4G Family

In this week's class, we walk through Deuteronomy 26–28 and watch Israel stand at a kind of covenant “I do” moment with God. We look at the offering of firstfruits, where God tells His people how to give thanks for a harvest they have not even seen yet, and talk about how that kind of forward-looking gratitude can calm our own fears about the future. We also notice how Israel retells its rescue-from-Egypt story and ask what it would look like for our families to have a simple, honest way of saying, “This is my story, and this is where God showed up.” From there, the lesson moves to the dramatic scene on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, with blessings and curses echoing back and forth across the valley, painting a vivid picture of what life with God looks like when His people listen—and what it becomes when they walk away. We touch on hot-button questions about Israel, the church, and “replacement theology,” while holding on to the mystery that God is not done writing Israel's story or ours. We finish by tying all of this into Christmas: the way Jesus steps into the story as the true rescuer, the One who bears the curse, breaks the cycle of slavery, and invites us into a better Exodus—out of sin, into freedom, and into a new identity as God's treasured people. It is a hopeful, honest look at judgment, mercy, and what it means to let God be the author of your story.

The class session was a detailed Bible study on **Deuteronomy 22–25**, framed within a broader overview of the book's structure and purpose. *** The teacher began by reviewing the **three major addresses of Moses** in Deuteronomy: 1. **Chapters 1–4** – a review of Israel's wilderness journey and lessons learned. 2. **Chapters 4–28** – the main body of laws and covenant stipulations (the current focus). 3. **Chapters 29–34** – covenant renewal, the commissioning of Joshua, and the Song of Moses. The teacher explained that **Deuteronomy mirrors the form of ancient suzerain-vassal treaties**—including a preamble, historical prologue, general and specific stipulations, blessings and curses, and witnesses—arguing this supports Mosaic authorship and historical authenticity. He then summarized chapters 22–25, highlighting numerous **civil, moral, and ceremonial regulations**, such as: - Responsibility to help recover a neighbor's lost property. - Prohibitions on cross-dressing and mixing seeds, animals, or fabrics. - Rules about marital faithfulness, sexual conduct, and punishments for adultery. - Commandments regarding fair treatment of debtors, the poor, and foreigners. - Ethical practices for labor, honesty in business, and justice in the courts. - Provisions for widows (levirate marriage), gleaning for the poor, and humane treatment of animals. These were presented as evidence of **God's comprehensive concern** for justice, purity, mercy, and community well-being. After reading through these laws, the teacher turned to **theological reflection**, emphasizing: - **The Mosaic Law was temporary**, meant for Israel under the old covenant. - **The new covenant in Christ** replaces it, written on believers' hearts (Jeremiah 31). - Christians are no longer “under the law” but under grace (Galatians 3, Hebrews 9). - Yet the laws remain **profitable** because they reveal God's character and priorities—especially His holiness, fairness, and covenant faithfulness. He urged the class to see that, like ancient Israel, **Christians represent God to the world**, and their obedience and relationships should display His character publicly. He contrasted this biblical communal focus with modern “individualistic, easy-believism,” quoting an author who argued that Sinai teaches believers to live as God's representatives in daily life, not just to secure an afterlife. Class discussion reflected on how **purging evil** served as communal protection and how God still desires involvement in the details of believers' lives. The session closed with a prayer thanking God for His detailed care, asking for sensitivity to His guidance, and reaffirming a desire to live as examples of holiness in Christ.

The lesson contrasts Old Testament law in Deuteronomy with New Testament revelation in Christ, and wrestles with how ancient laws relate to believers today. Bill emphasizes that God's character and moral principles remain constant even though covenant arrangements and historical circumstances have changed, with Hebrews 1 used to show that God's final and clearest word is now through His Son.

