Timothy J. Shrimpton

ISBN 978-0-8100-2917-0

Interior Design and Layout: Timothy ShrimptonColor Illustrations: Keith NeelyArt Director: Karen Knutson Cover Design: Pamela Dunn Maps: Lynda Williams

All Catechism references correspond to Luther’s Catechism © 2017 Northwestern Publishing House.

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Published 2018Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 978-0-8100-2917-0

Table of Contents Lessons

1. The Early World: God Creates the World (Creation) ......................................................................................... 1 2. The Early World: The Fall Into Sin and Its Deadly Results (After Creation) ..................................................... 5 3. The Early World: God Protects His Promises Through the Flood (After Creation) .......................................... 9 4. The Early World: God’s Promise to Noah; the Tower of Babel (After the Flood) .......................................... 13 5. The Patriarchs: Abraham’s Call and Faith (c. 2091–2067 B.C.) .................................................................. 16 6. The Patriarchs: Isaac’s Birth and Almost Sacrifice (c. 2066–2046 B.C.) .................................................... 21 7. The Patriarchs: Isaac Blesses Jacob; Jacob’s Dream (c. 2006–1966 B.C.) ................................................ 25 8. The Patriarchs: Jacob’s Favoritism; Joseph’s Slavery (c. 1900–1897 B.C.) ............................................... 28 9. The Patriarchs: Joseph Prospers in Prison and With Pharaoh (c. 1897–1884 B.C.) .................................. 32

10. The Patriarchs: Joseph and His Brothers (c. 1884–1859 B.C.) ................................................................... 36 11. Slavery and Exodus: The Birth and Call of Moses (c. 1526–1446 B.C.) ...................................................... 40 12. Slavery and Exodus: Moses Confronts Pharaoh (c. 1446 B.C.) .................................................................... 43 13. Slavery and Exodus: Passover and the Tenth Plague (c. 1446 B.C.) ........................................................... 47 14. Slavery and Exodus: The Red Sea; Manna and Quail (c. 1446 B.C.) ........................................................... 50 15. Slavery and Exodus: The Ten Commandments; the Golden Calf (c. 1446 B.C.) ......................................... 54 16. Slavery and Exodus: Wandering for Faithlessness (c. 1446–1406 B.C.) .................................................... 57 17. Slavery and Exodus: Entering the Promised Land (c. 1406 B.C.) ................................................................. 61 18. The Period of the Judges: Gideon (c. 1170–1133 B.C.) ............................................................................... 64 19. The Period of the Judges: Ruth and Boaz (11th century B.C.) ...................................................................... 67 20. The Period of the Judges: Samuel and the Call for a King (c. 1105–1048 B.C.) ........................................ 70 21. The United Kingdom: King Saul’s Rise and Fall; David’s Anointing (c. 1048–1031 B.C.) .......................... 73 22. The United Kingdom: David Confronts Goliath; King Saul’s Jealousy (c. 1031–1010 B.C.) ...................... 76 23. The United Kingdom: King David’s Sins and Repentance (c. 1002 B.C.) .................................................... 80 24. The United Kingdom: King David’s Psalms; King Solomon’s Temple (c. 1002–967 B.C.) ......................... 85 25. The Divided Kingdom: King Ahab and the Prophet Elijah (c. 871–870 B.C.) .............................................. 90 26. The Divided Kingdom: The Prophet Jonah Is Sent to Assyria (c. 790 B.C.) .................................................. 94 27. The Divided Kingdom: The Fall of Israel and the Rescue of Jerusalem (c. 722–701 B.C.) ........................ 98 28. The Divided Kingdom: The Reforms of King Hezekiah and King Josiah (c. 715 B.C. and c. 633 B.C.) .... 102 29. The Divided Kingdom: The Prophet Jeremiah and the Fall of Jerusalem (c. 589–586 B.C.) ................... 106 30. Exile in Babylon: The Fiery Furnace and the Lions’ Den (c. 604–536 B.C.) .............................................. 110 31. The Return From Exile: The Prophet Haggai and Rebuilding the Temple (c. 538–516 B.C.) ................... 114 32. The Return From Exile: God Saves His People Through Esther (c. 483–473 B.C.) ................................... 118 33. The Intertestamental Period: The Desecration and Purification of the Temple (c. 168–164 B.C.) ......... 122 34. Promises of the Savior Throughout the Old Testament .............................................................................. 127 35. The Savior Comes: God’s Messengers Promise the Births of John the Baptist and Jesus (c. 3 B.C.) ...... 130 36. The Savior Comes: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus (c. 3–2 B.C.) ............................................... 134 37. The Savior Comes: John’s Preaching; Jesus’ Baptism (c. 29 A.D.) ............................................................. 138 38. The Savior Comes: Satan Tempts Jesus; John Directs People to Jesus (c. 29–30 A.D.) .......................... 142 39. Jesus’ Ministry: Nicodemus; the Samaritan Woman; Rejection in Nazareth (c. 30–31 A.D.) .................. 146 40. Jesus’ Ministry: The Catch of Fish; Healing the Centurion’s Servant; Calming the

