Chapter One

READING GUIDE

Complete Track

OLD TESTAMENT CHALLENGE

40 WEEK SUMMARY

WEEK 1 Genesis 1-11; Psalms 1-4

WEEK 2 Genesis 12-31; Psalms 5-8

WEEK 3 Genesis 32-50, Psalms 9-12

WEEK 4 Exodus 1-20; Psalms 13-17

WEEK 5 Exodus 21-40; Psalms 18-19

WEEK 6 Leviticus 1-27; Psalms 20-22

WEEK 7 Numbers 1-24; Psalms 23-26

WEEK 8 Numbers 25-36; Deuteronomy 1-11; Psalms 27-30

WEEK 9 Deuteronomy 12-34; Psalms 31-34

WEEK 10 Joshua; Psalms 35-36

WEEK 11 Judges; Psalms 37-38

WEEK 12 Ruth; 1 Samuel 1-15; Psalms 39-42

WEEK 13 1 Samuel 16-31; 2 Samuel 1-6; Psalms 43-45

WEEK 14 2 Samuel 7-24; Psalms 46-49

WEEK 15 1 Kings 1-11; Psalms 50-53

WEEK 16 1 Kings 12-22; Psalms 54-57

WEEK 17 Psalms 58-62

WEEK 18 2 Kings 1-13; Psalms 63-66

WEEK 19 2 Kings 14-25, Psalms 67-69

WEEK 20 Job 1-21; Psalms 70-72

WEEK 21 Job 22-42; Psalms 73-75

WEEK 22 1 Chronicles; Psalms 76-77

WEEK 23 2 Chronicles 1-18; Psalms 78-80

WEEK 24 2 Chronicles 19-36; Psalms 81-84

WEEK 25 Proverbs 1-15; Psalms 85-88

WEEK 26 Proverbs 16-31; Psalms 89-90

WEEK 27 Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs; Psalms 91-95

WEEK 28 Isaiah 1-22; Psalms 96-101

WEEK 29 Isaiah 23-44; Psalms 102-103

WEEK 30 Isaiah 45-66; Psalms 104-105

WEEK 31 Psalms 106-107

WEEK 32 Jeremiah 1-20; Psalms 108-109

WEEK 33 Jeremiah 21-46; Psalms 110-114

WEEK 34 Jeremiah 47-52; Lamentations; Ezekiel 1-8; Psalms 115-118

WEEK 35 Ezekiel 9-34; Psalm 119

WEEK 36 Ezekiel 35-48; Daniel; Psalms 120-124

WEEK 37 Hosea; Joel; Amos; Psalms 125-132

WEEK 38 Obadiah; Jonah; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Psalms 133-137

WEEK 39 Zechariah; Malachi; Ezra; Psalms 138-144

WEEK 40 Nehemiah; Esther; Psalms 145-150

Complete Track WEEK 1

GENESIS 1-11; PSALMS 1-4

MONDAY Genesis 1; Psalm 1 TUESDAY Genesis 2-3 WEDNESDAY Genesis 4; Psalm 2 THURSDAY Genesis 5-6 FRIDAY Genesis 7-8; Psalm 3 WEEKEND Genesis 9-11; Psalm 4

Look for ...

God's creation of the universe Humanity's rebellion against God God's provision for his wayward children The ark built and Noah rescued from the Flood The Tower of Babel built and a prideful "pseudo-community" dispersed

Activity

This week, you're on a "God-hunt." Imagine you know very little about God. What do these early chapters of the Bible teach you about him? What are his likes and dislikes? How powerful is he? What is his nature? Also, pay attention to what you see of God in your everyday life through such things as answered prayer, experiences of beauty, or a prompting to reach out to someone.

This Week's Prayer

Pray this prayer throughout the week: "Heavenly Father, I want to know you through your Word and meet you in my life. What do you want to teach me about yourself today?"

MONDAY

God's Good Creation Genesis 1; Psalm 1

What hint about the "community-nature" of God (the Trinity) can you see in Genesis 1:2 and 26-27?

If God is invisible, what do you think "created in the image of God" means?

How would we all treat each other differently if we really believed we were made in God's image-even with all our faults?

TUESDAY

God's Breath of Life and the Fall of Humanity Genesis 2-3

What clue about our need for community is contained in Genesis 2:18? Is a spouse the only solution for this need (hint: 1 John 4:7-8, 12)?

How did the serpent twist God's words in Genesis 3:1 and 4 (compare Genesis 2:16-17)?

In spite of the curses, how did God show grace after the Fall? What does this tell you about him?

What New Testament event does Genesis 3:15 foreshadow?

WEDNESDAY

Sin Spreads to Family Genesis 4; Psalm 2

In Genesis 4, sin spreads from the individual to the family. How are families you know still experiencing the fallout from sin today?

In addition to the offering itself, what (or rather, who) was "out of favor" (Genesis 4:4-5)?

What details from the story of Cain and Abel does Hebrews 11:4 stress?

What insights about sin's effects do you get from Genesis 4:7?

THURSDAY

Sin Spreads Worldwide Genesis 5-6

In Genesis 5, the pattern is "... and he died" after each person's name-except for what exception in verse 24?

What does Hebrews 11:5 say about Enoch's special status?

What was true about Noah that made him the exception to the rest of the world?

Why do you suppose God waited so long (120 years) to begin the Flood after telling Noah it was coming?

What does it tell you about God's character that so many years went by before he judged sin? How are you doing these days mimicking God's patience even when retribution is justified?

FRIDAY

The Flood Genesis 7-8; Psalm 3

The ark was one and a half football fields long, holding the volume of 569 railroad cars. Imagine yourself building such a huge structure-and so far away from any body of water, with hostile neighbors watching!

What do you think might be the significance of who closed the ark (Genesis 7:16)? Does this teach you anything about God?

What do you learn from these New Testament passages that comment on Noah and the Flood: Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:18-22; 2 Peter 2:5; and Matthew 24:37-39?

What was God's response to Noah's offering (Genesis 8:20-22)?

WEEKEND

God's Covenant; Tower of Babel Genesis 9-11; Psalm 4

What covenant did God make with Noah and his descendants in Genesis 9:8-17? What did Noah have to do? What insight does this give you about God's nature?

What were the purposes for the tower in Genesis 11:4?

Compare Genesis 9:7; Psalm 2; and Isaiah 14:12-15. What sins do you think were committed by the people who built this monument?

How does such pride and rejection of God's rule show up in our day? In what ways are you tempted to build your own monument to "Almighty Me"?