Presented at The Spruce Pine church of Christ
Meeting at:
108 McHone Road
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
By: John Cripps
Your part in this study will be to give your children ten to twenty minutes of study each day, five days a week. Each day study one DAILY STUDY selection from the next Sunday's lesson, thereby covering all five DAILY studies each week. It is suggested that you use the Memory Work the first day, so it may be learned through repetition the following days.
To assist you in relating the verses to the coming Sunday's class, these lesson outlines are provided to you in advance for the entire 13 weeks.
DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN DOWN . . . . . . Set aside a certain portion of each day for Bible study (such as each evening after supper). Make it a Habit and be Consistent, and your children will reap the benefits the rest of their lives. The remembrance of these few minutes will cause them to be thankful always.
Each child will be given credit in class each week for memory work and participation in all five DAILY STUDIES. This recognition is arranged so that he may make up any previous week's work missed when absent.
We would like to give credit to the author(s) of the material contained in this quarter's lessons, if we knew who to credit. The material has been passed around among various congregations, with each one editing it for its own teaching program. We have made our own changes where we felt it would improve the material -- Edward O. Bragwell
The purpose of this series of lessons is to impress on the mind of man the Eternal Purpose and concept for God's scheme of redemption for mankind. We will study God's plan in its five chronological parts as shown in the index below. This index is to aid you in associating each lesson in its proper sequence in the overall plan.
WEEK MEMORY WORK LESSON TITLE
PLANNING BEFORE THE BEGINNING
1. Eph. 1:4 The plan designed before the world.
PATRIARCHAL AGE - EARLY PREPARATION
2. 1 Cor. 15:22 The plan from Adam to the flood.
3. Gen. 12:3 & Gal. 3:8 God's covenant with Abraham.
4. Rom. 9:9 The covenant continues through Isaac and Jacob.
MOSAICAL LAW - FINAL PREPARATION
5. Joshua 21:42 Israel - Nation of promise
6. Psa. 89:4,5 God continues the covenant with difficulty
7. Luke 1:76 God sent John to prepare the way for the Messiah
THE CHURCH - PLAN IN ACTION
8. Heb. 8:6 Jesus was the Messiah God promised.
9. Acts 3:18 Jesus taught and died for the kingdom as planned
10. Col. 1:23 The apostles in God's plan.
11. Rev. 1:5,6 The Kingdom - God's plan now in action.
HEAVENLY KINGDOM - THE PLAN FULFILLED
12. 1 Cor. 15:54 The promise of God completed.
13. Heb. 4:11 Review
Course Title: God's Scheme of Redemption
Lesson Title: The Plan Designed Before the World
Memory Verse: "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." -- Eph. 1:4.
God planned the kingdom of Christ before the earth was made.
1. God purposed that all things would lead up to the time of Christ, be "summed up" (probably means "to bring all things together under Christ) in Christ. (Eph. 1:9,10; Col. 1:18,19).
2. God planned to save man by the blood of Christ. (1 Pet. 1:18-21; Eph. 1:6-9).
3. When this eternal plan for the church, centered around Christ became a reality, it revealed the "manifold wisdom of God" even to the angels. The wisdom of God's eternal plan is now displayed in the preparation and building of Christ's church, the perfectly designed institution. (Eph. 3:9-11).
God's plan was designed to make us a fit heritage for Himself.
1. God purposed in his plan to obtain a heritage of righteous souls. This is all he will receive from his entire work. (Eph. 1:18; Gal. 4:4-6).
2. The final purpose of God's planning and work is the deliverance of the kingdom to himself in heaven. (1 Cor. 15:24). All other people will be punished (Matt. 25:41-46; Rev. 20:11-15); and the universe destroyed. (2 Pet. 3:9-12).
God chose our way of life before the foundation of the world was laid.
1. He foreordained that people should conform to the image of his son. (Rom. 8:29). Note the meaning of "foreordain", "predestinate": To appoint something before hand to a specific use, purpose, or condition. Derived from two words, "before" and "to define", the latter word originating from "a boundary". The pattern of living was predetermined by God for all Christians. In like manner a rancher may "foreordain" the plans for his ranch before building it. He determines the bounds, purpose, and use of areas, and what animals will live and be cared for there.
