This week, students had time in class to finish up their Comic Strip Group Projects. Everyone worked well on these and many produced some great art!
We also spent time getting a short overview on Joshua and Judges. The focus here was God's desire for Israel to remain Holy as they entered the Promised Land. If order for this to happen, they needed to drive out most of the Canaanites, who were morally corrupt (although those who made peace with Israel and were willing to join Yahweh's family could stay). Unfortunately, Israel didn't follow though on this, and ended up falling into some of the same vices as their pagan neighbors, requiring God to rescue them from oppression through tribal leaders (Judges). The Book of Judges shows what happens when people do what's right in their own eyes, how the integrity of leaders and the people can spiral out of control when they reject God as King.
Daily scripture reading and response (in class)
Comic Strip Group Project (on Canvas)- Due in class Mar. 19th
Next week, we'll look at what happens when Israel asks for a king like all the other nations (1 Samuel 8). We'll also take a brief look at King Saul, and spend a few days examining narratives about David and the Davidic covenant. Yahweh promises promise David that someone will reign from his family line forever.
We will also continue to study how the Bible operates as literature. We'll start by looking at biblical narrative and its major building blocks (plot, characters, setting), then we'll move into some poetry later in the week. Paying attention to literary style helps us to properly understand the Scriptures in their original context, which in turn helps is know how to properly apply the Bible to our own situations today.