
155
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 17: DAY 1Read Luke 1:5?25
December 3
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
156
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 17: DAY 2Read Luke 1:26?38
December 4
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
157
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 17: DAY 3Read Luke 1:39?56
December 5
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
158
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
159
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 17: DAY 4Read Luke 1:57?66
December 6
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
160
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 17: DAY 5Read Luke 1:67?80
December 7
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
161
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 17: DAY 6reflection
December 8
"For nothing will be impossible with God."
-Luke 1:37
162
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
163
WEEK 18: PROMISES KEPTOVERVIEW
As God makes promises, we learn through Scripture that not one word of the Lord ever fails. If you don't believe me, check out these Scriptures: Joshua 21:45; 23:14; 1 Kings 8:56. What God has promised, He will accomplish. God does not lie. God does not over-promise and under-deliver. God always over-promises and over-delivers!
The first week of Advent, we looked at the promises that God made in the Old Testament. Last week, we looked at God bringing those promises close to fulfillment. This week, we will see God fulfill those promises.
As we read of the account of the birth of Christ, I encourage you to read with an open heart, seeing the love that God had for you as He sent Christ into the world. Read it with these words in mind, "For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in hi will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
DAY 1: Learn of Jesus as the Word of God, bringing light to the world.
DAY 2: Learn of the birth of Jesus.
DAY 3: Learn of how we are to rejoice in the birth of Jesus.
DAY 4: Learn of the excitement that surrounded the birth of Jesus.
DAY 5: Learn of the value of the birth of Jesus, and the fact that we are to bow in worship of Him!
164
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 18: DAY 1Read John 1:1?18
December 10
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
165
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 18: DAY 2Read Mat t hew 1:18?25; Luke 2:1?7
December 11
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
166
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 18: DAY 3Read Luke 2:8?20
December 12
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
167
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
168
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 18: DAY 4Read Luke 2:21?38
December 13
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
169
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 18: DAY 5Read Mat t hew 2:1?12
December 14
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
170
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 18: DAY 6reflection
December 15
"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
-John 1:14
171
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
172
WEEK 19: PROMISES REJOICED INOVERVIEW
I hope you remember what Advent means as this point! It means "coming" or "arrival." It specifically refers to the coming and arrival of Jesus. He did not arrive as a normal person, but in all kinds of supernatural situations. He was born of a virgin. His birth was predicted by an angel. He was God who had taken on flesh. He was predicted to save the world of all the sins of all t ime. Who could this be? He was and is the Messiah!
This final week, we will explore a few passages that show us what Jesus' birth on earth means for us. You will see what it means for you!
DAY 1: Learn of what Jesus' love means for us.
DAY 2: Learn of what Jesus came to take away and destroy. There is a lot of hope in these verses.
DAY 3: Learn of the object and accomplishment of Jesus' love.
DAY 4: Learn of how Jesus' birth fulfills what has been prophesied in years past, and how it brings fulfillment to people in years future.
DAY 5: Learn that Jesus is the living bread, and if we partake, we carry life for eternity.
173
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 19: DAY 1Read John 3:16; 1 John 4:9
December 17
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
174
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 19: DAY 2Read 1 John 3:5, 8
December 18
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
175
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 19: DAY 3Read Luke 19:10
December 19
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
176
Wednesday Night NotesMessage Them e: _______________________________
Passage: ________________________________________
177
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 19: DAY 4Read Act s 3:22?26
December 20
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
178
COMPREHENSIONWhat does it say?
INTERPRETATIONWhat does it mean?
APPLICATIONWhat is it telling me to do?
WEEK 19: DAY 5Read John 6:51
December 21
READWhat does it say?
REFLECTWhat does it mean?
RESPOND How should it change me?
179
REMEMBERWhat have you learned this week? How does it apply to
your life? How are you going to live it out?
PRAYWhat has this week prompted you to pray for?
MEMORIZE
WEEK 19: DAY 6reflection
December 22
"For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost."
-Luke 19:10
180
NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS
181
CONGRATULATIONS!!
You have made it to the end of the journal. Nineteen weeks, a few books of the Bible, and a lot of Jesus! The process of writing and developing this journal has been fruitful for me, I pray that using it has been nourishing and fruitful for your soul. Take a few minutes and reflect on these past months through the journal by answering these questions:
What did you expect as you began t h is journal?
What have you learned over t he course of t he journal?
How have you grown in your relat ionship w it h God?
How has your prayer l i fe been im pact ed?
How has your t im e in God's Word changed?