Tom Ibach – Lesson Teacher

1. Introduction to the Study
   1. Greetings and context for study year
   2. Study focus: The Second Exodus – Trusting a Faithful God
   3. Transition from New Testament study to Old Testament study
   4. Importance of the Old Testament for Christians
2. The Importance and Composition of the Old Testament
   1. Old Testament as foundational to the New Testament
   2. Diverse authorship over about a thousand years
   3. Consistent message: God’s plan to redeem through the Messiah
   4. Challenge of knowing the Old Testament thoroughly
   5. Introduction to the Second Exodus within Old Testament narrative
3. The First and Second Exodus Compared
   1. The Great Exodus from Egypt led by Moses
   2. The Second Exodus from Babylonian captivity
   3. Differences between the first and second Exodus
   4. God’s providence as a key theme in the Second Exodus
   5. Timeframe and scope of the Second Exodus
   6. Resource availability for study and timeline
4. Books Covered in the Study
   1. Final three historical books: Ezra, Esther, Nehemiah
   2. Last three prophetic books: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
   3. Key events: rebuilding the temple, city, and national revival
   4. Inspirational characters and their qualities
5. Relating to the People of the Second Exodus
   1. Spiritual ancestry and connection through Abraham
   2. Shared human experiences and struggles
   3. Learning lessons from their faith and challenges
   4. Encouragement for those facing hard things today
6. Understanding Covenant in the Bible
   1. Definition and significance of covenant
   2. Two types: conditional and unconditional covenants
   3. God’s covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus
   4. Focus on Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants in this lesson
7. The Abrahamic Covenant
   1. Unconditional promises: land, descendants, blessing
   2. Significance of faith and righteousness (Genesis 15:6)
   3. Covenant-making ritual with blood sacrifice
   4. God’s oath symbolized by passing between animal pieces
   5. Covenant as a foundation of hope for Abraham’s descendants
8. The Mosaic Covenant
   1. Conditional covenant based on God’s law given to Moses
   2. Purpose: address sin and establish holy living
   3. Role of the Ten Commandments and sacrificial system
   4. Israel’s initial acceptance and subsequent rebellion
   5. Consequences of disobedience: wandering and curse/blessing principle
   6. Reissuing of the law in Deuteronomy
9. God’s Faithfulness and Covenant
   1. God always upholds his part of the covenant
   2. Israel’s failure contrasted with God’s unchanging faithfulness
   3. The fulfillment of the law and covenant in Jesus Christ
   4. New covenant through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection
   5. Reflection questions on personal trust in God’s faithfulness
10. Closing and Prayer
    1. Thankfulness for God’s faithfulness
    2. Prayer for strengthened faith and confidence in God’s promises
    3. Encouragement for a faithful walk with God