Ongoing Study – The Letters of Timothy (and Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, Peter, John & Jude) | Jesus, Girls, Money, Fast Cars, ... oh, and My Hobbies

For my friends and family.

I put these together for a weekly men’s bible study. My plan is to put out a blank ”copy” and then post a blog with my answers and any feedback the others give me when time allows. This is meant to be read in conjunction with the Bible verses being referenced. For ease of use, I’ll include them as well.

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Starting Romans. I am way behind on the others. Probably 72 lessons in Romans, so maybe I can catch up on the others over then period (projects to a year and 5 months.).

Introduction to Romans

A Study of The Letter to the Romans following William Barclay

Facilitated by Jeff Dice

Intro

Study is based on a translation made by Barclay using the best versions of his day 1950’s Scotland.

Non-technical focus. ‘to know more clearly, to love more dearly, to follow more nearly’ (Richard of Chichester)

Forward

Not easy, deep things. Used the best commentaries of the day to found his thoughts.

71 lessons. That is a long effort.

Paul

Great difference between this and his other letters. Nearest a theological treatise.

Leaves aside the day-to-day needs addressed in his other letters.

Testamentary: He was writing his beliefs that he was prepared to fall on.

Protection: He was providing a defense to the challenges that would come.

Written in AD 58 in Corinth. In case his trip to Jerusalem was his last.

Trying to tie all churches into one through offerings to church in Jerusalem.

Past Rome was the goal to reach Spain and beyond along the Roman roads.

Pauls’ mission was to reach the gentiles for Christ…All of them. Rome was his hoped for base to do so.

Layout

The letter is very purposefully constructed. Righteousness, Jews, Practical Life, Ties to others

Righteousness – right relationship with God, whose life shows it, negativity of gentile life, meticulous Jewish life, Neither is good enough

Jews – Chosen but rejected, God’s plan, example to others

Practical Life – similar position to Sermon on the Mount, ethical character and its challenges

Ties to Others – Missionary and other Christians

(Details left until later)

Two Problems

Lots of people listed, but no prior being in Rome. Lots of being in Ephesus, but not consistent list – Christians left Rome in 52 when Rome through them out. They returned before 58 when they were let back in. These were those he met during those years.

14 chapters, 15 chapters, or 16 chapters, – Different lengths in various versions. – Letter written to Romans, reused without specific ‘Roman’ parts as baseline for study of what Paul believed.

Bonus: Letters of Paul

Opened his heart to the readers, full of his love for them.

Monologue – Does not include any detail on the issues addressed as the other party knows them well

Letters – Standard form of the day, from one friend to another, not a treatise.

The Spoken Word – Dictated, Spoken and copied, probably as quickly as the scribe could go.

Questions

What do you know of Paul?

What do you think of Romans?

What do you want to learn?

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We start a new book with 1 Timothy. As always, I will keep all the old Letter sets at the bottom for reference.

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^{1 Timothy 2:9-15}

⁹I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

¹¹A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. ¹²I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. ¹³For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. ¹⁵But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

First Second Impression?

I want. How much weight does Paul get in how we apply these to our church?

Dress modestly. As a bunch of men, we know how this can distract us if not followed. How important is this in today’s culture? Is our church getting this wrong?

Propriety. How bad is it that I had to look this up?

“conformity to what is socially acceptable in conduct” Wow. It’s like being politically correct, but in something that should be set by what?

Is this bit about dressing about when one goes to church, or any time in public, or anytime when outside the immediate family? The ole Sunday best?

Should or shall? This is a huge word swap when done in a technical specification. How does the chose of should here impact the behavior we “should” expect of a woman learning?

I do not permit. Once again, how much should Paul’s opinion weigh into how we run our church?

So, if a man knows nothing of Christ, should a woman be prevented from ever speaking anything about what she knows?

So, if a man is wrong, should the woman not say anything?

As stated before, I do not really understand the weight of Paul’s words. I want the Bible to be clear, but these clearly identified opinions of a man are hard for me to take as gospel, so to speak. Where do we draw the line that must be fought for?

Adam was not deceived. Nominally, I would expect that Paul’s statement here was truth. But if Adam was not deceived, then it means he flat out disobeyed the directive of God and became a sinner. Sounds like something I do every day, but the way.

So again, if both Adam and Eve sinned, why should we set one over the other in our church?

Women will be saved by childbearing. I say this is not truth. Opinions?

If they have faith, then they will be saved. What is the nugget to be learned through this verse?

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1 Timothy 1:1-11

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

²To Timothy, a true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

³As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, ⁴nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. ⁵Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, ⁶from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, ⁷desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

⁸But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, ⁹knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, ¹⁰for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, ¹¹according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

First Impression?

An apostle – What does that mean again? Messenger? Emissary? ‘One who is sent off.’ Do we have this in common with Paul?

By the commandment – The concept of Paul being sent by God to spread the gospel to the gentiles is common to us. How does your memory of the story match how God has commanded you to follow His path for you?

God our Savior, Christ our Hope – How often do you think of God as your savior?

Son – How is a son to treat a father, especially once the son is grown?

God our Father, Christ our Lord – How often do you think of Christ as your Lord?

That you may charge some – As with Titus, Timothy was a new leader who Paul was teaching. What is the difference between leading a son and leading others?

Some of the same topics we discussed in Titus. – What does this tell us about the nature of man?

from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith – Paul and I argued over whether one could overcome a problem by fixing the problem or by fixing your heart. If I try to stop cussing by not cussing, am I working on the problem? Replace cussing for any issue we face. Is it not the same answer?

Desiring to be teachers of the law – Paul was very knowledgeable about the law. I would suppose that he knew more about the law then any subsequent Christian pastor ever. When Paul speaks of ‘understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm’, do you view it from the scholarly side of Paul? Or do you view it from the wisdom side of God?

After this list, what was the law made for?

God’s law made to point to sin. How does this differ from the laws of man that seem to only apply to the lawful?

according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. – When I read phrases like this, I know that Paul was used in a special way by God, but I also know that as with Paul, God has entrusted the glorious gospel to me and you. How diligent are you in only speaking what you know to be consistent with sound doctrine?

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Titus 1:1-9 Part A New International Version

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— ²in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, ³and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

⁴To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

⁵The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint^[^a^] elders in every town, as I directed you. ⁶An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe^[^b^] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. ⁷Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁸Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. ⁹He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

First Impression?

Further the faith. How can one further another’s faith? How have you?

Knowledge leads to godliness. Is this a truth? Or an opportunity?

Hope of eternal life. Why does English not have a different word for this hope?

Before the beginning of time. Can you explain your understanding of this phrase?

The preaching entrusted to me. How does God give you confidence that passes beyond arrogance?

Common faith. How small is the overlap that makes them family?

The reason…I directed you. How often do we take the instructions of others as the instruction of God?

Put in order what was left unfinished. How often do your plans go unfinished? Does it bother you?

Elder. Overseer. What position do you think Paul is describing in the modern church?

His children believe and “well behaved”. The term is PK- Preacher’s Kid. They are notorious for being wild and disobedient. At what level should we fire these guys when their kids do not fit this?

Encourage others and refute. How encouraged do you feel by your elder? How often have you asked your elder to refute something for you?

Off track: At the track last week, I was offended by two women on two different days, in very similar ways when their “men” were not around. Their actions were the opposite of those one would expect of an elder. How do the requirements for an elder apply to the wife an elder is to be faithful to? How does one interface with the bad behavior of another man’s wife?

Part B: the characteristics of an elder.

An elder must be:

blameless,

faithful to his wife,

a man whose children believe^[^b^] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. ⁷

blameless—

not overbearing,

not quick-tempered,

not given to drunkenness,

not violent,

not pursuing dishonest gain.

hospitable,

one who loves what is good,

who is self-controlled,

upright,

holy and

disciplined.

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught,

encourage others by sound doctrine and

refute those who oppose it.

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Titus 1:10-16 NIV

¹⁰For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. ¹¹They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

¹²One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”^[^c^]

¹³This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith ¹⁴and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. ¹⁵To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. ¹⁶They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

First Impression?

Rebellious. What do you picture as the actions and motivations of rebels?

Meaningless talk. What is the source of meaningless talk?

Deception. Why is so much of what happens deception?

What ways do you act out the pride in your life?

Circumcision group. What in that day’s culture made circumcision even an issue?

What made the circumcision group rebellious?

Silenced. “Churches” are always struggling with people or groups that believe differently than others in the “church”. The United Methodist church has just split due to differences on how to treat others. One group is wrong and thinks the other is wrong. One group is right and knows the other is wrong. Which group is which depends on the observer’s own opinion on the matter. I believe the issue at hand was whether a man had to be circumcised to be saved. Obviously, one does not have to be circumcised to be saved. But what topics are worth taking our tithes and going elsewhere?

What gain was it to not be circumcised or not?

What gain is it to let people with wrong beliefs be leaders in the church?

Always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons. Seems a little bit of a harsh way to describe people you want to serve. How direct are you when people hang onto wrong beliefs?

Sharply. Where does this balance with the plank in your eye?

Jewish Myths. Do we know any?

‘merely human commands’ vs ‘human commands of those who reject the truth’ How do we know the difference?

Pure vs corrupted. I like this topic, but I think we have covered it.

Both? Is it both ‘the pure and the corrupted’ or is it both ‘their minds and consciences’. I think it makes a huge difference.

Claim to know God. How can one claim to know God?

Unfit for doing anything good. How can evil people do good?

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Special onetime post-Thanksgiving note on Jewish Myths

Titus 1:14 New International Version

¹⁴and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.

We read this in our last Bible Study, and I asked if anyone knew any Jewish Myths. The response was an underwhelming no and I eventually moved on as I did not really know any either. I did decide to do some research, and this is the outcome. Oddly, I feel as if I learned nothing of value.

In other translations, ‘myths’ is ‘fables’ and is a more accurate representation of what I understood this verse to reference. In my vocabulary, myth is something that we do not know to be true but seems a little farfetched, whereas fable is clearly something made up. I always believed Paul was trying to indicate that we were to ignore the things we knew the Jews had made up as opposed to ignore the things we thought might just be a little farfetched. As I read a little farther on what is a Jewish myth, I decided maybe it was time to remind ourselves of who Paul was a little bit.

We understand Paul to be the great teacher of gentiles, or non-Jews. Sometimes we forget that he started out as Saul the Christian killer. In my memory, Saul was a Jew with Roman citizenship and had such a high standing that he was put into all the best schools and studied under all the best teachers. His education was focused on Biblical studies and therefore was taught by the leading rabbis of the day. Therefore, he had maybe the best understanding humanly possible of the Old Testament that a Jew could have. Not only had he studied what the Old Testament said, he studied what the Jewish leaders thought it meant.

In essence, I believe that Paul was referencing all of the stuff the rabbis made up when he was saying fables.

I liken this to the paradigm I carry of any group that adds to what the Old and New Testament say being a cult. If a church group adds an extra testament, then they have marred their faith and are not saying to the material that Paul often references as ‘what you were taught’.

As it now is referenced, the Old Testament can be referred to as the written law or written Torah. Obviously, it was what God wanted written down to pass from generation to generation. This extra knowledge was referred to as the oral law or oral Torah. This knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation orally by the rabbis and was not necessarily taught to the commoner (for lack of a better vocabulary). These were the statues and legal interpretations not included in the written law.

As the Jewish religion was being persecuted and around the time the second temple was destroyed, this oral law was first written down as a repetition of these instructions and known as the Mishna. Later it was continued as the discussions of these statues was written down in what came to be known as the Gemara. The two, Mishna and Gemara became together known as the Talmud. The first efforts of the Gemara were included in what is known as the Jerusalem Talmud and a later version became known as part of the Babylonian Talmud.

Note that my search found Paul also discussed these in 1 Tim 1:4 as ‘myths and geneaolgies’ in1 Tim 4:4 as ‘myths’, and 1 Tim 4:7 as ‘godless myths and old wives’ tales’. I always had a bad taste in my mouth about old wives’ tales and this is probably why. Even Peter got into the act in 2 Pet 1:16 with ‘cleverly devised stories’ or ‘cunningly devised fables’ depending on the translation. A final reference for this effort is from Matthew 15:20 where Christ takes on the “inaccurate translation” as a rule that one has to eat with clean hands. This was one of the rules that was not written in the Bible, but which Jews tried to enforce on themselves. Another without a reference was the myth that is was required to tithe mint, anise, cumin and other things without loving your neighbor.

I end with my favorite Jewish myth. The fact that Jews are not supposed to eat a bacon cheese burger. They cannot because of the bacon, but they can have a cheeseburger. The Jewish myth of not eating cheese and meat together supposedly is based on the verse that you cannot eat a goat who has been boiled in its mother’s milk. I am fully aligned with not eating a goat boiled in it smothers milk as the whole process is a way to purposely thumb your nose as God. But the myth is using this verse to separate cheese from meat in eating. The prohibition is about the vile process not mixing meat and cheese. Of course, I am not really a Jewish scholar, so that may be other biblical basis for them having to miss out on cheese burgers. Either way, I have always been glad the New Testament clarified that I can indeed enjoy a bacon cheeseburger and that any limit for me was a myth.

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Titus 2:1-10 New King James Version

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

²that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

³the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—

⁴that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

⁶Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,

⁷in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,^[^a^] ⁸sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of ^[^b^]you.

