Be Equipped Activities

Select The Activities Below

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL STUDY

Conduct a historical and cultural study of ancient (Biblical) Egypt. Engage in a study to determine the following:

  • Where was Egypt situated geographically?
  • Who were the Egyptians descendants of??
  • Who were the Egyptians as a nation and kingdom (Describe their political, social, military, spiritual, and economic contributions Biblically and historically)?
  • What were some major characterizations of the Egyptians as a people? 
  • Who were notable Egyptians in the Bible? 
  • Trace symbolic Egypt as a storyline through the Bible.
  • Summarize the main lessons learned.
  • Reflect on the following: 
  • How does what you’ve learned about Egypt differ from what you previously knew or had been taught? 
  • How does what you’ve learned impact your understanding of the Biblical story? 
  • How does what you’ve learned about Egypt expand your understanding of Who God is?
  • How will you apply what you’ve learned to your study of the Bible going forward? 
  • How can what you’ve learned be applied to your daily life?
  • Record observations and application: Record your insights and questions as well as the ways you will apply what you’ve learned to your life. What are your personal LIFE Lessons?
  • Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts or practices? 
  • Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated to live for Christ?
  • Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages, or stories reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?
  • Edification: How might you share your story to edify others and bring glory to God? 

WORD STUDY

Read Acts 27:13-38. Then conduct a word study on the word “peace.” Engage in the following:

  • Identify the definitions and meanings of the word peace:
  • Identify the English meaning of the word
  • Seek to identify the original definition or meaning of the Word (i.e., Hebrew or Greek translations and meanings of words or context, the language of varying translations, etc.)
  • Determine how the word is used in the Biblical and the secular sense
  • Identify where the word peace is used in the Bible and note the following:
      • Where does the word first appear?
      • How often does it appear?
      • In which books of the Bible is it found? In which books is it used most?
      • Which writers or characters use the word? 
      • In what contexts is it used? 
      • How does each writer or character define or describe the word? 
  • Look for how the word peace evolves from its origin to its conclusion throughout the Bible. 
  • Summarize the main lessons learned.
  • Reflect on the following:
  • How does what you’ve learned about the concept of peace differ from what you previously knew or had been taught? 
  • How does what you’ve learned impact your understanding of the Bible? 
  • How does what you’ve learned about the concept of peace expand your understanding of Who God Is?
  • How can what you’ve learned be applied to your daily life?
  • How will you apply what you’ve learned to your study of the Bible going forward? 
  • Record observations and application: Record your insights and questions as well as the ways you will apply what you’ve learned to your life. What are your personal LIFE Lessons?

Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts or practices? 

Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated to live for Christ?

Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages, or stories reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?

Edification: How might you share your story to edify others and bring glory to God?

CHARACTER COMPARISON

Choose at least two of the “Marys” as described below (and feel free to do more or all) and conduct a character analysis. Use your concordance to identify all passages in the Bible that reference your chosen character. Read the passages and engage in the following:

  • Note your first impressions.
  • Create a chronological outline of the person’s life.
  • Note the meaning of the person’s name, other names the person is called, and any name changes, etc.
  • Identify character traits and qualities. 
  • Identify Biblical principles illustrated in the life of the person.
  • How is Christ reflected in the person’s life?
  • Summarize the main lessons learned. 
  • Reflect on the following: 
    • Conduct a comparison between the stories of the “Marys” chosen. 
      • Compare and contrast the characteristics and circumstances of each. 
      • What themes emerge? How do these themes intersect or differ? 
      • Identify lessons learned from each “Mary” and the impact on your life.
    • How does the study of these characters expand your understanding of Who God Is and what He desires from you?
    • How do the themes that emerged and what you’ve learned apply to your daily life?
    • What questions or concerns remain?
    • How will you apply what you’ve learned to your life going forward? 
  • Record observations and application: Record your insights and questions as well as the ways you will apply what you’ve learned to your life. What are your personal LIFE Lessons?

Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts or practices? 

Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated to live for Christ?

Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages, or stories reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?

Edification: How might you share your story to edify others and bring glory to God?

SCRIPTURES

Alabaster Box: Mary of Bethany 

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, He went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood before him, weeping at his feet, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.” – Luke 7:36-39

Blessed and Highly Favored: Mary, Mother of Jesus

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” –Luke 1:28

Delivered from Demons: Mary of Magdalene 

Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. There Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out… – Luke 8:1-2

Standing By Til’ The End: Mary of Clopas 

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. – John 19:25

At Jesus’ Feet: Mary of Bethany

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42

A House of Prayer: Mary, Mother of John Mark

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. – John 12:12

THEMATIC OR TOPICAL STUDY

Read the following passage 1 Peter 2:9-10. Next, conduct a thematic or topical study of the meaning of Identity. Then do the following: 

