Capturing God

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting February 23 to study Luke 22:39 through 53.  This is a smaller chunk, but I wanted to take the trial and denial in one sitting.  The parallels to this are in Matthew 26:36-56 and Mark 14:32-52.  But also read John 18:1-12.

If you have time to read this in various translations, you will some variety in word choice, but the essential meaning remains in each.  The passage breaks nicely into two parts, Jesus' prayer and arrest.  John only has the arrest, unless you count John 17 as the prayer in the Garden.  Most readers don't, because it's simply too different. 

Each Gospel writer emphasizes something different.  Focus on Luke's emphasis, but to do that, you'll need to at least see how he's different from the others.  If you have a "Harmony of the Gospels" you will find this task a lot easier.  The Blue Letter Bible site (not the app) has one if you don't.

Make sure to take good notes and questions as you go through the Gospel accounts.  After you have your own notes and questions, refer to commentaries you have available.  Revise your notes and questions as necessary.  After your own work go back through with the questions below:

• Gethsemane is supposed to be on the Mount of Olives.  But Luke isn't that precise.  The others are, so we know Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Why do you think Luke would not include such a detail?
• In Luke 21:37, Luke includes the detail that Jesus "camped" out on the Mount of Olives rather than stay in some house in the city.  Since there were so many pilgrims in Jerusalem, this isn't odd.  But what does that also tell you of the "privacy level" of the Mount of Olives at this time?
• In the other Gospels, Peter, James, and John are singled out to follow Jesus deeper into the garden.  Why do you think Luke would leave out such a detail?
• In Luke Jesus instructs all the disciples to pray and in Matthew and Mark only tells the three to "keep watch".  Why do you think Luke is more inclusive and focus' on prayer here?
• In Matthew and Mark both, Jesus prays three times.  Luke has only once, but it's intense.  See if your favorite translation footnotes verse 43 and 44.  If they don't it's not important, but it's possible these verses were added later.  Why do you think that would be unlikely?
• Luke is the only Gospel writer to mention why the disciples were so tired.  What do you think Luke means by "...from sorrow"?  What do you think they are grieving?
• Luke has the crowd show up immediately while Jesus is telling them to pray to avoid temptation (repeating His earlier command).  What is interesting to you about Luke's crowd (v.47) as opposed to the other Gospels (including John)?
• Matthew and Mark explain the kiss of Judas, Luke says he tried to kiss but Jesus didn't let him, and John doesn't even mention any sort of attempt by Judas.  What do you think happened?
• Then there was sword play.  The servant has his ear cut off.  In Matthew and Mark someone does it.  In Luke someone does it but Jesus heals it.  And in John Peter does it to Malchus.  What do you do with the differences?
• In Matthew, Jesus tells them that to live by the sword one dies by the sword, and that He has legions of angels to fight if it were warranted.  In Mark, Jesus just moves on to address the "angry mob".  In Luke, Jesus simply says to stop it (then heals the man).  In John, Jesus addresses Peter telling him not to prevent this from happening (allusion to the Garden prayers in the other Gospels?).  So what do you think happened?
• Now, in verse 52, Luke has the make up of the crowd.  Matthew has a crowd from the chief priest and elders with swords and clubs.  Mark has a crowd with swords and clubs.  Luke finally mentions the make up but the chief priests and and officers of the temple are actually there.  And John continues to refer to the Roman soldiers, a detail missing from all the others.  Why do you think such details might have been difficult to sort out from this event?
• What Jesus says to the crowd is similar in Matthew, Mark, and Luke; but very different in John.  Luke has Jesus referring to "this hour and the power of darkness" which is missing from the others, and John has Jesus going out to them, and them literally falling down at His approach.  Again, why do you think these details might be difficult to sort out?
• Read verse 53 of Luke in a couple of translations.  At least use a King James and an NIV.  It's even better to have a New American Standard or English Standard Version with those.  Literally, the verse reads: "...but this is of you the hour and the power of darkness."  The pronoun "this" matches exactly with the objects "hour" and "power".  What do you think Jesus means by the "power of darkness" being of them?