⁹Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, ¹⁰not ^[^c^]pilfering, but showing all good ^[^d^]fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

First Impression?

Sound doctrine. What does this mean to you?

Old Men. Sober, etc. Why does he focus on these for the older men? What is important about each: sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience?

Old Women. Much wine, etc. Why does he focus on these things for old women? What is important about slander?

Young Women. Why does he have the old women admonish the young? How is he to treat the young women?

Love husbands, love children, discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to husbands, not blaspheme. What is important about each for young women?

Young Men. Sober. Is this a pattern, or just coincident? Why nothing else for young men?

A pattern. How are you a pattern of good works?

Integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech. What is important about each of these?

Obedient, well pleasing, not answering back, not pilfering, good fidelity. How can we practice these as non-slaves?

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Titus 2:11-15 and Titus 3 – NIV

¹¹For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹²It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

¹⁵These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Titus 3

1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

First Impression?

To all people – Why is this so hard to believe?

No – How have you learned to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions?

The blessed hope – What is it you wait for?

Redeem us – How is your redemption supposed to impact your living?

Purify – What gives us purity?

Having purity – How does this make us eager to do good?

The things you should teach – which things?

Encourage – What does this mean?

Rebuke – What does this mean?

Be Subject – What is required of subjects?

Rest of verse 1 and 2 – Are these independent of being subjects?

Verse 3 – Any of these hit home?

Kindness and love of God our Savior – When did this appear?

His mercy, washing – when are we clean?

Whom He poured out – What does pouring out mean to you?

We might become heirs – is this important?

Stress these things – How do you stress some things over others?

Foolish – controversies, arguments, quarrels – In order to bash Trump, media has come to marginalizing any Christian group it can with divisive anything. How should we cling to brotherhood when we disagree within our own “group”?

“Do your best”, “Do everything you can to help”, “See that they have everything they need”, “Learn to devote themselves to doing what is good”, “To provide for urgent needs”, and “not live unproductive lives” – Where would you pull your focus from and to if you were adjust to these commands?

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Philemon 1- 7 – Our Three Week Study (New International Version)

¹Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— ²also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

³Grace and peace to you^[^a^] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. ⁶I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. ⁷Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

First Impression?

Paul. Not studying him now, but we will one of these days. Timothy. Ditto. Prisoner. What comes to mind when you think of ‘prisoner’?

Philemon. Beloved Friend. Fellow Laborer. Would this phrase seem to butter you up for someone to ask for a material possession from you?

Apphia. Beloved. Why does he keep saying beloved? (At least he did in the first version I used. Dear for beloved the first time and sister for beloved the second time.)

Archippus and the church. Worker, sister, soldier, in your house. So, two verses in, what do we know about the people involved?

Grace and Peace. Something you do not deserve and something that we in Cypress have little idea of. Why does Paul wish grace and peace to them?

God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Why do you think Paul is interjecting ‘our’ Father and changing from Christ Jesus to ‘the’ Lord Jesus Christ? Does anyone remember why the sequencing and use of names of Jesus mattered?

Thank God, mentioning you, always. How might it make one feel to know Paul was praying for them all the time?

Hearing your love and faith. Why is Paul bringing up loving all His holy people or saints?

6 New Revised Standard: “I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ.” Why do these two versions have such diverse meanings? (Rhetorical) Why does Paul reference the sharing of your faith? What is the difference between praying for someone sharing their faith to be effective and praying that ‘your partnership with us may be effective in deepening your understanding?

Is Paul trying to tell them that they can learn from him or is he trying to tell them that you can be more effective if you learn something?

Joy and encouragement to me Paul. Again, how much butter can he put in how many verses? Does anyone think Philemon does not know something big is coming? It is like when my kids want something. What exactly does God want you to learn from these seven verses?

Philemon 8-16 – Our Three Week Study (New International Version)

⁸Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,^[^b^] who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

¹²I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. ¹⁴But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. ¹⁵Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— ¹⁶no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

First Impression?

I could command you. Who could command you?

I appeal. How bold do you have to be to ask someone for their car?

(I am again wishing I had used the same version I dreamed the questions up in the first time.) What is fitting? When Paul says, what you ought to do, what vision of correctness comes to you mind emotionally?

Paul. Aged. Prisoner. Who does not want to help the old and who does not want to help the prisoner?

My son, I have begotten. When someone talks about family does it create a heart tug for you?

Useless, unprofitable. I hear “that junky old car that never worked”. Now useful. I hear ‘that you didn’t want and I fixed up”. Have we ever heard these phrases in reference to people in our lives?

Sending him back. What advantage is Paul trying to gain by sending him back?

Who is my very heart. Who is your very heart?

I would like to keep him with me. If you do not ask, you do not receive. How often do you neglect to ask for something?

Without your consent, not compulsive, voluntary. Can you see any likeness to how God wants us to choose Him?

Perhaps…forever. What do you hear Paul saying and how often do you look at the other side when negotiating?

Slave. A piece of property. One of the visions we have of ‘good’ Christian slave owners was that they treated their slaves well. The overwhelming message I hear in this verse is that every Christian should treat every other Christian as a family member. We went over this many times before, but who should we not treat as a brother? How can any Christian justify slavery?

In the end, we cannot fix stupid. But we sure can at least try to love them.

Philemon 17-25 – Our Three Week Study (New International Version)

¹⁷So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. ¹⁹I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

²²And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

²³Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. ²⁴And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

²⁵The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

First Impression?

Count me as a partner. Who do you consider to be a partner?

Receive as me. Do you treat the pastor as poorly as you treat everyone else?

But if. Remembering that he was pictured as a useless slave, it kind of seems like asking if we are a sinner: rhetorical. Charge it to me. I hear an offer to pay the price for the slave so that he can be set free. How far are we willing to dig into our own pocketbook to buy someone else’s freedom?

Writing with my own hand. Just to be difficult. What difference does this make?

I will pay it back. I can imagine a letter with great handwriting and then in big awful looking letters, an old man, “I will pay it back.” And then back to the nice handwriting. Can you feel the visual imagery?

Not to mention (although he is doing exactly that). For me, Paul is pulling out all the stops in as short a letter as possible. How do you think Philemon is reacting to this emotionally?

Brother. Refresh my heart. He can have an impact on Paul. What would you not do to help Paster Greg?

Confident in your obedience. Is there any doubt that Philemon did just as Paul asked?

I write. Could you imagine if Philemon could not read?

Knowing you will do even more. What more could he do?

Prepare a guest room. What is the likelihood that Paul ever made it to Philemon’s house?

Through your prayers. How often is this phrase used in your life?

I trust I will be granted. My oldest kid got to go back to the village she went on a mission trip to. How great it is to go see the outcome of your obedience?

Greetings. Name dropping. I get the feeling that Philemon’s ego had to have been super stroked with all this. How many stops are you willing to pull out to get what God wants?

Be with your spirit. How cool is this idea? God with us. Immanuel.

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Hebrews Lesson 1 of 35 – Hebrews 1:1-4 New International Version

¹In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

1 First Impression

2 How did God speak to our ancestors? Why did He change His messenger? What other big picture changes impact you between the earliest Old Testament books to the New Testament books?

3 How does the message from Christ differ from the message before?

4 As heir, what does Christ inherit?

5 Made the universe. What does this phrase mean to you and how does it impact your thoughts of God?

6 The radiance of God’s glory. What does this mean to you? How can you be the radiance od God’s glory or can you?

7 The exact representation of His being. How can you explain this term to someone who knows nothing of God?

8 Sustaining all things by His powerful word. Is this a one and done speaking, continual modification, the Bible or what?

9 God rested after 6 days of creating, Christ sat down after “providing purification for sins”. What can we learn from these two examples? Are they the same?

10 “the Majesty”. Have you heard God addressed this way before? What does it tell you about Him?

11 Christ inherited a name. What name is that?

12 Became superior and a superior name. Was He not already superior with a superior name? What do we learn?

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Lesson 2 – Hebrews 1:5-14 – New International Version with notes

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;

today I have become your Father”[a]?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son”[b]?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c]

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,

and his servants flames of fire.”[d]

8 But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.”[e]

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 They will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

12 You will roll them up like a robe;

like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

and your years will never end.”[f]

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet”[g]?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Footnotes

Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1

First Impression?

Rhetorical Question – Why?

What is special about the Father Son relationship? How is it different from a Mother Daughter, Father Daughter, Mother Son? Why is everything male centric?

Let them worship Him. Why is this even a statement?

Are Angels and Servants the same? What is the idea behind being spirits and/or flames of fire?

Who are the companions and what is the oil of joy?

The earth and the heavens will be changed like a garment. How does this help you view them?

What is the deal with the righthand and what happens afterwards?

Again with the rhetorical? How does this ministering work?

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Lesson 3 – Hebrews 2 New International Version

1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. ²For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, ³how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

⁵It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. ⁶But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?
⁷You made them a little^[^a^] lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
⁸    and put everything under their feet.”^[^b^][^c^]

In putting everything under them,^[^d^] God left nothing that is not subject to them.^[^e^] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.^[^f^] ⁹But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

¹⁰In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. ¹¹Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.^[^g^] ¹²He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”^[^h^]

¹³And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”^[ⁱ^]

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”^[^j^]

¹⁴Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ¹⁷For this reason he had to be made like them,^[^k^] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Footnotes

b Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6

h Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22

i Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17

J Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18

First Impression?

Drift Away – Why are Christians prone to drift away?

Signs, wonders, various miracles – Which of these have you experienced and used in testimony?

Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Which of these do you have and how have you used them testimony?

Subject to them – If the world is subject to us, what is our responsibility to it?

Do not see everything subject to them – What is not subject to them?

Suffer death, taste death – When you ponder on Christ’s dying, what do you make of it?

Brothers and Sisters – What does it mean to be a sibling of Christ and what does it not mean?

Power of death, slavery, fear of death – What power does death hold and what about those who do not fear death?

Help those who are being tempted – What help do you need? How do you get it?

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Lesson 4 – Hebrews 3 New King James Version

1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, ²who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. ³For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. ⁴For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. ⁵And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, ⁶but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope ^[^a^]firm to the end.

⁷Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
⁸Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,
⁹Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,
And saw My works forty years.
¹⁰Therefore I was angry with that generation,
And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart,
And they have not known My ways.’
¹¹So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

¹²Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³but ^[^b^]exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, ¹⁵while it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

¹⁶For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? ¹⁷Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? ¹⁹So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

First Impression?

The Apostle and High Priest – Is this who you confess to?

Faithful – How do you define faithful in this verse (2)?

Counted worthy – Do you try to be worthy?

He who built all things – Is there some way that you honor God that is not evident to the outside world?

As a servant, spoken afterward – Do you do things that will bring honor to God after you are out of the picture?

If we hold to the end – What if we do not?

The Holy Spirit says – Do not harden your heart. What does this mean for the believer?

Exhort one another daily – How do you do this?

If we hold to the end – Again, what if we do not?

Who did not hold to the end?

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Lesson 5 – Hebrews 4 – New King James Version

4 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ²For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, ^[^a^]not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. ³For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:

“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ”

although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”

⁶Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, ⁷again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

⁸For if ^[^b^]Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. ⁹There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

¹¹Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. ¹²For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ¹³And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

First Impression?

Lest any of you seem to have come short of it – When we fear for others who might be short, how is this different from the fear they should have?

Gospel mixed with Faith – What path does anyone have to faith?

The works were finished from the foundation of the world – How does this phrase impact your spiritual life? Your worldly life?

God rested on the seventh day from all His works. – Do you differentiate between a day of rest, an everlasting rest, some other variation of rest?

Because of disobedience and harden your hearts – Is sin synonymous for disobedience? In all circumstances?

If we cease from works, what is the difference between that and rest?

How can our entering rest help others not fall?

Must give account – How does this factor in?

Mercy and grace in time of need – Do you ever think that mercy and grace are only available in time of trial?

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Lesson 6 – Hebrews 4 – New King James Version

“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ”

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

Second Impression?

A promise remains – How does the promise of God compare to the promises you make?

The word which they heard did not profit them – How important is it that your efforts get a response?

Mixed with Faith – Can one have faith without the Gospel?

In a certain place – Any idea why he used this phrase?

Some must enter it – Is there significance behind this phrase?

A day of rest for His people – Beyond the rest we spoke about last week, do you understand a rest day as coming for the Jews? And if so, how would you describe it?

The Word of God – describe each for me:

Living and powerful
Sharper than any two-edged sword
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit
joints and marrow
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

No creature hidden, open to the eyes – Why is this a stumbling block to some?

Our weakness, tempted – Why do we have weaknesses and temptations?

Come boldly to the throne – We do we not?

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Lesson 7 – Hebrews 4:14-5:10 New King James Version

As someone noted last week, the chapter split is right in the middle of a discourse.

4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

5 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can [a]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”

6 As He also says in another place:

“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;

7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”

First Impression?

A great High Priest – Name some major differences between Jesus and any other high priest?

Pertaining to God – What is anything that does not pertain to God?

Ignorant and going astray – How is this different from evil?

What do you call a priest who took this honor for himself?

Called by God – How can a person distinguish between a call from God and anything else?

Order of Melchizedek – What does this mean (without looking it up.)?

Remind me – How was Christ perfected?

Offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears, because of godly fear, learned obedience – Are you this desperate to find and follow the will of God?

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Lesson 8 – Hebrews 5:10-14 New King James Version

11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [b]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

First Impression?

Hard to explain – Is it only hard to explain since they have become dull of hearing?

Teach you again the first principles – Explain the message

By reason of use have their senses to exercise discern – What does this mean?

Good and evil – What again is the difference?

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Lesson 9 – Hebrews 6:1-8 – No copy provided this week. Use the version you like best.

As you may know, I copy the verses to be studied from Biblegateway each time. In order to do so, I have to pick from among numerous versions. Generally, I go with NIV or New King James or sometimes King James. Today I thought I would go older. I’ll start with the Geneva 1599 version and then revise for anything fun in the Wycliffe version (1382-1395).

First Impression?

I have almost no idea what the Geneva Bible is trying to say. Not only is the topic complex, but the language is also foreign to me. This age of English is almost a different language. The King James version is only 51 years newer, but it has held usefulness due to its shear authoritative nature these past 400 years or so. (The footnotes are even worse, or at least upon first reading them.)

Betwixt is the only thing I got out of Wycliffe. It seemed easier to read but meant even less. On to the real lesson.

First (Second) Impression?

Verses 1 and 2 – I believe he is listing the first principles. Repentance, Faith, Baptism, Laying on of Hands, Resurrection, Eternal Judgement. Does laying on of hands seem as important as the others?

Verse 3 – Every portion of a second of our lives follows this. How would you discuss the ability to believe in Christ with the potential to not understand the power of God?

Warning, it gets harder from here.

Verse 4-6 – I pulled out my comparative study bible with NIV, New American Standard, Amplified, and King James to work on this one. (Who picked Hebrews anyway?) Does this verse say that you cannot be saved if you have already been saved and fall away? Does it mean you cannot fall away? Or is it trying you say you can only be saved once, but you can lose it once as well? I have read 6 or 7 versions and I am still confused.

Verse 7 and 8 – Good land is blessed; bad land is rejected. Does this help us understand 4-6?

I pause here. I am not sure I understand 1-8 at all.

I believe once saved always saved. I think this section is: 1&2 Basics, 3 More Basic, 4-6 Warning that you have to cross the line to be saved. 7&8 Comparison of outcome for those who cross the line and those who hold back. Does this fit the “you may not always get a second chance theory: sometimes there is a last chance”, and is this theory true based on this passage?

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Lesson 10 – Hebrews 6:9-20 New King James Version

9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and [a]labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become [b]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the [c]immutability of His counsel, [d]confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two [e]immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we [f]might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

First Impression?

Things that accompany salvation – Can you list three things that accompany salvation?

Minister to the saints – “They will know because we love one another” – Tell me again, how our love is visibly different between believers and non-believers.

Diligence vs. Sluggish, Faith and Patience – When we see believers struggling with faith issues or non-believers with believing issues, how do we make patience seem a good thing?

We are commanded not to bear false witness and we are commanded not to swear an oath. – how does this fit into God swearing by Himself?

Blessing and Multiplying – What does this promise mean to you?

Abraham was patient. He obtained. – Is that the way you read the story?

Swear by the greater and an end to all dispute – What does this phrase mean?

17 and 18 – I read this to be addressing the covenants God made with us. What exactly is the difference between a “normal’’ declaration by God and a covenant made by God? Is this even the point?

Anchor of the soul – Is this a new image of how you are held firmly in salvation against whatever may come?

With the first part of the chapter being 1) believe now, this second part is 2) utilize the promises salvation brings you. – What part of life is not covered by a promise of God?

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Lesson 11 – Hebrews 7:1-3 New King James Version

7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

First Impression?

Genesis 14 18-20

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said:

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

And he gave him [f]a tithe of all.

(The only other use of Salem is Psalm 76:2, where it might just be Jerusalem.)

I wonder if Melchizedek means King of Righteousness as King of Salem means King of Peace. Thoughts?

I have thought that Melchizedek was Christ in His godly form before He came to live with us. Thoughts?

Priest of the Most High God – The Jews focused on God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but I have always thought that Abraham’s God was the God of his people before Abraham’s father left Ur of the Chaldeans. Noah, Shem, …Abram. Did all the descendants of Noah and Shem worship God straight through to Abram?

Priest – Was there a priest before Melchizedek?

Was there a priest between Melchizedek and Aaron?

The Most High God. Is there another?

Blessed Abraham. Can you explain the importance of this blessing? (without reading the rest of the chapter)

Made like the Son of God. What do you make of this phrase?

Bread and wine – What does our high priest use bread and wine for?

Tithe – Does this just mean 10% or does it have a more spiritual meaning?

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Lesson 12 – Hebrews 7:4-18 New King James Version

4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the [a]spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has [b]officiated at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning [c]priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For [d]He testifies:

“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,

First Impression?

How great, even the patriarch – The story in Genesis makes Abraham to be this great man slaughtering the armies of many kings to regain his nephew. Here the author puts Abraham up on a pedestal and then Melchizedek even higher. I personally feel the honor was to God for going before Abraham and any honor shown to a priest is shown to God and not the priest. Am I wrong in this?

Sons of Levi – I am not sure here on verse 5, but I feel as if the author is trying to make the Levitical priests as basically equals to their brethren just serving God in a specific manner. Is this how you read verse 5?

Verse 6 – genealogy, tithes, blessing, promises – In my mind, if Melchizedek is God’s priest and Abraham knows this, then this interaction was basically an everyday kind of thing. I do not expect that a man being my pastor makes him any greater than he already was. I do not expect him to be a great man, but the particular man God has put in place to help lead me. Why is the author making a big deal out of the relationship between Abraham and Melchizedek?

Verse 7 – Any idea why this is an issue? I did not take the blessings to be from Melchizedek anyway, but that he was passing along the blessing God had already decided to provide. Did I miss something?

Verse 8 – The idea that comes to mind among all these pronouns it that Christ receives the give of the entire lives of those who believe that He lives. The Levitical priests receive the 10% offerings of the people. There is also something about the idea that people alive then had witnessed that Melchizedek was still alive. Unless Melchizedek is Christ, I do not believe he still lives. What does this verse say to you?

Verse 9 and 10 – All I see here is the author trying to say Levitical priests are below Abraham who is below Melchizedek regardless of the time difference between the stories. Unless we construct a hierarchy that goes God, Christ, Melchizedek, high priest, priest, us, then I do not see the point. I can go to God because Christ paid the penalty for my sin and I take on the robe of His purity to speak to God the father. How does this not fit the narrative?

Verse 11 – I see this as the same rhetorical if we could be saved by the law, why did Christ come. Is there something else here I do not see?

Verse 12 – I thought Christ came to fulfill the law, not to change it. What am I missing?

Verse 13 and 14 – Are the two verses both about Christ or did Melchizedek come from another tribe not listed? How would this fit with everything else being discussed? Did not Moses speak of Melchizedek? Was the tribe of Judah not promised the Messiah? Are not the two the same (i.e. Moses did tell of the Priesthood of Judah)?

Verse 15 and 16 – The likeness of Melchizedek, the power of an endless life. When I read Psalm 110:4, I see that Christ will be a priest forever. I do not see that Melchizedek lives forever, only that He will be a priest of the order of Melchizedek. I do not see any Old Testament definition of an endless life for Melchizedek, only that he was a priest and did the duties of a priest. Am I calling fault on the author, or are we supposed to believe the word of the author is the word of God and He is telling us that Melchizedek lives forever? Is Enoch Melchizedek?

Verse 17 – Psalm 110:4. Do you think every Bible translator goes back to make sure the Greek outcome matches the Hebrew outcome?

Verse 18 – An annulling of the former commandment. Is there a difference between changing the law and annulling the law?

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Lesson 13/14 – Hebrews 7:4-18 New King James Version

19 for the law made nothing [e]perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
‘You are a priest [f]forever
According to the order of Melchizedek’ ”),

22 by so much more Jesus has become a [g]surety of a better covenant.

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save [h]to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, [i]harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

First Impression?

Verse 19 – I am on a roll. Nothing perfect, bringing in a better hope, draw near. Contrast the old hope and the new hope!

Verse 20 – What does it mean for one be a priest without an oath?

Verse 21 – The same quote repeated? Does the swearing of an oath by God have new meaning this week after we discussed it before?

Verse 22 – Jesus a surety. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. On this rock. Is this a logical lineup you support?

Verse 23 – People die. What prevents people from dying?

Verse 24 – My cat Cheez-it has gotten into my inbox again. Or as in as he can get while laying down. Do we recognize the difference between who we are now and who we were when we became Christian? Or are we content to sit where we are and ignore the progress?

Verse 25 – To the uttermost. What does that mean? Christ will forever by our intercessor to God. Even life in heaven will be impacted by this. Does this change your view of heaven and your place in it?

Verse 26 and 27 – Once for all. I assume this means Christ paid the penalty for the sins of those who rejected Him. Is this than for just the sins of those who received?

Verse 28 – If God wrote the law in the first five books, how is his oath different?

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Lesson 15 – Hebrews 8 – New King James Version

1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

First Impression?

The main point – What is the main point?

What is the true tabernacle?

Why is the second covenant better?

What is the second covenant?

My laws in their mind. What does this mean to you?

Write them on their hearts. Same?

I will be their God. Same?

They will be my people, Same?

Why has the first covenant not vanished away?

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Lesson 16 – Hebrews 9:1-14 New King James Version

1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. ²For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the ^[^a^]sanctuary; ³and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, ⁴which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; ⁵and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. ⁷But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; ⁸the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. ⁹It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— ¹⁰concerned only with foods and drinks, various ^[^b^]washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

¹¹But Christ came as High Priest of the good things ^[^c^]to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. ¹²Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, ^[^d^]sanctifies for the ^[^e^]purifying of the flesh, ¹⁴how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without ^[^f^]spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

First Impression?

I actually had no predefined questions, so we made them up as we went.

Why did the author include so much detail here?

Why did the high priest go in once a year?

Why are there two sections to the temple?

Why is the status of the first tent still standing an issue?

Is who does what important?

From verses 9 and 10, should we continue to do these things?

What did we learn from these verses?

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Lesson 17 – Hebrews 9:15-28 New King James Version

¹⁵And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

¹⁶For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. ¹⁷For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. ¹⁸Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. ¹⁹For when Moses had spoken every ^[^a^]precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” ²¹Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. ²²And according to the law almost all things are ^[^b^]purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no ^[^c^]remission.

²³Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be ^[^d^]purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are ^[^e^]copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— ²⁶He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, ²⁸so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

First Impression?

15 – Mediator – Do we have a role as mediator?

16 – Will – Do you have a will, what do you plan to leave behind?

17 – Alive – Why wait to accomplish your wishes in your will?

18 – Blood – Do we have strong feelings for the term “blood covenant’?

19 – Moses – Is Moses important to our choices?

20 – Quote – Did Jesus Quote Moses?

21 – Scroll, People, Tent, Vessels – Why?

22 – Sins – Did devout Jews worry about sin?

23 – Better – Why does heaven require better?

24-26 – At the end of the age – When does He appear? Why?

27-28 – Eagerly Awaiting – Describe Eager? Are you Eager?

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Lesson 18 – Hebrews 10 New King James Version

10 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. ²For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once ^[^a^]purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. ³But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

⁵Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
⁶In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
⁷Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’ ”

⁸Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), ⁹then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, ^[^b^]O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. ¹⁰By that will we have been ^[^c^]sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

¹¹And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹²But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. ¹⁴For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being ^[^d^]sanctified.

¹⁵But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

¹⁶“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” ¹⁷then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” ¹⁸Now where there is ^[^e^]remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

First Impression?

The good things to come – What do you envision as these good things yet to come?

The worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins – Is this not how we want to live our lives?

When He came into the world – Psalm 40:6-8 – When you read of Christ fulfilling the very words of the Old Testament, how does your being respond?

In the volume of the book it is written of Me — To do Your will, O God – Could we want more for any moment of our lives?

By that will we have been sanctified – I can never remember the definition of this word. How great is sanctification?

Sat down at the right hand of God – Does this not give a wonderful image of the completeness of Christ’s work?

Enemies are made His footstool – Any idea what footstool means?

The covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them – I love this covenant. How is it made practical in your life?

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Lesson 19 – Hebrews 10:10-25 New King James Version

10 By that will we have been [a]sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being [b]sanctified.

15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is [c]remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness[d] to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

First Impression?

Sanctuary, through the curtain, house of God, Approach with clean &pure – How often do you enter worship with this level of preparation?

True heart, full of assurance of faith – Describe this in your own words.

Hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience – Describe this in your own words.

Bodies washed with pure water – what does this mean?

Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds – give an example.

Meet, encourage, all together – what do you expect your mature behavior to be like?

What do you want those around the table to do for you?

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Lesson 20 – ^{Hebrews 10:26-39 New King James Version}

²⁶For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

²⁸Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

²⁹Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

³⁰For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” ^[^g^]says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

³¹It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³²But recall the former days in which, after you were ^[^h^]illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: ³³partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; ³⁴for you had compassion on ^[ⁱ^]me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your ^[^j^]goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves ^[^k^]in heaven.

