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Magnolia Baptist Church
Getting the Most Out of God’s Word
A Guide for Reading
and Listening to God’s Word
a journey of discovery
For personal devotion or
group discussion
MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH
WELCOME ALONG
MAPPING JESUS’ LIFE
TIMELINE OF JESUS part 1
HELPFUL ONLINE TOOLS
DAY SIX:
Baptism
DAY SEVEN:
Temptation
DAY EIGHT:
No Honor
DAY NINE:
Wedding in Galilee
DAY TEN:
Jesus and the Fishermen
CONTENTS
WELCOME ALONG I believe there is no greater journey one can engage in life than
to know Jesus of Nazareth...the Christ...the Son of God.
Paul, a leader in the early foundations of Christianity, wrote
“For me to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:27). Nothing else was more
important to Paul. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the
surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have
suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I
may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)
I agree with Paul. There is nothing in my life more incredible
than knowing Jesus. The words and ways of Jesus guide and enhance
every facet of my life...at home with my wife and kids, at work, and in
my community.
Does that make me perfect? No. I blow it...big time. But it put
me in a right relationship with Jesus...being a follower.
This guide is a journey of discovery...of knowing Jesus. My hope
in putting this together is to help guide you along this journey; to guide
you into a personal discovery of Jesus in ways, that perhaps, you
haven't thought of before; to introduce you to a very real Jesus who
had a family and friends, knew incredible affirmation and suffered
painful rejection; who knew hunger and thirst; who lived and died and
lives again!
Take courage and take the journey to discover Jesus: the Lamb
of God who takes away sin, the son of Joseph and Mary, the Christ, the
Messiah, the Lion of Judah, the Son of Man, the Son of God.
In knowing Jesus more deeply, I hope also that you come to
know yourself more clearly. That as you know Him more, you more and
more become like Jesus and truly discover not just a person or a
moment in history, but that you truly discover life in His name.
Blessings,
Jeremy K. Bratcher
Senior Pastor
MAPPING JESUS’ LIFE
TIMELINE of JESUS’ LIFE part one
1. Jesus’ Baptism by John – Matthew 3:13; Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21
2. Jesus in wilderness for forty days – Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1
3. Jesus returns from the wilderness
a. Day One back from the wilderness – John 1:19
1. Day before Jesus publicly arrives from the wilderness
2. John meets with delegation from Jerusalem
b. Day Two – John 1:29
1. John Introduces Jesus publicly for the first time
c. Day Three – John 1:35
1. John introduces Andrew and John to Jesus personally
d. Day Four – John 1:43
1. Jesus leaves for Galilee (Cana)
2. Jesus finds Philip on his way North
3. Philip finds Nathanael
e. Day Five
1. Travel to Galilee
f. Day Six
1. More Travel
g. Day Seven – John 2:1
· “On the third day a wedding . . .” refers to three days after calling Philip and speaking
with Nathanael. Jesus and his new disciples arrive at a wedding in Cana.
· Jesus attends the wedding in Cana, Galilee
· Jesus performs his first miracle, the sign of turning water to wine
MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH
Helpful Online Tools for Personal Bible Study
www.bible.org Home of the NET Bible and incredible background study resources. The NET Bible is full of
notes from some of the best Hebrew and Greek scholars of our day. Bible.org offers self-paced theological
studies, outlines and study guides for each book of the Bible. Bible.org is key word searchable. Some of the
language and presentation of the material is a bit more scholarly than other sites, but it is fairly accessible in
understanding.
www.biblestudytools.com Great website for searching through the Bible. It offers several tools for study (as
the name suggests): concordances, language tools, maps, commentaries...it even has an interlinear Bible (that
is searchable and provides pronunciations and root word guides for those who desire to know more about
Biblical Greek and Hebrew). This is a must link for anyone looking to study the word more. Thousands of
dollars in print resources, all free for use here!
www.biblemap.org Created using Google maps, this site offers a satellite view of Bible lands. The map is
linked to Bible references and is searchable by book and verse.
www.biblegateway.com This site offers a dozens of translations that are searchable by book, chapter and
verse. You can even compare various translations here to see how the texts might be handled a bit differently.
This site also offers several language translations.
www.youversion.com A great mobile Bible accessible through Blackberry, iPhone, and Android apps. There
is now a windows/mac version of YouVersion available for desktop use. A great tool for anyone looking to
keep the Word with them on the go!
www.preceptaustin.org PreceptAustin.org is an incredible website full of Bible studies, outlines, maps, Greek
and Hebrew helps. I have recently added it to this list. It is absolutely worth your time to invest here during
your personal Bible study.
www.soniclight.com SonicLight is the personal website of Dr. Tom Constable. Dr. Constable is an incredible
Bible scholar with deep insight into God’s word. Working expositionally through the Scripture, Dr. Constable
presents a thorough and understandable breakdown of God’s word.
MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH
“Because I am not yet living up to
what Jesus expects me to be in
those red letters in the Bible, I
always define myself as
somebody who is saved by God's
grace and is on his way to be-
coming a Christian. (...)
Being saved is trusting in what
Christ did for us, but being
Christian is dependent on the
way we respond to what he did
for us.”
― Tony Campolo, Red Letter
Christians: A Christian's Guide to
Faith and Politics, a Citizen's
Guide to Faith and Politics
DAY SIX:
Baptism
ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? Jesus has grown. He is now about thirty-years-old. In what many scholars
call his first public engagement, Jesus is baptized by his cousin John. When
we look at the text, we know John’s baptism was one of repentance and
confession toward belief...it was a baptism for sinners in need of cleansing.
Why would Jesus, the sinless Son of God, need such a baptism?
Pray: Lord, as I take this journey of discovering you, much like you did for
your earliest followers, open my mind that I might understand the
Scriptures.
Read: Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23; Matthew 3:13-17
What does Jesus’ baptism say about who Jesus is?
Who do you think the voice of God had a greater impact on Jesus or the
crowd? Why do you think this?
What questions do you still have?
Reflect: Baptism was a way people in the ancient world would publicly align oneself with a messenger and the
message he was giving. So when people came to be baptized by John, the were essentially saying, “ I believe
John is a prophet from God and I believe what he is saying. His message is true. The messiah is coming and I
need to be ready.”
Jesus identified with that truth...John was sent from God...the Messiah is coming...people need to be
ready...repent and believe.
Unique to Jesus though, he didn’t need any identification with the message of John...he didn’t need to repent
and believe. He was the focal point of the message. Nonetheless, Jesus’ baptism is about identification in two
ways: 1. Jesus identified with the full plan of the Father and 2. Jesus identified with those who needed him
most.
As we continue in our pursuit of Jesus, we will see that he is always about the Father’s work. Jesus always does
what God wills to work in the world. A second thing we will see in the life of Jesus is that he truly identifies
with those he came to rescue. What we see in Jesus’ baptism is a real connection with the uniqueness of his
life...fully God and fully man. The identity of Jesus rests in both worlds.
What about your identity? Paul wrote, “For we are all baptized by one Spirit, into one body—Jew or Greek,
slave or free…” Faith in Jesus gives us a new identity. Think deeper for a moment. How has your faith in Christ
shaped your identity? Have you noticed any difference at all? Embracing identity rooted in Jesus is central to
growing in faith.
Does your identity in Christ help or hinder you feeling loved by God as his child?
Do you sense God, through His word, shaping your identity as His child?
What would your life look like if you heard God say to you, “You are my child, whom I love and with whom I
am pleased.”?
Pray: Take time today to pray and reflect on what it means to be identified in Christ as God’s loved one.
MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH
"The temptation unmasked
Satan, while God remained
masked. If you are God, said
Satan, then dazzle me. Act like
God should act.
Jesus replied, Only God makes
those decisions, therefore I do
nothing at your command.”
Philip Yancey,
The Jesus I Never Knew
DAY SEVEN:
Temptation
ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? As you follow the life of Jesus you will see that his human life wasn’t without
temptation. He receivedthe royal treatment from Satan himself. But, unlike
Adam and Eve’s first encounter and temptation with Satan, Jesus overcame!
Notice Jesus didn’t use his supernatural powers (although he could have—
remember he was divine) but he used the same gifts available to us today
when we face temptation. He used:
(a) The power of the Holy Spirit (verse 1), and
(b) God’s Word (“It is written”).
Pray: Lord, As I look at your own temptation today, give me strength to
overcome mine.
Read: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13
Why do you think the Spirit led Jesus out to the wilderness for this
encounter?
What do you think Jesus is experiencing during his 40 days in the desert?
Physically:
Mentally:
Emotionally:
Spiritually:
Why do you think Jesus engages Satan with Bible verses?
What questions do you still have?
Reflect: At perhaps Jesus’ weakest point he had experienced in his life thus far, Satan attacks! Notice that
Satan’s attack is a direct challenge to the words spoken from the Father over Jesus at his baptism. Satan
chides, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
The Father had affirmed the identity of Jesus publicly. Now in this private moment of weakness, Satan
challenges Jesus head on. Satan’s trickery is powerful as he attempts to move Jesus into doubt. “If” can be a
powerful word.
