Weekly Bible Study Review
September 18, 2011

 


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In This Issue
Cafe Class
Read-to-Believe Class
Class Schedule
Go to www.theocentrix.org click on the "Events" tab
for maps and more information.

Cafe Class
Culture Cafe
1359 N Altadena Drive
Pasadena CA 91104
Wednesdays 10:00 am

classroom
Read-to-Believe Class
Lake Avenue Church
Family Life Room 201
309 N Lake Avenue
Pasadena CA 91101
Thursdays 7:00 pm

peacock 1
Arbo Class
LA County Arboretum
301 N Baldwin Ave
Arcadia CA 91007
Saturday 12:00 noon
Once per month

January 22

February 26

March 26

 April 30

May no class

June 4

July 9

August 13

September 17

October 15
November 12
December 10


PCC Class
"How to Read the Bible  with Confidence"
Pasadena City College
Extended Learning Center
www.pcclearn.org
September 28 and
October 5, 2011
topofpageGreetings! 

This newsletter is sent to everyone who attends Sandy's weekly Bible studies. The left column has a table of contents and the current class schedule. Be sure to watch for the links in each article. Clicking on them will lead you to charts, diagrams and additional articles related to your class.  
Anyone can subscribe to this free newsletter by using the link in the upper left corner. If you would like to forward this issue to a friend all you have to do is click on the link below.




SKYPE Update!
We have successfully used Skype in the Anaheim and the Arboretum classes. Thanks to Margaret in Anaheim and Debbie in Florida for participating via Skype. Special thanks to Katie for setting it all up and supervising the transmission during class.

We still have room for a few more participants
from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
Contact Sandy for more information.
sandyblank@theocentrix.org or call (626)531-6641. 

cafeclassWednesday Cafe Class 
Revelation
                CLASS BEGINS AT 10:00 AM
Revelation 2:18-3:13

The seven letters to the seven churches are all written in the same general format. (See chart) Each one starts with a description of the Lord and ends with what will be given to those who overcome. When you view all seven letters together it gives a more complete picture of who the Lord is, what He approves and disapproves, and what will be given to those who are faithful until the end. Keep in mind that these seven letters were written to actual churches that existed when John was alive. It's likely that each church read the letters that were written to the other churches. Last time we went through the first three letters. Now we'll explore three more.

Click to read more... 

 


New Class in Anaheim
Once a month on Saturday morning at 11:00 am.
Next class is October 8th.
Contact Sandy for more information.
sandyblank@theocentrix.org or call (626)531-6641. 

rtbclassThursday Read-to-Believe Class  1Corinthians

2 Corinthians 1:1-3:3     

1:1-5 Paul writes to the believers in Corinth praising God as the Father of compassion and God of all comfort. Comfort is a major theme in this chapter. But what sort of comfort does Paul mean? He says God comforts "us" in all our troubles so that "we" can comfort people who are in any trouble with the same comfort God has given "us." Comfort comes to them from God and enables them to comfort others. Christians are conduits of God's comfort. It flows through them. The suffering of Christ also flows into their lives. In other words, they sometimes suffer simply because they are followers of Christ. But through Christ their comfort overflows. The comfort they receive is greater than the suffering they must endure.

 

v. 6-7 Now watch the pronouns closely in this verse. If "we" (Paul and his coworkers) are distressed, it is for "your" (Corinthian believers) comfort. If "we" are comforted, it is for "your" comfort. This produces patient endurance in the Corinthians. When the Corinthians see Paul being comforted by God in his suffering, then they realize that the same comfort is there for them when they suffer.

 

v. 8-11 Paul recounts how he suffered greatly in Asia. He thought he was going to die. But he knows this happened so that he would learn to rely on God who can raise the dead. God delivered Paul and his coworkers from a deadly peril and Paul is confident that He will do it again. Paul's hope is only in God, nevertheless he wants the believers to pray for him. This is how they can participate in his ministry. We see again how Paul is actively trying to build a strong relationship with the Corinthians.

Click to read more... 

 
Since ancient times the Bible has been read aloud to groups of people who were eager to hear the words of Life. We're really no different today. Believers still look to the Bible for wisdom and instruction. We belong in the Word together. Thank you for your participation in these classes. I hope you will pass this email on to others and invite them to attend a Bible study.

