Week 3 – Prologue and Letters

Last week we looked at the opening three chapters and had a great discussion on some of the initial metaphors and difficult language found in the prologue and letters to the seven churches. Some of the details we looked at with the churches were a bit difficult to understand and pin down – i.e. such as what on earth and the white stones about? Good ol’ Vern has great descriptions of each letter complete with a helpful understanding of the historical context behind some of the seemingly more cryptic sayings.

For the coming week (2-10-10) we will be reading through chapters 4-7. This is where the letter starts to take a turn more toward the vision/prophecy/strong imagery vantage point. We’re lifted up into the throne room and given a description of a bunch of sealed scrolls which will be opened and riders on many colored horses. Things can get crazy pretty fast so while you’re reading through the verses I’d like you to consider the following questions/points:

• What’s with the descriptions of the throne room? For those of you who were with us during our discussion of Hebrews, think to what the author had to say about the temple in Jerusalem, namely that it was a shadow of the hidden spiritual realities. Revelation gives us a peek into the true temple and throne room, let’s think about and discuss the descriptions it is given.
• For anyone at Grace last Sunday, Ben’s sermon had a very interesting discussion between Jesus as the Lamb and the Lion of Judah, in chapter five, He’s described as both. Take a moment to reread and ponder the descriptions and songs sung to the Lamb who is worthy to open the seals.
• We’re going to get through the first six of the seven seals and the horses and their riders. As always Vern has a good description of each. Please read through these in addition to the three chapters, they are seriously very very brief and great guides to understanding the seals.

Revelation – Week One

We discussed some of the general historical context surrounding the writing of the book of Revelation. Had some good discussion on the various camps of thought regarding the interpretation of the book as well.

We won’t be meeting on 1-27-10 due to the Grace Chapel Congregational Meeting but will resume with discussion over chapters 1-3 on 2-3-10. Be in thought about how these letters, though written to seven real historical churches are at the same time written to be relevant to all churches throughout the future.

For some more resources see Vern Poythress, “The Returning King” on The Prolouge and on The Messages to the Seven Churches.

Note: Remember when we resume on 2-3-10 we will be starting at 7:00 pm instead of 7:30.

Dueteronomy Bible Study – Week 5

This week we are discussing Moses’s third speech in which he declares the the “blessings and curses” (27:1-28:68) of the covenant and delivers a “final exhortation” (29:1-30:20) to God’s people. The discussion questions for this meeting were not recorded.  My apologies…

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The reading for week 6: please read 31:1-34:12.  Stay tuned for discussion questions.  Take the time make your own observations and ask your own questions.  Keep in mind: God’s relationship to His people, His nature, what is required of His people in the covenant?…

Dueteronomy Bible Study – Week 4

Last week we finished our discussion with Moses’s review of the ten commandments.  This week we are discussing the rest of “general covenant stipulations” (5:22-11:32).

Moses mediatory role at Horeb (Sinai) (5:22-33)

The principle commandment: to love God (6:1-25)

Israel’s War Policy (7:1-26)

Learning lessons of the wilderness (8:1-20)

Recounting the golden calf incident (9:1-10:11)

Exhortation (10:12-11:25)

Blessing and a curse (11:26-32)

We aren’t going to explicitly discuss the “specific covenant stipulations” (12:1-26:19) though I do encourage you to read through this passage of Deuteronomy as it continues to instruct Israel how to live in obedience to God out of a knowledge of His love and promises.

Dueteronomy Bible Study – Week 3

We are finishing up the “historical prologue” verses (4:1-4:43).  These verses constitute an exhortation by Moses to the people (mini sermon on the law) .  In these verses:

1. Why is Moses teaching these statutes and rules? (v1-8)
2. Why is representing God with an image condemned repeatedly?  How is God to be represented to the Israelites?  Principally, how do we tend to reduce/limit our understanding of God? (v15-19)
3. What does the promised punishment for disobedience (of scattering God’s people) imply about the covenant, God’s promises, obedience? (v20-31)
4. What do we learn of God’s revealed nature in this passage?  What two historical events are referred to repeatedly regarding Israel’s experience/knowledge of God? How does this compare to our experience/knowledge of God?

Deuteronomy 5:1-21 is a restatement (paraphrase) of the ten commandment (Decalogue) given at mount Sinai, instructing Israel how to live in the land they were promised.  In these verses:

1. What does prefacing the ten commandment with v6 imply about Israel’s motivation for keeping the them?
2. What do the first four commandments have in common? (v6-15)
3. What do the remaining six commandments have in common? (v16-21)
4. What are the underlying principles behind these commandments?
5. How is the last commandment (v21) related to the previous commandments? How does the first commandment (v7) relate to remaining commandments?
6. Does Israel end up keeping the ten commandments, living in covenant faithfulness to God?
7. How is the law summarized throughout scripture? How is Jesus the fulfillment of the law?
8. How does this all relate to us, who are in a new and better covenant?

Since the Decalogue is the heart of the message in Deuteronomy we will continue to discuss root themes brought up in the following weeks as we move forward in Deuteronomy.

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The reading for week 4: please read 5:22-11:32.  Our discussion will focus on excerpts from the reading.  Stay tuned for discussion questions.  Take the time make your own observations and ask your own questions.  Keep in mind: God’s relationship to His people, His nature, what is required of His people in the covenant?…

Deuteronomy Bible Study – Week 2

The opening verses (1:1-1:5) serve as a preamble to the book of Deuteronomy. In these verses:

1. What information is detailed?
2. What is Moses commanded to do? What does this tell us about the content of Deuteronomy?

Verses 1:6-4:43 serve as a historical prologue, establishing a historical basis for the covenant, or renewal of the covenant. In this passage (1:6-3:29):

1. What events are recalled by Moses and why? for what purpose?
2. What titles are God given? Why is this significant?
3. What is repeatedly true of God?
4. What is repeatedly true of His people?
5. What is revealed about God’s nature in this passage? How is his nature perverted in the eyes of the Israelites?
6. What was the consequence for not trusting in the Lord’s promises?

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Reading for week 3: Please read 4:1-5:21.  Notes and Discussion Questions for week 3 will be posted by Friday evening.

Deuteronomy Bible Study – Week 1

Many weren’t able to make it to the May 18 meeting and May 25 was Memorial Day, so we officially started the study in Deuteronomy June 1.  During the first meeting we addressed important questions like:

1. Why read Deuteronomy?
2. How does it’s content relate to us?
3. What is the books context, setting, structure, and purpose?

Some themes and topics we will be discussing as we read the book:

1. God’s covenant with His chosen people
2. Life together as God’s people (obedience, faith, and love)
3. The role of God’s people in His greater plan of Redemption
4. God’s unique unchanging nature (same in OT and NT)

Each week there will be a few chapter of the book we will cover.    We will not be reading each passage in it’s entirty as a group nor will we be discussing the fine details found within, but will refer to portions/excerpts from the passages to guide our discussion.

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Reading for week 2: Please read 1:1- 3:29