Weekly Bible Study Review
March 25, 2012

 


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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
Hutchins Hall Room 402
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 7, 2012 

February 4, 2012 

March 3, 2012

March 31, 2012 

 April 28, 2012 

May no class

June 2, 2012 

July 14, 2012 

August 11, 2012 

September 8, 2012 

October 6, 2012
November 3, 2012
December 8, 2012
 
topofpageGreetings! 

This newsletter is sent to people who attend one of Sandy's weekly Bible studies. The left column has 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.



Take the Romans Challenge
Take the Romans Challenge
The Romans Challenge
If you're reading this newsletter you already know the importance of reading the Bible aloud in a group. In this video Albert Baroody invites people to take the Romans Challenge and read Romans in two translatons with three other people.

The object is to encourage as many people as possible to read Romans out loud together. The Spirit of God inhabits the Word of God and we believe this simple act of reading an entire epistle together will be fruitful in ways we may not be able to see or measure.

Please watch the video and consider taking the Romans Challenge yourself. Even if you choose not to participate please like us on Facebook and forward the video to some of your friends and family. 
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cafeclasssWednesday Cafe Class

1 Corinthians

 1 Corinthians 13:1-14:40

In the previous chapter Paul went into great detail about spiritual gifts. Then he told his readers to "eagerly desire the greater gifts." Now he shows them "the most excellent way." The way of love.

 

13:1-7 One who speaks in tongues but does not love is simply making some noise. A person with the gift of prophecy may be able to understand great mysteries or one may have great enough faith to move mountains-- but without love they are nothing. A person who gives everything away or even volunteers to be martyred (surrenders his body to the flames) gains nothing if he does not have love.

 

Now before we start thinking that Paul is talking about love as a sentimental feeling we need to read verses 4-13. What he describes is not a feeling. It is a way of "being" that can be seen by attributes like humility, patience, kindness, perseverance, etc. Wherever the gifts of the Spirit are found there must also be this kind of selfless love. Think of what it would be like if an apostle or prophet is selfish and unkind. What if a healer is angry and boastful? If an administrator fails to protect or persevere in his work? Do you see how love is not something that is optional? The gifts of God must always operate through the power of the love of God.

 

Click to read more...


rtbclassThursday Read-to-Believe Class  
Genesis

Genesis 35:1-38:30

Last week we read about the Shechemite massacre in which Jacob's sons killed all the men of Shechem and took the women, children and possessions for themselves. Jacob was worried that the other people of the region would band together and attack him. It might be a good time to leave town...

 

35:1-8 God told Jacob to go the Bethel and settle there. So Jacob told his whole household and all the women and children of Shechem who were with him to get rid of their foreign gods, purify themselves and change their clothes. It was time for a fresh start. They would go to Bethel and build an altar there to worship Jacob's God. He buried all the gods under the oak at Shechem and they started traveling. The other nations did not attack because "the terror of God fell upon them." Jacob and his people arrived safely in Bethel. Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried there. Rebekah was Jacob's mother.

 

v. 9-15 In Bethel God appeared to Jacob and blessed him, giving him the name Israel. God confirmed His promise that Jacob's descendants will be a community of nations and kings will come from him. They will inherit the land God promised to Abraham. Jacob set up a stone pillar there and poured an offering of oil and wine on it.

 

v. 16-22 He moved from Bethel to Ephraph (Bethlehem) and while they were traveling Rachel went into labor. She died in childbirth and was buried on the way. A pillar marks her tomb. Israel named the baby Benjamin. He moved on again and went beyond Migdal Eder. Reuben slept with Jacob's concubine, Bilhah, and Jacob found out about it.

 

v. 23-29 Jacob had 12 sons in all:

from Leah - Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun

from Rachel - Joseph, Benjamin

from Rachel's maidservant Bilhah - Dan, Naphtali

from Leah's maidservant Zilpah - Gad, Asher

Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Hebron. Isaac lived 180 years. When he died his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

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


Cafecontinued
Wednesday Cafe Class (continued) 
1 Corinthians 13:1-14:40
13:8-12 Love is the only thing that will last. When Christ returns there will be no more need for apostles to go out, or for prophets to speak, or for teachers to teach. Even knowledge will pass away. Paul describes knowing in part and prophesying in part. But when perfection comes, at Christ's return, these imperfect things will disappear.

