L I F E B I B L E S T U D Y

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroduction ...................................................................................................................................................................5

Lesson 1 : Jacob: Master of Deception ...................................................................................................................6

Lesson 2 : Gideon: Self-Doubter ...........................................................................................................................12

Lesson 3 : David: Premeditated Sinner ................................................................................................................19

Lesson 4 : Solomon: Unwise Lover .......................................................................................................................26

Lesson 5 : Elijah: Slow Learner .............................................................................................................................33

Lesson 6 : Jonah: Prejudiced Prophet ...................................................................................................................40

STATEMENTS OF FAITHWhen studying the Bible broad themes, or essential truths, become obvious. These themes become the foundation for understanding who God is and how He has revealed Himself. Life Bible Study curriculum is designed to high-light eight truths that are essential in understanding the character and work of God.

GOD IS

Only one true and living God exists. He is the Creator of the universe, eternally existing in three Persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each equally deserving of humanity’s worship and obedience. He is infinite and perfect in all His attributes.

THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD The Bible is God’s written revelation to people, divinely given through human authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is entirely true. The Bible is totally sufficient and completely authoritative for matters of life and faith. The goal of God’s Word is the restoration of humanity into His image.

PEOPLE ARE GOD’S TREASUREGod created people in His image for His glory. They are the crowning work of His creation. Yet every person has willfully disobeyed God—an act known as sin—thus inheriting both physical and spiritual death and theneed for salvation. All human beings are born with a sin-nature and into an environment inclined toward sin. Only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ can they experience salvation.

JESUS IS GOD AND SAVIORJesus is both fully God and fully human. He is Christ,the Son of God. Born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles. He died on the cross to provide people forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return in power and glory.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD AND EMPOWERER The Holy Spirit is supernatural and sovereign, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ. He lives within all Christians beginning at the moment of salvation and then empowers them for bold witness and effective service as they yield to Him. The Holy Spirit convicts individualsof sin, uses God’s Word to mature believers into Christ-likeness, and secures them until Christ returns.

SALVATION IS BY FAITH ALONEAll human beings are born with a sin nature, separated from God, and in need of a Savior. That salvation comes only through a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, the Savior, as a person repents of sin and receives Christ’s forgiveness and eternal life. Salvation is instantaneous and accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. This salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and not on the basis of human works. All the redeemed are secure in Christ forever.

THE CHURCH IS GOD’S PLAN The Holy Spirit immediately places all people who put their faith in Jesus Christ into one united spiritual body, the Church, of which Christ is the head. The primary expression of the Church on earth is in autonomous local congregations of baptized believers. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by taking the gospel to the entire world and by building its members up in Christ-likeness through the instruction of God’s Word, fellowship, service, worship, and prayer.

THE FUTURE IS IN GOD’S HANDSGod will bring the world to its appropriate end in His own time and in His own way. At that time, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth. Both the saved and unsaved will be resurrected physically to be judged by Christ. Those who have trusted Christ will receive their reward and dwell forever in heaven with the Lord. Those who have refused Christ will spend eternity in hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The certain return of Christ motivates believers to be faithful in their daily lives.

Flawed: Imperfect People Chosen by God

Have you ever felt like you have made too many mistakes for God to use you? That no matter how hard you try, you have a flaw in your life that keeps getting in the way of you being the person you know God wants you to be?

God can use people regardless of who they are or who they think they are. Jacob, a patriarch, was a master deceiver. Gideon, one of the most notable of Israel’s 15 judges, was insecure and full of self-doubt. David, the most beloved king of Israel and the man after God’s own heart, was guilty of pre-meditated sin. David’s son Solomon, though wisest in all the land, sacrificed his kingdom as a result of the company he kept. Elijah took on the prophets of Baal—and with God’s help was triumphant—then wallowed in despair and hopelessness. Jonah—the prophet known as much for his mode of transportation as for his message—was prejudiced against the Ninevites, the very people to whom God had sent him.

God does not use perfect people but people who have been deceivers, swindlers, adulterers, and thieves. He does not leave them where they are, but, in His sovereignty, He moves in their lives to accomplish His purposes. Heroes are neither made nor born. Heroism is based solely on God’s providence. And every hero of the faith—except for Jesus Christ, the ultimate “super” hero—is flawed. So fear not. There is hope for every would-be hero. If God used these flawed heroes God can surely use you.