³⁵Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

³⁶For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

³⁷“For yet a little while, And He^[^l^] who is coming will come and will not ^[^m^]tarry.
³⁸Now the^[ⁿ^] just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

³⁹But we are not of those who draw back to ^[^o^]perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

First Impression? Back to difficult stuff

26-27 – If A, then not B, but C and D for E. – But a certain fearful expectation of judgement. Is this the same as being 100% positive and 100% scared of judgement?

28 – This was always my hang up with the law. Two people or even three might get together and lie. How does one live in a world where truth is so impartial?

29 – How does one even being to imagine such a punishment?

30 – Is this judging the same judging that we are not to do? How is it different?

31 – Is the path to salvation along this recognition of fearful repercussions, or is salvation not a process?

32-34 – Does this paint a picture of the mature Christian finally putting self-respect in his past?

35 – Confidence leads to a reward. – How important is this reward?

36 – enduring, doing, receiving – A promise. Is this a promise we look forward to earning?

37 – Will not tarry – The book I am reading that has a similar eternal perspective as does the Bible, how does your earning to be with Christ and your desire to wait patiently weigh in your heart?

38 – What does draw back mean in this verse?

39 – Perdition – What is that? And do you have to believe in a soul to be saved?

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Lesson 21 – Hebrews 11:1-16 New King James Version

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ²For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

³By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

⁴By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

⁵By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

⁷By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹²Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

¹³These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ¹⁵And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

First Impression?

The substance of things hoped for – What does this mean to you?

The evidence of things not seen – How would you explain this to a seeker?

A good testimony – How does your faith provide you a good testimony?

That the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible – How does science impact your faith and vice versa how does your faith impact your belief in science?

And through it he being dead still speaks – How does Abel’s faith still speak beyond his death?

Abel was righteous, Enoch pleased God, Abel died, Enoch did not. – Can we learn anything from the difference?

For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him – We must believe that God exists in order to please Him and we must believe that those who diligently seek Him will be rewarded. Why?

Noah condemned the world and became an heir of righteousness. – How can we condemn the world and remain righteous?

Abraham waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God – What city was this?

Dwelt in the land as a foreigner – What made Abraham different?

I always think of Sarah laughing and find it hard to believe she was credited with faith, but it says it here in plain English. – What plain things do you struggle to accept?

Were assured of them, embraced them and confessed… – Is this not a formula we too can follow?

God is not ashamed to be called their God – Do we have to change for God not to be ashamed of us?

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Lesson 22 – Hebrews 11:17-28 New King James Version

¹⁷By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸^[^a^]of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” ¹⁹concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

²⁰By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

²¹By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

²²By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

²³By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

²⁴By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the ^[^b^]passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶esteeming the ^[^c^]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures ^[^d^]in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

²⁷By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ²⁸By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

I forgot to add First Impression to the list, so First Impression?

17-19 Abraham believed God could raise the dead. Do you? Do you act upon it?

20 Do you bless your kids about the future?

21 Worshipped when dying. Will you?

22 Joseph believe about the future. Do you have plans for the future? For your bones?

23 Why does God use beautiful people? Why hide if not in fear?

24-25 Do you accept the suffering of your heritage?

26 Did you know Moses focused on Christ?

27 Persevered as one who sees Him who is invisible. Wouldn’t you?

28 Does lamb’s blood across the door seem silly?

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Lesson 23 – Hebrews 11:29-40 New International Version

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

First Impression?

29 – What choice did the Israelites have?

30 – Is obedience different than faith?

31 – Are the actions of God still pushing people to become Jews or are people only moved to become Christians?

32 – On a worldly stage, the Jews wrote down their history. On a spiritual stage, they wrote down the characteristics of God. Are you prepared to use history to describe God to others?

33-34 – Do you have a long list of bad good outcomes to use in your history?

36-37 – Does this list make you want to fight against these outcomes?

38-40 – We discussed the salvation that was being prepared and how great it was, but I was curious about how the desire for a savior impacted the faith of those before Moses and those after Moses but before Christ. I looked back at the line from Adam to Noah and decide this was much too large of a topic for now.

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Lesson 24-27 – Hebrews 12:1-3 New International Version

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

First Impression?

1a – Everything that hinders – What hinders you? How do you throw if off? Have you asked for help?

1b – Easily entangles – How has sin entangled you in the past? How do you use the experience to avoid it? How have you used it to help others?

1c – Perseverance – What challenges do you struggle with over and over? What have you done to persevere?

1d – Marked out for us – Who marked it out? How do we know what it is? Do you have a list? How can you run it if you do not know what it is?

2a – Fixing our eyes on Jesus – What does this mean to you and how do you actually do it?

2b – The pioneer of faith – What does this mean to you and how do you use this knowledge?

2c – The perfector of faith – What does this mean to you and how do you use this knowledge?

2d – The ______ set before Him – What was this and how do you understand it to have motivated Him and how do you intend to use it to motivate yourself?

2e – He endured – The example – What has been the worst thing you have endured and how often have you shared it?

2f – Scorning its shame – Another example – What is the most shameful thing you have done on behalf of Jesus and have you ever shared it?

2g – Sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – How powerful is the image of this in your brain?

3a – Consider Him – Is this too ambitious for our next study?

3b – Opposition – Do we fight he opposition or just endure it?

3c – Grow weary – When do you grow weary and what do you do about it?

3d – Lose heart – Is this a foreign concept or something you have dealt with and can help others through?

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Lesson 28 – Hebrews 12:4-10 New International Version

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

First Impression?

4 – shedding your blood – What does this mean to you?

5 – Where is this from?

6 – What was your worst punishment ever, by God?

7 – How did you discipline your kids?

8 – not legitimate – What does this mean?

9 – Do you respect your dad?

10 – How does what our parent did differ from holiness as the goal?

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Lesson 29-31 – Hebrews 12:11-29

11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

¹²Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ¹³“Make level paths for your feet,”^[^b^] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

¹⁴Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. ¹⁷Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

¹⁸You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; ¹⁹to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, ²⁰because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^[^c^] ²¹The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[^d^]

²²But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

²⁵See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^[^e^] ²⁷The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[^f^]

First Impression?

Righteousness and peace – How do you visualize righteousness and peace after having been disciplined?

Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees and make level paths for your feet. – Is this literal? What does it mean to you literally? What else does it mean to you?

Peace with everyone and be holy – Why is this not our goal?

See to it that no one falls short – Who is your no one?

Bitter root – I do not like this. But how do we decide what is bitter and needs to be removed?

So that no one is sexually immoral – Is this a mandate to make life difficult for non-believers or is this just focused inward on the church?

See that no one is godless – Is this just inward or for everyone outside the church too? How do we decide?

Mountain and fear –

City of the Living God – Any thoughts?

Warns us from heaven – thoughts?

What cannot be shaken – What about you cannot be shaken?

Consuming fire – what does that mean?

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Lesson 32-33 – Hebrews 13:1-7 – King James Version

13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

First Impression?

Love as brother and sister – does this have the same meaning today as then?

How do we show hospitality to strangers today and how different is that from then?

Angels – do they still interact with us as if they were people? Why? How can we know?

In prison, as if we were in prison with them – what is this to you?

Mistreated – as if you were suffering – how do you help someone else when you are suffering?

Any questions on marriage?

Love of Money – how many ways can we define love of money and how much effort do we need to put into avoiding it?

Be content with what you have – what do you have?

How does money relate to being content?

Afraid of mortals – where is the dividing line between protecting your family and putting yourself in harm’s way out of not having fear?

Is this even the meaning of the verse?

Imitate their faith – what would you imitate?

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Lesson 34-35 – Hebrews 13:8-25 NIV

⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

⁹Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. ¹⁰We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

¹¹The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. ¹²And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. ¹³Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. ¹⁴For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

¹⁵Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. ¹⁶And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

¹⁷Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

¹⁸Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. ¹⁹I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

²⁰Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

²²Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.

²³I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

²⁴Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.

²⁵Grace be with you all.

First Impression?

Yesterday, Today, and Forever – Why is it important that Christ is never different?

Ceremonial foods – Do you know of any ceremonial foods still eaten today?

What is this bit about not right to eat?

Bearing the disgrace He bore – What disgrace is that?

Praise, do good, share – When did you last forget to do so?

Your leaders – how do you choose your leaders and do you have confidence in them and do you submit to them?

Be a joy, not a burden – How could you be a burden and how can you not be?

Pray for us and may Jesus equip you – For what are we praying and being equipped for?

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Lesson 1

James 1:1-8 – New King James Version

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:

Greetings.

²My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³knowing that the testing of your faith produces ^[^a^]patience. ⁴But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be ^[^b^]perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

First Impression?

Bondservant – we have talked about this topic before, but why does James lead off with this?

Twelve Tribes – For those of us not in the twelve tribes, what impact does this have on the message James gives to us?

All joy – softball – what is the source of our joy?

Fall into various trials – Does this word choice indicate a source for our trials?

Testing of faith – Why does our faith need testing?

Patience – Anyone been bold enough to pray for more patience?

Perfect work, be perfect, complete, lacking nothing – What are the negative connotations for this verse? What are the positive connotations for this verse?

Lacks wisdom – Why did he say “if any of you”?

Ask God for wisdom – what do you expect when you ask for wisdom? How often do you ask?

God gives to all liberally without reproach – Who is all, what is liberally, and what is reproach?

He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind – How often have you heard this part used without the reference to asking for wisdom in faith without doubting?

So the doubting man should not expect to receive anything – where do faith and wisdom intersect in the worldly view of wisdom?

Double minded man, unstable – Who is not? What does this tell us about our walking in faith?

Lesson 2

James 1:9-15 New King James Version

⁹Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, ¹⁰but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. ¹¹For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

¹²Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. ¹³Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

9 Why should the lowly glory in his exultation?

10 Why should the rich glory in humiliation?

10 What does dying have to due with glorying?

11 How does the rich man fade away in his pursuits?

9-11 What makes these rich or poor?

12 Enduring temptation yields blessing. How often do we think this through?

12 When is one approved?

12 What is the crown of life?

12 Where is this promise for those who love Him?

13 Is there a practical difference between being tempted and being tempted by God? I have always wondered.

14 Tempted by our own desires. How often do we understand this aspect of our struggle?

15 What is not full-grown sin? Is there a line we can walk up to?

Lesson 3

James 1 :16-21 New King James

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

First Impression

16 – How are we deceived? How do we avoid it?

17 – How in this world can we give glory for every gift we receive from God?

What do you like about God being the Father of lights?

How can we glorify the ‘no variation or shadow of turning’ aspect of God?

18 – What does it mean to be ‘brought forth by the word of truth’?

What does it mean to ‘be a kind of firstfruits of Hid creatures?

19 – Swift, slow, slow – Couldn’t they use a better third word?

How does this verse impact your day-to-day life?

20 – If our wrath does not produce the righteousness of God, what purpose is there for wrath in our life?

21 – All, overflow – As if there were some tolerable amount of wickedness – what suggestions for laying these aside can you give us?

Implanted word, describe how the implanted word saves your soul both literally and figuratively.

Lesson 4

James 1 :22-26 New King James

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

First Impression

Deceiving yourselves? How can we deceive ourselves when in the Word?

Hearers only? What does this say for how to understand the Word?

Doers of the Word? What are some steps in doing the Word?

Natural face in a mirror? When did they get mirrors? What is a natural face?

Observes, goes away, immediately forgets? Sounds like me?

What kind of man he was? I do not remember this verse ending on this topic. How does looking in the mirror remind us of what kind of man we are?

Looks into the perfect law of liberty? What does this have to do with looking in a mirror?

Continues in it? So is the difference what you look at or remembering?

Blessed in what he does? So what about this is not he prosperity gospel?

Thinks he is religious? Have you ever thought you were religious?

Bridle his tongue? What is your bridle?

Useless? How can “scruplulous conformity” be useless?

Religion is this? Is this the same definition in my dictionary?

Visit and keep unspotted? How do you define an orphan, a widow, and oneself?

Lesson 5

Summary James 1

What does ‘broken for you’ mean to you?

What does it mean to serve to you?

What does ‘slow’ mean to you?

What does ‘trials’ mean to you?

What does ‘testing’ mean to you?

What does ‘ nations’ mean to you?

What does Ground Hog Day mean to you?

What did you learn from the last non-biblical book you read?

Lesson 6

James 2:1-13 New King James

1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. ²For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, ³and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” ⁴have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

⁵Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? ⁶But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? ⁷Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

⁸If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; ⁹but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. ¹¹For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. ¹²So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. ¹³For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

First Impression?

What is partiality?

How do you avoid it?

What evil thoughts might one be having?

Is James saying we are to be poor to inherit the kingdom?

What is our duty to the poor?

Why does he specifically say the rich blaspheme the noble name and not just everyone?

Is partiality sin?

What is the law of liberty and what does it allow us to do?

The contrast is in attitude. What came I do for them vs. what can they do for me. Serving others is freedom. Wanting from others is sin. Wealth or lack thereof, mercy or lack thereof, partiality or judgement; none of these matter. Do you love God enough to serve others or do you love yourself so much you want?

Any sin is too much, yet God’s mercy overcomes all judgement of our sin. Forgiven, we are free to love. How important is this fact before we move on?

