2nd Quarter 2003 – Good Word

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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Selfless Service

Lesson 12 for the week of June 14 to June 21

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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Out of the Heart

Lesson 11 for the week of June 7 to June 14

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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Why Forgive?

Lesson 10 for the week of May 31 to June 7

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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Reverence

Lesson 9 for the week of May 24 to May 31

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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Loyalties

Lesson 8 for the week of May 17 to May 24

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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For the Love of God

Lesson 7 for the week of May 10 to May 17

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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Forgiveness and the Church

Lesson 6 for the week of May 3 to May 10

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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Forgiveness and Guilt

Lesson 5 for the week of April 26 to May 3

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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How Jesus Forgave

Lesson 4 for the week of April 19 to April 26

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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Forgiveness and Repentance

Lesson 3 for the week of April 12 to April 19

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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Forgiveness in the Hebrew Bible

Lesson 2 for the week of April 5 to April 12

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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God and Forgiveness

Lesson 1 for the week of March 29 to April 5

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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Tag: 2nd Quarter 2003