Christ the Rock Community Church, Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study

This week’s reading June 18-24[1. If you are participating in the Saturday morning class, “The One Year Bible Challenge,” you should read the daily materials as set out in “The One Year Bible.” The verses listed on this page will include a couple of extra days each week.]

1 Kings 19:1 – 2 Kings 7:20
Acts 12:1 – Acts 16:15
Psalm 136:1 – 142:7
Proverbs 17:14-25

Next Week’s Reading June 25 to July 1
2 Kings 8:1 – 19:37
Acts 16:16 – 21:17
Psalm 143:1 – 149-9
Proverbs 17:26 – 18:8

Discussion Questions:[2. Discussion notes are online.]

Old Testament

1. What is the significance of Elisha killing his oxen for a feast, and cooking the meat on the fire from burning his plow (and/or yoke)? 1 Kings 19:21.
2. Did Elijah die? See 2 Kings 2:11-12.

New Testament

1. Why did the Angel of the Lord strike King Herod? How did he die? Acts 12:21-23.
2. The early church leaders met in a council in Jerusalem to discuss whether gentiles had to first become Jews in order to be saved? What was the outcome of this discussion, and why was it so important? Acts 15:1-20.

FOOTNOTE:

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Week 43

October 22 to 28, 2011[1. The notes, summaries and points on this page are intended as bookmarks of important matters which are covered in this week’s readings. They are not intended as complete summaries of readings. Please forgive me if some of my summaries are not 100% on point. Read the manual–i.e. Bible–so that you will get a more clear understanding of the material. Thank you.
–Tom Truex]

This is the “One Year Bible Challenge:” to read the entire Bible in one year. Assuming a normal reading level, this can be done by spending about 10-15 minutes per day, each and every day. See ReadTheWholeBible.COM for more information. If you would like details so you can join us, or if you have any other questions, please call Tom Truex. Or send an email by using the CONTACT form on K-Line.ORG.

Themes and stories: Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonian and his army sieged Jerusalem. After more than a year, all of Jerusalem was about starved to death. When the Babylonians finally breached the city wall, King Zedekiah and his officials made a run for it. The Babylonians caught them on the plains of Jericho. Nebuchadnezzar had the king’s sons slaughtered in front of him. Then he poked out Zedekiah’s eyes and had him taken to Babylonian in chains. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that the Prophet, Jeremiah not be harmed. Jeremiah was given the choice to travel to Babylonian, where he was assured he’d be well cared for. But Jeremiah decided to stay in Judah, even though it meant sharing the hardships of his people in their conquered nation. Only the poorest people were allowed to remain in Judah. All the others were taken to Babylonian. Gedaliah was appointed Governor by Nebuchadnezzar. Gedaliah was overpowered and murdered as he dined with his killer and his friends.

In chapter 42, the remnant of the people remaining in Judah asked Jeremiah to pray for them as to where they should go and what they should do. God told Jeremiah he should instruct the people to stay where they were. Jeremiah warned them to not go to Egypt. The people ignored Jeremiah’s advice, and went to Egypt anyway, where they worships idols.

Jeremiah’s prophesied against the Egyptians:

[25] The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, said: “Behold, I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him. [26] I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their life, into the hand of Nebuchadrez’zar king of Babylon and his officers. Jeremiah 46:25-26 (RSV).

Jeremiah’s prophesied against the Philistines:

[1] The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh smote Gaza. [2] “Thus says the LORD: Behold, waters are rising out of the north, and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow the land and all that fills it, the city and those who dwell in it. Men shall cry out, and every inhabitant of the land shall wail. Jeremiah 47:1-2 (RSV).

Jeremiah’s prophesied against the Moabites:

[9] “Give wings to Moab, for she would fly away; her cities shall become a desolation, with no inhabitant in them. [10] “Cursed is he who does the work of the LORD with slackness; and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed. Jeremiah 48:9-10 (RSV).

Jeremiah’s prophesied against the Ammonites:

[2] Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will cause the battle cry to be heard against Rabbah of the Ammonites; it shall become a desolate mound, and its villages shall be burned with fire; then Israel shall dispossess those who dispossessed him, says the LORD. Jeremiah 49:2 (RSV).

Jeremiah’s also prophesied against the Edomites, Syrians, and Elamites. He prophesied against Kedar and Hazor.

Jeremiah’s prophesied against the Babylonians:

[1] The word which the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chalde’ans, by Jeremiah the prophet: [2] “Declare among the nations and proclaim, set up a banner and proclaim, conceal it not, and say: `Babylon is taken, Bel is put to shame, Mer’odach is dismayed. Her images are put to shame, her idols are dismayed.’ [3] “For out of the north a nation has come up against her, which shall make her land a desolation, and none shall dwell in it; both man and beast shall flee away. Jeremiah 50:1-3 (RSV).

Chapter 51 of the Book of Jeremiah ends, “Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.” Jeremiah 52:64 (RSV). This appears to be a natural end to the book; but another chapter (52) follows. Chapter 52 contains details about the fall of Jerusalem. Some commentators consider chapter 52 to be an appendix to Jeremiah, which:

1. Shows that the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity happened, as the prophet predicted; and
2. Serves as preface to the next book, Lamentations.

Discussion points: Why did Nebuchadnezzar protect Jeremiah?

Psalms: Psalm 90:1 to 100:5

Proverbs: Proverbs 26:1 to 26:19

Themes and stories: 2 Timothy is Paul’s letter to Timothy. Paul encourages Timothy to be faithful. He recalls Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, both who were women of faith.

