Deuteronomy 4

Theme of chapter: Moses recounts more about the wilderness march, how the people were disobedient at times, and how God never forsake them though he chastened them.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 4:37 And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;(the first mention, directly, that God loves us little humans)

Most prominent word: similitude (similar; similarity)

Teaching about Christ: Christ demonstrates again, that he will chasten you, but will not forsake you.

Command to obey: Worship God alone, not material things of any kind.

Promise to claim: God is with you through all the trials and tribulations you go through.

New truth learned: God gives his love to us, we reciprocate by being obedient to him.

Deuteronomy 3

Theme of chapter: Moses recounts the land conquered by the direction of God.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 3:26 But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. (Moses was not permitted into the promised land for his anger against the people of Israel and his unbelief)

Most prominent word: smote (to be struck; to be destroyed; defeat)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord's strong hand was with Israel, and they had success in the will of God conquering people's and lands.

Command to obey: Encourage each other.

Promise to claim: No enemy can stand against you, if the Lord is with you.

New truth learned: Moses asked one last time of God to let him in the promised land. God told him flatly no, and to not bring it up again.

Deuteronomy 2

Theme of chapter: Recap of the wilderness march

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 2:3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.(i think God shows a little of his sense of humor here)

Most prominent word: giants (Rephaim; sunken, powerless ones)

Teaching about Christ: All through the wilderness and all the 40 years, the Lord was with them and they lacked nothing.

Command to obey: Stay in the will of God to avoid his chastening.

Promise to claim: The Lord will never leave you or forsake you.

New truth learned: When the people of Israel were doing God's will they were feared and successfully defeated their foes. When they weren't, they suffered great loss.

Deuteronomy 1

Theme of chapter: Moses reviews his failures. Not many people would speak of their failures.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 1: 2 (There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.) (it was only 11 days journey, but it took them 40 years because of their disobedience and unbelief)

Most prominent word: Amorites (hill dwellers; westerners). The peoples that God had instructed Israel to overtake in the promised land, but they would not.

Teaching about Christ: Christ is longsuffering.

Command to obey: Don't be worried about circumstances, trust in the Lord.

Promise to claim: Although we may break our promises repeatedly, God never breaks his.

New truth learned: Moses lists his failures here. That he shouldn't have appointed people to judge between the people of Israel, and that he shouldn't have sent spies into the land but just taken it.

John 21

Theme of chapter: Epilogue of the Gospel of John

Most important verse: John 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.(Jesus will ask this of us one day. What have you done for me?)

Most prominent word: lovest;love (Jesus asked Simon did he lovest him, the highest form of the word in translation, Simon responded with love, the translation that meant just some affection. Simon was humbled at this time because he had denied Jesus 3 times when Jesus was apprehended.

Teaching about Christ: Jesus loves his own and has a plan for each one of us.

Command to obey: Don't be lazy or an armchair Christian, do the work of the Lord.

Promise to claim: The Lord is risen and at the right hand of the Father.

New truth learned: Simon Peter and some of the other disciples still didn't recognize the Lord when he appeared to them by the seashore. John who had spiritual discernment had to point out that the one calling them was Jesus.

John 20

Theme of chapter: The resurrection of Jesus Christ

Most important verse: John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (As God breathed life into Adam, Jesus breathed everlasting life unto the disciples)

Most prominent word: sepulchre (tomb; grave)

Teaching about Christ: Christ gave peace unto his disciples every time he met with them. He is the prince of peace. The disciples were troubled and fearful of the Jewish leaders.

Command to obey: Believe that Christ is who he said he is, and the he is risen and in heaven today, as yours and mine intercessor to the Father.

Promise to claim: God bring peace to the troubled heart.

New truth learned: The apostles did not believe that Jesus had risen. Only when they saw proof at his grave of his linen clothes that he was buried in not torn or out of place but just laying there, did they believe. Thomas didn't believe even on news of that. He wouldn't believe until he saw Jesus' nail prints and where he was pierced. Jesus said that blessed are these that believe without seeing.

John 19

Theme of chapter: Pilate folds under the pressure of the religious leaders, and Jesus is crucified.

Most important verse: John 19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. The caption was written in three languages that represented the great sections of humanity. Hebrew the language of religion, Greek the language of culture, and Latin the language of law and power.

Most prominent word: Pilate (a common corrupt politician who buckled under the pressure of one group, and sent an innocent man to die)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus shows repeatedly that he is in complete control of every situation. He willingly goes to the cross for our sins.

Command to obey: Be obedient unto God and not a slave to sin. Being born again means freedom from the chains of sin.

Promise to claim: Christ died for your sins and mine. It's a free gift for the taking.

New truth learned: Jesus fulfilled scripture all through the new testament. With his miracles, his bones not being broken, them looking upon him who they pierced. These were all old testament prophecies that he fulfilled, and yet the Jewish religious leaders still would not believe.

John 18

Theme of chapter: Judas betrays Jesus in the garden, and Jesus is bound and taken to Pilate for judgement.

Most important verse: John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? (Jesus was submissive unto death and unto the will of the Father)

Most prominent word: Annas(grace;)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus was obedient unto death. He knew what his purpose was and what the will of the Father was. To die a substitutionary death on the cross for our sins. He gave no struggle against the religious leaders who seized him and took him to Pilate.

Command to obey: Be obedient to the Word of God.

Promise to claim: Christ died that you might have life.

New truth learned: It appears Annas, the father in law of Caiaphas the high priest then, was the mastermind behind the plot to arrest Jesus. Jesus was sent to Annas first and Annas was the one who had him bound and taken to Caiaphas and ultimately to Pilate.