Lesson 7

James 2:14-26 New King James

1 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

¹⁸But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without ^[^f^]your works, and I will show you my faith by ^[^g^]my works. ¹⁹You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is ^[^h^]dead? ²¹Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²²Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made ^[i]perfect? ²³And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was ^[^j^]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

²⁵Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

²⁶For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

First Impression?

What good? What profit?

Can faith save without deeds?

Encounter someone with needs: if you do not help, is good done?

Faith is dead: so?

You have faith. I have deeds. What is the basis for this “discussion”?

Show me? What is the point?

Believe one God.

Foolish person? Why is he attacking someone who wants to learn?

Evidence faith without deeds is useless?

A person is considered righteous: who is doing this considering?

What is wrong with a dead faith?

Lesson 8

James 3:1-4

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ²We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

³When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

Who wants to be a teacher?

How do you interpret this warning?

We all stumble in many things. How many things do you stumble in?

I read a new phrase “cease striving”. I am trying to figure out how to apply it, but I think it has some counter to the stumbling in many things. Thoughts?

Have you ever thought that if you could keep yourself from saying something wrong, that you would be perfect?

Why is the tongue so important?

Bits into the mouths. Can you see any applications of this in our spiritual lives?

What is your small rudder?

Will of the pilot? Who is the pilot?

If God directs our steps, how can we make plans?

Lesson 9

James 3:5-12

⁵Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! ⁶And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. ⁷For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. ⁸But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? ¹²Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

First Impression?

Why do our tongues boast?

What causes a little fire to burn a whole forest?

A world of iniquity. Why?

Defiles the whole body. How?

Set on fire by hell. What?

The course of nature. When?

Tame the tongue. Who?

Bless and curse. When?

Spring, Tree, Vine. What can we learn?

Lesson 10

James 4:1-3

1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ²You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

First Impression?

What do you know about the waring culture of first century Jews?

Any thoughts on how this waring culture impacted their everyday personal relationships?

How would you describe America’s waring culture?

How does America’s waring culture impact our everyday personal relationships?

Do you ask God for things? What kind of things? Why?

Star test results came out. Reported results passing rates: Asians 84%, Whites 66%, Hispanic 44%, Blacks 39%. Economically sound 70%. Poor 40% How does our cultures relate to these results?

What should we pray for on this topic and why?

Lesson 11

James 4:4-10

⁴You adulterous people,^[^a^] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us^[^b^]? ⁶But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”^[^c^]

⁷Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

First Impression?

As opposed to friendship, what would be a better description of the correct relationship with the world?

Enmity with God. How would you characterize enmity with God?

Wishes. Chooses. Why do we have the opportunity for wishes?

NIV says our spirit envies intensely. NRS says yearns jealously. How does this strong drive impact our wishes?

Grace – How do we get it?

Submit. How big a word is this?

Resist. How?

Draw near. How?

Cleanse your hands. How?

Purify your hearts. How?

Laughter to mourning. Joy into dejection. Is it as bad as it sounds?

Humble. Cure all?

Lesson 12

James 4:11-17 New International Version

¹¹Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. ¹²There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

¹³Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

First Impression?

What is slander? the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation. Why is it an issue to be addressed?

CSB says criticize. How do we help our neighbor if we do not criticize them when they are wrong?

Speaks against the law and judges it: How does speaking against someone or judging someone doing something to the law?

Judge the law, sitting in judgement on it: So, if we are Christians, what is the law to us? Why is judging it even a thing? What is James driving at?

Who are you to judge your neighbor?

What are the positives that James passes along to us in the midst of this judging “non-sense”?

Go, carry on, make: Are we not supposed to make plans?

Do you not know what will happen tomorrow?

What is your life?

If: Is not the if implied? How do we plan differently assuming it will only happen if God permits?

As we established before, I am a big boaster. Why? What do I do different? Is what I do really evil?

Boast in your arrogant schemes: Is boasting in arrogant schemes a big problem today? How does it manifest in today’s culture? In today’s church?

Is trusting God for everything and being thankful arrogant? Or do people just not want to hear about someone else who has been blessed even if the glory goes to God?

Such boasting is evil: What is boasting? exhibiting or characterized by excessive pride or self-satisfaction.

I like 17. It points out one of my big problems: ignorance. Buried in that is a lack of ability or at least skill in learning how to understand how other peoples brains receive the message I am trying to convey. I can often say what I mean, but often not have a clue about how other people with understand it.

So how do we overcome our ignorance and sin no more?

Lesson 13/14

James 5:1-11 Part 1 and Part 2

Assignment: Reword the verses and/or questions to meet your struggles.

Part 1 – Today

James 5:1-11 NIV

1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.

First Impression?

Because of the misery that is coming: Do we really need to worry about the future?

Rotted, eaten, corroded: If we rely on God, does it mater that our stuff rots, is eaten, or corrodes?

Corrosion testifies against you: What does this mean as I am inclined to not care.

Eat your flesh like fire: What does this mean as it sounds like a reaction to someone trying to hug corroded gold and silver?

Hoarded wealth in the last days: What exactly is the definition of hoarding vs saving?

Wages you failed to pay: Did you? Does this apply? How?

Lived in luxury: So, is luxury evil? Where is the line?

Self-indulgence: Next topic please.

Fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter: What am I? Daddy Pig?

The paragraph has another sentence, but to pause and go over the first five. One of our reactions to lists like this is to say I did not do that and therefore, the author surely can’t be speaking to me. Assuming this went as quickly as it might have, acknowledging the temptation to put our wants above the needs of those around us, how do we balance our use and stewardship of God’s resources against needs of the evil, faceless masses that clamor for us to give us everything so they can have it instead?

What patterns do we need to develop to ensure that we are not hoarding God’s resources that should be helping us give glory to God?

Part 2

6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

My impression of this act is pure evil. I would like for these people to be judged instantly by God and removed as a threat. But I know this is only figurative and my mental sins would cost my life many times along the way. How would you rephrase this to actually apply to the ways you sin today?

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Grumble: A one word summary for all kinds of strife within the church body that James was trying to address in a real live set of people. Without God, and without constantly submitting self to God, there is the sin nature pushing us to take and hoard. How does the image of a peaceful, loving commune play out in today’s culture?

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Use the stories in the Bible to learn how to live. Where have I heard that before? How often do we look to the characters in the Bible for guidance and how often do we use them to direct others to potential solution to what bothers them?

I have not written my blog in many months as I have struggled to meet the needs of my in-laws and a larger workload than I have had in years. I am almost done with my verse-by-verse study of Job 29. That leaves me with 13 chapters and incalculable time to complete this first phase of my study of Job. I passed three years this summer, so maybe I can finish before 2025. But my writing about each verse has stalled in chapter 12. At this rate, I won’t finish that until 2030. That’s after Darby gets out of high school and after I want to get rid of most of my baseball cards and I want my main concern to be where to store the 911 while I go adventuring (in the RV or on a trailer behind it).

As I have been doing these questions for James, I am convinced that the Bible is a living breathing representation of God Almighty and no amount of time can teach us so much that we can not learn more from James or any other section of it. My goal for today is to get each of you to think about how you would rewrite these verses to point to the exact action or thoughts that you struggle with on a day-to-day basis or some other cyclical basis. For me it would be around consuming flour and sugar, not exercising, not reaching out to others, leaving the possible undone. You?

Lesson 15

James 5:12-20 NIV

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

First Impression?

Swear? What is swearing and why does it condemn you?

Why does James say above all? What am I missing?

Trouble: Pray. Happy: Sing. I’ve heard a couple songs about people praying when they don’t have one. How do you juxtapose the two phrases in this verse?

Praying for the sick. This feels like a magic formula kinda thing. What is the difference between the power of this promise and the times when this magical formula does not come out the way you want?

Or does this verse apply not to the illness I think of but of the sickness of sin and really just tell us that if we have faith, we will be forgiven?

Confess, pray for each other, powerful and effective. I would propose that James is telling us that prayer has power over sin more so than power over the body? If this were an either or, which side would you be on and why?

Elijah. I have this deep impression that Elijah did not do anything without asking God first. Therefore, everything he did worked, or at least the way God wanted. The prophets were constantly being asked to do things that got the attention of those around them from shouting on the streets to running naked through them. How crazy are you prepared to be?

One aspect of this last piece is once saved always saved, but how about this whole idea of covering sin? Who’s sin? How much? Why does our walk have so much to do with fear rather than joy at the outcome?

James has an honorable reputation based on his actions and this book. We have studied it for a while and I have walked through it assuming James knew a lot more than me and was of course guiding by God in what he wrote, but he was just writing a letter to people and not trying to write the Bible. How often do we integrate the Biblical in our daily moment to moment tasks? Could a letter we wrote be used by others to learn about God? Why not?

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Peter

1 Peter Lesson 1 of 18 – 1 Peter 1:1-2 New Revised Standard Version

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ²who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood:

May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

1: Read the first two verses. What is your first impression?

2: Any questions about who Peter was?

3: Any questions about who the audience was?

4: Any questions about what the terms mean to you?

Apostle
Pilgrims
Dispersion
Elect
Foreknowledge
Sanctification
Obedience
Sprinkling
Grace
Peace
God the Father
The Spirit
Jesus Christ
Trinity

5: Chapter 5 verse 12 gives the purpose as “Encouragement/Comfort” and “Assure/Testify”. How are these accomplished by the first two verses.

6: How do you identify with the pilgrims?

7: How do you identify with the Apostle?

8: “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” What does this mean to you?

9: “In sanctification of the Spirit” What does this mean to you?

10: “For obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” What does this mean to you?

11: “Grace to You” What does this mean to you?

12: “Peace be multiplied” What does this mean to you?

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1 Peter Lesson 2 – 1 Peter 1:3-5 New Revised Standard Version

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴to an inheritance ^[^a^]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (NKJV)

Study Questions

1: Read the three verses. What is your first impression?

2: Any questions about what the terms mean to you?

Blessed/Praise
Our Lord
Mercy
Begotten
Living Hope
Resurrection
Inheritance
Incorruptible
Undefiled
Faith
Salvation

3: What did you find encouraging/Comforting?

4: What did you find Assuring/Testifying?

5: What is the main theme of these verses?

6: Who is the object of the theme?

7: Acts 2:36 gives three titles for Christ. Lord, Jesus, Christ: What does each mean to you? Acts 11:17 brings all three together. Lord Jesus Christ: How is that different to you?

8: What are the reasons for Praise given?

9: What is the result of praise or what is accomplished by Praise?

10: Peter is given us marching orders. How would you share this with others?

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1 Peter Lesson 3 – 1 Peter 1:6-12

⁶In this you rejoice,^[^a^] though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, ⁷so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸Without having seen^[^b^] him you^[^c^] love him; though you do not now see him you^[^d^] believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. ⁹As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation; ¹¹they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. ¹²It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Study Questions

1: Read the three verses. What is your first impression?

2: Any questions about what the terms mean to you?

Rejoice
Grieved
Trials
Genuineness
Praise, Honor, Glory
Having Not Seen/Do Not See
Love/Believe (Faith)
Soul
Inquired/Searched
Spirit of Christ
Angels

3: What did you find encouraging/Comforting?

4: What did you find Assuring/Testifying?

5: What is the main theme of these verses?

What is your reaction to having to suffer various trials?
What do you feel about gold and how precious is it to you compared to faith?
How would you describe Unutterable Joy?
In what ways do you feel superior to the prophets?
How do you explain people living before Christ or never hearing of Him going to heaven?
How do you explain people rejecting Christ?
In what ways do you feel superior to the angels?

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1 Peter Lesson 4 – 1 Peter 1:13-16 – Revised Standard Version

¹³Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; ¹⁶since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Study Questions

1: Read the three verses. What is your first impression?

2: Any questions about what the terms mean to you?

Heaven
Gird
Mind
Sober
Obedient
Conformed
Ignorance
Holy
Conduct
It is written

3: What did you find encouraging/Comforting?

4: What did you find Assuring/Testifying?

5: What is the main theme of these verses?

What does ” gird up your minds, be sober” mean to you in your life today?
Are you mad that from death until Christ’s coming you will not be in heaven, but be “asleep”?
What is the difference between being obedient and conforming to ignorant passions?
Be Holy in all your conduct? Is that even possible or too high a hope?
Shall be holy? How?

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1 Peter Lesson 5 – 1 Peter 1:17-21 Revised Standard Version

17 And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake. 21 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1 – Read the verses. What is your first impression?

2 – Invoke as Gather? What does that mean to you?

3 – Him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds. – What does that mean to you?

4 – Conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of exile. What does that mean to you?

5 – Fear vs. Hope. What is the difference to you?

6 – Ransomed from the futile was inherited. – What does that mean to you?

7 – Precious blood of Christ. What does that mean to you?

8 – Destined before. What impact do you want that to have on you?

9 – Manifest a the end of the times. What time is that?

10 – Confidence in God. How is this manifest in you?

11 – Faith and Hope in God. How do you use this?

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1 Peter Lesson 6 – 1 Peter 1:22-25 Revised Standard Version

²²Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart. ²³You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; ²⁴for

“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,
²⁵but the word of the Lord abides for ever.”

That word is the good news which was preached to you.

1 – Read the verses. What is your first impression?

2 – What does “purified your souls” mean to you?

3 – What does “obedience to the truth” mean to you?

4 – What does “earnestly from the heart” mean to you?

5 – What does “botherly love” mean to you?

