This lesson introduces the foundational questions that will be explored throughout the Genesis and Job series. It begins with the central truth that the Bible is God’s story, revealing His creation, His purposes, and His answers to life’s most important questions. The lesson explains why Genesis and Job are placed together in a chronological study of the Bible and why understanding them correctly provides an essential foundation for understanding both the Bible and life.
Special attention is given to the authorship and dating of Genesis and Job. The lesson presents historical, geographical, traditional, and biblical evidence supporting Moses as the author or compiler of both books and affirms that Job was a real historical person. Throughout the lesson, three foundational truths emerge: God’s sovereignty over all things, the non-transactional nature of our relationship with God, and the reality of an unseen spiritual world.
Following is the podcast, video, and below them a PDF copy of the class handouts that includes the Notes, Discussion Guide, and the infographic on Old Testament Lifespans.
If you would like the original, editable files for this lesson to use freely in your teaching, go to the following link from the Bible805 Academy: https://bible805academy.com/b/Wpg1y
Haggai and Zechariah ministered after the Jewish people returned from the Babylonian exile. Although God had opened the way for them to rebuild the Temple, they became distracted by their own priorities and stopped the work. Haggai challenged them with practical obedience, while Zechariah encouraged them through visions that reminded them of God’s eternal purposes. Together, their messages teach that God keeps His promises, calls His people to faithful service, and asks them to live with both present obedience and future hope.
This lesson examines the lives of Daniel and Ezekiel during the Babylonian captivity and highlights four possible responses to difficult circumstances: whining, working, witnessing, and experiencing the wonder of God. Though both men faced exile, uncertainty, and enormous challenges, they chose faithfulness instead of complaint. Daniel faithfully served in government leadership while Ezekiel ministered among the captives as a prophet and watchman. Their obedience and trust in God became a powerful witness to kings, nations, and fellow exiles. Through their faithfulness, God revealed extraordinary visions and promises that remind us He is sovereign over history and present with His people.
In this lesson on the prophet Habakkuk, we see a man who honestly questioned God about evil, suffering, and injustice. Rather than rebuking Habakkuk, God engaged him in conversation. Habakkuk struggled to understand why God would allow wickedness and why He would use Babylon, an even more evil nation, as part of His judgment. Through this dialogue, Habakkuk learned that God’s plans are larger than human understanding and that the righteous are called to live by faith. The lesson also emphasizes the importance of developing a continual conversational relationship with God through prayer, Scripture, listening, reflection, and trust.