2. God planned that those in Christ were to be "holy and blameless". (Eph. 1:4).
God predetermined that those faithful to him would have an inheritance.
1. God purposed that we should have an inheritance and promised the Holy Spirit as a pledge of His fulfillment. (Eph. 1:11-14).
2. The Christian, as God's adopted child, (Eph. 1:5), will inherit a crown of righteousness, eternal life, etc. (2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:1-7).
God planned for all things to be built by Christ and for Him.
1. All things were to be built and maintained through Christ. (Col. 1:15-17).
2. All things were created by Christ and for His pleasure. (Rev. 4:10,11).
3. Since God was the designer and Christ the builder, this was a joint effort. (Note Gen. 1:26, "Let us make man..." and John 1:1-4).
4. The Spirit also had a part in the creation. (Job 26:13).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: The Plan From Adam To The Flood
Memory Verse: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive." -- 1 Cor. 15:22.
According to his plan, God created Adam and Eve and purposed that they should be the beginning of all mankind.
1. Adam and Eve were to serve God in the garden he had prepared for them. (Gen. 2:8,9,15-17).
2. God planned for them to have children and begin having dominion over the earth by subduing it. (Gen. 1:26-28).
Adam and Eve committed the first sin and evil with its results were introduced on the earth.
1. They disobeyed the covenant they had with God by eating the forbidden fruit. (Gen. 3:1-6; Hosea 6:7).
2. The result of the sin was that they acquired the knowledge of evil. (Gen. 2:17; 3:7-11,22).
Adam's sin affected all mankind and brought the need of a Savior.
1. Their sin caused them to die (be separated) to God that day. (Gen. 2:16,17; Isa. 59:2).
2. It also caused physical death to come upon all mankind. (Gen. 3:22-24; Rom. 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 15:21,22).
3. Their sin caused a permanent hardship on themselves and all their descendants. (Gen. 3:16-19). Note: The terrible close of only a single sin.
4. God gave the first glimpse of his plan for man's salvation and the future punishment of Satan. (Gen. 3:14,15).
After about 1500 years the terrible wickedness of Adam's descendants caused God to destroy the earth and start mankind over.
1. Men multiplied and became very wicked. (Gen. 6:1-3,5).
2. God changed his mind and planned to destroy the earth and begin anew with the one righteous man, Noah, and his family. (Gen. 6:6-19; 7:4-7; 17-24; Heb. 11:7).
God established a new covenant with mankind through Noah.
1. Noah and his sons were told to replenish the earth and have dominion over it. (Gen. 9:1-7,18,19).
2. God promised in his covenant with Noah not to destroy the earth again by water. The rainbow is his sign of this promise. (Gen. 9:8-17).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: God's Covenant With Abraham
Memory Verse: "And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Gen. 12:3.
About 1500 after the flood, God selected Abraham to make an everlasting covenant with him.
1. A covenant is a promise or agreement made between two parties whereby either party violating the agreement releases the other party from fulfilling his portion of the agreement.
2. The covenant God made with Abraham is the CENTRAL point in the Bible's history of God's dealing with man before the birth of Christ. All the historical events in the 2000 year period, from Abraham to Christ, result from this covenant.
3. The three-fold promise to Abraham contained in the covenant presents the plan for an exalted nation, a land for the that nation, and constitutes the earliest revelation of the family through which "the seed of woman" (Gen. 3:15) would triumph over Satan. (Gen. 12:1-3).
4. Abraham's part in this everlasting covenant was to leave his land for one God would show him, and that Jehovah would be the only God for himself and his descendants forever. (Gen. 17:7). Abraham believed God and kept his part of the covenant. (Heb. 11:8-12).
The first part of God's promise to Abraham.
1. God began through Abraham to prepare a nation from which he would establish his kingdom on earth through Christ.
2. This nation was to be as numerous as the dust of the earth and the stars of heaven. (Gen. 13:16; 15:5).
3. When Israel crossed the Red Sea there were 603,550 men over 20 hears old. (Ex. 38:26 - Ex. 12:37 "about six hundred thousand") Many nations came through Isaac and Ishmael.
