INTERACTIVE TEACHING/LEARNING GUIDE
Life Sentences (New Testament) - Week 1
Session Title: “Herod”
Focal Passages: (Proverbs 3:33)
Life Sentence: “The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.”
Central Teaching/Learning Aim: The learner will examine the wickedness of Herod and be challenged to live a righteous life of blessing.
I. Hook
A. Display and ask the following question:
“In a typical week how often do you hear the Lord’s name used in vain, either in person or through the media?”
Next – Share the following”
On October 22, 1996, in St. Martins-in-the-Fields Church in central London, a congregation of some two hundred people, described the next day by the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph as "admirers," gathered to celebrate the life of the famous twentieth-century English novelist Sir Kingsley Amis. The paper described it as "a secular service: no hymns or prayers, just a lot of laughter." During the service, the late Sir Kingsley's son, the novelist Martin Amis, told the following story, recalling a conversation his father had with the Russian poet and novelist Yevgeni Yevtushenko. Yevtushenko, perhaps having mistakenly assumed all Englishmen are Christians, asked Amis if it was true that he was an atheist. "Well, yes," said Sir Kingsley, and then added, "But it's more than that. I hate him."
Sinclair Ferguson, "Preaching the Atonement," in Charles E. Hill and Frank A. James III (ed.), The Glory of the Atonement (InterVarsity Press, 2004), p. 429
Ask – Why do atheists and radical Muslims who do not believe in Christ the Savior fight so adamantly against Him?
State - Today we are going to discuss one of the original haters of our Savior, Herod who tried to kill Jesus. We will discuss how to avoid the curse of evil and live in the blessings of God.
Next – Share the background information on Herod.
He was appointed as king of the Jews.
Reigned 36BC-1BC
He was described as a “madman who murdered his own family and a great many rabbis.”
He executed his…
Wife Marianne I
His mother-in-law Alexandria
His brother-in-law Kostobar
His first two sons
His son Antipater
All of the Jewish boys 2-years or younger who lived in Bethlehem and its’ vicinity
New Testament references to Herod:
(Matthew 2:16) Herod orders the murder of all Jewish boys 2 and younger
(Luke 13:52) Jesus called Herod a fox
B. Optional Method – Read (Proverbs 3:33)
Ask – What does it mean for the Lord’s curse to be on your household?
Next – Have members look up the following references to being cursed:
(Numbers 5:21-22) A curse on a woman caught in adultery
(Malachi 2:2-4) Priests were cursed because of unbelief
(Genesis 27:12-13) Rebekah takes Jacob’s curse on herself
(Galatians 3:10-12) You are cursed if you try and live under the law, Christ has freed us
(Mark 11:21) Jesus cursed the fruitless fig tree, symbolizing the doom of fruitless people
Next – Share the background on Herod. (See Hook A)
State - Today we are going to discuss one of the original haters of our Savior, Herod who tried to kill Jesus. We will discuss how to avoid the curse of evil and live in the blessings of God.
C. Optional Method: Movie clip “City Slickers”
Start: 01:29:35
Stop: 01:30:40
Synopsis: The comedy City Slickers explores the serious issues men face as they approach the middle of their lives. To get his mind off his approaching 40th birthday, urbanite Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) talks two of his city-dwelling friends to go on a vacation with him. It's not your typical week on the beach or golf course. They sign up for a cattle drive from New Mexico to Colorado. All three city slickers hope that time away from the ordinary will help them find their way.
Under the big sky of the rural west, Mitch and one of his friends, Ed, are on horseback, attempting to drive a herd of cattle. With the sounds of cattle mooing in the background, Ed poses a series of hypothetical situations to see what Mitch would be willing to do if he knew no one would find out.
First, Ed asks Mitch if he'd be unfaithful to his wife if she would never find out and if the other woman was very attractive. Mitch doesn't take the bait. He says such a situation would most likely be a trap.
Ed persists. "Let's say a spaceship lands, and the most beautiful girl you ever saw gets out. And all she wants is to have the greatest sex in the universe with you."
Mitch is willing to contemplate this unlikely scenario.
Ed continues, "And the second it's over, she flies away for eternity. No one will ever know. You're telling me you wouldn't do it?"
Mitch says that very scenario actually happened to his cousin Ronald. Ed isn't humored in the least.
Suddenly Mitch becomes serious. He looks at Ed and confesses, "What I'm saying is that it wouldn’t make it all right if Barbara didn’t know. I’d know and I wouldn’t like myself.”
