Magnolia Baptist Church

Getting the Most Out of God’s Word

A Guide for Reading

and Listening to God’s Word

a journey of discovery

For personal devotion or

group discussion

MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH

WELCOME ALONG

MAPPING JESUS’ LIFE

TIMELINE OF JESUS part 1

HELPFUL ONLINE TOOLS

DAY SIX:

Baptism

DAY SEVEN:

Temptation

DAY EIGHT:

No Honor

DAY NINE:

Wedding in Galilee

DAY TEN:

Jesus and the Fishermen

CONTENTS

WELCOME ALONG I believe there is no greater journey one can engage in life than

to know Jesus of Nazareth...the Christ...the Son of God.

Paul, a leader in the early foundations of Christianity, wrote

“For me to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:27). Nothing else was more

important to Paul. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the

surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have

suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I

may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)

I agree with Paul. There is nothing in my life more incredible

than knowing Jesus. The words and ways of Jesus guide and enhance

every facet of my life...at home with my wife and kids, at work, and in

my community.

Does that make me perfect? No. I blow it...big time. But it put

me in a right relationship with Jesus...being a follower.

This guide is a journey of discovery...of knowing Jesus. My hope

in putting this together is to help guide you along this journey; to guide

you into a personal discovery of Jesus in ways, that perhaps, you

haven't thought of before; to introduce you to a very real Jesus who

had a family and friends, knew incredible affirmation and suffered

painful rejection; who knew hunger and thirst; who lived and died and

lives again!

Take courage and take the journey to discover Jesus: the Lamb

of God who takes away sin, the son of Joseph and Mary, the Christ, the

Messiah, the Lion of Judah, the Son of Man, the Son of God.

In knowing Jesus more deeply, I hope also that you come to

know yourself more clearly. That as you know Him more, you more and

more become like Jesus and truly discover not just a person or a

moment in history, but that you truly discover life in His name.

Blessings,

Jeremy K. Bratcher

Senior Pastor

MAPPING JESUS’ LIFE

TIMELINE of JESUS’ LIFE part one

1. Jesus’ Baptism by John – Matthew 3:13; Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21

2. Jesus in wilderness for forty days – Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1

3. Jesus returns from the wilderness

a. Day One back from the wilderness – John 1:19

1. Day before Jesus publicly arrives from the wilderness

2. John meets with delegation from Jerusalem

b. Day Two – John 1:29

1. John Introduces Jesus publicly for the first time

c. Day Three – John 1:35

1. John introduces Andrew and John to Jesus personally

d. Day Four – John 1:43

1. Jesus leaves for Galilee (Cana)

2. Jesus finds Philip on his way North

3. Philip finds Nathanael

e. Day Five

1. Travel to Galilee

f. Day Six

1. More Travel

g. Day Seven – John 2:1

· “On the third day a wedding . . .” refers to three days after calling Philip and speaking

with Nathanael. Jesus and his new disciples arrive at a wedding in Cana.

· Jesus attends the wedding in Cana, Galilee

· Jesus performs his first miracle, the sign of turning water to wine

MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH

Helpful Online Tools for Personal Bible Study

www.bible.org Home of the NET Bible and incredible background study resources. The NET Bible is full of

notes from some of the best Hebrew and Greek scholars of our day. Bible.org offers self-paced theological

studies, outlines and study guides for each book of the Bible. Bible.org is key word searchable. Some of the

language and presentation of the material is a bit more scholarly than other sites, but it is fairly accessible in

understanding.

www.biblestudytools.com Great website for searching through the Bible. It offers several tools for study (as

the name suggests): concordances, language tools, maps, commentaries...it even has an interlinear Bible (that

is searchable and provides pronunciations and root word guides for those who desire to know more about

Biblical Greek and Hebrew). This is a must link for anyone looking to study the word more. Thousands of

dollars in print resources, all free for use here!

www.biblemap.org Created using Google maps, this site offers a satellite view of Bible lands. The map is

linked to Bible references and is searchable by book and verse.

www.biblegateway.com This site offers a dozens of translations that are searchable by book, chapter and

verse. You can even compare various translations here to see how the texts might be handled a bit differently.

This site also offers several language translations.

www.youversion.com A great mobile Bible accessible through Blackberry, iPhone, and Android apps. There

is now a windows/mac version of YouVersion available for desktop use. A great tool for anyone looking to

keep the Word with them on the go!

www.preceptaustin.org PreceptAustin.org is an incredible website full of Bible studies, outlines, maps, Greek

and Hebrew helps. I have recently added it to this list. It is absolutely worth your time to invest here during

your personal Bible study.

www.soniclight.com SonicLight is the personal website of Dr. Tom Constable. Dr. Constable is an incredible

Bible scholar with deep insight into God’s word. Working expositionally through the Scripture, Dr. Constable

presents a thorough and understandable breakdown of God’s word.

MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH

“Because I am not yet living up to

what Jesus expects me to be in

those red letters in the Bible, I

always define myself as

somebody who is saved by God's

grace and is on his way to be-

coming a Christian. (...)

Being saved is trusting in what

Christ did for us, but being

Christian is dependent on the

way we respond to what he did

for us.”

― Tony Campolo, Red Letter

Christians: A Christian's Guide to

Faith and Politics, a Citizen's

Guide to Faith and Politics

DAY SIX:

Baptism

ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? Jesus has grown. He is now about thirty-years-old. In what many scholars

call his first public engagement, Jesus is baptized by his cousin John. When

we look at the text, we know John’s baptism was one of repentance and

confession toward belief...it was a baptism for sinners in need of cleansing.

Why would Jesus, the sinless Son of God, need such a baptism?

Pray: Lord, as I take this journey of discovering you, much like you did for

your earliest followers, open my mind that I might understand the

Scriptures.

Read: Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23; Matthew 3:13-17

What does Jesus’ baptism say about who Jesus is?

Who do you think the voice of God had a greater impact on Jesus or the

crowd? Why do you think this?

What questions do you still have?

Reflect: Baptism was a way people in the ancient world would publicly align oneself with a messenger and the

message he was giving. So when people came to be baptized by John, the were essentially saying, “ I believe

John is a prophet from God and I believe what he is saying. His message is true. The messiah is coming and I

need to be ready.”

Jesus identified with that truth...John was sent from God...the Messiah is coming...people need to be

ready...repent and believe.

Unique to Jesus though, he didn’t need any identification with the message of John...he didn’t need to repent

and believe. He was the focal point of the message. Nonetheless, Jesus’ baptism is about identification in two

ways: 1. Jesus identified with the full plan of the Father and 2. Jesus identified with those who needed him

most.

As we continue in our pursuit of Jesus, we will see that he is always about the Father’s work. Jesus always does

what God wills to work in the world. A second thing we will see in the life of Jesus is that he truly identifies

with those he came to rescue. What we see in Jesus’ baptism is a real connection with the uniqueness of his

life...fully God and fully man. The identity of Jesus rests in both worlds.

What about your identity? Paul wrote, “For we are all baptized by one Spirit, into one body—Jew or Greek,

slave or free…” Faith in Jesus gives us a new identity. Think deeper for a moment. How has your faith in Christ

shaped your identity? Have you noticed any difference at all? Embracing identity rooted in Jesus is central to

growing in faith.

Does your identity in Christ help or hinder you feeling loved by God as his child?

Do you sense God, through His word, shaping your identity as His child?

What would your life look like if you heard God say to you, “You are my child, whom I love and with whom I

am pleased.”?

Pray: Take time today to pray and reflect on what it means to be identified in Christ as God’s loved one.

MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH

"The temptation unmasked

Satan, while God remained

masked. If you are God, said

Satan, then dazzle me. Act like

God should act.

Jesus replied, Only God makes

those decisions, therefore I do

nothing at your command.”

Philip Yancey,

The Jesus I Never Knew

DAY SEVEN:

Temptation

ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? As you follow the life of Jesus you will see that his human life wasn’t without

temptation. He receivedthe royal treatment from Satan himself. But, unlike

Adam and Eve’s first encounter and temptation with Satan, Jesus overcame!

Notice Jesus didn’t use his supernatural powers (although he could have—

remember he was divine) but he used the same gifts available to us today

when we face temptation. He used:

(a) The power of the Holy Spirit (verse 1), and

(b) God’s Word (“It is written”).

Pray: Lord, As I look at your own temptation today, give me strength to

overcome mine.

Read: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13

Why do you think the Spirit led Jesus out to the wilderness for this

encounter?

What do you think Jesus is experiencing during his 40 days in the desert?

Physically:

Mentally:

Emotionally:

Spiritually:

Why do you think Jesus engages Satan with Bible verses?

What questions do you still have?

Reflect: At perhaps Jesus’ weakest point he had experienced in his life thus far, Satan attacks! Notice that

Satan’s attack is a direct challenge to the words spoken from the Father over Jesus at his baptism. Satan

chides, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

The Father had affirmed the identity of Jesus publicly. Now in this private moment of weakness, Satan

challenges Jesus head on. Satan’s trickery is powerful as he attempts to move Jesus into doubt. “If” can be a

powerful word.