Grace and peace,
Sandy Blank
cafeWednesday Cafe Class (continued)
                CLASS BEGINS AT 10:00 AM
Revelation 2:18-3:13
2:18-29 To the angel of the church in Thyatira-- the Lord is the "Son of God" with eyes like blazing fire and feet like burnished bronze. He knows their deeds, their love, faith, service and perseverance. They are doing more than before. But some of them are tolerating a false prophetess named Jezebel. She misleads the church into idolatry and sexual immorality. The Lord has given her time to repent but she will not. The Lord will cause her to suffer greatly and He will kill her children. Those who "commit adultery with her" will also suffer intensely unless they repent. This is an example to all the churches that the Lord searches hearts and minds. They are each held responsible for their own actions. Nevertheless, there are some in this city who do not follow Jezebel and they are told only to hold on to what they have until the Lord returns. Those who overcome will be given authority over the nations just like the Lord has received authority. Psalm 2:9 is quoted indicating that this authority includes the power to rule and even destroy nations. They will also receive "the morning star."  

What does this letter say about the Lord?

Having "eyes of fire" relates to His ability to see not only their deeds but He "searches their hearts and minds" as well. Nothing can be hidden from Him. Having "feet like burnished bronze" implies that the Lord cannot be moved and cannot fall. One with feet of clay, like in Daniel's vision, will fall if he is struck in his feet. However, feet of burnished bronze are indestructible. The patience of the Lord is revealed in His willingness to give Jezebel time to repent. But He will not wait forever. A time will come when He will cause her to suffer and even kill subsequent generations of those who follow her ways. But not all the believers in this city follow Jezebel. The Lord knows those who are faithful. He will give authority to the ones who overcome. The morning star is a reference to Himself (Rev. 22:16). He will give them Himself.

What does this say about the believers in Thyatira?  

They have some things in their favor such as good deeds, love, faith, service, and perseverance. They're doing more than they used to do. But there are two groups of people in this church; those who are faithful to the Lord and those who are being misled by Jezebel. The intense suffering some of them are about to endure is intended to bring them to repentance. Their suffering will show all the churches that the Lord knows what's in each one's heart and mind. He will hold them individually accountable. Those who overcome will receive authority and the morning star. 

 

3:1-6 To the angel of the church in Sardis-- the Lord holds the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars. He knows their deeds. They have a reputation for being alive but are dead. Their deeds are not complete in God's sight, so they must wake up! They're told to remember what they've received, obey it and repent, otherwise the Lord will come to them when they are not expecting Him. This warning is not for everyone. There are a few in Sardis who are worthy to walk with the Lord, dressed in white. He will never blot their names out of the book of life but will acknowledge their names before His Father and the angels.

What does this letter say about the Lord?  

He holds the seven churches in His hand and knows their deeds. Although they may appear to others to be alive, He knows they are dead and dying. He has judged their deeds as incomplete. If they will not repent He will come to them Himself "like a thief," that is, at a time when they're not expecting Him. Once again, we see that the Lord knows them individually. He says there are some among them who are "worthy" to walk with Him and be dressed in white. He will never remove their names from the book of life, meaning they will have eternal life. And the Lord will "acknowledge" their names in the presence of His Father and the angels.

What does this letter say about the believers in Sardis?  

They don't know they're dead and dying. They don't seem to know that their deeds are incomplete. In the past they heard the true gospel and received it but they are no longer obedient to it. They must repent (wake up) and realize that the Lord will come at a time they do not expect. It seems that the majority of this church is asleep. Only a few "have not soiled their clothes." Only a few will walk with the Lord. Their names are written in the book of life and will be acknowledged before the Father and His angels.

 

v. 7-13 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia-- the Lord is holy and true. He holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut. What He shuts no one can open. He knows their deeds and has placed before them an open door that no one can shut. They're not very strong but have kept His word and not denied His name. This church has been persecuted by false Jews who are "of the synagogue of Satan." But the Lord will make these liars fall down at their feet and acknowledge that He has loved the Philadelphian believers. Because of their patient endurance the Lord will keep them from the trial that is to come. They must hold on to what they have so no one will take their crown. Those who overcome will have a permanent place in the temple of God and will never leave it. They will have three names written on them: the name of God, the name of the city of God (the new Jerusalem), and the Lord's new name.  