4. For this reason Abraham is recognized as the father of Israel. (John 8:33; Luke 3:8; Acts 7:2; Acts 13:26).
The second part of God's promise to Abraham.
1. When Abraham returned from Egypt God repeated his "seed promise" and also promised to give Abraham and his seed all the land Abraham saw. (Gen. 13:14-17)
2. The land would be received after Abraham's seed had served another nation four hundred years. (Gen. 15:12-16; Acts 7:2-8).
3. The land to be received was all the land of Canaan. (Gen. 17:8).
4. The book of Joshua tells of the division of the land among the tribes and verifies that God gave Israel all the land he had promised their fathers. (Josh. 21:43-45).
The third part of God's promise to Abraham.
1. Through one of Abraham's descendants (seed) in this promised nation, God promised to bless all families of the earth. (Gen. 12:3; 22:18).
2. Christ was the seed that became the fulfillment of this promise. (Acts 3:25-26; Gal. 3:16).
3. We who are believers in Christ having now received the blessings of the promise are called "sons of Abraham". (Gal. 3:6-9, 28, 29).
The covenant with God was to continue through the descendants of Abraham.
1. The sign of this covenant was circumcision and it was given to Abraham and all his descendants. (Gen. 17:7-14, 22-27).
2. Today one must be circumcised spiritually. (Gal. 5:6; Col. 2:11; Rom. 2:28, 29).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: The Covenant Continues Through Isaac and Jacob
Memory Verse: "...At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son." -- Rom. 9:9
God's covenant to Abraham continues through Isaac.
1. In their old age, Sarah bare Abraham a son, that God's promise might be fulfilled for a descendant to continue the covenant. (Gen. 17:19; 21:1-5).
2. God had Abraham separate his first son by the handmaid, Hagar, from his son by Sarah. His plan was to continue his promise of the "seed to come" through Isaac. (Gen. 21:9-13).
3. God promised to bless Abraham's son, Ishmael, and make of him a great nation. His descendants began twelve nations, which are among today's Arabs, thus this promise to Abraham and Ishmael was fulfilled. (Gen. 17:20; 21:13-21).
Abraham dies and God continued to bless Isaac.
1. Abraham died. (Gen. 25:7-11).
2. Before his death Abraham sent his servant back to the city of Nahor to get Isaac a wife. (Gen. 24).
3. God spoke to Isaac and promised to continue his plan for a great nation through him, as he had promised his father. (Gen. 26:1-5, 12-14).
God planned to continue the promise through Isaac's son, Jacob.
1. God gave Isaac two sons and promised to continue the covenant through the younger twin, Jacob. (Gen. 25:20-23).
2. Jacob deceived his father into giving him the blessing belonging to the oldest son, as prophesied by God at their birth. (Gen. 25:27-34).
3. God's purpose was served through Abraham, Isaac, then Jacob. (Rom. 9:6-13).
God blessed Jacob and began the nation of Israel through his twelve sons.
1. Jacob's name was changed by God to "Israel", meaning "striving with God". The angel that Jacob wrestled with changed Jacob's name. (Gen. 32:24-28). God confirmed the change and promised to continue Abraham's covenant through his descendants. (Gen. 35:10-12). Jacob's descendants from that day have been called "Israel" after this new name.
2. The twelve sons of Jacob formed the twelve tribes which comprised the nation of Israel. (Gen. 49:1,2,28; Acts 7:8).
3. Of the twelve sons, Judah was planned to be the ruling tribe, and through this tribe would the promise of the Messiah come. (Gen. 49:10; Heb. 7:14).
God chose the land of Egypt for the children of Israel to live in and multiply into a nation as the next step in his plan.
1. God made a famine which caused Israel and his sons' families to settle in Egypt. (Gen. 41:54-57; Psa. 105:8-25).
2. God prepared Egypt for the sons of Israel by sending Joseph first. (Gen. 37:27,28; Acts 7:8-15; Gen. 45:4-8).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: Israel - Nation of Promise, Founded
Memory Verse: "So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it." - Josh. 21:43
God chose Moses to fulfill his plan by leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.