That should keep us busy for the time we have.  Remember to consider this passage as it applies to you?  For instance, when have you ever tried to solve a problem God doesn't have (with a sword, screw driver, or sack of groceries)?  There are other points of application you can find.  Make sure those make it into your notes.

Persistent Widows and Humble Tax Collectors

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting October 13 to study Luke 18:1-14.  This passage is made up of two parables both with similar literary introductions.  They probably stand on their own, and Luke includes them here as separate elements.  From the remainder of the chapter we learn that Jesus is still heading south to Jerusalem, but that's all we know about the setting.

Read through both parables in at least two very different translations.  Note where the two sets of translators made very different choices.  Try reducing the point of each parable into one simple sentence (one sentence for each).  Make notes on the various elements, note questions and so on.

Once you have your own notes, look at the notes of other commentaries or study Bibles.  Revise your notes and questions as you like.  Only at this point go back through the passage with the questions below:

• Luke gives the point of the first parable as teaching to always pray without giving up.  These two parables are the only place Luke uses such a literary introduction.  How do you think this helps the reader (or listener) get the most out of the parable?
• The judge does not fear God nor respect people.  Why do you think such a person would be a "judge"?  Later Jesus refers to him as an "unjust" judge.  This is ironic, partly because of the comparison with God.  Why do you think Jesus would use such characters in a parable?
• If the widow knows the character of the judge, and has no leverage with him, why do you think she would persist in coming to him?
•  The judge, as we would expect, ignores her.  But his explanation of why he eventually listens to her is that she bothers him.  What do you think this says of God?  What do you learn here from this?
• Jesus then says God will act swiftly on behalf of His elect.  Consider again the intro to the parable.  If God is swift, why is the parable needed?
• Jesus then asks if He will find faith on the earth when He comes.  When do you think He is referring here?  Is this His return or when He passes through on the way to Jerusalem?
• In verse 9, we have a similar literary structure for the introduction to the parable.  There are two parts to the problem with the target audience.  Which one do you consider more severe?
• The prayer of the Pharisee is made up of what he says, but also his physical stance.  Why do you think our physical stance matters to God?
• The Pharisee prays a prayer of thanksgiving.  But considering what he is thankful for, who do you think he is really thankful to?
• The tax collector's physical stance is different.  What do you think his stance shows about his attitude here?
• Consider what the tax collector says.  He's not thankful but asks for something.  Without considering the detailed content, we might think that was presumptuous, but the content makes it clear he's not.  So how can prayer "structures" distract us from prayers that truly honor God?
• The result of each prayer was supposed to be justification (see v.14).  What do you think your prayers would sound like if this were your goal of prayer?  How often is justification your goal in prayer?
• Only one prayer of the two achieved the goal of justification.  Once again, the tax collector is the hero and the Pharisee is the antagonist.  Considering the make up of Jesus' traveling party, why do you think He would choose these characters?

There is plenty more we can discuss on Thursday.  Be sure to bring your notes.  And pray through this week.  That seems to be the consistent theme, pray.

Hostess Heartache and Modeling Prayer

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 28 to study Luke 10:38 through 11:13.  We are crossing a chapter boundary, which is weird for us, but I think it will work out.

This passage (or these two passages) are probably familiar, but as the characters are available in other Gospels, and the format Jesus gives for prayer has a parallel, we'll be plenty occupied with them.  Be sure to read these through several times.  Also check out references to other passages.  There should be some that refer to John 11, and others that refer you to Matthew 6:9-15.

Read through the passages in several translations.  Be sure to read the parallel passage in Matthew and perhaps John 11 (the raising of Lazarus).  Jot down questions and insights you have from them.  Read a commentary or two (those on Blue Letter Bible are pretty good). Revise your questions and insights, and bring these notes with you Thursday.

