My Child, Get up!!

Sorry about the 3 week pause! I have been a little busy, but have no excuse as to why I have not posted!

Luke 8: 49-56

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more."

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "she is not dead but asleep."

They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Discussion:

Okay, while thinking over these verses before I began this post, I was a little stuck. What do we discuss? The miracle of a physical saved life of Jairus' daughter? Maybe. We know that God does amazing things medically to help his children and show his amazing power. But here is what came to my mind while writing this. It was more of a spiritual meaning to me tonight.

1. How often do we not give God the credit for what we think we are in charge of making happen?

2. How many friends/ family members/marriages/ relationships have lost their way, or their faith and we have ridden them off as though their hearts have been hardened and they will never be "alive" again in Christ? Or negative attitudes we feel have no hope of changing?

3. How many churches have we seen dwindle down to almost no members and we forget to look at how God can completely turn the situation around and rebuild it? I think that faith is such an important aspect. When focusing only on our works, we just lose the divine power that drives our lives. All it takes is for God to say, "My Child, get up!" and it can and will happen. It can be as quick as that. Thank goodness for our hope in Jesus Christ!

Posting this has just given me a quick, "attitude check" boost, that I think I have greatly needed. I get so bogged down when I feel not in control of situations! That exact feeling is why I think I have avoided posting the last couple of weeks on this site! What are your thoughts on these verses? How can they change your week to come?

CB

Daughter, Your faith has healed you....

Luke 8: 40-48

There are two stories of how faith was rewarded in this passage. This week I think we will focus on Luke 8:40-48 Here is a summary if you have not read the passage.

The Woman who had an issue of Blood....

In this story, Jesus was actually on his way to Jarius' house and the crowds were so thick around him that they were almost crushing him. A woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched his cloak. Immediately her bleeding stopped.

"Who touched me?" Jesus asked. Peter told him that all of the people were crowding and pressing against him. But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all of the people she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace."

Discussion:

1. This woman must have had tremendous faith that Jesus would heal her. It is one of the only times where I can remember Jesus not know who he had healed...sort of indirectly happening. Almost not necessarily willed by the humanity of Jesus but by his spiritual conscientiousness and power. Jesus admits that he has felt that power had gone out of him, but wants to know to whom. It made me think of the Holy Spirit and how he pleads for us even when we cannot do it for ourselves. How he intercedes for us. What are your thoughts on this?

2. When the woman admits to the crowd that she had had and issue with bleeding, if they did not know, this must have been a bit embarrassing for her. She was so brave and willing to proclaim what Jesus had done for her. Are we generally this willing to share what has happened in our lives through our faith experiences? It seems like in that time, she would have really been, "putting herself out there for humiliation" as far as how society viewed women. What are your thoughts on this?

Reading for next week:

Luke 8:49-56

Hannah, A Woman of Faith

I Samuel 1-2:11---Please read this on your own, but this summarizes.

Hannah is a barren woman. She continues to ask the Lord to give her a child. Hannah tells the Lord that if he gives her a son, that she will give him back to the Lord to serve him all of the days of his life. The Lord gives Hannah a son, and she in return does what she promised. She gives takes him to the house of the Lord as soon as he was weaned and leaves him with the priests to serve God.

Discussion:

• Can you relate to this story? Please share.
• Do you think you would have kept your end of the deal in the end?
• How did Hannah's faith lead her actions?
• How does this story affect you today?

I can relate to this story, I told my husband earlier this week that we should have named our oldest son Benjamin, Samuel...because as you will find in the reading, Hannah named her son Samuel, because she asked the Lord for him. The Hebrew translation of Samuel is."heard of God."

My husband and I tried for 16 months to have our first child...while that may not be long compared to many people, it seemed long to us. Of course, everyone we knew was getting pregnant and having children. After a year, we conceived and lost a baby. This was really hard on us. After this happened, I just kept praying, and it dawned on me that God had a specific little life that he was waiting for..a child whom He already knew and had planned...and for some reason, I was at peace with that, and not as sad about things...then finally after we were really at peace with things, we conceived our son Ben. Such a challenge and such a blessing! Full knowing that God has a plan for his little life! As I have read this story, I am so impressed with Hannah, re-reading it as a mother, I am so impressed with the fact that she was able to let him go, away from her, and back to serve God. It was her faith and courage that led his outcome of being the first Judge of Israel, and such a faithful leader for God. I have tried to think of other stories in the bible where someone asks for child, and God hears their prayers, and after a time of faith, he blesses them. Here are some other people I thought of:

Elizabeth, in the New Testament, wife of Zechariah, mother of John the Baptist,

Sarah, in the Old Testament, Abraham's wife, Issac's mother, Jacob's grandmother.

Rachel, in the Old Testament, Jacob's wife, mother of Joseph and Benjamin

The consensus that I came to was that the Lord hears the prayers of a faithful women, and after enduring the wait, he bestows his blessings in ways we could never have imagined. Although it must have been hard for Hannah to give Samuel up, the Lord did bless her with more children...and I have to say, I cannot even imagine how proud she must have been of her little boy as he grew and became such a great man of God.

Next week: Luke 8:40-56

According to your faith, it will be done to you...

Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.


Discussion:
This is a small passage, but I think it holds so much wisdom from Jesus. Such a lesson about faith..."Blind Faith"....no pun intended! It can be looked at literally, because the men were actually void of sight, or figuratively, from a perspective of the men being void of "sight" which could be the wisdom of a correct path or perspective.

