Book of Judith Lesson - Week 2

This week we are reading Chapters 6-10, in the Book of Judith!

Chapter 6: General Holofernes is convinced that he will be victorious over the Israelites, because in his opinion, Nebuchadnezer is above the God of the Israelites. Achior is begin grouped with the Isrealites for speaking as he did about the wonders of God and is ordered to go to Bethulia, the hometown of Judith! (I didn't want to give a "spoiler" last week, so I'll tell you now that Achior means 'brother of light').
In Bethulia, Achior meets Uzziah, the Chief of Bethulia. Achior is questioned by Uzziah before all the inhabitants of Behtulia. He retells his tale about warning Holofernes and is accepted by the Israelites. That night Uzziah leads his people in prayer. (Uzziah means 'the Lord is my strength').

Chapter 7: Holofernes orders his troops to surround the mountain and cut off the water supply to Bethulia. The people of Bethulia are thirsty and frustrated. They go to Uzziah, asking him to surrender, but he will not - stating God will not forsake them. The people agreed, but were still very miserable.

In Chapter 8 we are finally introduced to JUDITH! (Her name means 'the Jewess') She is a beautiful widow, who is devout and kind. When she learns of the harsh words from her people, regarding their thirst, she sends her maid to summon two elders of her town. Take note that the men come to her, not the other way around!
Once the elders arrive, Judith points out the people's sin of interpose with God. Her point is that you CANNOT lay down conditions with God. She reminds how God tested their ancestors and says that He is now testing them! Uzziah agrees with her and asks that she pray for her people, but Judith says she will do one better - she will rescue Israel!

Chapter 9: Judith throws herself to the ground and prays to God regarding the transgressions of Holofernes on her people - specifically talking about Simeon, her ancestor, that God helped. She is pleading for God to aid her in her desired mission to stop the Assyrian army.
"Observe their arrogance, send your fury on their heads, give the strength I have in mind to this widow's hand" Judith 9:9 

Judith is preparing for battle in Chapter 10, but not in a fashion we might be used to seeing. Instead of putting on armor and weapons, she is dressing up - removing her widow's dress, to put on her best looking outfit.
"She put sandals on her feet, put on her necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and all her jewellery, and made herself beautiful enough to beguile the eye of any man who saw her." Judith 10:4
Why? Judith IS the weapon! She knows she is beautiful, she knows the power she has over men (remember the elders came to her) and most of all she knows that God is with her.
She prays one last time, before ordering the men to lift the gates of Bethulia, so that she and her maid may set out on the mission God expressed to her. *Notice the men do as she orders!

If you haven't downloaded the FREE Resources for the Book of Judith they are located in our FREE Resources Section on our blog or you can purchase the Complete Study Guide, which includes Daily Verses AND Daily Reflection Questions to ponder while you study! 

Just go to: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Complete-Bible-Study-Guide-for-the-Book-of-Judith-2421143

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How to Study the BIBLE for FREE!

Whether you've read several books of the Bible, or specific chapters, it is a noble goal to want to actually read it cover to cover. This truly is the BEST Book! It's got EVERYTHING in it - really! In our opinion, NOTHING should stand in your way! We'd like to share THREE ways to study God's Word, TWO of which are FREE!!
We believe that studying God's WORD should be affordable, so we bring you our Complete Study Guides, which contain the verse of the day for each chapter, a reflection question for the day for each chapter, as well the the WORD Guide, for just $1.99  -or- YOU can do it for FREE!!

The most important part of studying the Bible, according to us, is finding a method and reading plan that works for YOU! Once you find your grove, its really easy to breeze through the Bible! Here's how we do it and how you can too (for FREE)!!

1. Dust off you Bible or buy a new one! ;)

2. Download your Complete Study Guides or our FREE W.O.R.D. Study Guides from our store:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Balanced-Living-Bible-Study

3. Print Off our FREE Bible Highlighting Guide! We recommend that you highlight while you read. Yes, we mean in your bible! When you highlight according to the guide you will become deeply emerged in the scripture and more in tune to what God is saying. Get yours for FREE at: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Bible-Highlighting-Guide-2420941

4. Don't have a way to print! No worries, we've got you covered too! Print nothing and instead get a Notebook! You can journal your way through the bible, writing the Verses of the Day, Answer Reflection Questions and study with the W.O.R.D. method.