6 – What does “love because you are brothers” mean to you?

7 – What does “living and abiding Word of God” mean to you?

8 – What does “Flesh is like grass” mean to you?

9 – What does “Abides forever” mean to you?

10 – Compare “Grass/Perishable seed” to “Imperishable/Born anew”.

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1 Peter – Lesson 7 – 1 Peter 2:1-3 Revised Standard Version

1 So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander. ²Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation; ³for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

1 – What is your First Impression?

2 – Explain the meaning and differences of malice, guile, insincerity, envy, slander

3 – What impression does newborn babes give you?

4 – How do you describe pure spiritual milk?

5 – How do you defend Grow up to Salvation?

6 – How do you understand tasted the kindness?

7 – Do you believe Peter was antisemite or that Christianity support that?

8 – How would you summarize the process described in these three verses?

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1 Peter – Lesson 8 – 1 Peter 2:4-6 Revised Standard Version

⁴Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God’s sight chosen and precious; ⁵and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶For it stands in scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and he who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

1 – What is your First Impression?

2 – Explain the meaning and differences of “Living Stone” and “living stones”.

3 – What impression does “built into a spiritual house” give you?

4 – How do you describe holy preisthood?

5 – How do you understand “spiritual sacrifice acceptable”?

6 – How do you test “stands in scripture”?

7 – How do you understand “will not be put to shame”?

8 – How are you like the “religion” of the Old Testament”?

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1 Peter – Lesson 9 – 2:7-10 – New Chosen People

⁷This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,^[^a^]

“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,”

⁸and

“A stone that makes them stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

⁹But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,^[^b^] in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

¹⁰Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.

1 – What is your First Impression?

2 – How does this statement by the “rock on which the church is built” about the “cornerstone” impact its significance to you?

3 – What is the purpose of stumbling and falling and it being caused by Christ?

4 – Who was not destined to disobey and what is the difference?

5 – Trick question: Are Christians replacing the Jews in God’s mind?

6 – If God never changes, then how do we explain the changing “rule” of the one way to get to heaven as Jesus before and after His life and death?

7 – When is mercy received?

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1 Peter – Lesson 10 – 1 Peter 2:11-17 Revised Standard Version

¹¹Beloved, I beseech you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul. ¹²Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

¹³Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution,^[^a^] whether it be to the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. ¹⁵For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. ¹⁶Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. ¹⁷Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 – What is your First Impression?

2 – What is waging war on your soul and causing you to struggle?

3 – In what ways does this damage your witness before others?

4 – For whose sake and does it matter?

5 – How does this apply to our elected government and punishment and praise?

6 – Here is God’s will? Do you follow?

7 – What is freedom as servants?

8 – Honor all vs. Love brotherhood, Honor emperor vs. Fear God, How do we honor differently than love/fear?

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1 Peter Lesson 11 – 1 Peter 2:18-25 Revised Standard Version

¹⁸Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to the kind and gentle but also to the overbearing. ¹⁹For one is approved if, mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God’s approval. ²¹For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²²He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. ²³When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. ²⁴He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,^[^a^] that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Read all the verses – What is your first impressions?

Read 18 again – Consider how are we to be submissive to the overbearing. Then when is enough, enough?

Read 19-20 again – Note the pattern: Act justly, suffer patiently, with God in mind, be approved. How important is “mindful of God” in the process?

Read 21 again – Called, Christ Suffered, an Example, Follow – Christ was our example, if He did it, so should we. What example behavior do you model?

Read 22-23 again – No Sin, No Guile, No Reviling, No Threatening – How are we to be submissive to overbearing?

Read 24 again – Die to sin, Live to righteousness – How do you personally apply this?

Read 25 again – Strayed, Return, Shepherd and Guardian – How does His guardianship impact you?

From 11-17, we are to follow. From 18-25, we are told to suffer. Are we taught or do we learn to expect “following” to demand “suffering”?

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1 Peter Lesson 12 – 1 Peter 3:1-7 Revised Standard Version

3 Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, ²when they see your reverent and chaste behavior. ³Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing, ⁴but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. ⁵So once the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves and were submissive to their husbands, ⁶as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are now her children if you do right and let nothing terrify you.

⁷Likewise you husbands, live considerately with your wives, bestowing honor on the woman as the weaker sex, since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered.

Quick Style

First Impression?
Why submissive?
Explain Reverent and Chaste Behavior.
Why not Adorning?
Why Hidden?
Explain Gentle and Quiet spirit?
Explain Do right and let nothing terrify you.
Explain likewise.
How do you Live Considerately?
How do you Bestow Honor?
Explain Joint Heir?
Explain Life of Grace?
What does Prayer may not be hindered mean?

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1 Peter Lesson 13 – 1 Peter 3:8-12 Revised Standard Version

⁸Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. ⁹Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. ¹⁰For

“He that would love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking guile;
¹¹let him turn away from evil and do right;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
¹²For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.”

More detailed questions this week.

What is your first Impression?

Unity of Spirit – Why is the church today so splintered?

Sympathy – Number 15 talks about lending and forgiving debts. Why is being sympatetic so hard?

Tender Heart and Humble Mind – What is required of someone to have a tender heart and a humble mind and how does one “flip this switch”?

On the contrary, bless – How do we stop evil if we are commanded to bless the evil doer?

Should we love life and see good days? Are these Christian things to seek?

Do right, seek peace, pursue it – What is the seeking and pursuing of peace? How much effort are we to expend on it?

Eyes and Ears of the Lord on the righteous – How specific do our prayers need to be to effect the changes of
- stopping evil,
- pursuing peace,
- blessing evil doers,
- being sympathetic,
- having unity of spirit, and
- exhibiting a tender heart and a humble mind?

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1 Peter Lesson 14 – 1 Peter 3:13-17 Revised Standard Version

¹³Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? ¹⁴But even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; ¹⁶and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than for doing wrong.

First Impression?

Peter tells us not to fear. Who are we to fear and who are we not to fear?

Peter tells us to be zealous for what is right. How do we discern causes to be zealous for and for causes to leave to others?

Peter tells us the righteous are blessed and the abusers will be put to shame. Deuteronomy 22:28-29 “allows” a man to take a virgin as his wife for 50 shekels. For the sake of debate, how can shame and blessing be enough “zealous”?

Peter tells us to revere Christ and to revere others. Delineate how people are not evil, yet they produce evil, and how this allows us to not fear them, but revere them (evil doers).

Peter tells us to be prepared. What is your testimony?

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1 Peter Lesson 15 – 1 Peter 3:18-22 Revised Standard Version

¹⁸For Christ also died^[^a^] for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; ¹⁹in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, ²⁰who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. ²¹Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²²who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

What is your first Impression?

Whose sins did Christ die For?

What does 18 say is the reason Christ died for us?

In the last part of 18, does it matter if He did this “being made alive in the spirit in which” or “being made alive by the spirit through whom”? The two translations I read gave a different meaning, but so what?

What did Christ do when “alive in the spirit”?

To whom did he do this thing?

Where were they? What does this mean?

Who/What/When/Where /Why – Where did they come from?

How many were saved by what?

What does verse 21 tell us about baptism?

What is a clear conscience or the pledge/answer of one?

Where does Peter tell us Christ is?

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1 Peter Lesson 16 – 1 Peter 4:1-6 Revised Standard Version

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,[a] arm yourselves with the same thought, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer by human passions but by the will of God. 3 Let the time that is past suffice for doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God.

What is your first Impression?

What possibilities do you see in “suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin”?

What two motives for living are we presented with in verse 2?

“the time that is past suffice” How can you rephrase this to mean more to you?

The list of issues. Are these different things, identical things, are these things you want to do individually, together, or is there some wordplay involved in what you want?

“They are surprised” – Do you not want to surprise them?

“they abuse you;” – Do you no want to be abused?

“give account” – Do you want them to go scott free?

As the last lesson, the dead are discussed. The gospel was preached to the dead. What is the definition of dead in this phrase?

“Judged in the flesh like men” – Is there another outcome?

“live in the spirit like God” Part one: how can the dead live?

“Like God” – Part Two: how can one be like God?

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1 Peter Lesson 17 – 1 Peter 4:7-11 Revised Standard Version

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers. 8 Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. 10 As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified.

First Impression? Its long, will go verse by verse in questions.

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers.

How does one keep sane?
If our prayers are of utmost importance during these end times, how does keeping sane and sober impact our prayers?

8 Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Hold unfailing. Our lives can be consumed by dealing with the sins of our loved ones. How can we continue to love when we are asked to cast our nets and are consumed with one on the line (so to speak)?
Which sins does love not cover?

9 Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another.

How has hospitality changed and what does grudgingly look like?

10 As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

I like this one. In my opinion, too many people heap praise upon the “smart” and fail to build up the rest of us. How do we address the hierarchy people give to gifts?

11 whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified.

Oracles of God and the strength which God supplies. Can I hammer this home as our only thrusts?
Can someone build an app that lets me see the stuff I need to know without the stuff I do not?

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1 Peter Lesson 17 Part 2 – 1 Peter 4:12-19 Revised Standard Version

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory[a] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a mischief-maker; 16 yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

“If the righteous man is scarcely saved,
where will the impious and sinner appear?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator.

First Impression?

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you.

I had a dream in which the emotions were frightening and the remembrance of which reminds me of the multitude of opportunities around me to fail. How do we get comfortable with the strangeness of our trials?

13 But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Amidst my failures, how do I differentiate between suffering from ignorantly trying and being persecuted by the world?

14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

This seems so much clearer. Is it?

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a mischief-maker;

Agreed, but who defines mischief?

16 yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God.

I am not ashamed, but how do we balance the want to do good with the want to not do harm?
How do I know where the line is for others?

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

I am satisfied to be judged by God, but I know people judge me also. I know the end, but how do we address the incorrect judgement of others now?

18 And

“If the righteous man is scarcely saved,
where will the impious and sinner appear?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator.

Is it just me, or does this answer my questions?

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1 Peter Lesson 18 – 1 Peter 5:1-14 Revised Standard Version

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. 2 Tend the flock of God that is your charge,[a] not by constraint but willingly,[b] not for shameful gain but eagerly, 3 not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. 8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen[c] you. 11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silva′nus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you that are in Christ.

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed.

Elders among you. Why does he speak to this group? Why is his witness important? Why is his partaking important?

2 Tend the flock of God that is your charge,[a] not by constraint but willingly,[b] not for shameful gain but eagerly,

Who are these Elders that tend? Willingly, Eagerly: Why wouldn’t they be?

3 not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.

Domineering vs examples: Has anyone seen a domineering leader survive in a church?

4 And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory.

Chief Shepherd: Any special meaning to you? Unfading crown?

5 Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Younger: Why does age matter? Humility: Where does that play a role between the young and old?

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you.

Humble before God as opposed to what other humility? Exalt: What does that mean to you?

7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.

Anxiety: This is underutilized in today’s word. How do we spread this part of the message to those believers around us?

8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

So the devil is real and out to get us. Does anyone teach us what to watch for?

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.

If we love others, we want them to believe and if they believe, them sill also be a target. Why is the church so weak on teaching us to combat the devil with faith? Or is it?

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen[c] you.

Our hope during suffering. Do we lean on this promise? Daily?

11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Amen

12 By Silva′nus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it.

Who is Silva’nus? Peter gives the goal of his letter than we studied months ago. Was he successful?

13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark.

Who is this? Mark his son? What?

14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ.

Is kiss the right word? Peace!

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2 Peter Lesson 1 of 5 (sorta)– 2 Peter 1:1-11 Revised Standard Version

1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; 11 so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

First Impression?

Salutation and Greeting – We skipped the salutation questions at the end of 1 Peter (5:12-14), but I wanted to combine it with the Greeting in 2 Peter (1:1-2) to discuss the writing of letters in general. – We did the writers include these components. Why did the editors leave them in the Bible? Do we practice what we learn from these actions?

Meat Part One – 3&4 – God has granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Can you describe these things and how they differ from the world’s expectations?

We have knowledge of God. Can you describe how you know what you know about God and how you use it to glorify Him?

We have promises of God. How many have you memorized or can repeat the jest of?

Escape the corruption of passion. What escape experiences has God provided to you to incorporate into your witness?

Divine nature. Can you explain how we have divine nature and how we partake in it.

Meat Part Two – 5-7 – The formula.

How does virtue help faith?

How does knowledge help virtue?

How does self-control help knowledge?

How does steadfastness help self-control?

How does godliness help steadfastness?

How does brotherly affection help godliness?

How does love help brotherly affection?

Vice verse?

Meat Part 3 – 8-9 – These things are ours and abound. How hard is it to grab hold of these things?

Ineffective and Unfruitful. If we know Christ, we can use these things to be effective and fruitful. Can we be effective or fruitful without them? Him? Why do you try?

Blind, shortsighted, forgotten. Why does this happen to us? How do we overcome?

Meat Part 4 – 10&11 – Brothers. Do you feel like brothers? With everyone or who? Why?

Zealous to confirm your election. What does this mean?

You will never fail. Is this not a promise we can take to the bank? Did any of us use this one above?

Richly provided entrance. Do we believe that the gift is this precious? Does it show in our lives?

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Lesson 2 – 2 Peter 1:12-21 Revised Standard Version

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

First Impression?

Remind, know, establish. Do you know? Have you established? Do you need a reminder?

