Blind to Sin
Today we’re going to study a familiar story of David and Bathsheba. One of the questions I’ve had is “Why is David considered a man after God’s own heart,” especially after reading this story of David’s adultery. Why is David held in so much esteem, yet Saul is not? I think we’ll get a better [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )The Many Ways We Disobey
Image via Wikipedia Let’s recap the history in 1 Samuel so far and then continue reading in 1 Samuel 13-15. Today we’re going to focus on Saul, appointed by God and a man who gives every appearance to fear and obey the Lord, yet the Lord is displeased with him. Saul gives only the appearance [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )Almost Persuaded
Image via Wikipedia I almost made coffee last week. I’m a cheerful riser. Happy to talk and visit, happy to greet the new day. I’m almost always in a good mood first thing in the morning. But my brain isn’t exactly working at full speed. I need a routine to follow in the morning or [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )Facing Questions
Fred took us through Acts 15 last week; we’re going to cover from the latter part of Acts 15 through Acts 18 today, Paul’s second missionary journey. In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas have spread the gospel of Christ among many churches. Now, they want to revisit those same churches and see how the new [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Lesson Interruptus
I don’t realize how much teaching bible study has meant to me until I have to skip my turn. I’ve had to abdicate my responsibility for business reasons and asked the assistant pastor to find somebody to fill in for me. And I miss it. I start bible studies at least a week in advance, [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )Empowered to Witness
The book of Acts was written approximately 60AD; the strongest evidence is that Acts closes with Paul in a Roman prison. We also know that Paul was martyred in 63AD or 64AD, and this would surely have been mentioned by the author. Who knows who the author of Acts is? Most scholars believe it’s written [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 3 so far )Reconciliation
Sweet treats for everybody; I’d like to pass out some candy favors today; little pieces of sweetness as a symbol of the wonderful friends we’ve developed in this class. (For my illustration today, I’ll pass out little candy favors to everybody, but “accidentally” overlook Margaret.) Sometimes big conflicts can fracture a relationship. Sometimes, little things [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )God's Will Be Done Despite Us
I’m looking for a role model this week. As I studied Isaac, Rebekah, Esau and Jacob, I couldn’t help but think, “What is wrong with these people?†First they give us an excellent example of walking with God, then they give us a horrible example. These are the great patriarchs of the bible, yet they [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 8 so far )Choices We Make
We’re reading Genesis 13 and 14 today and following Abram, Sarai, and their nephew Lot around the middle east. Lot’s father had died in Ur in the land of the Chaldees, and Abram had taken Lot in with him on his journey with God. Last week, in Genesis 12, the Egyptian Pharoah asked Abram to [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )Tower of Babel
Even though lunch today is at Fajita Flats, I brought along a suggestion from a restaurant I was recently visiting called La Place in Hengelo, The Netherlands. Here’s also a list of today’s specials; I can highly recommend the voorgerecht. (Other handouts go here: the complete menu, shopping flyers, German newspaper, Dutch newspaper, French airport [...]
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