  • Make a list of questions (3-5) that you have in relation to the topic. 
  • Read I Peter 2:9-10 in various translations. Note what you learn about Your Identity. 
    • What does it mean that we are a Chosen People?
    • What does it mean that we are a Royal Priesthood?
    • What does it mean that we are God’s People?
  • Use a concordance and identify passages of scripture or Biblical stories that speak to our Identity in Christ. Read each verse/passage/story and record how these texts speak to you and how they serve to answer your questions. 
  • Reflect on the following:
    • Record lessons learned, questions answered, and personal applications. 
    • What are some of the “false” identities that the world touts?  
    • 1 Peter 2:9-10 touches on a few of the ways the Bible describes our identity.  What are other Biblical identities of who we are?
    • How can what you’ve learned be applied to your daily life?
    • How will you apply what you’ve learned to your study of the Bible going forward? 
  • Record observations and application: Record your insights and questions as well as the ways you will apply what you’ve learned to your life. 

What are your personal LIFE Lessons?

  • Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts or practices? 
  • Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated to live for Christ?
  • Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages, or stories reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?
  • Edification: How might you share your story to edify others and bring glory to God?

WORD OR CONCEPT STUDY

Conduct a word study of the concept – To know and be known. 

Then engage in the following:

  • Identify the definitions and meanings of the word.
  • Identify where the word is used in the Bible and pay attention to the following:
    • Where does the word first appear?
    • How often does it appear?
    • In which books of the Bible is it found? In which books is it used most frequently?
    • Which writers or characters use the word? 
    • Where is it used? 
    • In what context is it used? 
    • How does each writer/character define or describe the word? 
    • Reflect on the following: 
  • Summarize the main lessons learned.
  • How does the phrase “to know and be known” expand your understanding of who God is?
  • How does the phrase “to know and be known” and what you’ve learned apply to your daily life?
  • How will you apply what you’ve learned to your life going forward? 
  • Record observations and application: Record your insights and questions as well as the ways you will apply what you’ve learned to your life. 

What are your personal LIFE Lessons?

  • Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts or practices? 
  • Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated to live for Christ?
  • Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages, or stories reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?
  • Edification: How might you share your story to edify others and bring glory to God?

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

This activity is designed to help you better understand how your ethnicity, gender, environment/geographical location, culture, beliefs/values/practices impact your experiences, relationships, as well as the way you view yourself. 

Conduct a character analysis of Zipporah. Respond to the following:

  • Note your first impressions
  • Create a chronological outline of Zipporah’s life
  • Discover the social, political, cultural, and  religious practices of her time. How might these factors have impacted her story?
  • Note the meaning of her name, other names she might be called by, name changes, etc.
  • From whose point of view is her story told? 
  • How would the story be different if told from her viewpoint? 
  • Why was this story included in scripture? 
  • Identify character traits and qualities.
  • Identify Biblical principles illustrated through her life.
  • Make connections between current social, political, cultural, and  religious practices in relation to women and Blacks. 
  • Summarize the main lessons learned. Document questions that remain. 
  • Reflect on the following: 
    • How will you apply what you’ve learned to your life? 
    • How does what you’ve learned expand your understanding of Who God is?
    • How does what you’ve learned impact your understanding of womanhood and Blackness?
    • How does what you’ve learned, apply to your daily life?
    • How will you apply what you’ve learned to your life going forward? 
  • Record observations and application: Record your insights and questions as well as the ways you will apply what you’ve learned to your life. 

What are your personal LIFE Lessons?

  • Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts or practices? 
  • Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated to live for Christ?
  • Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages, or stories reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?
  • Edification: How might you share your story to edify others and bring glory to God?

WORD ANALYSIS : OPRESSION

Examine the word/concept of oppression. Then engage in the following:

  • Identify the definitions and meanings of the word:
    • Identify the English meaning of the word
    • Seek to identify the original definition/meaning of the Word (i.e., Hebrew or Greek translations/meanings of words or context, the language of varying translations, etc.)
    • Determine how the word is used in the Biblical and the secular sense
  • Identify where the word is used in the Bible and note the following:
    • Where does the word first appear?
    • How often does it appear?
    • In which books of the Bible is it found? In which books is it used most?
    • Which writers or characters use the word? 
    • In what context(s) is the word used? 
    • How does each writer/character define or describe the word? 
  • Look how the word/concept “evolves” from its origin to its conclusion throughout the Bible. 

Reflect: 

  • How does what you’ve learned expand your understanding of Who God is?
  • How does what you’ve learned impact your understanding of oppression and how you see yourself, your family, community, and ethnic group?
  • How might what you’ve learned differ from the secular perspective on who is oppressed?
  • How can you apply what you’ve learned to your daily life?
  • How can you apply what you’ve learned to your engagement in ministry to the oppressed?

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