1. How much faith do you have that God will follow through with something when you ask it from him?
2. How often do we forget to ask, until a task or a problem is already in motion?
3. In this passage it seems that Jesus was not sure it was time for him for word to "get out" so to speak. Do you feel that there is ever a time to "keep quiet" for awhile about a prayer that has been answered for us? If so, what would kind of situation would that be?

Next weeks reading....

I Samuel Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 vs. 1-11.

Have a great week!

CB

Fall Study: Living By Faith

What Does it mean to "Live By Faith"

I have spent some time trying to think of another study for this fall, but it seems like the words are flashing in neon lights in my mind. So, that is what we are going to study. This fall I would like to encourage everyone to figure out just what living by faith means in our day to day lives. Lets look at what actions and circumstances lead us to taking leaps of faith and what the Bible teaches of the blessings that can be bestowed on us when we do.

For next week, lets read Matthew 9:27-31

Discussion:

When I was a child in elementary school we lived in Denver Co. I distinctly remember a few times when I had been having a hard week with at school, that I prayed that it would snow so hard that schools would be closed. Now understand, that if you live in Colorado, it has to be a huge blizzard and snow at least a couple of feet before schools are closed. I learned at a very early age that if you truly believe it can happen...it can..and it did. There were a few times when after I prayed, I woke up the next morning to find my parents in front of the news checking to see if schools were closed. Looking back, it was possibly just coincidence, but in my young head God had heard my prayers and I felt so blessed and excited! The power of blind innocent faith and the prayers of children I think are so powerful and heard in God's eyes. Sometimes I wish my faith was as blindly strong as it was when I was little....

Anyway, there are many more stories I could share, but for me faith is something I am always working on...and forgetting that I am not having enough of.

This week I want to encourage you to please share with us and comment on a time in life that your faith carried you. I think this will be a great way to introduce the study before we get into our readings for next week!

The Summer Study is Coming to a Close!

Just thought I would post to let you know that the end of the summer has crept up on me! We have done quite a bit of studying on the subject, "Where do you Draw the Line?". I have exhausted my materials, but I hope this has been a reflecting study for you. It has really challenged me to take a deeper look into myself and my actions. I plan to start another study, hopefully after labor day! If you have any suggestions on materials that you might want to study, please let me know. Also, if you would like to be the host of the study for a month or so, I can arrange that by having you e-mail me the lesson weekly. Please let me know if you are interested. Thanks for logging on! We will see you back next month!!
In Him,
Carrie Brown

A Brother Who Sins Against You...

Matthew 18:15-19

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. "
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Discussion:

I find it interesting that the word for BIND in vs. 18 in the Greek is: Deo with and line over the "o" and it means to tie, bind or imprison.

The word for loose in the same verse in the Greek is: lyo with a line over the "o" and it is a verb that means to loose, release, untie; to break, destroy.

I had always sort of read that verse for some reason putting in the work "LOSE" instead of Loose...which is really how it reads.

So anyway...

Questions:

• How many times to we get the order of going to our "brother or sister" a little confused?How often do we go to others before we go to the person that we feel wronged or offended by? Is that a sin on our part? This is something that I am truly working on...because it seems so much harder to get the courage up to confront someone, rather than just blow off steam to other people about the circumstance. I will admit, when I do this in the right order it really feels so great, and usually brothers and sisters in Christ who truly care about each other really want to right any situation.
• What does it mean to us to Bind things on earth? Does it mean that we are harboring ill will? Does that mean that God is binding some glorious things that we could have bestowed upon us in heaven?
• It does not say in this verse that if they completely agree with you, you have won. It says if they "listen" you have won. I think that is something I need to remind myself of. Do you have thoughts on this??? Where do you draw your lines here?

Testing the Spirits...

I John 4:1-6
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. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every Spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but 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. You, 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. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We 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 of truth and the spirit of falsehood.


The Greek word for "Spirit" in vs. 1 is pneuma which is a noun meaning spirit, heart, mind; Holy Spirit, ghost, wind, breath.

The Greek word for "test" in vs. 1 is dokimazo which is a verb that means to test, try examine, or interpret.

The Life Application NT Commentary helps to explain that in vs. 4, "Some Christians want to do this Spiritual Battle as individuals. They take the word "you" as "the spirit who lives in me" but the pronoun is plural, referring to the community of believers. Believers have the personal assurance of the Holy Spirit's presence within. But they must not attempt to do battle with Satan alone. They need others for prayer, resources, advice, guidance, protection, healing and more."

Discussion:

Okay, when I first read this, it looked really hard to explain/interpret...but while studying it I realized it is one of the most essential passages for this whole "where do you draw the line" study. As Christians born again with Christ in his death and resurrection we are lead by the Holy Spirit which serves as our conscience, heart, and our moral/Spiritual guide. Obviously, if you believe that there is a Holy Spirit from God that is guiding you, have you ever thought about the fact that Satan has his own spirits that try to deter you from your correct path??? This passage tells us that we need other Christians for prayer, and advice to sort of keep ourselves in check. It is scary that there are powerful spirits trying to mess with our hearts, minds and consciences! I think this is why it is so important to surround ourselves with Christian friends!

• How do we "test" a spirit? Are you sure you are always listening to the Holy Spirit vs. one of Satan's spirits trying to feed your mind?
• I think prayer is so important in this "game" because that is what it seems to be. Do you feel like your prayer life is where it needs to be so that other spirits cannot creep in?
• What do you believe about spiritual warfare? How do you make what seems to be an abstract concept, real and concrete in your everyday life?

This passage was so much to think about it! I hope your week is a blessed one!! Please remember Earle's mother(my husband) who is undergoing cancer tests this week and surgery.