As you study these lessons, consider how God used each of these six biblical characters, despite their flaws.

How to Use This Book . . .

This study has been designed to help you prepare for a group Bible study experience, to use during a group Bible study experience, or as an individual Bible study guide. To get the most from this study, consider the following suggestions:

Gather your favorite Bible, a pen or pencil, and a highlighter before you begin. As you study the commentary, stop 1. and read the assigned passage first. You will have the opportunity to dig deeper into some of the verses at the end of each section.

Use the commentary and sidebars to guide your personal Bible study. You may want to keep a Bible atlas or map 2. handy to help you locate the places that are key to your understanding of each passage.

Continue your Bible study during the week using the devotional passages and journaling assignments. Allow God 3. this time to transform you through your study and your time with Him.

Take your book along to your small group study. The worksheets and other handouts will be helpful to you during 4. your study time.

Be prepared to consider, examine, and evaluate God’s Word as you move through this study. Our prayer is that this study will give you the opportunity to better understand how God can continue to use you to accomplish His purposes, even if you are flawed.

Jacob–Master of DeceptionBiblical Passage: Genesis 27:1–29

Supporting Passages: Genesis 25:21–24; 26:34–35; 27:30–46; 28:1–9; Romans 9:10–16; Hebrews 11:20

Memory Verse: Romans 8:28

Biblical Truth: God used Jacob for His purposes even though Jacob deceived his father to try to get what God had already promised him.

Consider … Have you used deceit to get what you wanted? Or have you fallen victim to someone else’s deceit? Why does God choose to bless us by including us in His redemptive plan, even when we act deceitful and sinful in our relationship with Him and others?

God does not choose anyone to receive His blessings based on any inherent or potential goodness. God freely and unconditionally chooses and bestows mercy and bless-ings apart from any human trait or effort to earn His love and favor.

This lesson focuses on God choosing Jacob over Esau for a blessing, before either twin had done anything good or bad, in order to fulfill God’s own purpose. Despite Esau’s firstborn birthright to inherit the blessings of this promise, God determined to bless the entire earth through Jacob. Yet in spite of God’s promise to Jacob, both Jacob and his mother Rebekah, chose to use deceit to make sure Jacob obtained God’s blessing.

Planned Deception (Gen. 27:1–10)God had told Rebekah during her pregnancy that her older twin, Esau, would serve the younger, Jacob (Gen.

25:23). God intended the promises He had made to Abraham through the Abrahamic covenant, those bless-ings inherited by Isaac, to be conferred onto Jacob. This patriarchal blessing bestowed blessings of spiritual leader-ship, land, and descendants upon the recipient.

Isaac was old and blind, and thought he may soon die. He wanted to tie up those things that needed to be handled before he died. He made plans to convey the blessing of the Abrahamic covenant onto Esau as a part of Esau’s blessing as the first-born. Ironically, Isaac lived more than 40 years after the conferring of the blessing.

Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, having overheard Isaac’s plan, devised a scheme based on deceiving Isaac to insure Jacob would receive the promised blessing. Since Rebekah had received God’s promise about His blessing on Jacob, she was concerned with making sure God’s promises were fulfilled.

Reread verses 5–8. What decisions have you made based on a misguided effort to help God out? ___________________________________________

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Abrahamic covenant Found in Genesis 12:1–3, God established this agreement with Abraham. It contained personal, national, and universal blessings. They are foundational of God’s redemptive program in world history. Three are especially important: the promise of a land, the promise of a nation, and the promise of universal blessing to the entire human race.

patriarchal blessing Similar to a last will and testament, the partriarchical blessing was regarded as binding. The blessing was also prophetic.

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Rebekah began immediately to complete her plans. Reread verse 9. How did her request put Esau’s obedience at a disadvantage?

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Fear of Discovery (Gen. 27:11–17)Jacob had already stolen Esau’s birthright. Rebekah offered him the opportunity to steal Esau’s blessing as well, strip-ping from Esau all of his rights of inheritance as the first-born. Although Jacob was skeptical at first, he consented to his mother’s plan after she proclaimed that she would take full responsibility. Jacob’s primary concern was that he would be found out. He feared the possible negative consequences of deception more than he feared offending God. But once committed to the plan, Jacob forged ahead without restraint.