Does anyone care enough about you to remind you?

Peter has been shown that he will die soon. Have we not all been told we will die soon enough and need to serve?

To pass on before we go. Do you not have this mandate in your heart?

Peter spoke of the power and coming of Christ as he saw it. We too are to do this (as hammered home last week.) Do we not know the enemy has cleverly devised myths to oppose Christ? How are we to learn from the example of our enemy and improve our success?

The Son was glorified by the Father. Peter heard it. Peter also has knowledge of the fulfillment of scripture. Peter commends us to learn from him. Have we been learning from him?

The word and our testimony a light shining in the dark world. Can you explain the meaning of the morning star rising in your hearts with the dawning of which day?

One’s own interpretation is not appropriate. Not negotiable. God created the prophecy, and it came from the Holy Spirit and can only be known how?

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Lesson 3 – 2 Peter 2:1-9 Revised Standard Version

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their licentiousness, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words; from of old their condemnation has not been idle, and their destruction has not been asleep.

4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell[a] and committed them to pits of nether gloom to be kept until the judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven other persons, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomor′rah to ashes he condemned them to extinction and made them an example to those who were to be ungodly; 7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the wicked 8 (for by what that righteous man saw and heard as he lived among them, he was vexed in his righteous soul day after day with their lawless deeds), 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

First Impression?

Describe the differences between “false prophets”, “false teachers”, and “destructive heresies”.

What in the world is licentiousness and what damage is done a) by it and b) when the way of truth is reviled?

“being lacking in willpower or moral discipline”

What false words have you come across and how did you respond? What did you learn?

God tosses angels into hell? Do we think about that? They are kept there until judgement, then what?

Again, Peter points out the saving of Noah and his family of eight from the flood. While everyone hears the story of Noah, do we sometimes miss the importance of the lesson’s applicability to the life of a Christian? How so?

Sodom and Gomor′rah is another Old Testament story Peter is using to show us what about the ungodly?

Lot was greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the wicked. How do we learn to act from his example? “vexed to his righteous soul”

Do we trust that the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial? How do we act that out?

How should we respond to the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment?

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2 Peter Lesson 4 – Only 32 questions – Part 1 – 2 Peter 2:10-22 Revised Standard Version

10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they are not afraid to revile the glorious ones,

First Impression?
Why do we despise authority? Why is it so prevalent among Christians?
Indulge in passion, bold, and willful? Are these not the characteristics that the world rewards? How does this differ from our need to be bold in our faith and willful in our actions?
Who are the glorious ones being reviled? And what is a reviling judgement?

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2 Peter Lesson 4 – 2 Peter 2:11-13 – Part 2 – The filth – Revised Standard Version

11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a reviling judgment upon them before the Lord. 12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed, reviling in matters of which they are ignorant, will be destroyed in the same destruction with them, 13 suffering wrong for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their dissipation, carousing with you.

Angels are greater in might and power. Why the comparisons between men and angels?
Does verse 12 mean Fifi does not go to heaven?
Irrational, instinct, ignorance. Characteristics of sinners. Believing in Christ is all that keeps us from this fate. Do we consider our previous fate when living our new lives?
What can we learn from the filth in verse 13?

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2 Peter Lesson 4 –Part 3 – 2 Peter 2:14-16 – God’s purpose – Revised Standard Version

14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking the right way they have gone astray; they have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Be′or, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a dumb ass spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

53 questions is too many, but the numerous examples of depravity has its purpose. Insatiable sin, entice souls, and hearts of greed. Why does Peter go into such detail?
Gone astray. (Have Allen tell you about Balaam and Bo’er.) God uses people for His own purposes. Would you expect God to speak to truth to someone and them later turn away from Him and be punished?
A prophet of God gone mad and rebuked by a human voice coming from a dumb ass. If I had not read it in the Bible, I might think there was a pun in there somewhere. Is God using an animal to speak to the prophet have any special significance?
Many others doubted when God spoke to them. Why was this prophet punished so?

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2 Peter Lesson 4 –Part 4 – 2 Peter 2:17-19 – Enticement – Revised Standard Version

17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the nether gloom of darkness has been reserved. 18 For, uttering loud boasts of folly, they entice with licentious passions of the flesh men who have barely escaped from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved.

What is the significance of “waterless springs and mists driven by a storm”?
What does “nether gloom of darkness” mean to you? Does it remind you of Job?
Folly was my favorite word of the day. What does it mean to you?
Again, with Licentious. Enticing men? What kind of men are being enticed?
Barely escaped from those who live in error. Is error the correct term? I see it as an accident. But here it seems to refer to those who follow wicked ways. Is this a reference to us barely escaping? Or is there another meaning hidden here?
What kind of freedom is good freedom? Is this corruption not the same as sin that enslaves us? Whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved. How little does it take to overcome a man?

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2 Peter Lesson 4 –Part 5 – 2 Peter 2:20-22 – Need to Finish? – Revised Standard Version

20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog turns back to his own vomit, and the sow is washed only to wallow in the mire.

So, knowledge of Jesus can save us. How can one be again entangled and be in a state worse than the first?
Does this mean one can turn back from salvation? No, it just says the way of righteousness. What is the difference?
Why does a dog return to its vomit?
Why would anyone wash a pig?
Peter has strung together a tremendous amount of information in a very short passage. How long should one take to study these verses?

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Lesson 5 – 4 parts – 2 Peter 3 – Revised Standard Version

1This is now the second letter that I have written to you, beloved, and in both of them I have aroused your sincere mind by way of reminder; ²that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. ³First of all you must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions ⁴and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation.” ⁵They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago, and an earth formed out of water and by means of water, ⁶through which the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. ⁷But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist have been stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

⁸But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you,^[^a^] not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.

¹¹Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, ¹²waiting for and hastening^[^b^] the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be kindled and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire! ¹³But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

¹⁴Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. ¹⁵And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, ¹⁶speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. ¹⁷You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability. ¹⁸But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen

Lesson 1) First Impression

(Discuss each topic individually)

Aroused your sincere mind

Reminder

Predictions of the holy prophets

Commandment of the Lord

Scoffers scoff

Where is the promise of His coming?

Fathers fell asleep

All things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation

Ignore facts

Water and Fire

Lesson 2) First Impression

(Discuss each topic individually)

One day is as a thousand years

Not slow about His promise

Forbearing toward you

Not wishing that any should perish

All should reach repentance

Like a thief

Heavens pass away

Loud noise

Elements dissolved

Lesson 3) First Impression

(Discuss each topic individually)

With all to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be

Lives of holiness and godliness

What is the key to 2 chron 7 14

Hastening the day of the Lord

New Heavens and New Earth

In which righteousness dwells

Lesson 4) First Impression

(Discuss each topic individually)

Be zealous

What is the key to 5 6 5

Some things in them hard to understand

Ignorant and unstable twist

As they do the other scriptures

Beware

Stability

Grow in grace, knowledge

Glory

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Letters of John Lesson 1 of 16 – 1 John 1:1-4

Before we read Peter’s letters, we spent ten lessons on Peter’s life in the Gospels. John has his own gospel, so we won’t do that here, but let’s do some Bible trivia.

Who wrote the letters of John?

Was John a disciple or an apostle?

Who was John’s brother?

Did John have a nickname?

How did Jesus feel about John?

Did John have anything to do with Jesus’s family?

How did John live?

How did he die?

What could be a basis for holding John in high esteem?

My first task to prepare was to pull out one of my mom’s old Bibles to see what kind of study Bible it was. Naturally or rather supernaturally the paper that fell out was on 1-2 John 1. I’ve never heard of 1-2 John 1, but it was surely a sign.

My first inclination was to go back to the Revised Standard Study Bible I used for Peter, but I figured I could branch out a little maybe. This source calls the first letter not a letter, but a treatise or sermon. John did not even attach his name to his letters, so its authorship is based on evidence and similarity to the gospel. The letter has two purposes: to correct false teaching (where have we heard that) and to deepen the spiritual life of its readers. That is our purpose in this and I think we should do well in this study.

Next, I went to my college era NIV study Bible. This is the Bible I read as I matured from a kid to an almost man. Apparently, I read the introduction to 1 John along the way as it has all the things I used above except death before I even looked.

In a what I can only attribute to the miracle of God, the next study Bible I looked at had four tabs demarking pages in 1 John, and John 21. So we will read John 21 soon too. I will read from this Bible as I prepare, but since it is the NLT, I will not use it to read from.

Any finally I looked at The Wesley Study Bible, another of my mom’s. John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist church my mother and I grew up in, so it figures she would have a Bible based on how Wesley used it. I have a book that includes several of Wesley’s “famous” sermons. I tried to read it, but they are sermons and were meant to be heard. I think I will use this version to read. Its only logical, right?

1 John 1:1-4 New Revised Standard Version

1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ²this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— ³we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴We are writing these things so that our^[^a^] joy may be complete.

First Impression?

Verse 1

We declare. John was an expert. He was not debating, he was stating as fact. How important is it for us to know what we say is truth?

From the beginning. The truth of God never changes. How important is it for us to know that everything the Bible fits together, even if we do not understand?

Heard, seen, looked at, touched. How important is it for us to talk about the things we have heard, seen, looked at, and touched?

Word of Life. What is your mental response to the phrase Word of Life and how would you share that with others and why would you share it with others?

Verse 2

What is the distinction between God revealing things and “everyone” knowing them?

Eternal life. How is this eternal life different from what we will experience in heaven and doe sit matter, and if so, why?

With the Father. Is John putting in the importance of the relationship between Jesus and God the Father or am I just reading something in where there is nothing?

Revealed to us. God reveled these things to John and the disciples and apostles, but they were also further revealed by them to others and others to us. What comes next?

Verse 3

Fellowship with us. Why is it necessary to share Christianity to share fellowship? If not fellowship, what do we share with others when we do these same things?

Verse 4

Our joy may be complete. Or Your joy may be complete. What is the difference?

What does joy being complete mean to you?

Bigger Topics

So rather than dig into the next verses, I wanted to look back at these first four.

As a whole, how does this set up the discussion of what is true or not true about Christianity that is coming?

How often do we plan out our letters? How often do we plan out our sermons? Has anyone ever written a treatise?

My Bible study using the NLT says John wrote this letter into a world where Christians were over Jesus coming back quickly and were conforming to the world. Is not this an ever present condition of the church?

It says they were not standing up for Christ and what Christ commanded. Again, is that not happening today?

Have any of you ever believed something to be true, argued about it with all you had, only to find out you were wrong? How can we know that what we argue about is right and always right?

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Lesson 2 – 1 John 1:5-7 New Revised Standard Version

⁵This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; ⁷but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. First Impression?

Bite size chunks, maybe – basically me reading it over again?

God is light
In Him there is no darkness at all
Fellowship with Him
Walking in darkness
We lie
Do not do what is true
Walk in the light
As He Himself is in the light
Fellowship with one another
The Blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin

How do you hold the concept of darkness in your mind?
How do you hold in your mind the concept of God is light?
Good, pure, true, holy, reliable. The study guides attempt to define light. Do you feel that you understand the “definition” of God is light well enough to tell it to another believer? A seeking non-believer? A non-believer in full denial?
No darkness at all. What is darkness when you compare it to your definition of light?
What does light do to darkness? And how has it made you a better Christian?
John’s first part of the message “we” are to pass along is that God is light and there is no darkness at all in Him. What issue was at hand that John led with this concept of no darkness in God at all?
From verse 6, the topic is walking in darkness as compared to having fellowship with God. In essence, false teachers were saying that if you were saved, you could sin all you wanted because you were still going to heaven so trying to be good or trying not to be bad had no consequence. Therefore, they wanted to live sinful lives and not be called out for it. Does this concept resonate with Christians today?
To lie. What is the difference between saying I did not steal that candy and saying stealing that candy was not a sin?
Do not do what is true. This battle between doing good or doing evil; do you have methods to discern your path for choosing good over evil, or what is true over what is false, or what is not a sin and what also not a sin?
I read Leviticus 1 today it spoke about the sacrifice being an atonement. The blood of the sacrifice cleanses us. How do you explain the concept in verse 7 that if we walk in the light, then His blood cleanses us from all sin?
What is the difference between being saved and choosing to walk in the light or the darkness?
One guide has a list of Mega themes. How can there be a number of mega themes in a little letter? Say treatise. Megathemes include Sin, Love, Family of God, Truth and Error, and Assurance.
How does the concept of megathemes work as you read the bible? Memorize the bible? Study the bible?
How often do you realize you are choosing to walk in fellowship with good and do what is true over just do? How often do you recognize that you do not do something to avoid sin?

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Lesson 3 – 1 John 1:8-10 New Revised Standard Version

⁸If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

First Impression?

No sin. What is the problem with perfectionism? How do we overcome it?

Deceive ourselves. Why are we the ones we lie to the most?

Truth in us. How do we overcome the tendency to lie to ourselves?

Confess. Do the Catholics have it right requiring telling someone about your sin?

Faithful and just. How does “just” clarify what it means for God to be faithful?

If we confess, He will forgive. If we are saved, are our sins not already forgiven?

Cleanse us. What is the difference between being forgiven and being cleansed?

Unrighteousness. What is the benefit of living cleansed from unrighteousness?