Paul warns Timothy of the difficult times that await in the last days:

[1] But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, [4] treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people. [6] For among them are those who make their way into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and swayed by various impulses, [7] who will listen to anybody and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (RSV).

The Book of Titus is Paul’s letter to Titus, a Greek who may have been converted to Christianity by Paul’s ministry.

Paul describes the qualifications for church leaders. These are similar to the instructions he gave to Timothy for church leaders in Ephesus:

• [6] An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Titus 1:6 (NIV).
• [7] For a bishop,[1. Elder is translated in some versions as “overseer”] as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, [8] but hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled; [9] he must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it. Titus 1:6 (RSV).

Paul warns against false teachers. He says they must be silenced, because they are upsetting whole families.

In Titus 2:2-10 (NIV), Paul gives advice for different types of church members.

• [2] Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
• [3] Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
• [4] Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, [5] to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
• [6] Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. [7] In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness [8] and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
• [9] Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, [10] and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Good works are important, but avoid useless arguments:

[8] This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.

[9] But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. [10] Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, [11] knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. Titus 3:8-11 (Holman Christian Standard Bible )

Discussion points: Why is the Bible so important? Is it literally the word of God?

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, October 29, 2011 are now online — ”The Word of God”. This is week 43, which means we are entering the last 10 weeks of the ONE YEAR BIBLE CHALLENGE. This week we finish Jeremiah. Some nations and people did not do so well. We also read in 2 Timothy and Titus. Discussion verses: Jeremiah 39:11-14 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Week 39

September 24 to 30, 2011[1. The notes, summaries and points on this page are intended as bookmarks of important matters which are covered in this week’s readings. They are not intended as complete summaries of readings. Please forgive me if some of my summaries are not 100% on point. Read the manual–i.e. Bible–so that you will get a more clear understanding of the material. Thank you.
–Tom Truex]

This is the “One Year Bible Challenge:” to read the entire Bible in one year. Assuming a normal reading level, this can be done by spending about 10-15 minutes per day, each and every day. See ReadTheWholeBible.COM for more information. If you would like details so you can join us, or if you have any other questions, please call Tom Truex. Or send an email by using the CONTACT form on K-Line.ORG.

Themes and stories:
Isaiah disparages false gods:

[9] All who make idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit; their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. [10] Who fashions a god or casts an image, that is profitable for nothing? Isaiah 44:9-10 (RSV).

Isaiah prophecies that God will anoint Cyrus. This is the only place in the Bible in which a gentile ruler is said to be “anointed.” Cyrus later permitted the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild Jerusalem.

The false gods of the Babylonians had to be carried.

In chapter 47, Isaiah prophecies the downfall of Babylon.

In Chapter 51, Isaiah conveys God’s blessings for his people. In Chapter 54 Isaiah prophecies that Israel will be rebuilt.

Isaiah admonishes the people to share with the needy:

[7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isaiah 58:7 (RSV).

Jesus later quotes the words in Isaiah 61:1-2:
Isaiah 61:1-2 (RSV)

• [1] The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; [2] to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

Luke 4:18-19 (RSV)

• [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
  [19] to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Discussion points: What does it mean to “take refuge” in God?
Isaiah 57:11-13 (NIV)

[11] “Whom have you so dreaded and feared
   that you have not been true to me,
and have neither remembered me
   nor taken this to heart?
Is it not because I have long been silent
   that you do not fear me?
[12] I will expose your righteousness and your works,
   and they will not benefit you.
[13] When you cry out for help,
   let your collection of idols save you!
The wind will carry all of them off,
   a mere breath will blow them away.
But whoever takes refuge in me
   will inherit the land
   and possess my holy mountain.”

Psalms: Psalm 68:1 to 72:20

Proverbs: Proverbs 24:1 to 24:12

Themes and stories:
Paul announces that he is a prisoner for Jesus Christ for the sake of the gentiles.

There is one body and one Spirit. One faith, one baptism, and one God. A Christian must live as a new person. Paul says we are to be “imitators of God.” Ephesians 5:1. Fornication and impurity of any kind are obviously off limits for Christians. But so is obscene, silly or vulgar talk.

Advice for husbands and wives:

[21] Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. [22] Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. [25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body. [31] “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”1 [32] This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church; [33] however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:21-33 (RSV).

Children are instructed to obey their parents, and fathers told to not provoke their children to anger.

Slaves are advised to obey their earthly masters. This is not an endorsement of the institution of slavery so much as a recognition of the current state of affairs; and practical advice to make the institution function in a more Godly manner.

Paul describes the armor of God we use to defeat the devil:

[14] Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; [16] besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17 (RSV).

Philippians. Paul tells us to be humble, like Christ.

Discussion points: What is the Meaning and Importance of Humility for the Christian?
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

[2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Philippians 2:3-11 (NIV)

[3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
[5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
[6] Who, being in very nature God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
[7] rather, he made himself nothing
   by taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
[8] And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!
[9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
   and gave him the name that is above every name,
[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
[11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father.

The discussion notes ( PDF / TEXT ) for breakfast on Saturday, October 1, 2011 are now online — ”Humility”. This week, we continue our discussion of Isaiah. Lots of prophesy, and more! In the New Testament, continue reading Paul’s advice as to family relationships. We begin reading the book of Philippians. Discussion verses: Isaiah 57:11-13 and Ephesians 4:2-11