Good Word Lessons

Background Considerations What are the components of a life lived well which would exhibit 1) faith in God and 2) faithfulness to others around us? Both areas of Christian responsibility rest at the heart of...

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Background Considerations The basic idea of service in the Bible: to God – expressed in a life of obedience and in worship, but always based on God’s initiative and empowerment within the context of a...

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Background Considerations The biblical language of the heart and what it produces (a good Bible dictionary would be useful just now): “Heart” in the Old Testament “Heart” in the New Testament Biblical expressions about how...

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Background Considerations What motivations might lead someone to forgive another person – Love to God? Love for the person? Fear of the consequences of not forgiving? Getting rid of guilt about it? Surviving relationships? Under...

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Background Considerations definitions: “numinous unease” – an anthropological term describing attitudes toward a god or God which, while happy with God’s best plans for the people, recognizes still that God is GOD and not a...

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Background Considerations The idea of Covenant – Political treaties from the ancient Near East between unequal parties which typically consisted of: a note of the sovereign’s benefit to the vassal; stipulations for maintaining a good...

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Background Considerations Definitions (a good Bible dictionary would be useful here) love (divine) – what words, phrases, metaphors, stories in the Bible illustrate God’s love for people? love (human toward God) – in what ways...

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Background Considerations Nature of the church – What might a serious study of “eccleisiology” or the basic nature of church contribute to our understanding of forgiveness and discipline or censure? What components of church would...

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Background Considerations Definitions of guilt – the same word in the Old Testament is used for iniquity, guilt and guilt offering. It describes not only the action and attitude creating the offense (something bad committed...

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Background Considerations Old Testament God and Jesus – what are the differences? the similarities? The vocabulary of grace in the life of Jesus Jesus’ love – agapao – altruistic care for others Jesus’ love –...

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Background Considerations Definitions (use of a good Bible dictionary here would be good) repentance in the Old Testament divine repentance normally means to change plans human repentance normally means to change directions repentance in the...

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Background Considerations Cultural considerations – the need in the biblical world for balance and equilibrium in the cosmos. Sin throws things out of balance. This is why sacrifices are to be offered by the elders...

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Background Considerations Quick definitions (a good Bible dictionary would be useful here) sin in the Old Testament (sin [=missing mark], iniquity [bad action committed / good action omitted / guilt], transgression [=rebellion], evil) sin in...

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