Maybe you’ve heard Satan’s “Ifs”. “If you were forgiven…”; “If you were a real Christian…”; “If the Bible were
true…” Just like that our faith is shaken and doubt overcomes. Satan knows if we doubt God’s love and truth
we will be immobilized and eventually fall away from following Christ.
Each time Satan challenged Jesus, we see Jesus counter with the word of truth...straight from the Scripture.
He didn’t offer an opinion or a perhaps, maybe. Jesus allowed the truth to be truth.
When we face temptation, we can trust God’s word to lead us to overcome too.
Where have you seen God’s word help you overcome temptation and doubt?
Where do you struggle most with temptation today?
How does Jesus’ example of overcoming temptation encourage you? How does it make you feel less
adequate?
Pray: Spend time today asking God for truth in his word about your own temptations. Ask Him for strength
and faith to overcome.
MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH
“The trouble with deep belief is
that it costs something And there
is something inside me, some
selfish beast of a subtle thing
that doesn't like the truth at all
because it carries responsibility,
and if I actually believe these
things I have to do something
about them. It is so, so
cumbersome to believe anything.
And it isn't cool.”
― Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz:
Nonreligious Thoughts on Chris-
tian Spirituality
DAY EIGHT:
No Honor
Jesus returns from the desert battle with Satan. Although the temptation
was great, Jesus overcame. Now, faced with his own reality, Jesus begins a
three year journey to the cross. Teaching in the synagogue, Jesus took a
scroll and began to read from the scroll of Isaiah, an ancient prophet who
spoke clearly of Jesus’ coming.
Jesus greatest challenge was soon to be met…people who don’t want to
hear the truth of God.
Pray: Lord, help me see Your truth today. Help me to know you more today.
Let our relationship together grow even more deeply than it was yesterday.
Read: Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-30; Isaiah 61
What about Jesus’ message in Luke 4 draw favor from the crowd?
When does the crowd turn on Jesus?
Why do you think the essential message Jesus proclaims is “Repent and
believe.”? (Matthew 4, Mark 1)
What questions do you still have?
Reflect: The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good
news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the
prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor...
When Jesus quoted these words at the beginning of his public ministry he added, “Today this scripture has
been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4: 21)
With this proclamation, Jesus not only self-identified as the Messiah, he defined his mission through familiar
messianic descriptions. Jesus declared a movement had started through which the poor receive good news;
captives are freed; oppressed are liberated; and the “year of the Lord’s favor” is not just wishful dreaming.
To fully grasp the importance of the phrase “the year of the Lord’s favor,” we need understanding of the
biblical concept it came from as found in Leviticus chapter 25.
And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants; it shall
be a jubilee for you. –Leviticus 25:10
The balance of Leviticus 25 outlines aspects of the Year of Jubilee: slaves freed, debts cancelled, land rested,
and compassionate help to those in need. The Jubilee Year was a divinely-mandated time of justice,
restoration, and opening new possibilities for the future.
Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? In God’s will and economy…it is ALWAYS time for Jubilee through Jesus.
Of all of the freedom statements Jesus makes (good new to the oppressed; bind up the brokenhearted;
proclaim liberty to the captive; release the prisoners; proclaiming the Lord’s favor), which most speaks to
your own life right now?
Why would the crowd turn against Jesus in light of this good news?
Where do you see in your own life turning against Jesus even though he continues to proclaim the Lord’s
favor?
Pray: Thank God today for favor in your life. Pray that you have eyes and understanding to see it even more
clearly.
MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH
“When God wants to do
something wonderful, He
begins with a difficulty,
When God wants to do
something spectacular, He
begins with an
impossibility!”
Dr. Adlai Naidoo
DAY NINE:
Wedding in Galilee
ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? Jesus, his family and his disciples attend a local wedding...probably that of a
close relative to Mary and Joseph. During the festivities, there is a
problem...the wine runs out. This means trouble for the wedding host. Not
wanting to see her family embarrassed, Mary, Jesus’ mom, makes a
panicked request: “Do something.”
And so Jesus did.
Pray: Lord, there is so much about you that challenges convention. Help me
to trust and believe in your power and truth.
Read: John 2:1-12
What do you think would’ve happened had Jesus not intervened?
For the wedding host:
For Mary:
For the disciples:
For Jesus:
Do you have a hard time believing in miracles? Do you think miracles still
happen?
Have you experienced anything miraculous?
What questions do you still have?
