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Matthew

Matthew’s Gospel is aimed at a Jewish audience. He seems to want to change their thinking that the Messiah would be a militant leader who would knock off the Romans and re-establish David’s throne. He shows that Jesus is the true Messiah by emphasising that He and His work is a fulfilment of their Scriptures. (You will notice the word ‘fulfilled’ coming up again and again. In fact in Matthew’s Gospel, there are over 60 references to the Old Testament writings as fulfilled in Christ.) Similarly, Matthew highlights what Jesus says about the Kingdom of Heaven (mentioned 32 times). The Sermon on the Mount is a great feature of Matthew’s account (chapters 5-7) it gives us a profound orientation to what it means to live the life of a disciple of Jesus.

Key reflection questions:

  • v5-7: How is Jesus’ teaching on being religious different from the teaching of the Pharisees?
  • Imagine you were an Old Testament Jew, how does Matthew convince you that Jesus is your Messiah?
  • What exactly is the Kingdom of Heaven? How does it work?

Daniel

The big question the book of Daniel addresses is: Who is really in control in this world? This question would have been at the forefront of the Israelite’s minds at the time of writing, as they watched the mighty Babylonian Empire smash Jerusalem and swallow up Israel and take its people hostage. The Babylonian kings had no fear of God in them and it looked certain that Israel’s cultural and religious heritage was going to be forever lost.
At the time when a nation defeated another nation it was thought that it spoke of the superiority of their god. And yet Daniel is a man who bravely trusted that God was still in control and because of this, still to be worshipped and obeyed. Through what unfolds in the story we see that God is still very much committed to His people and very much able to honour His servants who honour Him.
The book predicts the destiny of two opposing powers: the kingdom of men, and the kingdom of God. The book roughly has two sections to it – the first contains stories of the way God uses Daniel to wake up the King of Babylon to His authority. The next focuses in on prophesies of the future worldly and heavenly kingdoms.
Don’t get too stressed by the weird prophesies in this book. Some are interpreted for us and some aren’t. Basically their message to us is this: There are plenty of worldly kingdoms that look impressive but eventually God’s kingdom will rise and never be shaken.

Key reflective questions:

  • Are there times/situations in your life that you feel a little like Daniel? What does God’s message in Daniel say to you about your perspective and behaviour in these situations?

Hosea

Welcome to the Minor Prophets! (Minor because of length, not importance!) The Minor Prophets certainly have some vivid images in them. None more vivid than in the book of Hosea where the prophet in called on by God to marry an unfaithful wife to illustrate how Israel has treated their God. Things had been bad for some time – the Golden Calf had been the official national religion for the past 200 years, through this time the people had systematically ignored the steady stream of prophets God had sent them.
Israel has effectively walked away from their marriage with their God in favour of prostitution. The book reflects on both the nature of Israel’s adultery and God’s incredible grief and anger over it, and yet God will not divorce His bride. His commitment to His promises is the great feature of this book.

Key reflection questions:

  • In what ways has Israel committed adultery against their God?
  • How does our sin affect God?

Joel

And here is another Minor Prophet with major imagery. Joel prophesies in the middle of a huge locust plague coming on Israel. He uses this as a backdrop to warn the people to repent in light of the coming judgement on the Day of the LORD. The day when the LORD will send another swarm, even greater than these locusts, on all who do not repent, namely: the army of the LORD. Keep your wits about you as you read this book, Joel seems to switch and overlay the earthly reality with the apocalyptic one with little distinction.

Key reflection question:

  • How would you answer Joel’s question: The Day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it?

1 and 2 Thessalonians

Paul, Silas and Timothy visited Thessalonica and preached the gospel to them over some weeks (check out Acts 17:1-9) and wanted to properly establish a church in this busy city, however they were forced to evacuate early because of Jewish rioters. As we will read, Timothy is sent back to them not long after to settle the church there and give them Paul’s take on the persecution he had experienced, and that which they were still experiencing.
Specifically these letters indicate two concerns the Thessalonian church had. Firstly, somehow they thought the Day of the LORD had already come and gone and they had missed the boat. Secondly, there were some who were not prepared to work but instead sponged off others in the church. Perhaps these concerns were because of an incorrect expectation that the Day of the LORD immediately. Whatever the case, Paul writes to address both these issues.
Key reflection questions:

  • What will happen on the Day of the LORD?
  • Can we really be prepared for something that we don’t have a date for?

Amos

Amos, a shepherd from the southern kingdom of Israel is sent to prophesy against the northern kingdom for her vain pursuit of luxury, indulgence, and with it, her oppression of the poor. He also calls the people to give up their fake and superficial religious observances and take seriously the demand for righteous and sincere living. He urges the people to repent before the judgements of God falls on them. “Seek God and live”, was Amos’ plea to the nation. He also foretells the dispersion of the Israelites, but points further afield to a day when God would regather them in the land of their forefathers.
Key reflection questions:

  • What will the Day of the LORD be like? How much of this is about the impending invasion of the Assyrians and how much of it is the Great Day of the LORD still to come?

Obadiah

Blink and you will miss this book! It is the shortest in the Old Testament. Obadiah was a prophet who pronounced judgement upon the nation of Edom for its antagonism against Israel. It is important we understand a little family history at this point. Edom is the nation that descended from Esau – the twin brother of Jacob (better known as Israel) from whom Israel was descended. Ever since sneaky Jacob took Edom’s birthright there had been plenty of sibling rivalry. The big message of this little book is that Edom will be punished for its attacks on Israel and destroyed forever, but God has a special love and commitment to Israel.

Key reflection questions:

  • How does this book remind us of God’s special love and commitment to us as His chosen people?

Jonah

I guess we are all quite familiar with the story of Jonah and the big fish. In some ways it is quite a comical story; Jonah is the unwilling prophet who is sent to speak God’s warning to the people of Ninevah, the capital city of Assyria. Assyria was a great, and incredibly cruel nation, and no friend to Israel. Keep your eyes open as you read Jonah. Behind this rather comical story is an important message for God’s people in every age about the nature of our God and His love for all people, not just the Israelites.

Key reflection questions:

  • What does this story tell us about Israel’s God?
  • What does this story say about how we are to view those who aren’t God’s people?

Micah

Micah’s name means: “Who is like Yahweh?” and this is certainly a question answered in this book. Really, Micah was to the Southern Kingdom of Judah what Amos was previously to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Both prophets were fierce critics of the rich and powerful who exploited the poor. Micah also rebukes Israel over her idolatry and the false confidence given to the people by her ‘fair-weather’ prophets. Micah warns of the terrible punishment coming on them if they do not repent. In very clear terms the impending expulsion to Babylon is put before the people. And yet, for all the doom, it is overshadowed by a message of hope. Micah makes clear that judgement would not be the end of Judah’s story. Interestingly there will be a certain ruler from Bethlehem who will bring restoration and blessing, and not just to Judah but the whole world!

Key reflection questions:

  • Who is like Yahweh?

Nahum

The book of Nahum is an interesting sequel to the book of Jonah. The prophesy of Nahum is also a prophecy against the city of Ninevah about a century after the reluctant prophet Jonah delivered his message. Jonah’s call to repent had been heeded, but its impact on this nation evidently did not stick. Now Ninevah (the capital of Assyria) had taken the Northern Kingdom of Israel into captivity and was well and truly set opposed to Israel’s God.
Whereas Jonah delivered a message calling for repentance and forgiveness, Nahum preaches a message of doom upon Nineveh. They who have been used as God’s tool against the people of Israel and Jerusalem, will now be destroyed because of their great wickedness.

Key reflection questions:

  • What is the terrible message for those who reject God’s call to repent?

Habakkuk

Habakkuk complains to God about the injustice he sees all about him. The wicked seem to always have the upper-hand over the righteous. Where was God? Isn’t He supposed to judge and bring justice? Instead of putting Habakkuk’s heart at ease, God explains that He is bringing the wicked nation of Babylon against Israel. By the end of the book Habakkuk is a changed person. He is shown that he must continue to trust in God regardless of the injustice he sees around him. The wicked appear to prosper while the righteous are punished, this prosperity of the wicked wont last forever. Justice will eventually come. God will not abandon those who obey and follow Him, for now – “the just shall live by faith”.

Key reflection questions:

  • Are there times in your life when you feel just like Habakkuk (i.e., you see the wicked triumphing over you)? What is the important perspective that the book of Habakkuk gives us on this?