Maybe you’ve heard Satan’s “Ifs”. “If you were forgiven…”; “If you were a real Christian…”; “If the Bible were

true…” Just like that our faith is shaken and doubt overcomes. Satan knows if we doubt God’s love and truth

we will be immobilized and eventually fall away from following Christ.

Each time Satan challenged Jesus, we see Jesus counter with the word of truth...straight from the Scripture.

He didn’t offer an opinion or a perhaps, maybe. Jesus allowed the truth to be truth.

When we face temptation, we can trust God’s word to lead us to overcome too.

Where have you seen God’s word help you overcome temptation and doubt?

Where do you struggle most with temptation today?

How does Jesus’ example of overcoming temptation encourage you? How does it make you feel less

adequate?

Pray: Spend time today asking God for truth in his word about your own temptations. Ask Him for strength

and faith to overcome.

MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH

“The trouble with deep belief is

that it costs something And there

is something inside me, some

selfish beast of a subtle thing

that doesn't like the truth at all

because it carries responsibility,

and if I actually believe these

things I have to do something

about them. It is so, so

cumbersome to believe anything.

And it isn't cool.”

― Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz:

Nonreligious Thoughts on Chris-

tian Spirituality

DAY EIGHT:

No Honor

Jesus returns from the desert battle with Satan. Although the temptation

was great, Jesus overcame. Now, faced with his own reality, Jesus begins a

three year journey to the cross. Teaching in the synagogue, Jesus took a

scroll and began to read from the scroll of Isaiah, an ancient prophet who

spoke clearly of Jesus’ coming.

Jesus greatest challenge was soon to be met…people who don’t want to

hear the truth of God.

Pray: Lord, help me see Your truth today. Help me to know you more today.

Let our relationship together grow even more deeply than it was yesterday.

Read: Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-30; Isaiah 61

What about Jesus’ message in Luke 4 draw favor from the crowd?

When does the crowd turn on Jesus?

Why do you think the essential message Jesus proclaims is “Repent and

believe.”? (Matthew 4, Mark 1)

What questions do you still have?

Reflect: The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good

news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the

prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor...

When Jesus quoted these words at the beginning of his public ministry he added, “Today this scripture has

been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4: 21)

With this proclamation, Jesus not only self-identified as the Messiah, he defined his mission through familiar

messianic descriptions. Jesus declared a movement had started through which the poor receive good news;

captives are freed; oppressed are liberated; and the “year of the Lord’s favor” is not just wishful dreaming.

To fully grasp the importance of the phrase “the year of the Lord’s favor,” we need understanding of the

biblical concept it came from as found in Leviticus chapter 25.

And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants; it shall

be a jubilee for you. –Leviticus 25:10

The balance of Leviticus 25 outlines aspects of the Year of Jubilee: slaves freed, debts cancelled, land rested,

and compassionate help to those in need. The Jubilee Year was a divinely-mandated time of justice,

restoration, and opening new possibilities for the future.

Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? In God’s will and economy…it is ALWAYS time for Jubilee through Jesus.

Of all of the freedom statements Jesus makes (good new to the oppressed; bind up the brokenhearted;

proclaim liberty to the captive; release the prisoners; proclaiming the Lord’s favor), which most speaks to

your own life right now?

Why would the crowd turn against Jesus in light of this good news?

Where do you see in your own life turning against Jesus even though he continues to proclaim the Lord’s

favor?

Pray: Thank God today for favor in your life. Pray that you have eyes and understanding to see it even more

clearly.

MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH

“When God wants to do

something wonderful, He

begins with a difficulty,

When God wants to do

something spectacular, He

begins with an

impossibility!”

Dr. Adlai Naidoo

DAY NINE:

Wedding in Galilee

ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? Jesus, his family and his disciples attend a local wedding...probably that of a

close relative to Mary and Joseph. During the festivities, there is a

problem...the wine runs out. This means trouble for the wedding host. Not

wanting to see her family embarrassed, Mary, Jesus’ mom, makes a

panicked request: “Do something.”

And so Jesus did.

Pray: Lord, there is so much about you that challenges convention. Help me

to trust and believe in your power and truth.

Read: John 2:1-12

What do you think would’ve happened had Jesus not intervened?

For the wedding host:

For Mary:

For the disciples:

For Jesus:

Do you have a hard time believing in miracles? Do you think miracles still

happen?

Have you experienced anything miraculous?

What questions do you still have?