1. God appeared to Moses and instructed him to return to Egypt and lead the children of Israel out of bondage. (Ex. 3:1-10).
2. Moses and Aaron appear before Pharaoh to obtain Israel's release. Pharaoh refuses and ten plagues are brought upon the land. (Ex. 7-11).
3. God releases the Israelites from bondage and leads them to the land promised Abraham. (Acts 7:17-36).
This new nation received a special law from God to help prepare for the coming "seed".
1. The Law, based on the ten commandments, were given to Moses at Mt. Sinai (Mt. Horeb). (Deut. 5:1-5).
2. The Law was added to the children of Israel because of transgressions, and was only to be binding until the Messiah would come to fulfill the rest of God's covenant with Abraham. (Gal. 3:16-19; Rom. 4:13).
3. The Law of Moses was imperfect. (Heb. 7:18,19) and could not justify (remove guilt). (Heb. 10:1; Acts 13:39).
4. This law was to be replaced by a better law. (Jer. 32:31-34; Heb. 8:8-13).
Because the children of Israel disobeyed, God caused them to wander 40 years in the Sinai wilderness before entering the Promised land.
1. The people did not trust God and were afraid to enter the land. (Numbers 14:2-4).
2. God sought to destroy Israel for their refusal to obey and proposed to make a new nation of the family of Moses. (Num. 14:8-16).
3. God pardoned the people as Moses asked, but promised to cause all of those over the age of 20, but two, to die in the wilderness before the promised land was entered. This is why Israel wandered forty years in the Sinai wilderness. (Num. 14:20-34).
The descendants of Abraham moved into the land promised Abraham about 1500 B.C.
1. God warned Israel against further disobedience. (Deut. 7:7-12).
2. Moses will die and not enter the promised land. (Num. 27:12-14; Deut. 32:48-52).
3. God chose Joshua to lead the people into the promised land and dispose the nations there. (Josh. 1:1-8; 21:43-45; Acts 7:45).
All other nations (Gentiles) continued under God's existing laws.
1. All nations and people have been held accountable to recognize God's eternal power and divine nature by observing the natural things about them. (Rom. 1:18-23).
2. Gentiles who did by nature the things contained in the law were therefore held accountable to their own conscience. (Rom. 2:11-16).
3. Now both Jew and Gentile are accountable to the law of Christ through which they may be reconciled to God. (Eph. 2:11-22).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: God Continues The Covenant
Memory Verse: "I have sworn to My servant David: Your seed I will establish forever..." -- Psa. 89:3,4
After about 500 years, the nation of Israel rejected Jehovah from being its king.
1. For about 500 years the nation was governed by God through men called "judges" from Joshua to the prophet Samuel. (Judges 2:16-19; 21:25; 1 Sam. 7:15).
2. The people rebelled against this form of government. Therefore God gave them the king they asked for. (1 Sam. 8:1-10; Acts 13:20,21).
3. Saul was selected by God to be their king. (1 Sam. 9:15-17).
4. King Saul sinned and God rejected his family from ruling after him.
God replaced Saul with David and promised that one of his descendants would reign forever over all the nations, continuing the "seed" promise to Abraham.
1. The chain of the promise for the "seed" (Messiah) began with Eve (Gen. 3:15) and continued in Abraham's covenant (Gen. 12:13), then passed on to Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 17:19) and to Jacob's son Judah (Gen. 49:10), of which David was a descendant.
2. David was chosen by God to be king of Israel and served God well. (1 Sam. 16:1-13; Acts 13:22-23,36).
3. Therefore God extended the promise of the "seed" through David's descendants. (2 Sam. 7:12-17; Isa. 11:1-5,10; Psa. 89:3,4).
Israel was at the height of its glory during Solomon's reign, but divided afterward.
1. David's son, Solomon, became the next king and built the temple in Jerusalem. (1 Kings 8:15-21).
2. God continued his promises to David through Solomon. (1 Kings 9:1-7).
3. Solomon's wisdom, wealth and power was exceedingly great. (1 Kings 10:4-7).
4. Solomon sinned and caused God to divide the kingdom of Israel. (1 Kings 11:1-13).
The prophets of Israel spoke to prepare the people for the "seed" of his kingdom.
