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Lesson OneBethlehem: Birthplace of Salvation3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwoInto the Wilderness: Baptism and Temptation3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson ThreeTo Mount Moreh: Raising a Widow’s Son3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FourToward the Gihon Spring: The Coronation3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FiveTo the Decapolis: Casting Out Demons3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson SixTo Mount Hermon: Son of the Living God3 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson SevenTo Mount Arbel: Sermon on the Mount and the Great Commission3 Activities1 Assessment
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion1 Activity1 Assessment
Participants 70
Discussion Questions
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Describe, in your own words, the significance of the meaning of the word “Bethlehem.”
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21 Replies
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Bethlelem means “House of Bread.’ Bread describes a means of life and nourishment for our bodies and for those who have ears to hear, bread means life and nourishment for our souls.
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The word Bethlehem represents both a place and provision throughout the Davidic line throughout the Old Testament all the way to Jesus’ birth.
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The word Bethlehem simply means House of Prayer. It’s also the birthplace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and King David.
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Bethlehem means “house of bread”. It hints of God’s provision for man’s needs. As history unfolds, we realize it was the place of Jesus’ birth – he was the Saviour God provided for men. Of course, Jesus described himself as the living bread.
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The significance of the meaning of the word ”Bethelehem” is where our Lord and Savior was born.
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The word Bethlehem means “House of Bread” or “Bakery Place”. This is very significant as the town would become the birthplace of Christ who was the true “bread of life”.
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How did the events that took place in Bethlehem related to Ruth, David, and Jesus compare to God’s provision for mankind?
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13 Replies
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Each event echoes God’s provision for us. God’s involvement moves from hint to history to heart.
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Each part of history portrayed through the stories of Ruth, David, and Jesus show provision in different ways but all with the same underlying message: He is a God of provision whether it is for a homeless woman or a traveling mother about to give birth. Sometimes we can be in what we consider the worst situations, and God will provide in ways we can’t imagine.
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They speak of God’s provision and redemption in a time of dire distress. Ruth and Naomi were destitute widows who returned to Bethlehem, but God first provided food for them from the field of Boaz, and then he provided descendants for them from the loins of Boaz. Incidentally, Boaz was called a kinsman-redeemer. In the time of David, Saul was the king, but he did not act in faith and obedience to God to lead the Israelites out of oppression under their enemies, esp. the Philistines. God redeemed Israel by raising the king after God’s own heart – and he was David from Bethlehem. In the last story, angels appeared to shepherd to herald the birth of the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. We know we do not need to be afraid anymore because our Redeemer has come to us at Bethlehem. Incidentally, all the three stories link to the lineage and genealogy of Jesus Christ.
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In all three of these events, God provided a solution. For Ruth and Naomi’s family he provided a kinsmen Redeemer and husband for Ruth. In the next story, the nation of Israel needed a king that was wise and honest. God asked Samuel to choose from Jesse’s family and Samuel chose David, the youngest son, a shepherd boy to become a great King. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem God provided his one and only son Jesus to ultimately pay the price for the sins of all who believe.
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In Bethlehem, stories of hope seem to always shine through during tough times. Ruth found both physical food and emotional shelter there, leading to the rise of the caring King David, and later, Jesus, seen as the ultimate Saviour, was born, offering eternal life to believers. Each story, unique yet connected, reveals a thread of God transforming hardship into hope, demonstrating a constant, loving provision for people throughout time.