“The Story and The Song”

​     It is fall once again and time to begin the new 2024-2025 year of online Learning Together lessons and Sunday School gatherings. Welcome back! I hope you had a super-duper, safe summer.
     As before, each month this online program will explore a new Bible story with three weekly online lessons followed up by an in-person gathering for Sunday School on the fourth Sunday of each month, except for December, from 11 am. to 12 pm. During our gatherings, we will orally read and discuss the story, do a craft, and say a prayer to finish.
     Learning Together lessons include a children’s section and an adult section.
     You and your family are invited to listen and read and create and pray around a story from The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. Copies of this book can be found at our church for free or can be purchased online.
     Our story this month is “The Story and The Song” on pages 12-17. Please feel free to ask questions or give comments to Pastor Steve by responding on this blog.
     Children: Please begin by making yourself comfortable and listening to the story read aloud to you located at the start of this online lesson.
     Our story is a description of our God and our Christian religion. It is a celebration of the Bible, which tells the story of Jesus, from the time before he was born to the end of His earthly mission. It is a celebration that God loves His children so much that He came to our rescue by sending Jesus.
     The Bible is divided into two basic parts, the first part called the Old Testament, and the second part called the New Testament. A testament states a belief or gives some sort of direction to those reading it.
     The Old Testament reveals to believers the truth of God from the beginning of time to 400 years before Jesus stepped foot on the earth. The New Testament covers Jesus’ lifetime and beyond. This second part of the Bible was written during the time of the Roman Empire.
     Adults: Biblical references for this story are Psalm 19 and Hebrews 1.
     Here is what I found to be interesting information on the organization of the Old Testament. The books in the old Testament are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, ,Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
     The Old Testament canon can be sorted into five main categories:
     The Pentateuch is the name for the first five books - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
     Historical Books chronicle the events of Israel's history. These books are Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, and Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.
     Poetry and Wisdom Books describe wisdom in terms of practical knowledge. These books are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
     The Major Prophets are books that emphasize the relationship between God and His chosen people Israel. These books are Isiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
     The Minor Prophets are books that emphasize the relationship between God and His chosen people Israel. These books are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Combined, these categories cover almost all of the historical events before Jesus' life and ministry on Earth.
     Combined, these categories cover almost all of the historical events before Jesus' life and ministry on Earth.
     The authors of these books are written by some big names, some of the traditionally accepted authors include King David, who was said to have composed many of the psalms; Moses is also credited with writing the first five books.
     Various prophets from both the Northern kingdom of Israel and the Southern kingdom of Judah, like Amos, Hosea and Micah have written books in the Old Testament as well.
     These authors wrote over hundreds of years about their own experiences and about God's direction for them and for other people. As a result, their writings form an essential part of Christian theology today.
    Next week we will take a closer look at the New Testament.
     ~This week’s prayer: I thank you for all the people over many years who were true to you and wrote the Bible. Amen
     There will be two more online lessons this September about “The Story and The Song.” This month’s Sunday School will meet from 11 am. to 12 pm. on September 22 after church services. All ages are welcome to join the discussion and enjoy a craft!
Have a blessed day,
Margo Greer