-CB

Warnings against Idleness

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

(Paul writing to the Thessalonians)
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyones food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat. " We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet, do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Discussion:

I think that this passage is basically speaking to people who are not physically unable to work, but people who are basically being lazy and taking advantage of those in the church at Thessalonica who are willing to help. Paul is saying that, even though he was helping the church there, he worked hard, and did not expect to be taken care of for nothing. He said that he did this as an example.

• What are some situations where it can be easy to either, become idle, or possibly enable someone who is becoming idle. I think there is also sin involved in the enabling...which I am probably guilty of at times. I think this letter Paul wrote, is saying to not associate with these people so that they will not take advantage of you and because they may feel ashamed of their laziness. What are your thoughts on this topic? How do you draw your boundaries where idleness in concerned when you could possibly be dealing with not only a church family member, but possibly a real family member?

Just wanted to say, how much I appreciate those who have been involved in our discussions. I really love your comments and your perspective on things!! Keep them coming!!

CB

I Corinthians Chapter 5

Here is kind of where this chapter summarizes itself.
I Corinthians 5:9-13
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater, or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What buisness is it of mine to judge those outside the church? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you.

Discussion?????

So for the discussion this week, I think we need to define for ourselves(meaning I need to find my own definition for these things too) what it means to us to be, sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, or a slander, a drunkard or a swindler. The bible says we are to hold each other accountable...sometimes that can be really hard.

What is sexually immoral?

• What kinds of things do we watch on television or movies that might plant sexually immoral thoughts in our minds?
• How do we talk?
• If you are married, can you be sexually immoral with your spouse? Define how you can or how you can't.
• Do you know of anyone who may be having an extra-marital affair that you may not have gone to as a Christian brother or sister?

What is it to be greedy?

• Is this someone who hoards money or things or time or attention?

What is an idolater?

• Is this simply putting things in the way of our worship to God? What exactly is an idolater?

What is a slanderer?

• Is this someone who slanders God or other people or both?
• Could this be as easy as being one who constantly gossips?

What is a drunkard?

• Is this simply someone who lives a lifestyle addicted to substance?
• How much is too much?

What is a swindler?

• Is this someone who tricks you out of money or time or uses other people to their own advantages?

All of these things I need to double check myself and first ask, am I guilty of these things...and then I need to know where the line is drawn that I might need to pray with someone who is struggling in these areas....So people..this one is a little more intense...you have to go "there" a little, but where do you draw your spiritual/ moral lines here?? Thoughts? Thoughts? Please share.

CB

The Line Between Life by the Spirit and Life in Sinful Nature

Romans 8:1-16

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteousness requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation but it is not to the sinful nature to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children....

Discussion Questions:

• After reading this passage, it tells us that if Christ is in us, he gives life to our mortal bodies through his Spirit. We are obligated to not live by our own sinful nature. What does this mean to you?
• Give examples of, "the misdeeds of the body." How do we know when our line is blurring to where we are giving in to some of our own desires, and maybe our conscience has been a bit, dulled by the world we live in so that we do not hear the message that the Spirit is trying to tell us.

I John Chapter Two

Summary:

This chapter basically discusses how that Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Not only for our sins(v. 1-2) but the sins of the whole world. Jesus is our advocate.

A few passages in this chapter stick out to me that tie in with our study.

V. 9-11

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

vs. 15-17

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man of God lives forever.

vs. 28-29

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

Discussion:

Referring to vs. 9-11

• Is there anyone whom you have not been able to forgive in life? This can be so hard, especially if someone has caused you a great deal of pain? What does the bible say about this? The line is actually quite clear, you must not hate your brother. What does it mean to love your brother?

Referring to vs. 15-17

• Okay, in these verses, it is obvious what some of these things of the world are. I find it interesting that John makes a point of talking about the fact that boasting about what you have and do come from the world, not from God. Society teaches us to be confident in what our skills are and our success. Contrast how this is different that what God thinks. What grabs your attention in these verses?

Referring to vs. 28-29

• What does it mean to you to be confident and unashamed before God at His coming? To be honest, I think that no matter what I do, I will be a little ashamed. What are your thoughts on this?

Have a Happy 4th of July!!
CB

I John Chapter One

Here is the chapter, as in my NIV as written by the apostle John (most likely),

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen, with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched --this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you; God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Discussion:

• Discuss your thought in reference to the above italicized verses. What is it to claim to have fellowship with Christ yet walk in the darkness?
• Also, in the how often to we claim to have not sinned, when we do, possibly because we rationalize some of the things we do?
• The introduction to the Book of I John says that, "Because the letter addresses broad moral topics, it is clear that John's goal was to provide direction for those Christians who faced new challenges to their faith...As opposition to the believers' faith arose, John encouraged them to continue walking in fellowship with Christ, so as to not be drawn into false beliefs and sinful lifestyles." Discuss how this still hits home with us today...give some literal examples.

Drawing the Lines with our priorities and other things...

Overview of "The Great Banquet" Luke 14:15-23

Jesus tells this parable and begins by saying, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."

Summary of this parable:

A man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. He told his servant to go and tell his guests that everything was ready. All of the guests had excuses about their time...one said he had just bought a field and he needed to go and see it, another said, he had just bought some oxen and needed to go and try them out, another said, he had just gotten married and could not come.

The man who prepared the banquet was angry and told his servant to go into the streets and invite the poor, crippled, blind and lame. The servant did this and there was still room, so they invited the people from the country lanes( which were probably cast offs in that time) The man preparing the banquet said, "I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet."

Ephesians 1:3-14

This passage is a great pair to the parable of the great banquet. It is basically saying that ,"in Christ" as Christians, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing. He chose 'us' ...we are the invited guests....