1. God spoke of his planned coming kingdom through the prophets. (Isa. 2:2-4; Dan. 2:44).
2. The "seed" of David was promised to reign eternally over this kingdom. (Jeremiah 23:5,6; Isa. 9:6,7).
God severely purged the children of Israel for their sins, so that his plan for a righteous people to begin the promised kingdom might be fulfilled.
1. God despised their worship because of their many sins. (Isa. 65:2-7; Amos 5:21-27).
2. The nation was punished to purify it. (Amos 9:8-10)
3. God returned a remnant of the people from captivity that his plan might be continued. (Amos 9:11-15; Jer. 30:1-3).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: God Sent John To Prepare The Way For The Messiah.
Memory Verse: "For you will go before the face of the Lord and prepare His ways." -- Luke 1:76b
God planned for one man to immediately precede and prepare the way for the Messiah.
1. This man's mission was prophesied as "making straight... a highway" for the Messiah to follow. (Isa. 40:3-5).
2. The last prophecy in the Old Testament is concerning this promised man, who would come in the spirit (attitude) of Elijah. (Mal. 4:5-6).
3. John was selected and purposed by God before his birth for this mission. (Luke 1:5-17).
God's mission for John was prophesied at his birth.
1. The events concerning the birth of John brought astonishment on the people. (Luke 1:57-66).
2. John's father prophesied that the work of his son would be part of God's plan for the redemption of Israel, according to the promise of the covenant made with Abraham. (Luke 1:67-80).
John prepared the people to accept the Messiah.
1. John became a prophet of God, as God had planned and prophesied by Isaiah. (Luke 3:2-6).
2. He warned the people to repent for the kingdom of God was at hand. (Matt. 3:1-3).
3. He bore witness to the people that Jesus was the Messiah. (John 1:6-8, 19-34).
John's work bore fruit for Jesus.
1. Jesus' first disciples, Andrew and John, were from among the disciples of John the baptizer. (John 1:35-42).
2. The number of Jesus' disciples increased while John's decreased. (John 3:25-30).
John completed his work of preparation.
1. Many people, with the exception of the religious leaders, believed the teaching of John. (Matt. 21:23,27,32; Luke 7:29-30).
2. John was imprisoned and beheaded by King Herod for his teaching against the sin of Herod's marriage. (Matt. 14:3-12; Luke 3:19).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: Jesus was the Messiah God promised
Memory Verse: "He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." -- Heb. 8:6
The Word left heaven to become Jesus.
1. Jesus left heaven and became a man, that through him God might bring salvation to all men. (John 1:1-2,4; Matt. 1:21-23).
2. Jesus was born of the descendants of Abraham and David as promised by God. (Matt. 1:17-18).
3. Jesus was the long awaited Messiah (Hebrew), or Christ (Greek), which has the meaning "the anointed one". (John 4:25-26; Matt. 16:15-16).
Jesus came to offer God's salvation to all men.
1. It was the will of God that salvation and eternal life come through Jesus. (John 3:16; 6:38-40; Acts 4:10-12).
2. This blessing is extended to all mankind. (Acts 13:47-48; Heb. 2:9-16).
3. All nations and men were to be united unto God through Christ under one new covenant. (Eph. 2:14-16).
Jesus established the new covenant between God and man.
1. God fulfilled his promise to replace the old covenant, which was but a "shadow" of the new, with a better one. (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 10:9-10; Col. 2:14,16,17).
2. This covenant is in the form of a testament, or will, and went into effect only after Jesus died. (Heb. 9:15-17). Note: A will can never be changed by the recipient.
God's promise to Abraham is fulfilled through Christ.
1. The promises to be fulfilled did not come through the law of Moses, but through Abraham. (Rom. 4:13-14; Gal. 3:15-18).
2. The promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, is now fulfilled, in that all nations can be justified through faith in Christ. (Rom. 4:16-18; Gal. 3:6-9, 28-29).
