In yesterday's blog entry, we decided to -together- practice some Bible study methods. Specifically, we are going create a list of observations from Exodus 32. When observing a particular Biblical passage all you need to do is try to answer the question "what do I see?"
To help get us dialoguing about our observations from that chapter, here are some of the things I observed:
-the people got impatient and were tired of waiting on God and on Moses
-the people's impatience led them to make the idol
-Aaron was involved in making the idol (remember that for a lot of the story, Aaron has been Moses' most trusted leader, confidant, and friend)
-Aaron pointed to the idol as being the entity/god that had helped rescue and provide for the people
-God saw what the people were doing and how they were sinning
What did you observe? What was Moses' response to the people's sins? How did God want to punish the people? What kind of leadership did Aaron exhibit? What kind of leadership did Moses exhibit?
Post some of your observations, as they can help deepen our understanding of this chapter. Once we have a good list of observations, we can then think about what these observations mean and what we ought to do.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sharing thoughts together
This past Sunday a great group gathered for DiscipleShape 2. During our time, we thought about why we should even bother reading the Bible. We discussed motives, both good and bad, that can surround Bible reading. Most of our conversation, however, was about how to study the Bible and some methods/approaches we can use.
One widely used Bible study method involves three steps and questions:
1. Observation - where you simply examine a particular passage and answer the question "what do I see?"
2. Interpretation - where you look back over your observations from the text and think about "what does it mean?"
3. Application - where, in light of what you have seen and what it means, you answer the question "what do I do?"
Let's, together, try step one - observation. It would be great to see what, from a particular passage, jumped out to you that I might have overlooked. Also, I think you might benefit from seeing what others noticed. For those who attended DiscipleShape 2, let's use this as a chance to further practice what we learned.
So, the Daily Walk reading for tomorrow, January 30th, is Exodus 32 - 34. For those interested, let's focus on Exodus 32 and post some observations on this blog. Think about what you see in this chapter - what is emphasized? is anything repeated? are there any cause and effect relationships? who is involved? what is motivating the characters' actions? what is the order of events? does the passage contain any item or phrase that appears random?
To help us get started, I will post a few observations tomorrow.
One widely used Bible study method involves three steps and questions:
1. Observation - where you simply examine a particular passage and answer the question "what do I see?"
2. Interpretation - where you look back over your observations from the text and think about "what does it mean?"
3. Application - where, in light of what you have seen and what it means, you answer the question "what do I do?"
Let's, together, try step one - observation. It would be great to see what, from a particular passage, jumped out to you that I might have overlooked. Also, I think you might benefit from seeing what others noticed. For those who attended DiscipleShape 2, let's use this as a chance to further practice what we learned.
So, the Daily Walk reading for tomorrow, January 30th, is Exodus 32 - 34. For those interested, let's focus on Exodus 32 and post some observations on this blog. Think about what you see in this chapter - what is emphasized? is anything repeated? are there any cause and effect relationships? who is involved? what is motivating the characters' actions? what is the order of events? does the passage contain any item or phrase that appears random?
To help us get started, I will post a few observations tomorrow.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tools
In the sermon Phil preached, which launched this "read THE BOOK" project, he said that The Bridge wanted to provide tools to help each of us in our Bible reading. One tool that he mentioned was DiscipleShape 2. DiscipleShape 2 is a two hour, informal seminar that provides some practical methods and thoughts on how to study the Bible and get the most out of our Bible reading. We will also consider other things that help us grow in our relationship with God, such as prayer.
DiscipleShape 2 will be held this coming Sunday (01.27) from 1-3 pm at The Bridge. I invite you to attend this event and think that you will get a lot out of it. To register or for more information, email Sarah Pinckney.
After DiscipleShape 2, we will use this blog as a forum in which to practice the bible study methods and tools that we learn.
DiscipleShape 2 will be held this coming Sunday (01.27) from 1-3 pm at The Bridge. I invite you to attend this event and think that you will get a lot out of it. To register or for more information, email Sarah Pinckney.
After DiscipleShape 2, we will use this blog as a forum in which to practice the bible study methods and tools that we learn.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Clinging to hope
A few days ago, we read the last story in Genesis; yesterday, we moved into Exodus. The ending of Genesis is significant, however, so we should pause there for a minute.