City Slickers (Columbia Pictures, 1991)
Ask – What was lacking in Mitch’s response? Not only would his wife not know, and he would know, but also God would know. Have we lost the fear of God in our society? We make choices of going good or evil on a daily basis. Do we consider that God is watching?
Next – Share the background on Herod. (See Hook A)
State - Today we are going to discuss one of the original haters of our Savior, Herod who tried to kill Jesus. We will discuss how to avoid the curse of evil and live in the blessings of God.
II. Book
A. Utilize the Discussion Guide to examine the Scripture passages. Note – This would be an excellent group discussion.
III. Look
A. Place members into groups. Explain the following: our wickedness or godliness depends on how close we are living to the Lord. He must have control of our minds, our will and our hearts. Ask each group to complete their assignment and be prepared to report to the entire class.
IV. Took
A. Distribute the handout “Steps to Conquering Wickedness” and encourage members to complete it as homework. Challenge them to spend some quality time on it. Maybe they could work through one step each day.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Teacher Copy
1. List the background information on Herod:
a. Position Appointed as king of the Jews
b. Reigned 36BC-1BC
c. Description A madman
d. Most devious act Killing all Jewish boys under the age of two in an attempt to kill Jesus
e. Legacy A cursed household
2. What is the result of “the curse of the Lord?” (Proverbs 3:33)
[Separation or banishment from the blessings of the Lord. The curse of God brings ruin.]
3. How did the “curse of the Lord” affect Herod’s household?
[His household was one of suspicion and murder. Nobody was immune to his wickedness.]
4. How can the wickedness of family members impact the entire household?
5. Look up the following references to identify examples of being cursed.
a. (Numbers 5:21-22) A curse on a woman caught in adultery
b. (Malachi 2:2-4) Priests were cursed because of unbelief
c. (Genesis 27:12-13) Rebekah takes Jacob’s curse on herself
d. (Galatians 3:10-12) You are cursed if you try and live under the law, Christ has freed us
e. (Mark 11:21) Jesus cursed the fruitless fig tree, symbolizing the doom of fruitless people
6. How is a blessing from the Lord defined?
[It is a gift, enrichment or endowment. The blessing of God empowers one with the ability to succeed.]
7. Does this mean that a Christ-centered home will never have trials and tribulations?
[Absolutely not! But a Christ-like home will be able to endure trials and tribulations.]
8. How do you see the Lord’s blessing on your household? Make a list.
9. Look up the following references to being blessed:
a. (Proverbs 22:9) The generous will be blessed
b. (Luke 6:28) Bless those who curse you
c. (John 13:15-17) You are blessed if you follow Christ’s example
d. (Matthew 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit
e. (1 Peter 3:8-9) Through living a godly life you will inherit a blessing
10. How are you doing? Are you living as a cursed person of wickedness or are you experiencing the blessings of a righteous person? What needs to change in your life?
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Student Copy
1. List the background information on Herod:
a. Position
b. Reigned
c. Description
d. Most devious act
e. Legacy
2. What is the result of “the curse of the Lord?” (Proverbs 3:33)
3. How did the “curse of the Lord” affect Herod’s household?
4. How can the wickedness of family members impact the entire household?
5. Look up the following references to identify examples of being cursed.
a. (Numbers 5:21-22)
f. (Malachi 2:2-4)
g. (Genesis 27:12-13)
h. (Galatians 3:10-12)
i. (Mark 11:21)
6. How is a blessing from the Lord defined?
7. Does this mean that a Christ-centered home will never have trials and tribulations?
8. How do you see the Lord’s blessing on your household? Make a list.
9. Look up the following references to being blessed:
a. (Proverbs 22:9)
b. (Luke 6:28)
c. (John 13:15-17)
d. (Matthew 5:3)
e. (1 Peter 3:8-9)
10. How are you doing? Are you living as a cursed person of wickedness or are you experiencing the blessings of a righteous person? What needs to change in your life?
Group Discussion
Group 1
Discuss what the Scriptures say about the sinner’s MIND. “There is no one who understands.”
Read (Rom. 3:13-14). How does our speech relate to what is in our minds?
What do the following Scriptures say about our minds?
Romans 12:1-2
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Romans 8:6-8
Colossians 3:2
James 1:6-8
1 Peter 1:13
Philippians 4:7-8
What steps of action should we take to protect our minds?
Group 2
Discuss what the Scriptures say about the sinners HEART. “None that seeketh after God)
Read (Rom. 3:17-18). How does the lack of fear for God reflect the condition of our hearts?