John 17

Theme of chapter: The real Lords Prayer.

Most important verse: John 17: 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (these verses speak of God's election. He already knows from the beginning of time who would receive his Word and trust in Jesus Christ. this makes my head hurt to think about God's election.)

Most prominent word: pray (to ask; to urge; )

Teaching about Christ: Jesus prayed to the Father, and is the believers intercessor to the Father today. Jesus is our great high priest. We only come unto the Father by Jesus

Command to obey: Receive the Word of the Lord with gladness. Trust in Jesus Christ.

Promise to claim: The Lord keeps all of those that the Father has given him. He is the good shepherd and does not lose a single one.

New truth learned: This is the true Lord's prayer. Jesus prays to the Father in front of the disciples to help them with their faith and to give them assurance.

John 16

Theme of chapter: Jesus speaks to his disciples about what was to come. That he was to be crucified and that the disciples would be persecuted.

Most important verse: John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (Christ provides peace in a world full of trials and tribulations)

Most prominent word: Comforter (refers to the Holy Spirit; counselor, intercessor, helper, encourager)

Teaching about Christ: Christ being God, knew everything that was going to happen to him, and he prepared his disciples for what was to come, telling them of these things.

Command to obey: abiding in Christ brings about true peace to the believer

Promise to claim: Jesus has overcome the world. It is already judged.

New truth learned: At this point, the disciples still didn't have much spiritual discernment and understanding, as Christ had to explain everything he said to them. I would think it would have disturbed the disciples somewhat when Jesus said they would be persecuted and ultimately killed.

John 15

Theme of chapter: Jesus preaches to his disciples about fruit bearing Christians and ones that don't.

Most important verse: John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (only through Christ can we accomplish anything)

Most prominent word: abide (to stay; remain; live; dwell)

Teaching about Christ: A Christians works are a reflection of his salvation and fellowship with Christ. An obedient child in Christ should produce fruit, ones that don't are set aside by God. Works don't get you to heaven, but are a manifestation of having Christ in you.

Command to obey: Show your love of Christ by obeying his commandments. Love one another, and sacrifice for your friends.

Promise to claim: The world hates Christ, and if you follow Christ the world will hate you.

New truth learned: The Word of God makes you clean. Reading and meditating on the Word cleans you from a dirty world. Christ is the vine and we are the branches, we can do nothing without the vine.

John 14

Theme of chapter: Jesus teaches his disciples more about the Father and how he is equal to the Father; more about the Holy Spirit who would come after his death.

Most important verse: John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (Another gospel in a nutshell. Jesus is the only way to heave; not the best way or a good way, he is the only way.)

Most prominent word: mansions (more appropriately, 'abiding places'. Jesus has prepared a place for each one of us in heaven who believe on him)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus taught that he was equal with God and that he was God. The Father has provided one single way to heaven that has nothing to do with works of man. It is the redemptive blood of Christ that covers the sinner. Belief on Christ is the only way.

Command to obey: Do not worry or fear anything, just trust in Christ.

Promise to claim: To love Christ is to obey his commandments.

New truth learned: Christ gives peace to those who follow him. Jesus mentions over and over in this chapter that he is God and to see him is to see the Father.

John 13

Theme of chapter: Jesus and his disciples have the passover supper, Judas Iscariot is to betray Jesus. Jesus shows his disciples that he is a servant by washing their feet.

Most important verse: ohn 13:34-35 34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35By this shall all men know that ye are my dJisciples, if ye have love one to another. (Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment to love each other)

Most prominent word: servant (One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another: )

Teaching about Christ: Jesus taught his disciples to be humble and serve one another, to not exalt themselves.

Command to obey: To love one another as he loved them. This is the mark of a Christian.

Promise to Claim: A servants heart brings great joy to a person.

New Truth Learned: The disciples didn't catch on that Judas was the one to betray Jesus. They knew it was one of them but were clueless as to which.

John 12

Theme of chapter: Jesus goes back to Bethany to eat and fellowship with Lazarus and his family. Mary, sister of Lazarus anoints Jesus with perfume. Jesus then goes into Jerusalem on a donkey as it is written. The Jews continue to not believe him and plot his death.

Most important verse: John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (speaks of Jesus' death and resurrection, also speaks of the born again believer)

Most prominent word: verily (when Jesus says verily he is about to speak something important, and when he says it twice it is very important)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus performed many miracles giving his credentials of being Christ but the Jews' hearts were hardened and they did not believe.

Command to obey: Don't love this life and the things of it. Love God and the things of heaven and life forthcoming.

Promise to claim: Jesus is the light of the world, belief on him grants everlasting life.

New truth learned: Jesus didn't come to judge the world at that time, but said that in the end it would be his Word that judged the unbeliever.

John 11

Theme of chapter: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. This brings Jesus' public ministry to a close as the religious leaders plot to kill him at this point.

Most important verse: John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (Jesus proclaims that he is the Christ and is God)

Most prominent word: resurrection(rising to life; raised to life again)

Teaching about Christ: Christ performed many miracles to show his credentials. That he was God, and that the people would believe. He proclaimed that he was the resurrection and thus the only way to heaven.

Command to obey: Trust in the life, the resurrection, for salvation.

Promise to claim: Jesus died for not only the Jew but for the gentile as well. All believers are part of one body, the body of Christ.

New truth learned: Jesus' public ministry ended here. He was no longer able to roam free amongst the Jews as they plotted to kill him.