 

Paul describes this as being like children now. But then, when Christ returns, believers will put away  "childish things" and be spiritually mature. He uses another metaphor of seeing a poor reflection in a mirror. That is the current reality. But when Christ returns the believers will see Him face-to-face. Now Paul says he knows in part, but then (when Christ returns) he will know fully even as God fully knows him now.

 

v. 13 Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love because it alone will prevail. Faith will no longer be necessary after Christ returns and the believers are together with Him. Hope will not be needed because the greatest thing they hoped for has happened-- they are together with Christ.

But love will never end. It goes on forever because God is love.

 

14:1-5 Paul again reminds them to "follow the way of love." He contrasts two of the spiritual gifts-- tongues and prophecy.

 

Tongues

Prophecy

speaking to God

speaking to men

not speaking to men

for their strengthening

no one understands him                    

for their encouragement

utters mysteries

for their comfort

edifies himself

edifies the church

tongues is a good thing

prophecy is greater than tongues

but needs an interpreter

 

v. 6-8 Paul asks what good would it do for him to come to their gathering and speak to them in tongues. He should instead bring "some revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or word of instruction." Even lifeless things (a flute, harp, or trumpet) are supposed to give a clear signal that means something to the hearers.

 

v. 9-11 So it is with the church. They must speak intelligible words or else they are simply speaking into the air. If they all speak in tongues when they are gathered together it's no different than if they were all foreigners to one another. But Paul wants them to "excel in gifts that build up the church."

 

v.12-15 Speaking in tongues only builds up the one who is speaking--unless there is an interpreter. Edifying oneself is not a bad thing. However, Paul wants those who speak in tongues to pray that they will also be able to interpret. Then their speaking will build up those who listen. The one who speaks in tongues does not necessarily understand what he or she is saying. Paul says the person's spirit prays or sings in tongues but their mind is "unfruitful." He wants them to pray or sing with both their mind and their spirit.

 

v. 16-17 Someone may praise God by speaking in tongues but others who are near him will not understand and therefore can't agree with the speaker (or "say Amen") because they don't know what he's saying. Tongues without an interpreter doesn't edify or build up the listeners.

 

v. 18-21 Paul is not against speaking in tongues. He says that he speaks in tongues more than all the Corinthian believers. But when he is in the assembly of the church he would rather speak five words that people can understand rather than 10,000 words in a tongue they do not understand. He wants the readers to think like adults. They should be child-like and innocent when it comes to evil but adults when it comes to spiritual gifts. Isaiah 28 is quoted.

 

v. 22-25 Tongues is a sign for unbelievers but prophecy is for believers. It's easy to see how prophecy is for believers because it is by definition speech that encourages and strengthens believers. Paul contrasts the difference between the whole church speaking tongues at the same time and the whole church prophesying at the same time. If some unbelievers come in while everyone is speaking in tongues they will not understand what's being said and will come to the conclusion that "you are out of your mind." But if some unbelievers come in while everyone is prophesying, they will be convicted of their sin and fall down to worship God saying, "God is really among you!"

 

v. 26-32 Paul is instructing the Corinthian readers in how to conduct their worship service. Each of them brings something to the service-- a hymn, some instruction, a revelation, a tongue or interpretation. All of these are good and necessary for the strengthening of the church. But only two or three should speak in tongues and only if someone is able to interpret. Similarly, only two or three should prophesy and the others should weigh carefully what is said. People with the gift of prophecy are not infallible. Their words should be evaluated by mature believers. Only one person should speak at a time. If a word comes to another person while one is speaking then the first one should sit down and allow him to speak. A person with a prophetic gift is in control of his faculties. He or she is able to stop prophesying and yield to another prophet.

 

v. 33-35 God is not a God of disorder. Paul reminds them that in all the congregations outside of Corinth the women remain silent in the church service. "They are not allowed to speak." If they have a question they are to ask their husband at home (not during the assembly). An unmarried woman would ask her father or another male family member who is in a position of authority over her. It is unlikely that Paul is expecting absolute silence from the women since he said earlier that women should cover their heads when they pray or prophesy in the church gathering. No doubt the women also sang in the assembly. But the women were not to ask questions or engage in a debate with the men. This was culturally inappropriate. Paul is expecting the Corinthian believers to operate the same way as other congregations.

 

v. 36-38 "Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?" Paul's rhetorical questions suggest that the Corinthians may have viewed themselves as unique or special. But he wants them to conduct themselves in the same orderly manner that he expects of all the churches. If they are spiritually mature they should acknowledge that this is "the Lord's command." Those who ignore his instruction "will be ignored."