We have talked before about how so much of the Bible unpacks God's promises to Abraham and shows how those promises were progressively fulfilled. Joseph clung to God's promises. He clung not only to those promises that he saw fulfilled but held tightly to the promises yet to be fulfilled. He believed that God would eventually take his family to a land of their own, where they would be blessed and bless others.
Look at Joseph's dying words to his family: "I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob . . . God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place." (Genesis 50:24-25 NIV) Joseph died with hope of what was to come. He died looking for the day that God would "come to the aid" of His people and, by doing so, rescue and bless them.
The phrase "come to the aid" is a translation of the Hebrew verb that means "visit." That Hebrew verb, visit, refers to God's divine intervention for the sake of blessing. Joseph died knowing that the blessings would come and promises be fulfilled when God visited his people.
Fast forward many generations and years.... a girl named Mary is pregnant. During that pregnancy, she stays for three months with a family - Elizabeth and Zechariah. Elizabeth and Zechariah knew the story of Mary's pregnancy. They knew that she was carrying God's Son. Zechariah becomes filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesies about the baby Mary is carrying and what that baby would do. (See Luke 1:68-79). You know what Zechariah says? In prophesying about and describing the significance of Jesus' pending birth, he says God has visited and come to His people through that baby (Luke 1:68).
As a result of Jesus visiting us, many promises and blessings have been fulfilled.
Yet, we still suffer, struggle, sin. Our bodies wear down and people die. At times, addictions can appear more powerful than God. There are many promises that have not been completely fulfilled. You know that. I know that. John - one of Jesus' disciples - knew that.
Towards the end of John's life he, like Joseph, longed and hoped for what was yet to come. What is so fascinating and encouraging is that much of his hope rested in what Joseph's hope rested in. In some of John's final words, he describes and expects God's complete redemption of us and the final fulfillment of all of God's promises to us (Revelation 19 - 22). The final fulfillment of those promise is tied to one thing - when Jesus visits us once again (Revelation 19; 22:7, 12, 20). And so, John ends with the plea filled with hope "Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
Joseph knew that God's promises would be fulfilled through God's coming and visiting. Joseph hoped and longed for that. Jesus came.
John knew that God's promises will be completely fulfilled when Jesus comes again and visits this earth. John hoped and longed for that.
What am I hoping and longing for? What are you hoping and longing for? Is our hope tied to God finally fulfilling all of His promises when Jesus comes. Or, is our hope tied to simply trying to make our lives today more comfortable and manageable?
Come, Lord Jesus. Come.
We have talked before about how so much of the Bible unpacks God's promises to Abraham and shows how those promises were progressively fulfilled. Joseph clung to God's promises. He clung not only to those promises that he saw fulfilled but held tightly to the promises yet to be fulfilled. He believed that God would eventually take his family to a land of their own, where they would be blessed and bless others.
Look at Joseph's dying words to his family: "I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob . . . God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place." (Genesis 50:24-25 NIV) Joseph died with hope of what was to come. He died looking for the day that God would "come to the aid" of His people and, by doing so, rescue and bless them.
The phrase "come to the aid" is a translation of the Hebrew verb that means "visit." That Hebrew verb, visit, refers to God's divine intervention for the sake of blessing. Joseph died knowing that the blessings would come and promises be fulfilled when God visited his people.
Fast forward many generations and years.... a girl named Mary is pregnant. During that pregnancy, she stays for three months with a family - Elizabeth and Zechariah. Elizabeth and Zechariah knew the story of Mary's pregnancy. They knew that she was carrying God's Son. Zechariah becomes filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesies about the baby Mary is carrying and what that baby would do. (See Luke 1:68-79). You know what Zechariah says? In prophesying about and describing the significance of Jesus' pending birth, he says God has visited and come to His people through that baby (Luke 1:68).
As a result of Jesus visiting us, many promises and blessings have been fulfilled.
Yet, we still suffer, struggle, sin. Our bodies wear down and people die. At times, addictions can appear more powerful than God. There are many promises that have not been completely fulfilled. You know that. I know that. John - one of Jesus' disciples - knew that.