3. The promise of the "seed" as a blessing to all nations was fulfilled in Christ. (Gal. 3:16).
Jesus completed the purpose of the law of Moses.
1. Jesus and his kingdom fulfilled the law of Moses and the prophets. (Matt. 5:17-18; Rom. 10:4; Luke 24:44).
2. Jesus' law is apart from, and superior to, the law of Moses. (Heb. 7:18-19, 22; 8:6-13).
3. Jesus saved us from this law that can only condemn and does not justify. (Acts 13:38-39; Gal. 3:10-13).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: Jesus Taught And Died For The World As Planned
Memory Verse: "But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He has thus fulfilled." -- Acts 3:18.
The teaching of Jesus was directly from the Father.
1. The words and deeds of Jesus were not his own, but were from the will of the Father. (John 14:10-11; Luke 10:22).
2. Jesus was the only person given authority to speak for God and bring the good news of the kingdom to men. (Heb. 1:1-2; 2:3).
3. God bore witness to the teaching of Christ by miracles. (John 3:1-2; 5:30-37; 20:30-31; Acts 2:22).
Jesus spent much of his life teaching concerning the coming kingdom.
1. His ministry of three years was used to teach the people about the coming kingdom of God. (Matt. 4:17).
2. Jesus taught from the scriptures to explain his purpose. (Luke 24:27).
3. The parable was the most common teaching method Jesus used to reveal the mysteries about the kingdom. (Mark 4:33-34). Parables kept the unfaithful from understanding. (Matt. 13:10-15).
Jesus prepared twelve special disciples to teach the gospel after his death.
1. Jesus chose twelve men from among his disciples to be apostles. (Luke 6:13-16).
2. He gave them power over sickness and demons. (Matt. 10:1).
3. God instructed them to listen and be taught only by Jesus. (Matt. 17:1-6).
4. These men started teaching in a limited way, that "the kingdom of God is at hand" before Jesus died. (Matt. 10:5-8).
The purpose of God was fulfilled in the death of Jesus.
1. Jesus died and was resurrected according to the plan of God as revealed in the writings of Moses and the prophets. (Acts 2:23; 3:18-26; 1 Cor. 15:3-4).
2. The purpose in the death of Jesus was that we may be cleansed from sin to serve God. (Heb. 9:14; Col. 1:20-22).
3. Jesus died so that every person who has lived, or will live, can be reconciled to God. (Heb. 9:15; 10:10, 12-14; Eph. 2:16).
Jesus promised that the kingdom of God would come to his disciples.
1. He promised to build it. (Matt. 16:18).
2. He told them it would come with power in their lifetime. (Mark 9:1).
3. God planned that the gospel of the kingdom be preached in its completeness in Jerusalem first, then to all other nations. Jesus instructed the apostles that they were to begin this preaching when God sent the power (Holy Spirit). (Luke 24:46-49).
4. Jesus, at the time of his ascension, told his disciples that they should wait a few days for the kingdom to come with power. (Acts 1:4-8). In ten days the Holy Spirit came in power and the gospel was preached that opened the doors to the promised kingdom. (Acts 2:1-4, 16, 21, 36, 39).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: The Apostles in God's Plan
Memory Verse: "...the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister." -- Col. 1:23.
The purpose of the apostles in God's plan.
1. The apostles were God's gift to the church, that they might be useful in building up the church. (Eph. 4:8, 11-12).
2. Their work was to build the kingdom on Christ and his teachings as the foundation. (1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20-22).
3. This work was accomplished by teaching Christ as our hope and teaching his commandments. (Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 1:24-29).
God used the apostle Peter to open the doors of the kingdom to all men.
1. Jesus selected the apostle Peter to be the one given "the keys of the kingdom" that entrance might be available to all men. (Matt. 16:18-19).
2. When the time came in God's plan to begin the kingdom, he sent the Holy Spirit with power as promised (see Week 9, Day 5, 3 & 4). Peter, for the first time, preached the new covenant of the kingdom in its completeness. Many Jews believed and were baptized, thus finding salvation in the kingdom of God. (Acts 2:1-4, 14, 16, 17, 21, 32, 33, 37-41, 47).