 

v. 39-40 Here's the bottom line-- Paul wants the Corinthian believers to "be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."

 

 -- Sandy

Back


readtobelieveThursday Read-to-Believe Class (continued)

Genesis 35:1-38:30

36:1-9 Esau was the father of the Edomites. The Israelites reading this account later were very familiar with the Edomites. They were conquered by Saul. David also ruled over them. The prophecy that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob) was not fulfilled in Jacob's lifetime but was fulfilled later. Esau had three wives: Adah the Hittite, Oholibamah the Hivite, and Basemath the Ishmaelite. Esau took his family and moved out of Canaan to the hills of Seir. He and Jacob could not live close together because the land could not support all their livestock.

 

v. 10-43 Esau had five sons. The 14 chiefs in Edom were Esau's sons and grandsons. The Horites were also living in the region and had seven chiefs ruling them. There was a long line of kings in Edom before any Israelite king reigned, eight in all. Esau's descendants were divided into 11 clans, each one was led by a chief.

 

37:1-4 Jacob stayed in Canaan where his father Isaac had lived. His son Joseph was 17 when he gave his father a bad report about his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. Joseph was Israel's favorite son and he gave him a richly ornamented robe to wear. The others were jealous and hated him.

 

v. 5-22 Joseph had two dreams that said his parents and brothers would one day bow down before him. His brothers hated him all the more but his father, though he rebuked him, kept the matter in mind. One day Israel sent Joseph to check on his brothers who were grazing the flocks near Shechem. Joseph found his brothers but when they saw him coming they plotted to kill him and throw his body in a cistern. Reuben, the oldest, convinced them to just throw him in the cistern. He was planning to rescue him later.

 

v. 23-36The brothers grabbed Joseph, stripped him of his robe and threw him in the cistern. Later when they were eating they saw a caravan of Ishmaelite traders coming and decided to sell Joseph to them instead of killing him. They sold him for 20 shekels of silver and he was taken to Egypt. Reuben was not part of this and when he saw that Joseph wasn't in the cistern he tore his clothes and didn't know what to do. The brothers decided to make it look like Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. The killed a goat, dipped his robe in its blood and showed it to their father when they got back home. Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned many days for his son. No one could comfort him. Meanwhile the Ishmaelite traders sold Joseph to Potiphar, the captain of the guard in Egypt.

 

38:1-11 Judah left his brothers and stayed with his friend Hirah of Adullam. He married the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua. They had three sons, Er, Onan and Shelah. Later when Er grew up Judah got him a wife named Tamar. But Er "was wicked in the Lord's sight; so the Lord put him to death." In those days it was customary for a brother to marry the widow and have children in the name of the brother who died. Judah told Onan to sleep with Tamar and produce offspring for Er. "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the Lord's sight; so he put him to death also." Judah's son Shelah was too young to marry so he told Tamar to live as a widow in her own father's house. Judah was afraid to give Tamar to Shelah for he might die like his brothers.

 

v. 12-19 After a long time Judah's wife died. When he recovered from his grief he went to Timnah where his sheep were being sheared. His friend Hirah went with him. Tamar found out that Judah was nearby so she disguised herself as a prostitute and went to sit by the road to Timnah. She knew she should have been given to Shelah as his wife by now. Judah saw her but did not recognize her as his daughter-in-law. He gave her his staff and his seal with its cord as a pledge that he would later return with a young goat as payment. Judah slept with Tamar and she became pregnant. After this she returned to her father's house and changed back into her widow's clothing.

 

v. 20-26 Judah sent his friend Hirah with the young goat he promised the "prostitute" but she was nowhere to be found. Judah decided to just let the woman keep what he'd left as pledge to avoid being ridiculed by the men there. About three months later Judah was told that Tamar was guilty of prostitution and was now pregnant. He wanted her to be brought out of her father's house and burned to death. Tamar sent him a message that she was pregnant by the man who owned this staff, seal and cord. Of course Judah realized that he was the father of her child. He said, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." He allowed her to live and did not sleep with her again.

 

v. 27-30 Tamar gave birth to twin boys named Perez ("breaking out") and Zerah ("scarlet"). During the birth Zerah put his hand out first and the midwife tied a scarlet thread to his wrist saying, "This one came out first." But his brother Perez was born first and then Zerah was born.

 Much more next time.

 --Sandy Blank

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 [email protected]. 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.