Part 1: Read "OUR PASSAGES" (previous post) several times through, but don't make any observations or decisions yet. Just comment that you read it. Do this by Sunday, September 18.
Part 2: View "LECTURE 1" (previous post; I recommend downloading the pdf so you always have it). Post your comments by Sunday, September 18. (Even if you just post that you read it, I can track attendance for our small group this way. If you don't post anything, you'll be counted absent.)
Part 3: Look over the course "SYLLABUS - FALL 2011" (previous post). Comment that you read it by Sunday, September 18.
Part 4: Come to our first of three group meetings of the semester. Meet in the W&A Office (by the drinking fountain) at 8:45am on Sunday, September 18. We will go over the syllabus and get everyone acclimated.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Our Passages: The Great Commissions of Jesus
From the English Standard Version (ESV), which we will use exclusively in this course:
MATTHEW 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
MARK 16:15-18
15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
LUKE 24:44-49
44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
JOHN 20: 21-23
21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."
MATTHEW 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
MARK 16:15-18
15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
LUKE 24:44-49
44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
JOHN 20: 21-23
21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."
Thursday, August 11, 2011
"SENT": Skyline's Small Group Emphasis - Fall 2011
This blog will be a forum for:
1) Those who are already involved in a small group and use this as a supplement
2) Those who are unable to be involved in a weekly small group but want to stay connected
In keeping with the outreach-focused theme, "SENT", this blog will offer an "Exposition of the Great Commission." Together we will look at the Commissions of Jesus in the Gospels with great detail, pulling out the meaning and discovering application for our own lives and how we can live it out.
We will use the inductive method of study, which takes you through several steps, and there will be a Bible "assignment" every week to which you will post your work. We will also meet once a month or so to discuss our findings, hear different perspectives, and encourage one another.
To join in, simply sign up to our blog and dive in with us! Small groups kick off the second week of September, so I'll post again the first of September.
Thanks!
Clay
1) Those who are already involved in a small group and use this as a supplement
2) Those who are unable to be involved in a weekly small group but want to stay connected
In keeping with the outreach-focused theme, "SENT", this blog will offer an "Exposition of the Great Commission." Together we will look at the Commissions of Jesus in the Gospels with great detail, pulling out the meaning and discovering application for our own lives and how we can live it out.
We will use the inductive method of study, which takes you through several steps, and there will be a Bible "assignment" every week to which you will post your work. We will also meet once a month or so to discuss our findings, hear different perspectives, and encourage one another.
To join in, simply sign up to our blog and dive in with us! Small groups kick off the second week of September, so I'll post again the first of September.
Thanks!
Clay
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The NEW THING: The meaning of Isaiah 43:14-21
Does the structure of a passage of Scripture have anything to do with its meaning? There can be no better case study for the answer to this question than the passage of our concern: Isaiah 43:14-21. Not only does the passage swing on the center-point hinge (v. 18-19a) of ‘old things’ and ‘new things’ (a motif in Isaiah), but also a detailed chiasm has been uncovered that helps unlock the meaning and provide application for us today. The structure contains the meaning of this passage and provides a sort of timeline of God’s mighty acts on behalf of his people. The first half (14-17) focuses on what God has done in the past (the ‘things of old’); the second half (19b-21) is concerned with what God will do in the future (the ‘new thing’). God’s historical miracles of the Exodus and the release of God’s people from Babylonian captivity demonstrate his power, protection, and provision. As the people of God today, we can expect and receive the same care because he has promised it.
The power of God is seen in this passage on several levels. First of all, God reveals his sovereign reign over all of creation by controlling the very forces of nature. He promises to bring down the ships of Babylon (v. 14) and cites his work at the Red Sea as a previous example (when he extinguished Pharaoh’s army like a wick in v. 17b). Another way he demonstrates his sovereign power is how He can do good for his chosen people and bring harm to his enemies in the same miracle. Notice how in one sweeping event he spared his people by providing them a path through the Sea (v. 16) while bringing calamity to Pharaoh’s army (v. 17). In these ways, God demonstrates his saving power on behalf of his people, and we trust in his historical record to save us with his power when we need it the most.
Another aspect of God’s care that is revealed in this passage is his protection. Related to the attribute of power, the protection God’s people receive is apparent in this passage. The two enemies of Israel cited in this passage who were constant threats to Israel’s existence are Egypt and Babylon. Egypt had been dealt with in miraculous fashion and has become a major metaphor for God’s saving protection. Babylon, who would eventually carry Israel into exile, only achieved temporary victory, and that only by the hand of God’s judgment on Israel. The Persians would indeed defeat Babylon, as history has proven, and Israel would once again have a “way in the desert,” on order from the tolerable Persian King Cyrus, and a new sort of pilgrimage to the land flowing with milk and honey had commenced. The comparison between Egypt and Babylon is rich. We continue to experience God’s protection today from all of his enemies, both natural and supernatural.
A final attribute of God and how he acts on behalf of his people is provision. God’s acts in the past give him credibility to promise things in the future. When he says, “I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert…I will give drink to my chosen people,” he fully intends on delivering his promise. This is why we can depend on him for our provision today. The provision is totally stored up in God’s care for his people, and, in this passage, does not have any conditions attached to it. The metaphoric theme of water throughout this passage is a very strong metaphor for the people of the Mediterranean region where water is a scarce commodity. This water metaphor communicates God’s provision through the powerful imagery of miraculous refreshment.
God has dealt with Egypt. In one sweeping motion, he provided a way of escape for his chosen people and a path of destruction for the Egyptian army. He also has delivered on his promise regarding Israel’s escape from Babylon, providing another sort of “path in the wilderness” back to the homeland. Because of the history of miracles on behalf of his people, we also trust in God’s power, protection, and provision in our lives.
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