Zephaniah

Zephaniah is a pretty fiery book. He prophesied during King Josiah’s reign, who was responsible for a great religious reform, and yet, this reformation was but a flash in the pan. Josiah’s sons followed the pattern of the previous evil kings of Judah, and Jerusalem was captured and the people exiled not long after. Zephaniah focuses his message on the Day of the LORD. He prophesies inescapable and devastating judgement, not just against Judah’s enemies, but against Judah itself, and calls for national repentance. And yet, God’s grace shines through once again, in promising to save and restore a remnant to be His own people.

Key reflection questions:

  • How can a fiery book like this actually be a source of great comfort and joy to Christians?

Haggai

Haggai speaks to the few Jews who been allowed to return to Judah from their captivity in Babylon. In four prophesies from God Haggai exhorts them to “consider their ways” and to turn to Him. A foundational part of their response is to complete the Temple whose repairs had stalled some eighteen years prior. (As we will see, the people responded, and the Temple was completed in 516 B.C.) Haggai further pronounces that pagan empires will be overthrown by God, and Judah will be elevated during the time of the Messiah.

Key reflection questions:

  • In what way is Jesus, our Immanuel (“God with us”- Matthew 1:23), the fulfilment of Haggai?

Zechariah

Zechariah was around at the same time as Haggai, and prophesied a little later. When the first people returned to Jerusalem to rebuild their spirits were high, but as time has passed the people had been greatly discouraged about the reestablishment of Jerusalem and Israel. Was it ever going to happen? Was their God really behind it?
Zechariah’s prophesy gives the people a great shot in the arm. Yes, God is committed to Jerusalem. If the people would turn to Him, they would discover Him turning back to them. Jerusalem would, once again, be the centre of the universe. It would be defended, built up and cleansed. This will occur when the great Davidic king shows up.

Key reflection questions:

  • How would you describe God’s commitment to Jerusalem these days?
  • How is the Davidic king described here? What makes Him so different from other leaders? What further light does it add to your understanding of Jesus?

Malachi

Malachi probably wrote around the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. The Temple is operating but the people are still awaiting their promised Messiah. Perhaps it was because of this that the people had become lax and casual towards their God and the worship of Him. Their sacrifices were dodgy, their husbands cheated on their wives, their priests neglected God’s covenant. Here, God calls them back to real worship of Him, regardless of if they see His miraculous presence or not. They were to live by faith and not by sight while they wait for His appearing.

Key reflection questions:

  • We might not be under the Old Testament sacrificial system, but in what way are we also tempted to present half-baked offerings to God in our lives like the people back then?

Luke

The book of Luke gives us the most complete and thorough look at the life of Jesus. Luke uses eyewitnesses as sources for his writings. Luke seems to want to highlight certain things in his biography: Jesus’ humanity and compassion, the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer. Luke was a doctor and you may also notice his medical insight in the way he describes those Jesus heals.
This bio is written especially for Greeks who delighted in wisdom, beauty and system. Luke therefore, tells the story of Jesus, in a very ordered and systematic way, setting the facts out in chronological order in a manner not attempted by the other Gospel writers. Luke was an artist with the pen, drawing the portrait of Jesus as the perfect man.

Key reflection questions:

  • Where do you see Jesus’ humanity shining through in Luke’s Gospel?
  • What is the great reversal taking place in the world?
  • When is the Kingdom of God according to Luke?

Acts

With the departure of Jesus so could have been the end of the Christian movement. The “Acts of the Apostles” shows however, that things have only got started! There is a great mission on, and there is a great power at work making it happen. Acts follows on seamlessly from Dr Luke’s first volume (compare Luke 24:46-49 with Acts 1:8). It records the foundations and activities of the first-century church as it encounters a great range of obstacles: political, religious, spiritual, cultural. In all episodes, the gospel is revealed as the victor, it is an unstoppable force as it travels to the ends of the earth.
The book also traces the missionary journeys of Paul as he helps to form churches throughout Asia Minor, south-eastern Europe and Rome. As such it gives us important background information to many of the epistles that we are about to read in the coming months.
We have some great explanatory speeches of how the Old Testament is fulfilled in the risen Christ. Hopefully it will help tie the Old and New Testaments together in your mind!

Key reflection questions:

  • What is the difference the resurrection of Jesus makes?
  • How did the Holy Spirit assist them in the first-century church? How does He assist us today?