How does our mind affect our heart? (v. 17)
What do the following Scriptures say about the conditions of our hearts?
Psalm 36:1-2
Proverbs 1:7
Psalm 51:10
Matthew 5:8
Matthew 11:29
What steps of action should we take to keep our hearts pure?
Group 3
Discuss what the Scriptures say about the sinners WILL. “None that doeth good” (3:12)
Read (Rom. 3:15-16). How does living in sin (out of the will of God) affect our actions?
What do the following Scriptures say about how serving God affects our will and actions?
Psalm 40:8-10
Luke 22:42
John 1:9-13
Philippians 2:12-15
What steps of action should we take to insure that our goal is to do the will of God?
Steps to Conquering Wickedness
(2 Chronicles 7:14) outlines the actions needed for personal victory and corporate victory.
Step 1 Humble yourself and pray
To be humble means to admit fault before a holy God (1 John 1:9)
Does your pride get in the way?
What do you need to confess?
How often do you pray for personal forgiveness?
For healing from our Lord?
Step 2 Seek God’s Face
Strive to live holy before a holy God
What is keeping you from living a holy life?
What will help you move to holiness?
Step 3 Turn from your wicked ways
To repent means to turn back – to do a 180
Have you truly repented or are you merely going through the motions?
Step 4 Accept that you will hear from God, be forgiven and healed
Are you hanging on to the guilt of past sins?
Release it and live in God’s forgiveness.
THEE WORD FOR THE WEEK
Simeon and Anna ~ Psalm 92:14
Monday – Read Luke 2:25-26: The Promise to Simeon
According to Luke’s account, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple to present him to the Lord and to offer sacrifices. While they were there they met Simeon.
· Who was Simeon?
· How does Luke describe him?
· What promise had the Holy Spirit made to Simeon?
· What was it about Simeon’s life that caused him to be able to receive this promise?
· What was the last promise you received from the Holy Spirit? What is it about your life that causes you to be able to receive promises?
Tuesday – Read Luke 2:27-35: The Promise Fulfilled
In these verses Luke reveals how God kept his promise to Simeon.
· What motivated Simeon to go into the temple courts? Does the Holy Spirit ever motivate you to do something? When did that last happen?
· What did Simeon predict about the work of Jesus? How would Jesus affect people? What would be the affect of the life of Jesus on his parents?
· How do you think that Mary and Joseph felt after this encounter?
· What caused this to be a meaningful experience for Simeon?
· What do you admire about Simeon?
Wednesday – Read Luke 2:36-37: Anna, the Prophetess
It appears from Luke’s account that Joseph and Mary met Anna just after their encounter with Simeon.
· Who was Anna?
· How does Luke describe her? How old was Anna?
· What is curious about her worship habits? Do you worship day and night?
· Do you know anyone like Anna?
· What words that describe Anna’s life would you like for someone to use to describe your life? What do you need to change in your life to make that happen?
Thursday – Read Luke 2:38: Anna Speaks
Luke describes in this verse Joseph and Mary’s encounter with Anna.
· How is Anna’s prophecy like Simeon’s?
· What two things did Anna do?
· How often do you speak about Jesus to others?
· What do you admire about Anna?
· How will you express your thanks to God this week for sending Jesus?
Friday – Read Psalm 92:12-15: The Results of Righteous Living
Recall for a moment how Luke described Simeon and Anna. Simeon was “righteous and devout.” Anna “worshipped day and night.” The Psalmist describes in these verses the results of this kind of right living.
· What promises are made to the righteous?
· What does it mean to “flourish” and “bear fruit?”
· Can one “bear fruit” and “stay fresh and green” even in old age? What is the common belief about old age?
· What will you do this week to “stay fresh and green?”
EXEGETICAL – THEOLOGICAL – PEDAGOGICAL
Herod: “The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,” (Proverbs 3:33).
(Exegetical: What it meant to Israel back THEN)
The recipients of the Lord’s curse/judgment/condemnation . . .
are the house/family/descendents of the wicked, (Proverbs 3:33).
This general principle, spoken by the sage of Israel, drew from the history of Israel, while, at the same time, prophesying a portion of Israel’s future. And while this maxim accurately describes the family of Esau and his descendents, the Herods, it also depicts the legacy of evil families throughout time. The Lord does not bless, but rather curses those who oppose His Rule (see Exodus 34:6-7). That truth has never been more graphically portrayed than in the lives of the Herods. Our lesson will follow the flow of Warren Wiersbe’s outline in Life Sentences, p. 232ff: