NOTE: There will be no Bible Study on Thursday, March 4. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Does/will God save the Jews who do not believe in Christ? (See Paul’s answer in 11:25-29)
Why does Paul believe that some Jews are “enemies” of the Gospel despite their divine election? (cf. 11:28) Why then should Gentiles continue to be faithful to the Gospel?
What does this mean for inter-religious dialogue and relationship between Jews and Christians? (See Paul’s discussion in 11:17-24)
Do you / have you ever known a faithful Jew? If so, what have you learned from him/her? What do you hope s/he has learned from you?
Why is it so important to Paul to emphasize God’s relationship with the Jews? What implications does he understand God’s relationships with the people of Israel to have for Christians?
Do you trust God? How is / would your life be different because of your trust in God?
What stumbling blocks do you encounter that make it difficult for you to trust God? How do Paul’s words in these chapters give strength and encouragement to you as you stumble?
What do you make of the “divine election” that Paul speaks of? To what has God elected us? How does/should this effect the way we live our lives? The way we relate to others?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Romans 6:1-8:39 (for 2/11)
If we are saved by God’s grace anyway, why don’t we just continue to live in sin?
With the above question in mind, Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes in his book The Cost of Discipleship, “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ living and incarnate.” In contrast, he suggests, “Costly grace…is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.” In what ways do you experience God’s grace as costly? In what ways do you experience God’s grace as cheap? Can (or should) it be both?
If you cannot achieve your own salvation by good works, what role do good works have in a Christian’s life? According to Paul? According to Bonhoeffer? For you?
Think of the baptisms you remember witnessing. Think about what you may have been told about your own baptism (or ask someone to tell you). Why do we baptize? According to Paul, what happens in baptism? What does this mean for us who are baptized? Read again 6:3-14.
What symbols do we use to represent baptism in the church? Which symbols holds the most meaning for you? Why?
Lutherans teach that the law functions as 1) a mirror (to reveal sin), 2) a measuring stick (to order society), and 3) a guide (to direct Christian living). Read again 7:7-13 – what function of the law does Paul describe? If we agree with what Paul says here, how might we live and act differently as Christians saved by God’s grace who have been gifted with God’s law?
In 8:15-17 Paul describes us as children of God. In what ways does/has your family reflected on you? Influenced you? In what ways does/can/should your membership in God’s family do the same?
With the above question in mind, Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes in his book The Cost of Discipleship, “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ living and incarnate.” In contrast, he suggests, “Costly grace…is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.” In what ways do you experience God’s grace as costly? In what ways do you experience God’s grace as cheap? Can (or should) it be both?
If you cannot achieve your own salvation by good works, what role do good works have in a Christian’s life? According to Paul? According to Bonhoeffer? For you?
Think of the baptisms you remember witnessing. Think about what you may have been told about your own baptism (or ask someone to tell you). Why do we baptize? According to Paul, what happens in baptism? What does this mean for us who are baptized? Read again 6:3-14.
What symbols do we use to represent baptism in the church? Which symbols holds the most meaning for you? Why?
Lutherans teach that the law functions as 1) a mirror (to reveal sin), 2) a measuring stick (to order society), and 3) a guide (to direct Christian living). Read again 7:7-13 – what function of the law does Paul describe? If we agree with what Paul says here, how might we live and act differently as Christians saved by God’s grace who have been gifted with God’s law?
In 8:15-17 Paul describes us as children of God. In what ways does/has your family reflected on you? Influenced you? In what ways does/can/should your membership in God’s family do the same?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Romans 5:1-21 (for Feb 4)
Recall your past (and present) sufferings. In what way(s) have these produced endurance, character, and hope? How is God at work in the midst of your suffering? How do you respond to Paul’s suggestion that we “boast in our sufferings”?
What meaning does Paul attribute to Christian suffering? What do you think he might have meant when he talked about suffering in this way?
Read again 5:6-10. What do we / have we done to earn God’s salvation? Contrast this to an understanding of “accepting Jesus” into one’s life?
What does the term “original sin” mean to you? Read Genesis 1-3. What does Paul mean when he says that sin came into the world through one man? How (if at all) are we inheritors of Adam’s sinfulness?
Read again 5:18. According to Paul, who is saved on account of Christ’s righteousness?
How does God show his great love for you? Take some time alone to contemplate God’s love for you and for all of humanity. If you take this love seriously, how might it change the way you live – change your life?
What meaning does Paul attribute to Christian suffering? What do you think he might have meant when he talked about suffering in this way?
Read again 5:6-10. What do we / have we done to earn God’s salvation? Contrast this to an understanding of “accepting Jesus” into one’s life?
What does the term “original sin” mean to you? Read Genesis 1-3. What does Paul mean when he says that sin came into the world through one man? How (if at all) are we inheritors of Adam’s sinfulness?
Read again 5:18. According to Paul, who is saved on account of Christ’s righteousness?
How does God show his great love for you? Take some time alone to contemplate God’s love for you and for all of humanity. If you take this love seriously, how might it change the way you live – change your life?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Romans 1:18 - 4:25
In the first three chapters of his letter Paul drives home the point that we are all sinners. He highlights the sinfulness of Gentiles who do not have God’s law (1:18-32), the sinfulness of Jews who do have God’s law (2:1-3:7), and the sinfulness of all humanity (3:8-20). What in these passages or in your life is most effectively a reminder to you of your sinfulness?
Martin Luther says that we are all saints (“holy ones”) and sinners. What does it mean to you to be holy? Look this word up in a dictionary or theological dictionary. How does your definition compare? Do you want to be holy? Why or why not?
What does justification mean to you? Put this into your own words and try to express it to a family member, friend, or colleague. In what was is it God’s free gift? How (if at all) do good works fit in? If you can, cite Paul to support your position.
Read again Romans 3:21-31. This is a very dense paragraph, but speaks profoundly to Paul’s faith in the saving act of Christ. Read this paragraph in several different English translations. Ponder each phrase. Does anything stick out to you? Which phrase gives you the most comfort? Which phrase is the most difficult for you to hear? Which is the most confusing?
Read / skim again the stories of Abraham (Genesis 12-23) and David (1 & 2 Samuel). David is believed to be the author of Psalm 32:1-2, which Paul is quoting here. What is the significance of these two models cited as examples? Who else might we add as examples of those God has justified that would have meaning for us today?
Martin Luther says that we are all saints (“holy ones”) and sinners. What does it mean to you to be holy? Look this word up in a dictionary or theological dictionary. How does your definition compare? Do you want to be holy? Why or why not?
What does justification mean to you? Put this into your own words and try to express it to a family member, friend, or colleague. In what was is it God’s free gift? How (if at all) do good works fit in? If you can, cite Paul to support your position.
Read again Romans 3:21-31. This is a very dense paragraph, but speaks profoundly to Paul’s faith in the saving act of Christ. Read this paragraph in several different English translations. Ponder each phrase. Does anything stick out to you? Which phrase gives you the most comfort? Which phrase is the most difficult for you to hear? Which is the most confusing?
Read / skim again the stories of Abraham (Genesis 12-23) and David (1 & 2 Samuel). David is believed to be the author of Psalm 32:1-2, which Paul is quoting here. What is the significance of these two models cited as examples? Who else might we add as examples of those God has justified that would have meaning for us today?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Happy New Year!
Welcome back to Bible Study in 2010! Is reading the Bible among your New Years resolutions? Join us this Thursday (January 7) at 7:00PM in the church rotunda. We are beginning our study of Paul's letter to the Romans.
What is different about this introduction compared to others that we’ve studied? What is different about Paul’s relationship with the church at Rome? How might these be connected?
The word gospel means “good news.” Read Proverbs 15:30 and Isaiah 40:9-11; 52:7; 61:1-3. What do these Old Testament passages reveal about the meaning of the term “good news”?
What is the “gospel” according to Paul? How does Paul describe God’s faithfulness?
Why do you suppose Paul felt it necessary to state that he’s not “ashamed” of the gospel (1:16)?
Have you ever been ashamed of the gospel? If so, describe the experience – how did you respond? If not, can you imagine a time when you might need to assert, like Paul, that you are not ashamed? Why might this be necessary at times today?
In v. 12 Paul desires “mutual encouragement.” What does this mean? How might this be lived out in our lives? In our churches?
If the faith of the church in Rome is already renowned, why does Paul still eagerly desire to “proclaim the gospel” to them? Do we still need to hear the gospel after we have come to faith? Why or why not?
What is different about this introduction compared to others that we’ve studied? What is different about Paul’s relationship with the church at Rome? How might these be connected?
The word gospel means “good news.” Read Proverbs 15:30 and Isaiah 40:9-11; 52:7; 61:1-3. What do these Old Testament passages reveal about the meaning of the term “good news”?
What is the “gospel” according to Paul? How does Paul describe God’s faithfulness?
Why do you suppose Paul felt it necessary to state that he’s not “ashamed” of the gospel (1:16)?
Have you ever been ashamed of the gospel? If so, describe the experience – how did you respond? If not, can you imagine a time when you might need to assert, like Paul, that you are not ashamed? Why might this be necessary at times today?
In v. 12 Paul desires “mutual encouragement.” What does this mean? How might this be lived out in our lives? In our churches?
If the faith of the church in Rome is already renowned, why does Paul still eagerly desire to “proclaim the gospel” to them? Do we still need to hear the gospel after we have come to faith? Why or why not?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
12/10 Rahab
Dear Bible Studiers,
Due to low attendance last week we decided to save the Rahab lesson for tonight. We will meet in the church rotunda at 7pm. Depending upon how many people have already prepared for Bathsheba, we will discuss at that time whether or not to combine Rahab and Bathsheba this evening, or postpone Mary and study Bathsheba next week.
Happy Advent!
Pastor Amy
Due to low attendance last week we decided to save the Rahab lesson for tonight. We will meet in the church rotunda at 7pm. Depending upon how many people have already prepared for Bathsheba, we will discuss at that time whether or not to combine Rahab and Bathsheba this evening, or postpone Mary and study Bathsheba next week.
Happy Advent!
Pastor Amy
Thursday, December 3, 2009
12/3 Rahab
What motivates Rahab to protect the spies? (Read Joshua 2:8-13)
Would you describe Rahab as “faithful”? To whom is she faithful? What does faithfulness mean in this context? What are the results?
Have you ever experienced a time when your political or even familial loyalties were at odds with faithfulness to the God you believe to be “God in heaven above and on earth below”? How did you respond?
The author of Hebrews includes Rahab among the faithful (Heb. 11:31). James says this Canaanite convert is “justified by works” when she welcomes the “messengers” of Joshua (James 2:25). How is faith joined with works in your life? Can/should these two concepts always be divided?
What is the “law”? What can we learn from this story about Christian living?
What is the “gospel”? What can we learn from this story about God’s faithfulness?
If you take seriously what God is telling you in this story, what would change in your life?
Would you describe Rahab as “faithful”? To whom is she faithful? What does faithfulness mean in this context? What are the results?
Have you ever experienced a time when your political or even familial loyalties were at odds with faithfulness to the God you believe to be “God in heaven above and on earth below”? How did you respond?
The author of Hebrews includes Rahab among the faithful (Heb. 11:31). James says this Canaanite convert is “justified by works” when she welcomes the “messengers” of Joshua (James 2:25). How is faith joined with works in your life? Can/should these two concepts always be divided?
What is the “law”? What can we learn from this story about Christian living?
What is the “gospel”? What can we learn from this story about God’s faithfulness?
If you take seriously what God is telling you in this story, what would change in your life?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
