The name Joseph appears in the NIV 229 times. The vast majority refer to Joseph of the Old Testament, son of Jacob.
I am looking forward to this two-week study! Joseph is one of my Bible heroes.
Joseph sets an example that I want to follow.
Gideon’s story is found in Judges 6-8, and is also mentioned in Hebrews 11.
My favorite adaptation is Veggie Tales’ Gideon: Tuba Warrior.
Barnabas’ name appears in the Bible 33 times.
Until the middle of Acts 13, Barnabas was the lead missionary in his partnership with Saul.
In the second half of Acts 13, after Saul was renamed Paul, Barnabas took on a secondary role.
Josiah’s name appears in 56 verses.
He was one of the greatest kings in Judah’s history.
Paul debates the Athenians in Acts 17. Some people “sneer” at the thought of resurrection, but others are open to considering the possibility. Which side of this issue are you on, Dear Reader? Why?
In Acts 2:29-36, Peter teaches that Jesus is greater than King David. David is in the grave; Jesus is not. King David prophesied about Jesus’ resurrection in Psalm 110.
According to Acts 1:20-26, the apostles in the early church served as witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. This was one of their primary roles.
Do I serve as a witness to Jesus’ work in my life?
Lazarus, Mary and Martha’s brother, provided Jesus the opportunity to illustrate his power over death in advance of his crucifixion.
In John 11, we read that Jesus wept (v. 35), even though in verses 1-4 Jesus reassures us that Lazarus’ illness will not end in death. In verses 11-14, Jesus has to clear up some misunderstandings and explain that Lazarus is (temporarily) dead.
This reminds me of the following scene from The Princess Bride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GrYNaaYSjs
Because of God’s incredible love, Lazarus is only “mostly dead.”
In Matthew 28:1-10, we learn that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were the first two devoted followers to learn that Jesus rose from the dead. (The guards on-site learned a bit sooner that something big was going on!)
The word resurrection appears in the NIV exactly 45 times. It first appears in Matthew 22:23, as the Sadducees attempt to confuse and trap Jesus by presenting an unlikely hypothetical story about a very unlucky widow. Jesus’ reply is simple. We serve a God “of the living, not of the dead.” That’s why Jesus’ resurrection is so important. It’s a reflection of the reality that humans are created in God’s image, intended to live forever.
