Sojourners Introduction

The tent years. Israel would eventually have a homeland and dwell in houses, plant fields and vineyards, and be governed by a king ruling from a palace in the capital city of their nation. This year's study, however, will take us back to the time before Israel's presence became apparent in secular history. The time of wandering. From Abraham's call out of Ur to Joshua's final conquest of Canaan, Israel was a nation of tent dwellers.
We will begin this year by covering the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their families. I have scheduled the fall for this emphasis. In addition to the Biblical narrative and several excellent extra-Biblical resources, we are incorporating many fascinating hands-on cultural crafts related to the ancient tent dwelling 'experience'. We will then begin a unit study on Egypt with Joseph's captivity and rise to prominence, continuing on into the spring with the Isrealite captivity and the Exodus. Our school year will conclude with an in depth look at the Tabernacle in the wilderness. I am immensely excited about the curriculum the Lord has placed right in His Word!

Pilgrims and Sojourners
2010 / 2011

Covering:
Genesis 12-50
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Job

August 15-December 15, 2010
The Patriarchs
Sumer, Canaan, Egypt

January 15-May 15, 2011
The Exodus

Egypt, Wilderness

Hebrews 11:8-29

        “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God….

      (vs.13) these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly had they called to mind that country from which they had come out, they could have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them…

      (vs.20)  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones…

      (vs.24) By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned…”

      We are all citizens of a country somewhere on this planet we call earth. But it is not our homeland. Wherever we venture upon on this earth, we still remain but visitors. We may be pioneers, but we are not a settlers. We are pilgrims seeking a home, but no earthly country will ever become our destination. We are lifetime sojourners upon this earth. Our true citizenship lies in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 
      In Hebrews 12, we are exhorted to look to those who went before us, “whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” In studying the life of Abraham, the "Father of Faith", and his descendants who were heirs by faith of the same promise, we will lay a foundation in the lives of our children for their own walks of faith. My prayer is that they will indeed consider the outcome of the faith of these men of God who went before them, and whose faith they will seek to follow.

      Hebrews 11 is the theme of this year's studies on the times of the patriarchs and the Egyptian Exodus. It it a wonderful opportunity to learn about and disciple our children through the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the "Law" or "Torah". We will be reading through all of Genesis and Exodus as well as selected passages from Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy in the course of the year. As the book of Job falls within this time scope, we will also cover it. We will study the life of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We will follow Joseph into Egypt and Moses out of it. We will explore the inner recesses of the tabernacle and will travel with the children of Israel through their forty years of wanderings in the wilderness.

      My desire is that through this year of study, our children will learn and understand what it means to be a pilgrim and sojourner in this life. My prayer is that they will grow to become men and women of faith, who hold not dearly to this world, but would give up their lives for the sake of proclaiming the good news of salvation to those in the world. True sojourners.