After you've gone through that, go back through the questions below:

• In Luke's narrative, Jesus is traveling to Jerusalem.  From John we learn that they live in Bethany, a short distance from Jerusalem.  So where is Jesus and this "village"?
• The word for what Martha is doing before she approaches Jesus is a word "pulled around" like what a rider would do when he wheels a horse around or a formation of soldiers might do to turn around to go the opposite way.  How do you imagine Martha in this scene?  What does what she's doing, look like to you?
• The word for "approached" can imply that she shows up suddenly in a surprising manner.  What do you think this question and request of hers reveals about her motivation for what she was doing?
• Look at Martha's question she begins with in a few different translations.  What do you sense is Martha's attitude here?
• Martha sounds on the surface like she wants Mary to help be a good hostess, in other words, to show hospitality to Jesus.  What do you see in this short dialogue that might argue against that surface meaning?
• Jesus' response is probably the most famous part of this passage.  What do you think Mary has chosen over what Martha has chosen?
• There is a break, and now Jesus is praying.  For Luke this still happens as Jesus has set if face to go to Jerusalem, so it's on the way.  Where is this passage in Matthew?  What do you think is the timing of Jesus' teaching on prayer?
• Matthew's version is longer.  But each has many different variants of this prayer.  Why do you think Jesus' model of prayer might have so many slight differences between editions?
• Luke really seems to have abbreviated his version of the prayer.  Little things on the end of each statement were left off.  Considering the different sources used by Matthew and Luke (see Luke 1:1-4), which do you think might be closer to what Jesus taught? 
• Which do you find more remarkable, the elements that are the same or the differences between Matthew and Luke?
• Considering the elements that are the same between Matthew and Luke, what are the basic, consistent elements to prayer that Jesus provides His disciples?  Why do you think those elements are so important?
• In Matthew 6:14, 15 the point Jesus emphasizes is forgiveness.  What's the emphasis in Luke?  Why do you think they would have different emphases?

This is enough to get us thinking.  Also be thinking about where you have been Martha, and Mary in your relationship with Jesus.  And think through what you say when you pray in relation to the model Jesus provides.

Choosing Followers; Giving Marching Orders

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 3 to study Luke 6:12 through as far as we get.  We probably won't get much further than the choosing of the Twelve.

Seeing the choosing and the immediately following sermon as connected ties who was chosen to the 'job description' for the position.  These can be disconnected, but I believe in Luke's mind they are very closely connected.  The main reason is that, between them, the distinct grammatical element of "Now it happened..." (v.1), or "And it came to pass..." found in verse 1 and 12 is missing in verse 17.  This construction also appears in verse 6 but is left untranslated in nearly every translation due to a textual variant leaving it out.  Luke has used this structure nearly every time he transitions from one event to another.  So that it's missing in verse 17 is something to consider.

If you're still awake, go ahead and read through the remainder of the chapter.  Keep in mind that this passage generally parallels Matthew 5 through 7.  Reading them together is helpful, but can also be confusing.  Matthew doesn't connect the sermon to the selection of the Twelve, but does mention the disciples.  He also has more than double the amount of sayings of Jesus; many of which do not occur in Luke at all (others are located in other places in Luke).

But we may not get further than the distinct differences between the different lists of the Twelve this week.  For comparison, these lists are found in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Acts 1:13 (also by Luke).  Some name differences, like two, are easy to reconcile.  Others can be, but some can't. So work through them, but also be ready to accept that we just simply don't know.

The order of study should be to read the passage first, jotting down your own thoughts and questions.  Only after you have studied on your own should you look at other sources.  Let the Spirit lead you first so He can point out to you the areas He wants to work on in your life; your own AHA moments.

After you have a good handle on the passage, let me shake it up a little as you go through the questions below.  These only go through the selection of the Twelve and the setup for the sermon.

