#5 Generations

Perhaps the most important story in the Old Testament is the story of God delivering the people of Israel from their Egyptian bondage. Rooted in the 600 year-old covenants given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God raised up Moses to bring His chosen people back to the land of promise. The Exodus story with all of its elements - the passover, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of water and manna in the wilderness, the Sinai commandments, the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, and the crossing of the Jordan - this story was to be repeated from generation to generation. As the psalmist declared: "That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children..." Psalm 78:6

We see the power of this story setting the stage for the coming of Jesus, and are reminded of the generational influence as we consider the genealogies of Jesus as described in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. And as Jesus' ministry unfolds we see a fulfillment of the Exodus story - a new story of grace, forgiveness, redemption and resurrection - a story that has been repeated year by year and has spread around the world.

Every generation faces the challenge of bringing the gospel of the kingdom to the next generation. May God use this study to awaken us as to our personal and collective responsibility as we disciple others in the way of Christ.

17. The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20