Storm (c. 30–32 A.D.) .................................................................................................................................... 149

41. Jesus’ Ministry: Feeding More Than Five Thousand People; Walking on the Water; Peter’s Confession; the Transfiguration (c. 30–32 A.D.) .............................................................................................................. 152

42. Jesus’ Ministry: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant; the Good Shepherd; Teaching Mary and Martha (c. 30–32 A.D.) .................................................................................................................................. 157

43. Jesus’ Ministry: Raising Lazarus From the Dead; Entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (March, 33 A.D.) ............................................................................................................................................. 162

44. Jesus’ Passion: The Commands of Maundy Thursday Evening (April 2, 33 A.D.) ...................................... 166 45. Jesus’ Passion: Judas’ Betrayal; Jesus on Trial (April 2–3, 33 A.D.) .......................................................... 170 46. Jesus’ Passion: Jesus’ Crucifixion and Burial (April 3, 33 A.D.) .................................................................. 175 47. Jesus’ Exaltation: Jesus Rises From the Dead (April 5, 33 A.D.) ................................................................ 179 48. Jesus’ Exaltation: Jesus Continues to Prove His Resurrection, Restores Peter, and Ascends Into

Heaven (April–May, 33 A.D.) ......................................................................................................................... 183 49. The Early Christian Church: The First Christian Pentecost Day (May, 33 A.D.) .......................................... 187 50. The Early Christian Church: The Beginnings of the Church and Opposition (c. 33–35 A.D.) .................... 191 51. The Early Christian Church: Stephen’s Death; Saul’s Conversion (c. 36 A.D.) .......................................... 196 52. The Early Christian Church: Peter Is Sent to the Gentiles (c. 36–41 A.D.)................................................. 201 53. The Early Christian Church: Paul’s First Missionary Journey (c. 47–48 A.D.) ............................................ 204 54. The Early Christian Church: Excerpts From Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (c. 49–51 A.D.) .............. 208 55. The Early Christian Church: Excerpts From Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (c. 52–55 A.D.) .................. 213 56. The Early Christian Church: Paul’s Arrest, Trials, and Appeal to Caesar (c. 55–57 A.D.) ......................... 216 57. The Early Christian Church: Paul’s Journey to Rome (c. 57–60 A.D.) ........................................................ 220 58. The Results of God’s Faithfulness to His Promises .................................................................................... 224

Appendix and Indexes Appendix: Bible History Time Line and Maps of Israel ......................................................................................... 229 Scripture Reference Index ...................................................................................................................................... 231 Catechism Part Index .............................................................................................................................................. 237

Lesson 29

The Divided Kingdom: The Prophet Jeremiah and the Fall of Jerusalem c. 589–586 B.C.

Though God-fearing kings like Hezekiah and Josiah attempted to reform the worship life in the Southern Kingdom, Judah still followed in Israel’s footsteps: the people did not serve the true God exclusively. They served false gods and ignored what their God had told them. They ignored and abused the prophets God sent to them. And after Assyria had taken Israel into exile and besieged Jerusalem, that empire fell to Babylon, a new world superpower. Because the people of Judah also ignored his Word, God sent Babylon to come and take them into captivity as well.

Jeremiah 38:1-28 – God’s Word Through Jeremiah Is Despised • God sent Jeremiah to deliver an unpopular message to his people. • The people didn’t want to hear the message, so they abused God’s messenger.

1. What was the message Jeremiah spoke to the people that upset Shephatiah, Gedaliah, Jehukal, and

Pashhur so much (vv. 2-3)? Jerusalem was going to be destroyed by the Babylonians.

2. Where did this message come from (v. 3)? From God.

3. What did the officials think should happen to Jeremiah (v. 4)? He should die for what he said.

4. Why did they think he was worthy of death? They thought that his words were discouraging the soldiers and the people.

5. What did they do to Jeremiah to keep him quiet (v. 6)? They lowered him into a cistern.

6. Does that remind you of anything else we’ve heard in our lessons this year? Review Lesson 8 and Genesis 37:18-24. Joseph’s brothers threw him into a well before they sold him into slavery.

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7. How were the people breaking the Third Commandment? They were despising the Word of God given through Jeremiah.