Discussion

• In retrospect to the parable of the great banquet, what are the things in your life that are your excuses when it comes to time with God? I can think of many times when I have too much to do to attend Wednesday night church or too busy of a day to open up my bible and study. Does this ever affect you? It is kind of like God keeps inviting us to give us his most lavishing blessings...but I find myself at times to bogged down with my agenda. What does this parable speak to you? Where do you draw your lines here? I think this is a constant and ongoing personal struggle for me.
• Lets look at the Ephesians passage with the Luke passage. If we represent the guests originally invited to the banquet....can we be, "UN-invited?" The passage in Luke did not say that the people that he, "UN-invited" were adulterers, murders, liars and and horrible people....he simply said, they had other things to do. Again, where do you draw your line here?
• Do you have any good rules of thumb that you and your family go by? When I was young, my parents did not allow anything to interfere with our Wednesday night church(Unless we were sick). Once I was asked to have a large role in school play in the 4th grade. I had to decline, because the performance was going to be on a Wednesday night....I think that was a little harsh, because God did not say we must always meet mid-week. Looking back, maybe there was a happy medium, like maybe we would have a devotional time when we got home after the play or maybe the night before...but it did send a message that "God's time" was important.
  
  

Narrow Gate, Wise Man, and the Rich Young Man

Matthew 7:13-14

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. "

Matthew 7:21-27
"Not everyone who says to me, Lord', Lord', will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, 'Lord, did we not go and prophesy in your name, and in your name, drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell with a great crash."

Matthew 19:16-end( summary)
The rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to get eternal life. Jesus answers," If you want to enter life, obey the commandments,....Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."
The rich young man replies, "All these I have kept,..what do I still lack?"
Jesus says, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The man went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
The disciples were astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus replies, "With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible."

Discussion:

Oh so much to discuss from these small passages!!!!
Okay, if you have anything that you would like to bring to light please do...
1. (From the first reading) Have you found the road that leads to life...or are you unsure that your road could lead to destruction? We have a hope in Christ, and our baptism with him, but what are some ways that are easy for you to get off of that narrow road? What are some of your struggles with staying focused? What do you let distract you?

2. (From the second reading)I was talking to my sister-in-law(Elice) this past weekend and we were discussing this bible study. She made a comment that I really liked, and it actually goes right along with this passage. She said, I think , when the day of judgement come, when it gets right down to it, what the Lord is going to be the most disappointed in are not the things that I should not have done, that I did anyway, necessarily, but the things that I knew I should have done that I did not do." What do you think about this statement...what are the things you should be doing that you are not?

3. Okay people, you know what is coming here, how do you compare yourself to the rich young man, or possibly what is the area, that you are just not willing to "give up" for God's sake? I honestly think that if this man had sold his possessions to the poor and followed Jesus, he would have been blessed more than he could imagine. At our age, in our society, it is hard to steer clear of the want for more wealth and possessions, and to be content with what we have. It can be hard to not be whirled up into wanting nicer clothes, a bigger house, a better car, a membership at the club...and much more. I know I am constantly trying to let go of this and let God have control of this area of my life. Earle and I have many stories of how we have waited and said no and prayed about it, and God has blessed us....but then there have been times when the answer is simply, "no" from God. To be honest, right now, I really want a used mini-van, and I am hoping that the answer is yes! But I know that I don't need it to live! It would just be nice and much roomier! It is hard to live in America and know true need. Is this a struggle for you, or do you have a story to share of how you have been blessed by letting go of your desires for more? Where do you draw the lines with your wants and your needs and your faithfulness with your money and possessions?

Please share your thoughts! Hope everyone is having a great week!

The Line with our Compassion and our time.....

The Sheep and the Goats overview:

Matt. 5:31-end

Okay, we can see from this passage, that there definitely is a line in God's eyes of right and wrong. What defines it? Jesus basically says in vs. 34-36
"Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

The righteous will answer Jesus,
"Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, thirsty and and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"

vs. 40
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers, you did for me."

Overview of the Wheat and the Tares (The reading was Matt. 13:24-30 But lets read on and see Jesus' overview in Matt. 36-43)

37-43
He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear."

Discussion Taken from the Sheep and the Goats:

Define, who is the least of your brothers. How many times do we turn our heads without helping or listening to someone that needs it. How many times do we dodge people because they may annoy us, or be really long talkers or soak up our emotional energy? I will tell you that with my friends I could talk all day, but I definitely deal differently with different people. Did Jesus ever say, no, I do not have time for you? Or I am sorry, you bug me too much, I would rather go talk to my friend over here? How can we be more patient with that kid who harasses all of the other kids? Have we taken the time to get to know his mother? How can we be more compassionate to those who need us, without being taken advantage of. Apparently this was something that was extremely important to Jesus. Where do we draw lines with our time, and our emotional energy?

Discussion for the Wheat and the Tares:

As Christians, we are represented by the good seeds that grow to be the wheat. The whole point of this is that the weeds can kill out the good seeds. Who do we surround ourselves with socially? When I was a teenager, my mom used to say,"I don't like you hanging around so and so, they are not a good influence on you." I was always annoyed when she said that, but she had a point. Do we surround ourselves with friends that encourage us to be better Christians? Where is our balance? As adults, we are still influenced. Are you influenced at work in a positive or good way, what about at the health club or play group? These are all questions that I ask myself. There are so many aspects we could discuss from this...but the point is, in the end, God does have a line here.

I think the key in these passages is defining what some of these things are literally in our own lives. I hope that this gives us something to mill over for the next week. Please comment and share some of your thoughts. I liked what Elice said in the last post, the fact that we are wondering where the line is, is a really good sign. If we did not care, then we would probably be going down a more slippery slope! Have a good week!!

