Bible Studies, Inspired by Faith and Science

 After the trial comes crucifixion, and our Coffee Break group is following the road. In a world of present trials and tribulations, it seems a good road to follow - a good Savior to follow (107) The Road to the Cross We all know the next part of the story, but we know in pieces that we put together in our minds. Visitors to the Holy Land follow the Via Dolorosa to the church of the Holy Sepuchre – it’s equivalent to the first 9 stations in the “traditional” Catholic list (14 stations – we’ll look at a newer list later). So, let’s join that journey, the Via Dolorosa. 1.        Jesus’s trial by Pilate, and Jesus is scourged: We read this last week. What stands out most to you ? 2.        Ecce Homo: This is where Pilate says “Behold the man” – John 19:5 –again, from last week. How often do we stop to “behold” Him in everyday life ? 3.        Jesus falls the first time: Read John 19:16-17...

  The world is heading to darkness, winter, and Covid chaos. Meanwhile our Bible studies head to the time of Christ's death and resurrection - darkness and chaos then too, but eternal hope, which is perhaps exactly what we need today as well. Join us! (106) Time to Choose When Jesus was brought to trial in front of Pilate, the world outside Judaism became involved. Pilate is neither convinced of who Jesus is, nor of the threat he poses—an independent observer, with power? Read John 18:28-38 1.        Verses 28-29. What does the leaders’ not going up the steps tell us about them? 2.        Verses 30-32 . How does their behavior relate to their interpretation of the law? (And could they kill people?) 3.        Would their actions still be wrong if Jesus were who they think he is, instead of who we know he is? 4.        Verse 33. Jesus follows Pilate into...

 Continuing our way toward Easter, as the world continues toward Christmas (105) Working our way through the Courts… Dragged away by armed policemen in the middle of the night: There must be many people alive today who can relate to that. Our Savior would know just how they feel, but: How do we relate to them? Jesus will be brought before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod during the next few hours. What authority does each of them wield, and how might their authority relate to earthly authorities today? We start with Annas: Read John 18:12-24 1.        Read John 11:49-50 Caiaphas inherited power, authority & responsibility. What’s wrong with practical solutions? 2.        Annas still weilds a lot of power. What’s wrong with Annas asking Jesus about his doctrine? 3.        How can we tell if someone wants us to explain our faith, or if they just want to prove the...

(104) Gethsemane The disciples are in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Jesus has predicted his death, but they’re probably just as good as we are at pretending bad stuff won’t happen. So now, relaxed after an excellent meal and maybe confused after a rather long sermon, they’re resting on the Mount of Olives. They’ve paused on the journey back to Lazarus’ house for the night. But Jesus knows, this night will be different… Have you ever felt a concern that nobody else seemed to share? Read Matthew 26:36-38, Mark 14:32-34, Luke 22:39-40, John 18:1 1.        What’s the connection between watching and praying? And between watching and temptation? 2.        If we “watched” with Jesus today, what would we see, and what would we be tempted to do? Read Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:35-36, Luke 22:41-42, Matthew 6:10 1.        What can we learn about prayer from Jesus’ prayer? 2.    ...

(103) Let Us Pray Gethsemane looms. We know it’s coming, but, for Jesus’ disciples, our last few studies were just a special dinner with rather a long discussion afterward. How should long discussions end in church—with total agreement? With cautious acknowledgement? With respectful disagreement…? Read John 17:1 How should long discussions end in church? I have overcome the world: Read John 16:29-33 1.        The disciples sounded pretty confident, but we know events will prove otherwise. What matters more: sounding confident, or knowing where our confidence lies? 2.        Did the disciples have peace as Jesus went to the cross? Should we expect to always feel peace ? 3.        If Jesus has overcome the world, why are there so many threats to peace? And how should we respond ? This is eternal life: Read John 17:1-5 1.        My Bible heads these verses w...

(102) What does it mean to ask "in his name"? Several times now, Jesus has promised his disciples that a “helper” will come. Why did they really need this promise at this time? Why do we really need it, and how often do we remind ourselves of the promise ? Read John 16:1-4 1.        Who famously believe he was doing God’s work when he attacked the disciples? Read Acts 9:1-2 2.        Who, in more recent years, have attacked whole denominations of disciples, believing it was God’s work? 3.        Who do you feel attacked by, and who are you attacking ? 4.        Is faith meant to be easy? Why do some people feel betrayed by God when faith turns out to be painful? Read John 16:5-11 1.        Who asked Jesus where he was going in earlier passages? Read John 8:21-22, 13:35-37 2.        Why did n...

(101) The Promise of Help, Hope and Struggle You’ve probably noticed by now, John’s Gospel has a lot more of Jesus’ teaching and dialogs. I’ve read that some people suggest this is because it’s written later, and so the Holy Spirit had longer to work on John, inspiring his understanding of what he’d seen and heard. Read John 14:26. What do you think? So now we’ll move on to more of Jesus’ teaching, close to the time of his death (and possibly at the Last Supper), and we’ll start with a familiar verse: Abide in me: Read John 15:4a If you started at verse 1 you’d have seen this part of the “I am the Vine” discourse—did you remember it that way? What does abiding in Him mean to you, besides being a great hymn? I am the Vine: Read John 15:1-8 1.        Read John 15:1-3 When has God pruned you? What have you seen in your life that you want him to prune? 2.        Read John 15:4 When have you been particularly aware of so...