Jacob lied, not only about himself but also about God. He encouraged Isaac to draw wrong conclusions by deliber-ately misleading Isaac’s senses of smell, touch, and taste through deception and disguise.

Reread verses 14–17. Rebekah went to great lengths to deceive her husband. To what extent have you resorted to deception to get what you wanted? Have you ever involved others in your plans?

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Truth or Consequences (Gen. 27:18–29)Isaac, confused by Jacob’s timing and voice, doubted Jacob’s identify claim at first. He asked for verbal proof. He wanted to hear Esau’s voice for confirmation, understand

how Esau had supplied the food so quickly, and smell the distinctive outdoor odors that always clung to Esau. Isaac wanted proof.

Unfortunately for Isaac, Rebekah had thought of every-thing. She had prepared the food exactly how Isaac liked it and prepared her son to exactly replicate the ways blind Isaac would use to identify Esau. When questioned about his quick success, Jacob lied, saying, “The Lord your God gave me success.” When questioned about his appearance, Jacob’s disguise was fool-proof. With Rebekah’s guidance, Jacob had become the master of deception.

Disguised and dishonest, Jacob succeeded in deceiving his father. Finally persuaded, Isaac gave Jacob the blessing. Jacob’s deception indicated his doubt that God is fully capable of bringing about His plan.

Reread verses 18–22. What motivations have compelled you to deceive others? When you have full confidence in God, what resulting attitudes and behaviors become apparent in your life?

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Because People are God’s Treasure, God chose to have this special covenant relationship with His people. Through this relationship, God demonstrated how deeply He treasured all of us. Regardless of the mistakes and char-acter flaws exhibited by His people, God’s purposes prevail.

blessing The firstborn child received the father’s birthright (which included special privileges and a larger portion of the father’s inheritance) as well as the father’s blessing. The peoples in the ancient world believed that both blessings and curses would be brought about through magical powers. For Isaac, the blessing represented the continued connec-tion with the promises of God and was a binding promise between them.

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DAILY BIBLE READINGSDay 1 — Prologue to a Deceitful PlanRead Genesis 25:23–26 and 27:1–4.

Isaac seemed to be both physically and spiritually blind. Whether ignorant of the words spoken by the Lord to Rebekah or whether ignoring them, Isaac planned to proceed, according to custom, with his own wisdom and will. But God is sovereign and His plan would stand. God had chosen Jacob. As you journal below, write about a time God chose to show His incredible mercy toward you.

Pause to Pray: Ask God to let you feel the reality of His free, unrestrained, unconditional choice of you. Thank Him that nothing bad, either in you or that you do, will diminish His love for you.

Day 2 — Conception of a Deceitful PlanRead Genesis 27:5–13.

Even though Rebekah trusted that God’s plan for Isaac was true, her actions did not indicate her trust in God to bring it about. Jacob revealed a willingness to participate in his mother’s scheme rather than a fear of sinning against the Living God. As you journal below, write about a time you tried to manipulate people or situations to bring about a “good” purpose. Include how the manipulation reflected your lack of trust in God.

Pause to Pray: Ask God to help you trust Him to bring about His good plan for you. Thank God for the peace that comes as you refuse to manipulate people and situations for your benefit or the benefit of others.

Day 3 — Agreement to a Deceitful PlanRead Genesis 27:14–17 and Romans 8:28.

After Jacob felt reasonably assured his mother’s plan would leave him unscathed, he agreed to help her carry it out. The plan to deceive Isaac involved tempting his sense of taste and tricking his senses of touch and smell. As you journal below,

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write about a time you deceived someone. Include the extent to which you used temptation or sensory trickery to get something you wanted—even something good or godly.

Pause to Pray: Thank God that He brings about His good purposes even through great sins. Ask God to forgive you for tempting or deceiving others to get your own way.

Day 4 — Accomplishment of a Deceitful PlanRead Genesis 27:18–29.

Jacob, through lies and deception, accomplished Rebekah’s plan and succeeded in getting Isaac’s binding blessing. As they carried out the plan, many things could have gone awry. Isaac could have chosen to trust his sense of hearing over his other senses, or Esau could have arrived only moments earlier to catch Jacob in the act. As you journal below, write about a time you got away with something you knew was wrong. Describe the way you felt afterward. Then write about how you feel now as you reflect on that time.

