Highlights of Sunday School

This past Sunday I actually got to teach the material for this week ;o) Timothy's Well has been studying the book of Deuteronomy for the last half of this year. Since we have so many newcomers and returners from college I was lead to do a survey of Deuteronomy. We began by addressing its literary prologue - i.e. the rest of the Pentateuch, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and how it fits into the foundational history of the Bible. I think one of the most exhilarating truths about this book is the importance that Jesus placed upon it. For Jesus quoted from this book while in the wilderness being tempted by Satan, in fact, I think it is the most quoted book of the Bible by Jesus. According to conservative and most orthodox scholars, this book took place in the wilderness when the people of Israel were facing new challenges - 1. New Temptations, 2. A New Leader, 3. War for the first time, 4. This was a new generation, 5, And it gave a deeper message to the Law and why the Law was given. When Jesus was asked by the rich young ruler, "What is the greatest commandment?" he replied with a quote from Deuteronomy - "To love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength and the second is line unto it, to love your neighbor as yourself." The Gospel actually fulfills this commandment for us, in that, once we are changed by the gospel we can actually begin to love God, and when we can actually begin to love God then we can begin to love others.