1. Lesson 17 A Christian’s Use of God’s Word
Confirmation Class
Lesson 17
A Christian’s Use of God’s Word

2. Knowing the Word (Bible History)
The lineage of the Savior is found in two places in the New Testament
Matthew 1 (back to Abraham)
Luke 3 (back to Adam)
The purpose #1 II Timothy 3:15
The purpose #2
II Timothy 3:16-17

3. Old Testament: The “Red Line of the Promise” (The Old Testament is above all “salvation history”)
Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15) (ca. 6,000-10,000 years ago) Cain - Abel - Seth Noah Shem - Ham - Japheth (2000 B.C.) Abraham Isaac Jacob - Esau Judah & Joseph & 10 Brothers (12 Tribes of Israel) (1000 B.C.) David Kings Jesus

4. Creation to the Tower of Babel
Bible Book Genesis Where we came from 2. How sin started 3. First promise of a Savior 4. God’s punishment for unbelief (the flood) 5. Origin of languages (Tower of Babel)

5. Abraham to Sinai (2000-1500 B.C.) Bible Books Genesis 12-50
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
1. Call of Abraham (Origin of “Israel”)
2. Migration to Egypt
3. Oppression in Egypt
4. Exodus under Moses (1500 B.C.)
5. Giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai
years of wilderness wandering

6. Conquest of Canaan to the United Monarchy (1500-1000 B.C.)
Bible Books
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
I Samuel 1-7
1. Invasion and conquest under Joshua
2. Division of Land
3. Rule of Judges (Deborah, Gideon, Samson,etc.)

7. United Monarchy to the Fall and Return of Judah (1000-400 B.C.)
Bible Books I & II Samuel I & II Kings I & II Chronicles Poetical Books Prophetical Books
Saul
David (1000 B.C.) United Monarchy
Solomon
Divided Monarchy

8. Divided Monarchy Rehoboam Jeroboam (South – Judah) (North – Israel)
(Kings, both godless (all godless kings)
And godpleasing)
722 B.C. Conquered and scattered by Assyrians
586 B.C. Conquered and
Deported by the Babylonians

9. Divided Monarchy Judah
Bible Books Esther Ezra Nehemiah Prophetical Books
Judah
586 B.C. Conquered and
Deported by the Babylonians
536 B.C. Return to Jerusalem
400 B.C. End of the Old Testament
Jesus

10. New Testament
The Birth, Life, Suffering, and death of Jesus Christ (4 B.C. – 29 A.D.)
Bible Books
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

11. New Testament 2. A History of the Early Christian Church
(29 A.D. – 100 A.D.)
Bible Books
Acts (history, written by Luke)
All the Epistles (Letters written to congregations and individuals)

12. STUDYING THE Word Personal and Group Study
Types:
1. Overview
2. Verse by Verse
3. Topical
4. With a Devotional Book
B. How to study the Bible:
Begin with prayer
Ask as you study:
What does it say?
What does it tell me about myself?
What does it tell me about my Lord?
What will it lead me to do?

13. STUDYING THE Word Personal and Group Study
Use of Bible Study helps: maps references Concordances Bible Dictionary Catechism
NPH “People’s Bible” editions
NPH “People’s Bible Teachings” editions
Concordia’s Complete Bible Handbook for Students

14. STUDYING THE Word Personal and Group Study
Where to Begin?
Luke
Acts
Romans
Philippians
I Peter
John
Genesis
Prayer and Bible Study go together

15. The Church Year Two main parts: 1. Festival – Life of Christ
2. Non-festival – Our life in Christ
Three main festivals:
1. Christmas
2. Easter
3. Pentecost
*For a PDF file of the present church year calendar, go to and click on the link for the present church year calendar.

16. See handout

17. The Church Year Special Colors Violet = Repentance White = Joy
Black = Mourning
Red = Fire of the Holy Spirit
Green = Growth
Blue = Royalty, Grace of God

18. The Church Year Advent: Coming; preparation for Christmas
Christmas: Jesus Birth
Epiphany: Making known: Jesus made known as
Son of God and Savior of all.
Lent: Jesus suffering
Maundy Thursday: Institution of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday: Jesus’ death
EASTER: Jesus’ resurrection
Ascension: Jesus’ return to heaven, 40 days after Easter

19. The Church Year
PENTECOST: Outpouring of the Holy Spirit, 50 days after
Easter
Trinity Season: In honor of the Triune God (week after Pentecost) Begins Non-festival half of
Church year.
Sundays after Pentecost: The Christian’s new life in Christ;
half of the Church year (June – Dec.)

20. Assignment Get it in your head! Multiple Choice True-False Matching
Word Study
Get it in your head!

21. For the Quiz next time (Feb. 1st)
VIP 13
Memory work
“Power of Holy Communion”
Review for lesson 17