Pause to Pray: Thank God that Jesus bore your guilt and shame and received the punishment you deserve. Ask God to forgive you and remove any feelings of despair. Ask God to help you trust Him to provide what is best for your future.

Day 5 — Results of a Deceitful PlanRead Genesis 27:30–45.

Jacob and Rebekah got more out of the plan than they had anticipated. Esau’s resulting grudge and murderous plan led to fear and separation. As you journal below, write about wrong behaviors that resulted from your fears of retribution. Write about times you got what you wanted at the expense of relationships and how God worked through you despite the consequences.

Pause to Pray: Thank God that He has a plan for your life. Thank Him that, despite your deception, He is able to preserve you for Himself and bring to fulfillment His purposes for you.

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Lesson 1: Jacob–Master of DeceptionBiblical Passage: Genesis 27:1–29Memory Verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who

have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28Table Talk Question: Why do people use fraud to try to get what they want from an all-knowing God?

MasTer of DecePTion

1. Deception is never ________________, but a planned strategy against God (Gen. 27:1–10).

2. Deception is not a ________________ strategy, but creates tough consequences (Gen. 27:11–17).

3. Deception is a _________________, and removes the opportunity to be truthful (Gen. 27:18–29).

QUesTions To consiDer

• What is your earliest memory of lying to your parents? Why did you lie to them?• What is the difference in a “white lie” and a “black lie”? Give examples of each.• Do you think people are born with the ability to deceive or that they learn by watching others?• Can you think of any situation in which deception could be justified?• Why would a person who acknowledges God as all-knowing intentionally choose to be deceptive?

for free ThoUghT

“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” —William Shakespeare, All’s Well that Ends Well, Act 3 scene 5

Answers: 1. accidental; 2. singular; 3. choice.

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Can I Still Be a Blessing?In Choosing to Live the Blessing, author Dr. John Trent described the role of being a blessing as both a calling and a choice. In fact, Trent stressed the need to make the choice to be a blessing daily every time we meet someone. He asked: “But how do we choose to bless, when the events of our past evoke emotions of failure, shame, or deep disappointment? How can we bless the people around us today when their actions make us want to respond— not with a blessing, but with a curse?”

The apostle Peter also reminded his readers of being called to be a blessing: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Pet. 3:9).

Dr. Trent’s questions are important to consider. Respond to his questions listed below:• But how do we choose to bless, when the events of our past evoke emotions of failure, shame,

or deep disappointment?

• How can we bless the people around us today when their actions make us want to respond—not with a blessing, but with a curse?

Out of the Darkness

One of the best ways to stop wallowing in the frustrations of your own life is to invest in the lives of others. Similarly, one of the best ways to step out of the shadow of deception is to confess and repent and then choose to be a blessing to others.

“What about the pictures we’ll leave behind? Will they be pictures of light or of darkness? Pictures of our praying for enemies or cursing them? Pictures that heal and leave hope or pictures that deepen and put salt in a wound? What pictures will you leave behind that others will stumble across one day . . . and remember with fondness? What pictures will you leave that will touch lives and will inspire another to pray that he or she can do even half as well at loving God and choosing to live the blessing?” (Dr. John Trent, Choosing to Live the Blessing, p. 142 )

Respond to Dr. Trent’s questions in the space below:

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Flawed: Imperfect People Chosen by God

Jacob was a deceiver.

Gideon had his insecurities.

David committed adultery and murder.

Solomon, known as the wisest man on earth, showed a marked lack of wisdom.

Elijah showed a lack of faith in God.

Jonah, a prophet of God, allowed his prejudices cloud His obedience to God’s call.

Do you ever wonder whether God can really use a flawed person like you? You are not alone. The heroes of the faith in the Old Testament and modern day saints share this problem: they are all flawed. The good news is that God does not wait for us to become perfect before He uses us.

This book will serve as your study guide for the next six weeks. Inside you will find material to help you with your personal Bible study along with suggestions to enrich your prayer life. You will also find Bible study activities designed to use during your small group study.

(To obtain access to the online Bible study plans for this study or to order more

copies of this book, visit our Web site: www.lifebiblestudy.com.)