No matter your method, we have found that one of the most important segments of studying the Bible is the GROUP! All are welcome to join us, as we read the Bible, ONE Chapter a Day!

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:20

Our current Study is in the Book of Judith! 

Our NEXT Study BEGINS April 4th, and we will be in the Book of Genesis! 

Make sure you "LIKE" us on Facebook, to see Daily Verses and to comment on Daily Reflection Questions!

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Week 2 - The Book of Judith Study

Week 2 - Reading Plan: Read ONE Chapter a Day, Monday - Friday!

Week 2 - Verses of the Day:

  

 

 

 

If are just joining us - WELCOME!
Downloaded the FREE Resources for the Book of Judith or purchase the Complete Study Guide, which includes Daily Verses AND Daily Reflection Questions to ponder while you study at: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Complete-Bible-Study-Guide-for-the-Book-of-Judith-2421143

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Book of Judith Lesson - Week 1

Book of Judith Week 1 Lesson:

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the scripture, we think it is important to know the list of characters. This week we read Chapters 1 -5 and were introduced to three important people...

We first meet Nebuchadnezzer, King of the Assyrians, in Chapter 1. He is at war - looking to expand the territories of his kingdom with force. If your not with him, then you are against him, and those who are against him will feel his wrath. (His name means 'may the god of Nebu protect you and your possessions)

In Chapter 2, we are introduced to Holofernes, who is the King's right hand man and top General, Chief of all the Assyrian forces. He is on a campaign, with the King's entire army, to overwhelm the whole western region to enforce Nebuchadnezzer's will. He is willing to use brute force, butchering anyone who is not aligned with the King.
(His name means 'stinking in hell')

By Chapter 3 we see the extent of Holofernes resolve to raise up King Nebuchadnezzer.
"But he demolished their shrines and cut down their sacred trees, carrying out his commission to destroy all local gods so that the nations should worship Nebuchadnezzar alone and people of every language and nationality should hail him as a god." Judith 3:8

The news of Holofernes tactics have reached the Israelites in Judea, in Chapter 4. They fear his arrival and fear for their God's Temple. Naturally the Israelites start to look at their options for survival. Joakim, the high priest of Jerusalem, writes to the surrounding people in Bethulia & Betomesthaim.
"He ordered them to occupy the mountain passes, the only means of access to Judaea, for there it would be easy for them to halt an attacking force, the narrowness of the approach not allowing men to advance more than two abreast." Judith 4:7
Then Joakim leads the Israelites in prayer and fasting...
"All the men of Israel cried most fervently to God and humbled themselves before him." Judith 4:9
and God heard them!
"The Lord heard them and looked kindly on their distress."
Judith 4:13

Holofernes is furious in Chapter 5, upon learning of the Israelites control of the mountain passes and peaks. He is actually shocked, but more so now very curious as to whom these people are. So he asks one of his Ammon Generals, Achior, to tell him about the Israelites.
Achior reports that the Israelite people abandoned the gods of their ancestors to worship "the God of Heaven" and provides a brief telling of the story of Moses' exodus from Egypt. What is so fascinating about this telling is that Achior doesn't just give the history of this tale, but rather he illustrates the awesome power of God, explaining that:
"All the while they did not sin before their God, prosperity was theirs, for they have a God who hates wickedness."
Judith 4:17
and warning Holofernes, not to advance:

"So, now, master and lord, if this people has committed any fault, if they have sinned against their God, let us first be sure that they really have this reason to fail, then advance and attack them.But if their nation is guiltless, my lord would do better to abstain, for fear that their Lord and God should protect them. We should then become the laughing-stock of the whole world." Judith 4: 20-21

Achior believes! and Holofernes and the rest of his Generals don't listen!

If you haven't downloaded the FREE Resources for the Book of Judith they are located in our FREE Resources Section on our blog or you can purchase the Complete Study Guide, which includes Daily Verses AND Daily Reflection Questions to ponder while you study! 

Just go to: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Complete-Bible-Study-Guide-for-the-Book-of-Judith-2421143

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Week 1 - The Book of Judith Study

Greetings!

We are SO thrilled you are joining us for our Study in The Book of Judith!
We will read just ONE Chapter a Day, Monday - Friday! Starting March 7th - 28th.