3. Some years later, approximately ten, God used Peter to open the doors of the kingdom and salvation through Christ to the Gentiles. (Acts 10:22, 28-35, 42-48; 11:15-18).
The apostles were helped in their work by the Holy Spirit.
1. Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide and teach them. (John 14:26; 16:13).
2. God used the Holy Spirit to confirm their words by miracles. (Mark 16:15-20; Heb. 2:3-4).
3. They preached the wisdom of God that he had planned (foreordained) in the kingdom. The Holy Spirit revealed this knowledge to them, even to the very use of their words. (1 Cor. 2:7-13).
God purposed that the new covenant would be revealed through the apostles' writings.
1. By reading the apostles' writings, we can understand the previously hidden things of the kingdom. (Eph. 1:9; 3:3-5).
2. Therefore the knowledge of the Scriptures make us a complete workman unto God. (2 Tim. 3:15-17).
3. We are commanded to obey the apostles' writings. (John 13:20; 2 Thess. 2:15).
4. We are warned that some will twist these writings. (2 Pet. 3:15-17).
The apostles spread the kingdom to the whole world.
1. They were instructed to preach the gospel to the whole world. (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15).
2. The original twelve were designated to primarily teach Jews, Paul the Gentiles. (Gal. 2:7-9; Acts 15:7).
3. The spread of the gospel was accomplished to all the world in the their lifetime. (Col. 1:5-6; 1:23).
Course Title: God's Scheme Of Redemption
Lesson Title: The Kingdom - God's Plan Now in Action
Memory Work: "To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever." Rev. 1:5-6
Jesus is now ruling in the promised kingdom of God.
1. All authority was given to Christ after His death. (Matt. 28:18; Eph.1:20-23; I Tim.6:14-16). The only exception to the extent of Christ's authority in heaven or on earth is the Father Himself. (I Cor. 15:27-28)
2. Jesus is now our mediator and high priest before God. (I Tim. 2:2-6; Heb. 2:17-18)
3. Christ now has "Preeminence" in all things as planned by the Father. (Col.1:16 -18)
The kingdom can now be entered to obtain salvation.
1. By forgiving our sins, the Father makes us fit ("meet") to partake of eternal life, and adds us to His Son's kingdom. (Col.1:12-13)
2. For over 1900 years, believers in Christ have been a part of the kingdom of God, purchased by the blood of Christ. (Rev.1:5-6, 5:10)
3. Christians comprise the royal priesthood of the kingdom of God. (I Pet.2:5-9)
The plan of God for our entrance into His kingdom.
1. Jesus foretold the plan of God for a person's entrance into the kingdom. (John 3:3-5)
2. He ordered the apostles to preach it after His death. (Mk. 16:15-16)
3. The apostles did preach it. Note the example of the first time:
a. The people heard the apostles and believed their preaching concerning the death, resurrection, and authority of Christ. (Acts 2:34-37)
b. After the people expressed their belief and sorrow, they were told to repent and be baptized. Those that did were saved by the Lord and added to the kingdom. (Acts 2:38-40, 47)
We must live by the covenant of the kingdom to obtain its promises.
1. A citizen of the kingdom is obligated to keep every law of the new covenant. ( Jas.2:10-12; Matt.5:19; I Tim.6:13-14)
2. The keeping of this covenant, which is the Week 11 page 2 law of Christ, shows our love toward Christ. (John 14:15, 23-24; I John 2:3-6)
3. The apostles' writings must be accepted as the new covenant, or commandments, of the Father. (I Cor.14:37; I John 4:5-6)
Our purposes in the kingdom.
1. We are to be filled with spiritual knowledge, that we might bear fruit unto God as planned. (Col.1:9-10, 2:9-11; I Thess.2:11-12)
2. We are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. (Jas.1:27; II Pet.3:14)
3. We are to be partakers of the afflictions of the gospel. (II Tim.1:8)
Course Title: God's Scheme of Redemption
Lesson Title: The Promise of God Completed
Memory Work: "Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory." I Cor. 15:54
The earth and its purpose will end with the Judgment.