## Summary This Sunday school lesson on Deuteronomy 19 covers cities of refuge for unintentional killers (manslayers), boundary markers, witness requirements, and the "eye for eye" principle, while affirming God's sovereignty despite practices no longer observed today. ## Cities of Refuge The teacher reads Deuteronomy 19:1-13, explaining these as safe havens for accidental manslayers to escape blood avengers, distinct from premeditated murderers who face execution. References to Exodus 21:13, Numbers 35 (six Levite cities), Deuteronomy 4:41-42, and Joshua 20 confirm their establishment post-Jordan crossing. The lesson notes these evolved away like outdated tech (e.g., BlackBerrys to smartphones), yet highlight God's provision of mercy within justice. ## Justice Laws Verses 14-21 prohibit moving boundary stones (echoing "don't steal"), require two or three witnesses for convictions, punish false testimony equally, and enforce "life for life, eye for eye" (repeated in Exodus, Leviticus, contrasted with Jesus' Sermon on the Mount). These purge evil, deter sin, and ensure fairness, linking to Israel's conditional land inheritance through obedience. ## Theological Reflections Drawing from Deuteronomy 4:32-40, the teacher emphasizes God's unique revelation to Israel—voice from fire, mighty deliverance—proving His sole sovereignty ("I am God, and there is no other"). Israel served as Messiah's channel, Scripture's authors, and fellowship objects; modern believers inherit promises as "redeemed Israel."

The lesson traces God's design for Israel's communal and spiritual life as Israel transitions into the Promised Land, focusing on justice, leadership, and purity of worship. It discusses the continuity from Deuteronomy 16's feasts—Passover, Weeks, and Booths—which foreshadow Christ's redemptive work and remind believers of God's past deliverance, provision, and presence. The text then shifts to rules for worship and justice: offerings must be pure, idolatry is strictly forbidden, and severe (but equitable) consequences are prescribed for apostasy, emphasizing fairness (e.g., requiring 2–3 witnesses) and showing both men and women are held equally accountable. Deuteronomy 17 establishes an early form of Israelite appellate court, requiring local disputes too difficult to resolve to be brought before priests and judges, whose decisions are binding—demonstrating principles of fairness, order, and deterrence. The passage also anticipates Israel's eventual desire for a king, prescribing that the king must be an Israelite, refrain from military buildup, excessive wealth, or many wives (to prevent pride and idolatry), and most importantly, must personally copy and continually study God's law to remain humble and obedient. Historical failures of Israel's kings (like Solomon) are noted as resulting from ignoring these instructions. The lesson continues into chapter 18, highlighting that the Levites (priests) are provided for by offerings rather than land, reinforcing dependence on God's provision. God's people are prohibited from occult practices, divination, and seeking supernatural knowledge through forbidden means, with a warning against influences that would turn them from God. The lesson culminates in God's promise to raise up a future “prophet like Moses”—interpreted as a direct prophecy of Jesus Christ, who uniquely fulfills the roles of Prophet, Priest, and King. Criteria are also given for distinguishing true from false prophets: their words must come true and align with God's revealed will. The overall point is that God's instructions, given through Moses, establish a community built on justice, holiness, and continuous dependence on God's leadership, ultimately pointing forward to Christ as the perfect fulfillment of these roles.

- Recap of previous lesson on Deuteronomy 13-15 - Deuteronomy 13: Warning Against Idolatry - Don't listen to prophets or family who lead to idol worship - Destroy a city if it wholly turns to other gods - Deuteronomy 14: Holiness and Celebration - Avoid self-harm for the dead; you are God's treasure - Dietary laws: clean and unclean food - Tithing practices include communal eating and generosity to Levites and the poor - Deuteronomy 15: Compassion and Justice - Forgive debts every seventh year - Treat bond servants kindly and set them up for success - Dedicate firstborn males to the Lord - Deuteronomy 16: Festivals and Worship - Observe Passover in the month of Abib (Nissan) at the chosen place - Eat unleavened bread for seven days, remember the haste of Egypt exit - Celebrate Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), inclusive of all community members - Feast of Booths (Tabernacles): joyful harvest celebration and connection to Jesus - Three annual festivals require all males to appear before the Lord with offerings - Emphasis on justice, avoiding bribery, and righteous judgment - Warning against restoring idolatrous high places and altars - Challenge to keep God central in celebrations and everyday life - Closing Reflections - Challenge in balancing worship and recreation during holidays - Historical notes on Thanksgiving as a holiday of gratitude to God - Encouragement to live hospitably and generously, embodying God's principles in seasonal celebrations