Week 1 - Reading Plan:

Week 1 - Verses of the Day:

        

If you haven't downloaded the FREE Resources for the Book of Judith they are located in our FREE Resources Section on our blog or you can purchase the Complete Study Guide, which includes Daily Verses AND Daily Reflection Questions to ponder while you study! 

Just go to: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Complete-Bible-Study-Guide-for-the-Book-of-Judith-2421143

Make sure you "LIKE" us on Facebook, to see and comment on the Daily Reflection Questions!
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4 Ways to Get More Out of Your Bible Study

Reading the Bible in its entirety has been a "goal" of mine since college. I would do really great for a while, complete a few books, then inevitably life would get in the way and my Bible study time got pushed further down the priority list...until now!

I have found an incredible way to study the Bible, every day (Mon. - Fri.) or more if I want to, that doesn't take away from the demands of life, in fact it only adds to my life and that of my family. Studying the Bible fulfills me in ways I never knew possible and is definitely a priority that will not be getting pushed away. Here's how...

1. Find a Bible that you like! 

It is so important the book itself appeals to you. It makes sense doesn't it. If you are artistic and want to be able to Bible Journal while you read, wide margins are a must. I personally use THE CATHOLIC BIBLE New American Bible - Personal Study Edition, which has medium margins, where I journal, and contains historical references, maps, background information on each book of the Bible and more! 

2. HIGHLIGHT! 

Yes, I am talking about writing/ highlighting in your Bible. I have found that when I highlight God's Word his message is revealed and made clear. Let's face it the Bible is written in a vernacular that we just don't speak today, yet as Christians this book is part of our life's journey - in order to understand it, we must read it, in order to read it, we must understand it and highlighting gives that clarity. I personally highlight, using the following Highlighting Guide:

3. STUDY God's W.O.R.D. while you Read! 

This is that part that took me a while to find, but now that I have I can't help but share it with Everyone!! I have tried several Study Methods, but was never truly able to get invested in them. Either the time required was unrealistic, or the Method itself was not getting me to a deeper understanding of God's Word, or the Method cost SO much I simply couldn't afford to do it...not anymore! The W.O.R.D. Method of Study is AWESOME!

Here's how it works:

While we read God's Word, just ONE Chapter a Day, we soak it in with the W.O.R.D. Method

W - Word of God (Write down your favorite verse(s) from todays scripture.)
O - Observation (What did you observe while reading God’s word?)
R - Reflect (Apply what God said to you today to your daily life.)
D - Devotion (What do you feel compelled to tell God in prayer?)

Download our FREE blank study page to study along with us in our FREE Resources section. 

Or for just $3.99 download our Complete Study Guide, which include the Daily Verses and Daily Reflection Questions at:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Complete-Bible-Study-Guide-for-the-Book-of-Judith-2421143

4. JOIN A STUDY GROUP! 

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, 
there am I in the midst of them." 
Matthew 18:20 

There is something to be said for the power of community, especially when it is centered around Christ. I have had the privilege of joining an incredible study, full of amazing, Christian women, that add so much value to my life and study of God's Word. Their insights, shares and genuine support is something I value and look forward to. 

We would love for you to join US, here at Balanced Living! 

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Study of the Book of Judith BEGINS Monday, March 7th!

Welcome!
We are so thrilled you decided to join our Bible Study! We tackle just one chapter a day and are excited to announce that our 1st study will be...the Book of Judith!
Study begins MONDAY March 7th!

Here's how it works...
1. We ready one chapter a day, Monday - Friday, starting Monday, March 7th - 28th.

For the first week our Reading Plan is as follows:

Week 1: Bible Reading Plan:
Monday - Chapter 1
Tuesday - Chapter 2
Wednesday - Chapter 3
Thursday - Chapter 4
Friday - Chapter 5

2. Each day we will highlight a "Daily Verse" as well as ask a "Reflection Question" for you to consider, while you study the Book of Judith.

Purchase the Complete Bible Study Guide for the Book of Judith at: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Complete-Bible-Study-Guide-for-the-Book-of-Judith-2421143

or...download our FREE W.O.R.D. Method Study Guide, located in our FREE Resources section!

You are also welcome to join our Facebook Group A Faith Filled Life for daily accountability!

https://www.facebook.com/A-Faith-Filled-Life-1552684925046477/?ref=hl