February 3, 2009

Disciple I Group Meeting

Lesson 17 – The Time of Transition

February 3, 2009

GATHERING AND PRAYER (5 min)

Prayer

Scripture: Malachi 3: 1

Theme: The Time of Transition

Theme Word: CONTEXT

Video Segment (20 min)

Listen for the challenges facing Jews during the Persian period and the messages of the stories of Esther and Jonah. Discussion Question: During the Persian period, the Jews experienced a time of transition and multiple challenges. How did the messages of Esther and Jonah address these challenges?

Scripture and Study Manual, Encounter the Word, and Marks of Discipleship together (60 min)

Group I: The theme word for this lesson is different in kind from other theme words in the study. (CONTEXT), talk about what it means and how it fits.

Group II: What does the stories of Esther and Jonah tell us about the period between the testaments? What was happening to Judaism?

Group III: In Jonah 3:10 - 4:11 read what happen in this story. What did the story likely say to its first hearers?

Group IV: Read Jonah 3:10 – 4:11 and tell what did the writer of the story want to say for God. What is the story’s central purpose?

Group V: What difference does it make to understanding the Bible when Christians see themselves as connected to the people of God through the Old Testament?

Closing and Prayer (5 min)

Joys and Concerns

Closing Prayer