CB

Reading for Next Week

Please go ahead and read these passages to start our discussion next week:


The Sheep and the Goats – Matthew 25:31-End.

The Wheat and the Tares – Matthew 13:24-43

I am really looking forward to it!! Please be thinking about some areas that you may want to study on drawing the line or discussing where the line should be drawn. Please know that this is not as study to "preach" at people. I am truly trying to study where I should draw some of my own lines. I am trying to figure out what is okay in God's eyes. It looks black and white, but come on, lets face it, it is not. Here are some things that come to my mind:

• Someone has already mentioned discussing where our lines should be drawn with T.V. and Movies for our children, but also, what should we as adults not be so desensitized to?
• Wealth and Materialism ( What is Enough, learning to be content)
• Social issues, Gossip, Drinking, Language Content,
• Behavior with people at work, how we present ourselves towards people of the opposite sex other than our spouse, what messages are we sending?
• Are there some areas that are definately considered Politically Correct, but possibly morally and scripturally wrong, but that we have become more and more desensitized to...where do we draw our lines, but not pass judgement? How can we be more like Jesus in our response to these areas?
• Can you come up with some more?
  CB

Our Next Study !!!

Our Next Study Title is going to Be.....

Where Do You Draw The LINE???
Where do you draw your moral/ spiritual line?
Is your line drawn in the same place that God's line is drawn?
How can we not be "judgemental," but still be a strong christian example and person of God to our children, friends, at work and in the community. Where is the place where your opinion of what is right collides with God's opinion?

This is something I have really been thinking about for myself lately. Whether it is a line drawn socially with my friends, or being a wife or mother? We are going to look at several scriptures to study this. I want to make sure I know where to draw my lines...sometimes I feel that they can change. We are going to take a deep look at this and hopefully this will move an inspire we as people of God to be more confident of the examples that we are setting.
I will start posting this next week, which is the first week in June!! Hope everyones' summer is off to a great start!

CB

Job 38-42 The Lord Replies....

Brief Summary of Job 38-42

38-40
The Lord begins by proclaiming his omnipotence. He uses all kinds of description of the amazing mysteries in nature. He describes how he is the master of the deep, light, darkness, snow, hail, lightning, constellations, clouds, and dew. He is also the Creator of all animals and their Protector. Job, is in awe of God's power. He confesses his sin in arguing with God and being presumptuous.

40-42
God's power is contrasted with man's frailty. God basically asks if Job thinks he can run the universe better than He can. Job is penitent with God. He apologizes for questioning the ways of God and doubting God's providence. Job sees that affliction is God-permitted, to refine man so that he may see God, in all His greatness and splendor, and to see himself in his dispicableness and sin to the intent that man may repent of his pride in dust and ashes. God rebukes Job's friends for allowing their conventional ways to force them into lying arguments. Job sacrifices and prays for his friends, and he is saved and restored by the grace of God for his sins.


Discussion/Comments:

Wow, what a powerful book!!
1. After finishing the book of Job, how do you feel about the cycles of speeches, in particular, the Lord's speech? Do you still feel like the book was a true account or more like a play. Here are a few things that came into my mind while I was reading this last part. To make sure you know I am not going off on a crazy tangent, I really believe that Job was loosely based on the life of a real man, but the way it is presented seems like it could have been like that of a play. I know that all Scripture "God Breathed" so this, whether based truly on true incidents or not, was a powerful story that God wanted us to know. And the way it is presented to me does not really matter in the overall message.

38:31-33 The reference to Pleiades and Orion and the Bear and cubs...which I am presuming are referring to constellations...which to me go along the lines of the culture of that time in a play.
Also, there are some references to what looks like what we may presume some mythological creatures in chapters 40-41, the Behemoth, and Leviathan. My concordances referred to this as a hippo and an alligator, but when I looked up the Hebrew, there was not a definition for Behemoth, but for Leviathan, it said a "sea-monster" . Isn't an alligator/crocodile a fresh water reptile? So from the Lord's description, and the Hebrew translation, we are either talking, mythological creature, like a dragon, or maybe a huge beast of that nature that once lived in that day and age.

These are just interesting facts that I thought would be a good discussion. If you can find the Hebrew translation for Behemoth, please let me know..I am just curious at this point!!

Thank you for doing this book with me!!! Job has been a great study! I am planning to start a study back up again. I am not sure what book it will be on yet, but I am leaving for vacation next week and would really love some input. I am planning to start posting again at the beginning of June. Please, please, please comment and leave some suggestions! I will try to post the book that we will be doing before the beginning of June. Have a great couple of weeks!!!
Carrie

References for today's post: Pocket Bible Commentary by William Neil, the New Unger's Bible Handbook revised by Gary N. Larson, Hebrew-Greek Translation Bible

Elihu's Speeches

Brief Outline:

Job 32-33

Elihu's first speech

God instructs man through affliction. Here, Elihu is introduced. All throughout the book of Job, Job has been desiring a "moderator". Elihu is just that. Elihu's speeches prepare the way for the Lord speech to come.

Job 34

Elihu's Second Speech

Elihu's point was that God's justices was vindicated against what Job has been insinuating. Job had not been able to understand the purpose of his suffering.

Job 35

Elihu's Third Speech

Job had wrong reasoning. It does not matter with God if a man is righteous or wicked in relation to worldly suffering.

Job 36-37

Fourth Speech

This speech basically states that God always has a purpose when godly people are afflicted. He does so to lift us out of our pride and to show us his disciplining grace and love. Elihu wanted Job to take note of this and to notice God's power and pride in nature. Elihu concludes by stressing man's sinful frailty in God's presence.