If we lie, we make Him a liar? How does the logic work here and where does logic play into the life we lead for Christ?

His word is not in us? What is the difference between His Word not being in us and the Holy Spirit not being in us?

Gnostics said there was no sin. How does this concept appear in our world today?

John’s audience is not just believers, it is non-believers participating in the church will yet sinners. Our church should also have non-believers in it as they seek to fill the whole in their hearts. How are we to incorporate this fact into our church life?

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Lesson 4 – 1 John 2:1-6 New King Kames

1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. 4 Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; 5 but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: 6 whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked.

First Impression?

Student D asked the question “If we all sin, why does it say: “If anyone does sin”? (and no, Student D is not a D student. That is student…)

Another student asked another question. It took forever to stop talking about it. But I asked the same student to answer both questions first and I forget the second question. It had something to do with living as Jesus did. (I remember because the phrase “What would Jesus do?” kept running through my head. I am sure I will remember about three seconds after I finally post this.)

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Lesson 5 – 1 John 2:7-17 New International Version

⁷Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

⁹Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister^[^a^] is still in the darkness. ¹⁰Anyone who loves their brother and sister^[^b^] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ¹¹But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

¹²I am writing to you, dear children,
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
¹³I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.

¹⁴I write to you, dear children,
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,
    and the word of God lives in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

¹⁵Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[^c^] is not in them. ¹⁶For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

First Impression?

Did John have a specific purpose to confuse the reader about which command he wrote about?

What is meant by the “darkness is passing”?

What is the “true light already shining”?

What is hate?

How do we help others not stumble?

Where are the “blinded” going?

Children, Fathers, Young Men? Is there a purpose to this pattern?

Is there an aspect of believers vs. non-believers in this discussion of brothers, sisters, fathers, men?

What does it mean to not love anything in the world?

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life? Does this cover all sin? All the activities of the world?

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Lesson 6 – 1 John 2:18-29 New International Version

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.[a] 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

First Impression?

Last Hour, Anitchrist, Did not really belong to us: Do we picture antichrists as false teachers? Do we behave accordingly?

Liar, antichrist, deny Jesus: Do we picture antichrists as non-christians? Do we behave accordingly?

No father, without Christ, with Christ as Father: Is the phrase “whoever is not against us is for us” or “whoever is for us is not against us”? What difference does it make? Do your paradigms need to change?

Lead you astray: Have you ever questioned whether someone was trying to lead you astray? If so, how did you respond?
Confident, Unashamed, Righteous, Anointed, Know, Acknowledges, Has, Heard, Remain, Promised Eternal Life, Real, Continue, Does what is right: So much positivity. Did you feel positive when reading these verses?
Do not need anyone to teach you: Do you agree?

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Lesson 7 – 1 John 3:1-3 New King James Version

3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of [a]God! Therefore the world does not know [b]us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

First Impression
From verse 1: Great Love, Lavished on Us, Children of God – Give examples of how God lavished this great love on you. Describe the depth of the father-child relationship in your heart.
From verse 1: Does not know us, does not know Him – How does this not being known playout in your life and how do you respond?
From verse 2: Not yet been made known – Describe your thoughts on what we will be.
From verse 2: We shall be like, we shall see – Why does John introduce this unknown that will not be known in time to act on it?
From verse 3: Has this hope – What is the hope you have that you describe to others?
From verse 3: Purifies himself, is pure – What does purify and pure mean to you biblically, and in your personal life-”ly”?
Do we meet her 24^th?
Do we meet the 31^st?
Continuous improvement:
1. Are we doing what we need?
2. Do I need boundaries on how I ask questions?
3. Do I need goals in how I ask questions?

Next Lessons cover victory over sin, love for others, and confidence before God. Great stuff

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Lesson 8 – 1 John 3:4-10 New international Version

⁴Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. ⁵But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. ⁶No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

⁷Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. ⁸The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. ⁹No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. ¹⁰This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

First Impression?

What is the purpose of the law?

In fact: In Him is no sin, He takes away our sin, sin is lawlessness. Where does this leave the law?

Accounting for verse 6, how can we sin if we live in Him? How can we have seen Him or known Him and still sin?

How can we hold verse 6 about sin and verse 7 about righteousness together at once? If we are not perfect, how can we be righteous and still miss the mark?

How difficult is it to keep from being led astray when these concepts are so complex?

Verses 8, 9 and 10 together. “continue to sin” and “go on sinning” and “not do what is right” and “not love their brother”: I feel the answer is obvious and repetitive, but how do we use this to pour into the life of others who are struggling with the desire to follow God and the desire to follow the flesh?

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Lesson 9 – 1 John 3:11-18 New International Version

¹¹For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. ¹²Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. ¹³Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,^[^a^] if the world hates you. ¹⁴We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. ¹⁵Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

¹⁶This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ¹⁸Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

First Impression?

What comes to mind when you read “love one another”?

Why is a cause of murder “his own actions were evil”?

What comes to mind when you read “his brother’s were righteous”?

The world hates you. Why is this so hard to accept?

We know because we love. How is this different from how nonbelievers love?

How can a Christian commit murder?

How do we lay down our lives?

How can we have pity?

Why are we commanded to love in actions and not words or speech?

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Lesson 10 – 1 John 3:19-24 New International Version

¹⁹This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²²and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. ²³And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. ²⁴The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

First Impression?

What is importance of knowing we belong to the truth?

What is the benefit of setting our hearts at rest in His presence?

Have you done that before? Set your heart at rest?

Our hearts condemn us. Is this guilt? How does this happen?

God is greater than our hearts. What does this mean to you?

He knows everything. How does this bother you?

Confidence before God. Is this a good thing?

Anything we ask? How often do you ask what He delivers?

Verse 23. Is this one command? Two? A new one? The same? Who is He?

Can anyone keep His commands without the Holy Spirit living in them?

When was the last time you knew the Holy Spirit was leading you against what you wanted to do?

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Lesson 11 – 1 John 4:1-6 New International Version

1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ²This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

⁴You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ⁵They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit^[^a^] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

First Impression?

How many spirits have you run across, and did you remember to test them?

So, John does not mean literal spirits, but concepts that are being presented. When you hear a new concept, do you have a process for testing its validity or do you just listen and go on with your life?

Acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. What about Jesus makes this important and what did you learn from others when discussing this topic?

Does not acknowledge Jesus. How long of a conversation did you have with someone who denied Jesus and what was your takeaway?

What is the differentiator between acknowledging, not acknowledging, and denying?

God is greater than those of the world. What if those in the world do not believe this? How does this impact our relationships to them?

Those who do not believe will listen to the words of those who also do not believe and not listen to those who believe. Those who believe will listen to others who believe. How do we use this information to direct our interactions with others?

Truth or Falsehood. We can recognize it, we seem to be able to use this recognition to determine if those who hear us are believers or not. Is this for judging or if not, what is it for?

How have you used the resources discussed here in your life? Do you need to grow?

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Lesson 12 – 1 John 4:7-21 New International Version

⁷Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

¹³This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ¹⁶And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

¹⁹We love because he first loved us. ²⁰Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ²¹And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 – First Impression?

2 – Love. (7-12) This is a huge passage. How do you feel about love and what actions do you take because of it?

3 – What is love without Christ?

4 – His Spirit. (13-16) What is life with the Spirit and no love?

5 – We are like Jesus. (17) How did Jesus love?

6 – Fear. How does fear hinder your life?

7 – Hate. How does hate differ from love?

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Lesson 13 – 1 John 5 New International Version

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 – First Impression?

2 – Believe, Love, Love, Commands, – Why does God not list out the commands?

3 – Overcomes, victory, overcomes – What is this overcoming and how does it look in your life?

4 – Water, blood, Spirit – Anyone know what born of water is? What does born of blood mean to you? How does the Spirit fit in as part of the set?

5 – Testifies, testify, agreement, testimony, testimony, testimony, etc. – How do you understand the testimony of the water? How do you understand the testimony of the bold? How do you understand the testimony of the Spirit?

6 – Human testimony – Why do we accept human testimony?

7 – God’s testimony is better because He is God. – How does this factor into your thoughts on Jesus claiming to be God?

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Lesson 14 – 1 John 5:13-21 New International Version

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

First Impression?

So that you may know – How has studying this book helped you know your situation?

Ask and know – I believe spiritual maturity is exemplified in what we pray for. How have your prayers changed?

There is sin that does not lead to death. – How does it differ from sin that leads to death?

Should we not pray about the sin that leads to death?

All wrongdoing is sin. – Do we live this way?

Evil one – Do we look at the world as the realm of the evil one?

Idols – Was this an adder or was it the way John wrapped up this whole message?

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Lesson 15 – 2 John New International Version

1 The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

First Impression?

Who does the lady chosen by God represent?

Who do her children represent?

Somebody on Sunday mentioned seeing everyone we love in heaven. I had a favorite song in college about reaching heaven to find a line of everyone who you helped get there ready to thank you for doing so. What is your Biblical understanding of how our loving relationships here on earth relate to the rewards we will receive in heaven?

Grace, mercy, and peace …with us in truth and love. Receiving what we do not deserve, not receiving what we do deserve, and rest in God combined with the truth of Jesus and God’s love for us. When we have these, what should our life be like?

John talks about joy in finding the love of God in the disciples of one of his disciples. Has anyone yet experienced this? What did it push you to do?

Love. This is the mechanism that we have before s to make disciples. How is this different from the methods you have seen used by people to make disciples?

Deceivers. John identifies deceivers as those who deny Christ came in the flesh. He teaches that they are to not be welcome nor taken into your house. In my mind this is like letting a Muslim choir member stay in your house for an evangelism tour. How do we differentiate the command to love and the command to not welcome deceivers?

John wants to visit his old disciples. How do you experience this want and how do you discern who to invest in?

How does the sentiment of the children of your sister, who is chosen by God, apply to those in your life?

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Lesson 16 – 3 John New International Version

¹The elder,

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

²Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. ³It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. ⁴I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

⁵Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,^[^a^] even though they are strangers to you. ⁶They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. ⁷It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. ⁸We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

⁹I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. ¹⁰So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

¹¹Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. ¹²Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

¹³I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. ¹⁴I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.

First Impression?

Good health. After I read my verse in Job today, I want to ask how important is good health?

Your soul is getting along well. What do you assume this means about Gaius?

When you pray that all may go well with someone, what do you mean?

Is their any difference between “your soul is going along well” and “walking in faithfulness”?

Strangers. Do you consider other Christians as strangers?

Diotrephes. What does “loves to be first” mean to you?

How would you characterize the actions of Diotrephes and do you see this in our church?

Imitate good. Why imitate?

How is Demetrius different from Diotrephes?

How can you write something without pen and ink? Why is John saying this and why is it in the Bible?

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The Letter of Jude – Lesson 1 of 3 – Jude 1-7 – New International Version

¹Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,

To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

²Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

³Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. ⁴For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

⁵Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. ⁶And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. ⁷In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

1 – First Impression

2 – Why does it matter who Jude is? Why does he not say he is Christ’s brother?

3 – Does the phrase “kept in Christ” have special meaning for you?

4 – In abundance. Do we carry this promise with us every moment of every day?

5 – Salvation. It is as if Jude has been asked to tell the audience about their future, and yet he chose to talk to them about contending for the faith. Any thoughts on why?

6 – God’s Holy People. Who does he mean?

7 – Written long ago. Why is it so hard to accept that some will suffer eternally?

8 – Angels abandoned their proper dwelling and are held until the great Day. What aspect of our relationship to God is being demonstrated by this comparison to angels?

9 – Sexual immorality and perversion. What is the difference in how we expect Christians to behave and how we expect the lost to behave?

10 – The letter is relatively short, but a host of new topics follows before we resolve some of these themes. Ignoring what come next, what has God shown you today?

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The Letter of Jude – Lesson 2 – Jude 8-13 – New International Version

⁸In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. ⁹But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” ¹⁰Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.

¹¹Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

¹²These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. ¹³They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

1 – First Impression

2 – Strength of their dreams. What kind of dreams do you think they are having?

3 – Pollute Bodies and Reject Authority. Are we any different?

4 – Heap abuse on celestial beings. How is this different from anything else?

5 – The very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. Why is Jude talking about instinct? What can we learn?

6 – What is the way of Cain?

7 – What is Balaam’s error?

8 – What is Korah’s rebellion?

9 – What is a love feast?

10 – Shepherds, clouds, blown along, autumn trees, wild waves, wandering stars. Any of these resonant with you?

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The Letter of Jude – Lesson 3 – Jude 14-25 – New International Version

¹⁴Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones ¹⁵to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” ¹⁶These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

¹⁷But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. ¹⁸They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” ¹⁹These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

²⁰But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

²²Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

²⁴To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

1 – First Impression

2 – Who are the Holy Ones and who is Him? (verse 14)

3 – Grumblers and faultfinders, boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. How are we any different?

4 – What does “building yourselves up in your most holy faith” mean to you?

5 – Praying in the Holy Spirit? How is this different from any prayer?

6 – Keep yourselves in God’s love. How would you recommend doing this to someone who is struggling?

7 – Be merciful to those who doubt. How do you show mercy?

8 – Save others by snatching them from the fire. Is this not a cool ideal?

9 – To others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. How far do you understand this to mean we are to “hate”?

10 – How humbling to have God for a brother? What else can this knowledge have benefitted us?

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