What does this letter say about the Lord?  

He is holy and true. He has authority to open and close doors. The Lord has placed an open door before them and no one has the power to shut it except the Lord. He will make their enemies fall at their feet and admit that God loves them. The Lord has the power to keep them safe from the fiery trial that is going to come upon the earth. The Lord is coming soon. He will give the faithful ones a place in the temple of God and never make them leave. He will write three powerful names on them.

What does this letter say about the believers in Philadelphia?

They have only a little strength but they have kept the Lord's word and have not denied his name even though they are being persecuted. Their persecution is coming from men who claim to be Jews but are not. These men are liars but they will be made to acknowledge the truth about God's love for them. The believers have been enduring this patiently and will be rewarded for their patience. They will be protected from the "test" that is to come upon the whole world. But they must hold on and not let anyone take their crown from them. They will be pillars in the temple of God and will never have to leave it. They will be honored by having the names of God, the new Jerusalem, and the new name of the Lord written on them.

 

Take a moment once again to look at the chart with all seven letters. (See Chart) 

 Only one more letter to go. See you next time.

 --Sandy Blank  
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readtobelieveThursday Read-to-Believe Class (continued)

2 Corinthians 1:1-3:3   

 v. 12-14 Paul has a clear conscience regarding the way he has always dealt with the Corinthians. He writes to them plainly so that they can understand. One day he expects to boast about their faith in Christ.  

 

v. 15-2:4 Paul is working hard to maintain a trusting relationship with this church. He had originally planned to visit them twice but changed his mind because he wanted to spare them by not having "another painful visit" (2:1). Remember that his first letter to the Corinthians was filled with strong correction. It appears that he wrote the first letter, visited them, and then decided to write a second letter instead of visiting again. It's vitally important to Paul to maintain his credibility with them. He's not fickle and doesn't say "yes" and then "no." Like God, Paul's "yes" means "yes." All that God promised was fulfilled in Christ (verse 20). It is God who makes them stand firm in Christ. God anointed them, sealed them, and put His Spirit in their hearts. Paul is saying all this to emphasize that he deals with them as honestly as God does. It grieved him to write the first letter which seemed so harsh, but he wrote it out of love and concern for them.

 

v. 5-11 Now Paul instructs them to forgive and restore the man who sinned (probably the man who had his father's wife in 1 Cor. 5). They must now comfort him and reaffirm their love for him. Paul explains that he required them to expel the man as a test to see if they would do what is right. They passed the test. Paul forgives the man as well. The reference to Satan's schemes probably refers to division. It's important that Paul and the Corinthians agree with each other on this matter. Satan would rather they disagree.

 

v. 12-13 The Lord opened a door for effective ministry for Paul in Troas. But he was worried about Titus, perhaps concerned that he was in some sort of trouble. So Paul left his work to go find him. This shows the Corinthians that Paul genuinely cares about people.

 

v. 14-16 God always leads them in a victory parade in Christ. Everywhere Paul goes he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by believers and unbelievers. To those who are being saved, this is the fragrance of life. But to those who are perishing it is the smell of death. That helps explain why some people hated Paul so much.

 

v. 17 Paul contrasts his own ministry with others who "peddle the word of God for profit." There were many traveling teachers in those days who made a living by going around teaching whatever people would pay to hear. But Paul was sent by God and speaks with sincerity "before God," that is, with God watching him. He's definitely not doing this for the money.

 

3:1-3 Paul isn't boasting about himself. And he doesn't need anyone to write letters of recommendation for him. The church in Corinth is his letter; known and read by everyone. They are the result of his ministry.  

 

Much more next time. 

--Sandy Blank 

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This newsletter is maintained by Sandy Blank (Ph.D. Educational Studies, Biola; MA Biblical Studies, Grace University). If you would like further information about any of her classes or would like to know how to start a Bible study in your area please contact her at sandyblank@theocentrix.org. This newsletter is sponsored by Theocentrix, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting God-centered Bible literacy. Visit www.theocentrix.org for more information.