Led by Stars and Dreams

This is the study page for the Thursday Bible Study group meeting December 27, 2012.  We will be in Matthew 2 (possibly 1 as well).

Read both chapters, 1 and 2 for context.  Read them several times, and look for odd things that don't match either within the text or with what we studied last week (this past Thursday).  There are quite a few deviations from the account in Luke beyond the obvious ones.

I hope to have a video to share about the star the Astrologers saw.  If not, we'll just plod ahead like we usually do.  If we do, it will probably take the whole time.  It's interesting and deviates from a lot of what is accepted theory about the timing of Jesus' birth.  For that reason (and that it's astronomy), I really like it.

After you jot down observations of your own, read through the chapters and consider the questions below:

• What's with the number 14?
• How does God seem to work with Joseph throughout both chapters?  What might that tell us about Joseph?
• Why are they in Bethlehem?  When did they get there?
• Where do the Astrologers go when they get to Judea?  Why go there?
• What does their inquiry tell you about what they don't know?  So, what did they learn from the stars?
• Why does Herod ask the religious people?  Why would he ask them about "the King of Jews"?
• If the religious people know where, why do they remain in Jerusalem?  What does that tell us about their estimation of the Astrologers?
• What really guides the Astrologers, and what is their response to it?
• Where are Joseph and Mary living when the Astrologers arrive?
• What do the visitors do when they see Jesus and His mom?
• What other options for routes do the Astrologers have to return to the east?
• Where does God send the family?  Why there?
• What does Herod do once he realizes he's been duped?  Why those particular ages?  What does that tell us about the timing of the stellar event?
• Why would there be little to no reliable extra-biblical historical record of such a massacre?
• Why does the family finally return to Israel?  Why not Bethlehem?
• How familiar does Nazareth seem to this story?
• Why Nazareth?  What's the "prophetic reference"? 
• If this is a reference to a "Nazarite Vow" (Numbers 6:1-21), what is the problem?

We will either go over these passages or the video.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

For To You Is Born...

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting, Thursday, December 20.  The passage is Luke 2 instead of Acts 14.

Read through the chapter several times.  It may be helpful to read Chapter 1 because that has a lot of detail that is assumed in this chapter.  As you read through Chapter 2, look for things that seem odd, or out of place.  Look for things that "don't match" and consider who is doing what and to whom are things being done.

After reading through a few times yourself, writing down observations and questions, consider the questions below as you read through again.

• When did all this happen?
• What's the census for?
• Why go to the family cities?
• What is the status of Joseph and Mary?
• What might have been some difficulties along the road from Nazareth?
• What was everyone doing in Bethlehem?
• If shepherds were out in the fields, what was the weather like, most likely?
• What can you guess about what the angel looked like?
• Once the angel makes the announcement, who shows up?  What do they do?
• Once they leave, how long does it take the shepherds to find the manger?
• What do they do once they find the baby?
• What do the shepherds do after seeing the child?
• What does Mary do after they leave?
• What is the common theme with anyone connected to the child?
• Why the eighth day for circumcision?
• Look up Leviticus 12:1-8, why the pigeon or turtle dove?
• What is Simeon's guarantee from the Spirit?
• What things are included in Simeon's address to Mary?
• What is Anna's "job"? Is it unusual for a woman to be a "prophet"? (see 2 Kings 22:8-20)
• What does Anna do with Jesus?
• What theme continues with those encountering Jesus?
• After the "purification" and "dedication", where did they go?
• So how long were they in Bethlehem? 
• What sort of parenting do Joseph and Mary provide to Jesus the Teenager if they leave without Him?
• Why would they be so lax?
• How many days was He missing in total?  How did He survive that long?
• What was Jesus doing in Jerusalem?  
• What is the significance that He was sitting and asking questions?
• What did the teachers think? Look up "astonished"/"amazed" (G1839).  What was the problem with which they grappled?
• What were Jesus' parents response?  What is odd about Mary's question?
• What does Jesus' answer to her reveal about what He knows about Himself?
• Knowing what He does about Himself, what would His 'submission' have looked like?

That's probably enough.  Keep some of these items in mind for the following week.  I suspect there will be some questions to be addressed next week about timing.

See everyone Thursday!

Blessings of Christmas upon each of you!

From Saul to Paul to "Point"

This is the study page for the Thursday night study on December 13.  The passage is as much of Acts 13 as we can get through.

