Tag: Bible
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Reflecting on James 1 19-27
We are studying James 1:19-27 for Sunday, August 9, the second in a series of five lessons on the book of James. [Some notes on the text are here.] Here are some questions we might want to discuss in class: In v19, the author counsels “be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” […]
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Slaves of Christ/ians
Southern clergy defended the morality of slavery through an elaborate scriptural defense built on the infallibility of the Bible, which they held up as the universal and objective standard for moral issues. Religious messages from pulpit and from a growing religious press accounted in large part for the extreme, uncompromising, ideological atmosphere of the time. […]
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Reflecting on Malachi 2 1-9 and 3 5-6
We are studying Malachi 2:1-9 and 3:5-6 for Sunday, March 29, the last Sunday before Holy Week. We are still trying to figure out how to reflect on Scripture together while staying physically apart. One option that’s always available is sharing comments in the comments section, so please feel free to do that! [Some notes […]
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What We Call Essential
Have you ever had to see your past from a whole new angle? It happened this morning, in church, to me. “This is a sermon about one of the most popular and well-known verses in the Bible,” said our pastor, introducing the sermon … He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what […]
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Study Notes – 1 Chronicles 15
We are studying portions of 1 Chronicles 15 (mostly leaving out the long lists of names, but there are a couple of other interesting omissions) for Sunday, December 1. This is the Chronicler’s account of David’s bringing the Ark of the Covenant of the God of Israel to Jerusalem. Here are my notes on this […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – 1 Peter 1 13-25
We are studying 1 Peter 1:13-25 for Sunday, November 17. [Here are my notes on this text.] Here are some questions we might want to reflect on, or discuss in class: We think this letter was addressed to Christians who were experiencing some kind of social costs because of their faith and hope in Jesus […]
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Study Notes – Luke 7 37-48
We are studying Luke 7:37-48 for Sunday, October 27 – we may know it as the story of “a sinful woman forgiven” (NRSV) or “Jesus anointed by a sinful woman” (NIV) or some similar heading in our Bible. We will be having class as usual, as much as we can on the day that is […]
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Study Notes – 1 Samuel 18 1-5 & 19 1-7
We are studying 1 Samuel 18:1-5 and 1 Samuel 19:1-7 for Sunday, August 4. These are two of three passages in 1 Samuel that narrate Jonathan’s deep friendship for David, and its consequences, the third being the long narrative in chapter 20, where David actually has a speaking part. [Here are some study questions on […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Matthew 7 1-6, 15-23
We are studying Matthew 7:1-6 & 15-23 for Sunday, July 28. This includes the portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that instructs us not to judge, which clearly does not mean abandoning every form of discernment. [Study notes on the text are here.] Here are a few questions we might want to think about […]
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Which Spin Wins in Kings?
The “special study” of the month was the book of Kings (First and Second). Little did I know. [Here’s some backstory: Our daughter swam competitively as a child – I’m a swim mom, not a soccer mom. One thing I learned from being a swim mom: there’s a world of difference between swimming summer league […]
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Study Notes – Matthew 7 1-6, 15-23
We are studying Matthew 7:1-6 & 15-23 for Sunday, July 28. This is some, not all, of the concluding section of the Sermon on the Mount. [Some discussion questions for this text are here.] Here are my notes on this text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: This is our fourth [and last, for awhile] week studying the […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Matthew 5 38-48
We are studying Matthew 5:38-48 for Sunday, July 21 – Jesus’ teaching that deeply informs Christian commitment to the principle of non-retaliation. [Some notes on this text are here.] Here are a few questions we might want to think about before class, or discuss in class: In v39, Jesus says not to “resist an evildoer.” […]
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Study Notes – Matthew 5 38-48
We are studying Matthew 5:38-48 for Sunday, July 21. This is Jesus’ summation of “the antitheses,” that concludes with what may be Jesus’ most difficult command: being perfect, by loving our enemies. [Some questions on the text are here.] Here are my notes on this text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: We are still working our way […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Matthew 5 21-32
We are studying Matthew 5:21-32 for Sunday, July 14 – the first part of Jesus’ explanation of what it means for one’s righteousness to exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees. [Study notes on the text are here.] Here are some questions we might want to consider before or discuss during class: How well […]
Matters of Interpretation 