• What does it reveal to you about the Trinity that Jesus has the need to pray all night before He selects the Twelve?
• Jesus selects twelve of His disciples and designates them apostles.  Considering that the word apostle basically meant "emissary" or simply "someone on a mission for someone else", why do you think this designation was used here?
• Andrew, the brother of Peter makes the top, right behind his brother. In Matthew he's in the same place, in Mark though he's buried in the middle.  Since Mark gets his material from Peter, why do you think he would put Andrew so much lower?
• At least Andrew is in every list.  In Luke, who is this other "Judas" (see also John 14:22), and where is Thaddeus?  And why does no one include Nathaniel (see John 1:45)?
• Consider the other lists.  What do you think about differences in order?
• In Matthew 5, the sermon occurs on a mountain (Matthew 5:1).  Here Luke has Jesus descending to a "level place".  Considering the content similarities why do you think that the "places" are different?
• Luke has Jesus working as He speaks.  He's healing, and people are being healed just by touching Him.  Luke mentions that the power to heal is radiating from Him.  Why do you think this element of the setting is important for the content of the sermon?
• People came from Tyre and Sidon, not just Jerusalem and Judea.  Look Tyre and Sidon up on a map.  Do you think that there were Gentiles in the group?  Why do you think the possibility might be important to Luke?

After going through the questions, consider your observations, what you've read in commentaries, and whatever you been able to glean from the questions above.  What AHA moments have you discovered in this passage?  What actions do you need to take in light of what you've discovered?

Mutual Admiration Society of Legendary Figures (MASLF for short)

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study group meeting January 22 to study 2 Samuel 7.  This is an odd chapter.  Essentially, it's a lot of superlatives connecting rejection and mutual admiration.  God speaks highly of David, so highly it's amazing.  And David speaks highly of God, humbly and meek.  It's so sappy it's sick, and yet, there are vital elements we need to consider emulating in our own relationship with God.

Read through the chapter a few times.  Look for the word usage differences between versions, however many you have.  Jot them down, note the more interesting ones, think of the similarities and differences in word meaning.  The flow of 'plot' or action isn't difficult to follow, but consider that as well.  Who is involved here?  What do they do? Then consider what they say.

After reading through a few times, making your own notes, read through again using the questions below:

• The setting is that all is going well for David.  So why do you think it bothers him that God is still in a 'tabernacle'?
• David speaks to Nathan (who's last name seems to be 'prophet') about his concern and Nathan gives him the 'go ahead'.  Why do you think Nathan would do that?  Try and ignore the rest of the chapter, what do you think Nathan is thinking?
• God corrects Nathan that night in a dream.  The first thing God addresses is the whole, 'tent' issue.  What's God's point about the tent?  Why do you think God is happy in a tent at this time?
• God then recites what He has done for David, and continues into a statement that He will 'build the house of David'.  What do you think God is doing here?  Why do you think God would take the position of 'house-builder' with David, and not the 'house dweller'?
• Verse 9 is worded strangely, in that God will make David's name 'like that of the greatest in the land."  Who else is there?  Who are these 'greatest in the land' of whom God speaks?  What do you think it means for God to word this the way He does?
• God speaks of David's death and descendants.  In a sense, God does not establish David's throne, but Solomon's.  Why word it that way?
• Nathan passes on the word of God to David.  Then David goes and sits in the Lord's presence.  Where do you think David goes?  Why is David able to go there?
• Translations vary with verse 19, especially the ending.  Essentially, it says '...and this the 'torah' of adam (human as made from dust/dirt)...'  Think about that term, 'torah of adam'.  Considering what 'torah' usually means with Scripture, what do you think it's use here might mean?
• David claims that God has done for him what He did because of God's heart and own word.  What do you think David is saying by that?  What do you think he means?
• Verse 22 is what David concludes from what God has done, what he believes about God.  What do you think is interesting about this claim, considering he and his men capture idols from their enemies?
• David then recounts that the people of Israel are unique.  Other people's considered themselves to be 'chosen' by gods to do stuff.  What do you think or see here that makes Israel different?
• Verse 25 is the turn into David's conclusion.  David now asks for what God has promised.  What does this teach you about your relationship with God?  Remember the 'Favor Of God' lessons?  How does this relate?

This isn't a long chapter, but it's not short either.  There's a lot more in it than I went over in these questions.  Be sure to bring your notes and questions as we go through it together.