Discussion for this week:

1. In Job 35:6-
Elihu says,

"If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him? If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand? Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only the sons of men."

Question:

Have you ever thought about how your sin affects God? How there is nothing that He receives from our hand, accept for our love and obedience, when we choose to give it to Him? I had never really thought about that. Our wickedness only affects ourselves and those around us. Please discuss how this verse may or may not have impacted you. Have you really thought about this before?

2. In Elihu's fourth speech, it talks about how God uses affliction that we may be experiencing to lift us out of our pride, and to show us His discipline and love.. One of the most powerful verses to me in the bible is..

"...for My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9

Can you think of a time you might like to share with us, when God has used your affliction, to show how His power is made perfect in your weakness?

Please comment!! Have a great week! Please read Job 38-42 for next week!!

Sources: The New Unger's Bible Handbook revised by Gary N. Larson, My old trusty NIV Bible!

Job 27-31

Catching UP.......

Sorry it has been so long since my last post! I was out of town, and this week, I have been having Internet problems...so please forgive me for not getting to this earlier! I know people are busy, and I see that many people have logged on through my live traffic feed, but your comments on discussion are greatly appreciated. Also, we only have a few weeks left in Job, so please comment on another book you may be interested in for our next study! Obviously we can only do one at a time, but I would love suggestions! For next week, please read Job 32-37!

Job 27-31 Job's Closing words of vindication

Overview:
Job 27-28
Job clung to righteousness, contrasting himself with wicked people, he described the treasures of the earth, and the higher wealth of wisdom, which is known by God. Job outlined his past blessings and honor. In chapter 28, the magnificent poem about wisdom, breaks the continuity, and Job's final answer to Zophar, completing the cycle chapters 29-31.

Job 29-31
Job looks back on the good days of his prosperity when he was respected and honored. He contrasts this with his present state in Chapter 30. In Chapter 31, he once more insists that his past life has been blameless. He sets himself sort of up on a pedestal here. It is part of the argument of the book that this was the kind of conduct expected from a man who claimed to be a good God-fearing Jew, and it is an ideal of which any society might be proud. It shows more-over how deep and lasting an effect the moral force of the teaching of the prophets had on the life of Israel.

Discussion for this week:

These stanza's stood out to me this week:

Job 28:12-13

"But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living."

Job 28: 20-28

"Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. Destruction and Death say,'Only a rumor has reached our ears,' God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for He views the ends of the earth, and sees everything under the heavens. When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. And He said to man, "The fear of the Lord --that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."

Wow, what an amazing passage!

Here is the discussion:

What do you think about the whole idea of the fact that mortal life can never fulfill wisdom and that only in death will true wisdom be revealed to us? This passage says, of Death and Destruction, only a rumor of wisdom has reached their ears. I have to say that this thought kind of freaks me out a little. It seems like if only death reveals these things to us, we are sort of going through the motions of an alter existence...it is almost like this life is like a blinded type of deadness, and in our death, through Christs death, we will be alive. Do you fear death, and how does this passage make you feel better or worse about it?

Resources for this week: Hebrew-Greek Keyword Translation Bible, The New Unger's Bible Handbook Revised by Gary N. Larson, William Neal's Pocket Bible Commentary

Job 22-26

Third Cycle of Speeches (22:1-26:14)
The debate is now winding down. Note (1) that this final cycle is a third the length of the first one, (2) that there is no speech from Zophar, and (3) how much repetition there is of former arguments.
● Chapter 22 – Note Eliphaz’s false accusations against Job (vv. 6-9; cf. 31:13-23), assumed to be true because Eliphaz’s theology demands it; so after instructing Job on God’s ways once more (22:12-20), he again calls him to repentance (vv. 21-30).
● Chapters 23-24 – Job again expresses a desire to plead his case before God (23:1-7), indicating both hesitant confidence (vv.8-12) and trembling fear (vv. 13-17). In any case, Eliphaz is simply wrong. The world is full of injustice (24:1-17); may the wicked be cursed (24:18-25).
● Chapter 25 – Bildad utters the counselors’ final word: God is too great for Job to question him.
● Chapter 26 – Job agrees about God’s majesty, but (in what follows) not the implications they draw from it.

Discussion for this week:

These two stanzas stood out to me in this weeks reading. They impacted me in a way. Do you have any thoughts on how they affect you, or was there any stanza or verse that stood out to you that you would like to share?

Job 24:22-23 "But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life, He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but His eyes are on their ways."

Job 26:6 "Death is naked before God; Destruction lies uncovered."

Job 15-21 Second Cycle of Speeches

Brief Outline on this Reading:



Second Cycle of Speeches (15:1-21:34)
In this second round of speeches, the three accusers all play variations on a single theme – the present torment and final fate of the wicked. Job’s responses show faint glimpses of hope, which are dashed by the others, so he points out finally that the wicked do not always suffer.
● Chapter 15 – Eliphaz appeals once more to their traditional wisdom: It is the wicked who suffer torment, so Job must be wicked, and his own mouth condemns him automatically when he questions his suffering.
● Chapters 16-17 – Job agrees that his affliction is from God, but he is also at a loss as to why. His only hope lies in a heavenly advocate (16:18-21).
● Chapter 18 – Bildad can hardly take it (vv.1-4), so he picks up from Eliphaz by pointing out the terrible fate of the wicked – like Job! – and thus God will not hear him (vv. 5-21).
● Chapter 19 – Job complains about his friends (vv. 1-6) and about God’s treating him as an enemy (vv. 7-12) with the result that his alienation is total (vv. 13-20). His plea for help is accompanied by another note of hope (vv. 21-27) before warning his friends (vv. 28-29).
● Chapter 20 – Zophar rejects Job’s note of hope, repeating the refrain about the fate of evildoers.
● Chapter 21 – Job now calls into question his counselors’ insistence on God’s speedy retribution of the wicked (vv. 1-6), 34).