8. Other “prophets” were spreading a message that directly contradicted Jeremiah’s message. Though they claimed that their message had come from God, they actually had made it up to win the favor of the people and so that the people would feel at ease. How were the people who were spreading these lies breaking the Second Commandment? They were using God’s name to lie and deceive.

9. What did Ebed-Melek do to rescue Jeremiah? Note vv. 8-9,11-13. He spoke to the king, and the king allowed him to rescue Jeremiah.

10. What message did God have for King Zedekiah (vv. 17-18)? If he surrendered to Babylon, he, the people, and the city would be spared.

11. What did Zedekiah instruct Jeremiah to do (vv. 24-26)? Not tell anyone about their conversation.

Jeremiah 52:1-30 – The Fall of Jerusalem • Zedekiah did not listen to the warnings and encouragements God gave through Jeremiah. • The disaster, which God had warned them would come upon Jerusalem because of their

unfaithfulness, did happen.

12. How long was Jerusalem under siege by the Babylonians (vv. 4-5)? Two years.

13. What happened as a result of that siege (v. 6)? They ran out of food.

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and his Word, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not use his name to curse, swear, lie or deceive, or use witchcraft, but call upon God’s name in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

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14. After the Babylonian army broke through the city wall of Jerusalem and entered the city, what did King Zedekiah and the army do (v. 7-9)? Everyone ran away.

15. Because King Zedekiah refused to surrender to the Babylonians as God had instructed him, what happened to him and his family (vv. 10-11)? His family was killed, his eyes were gouged out, and he was in prison until he died.

16. As they came into Jerusalem, what did the Babylonian army do to the temple of the Lord? See v. 13. They set fire to it.

17. What happened to all the utensils God had instructed his people to make for worship in the temple (vv. 17-23)? They took many of them back to Babylon.

18. By their unfaithfulness, God’s people ruined their livelihood and lost their homeland. Even more important, their actions threatened the promise God had made. God had promised that a Savior would come who would be born of Abraham’s, Isaac’s, Jacob’s, Judah’s, and David’s line. He would be born in Bethlehem, and he would crush the work of Satan. Now, with God’s people all but gone, it might have appeared that those promises would never come to fruition. However, even as the people were being unfaithful, God made still another promise, this one about their captivity in Babylon. Read Jeremiah 29:4-14. What did God promise his people? After 70 years in exile, God would bring them back. Over the next several lessons, we will see how God, seemingly against all odds, would work through history to preserve his people and do what he had said he would do. God would be faithful to the promises he had made to his people shortly after the creation, again through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and, finally, through the prophets. The Savior of all people would come.

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Key Questions A. What were the results of Judah’s unfaithfulness to God? They were carried off into exile in

Babylon.

B. How did God show his mercy to his people even during their captivity? He promised to take care of them and eventually bring them home.

Homework □ Catechism Memory Work: ____________________________________________________________

□ Bible Passage Memory Work: _________________________________________________________

□ Be able to answer the Key Questions for Lesson 29.

□ Read pp. 53-67 in Luther’s Catechism.

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Lesson 54

The Early Christian Church: Excerpts From Paul’s Second Missionary Journey c. 49–51 A.D.

With the influx of gentile Christians into the church, a council met in Jerusalem to discuss how to handle cultural differences between the gentile and Jewish Christians. Then, after a disagreement arose between Paul and Barnabas as to whether they could trust John Mark (who had abandoned them on their previous missionary journey), Paul opted to go with Silas on his second mission journey. Barnabas and John Mark went to Cyprus on a missionary journey of their own.

Acts 16:6-40 – Paul’s Second Missionary Journey: Philippi • Paul, Silas, and Timothy were directed by the Holy Spirit to go to Greece. • In the city of Philippi, they were given an unconventional opportunity to share the gospel and save a

man’s spiritual and physical life.

1. While Paul was traveling back through Lystra, he met a young man named Timothy, who joined their mission team. Though Paul and his companions had plans to go elsewhere and preach the Word, God prevented them from carrying out those plans. In a vision, where did God direct them to go (v. 9)? Macedonia.

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2. While in the city of Philippi, the missionaries met a woman named Lydia. How does the Bible describe her coming to faith in Jesus (v. 14)? God opened her heart.

3. After the Lord opened her heart, what did she and her household do (v. 15)? They were baptized.

4. What offer did she make to Paul and his companions (v. 15)? To stay at her house.

5. While walking through the city of Philippi, the missionaries came across a girl who was possessed by an evil spirit. What did she do that greatly annoyed them (vv. 17-18)? She was shouting after them, proclaiming what they were doing.

