God gave us the Law (Commandments) so that we might recognize our need for salvation and promised a Savior which all humanity could be redeemed from sin by.
God kept His word and sent His only begotten son Jesus to die for our transgressions (sin). Jesus was resurrected and is seated in Heaven at the right hand of the Father. Our (confident) hope is in him.
The Lord created mankind in His image, but our relationship with our Heavenly Father was severed when we sinned against Him. He then spoke the way of redemption over us, setting the course for humanity.
God commanded Noah to build an Ark that would keep him, his family, and pairs of each type of animal safe. Wickedness had increased so much on the Earth that God wiped it away with a flood, killing the inhabitants.
God set apart a family of faith by which He would establish His covenant and fulfill His promise. The Lord walked with Abraham and his descendants, watching over them according to His purpose.
God uses Moses to lead his chosen people out of Egypt, having freed them from captivity by way of many miracles. For forty years he guides them through the wilderness, giving them the Law and establishing his covenant with the Hebrew people, until a generation led by Joshua is prepared to enter into the land He is giving them.
After the death of Joshua, Israel entered a period of time from 1375 BC to 1050 BC where it was influenced by Judges. These Judges were tribal leaders who God used to save the Israelite people from their enemies.
Despite God's warning, the people cried out for an earthly king like other nations had. From 1050 BC to 930 BC the land was ruled by Saul, then David, and finally Solomon.
Solomon's passing around 930 BC led to a division in the land, creating two kingdoms: Israel to the north and Judah to the south. The Israelites founded a new capital in the city of Samaria, while the Judaeans retained the original capital in Jerusalem.
Each would be conquered with the people of Israel being scattered for all time and a portion of the people of Judah being relocated. Groups of Judaeans would later return to the Promised Land between 538 BC & 432 BC.
Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) lived and died for us. His birth signifies hope that had come into the world and the fulfilment of God's promise to deliver a Savior unto us. He is the Word made flesh, God incarnate.
After the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, believers receive the Holy Spirit. The Church is established, continuing through the centuries delivering the Gospel message that our hope for salvation and eternal life is in Christ Jesus.
God wouldn't have created you if you didn't have a part in His story. He loves you more than you can imagine, sacrificing His only Son to pay the price for sin to provide the way to have right relationship with the Father.
All humanity has sinned against God. We make selfish decisions, take the easy way out, and often do the opposite of what God has told us to do. The only person to ever walk this world without sinning is Jesus and he laid down his life to obtain forgiveness for us. He took the punishment we deserve so that we could have the eternal life God wants for us. Jesus was both fully man and fully God, which means God himself paid the price of our transgressions. There is no greater love than what He has done for us, but we must still make the choice to accept this free gift.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
A great way to get to know God is by reading the Bible, which is His Word. Though it was written down by the hands of men, it was divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. God teaches us through the Scriptures, bringing His unchanging truth into our constantly changing lives.
This is our conversation with God. We can thank Him for all the good things in our lives, ask for help when we need it, tell Him how much we love Him, or turn to Him when we need to know His love. Prayer is an important daily activity and can be done throughout the day.
It is important to be connected with other believers as we navigate life. The church is a spiritual family & community unified in Christ. It helps us connect with God, grow in our faith, learn more about Jesus and the Bible, and allows us to pray for and help one another in our need.
Water baptism represents our joining with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. It is a sign to the world that we are a new creation in Jesus and professes our faith in the power of his sacrifice for our salvation. We have turned from the old sinful life to a new life with God.
Your church may call it by a different name, but being part of a small group can help a person get better connected to others at church. It allows for deeper discussions beyond the sermon and accountability within a circle of individuals dedicated to helping one another in their spiritual journey.
Tell others about what God has done in your life. Often referred to as 'witnessing', our personal accounts of faith can be an encouragement to those around us. It illuminates the truth that there is a very real God at work in our lives and serves as a reminder of His goodness.
The Bible tells us that "faith without works is dead". While we are saved by God's grace and not our own deeds, good works are a way to exercise the faith we have been given. They are also a way to show our love towards others, which God calls us to do.
It is important to keep God first in our daily lives. Even though as believers we will still have problems in this world, He stays by us every step of the way and leads us through our difficulties. The Lord has promised to "never leave nor forsake" us and rewards those who persevere.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." - Jesus (John 14:6)