This Sunday school lesson covering Deuteronomy 13-15 highlights God's call to unwavering faithfulness, personal holiness, and compassion for others within the Israelite community. Deuteronomy 13: Loyalty to God The chapter strongly warns against idolatry, emphasizing that anyone—including prophets, close family members, or an entire city—who tries to entice others away from worshipping the LORD must be rejected, no matter how persuasive they appear. Severe penalties are prescribed for leading others into idolatry to preserve the spiritual purity of Israel. The core teaching is to follow and cling to God alone, even when tempted by miraculous signs or influential individuals. Deuteronomy 14: Holiness and Distinction Deuteronomy 14 gives dietary laws, distinguishing between clean and unclean animals to remind Israel of their unique status as God's people. These food laws symbolize separation from pagan practices and reinforce the call to personal holiness. The chapter also includes rules about tithing—a practice of setting aside a tenth of one's produce to honor God and support religious leaders and the needy. Deuteronomy 15: Compassion for the Poor The focus in chapter 15 is on economic and social justice. Every seventh year, debts among Israelites are to be forgiven, and slaves given freedom, reflecting God's mercy and the importance of community well-being. The chapter urges generosity toward the poor, teaching that God's blessing is linked to open-handedness and compassion. Those who lend to the poor should not be tight-fisted or resentful, since they, too, were once slaves in Egypt and recipients of God's grace. Overall, these chapters teach that faithfulness to God, a distinct and holy identity, and practical generosity are core values for God's people, and that these must shape every aspect of community and individual behavior.

This lesson on Deuteronomy 11 emphasizes Moses' charge to the Israelites to remain obedient and faithful to God's commandments as they prepare to enter the promised land. It reviews historical moments of discipline, outlines the practical requirement to teach and remember God's laws, and stresses the clear outcome: blessing is tied to obedience, and cursing follows disobedience. The lesson connects ancient scriptural principles to present-day faith practice, encouraging ongoing commitment to learning and living out God's word.

(First portion of the lesson didn't get recorded)

The people are exhorted to remember their stubborn and rebellious past and to understand that God is giving them victory out of grace, not because of their own righteousness.

Let the past inform you, let the present inspire you, let the future invite you, let thanksgiving impel you, and let the warning ignite you into joyful obedience, humble dependence, and wholehearted devotion to God.

Max Morris shares God's plans for his chosen people to clear out the tribes who hated God. Emphasis given to God's promises in the process.

Justin Dutton shares the Ten and the greatest commandments that offer authentic ways of loving God

The Prodigal Son filtered through the eyes of ancient Middle Eastern culture; informed by the teachings of Dr. Kenneth Bailey https://www.kennethbailey.net/articles

The episode dives into the parables of joy found in Luke 15, focusing on the themes of being lost and found, and the contrasting attitudes of Jesus and the Pharisees towards sinners. Joy in Recovery: The parables highlight the happiness of finding what was lost, showing God's love and care for sinners1. Pharisees' Attitude: The Pharisees are portrayed as critical of Jesus for hanging out with sinners, reflecting a separatist mentality that clashes with Jesus' inclusive approach Lost Sheep: This parable emphasizes the shepherd's persistent search for the lost sheep, symbolizing God's relentless pursuit of the lost Lost Coin: A woman's search for a lost coin mirrors the shepherd's story, stressing the value of each lost individual and the joy when they are found Heavenly Joy: Both parables end with the idea that there's joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, reinforcing the theme of divine grace Different Receptions: Jesus attracted sinners through compassion, while the Pharisees repelled them through legalism, highlighting the different approaches to evangelism

If the first half of Luke is leading to the question, "who is Jesus?", then the second half pivots on this passage discussing "what are you going to do with Jesus?"   Resources: Study notes Tim Keller sermon on this passage in Luke (audio only) Tim Keller sermon on the parallel passage in Mark (audio only) Ray Steadman sermon  (audio and transcript) on the parallel passage in Mark  

here is a link to my lesson notes.