Tag: reading the Bible
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Study Notes – Numbers 13 1 – 14 10
We are studying Numbers 13:1-14:10 for Sunday, September 22, focusing on Numbers 13:25-28 and 14:5-10. This is the story of Israelite spies sent to reconnoiter the Promised Land before the main body of the Israelites, and of their initial, discouraging, report, and of the minority report, and of the majority response to that dissent. The […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Exodus 16 1-8 & 13-15
We are studying Exodus 16:1-8, 13-15 for Sunday, September 15. About the manna in the wilderness. [Notes on the text are here.] Here are a few questions about the text we might want to consider before or during class: The narrator (in vv1 & 2) describes the group of Israelites as “all the congregation.” The […]
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Study Notes – Exodus 16 1-8, 13-15
We are studying Exodus 16:1-8, 13-15 for Sunday, September 15. This is the story of the first appearance of manna in the wilderness, for the Children of Israel en route from Egypt to Mt. Sinai. Here are my notes on this text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: The book of Exodus is famous. Everyone, even people who […]
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Questions for Reflection & Discussion – 1 Samuel 1 9-20
We are studying 1 Samuel 1:9-20 for Sunday, September 8. The text presents Hannah’s prayerful request for a son, and ends with the birth of Samuel, who will go on to be one of the significant figures in the history of Israel. [Notes on the text are here.] Here are a few questions that we […]
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Study Notes – 1 Samuel 1 9-20
We are studying 1 Samuel 1:9-20, for Sunday, September 8, a portion of the story of Hannah and the seemingly miraculous birth of Samuel that opens the book of 1 Samuel. [Some questions about the text are here.] Here are my notes on the text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: The book of 1 Samuel continues the […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Genesis 19 1, 5-26, 29
We are studying Genesis 19:1, 15-26, 29 for Sunday, September 1. This is the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, which involves God’s rescue of Abraham’s nephew Lot, and a couple of his daughters, from that destruction, by means of a helpful angel. [Notes on the text are here.] Normally, this is where […]
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Study Notes – Genesis 19 1, 15-26, 29
We are studying Genesis 19:1, 15-26, 29 for Sunday, September 1. Our newly redesigned curriculum also gives us the background scripture, which in this case is Genesis 18:6-19:29, the whole story of YHWH’s negotiation with Abraham over how many people it will take to spare Sodom and Gomorrah, along with chapter 19 up to Lot’s […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Ephesians 5 21-33
We are studying Ephesians 5:21-33 for Sunday, August 25. [Study notes on this text are here.] This may mean we’ll have a lively discussion, or it may mean we’ll have no discussion at all, because no one will want to step on anyone else’s toes. Whatever happens, here are a few questions about the text […]
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Study Notes – Ephesians 5:21-33
We are studying Ephesians 5:21-33 for Sunday, August 25. God, make speed to save me. [Some questions on the text are here.] This is one of the most controversial passages in scripture, and I think not only “these days.” The person I know at church who told me “I ripped the book of Ephesians out […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Ruth 3
We are studying Ruth 3 (selected verses) for Sunday, August 18. This is the episode where Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions to meet Boaz on the threshing floor and, in effect, boldly propositions marriage. [Study notes on the text are here.] Here are some questions we might want to consider before class, or discuss in class: […]
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Study Notes – Ruth 3
We are studying Ruth 3 for Sunday, August 18. This is the part of the book of Ruth where Naomi devises a plan for Ruth’s future, and Ruth and Boaz go along with it. [Some questions on the text are here.] Here are my notes on the text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: After the opening of […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Ruth 1 6-11, 14-18
We are studying Ruth 1:6-11, 14-18 for Sunday, August 11. This is the opening of the story of Ruth, in which Ruth makes her famous vow of loyalty to Naomi and the two women return to Bethlehem. [Notes on the text are here.] Here are a few questions about the text we might want to […]
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Study Notes – Ruth 1 6-11, 14-18
We are studying Ruth 1:6-11, 14-18 for Sunday, August 11. This text is part of the opening chapter of the story of Ruth, the foreign woman who pledges loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law, and after one thing leads to another becomes the great-grandmother of the Great King David. Here are my notes on this text: […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – 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 short texts that describe the legendary friendship between Jonathan and David. [My notes on the text are here.] Here are a few questions about the text that we might want to reflect on before class or discuss in […]
Matters of Interpretation 