Series 2 – Introduction/Review of the Old Testament                     "Amazing Grace"

Jan. 9, 2002

 Focus:  Connecting the theme from “Amazing Grace” for this day to any of the material below.

 Opening Prayer

Gracious god, help us to remember that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from you.  Make us hungry to eat the bread of your word daily that we may pass from blindness to sight, having been sought out and found by your grace.  In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen.

1.  Make sure everyone knows everyone else’s name.

Sing Verse one only of “Amazing Grace.” 

Amazing Grace How Sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind but now I see

2..  What does it mean to know God’s grace, to be found, to see?  Discussion material.  Move from this to the time line as review.

3.  What are your favorite OT stories, poetry (Psalms) or prophecy (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel)?

 4.  Review from Series one class

Pentateuch – what books make up this block?

What is our illustrative scripture text.  Exodus 20 & Deut 5

History books.  what books make up this block?

What is our illustrative scripture text?  Judges 4:1-10.

Poetry & Wisdom

what books make up this block?

What is our illustrative scripture text.  Ps 23?

Prophets

what books make up this block?

What is our illustrative scripture text:  Amos 5:21-24.

5.  Integrative activity – Tying together the themes of Manna and grace into the overall theme of “Daily Bread.”

Exodus 15:11-15

Nehemiah 9:18-21

Psalm 78:21-25

Hosea 13:2-5

6.  Homework 

A.  Lectio on one of the texts mentioned today.  Hand out the Lectio sheet to any who have either lost theirs or are new to the class.

B.  Take your favorite OT story and reread it now, looking for differences in understanding that you have as an adult.  Does anything strike you differently than it did when you heard it as a child.

 7.  Sing Amazing Grace again, then closing prayer.