Discussion for this week:

1. In Job 16:2-4, after Eliphaz has basically said that Job must be wicked, and that is the reason for his suffering, Job says,

"I have heard many things like these; miserable comforter are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you."

How many times have we as Christians either gotten the same type of advice as Eliphaz has given Job, or we have given it? I am embarrassed to say I know that I am probably guilty of getting that kind of advice, and then maybe giving it as well. I think we often learn to judge others in a pious way when we have been judged in the same way. What constructive purpose does is serve to give others pious speeches about what they have done wrong to deserve what is happening to them? It seems like if we are not the one getting this kind of advice, we tend to be the one giving it. How can we as Christians break this pattern? Please give examples or thoughts on this.

I think I will leave the discussion at that for this week. This really emphasises what we are taking from this passage this week...But please feel free to bring up anything else that really struck you.. Here is a passage that I absolutely love in this reading. It brings back reminders of many times singing the Messiah, but is so beautifully written, Job 19:25-27

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see him with my own eyes--I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"

(An interesting thought, but it seems like Job was pretty sure that death did not bring about the end of his existence...that is pretty reassuring, considering he lived way before Jesus. I think it is pretty much in the New Testament when people start preaching on who should enter heaven and who do not enter heaven, and Revelation talks about the whole judgement....okay, so I guess this can be more discussion..I am so impressed that Job instinctively believed these things.)

Okay, I guess I rambled a little! Please share some comments!

CB

Source: Bret Wells speeches document notes, Hebrew-Greek Keyword Bible,

Job 4-14 First Cycle of Speeches

Brief Outline of Job 4-14

First Cycle of Speeches (4:1-14:22)
Job’s lament launches the first cycle of speeches, in which each friend speaks in turn and in turn hears Job’s response. Note that Eliphaz’s speech is the longest of the three, while Job’s speeches increase in length as Bildad’s and Zophar’s get shorter.
● Chapters 4-5 – Eliphaz begins the dialogue with an eloquent recital of the basic theology of “the wise.” Not yet accusatory (see 4:1-6), this speech prepares the way for the rest. Divine retribution is certain (4:7-11), since no one is innocent before God (4:12-21). Job should therefore appeal to God for help (5:1-16); he is further urged to recognize his calamity as correction and to seek God for his benefits (5:17-26) – thus siding with Satan! Note Eliphaz’s supreme confidence in his own wisdom (5:27).
● Chapters 6-7 – Job responds by defending his opening lament (6:1-13), accusing his friends of being no comfort to him (vv. 14-23), protesting his innocence (vs. 24-30), and finally appealing directly to God for the comfort lacking in his friends (7:1-21), concluding again with “whys.”
● Chapter 8 – Bildad takes up Eliphaz’s position, arguing that God is just, and thus calamity is punishment for wrongdoing (vv. 1-7), basing it on traditional teaching (vv.8-10) and the laws of nature (vv. 11-22). Note how verse 20 states his basic position: Good and evil are clearly defined by what happens to people.
● Chapters 9-10 – Job’s friends are no help, so Job agonizes over bringing his case before God, because he is unsure of its outcome (ch. 9); thus he bursts into lament (ch. 10). Note in passing that much of 9:1-10) anticipates chapters 38-39.
● Chapter 11 – The truth that Zophar finally speaks about forgiveness (vv. 13-20) unfortunately follows from his assumption that Job’s calamity must be the result of Job’s sin (vv. 1-12). How harsh the “righteous” can sometimes be!
● Chapters 12-14 – Job has been stung (12:1-3); to follow their advice (which continuously sides with Satan) means to cash in his own integrity. So after defending his skill in wisdom equal to theirs (12:4-13:12), he mulls over bringing a legal case before God, which is his only hope (13:13-14:22), but again it is an agonizing alternative.

Discussion Questions for this week:

1. Which of Job's friend's in this cycle of speeches do you most relate with in your view how you would counsel a friend who was dealing with serious suffering? Do not give the "right" answer, I want to know what the angle is that you truly feel you take with people. How do you see these things in your life and others? Here is a quick overview the positions that Job's friends took.

Eliphaz: Had supreme confidence in his own wisdom which was reflected in his speech.

Bildad: Viewed that God is just and that suffering is punishment for wrongdoing.

Zophar: Emphasises legalism. He presumes to know what God will do in any given case, why He will do it, and what His thoughts about it are.

2. In Job 9:33, the NIV reads, "If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both,"
The footnote in my bible says, "someone to arbitrate" connotes a mediator
and is so translated in the Septuagint by the same word Paul uses in I Ti. 2:5. Job longs for someone who understands both God and man and who will draw them together. Ultimately, this is what Christ did. But Job desires some man in his own time who has "eyes of flesh" and who can sympathaze with his human weakness. This longing increases as the book progresses.
Do you ever long for someone to "arbitrate" between you and God? It is easy to forget that this is what Christ did for us. But do you ever wonder if Christ went through the exact same things you have gone through, or possibly someone else you know is going through? Please Explain.

Sources of use in this discussion:
Bret Wells Speech Discussion Notes , NIV footnotes, Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible

Job 3 : Job's Lament

The book of Job is referred to as one of the Bible's beautiful books of poetry. The picture that Job paints in chapter three with his words truly lets us see the workings of his heart in a way that we can relate to today. I thought this was a great chapter for some reflection. Which also brings to mind a few things that I thought would be a good discussion for this week. Please pick one or more question to comment on.