Read the chapter through a few times.  It might be good to read on to 14 as well, but at least several times through 13 will be helpful.  As you read, look for incongruities, odd wording or sentence structures, things that aren't explained, or are explained but not as expected.  Write these things down and also questions you have as you read.

As you read through a final few times, consider the questions below:

• It says these were "prophets and teachers" but who does which?
• Who is first? Who is last?
• What does "Niger" mean?  (G3526)
• Who is "Herod the Tetrarch"?
• If Manaen was raised with this Herod, where was he raised?
• Why is it fitting that Barnabas would sail first to Cyprus?
• What does Bar-Jesus (G919) mean? How is that ironic?
• What does "Paulus" (G3972) mean?
• What does Elymas (G1681) mean? How is that a translation/interpretation of Bar Jesus?
• Saul, aka "Paul" (also G3972) has the same name as the Proconsul.  How might that be significant?
• What amazed Sergius Paulus, Proconsul of Cyprus?
• Now who is first? Who is last?
• What happened to "John"?
• Where is Pisidian Antioch? Why would this be a good place to start a church?  What about the people might have made it difficult?  What about them might have made it easier?
• Paul gives a short account of Israel's history, then notes John the Baptist.  Why mention him?
• Paul quotes a few Psalms and some prophets.  Look up the references.  How does he do with the meaning of those passages?
• As Paul and Barnabas leave, how do the people respond?
• Look up "God-Fearing" or "devout" (G4576) - what does that tell you about these "proselytes"?
• What happens the next Sabbath? What does that tell you/confirm to you about these people?
• Why are the Jews upset?  Why be jealous?
• What is Paul and Barnabas' response to the "blaspheming Jews"?
• So, which group seems to respond the most to the gospel?
• Yet, who do the religious leaders stir up against Paul and Barnabas? Again, the (G4576) word is used.
• Now where are they off to?

That should be enough for us.  Remember to use any maps you have access to, and any other references you find helpful.  This is just the start of a new aspect to the work of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts.  We will see much more of this in the coming weeks.

Consider for next week, what do you think about switching to a study of Jesus' birth until New Years'?  That could be fun, and certainly timely.  Let me know what you think.

Feeding Popular Opinion and Worms

This is the study page for Chapter 13 of Acts for the study group session on Thursday, December 6.  We're also feeding the Infiltrate group, so this study may be put off a week.  On either week, this is the study page.

Be sure and read through the chapter a few times.  Be sure and look up Herod so you know something about him (more than the footnote in your study Bible).  The ISBE article on The Blue Letter Bible site should be sufficient.  The first problem will be figuring out which Herod we have in chapter 13.  Here is a link to get you started.

Also look for those things that seem odd or out of place.  Look for details that are interesting or intriguing.  Once you've gone through and made your own set of notes and questions, go through again and use the questions below:

• This seems sudden.  From any research on Herod, why him, why now?
• There is not much said about James' death, not like Stephen, what is that weird?
• How is this king able to get the "apostles", especially the top three so easily?
• What seems odd about Peter's imprisonment?
• What seems very beneficial about the timing?  What does that mean for Peter though?
• How long were people praying for Peter?
• What does the angel do to wake Peter up?  Why is that odd?
• Consider what could have been seen by the guards if someone had noticed Peter leaving.  Why is it impossible that he was seen?
• How did the two soldiers he was chained to not miss him earlier?
• How many facets does this miracle actually have?  How many more are possible?
• So, is this the Angel of the Lord, or just an angel of the Lord?
• What does Peter assume as he's leaving the prison?  Why would he assume that?
• When Peter realizes what happened and where he is, where is he?  Where is the angel?
• What does Peter do first?  Where does he go?  What character is introduced?
• Who answers the door?  Look closer, who answers the door?
• What do the people think about poor Rhoda?  Why?
• What is odd about what they were praying about, who is at the gate, and how they respond?
• What does Peter tell them?  Why James?  What does that tell you about the "authority" of the "Twelve"?
• What does the morning bring at the prison?
• Who is looking for Peter?  What happens to the guards?  Who's the victim here?
• What is being setup between the people of Phoenicia and Tyre and King Herod?
• How do the people (which people?) respond to the king's speech?
• How does God respond to the king's response to the people's response to the king's speech?
• What happens to the church?
• What is the timing of these events?  
• Who returns with Barnabas and Saul?

That is plenty for our discussion.  You probably have a lot of questions not listed here, so please bring them with you.  I look forward to seeing you all Thursday!

Blessings upon you until then!