Notes for: Weeks 27 - 34 | Week 35 | Week 36 | Week 37 | Week 38 | Week 39 | Week 40 | Week 41 | Week 42 | Weeks 43 - 52

Week 35

THE GOSPEL

The Gospel means good news or glad tidings. It is about the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and how men and women may be saved.

There is only one Gospel. It cannot be changed (Jude 1:3).

THE LETTER TO THE GALATIANS Certain Jews had tried to take the Galatian believers away from the One Gospel by insisting also that they kept the ritual of the old law. So Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia. The Gospel is that Jesus is the Promised Seed (descendant) of the woman (Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4) and of Abraham (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:16) and that Jews or Gentiles can by faith inherit a share in the promises, but only if they are in Christ (Gal. 3:27).

"Churches" in Galatia (See Acts 13 - 18)

DAILY NOTES

Week 36

SCRIPTURAL THEMES IN THE PSALMS

Like all the Books of the Bible, the Psalms, because they come from God, contain the same unity of teaching and message.

Some of the Gospel themes to be found include:

• Christ

  the suffering Messiah
  the Son of God
  the future King

• The Kingdom of God

  will really be established on earth with Israel at its centre, and Jerusalem as its capital.

• Death or Life

  the facts of sin, pain and death are underlined; the hope of life, through God's mercy, is sure to those who seek forgiveness and trust in Him.

DAILY NOTES

Week 37

PAUL'S LETTERS FROM ROME

After the journey to Rome, described in Acts 27-28, the Apostle Paul wrote further letters (epistles) to some of the brethren and sisters he had visited on earlier journeys. (See the map in the notes for Week 27).

THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS

This letter contains the wonderful theme of the Church as the Body of Christ. It calls believers to a united and exalted life in Him.

THE LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS

This letter is full of joy; it also speaks of the need for unity in Christ in our spiritual warfare. Paul refers to soldiers and their weapons. Philippi was a Roman outpost or colony. In the same way, the true Church should be like a heavenly colony on earth (Philippians 3:20).

DAILY NOTES

Week 38

DEATH OR LIFE?

Death is real (Psalms 88, 90). It came into the world because of sin.

Everlasting life in God's Kingdom is the Bible hope. Therefore there must be a resurrection from the dead for those who are heirs of the Kingdom. Those who thus put their trust in God will be blessed abundantly with everlasting joy and peace.

The Psalms continue to proclaim this theme and to show us that NOW is our opportunity to choose between death and life.

DAILY NOTES

Week 39

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST

The personal return of Jesus Christ to the earth in power and glory is the way in which God's plan will be marvellously completed.

Unless he returns:

Death is the end for all.

There will be no resurrection or future life.

There will be no salvation for the righteous.

Mankind will utterly ruin itself and the earth by sin and selfishness.

God's people will not be blessed.

His Promises will remain unfulfilled.

His glory will never fill the earth.

His Plan will have failed!

THE LETTTERS TO THE THESSALONIANS

The believers in Thessalonica formerly worshipped idols. The Apostle Paul wrote them two letters, under the inspiration of God, to instruct and encourage them in their new life. (See the map in the introduction to Step 6). To encourage and strengthen the faithful, Paul refers repeatedly to the return of Christ from heaven.

DAILY NOTES

Week 40

JERUSALEM, THE HOLY CITY Jerusalem was chosen by God to "place His Name there" (Deuteronomy 12:5; 1 Kings 8:29; Psalm 87). In the world-wide Kingdom of God, Jerusalem will be the focal point for religious and civil law, backed by the authority and power of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 2:3-4). It will be the capital city of the great King (Psalms 2, 122, 149), at the centre of the continents, just as Jesus said (Matthew 5:35).

World map, with Jerusalem at the hub of the continents

DAILY NOTES

Week 41

FIRST PRINCIPLES ... IN THE EPISTLES TO TIMOTHY

Timothy was a young man converted by the Apostle Paul. He had been brought up, at Lystra, with a good foundation of Scriptural knowledge (2 Timothy 3:15). When he became the "bishop" (literally, overseer) of the church at Ephesus, Paul wrote to him with sound advice.

It was at Ephesus that Paul had warned of the dangers of departing from the one true Gospel (Acts 20:28-32). In these letters, written soon before his martyrdom in Rome, Paul again outlines essential foundation teachings of the Faith, which cannot be altered. (See the summary of Bible teachings).

DAILY NOTES

Week 42

THE PROPHETS God sent His prophets to the people of Israel and Judah to try to turn them from idolatry and false religion. But "they mocked the messengers of God ... until there was no remedy" (2 Chronicles 36:16). Isaiah prophesied (acted as God's spokesman) during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, when Judah was surrounded by the Assyrians (see map opposite). He made known many wonderful promises concerning Jesus and the Kingdom on earth.

Assyria and Egypt in the days of Isaiah

DAILY NOTES

Top of page | Step 5 | Table of Readings

Home