6. Why do you think they wanted her to stop talking about them? Review the Eighth Commandment printed below. While what she said was true, it was coming from an unreliable source that could hurt their reputations.

7. Why were the girl’s masters so upset with Paul and Silas after Paul had cast out the demon (vv. 19-20)? They lost their source of income.

8. What did the girl’s masters do because they were so upset (vv. 19-22)? Dragged Paul and Silas before the leaders of the city and had them beaten.

9. After Paul and Silas were beaten severely and thrown into prison, why do you suppose they were joyfully singing hymns to God (v. 25)? They were thankful to be alive and to suffer for what was right.

10. A violent earthquake shook the prison, and all the doors flew open and all the chains fell off the prisoners. After discovering what happened, what was the jailer going to do? See v. 27. He took out his sword to kill himself because he thought all the prisoners had escaped.

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, or give him a bad name, but defend him, speak well of him, and take his words and actions in the kindest possible way.

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11. Read the Conclusion to the Ten Commandments and review v. 30. What did the jailer clearly already know about God and what did he still need to learn? He knew that God punished sin but needed to learn that God forgives.

12. When the jailer asked what he should do, Paul and Silas told him simply to trust that Jesus is his Savior (v. 31). Review the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed and answer this question: What do we need to do to earn eternal life? Nothing. We trust that Jesus is our Savior with the faith that God gives to us.

Acts 17:1-15 – Paul’s Second Missionary Journey: Thessalonica and Berea

• Paul traveled to the Greek city of Thessalonica. • After a bad experience in Thessalonica, he found a faithful group of believers in Berea.

13. What familiar sequence of events played out in Thessalonica (vv. 1-8)? Paul preached to the Jewish

people; some believed but others got angry.

THE CONCLUSION OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS What does God say about all these commandments? He says, “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” What does this mean? God threatens to punish all who transgress these commandments. Therefore we should fear his anger and not disobey what he commands. But he promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore we should love and trust in him and gladly obey what he commands.

THE THIRD ARTICLE OF THE APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church he daily and fully forgives all sins to me and all believers. On the Last Day he will raise me and all the dead and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

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14. In v. 11, what do we learn about the people living in the city of Berea compared to the people living in Thessalonica? The Bereans were more noble people.

15. In what way were they more noble (v. 11)? They received Paul’s words eagerly and checked to see if Paul’s message matched what God had promised.

16. Why were the Bereans a great model for the early church and for us? Read 1 John 4:1. They tested what Paul said to ensure that what they were hearing was right.

17. Explain this statement: The way the Bereans handled Paul’s teaching was in keeping with the Third Commandment. They valued God’s Word so much that they worked hard to be sure that what they were taught was true.

18. What happened that prematurely ended Paul’s time in Berea (v. 13)? People from Thessalonica came to cause trouble in Berea.

Acts 17:16-34 – Paul’s Second Missionary Journey: Athens

• Paul journeyed to Athens on his own, while Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. • In Athens, Paul preached to people who had never heard the promises of God in the Old Testament.

19. What especially troubled Paul in Athens (v. 16)? Athens was full of false gods.

20. Paul was able to speak to Jewish believers, believing Gentiles, and people who had never heard God’s Word before. How did the unbelievers react to Paul’s teaching (v. 18)? They were confused about what he was saying.

21. The people of Athens brought Paul to a gathering place in the city to learn more. Paul couldn’t start with the promises of the Old Testament because these people were not Jewish and likely knew nothing about the Bible. What did he use as his talking point (vv. 22-23)? An altar dedicated to an “unknown god.”

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and his Word, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.

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22. What did Paul tell the Athenians about their “unknown god” (vv. 24-28)? He is actually the true God, the Creator of all things.

23. What did the people of that day often worship as gods (v. 29)? Statues made from stone, gold, or silver.

24. Who is the one Paul mentions in v. 31, who was appointed to judge the world? Jesus.

25. Once Paul spoke about the resurrection of the dead, how did the people react? See vv. 32-34. Some mocked him while others wanted to hear more and believed.

Key Questions A. When the jailer in Philippi asked what he had to do to be saved, what did Paul and Silas tell him?

Trust what God has promised.

B. How did the people in Berea show that they were taking Paul’s teaching very seriously? They checked God’s Word to see if what Paul said was true.

C. What did Paul use as he talked to the people in Athens who had never heard God’s Word in the Old Testament? He used an altar to an “unknown god” to talk about the true Creator-God.

Homework □ Catechism Memory Work:____________________________________________________________

□ Bible Passage Memory Work: _________________________________________________________

□ Be able to answer the Key Questions for Lesson 54.

□ Read pp. 59-67, 183-194, 213-219, 297-302 in Luther’s Catechism.

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