1. God has appointed a day for Jesus to judge the world. (John 5:22; 13:32; Acts 17:30-31) All people will have their works judged according to the words of Jesus. (John 12:48; Rev.20:12; Matt.25:31-46)
C. The heavens and earth are reserved for fire at the Judgment DAY. (II Pet.3:7-13; Rev.20:11)
The kingdom will be given back to the Father.
1. At the time of the resurrection and Judgment, Christ shall deliver the kingdom back to the Father. (I Cor. 15:20-28)
2. By receiving the resurrected Christians into heaven, the Father will have achieved the inheritance He planned for Himself. (Eph.1:11,18)Note the value placed on these people, for this is all that God is going to salvage from His creation of the universe.
3. At this time all the enemies of God will be punished. (II Thess.1:6-9; Rev.20:11-15)
Entrance into the eternal heaven is the completion of God's plan and promise.
1. God promised eternal life before times eternal, but waited to reveal the full message in His own season through Jesus. (Titus 1:2-3)
2. Our inheritance in heaven was prepared before the foundation of the world. (Matt .25:34; Eph.1:4-5)
3. The coming of Jesus will be our hope realized, the receiving of our inheritance and salvation. (I Pet.1:3-9)
4. Let us live accordingly. (I Pet.1:13-16)
The resurrection and entrance into our rest is "Death swallowed up in victory".
1. Entrance into heaven is equivalent to entering the "rest" God promised through the prophet David in Psalms 95:11. Let us fear, lest we come short of that rest. (Heb .4:1-11)
2. In heaven our spirits will have bodies as those who are now there. These will be given to us at the time of the resurrection. (I Cor.15:46-58)
A description of heaven: The realization of God's promise.
1. A Christian does not attempt to make or find Paradise on this earth, but looks toward the Paradise of heaven God promised and created for his reward. (John 14:2-3; Phil.1:21-23;Rev.2:7)
2. The beautiful description of heaven as revealed to the apostle John. (Rev.21:1-8,22-27)
Course Title: God's Scheme of Redemption
Lesson Title: Review
Memory Work: "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest."Heb.4:11
1. What institution did God plan before He created the world? W1-D1; W11-D1; W12-D3.
2. Who built the things God designed in His plan? W1-D5
3. What will God receive from His creation? W1-D2,W12-D2.
4. What did God prepare for those who would be faithful to Him? W12-D3,4, and 5.
1. What was Adam's sin and how did it affect mankind? W2-D2 and 3.
2. Why did God destroy mankind and begin again with the family of Noah? W2-D4
3. What was the most important promise God made in His covenant with Abraham, and also what are the other parts of this covenant? W3-D1, 2, 3, and 4;W8-D4.
4. Name the descendants of Abraham that God chose to continue His covenant with Abraham. W4-D1, 2, 3,and 4.
1. Who did God choose to lead the descendants of Abraham into freedom and the land promised to Abraham? W5-D1
2. Why did God give this nation a special law? W5-D2,W8-D5
3. What did the prophets of Israel prepare the people for? W6-D4
4. Have people always been faithful to the covenant God made with them? W2-D2,D4; W5-D3; W6-D5
1. What was John the Baptizer's purpose in God's plan? W7-D1,D3
2. Who was Jesus before He came into the world as the Christ? W8-D1
3. What did God give to us through Jesus? W8-D2,D3;W9-D4,D5
4. What did John the Baptizer, Jesus, and the apostles teach? W7-D3; W-D2; W10-D3
1. Who opened the door of the kingdom to the Jews? The Gentiles? What did the people have to do to enter? W10-D2; W11-D3
2. Where do we find the new covenant that God made with mankind, and who administers this covenant for God? W10-D4; W11-D1
3. What is our part and responsibility in the kingdom? W11-D5
4. How must we keep the new covenant if we are to obtain its promises? W11-D3, D4.
All outlines where first prepared by Edward O. Bragwell while he preached at Fultondale church of Christ in Birmingham. I have since adapted and re-formatted these lessons to the present presentation -- may they be used to the glory of God. "John Cripps"