1. In Job 3:20-22 it says," Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave?"

It is as if Job is wanting to know why he has to continue on? Why is it that life is so hard and he has to hold up his head and keep living it? Can you relate to what Job is feeling in this passage? Have you known people that seem to get thrown one curve ball after another and continue to pick themselves up and deal with it while others of us sit around in happiness? Do you know of any people that have truly convicted you with their response to their own suffering?

2. In Job 3:23 it says, "Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? "

If you feel that God has "hedged you in" do you feel like your way is hidden? To me that was a very powerful statement. Do you feel like you are just going through the motions in life, or do you feel like you are fervently seeking the plan that God has for you and that you can see it before you? Please explain your thoughts on this.

3. In Job 3:25-26 a footnote in my Bible states that , "It seems to be apparent that prior to his suffering, Job realized the possibility of trouble coming into his life. He had not taken God's blessings for granted..."

Where are you in this walk with God? Do you think that we as Christians today take God's blessings for granted. In chapter 1, Job worried for his children's souls and frequently brought them for purification before the Lord. Do we do that in prayer for our children and family today, even when things are going really well for us or do we wait until something happens that forces us to be humbled before him? Please discuss your thoughts on this.

Discussion: Job 1 and 2

For those of you that have had the opportunity to read Job 1 and 2, please feel free to pick one or more of these discussion questions to comment on. Also, if there is something which you would like to comment on that is not one of the questions, please feel free to present it to the group for discussion. Please do not rewrite the question, just put the number of the question and then respond.. okay, here we go....


TITLE: JOB A. In Hebrew the name is boYa! probably from the root meaning "to come back," or "repent," thus describing one who "comes back" or "returns to" God.

1. As posted earlier in the outline, what are your views of the perception of the book of Job, do you feel it is more in a metaphorical form, or in a strictly historical form or somewhere in the middle? Was Job truly a man who walked the earth or simply a story about a man to prove a point? And do you feel it makes a difference in your views of Job, even if he was metaphorical? If you think that this story of Job was somewhat metaphorical, how can you compare the characters in the set up of this story to those in a Greek Mythalogcial story or something of that nature.

2. Depending on your position on question #1, how do you interpret in chapter 1 when Satan presents himself before the Lord in such an arrogant manner? Does it seem like the Lord whom we have come to know in scripture would be one who would view Job's life as something that could be manipulated on a whim to win a bet with the Devil?

3. In Chapter 1:9-10 Satan asks the Lord if he has built a hedge around Job and his household and blessed everything he has. Do you ever feel that the Lord has done that in your life? If so, how do you explain the test of faith that Satan puts Job through and the Lord allows Job to endure? Do you fear a test of faith in your own life?

4. In Chapter 2:9 Job's wife say,"Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
Would your reaction to Job have been similar if you were his wife and lost your children and everything you had? Also, often times those we know have had tremendous sorrow in their lives. Can you relate to Job's friends at the end of chapter 2 who come and sit with him for seven days, all the while no one said a word to him because they saw how great his suffering was. Explain.

Sources that were helpful to glean ideas for this discussion were: Bible.org for Women, Bret Wells, Dan Owen

Before we really get into the book of Job...

Let's take a moment to grasp the "whole picture" of this book. Here is very sketchy overview of the book to help us understand what we are about to study...and no, I did have to do some research and get a little help on this one. This will be helpful before you even start reading the book to understand what is going to be happening.

• Job is obviously a true account of the man named Job, but it is written in the form of a play. It is important that we know that to start off with, because if chapters are taken out of context, that would be misleading, and and incorrect account of the story. Think of the people as characters in a play.
• Chapters 1 and 2 are basically a narrative prologue, to set up Job's story.
• At the end of chapter 2 Job is sitting with his friends, and thus begins chapter 3 and the discussions between he and his friends.
• Chapters 3-31 is the cycle of speeches. In each cycle, Job speaks three times and his friends speak one time.
• The important thing to understand in chapters 3-31, is that everyone speaking in these speeches, including Job himself, are saying the wrong things. They are blaming the wrong people for everything that has happened to Job, and Job himself is blaming God. These chapters would not be interpreted correctly if taken out of context with the chapters around them.
• In chapters 32-37, this guy named Elihu pipes up and tells everyone where they are wrong. So this guys comments are quite significant to understanding the book.
• In chapter 38-41 the Lord speaks out about the situation with some replies from Job.
• In verses 1-6 of chapter 42 Job Repents...
• The book finishes out in 42:7-17 as the narrator finishes the story...much like what would happen in a play.

Hopefully this will help get everyone ready for the study. Right now I am searching for good Bible Study Tools, links to websites and resources to help with our studies. If you know of any off hand, please let me know so I can post them for everyone else to use as well!! Thanks!

CB

Getting Started....

If you want to participate, read the first 2 chapters in Job and I will post some starting discussion questions. I am going to try and get some discussion questions posted every Monday , so that will give us the week to discuss and study the chapters we are on, and the weekend to read and prepare for the next week. This is not meant to be a study that is too overwhelming for a busy lifestyle, and you are meant to log on and participate whenever you can catch a free moment to do so...so if 2 or 3 chapters a week seems to be too much, we can always lessen the load. I am so excited that 7 of you have responded!! Please excuse all of the changes to the site, I am still getting things organized. There is a Bible resource toolbar that you can download from the link ChristiansUnite.com It actually looks like a decent search engine and it downloads for free right under the toolbar on your computer. It stays there until you want to take it off. If you are interested, it looks like a really good quick resource. I have downloaded onto our computer. Have a great weekend!!

Carrie