Interlocked

This lesson is the second Faith in Action exercise where the class does a review of the truths learnt so far. The review helps to build out the biblical framework that will help them understand and analyse life. When the troubles of life overwhelm us, or when a complex issue confuses us, our first response should be to ask: “Where in God’s Word can I look to for the biblical perspective on this question?” As the class tackles a series of tough questions using the biblical framework of truth, they find good answers that settle their hearts, thus giving themselves the stability and confidence to live as faithful disciples. Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/20-Faith-in-Action-II.pdf

We conclude the lesson on why believers and unbelievers suffer. We explore more of the Bible’s reasons for suffering: to push our spiritual growth, to help unbelievers come to faith, to encourage spiritual growth in other believers, and as a consequence of things happening in the angelic realm. For unbelievers, suffering could also be God’s wake-up call for them. Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/19-Understanding-Suffering.pdf

At our present time, before God gets rid of all evil in the world and in believers, He

knows that even those who love Him would have to live with tragedy, pain and sorrow. But because He loves us and cares for every detail of our lives, God taught us how we are supposed to cope with suffering today. This lesson explores eleven reasons that the Bible gives as to why believers and unbelievers suffer. Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/19-Understanding-Suffering.pdf

We conclude the lesson on sanctification by discussing the question: how does God sanctify us or grow us spiritually? And what does the sanctification journey look like in our lives? Isn’t the aim of sanctification to live a moral life, have wonderful spiritual experiences, a good reputation or achieve great self-improvement? And also, are there secrets and “surefire methods” to spiritual growth? Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/18-Spiritual-War-Within-Ourselves.pdf

Through the period of the conquest and settlement, Yahweh showed that because He is all-holy, He detests the sin and evil in the world and will eliminate it forever. However, He also detests the sin and evil within believers and wants to eliminate those. He intends for believers to become holy and reflect His righteous character. So God calls all believers to wage “spiritual war” within ourselves. What does this mean? Just as Yahweh commanded the Israelites to get rid of evil in the Promised Land, He commands us as believers to get rid of sin within ourselves. And just as God commanded the Israelites to trust and obey Him during the time of the conquest and settlement, He commands us as believers to trust and obey Him in our lives. Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/18-Spiritual-War-Within-Ourselves.pdf

We continue with Lesson 17, examining two final incidents during the conquest period: the supernatural longest day at Aijalon (Joshua 9–10), and God’s sentence of the postponed Kingdom at Bochim (Judges 2:1–5). We will reflect on the sanctification lessons God was teaching Israel and also us. The lesson concludes by summarising the result of the conquest and settlement period and what happened after Joshua’s death. Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/17-Building-Spiritual-Life-in-the-Israelites.pdf

We conclude Lesson 16 at 30:00 and go on to Lesson 17: Building Spiritual Life in the Israelites. During the time of the desert wandering and the period of the conquest, God focused on teaching Israel how to trust in Him and how to have a spiritual life. How did God do this? Most people do not learn just by being told what is right and wrong. Most people learn through experience when they are faced with real-life choices. God taught His son, Israel, lessons on spiritual life through the many different situations that Israel encountered. We will examine seven events of the conquest period to observe the spiritual lessons that God was teaching Israel. Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/17-Building-Spiritual-Life-in-the-Israelites.pdf

The period of Israel’s conquest and settlement of the Promised Land of Canaan is one of the most challenging events in Israel’s history to understand. Many believers stumble over God’s commands to Israel to completely wipe out the people from the land. They misunderstand God and think it cruel or even evil of Him. Why did God call for this? This lesson delves into God’s character—how His all-righteous character demands that justice be satisfied; that rebellious, evil people who have sinned beyond the limits of His grace need to be dealt with. God judges because He wants to remove evil and restore good. Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/16-The-Period-of-the-Conquest.pdf

We continue to camp at Sinai to observe how God communicates with Israel. He revealed Himself in a visible and audible way, and He spoke to the nation of Israel as a whole first, and then to Moses personally. Moses recorded God’s words for the people. Through this event, we learn about revelation, inspiration and the canon of God's Word. We also learn what a prophet is and God has two tests to prove the authenticity of prophets. We will also study the rebellion at Sinai, when the people grew impatient with God and decided to make their own god to worship. We see God’s response and how Moses acted as a mediator. Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/15-Revelation-and-Rebellion-at-Sinai.pdf

We conclude Lesson 14 with the questions: “Do believers today have to obey the Old Testament laws?” and “Are Christians supposed to keep the Sabbath (Commandment #4)?” Then there is a Q&A time about the Mosaic covenant that God made with the nation of Israel. Access the notes at: https://interlocked.online/s/14-Gods-Perfect-Law.pdf