Reflect: John opens a window for us look behind the scenes of the wedding. If you've ever been to a wedding
reception, you probably remember having lots of food to eat and wedding punch to drink.
Can you imagine how embarrassed the bride and bridegroom would be if people were standing in line to get
punch and were told the punch had run out? The wedding guests would know that the hosts hadn't planned
properly, and in a hot climate like Israel, their thirst would certainly aggravate the situation. This is what
occurred at this wedding in the village of Cana that Jesus, His mother and disciples attended.
It’s interesting that on God’s timetable what many perceived to be the main event, the wedding, was simply
the backdrop for Jesus’ miraculous debut. Most of the crowd missed the main action.
Out of the corner of our eye we see God providing what is needed via the resources that are available (the 6
stone jars and water). The view through the kitchen window is NOT so much of Jesus turning water into wine
as it is of Jesus changing lives.
Read verse 11 again: “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And
his disciples believed in him.”
That last line is critical. They had been with Jesus. But now they believe.
Think back on your own faith journey with Jesus. Where have you struggled to have faith in Jesus?
What did you, or do you now, need God to do in your life to firmly express your faith in Jesus?
Pray: As you pray today, pray that God would continue to reveal Himself to you in your life and strengthen
your faith to follow Jesus.
MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH
“Those who aren't following
Jesus aren't his followers. It's
that simple. Followers follow,
and those who don't follow
aren't followers. To follow Jesus
means to follow Jesus into a
society where justice rules,
where love shapes everything. To
follow Jesus means to take up his
dream and work for it.”
― Scot McKnight, One.Life: Jesus
Calls, We Follow
DAY TEN:
Jesus and the
Fishermen
ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? Jesus is the centerpiece of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Make no
mistake about it. However, God’s plan for humanity includes humanity, not
as central players, but as key agents of truth and grace.
What kind of people was Jesus looking for to carry out God’s redemptive
agenda? People just like you and me.
Pray: Lord, just as you called others to follow you, help me to have the
courage to follow you as well.
Read: John 1:35-42; Matthew4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11
What did the fishermen know about Jesus when he called them to follow
him?
What do you think it was about Jesus that moved these men to leave their
family business behind and follow him?
What doubts would you have about Jesus if you were in the same
position? What confidences?
What questions do you still have?
Reflect: “Follow me.” Two simple words. Two simple responses: “Yes, definitely.” and “No way.”
When we look into the life of Jesus here, what we know about his interaction with the disciples is limited.
Further more, it seems as though John and the other Gospel writers are at odds with each other. However,
there is a matter of timing. John presents the earliest encounters these men had with Jesus. The other Gospel
writers have a particular emphasis in the calling of the disciples.
John shows a group of young men who are spiritually curious. Perhaps there is an aspiration already to more
than fisherman. The highest “fame” an ancient Jew could have was to be a Rabbi or a student of the Rabbi.
Maybe these men had heard the rumors of the Messiah coming and longed for a better life free from Roman
oppression.
The Synoptic writers present the same men sometime later. Having seen and heard Jesus already, there is a
new challenge issued. No longer be spiritually curious. Follow me. Leave your past. Find your future. Follow
me. Find yourself in God’s redemptive agenda through me.
I wonder when we look at Jesus, where we truly fall. Are we spiritually curious? Are we looking for a better
life? Or are we looking to join in God’s redemptive agenda through Jesus?
What most draws you to Jesus: spiritually curious, a better life, or being a part of something bigger? Why
did you choose this?
Do you think Jesus still calls His followers to leave and follow today?
What do you think Jesus is calling you to leave so that you can follow him?
Pray: Spend time thinking about following Jesus. What is he calling you away from? What is he calling you
into? Spend time praying about those things today.
MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH SEEKS TO EMBODY A:
Gospel-centered (I Cor. 15:1-4)
Family-redeeming (Acts 16:25-34)
City-focused (Jeremiah 29:7)
Church Community (I Thess. 2:5-8)
We value Gospel Proclamation believing that the 66 books of the
Old & New Testament are our highest authority of God’s self-
disclosure and as it is faithfully explained, explored and expressed,
the Holy Spirit will elicit a response.
We value Gospel Community believing that people were created to
explore the Gospel together with honest, vulnerable dialogue about
difficult things pursuing depth in friendships to facilitate growth.
We value Gospel Mission believing that the Gospel compels us to
learn from, interact with, and generously give back to our culture in
the way we live our lives.
CONNECTING PEOPLE to JESUS MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH
720 S. Magnolia Ave Anaheim, CA 92804
714.827.0553 ph www.magnoliabaptist.org
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