1 The First Lie and the Forbidden Fruit How a serpent's whisper changed the whole world Genesis 3:1-24 2 Isaac, a Symbol of Christ The son of promise who carried the wood up the mountain Genesis 22:1-14 3 Jacob's Long Trip to His Uncle God's angels went up and down a shining ladder Genesis 28:10-16; 29:1-12 4 Exodus I — The Need for Salvation from Slavery God's people cried out — and God was listening Exodus 1 5 Exodus II — The Preparation of Moses to Serve Baby in a basket, prince in a palace, shepherd at a bush that burned Exodus 2-3 6 Exodus III — Meeting Pharaoh in the Palace Moses stands before the king — and God stands with Moses Exodus 4-6 7 Exodus IV — The Ten Plagues God's mighty hand sets His people free Exodus 7-12 8 The Ark of the Covenant — God Wants to Talk with Us The golden box that was heaven's meeting place Exodus 25:10-22 9 Joshua at the Walls of Jericho The day faith made stone walls come tumbling down Joshua 6:1-25 10 Ruth — Loyal, Kind, and Loved by God The girl who wouldn't leave her mother-in-law, and became a great-grandmother of Jesus Ruth 1-4 11 David Chosen by God The little shepherd who had a heart big enough for a kingdom 1 Samuel 16:4-13 12 David Relied on God How a shepherd boy with five smooth stones beat a giant 1 Samuel 17:1-52 13 David the King The long wait, the crown, and the tears of repentance 2 Samuel 5:1-3 14 David, a Symbol of the Messiah The shepherd king who quietly pointed to Jesus 2 Samuel 7:8-29 15 The Book of Ezra I — Back to Jerusalem, Back to God How coming home to God can look like coming home to a city Ezra 1-3 16 The Book of Ezra II — Moving Forward to Reach Our Goals How to keep building God's work when the enemy tries to stop you Ezra 4-6 17 The Book of Ezra III — The Second Return Under Ezra How fasting and prayer became a shield stronger than any army Ezra 7-8 18 Nehemiah I — Introduction and Success Factors A palace worker who cried for his people — and started with himself Nehemiah 1-2 19 Nehemiah II — Success Factors from Nehemiah's Life A governor who picked up a shovel and worked beside his people Nehemiah 3-5 20 Nehemiah IV — Nehemiah Resists the Evil People Four sneaky tricks the enemies used — and how Nehemiah beat them all Nehemiah 4 and 6 21 Nehemiah III — Nehemiah's Reforms Rebuilding hearts and habits — not just walls Nehemiah 6-13 22 The Seven Major and Seven Minor Feasts of Our Lord Jesus Fourteen days of joy that shape our whole year Isaiah 19:1; Matthew 2:13-23 23 St. Mark I — How Christianity Was Planted in Egypt (and Reached Ethiopia) The saint whose gospel brought Christ to Africa Isaiah 19:19-25 24 St. Mark II — The Martyr and Saint A saint whose love was stronger than the sword Isaiah 19:19 25 The Importance of Fasika Week (Semune Hemamat) The holiest, deepest week of the whole Ethiopian year Isaiah 53:5 26 Lessons from Epiphany (Timkat) — In Baptism We Become Newly Born Ethiopia's most joyful feast — when the Jordan River comes home Matthew 3:13-17 27 The Life of St. Matthew The tax collector who left everything — and preached in Ethiopia Matthew 9:9 28 God Is Fair The parable of the sower — same seed, four kinds of soil Matthew 13:1-9 29 The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor The day three disciples saw Jesus shine with the glory of God Matthew 17:1-9 (also Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36) 30 We Magnify You, O Mother of the True Light Jesus shines from within, and His mother reflects His light to us Matthew 17:1-9; Luke 1:39-56 31 Hosanna in the Highest The day the humble King rode into Jerusalem and the crowds cried Hosanna Matthew 21:1-11 (also John 12:12-15) 32 The Lord Jesus Did These For Me, Not For Himself Every miracle, every mile, every moment — all because He loves you Matthew 28:20 33 The Parable of the Mustard Seed The tiniest seed grows into the biggest tree Mark 4:26-34 34 Jesus Blessed the Children The day the Lord took little children into His arms and blessed them Mark 10:13-16 (also Matthew 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17) 35 Don't Say 'How?' — The Lesson of Zechariah When God promises, trust — don't question Luke 1:5-25 36 The Birth of Jesus Was Announced — Let Us Be Obedient How a young girl said 'yes' and changed the world Luke 1:26-38 37 St. Mary, the Servant and Mother of God The Mother of God who hurried up a mountain to help Luke 1:39-56 38 The People of Judea Kept the News in Their Hearts Think before you speak — treasure God's wonders quietly Luke 1:57-66 39 The Parable of the Sower Four kinds of soil — and one of them is you Luke 8:4-15; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 40 The Parable of the Good Samaritan Who is really the closest friend to someone in trouble? Luke 10:30-37 41 Palm Sunday — The Lord's Great Entrance to Jerusalem The gentle King who came on a donkey to open our hearts Luke 19:29-44 42 Fasika — The Resurrection Is the Glory of Christianity Death lost. Life won. This is why we sing. Luke 24:1-12; Matthew 28:1-10 43 Ascension — He Blessed Them The last thing Jesus did before rising to heaven was to bless His friends Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:1-11 44 Christmas (Genna) Celebrations Ethiopia's beautiful birthday for the King of Heaven John 1:1-14 45 Washing of the Disciples' Feet The Lord of heaven kneels down with a towel and a bowl of water John 13:1-20 46 Joys of the Resurrection — Jesus at the Sea of Galilee Breakfast on the beach with the risen Lord John 21:1-14 47 Pentecost — The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Might The day the church was born in fire and wind Acts 2:1-13; Isaiah 11:2 48 St. Paul I — His Life Before Being an Apostle A man who hated the church became its greatest missionary Acts 9:1-18 49 St. Paul III — His Ministry and the Holy Spirit The saint whose weakness God turned into wonders Acts 20:7-12; 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 50 Theodora, the Pure Virgin A young saint who chose her heavenly crown over anything else Romans 8:35-39 51 St. Paul II — His Personality: Strong Yet Kind Hard on the truth, soft on the people 1 Corinthians 4:9-12 52 Meskel — The Cross at the Highest Point How Queen Helena found the True Cross, and why we light the Demera Galatians 6:14; Matthew 16:24