Reflect: John opens a window for us look behind the scenes of the wedding. If you've ever been to a wedding

reception, you probably remember having lots of food to eat and wedding punch to drink.

Can you imagine how embarrassed the bride and bridegroom would be if people were standing in line to get

punch and were told the punch had run out? The wedding guests would know that the hosts hadn't planned

properly, and in a hot climate like Israel, their thirst would certainly aggravate the situation. This is what

occurred at this wedding in the village of Cana that Jesus, His mother and disciples attended.

It’s interesting that on God’s timetable what many perceived to be the main event, the wedding, was simply

the backdrop for Jesus’ miraculous debut. Most of the crowd missed the main action.

Out of the corner of our eye we see God providing what is needed via the resources that are available (the 6

stone jars and water). The view through the kitchen window is NOT so much of Jesus turning water into wine

as it is of Jesus changing lives.

Read verse 11 again: “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And

his disciples believed in him.”

That last line is critical. They had been with Jesus. But now they believe.

Think back on your own faith journey with Jesus. Where have you struggled to have faith in Jesus?

What did you, or do you now, need God to do in your life to firmly express your faith in Jesus?

Pray: As you pray today, pray that God would continue to reveal Himself to you in your life and strengthen

your faith to follow Jesus.

MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH

“Those who aren't following

Jesus aren't his followers. It's

that simple. Followers follow,

and those who don't follow

aren't followers. To follow Jesus

means to follow Jesus into a

society where justice rules,

where love shapes everything. To

follow Jesus means to take up his

dream and work for it.”

― Scot McKnight, One.Life: Jesus

Calls, We Follow

DAY TEN:

Jesus and the

Fishermen

ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? Jesus is the centerpiece of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Make no

mistake about it. However, God’s plan for humanity includes humanity, not

as central players, but as key agents of truth and grace.

What kind of people was Jesus looking for to carry out God’s redemptive

agenda? People just like you and me.

Pray: Lord, just as you called others to follow you, help me to have the

courage to follow you as well.

Read: John 1:35-42; Matthew4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11

What did the fishermen know about Jesus when he called them to follow

him?

What do you think it was about Jesus that moved these men to leave their

family business behind and follow him?

What doubts would you have about Jesus if you were in the same

position? What confidences?

What questions do you still have?

Reflect: “Follow me.” Two simple words. Two simple responses: “Yes, definitely.” and “No way.”

When we look into the life of Jesus here, what we know about his interaction with the disciples is limited.

Further more, it seems as though John and the other Gospel writers are at odds with each other. However,

there is a matter of timing. John presents the earliest encounters these men had with Jesus. The other Gospel

writers have a particular emphasis in the calling of the disciples.

John shows a group of young men who are spiritually curious. Perhaps there is an aspiration already to more

than fisherman. The highest “fame” an ancient Jew could have was to be a Rabbi or a student of the Rabbi.

Maybe these men had heard the rumors of the Messiah coming and longed for a better life free from Roman

oppression.

The Synoptic writers present the same men sometime later. Having seen and heard Jesus already, there is a

new challenge issued. No longer be spiritually curious. Follow me. Leave your past. Find your future. Follow

me. Find yourself in God’s redemptive agenda through me.

I wonder when we look at Jesus, where we truly fall. Are we spiritually curious? Are we looking for a better

life? Or are we looking to join in God’s redemptive agenda through Jesus?

What most draws you to Jesus: spiritually curious, a better life, or being a part of something bigger? Why

did you choose this?

Do you think Jesus still calls His followers to leave and follow today?

What do you think Jesus is calling you to leave so that you can follow him?

Pray: Spend time thinking about following Jesus. What is he calling you away from? What is he calling you

into? Spend time praying about those things today.

MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH SEEKS TO EMBODY A:

Gospel-centered (I Cor. 15:1-4)

Family-redeeming (Acts 16:25-34)

City-focused (Jeremiah 29:7)

Church Community (I Thess. 2:5-8)

We value Gospel Proclamation believing that the 66 books of the

Old & New Testament are our highest authority of God’s self-

disclosure and as it is faithfully explained, explored and expressed,

the Holy Spirit will elicit a response.

We value Gospel Community believing that people were created to

explore the Gospel together with honest, vulnerable dialogue about

difficult things pursuing depth in friendships to facilitate growth.

We value Gospel Mission believing that the Gospel compels us to

learn from, interact with, and generously give back to our culture in

the way we live our lives.

CONNECTING PEOPLE to JESUS MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH

720 S. Magnolia Ave Anaheim, CA 92804

714.827.0553 ph www.magnoliabaptist.org