Our Coffee Break Bible Study Group is working its way "chronologically" through the New Testament. Might take us three years at this rate, but who's counting. Join us!
Last week our group followed Mary and Cleopas (or possibly some other unknowns) on the road to Emmaus and met a rather familiar stranger. They rush back to tell the disciples who they've seen, and, of course, no one quite believes them. The same old story. Until suddenly... (112) Meeting the Risen Lord The risen Jesus appears to the others as well. 1. Read Luke 24:36-37 Does it surprise you that Jesus’ disciples believe in ghosts? a. Are wrong beliefs evil, or simply incorrect? 2. Read Luke 24:38 Why were the disciples afraid? Why might they have been doubtful or unwilling to believe? a. When something good happens, do we sometimes doubt? b. What about when something bad happens? 3. Read Luke 24:39-40, John 20:19-20 What’s so important about Jesus’ wounds? a. ...
So much change, and nothing changes--isn't that what they say? And the world of the Old Testament seems not so different from our own world after all. The prophesies might equally apply to our own rulers, wars and peoples, rich and our poor. And the condemnation? Perhaps we'd rather just consign it to history, ignore it as someone else's problem, or put our trust in politics. Our Bible Study group will finish Micah this week and maybe venture back to Isaiah. But more importantly, we'll look at at poverty, war and prophecy--history, threat and promise--and wonder where it leads? (18) Poverty, War, and Prophets Micah preached in the Southern part of Judah, well away from the troubles of Israel/Samaria/Ephraim. But Israel was still God’s people, and the nations threatening Israel were threatening Judah too. History: Tiglath Pileser of Assyria was attacking Syria, Judah and the coastal nations. Israel wants Judah to join an alliance against Assyria, but Judah refu...
It's been a "long and winding" year, but we're getting back to those Gospel Bible studies at last, and here's the next in the series: (111) Some Very Important Meetings Last time (yes, I know, a long long time ago) we read Mark’s cryptic comment that the risen Lord had appeared to “two of them.” This time we’ll join those two, travelling from Jerusalem after the crushing of all their hopes – having heard rumors of resurrection, but clearly not believing them. 1. Read Luke 24:13-18, John 19:25 Who is traveling, where and why? a. Some traditions say Clopas was the brother of Joseph, making Mary the “sister” of Jesus’ mother Mary. Clopas’ son Simeon becomes Bishop of Jerusalem after the destruction of the city in 70 AD, which might make him Jesus' cousin. But what difference does all this make to how we view the story? b. Was Jesus’ face hidden by supernatural means, or natura...
Comments