Towards the end of John's life he, like Joseph, longed and hoped for what was yet to come. What is so fascinating and encouraging is that much of his hope rested in what Joseph's hope rested in. In some of John's final words, he describes and expects God's complete redemption of us and the final fulfillment of all of God's promises to us (Revelation 19 - 22). The final fulfillment of those promise is tied to one thing - when Jesus visits us once again (Revelation 19; 22:7, 12, 20). And so, John ends with the plea filled with hope "Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
Joseph knew that God's promises would be fulfilled through God's coming and visiting. Joseph hoped and longed for that. Jesus came.
John knew that God's promises will be completely fulfilled when Jesus comes again and visits this earth. John hoped and longed for that.
What am I hoping and longing for? What are you hoping and longing for? Is our hope tied to God finally fulfilling all of His promises when Jesus comes. Or, is our hope tied to simply trying to make our lives today more comfortable and manageable?
Come, Lord Jesus. Come.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Joseph and his multifaceted yarn
For most of this week we have been camped out in the remarkably multifaceted story of Joseph. What do I mean by multifaceted?
If you read Joseph’s story for its literary value, it may arguably be the most brilliant example of character development ever written- we literally see him morph from being a spoiled young braggart into a man of impeccable character.
If you read it for motivational purposes, Joseph’s story is one of the great lessons of perseverance ever recorded. Against all odds he not only survives some of the most grueling circumstances anybody could ever face, but he thrives in those environments.
If you read Joseph’s story for its dramatic value – it is filled with sensuality, jealousy, abandonment, vengeance, power even human trafficking. Joseph’s demonstration of integrity, reliability and spiritual maturity in the midst of all this drama turns what should have been a R rated movie into a G rated movie.
If you read Joseph’s story for its inspirational content (of course every facet of his story is inspirational) you get a front row glimpse into the life of a man who never forgot his God and a God who never forgot his man.
Which facet(s) of Joseph’s story were particularly compelling to you? Why?
Was it easier for you to relate to Joseph’s circumstances or his example? Why?
What are other insights have you gained from reading Josephs story?
Oh yeah…don’t forget, we will be spending the next 4 weeks seeing how all the of the above plays out in the work place as we continue our Sunday Morning teaching series - work.life
If you read Joseph’s story for its literary value, it may arguably be the most brilliant example of character development ever written- we literally see him morph from being a spoiled young braggart into a man of impeccable character.
If you read it for motivational purposes, Joseph’s story is one of the great lessons of perseverance ever recorded. Against all odds he not only survives some of the most grueling circumstances anybody could ever face, but he thrives in those environments.
If you read Joseph’s story for its dramatic value – it is filled with sensuality, jealousy, abandonment, vengeance, power even human trafficking. Joseph’s demonstration of integrity, reliability and spiritual maturity in the midst of all this drama turns what should have been a R rated movie into a G rated movie.
If you read Joseph’s story for its inspirational content (of course every facet of his story is inspirational) you get a front row glimpse into the life of a man who never forgot his God and a God who never forgot his man.
Which facet(s) of Joseph’s story were particularly compelling to you? Why?
Was it easier for you to relate to Joseph’s circumstances or his example? Why?
What are other insights have you gained from reading Josephs story?
Oh yeah…don’t forget, we will be spending the next 4 weeks seeing how all the of the above plays out in the work place as we continue our Sunday Morning teaching series - work.life
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Doing this with you
Every Tuesday, The Bridge staff meets together. Our meetings include times of prayer and devotions. Many of us on staff are reading The Daily Walk Bibles so we have decided to base our staff devotions on those readings. Today's reading included a "My Daily Walk" section that states as follows, "Thirteen years of Joseph's life were spent in obscurity in Egypt. But they were not wasted years. God in his infinite wisdom knew that the man who emerged in Chapter 41 would be different from the man who was submerged in Chapter 37. It takes a world with trouble in it to train men and women for their high calling as children of God." The comment is then made that "it is possible to learn from an enemy things we can't learn from a friend."
For the next thirty minutes, we considered those staments. It was a great conversation as we shared things that we learned from those who have disagreed with us. It was interesting to hear the way that our growth and learning has come not only from the good times with our friends but also the challenging times with challenging people.
What do you think about this? Is it, in fact, possible to learn from an enemy things we can't learn from a friend? Has God used challenging people in your lives and their hurtful (but true) comments to shape and grow you? Is God using such people and circumstances now?
How?
For the next thirty minutes, we considered those staments. It was a great conversation as we shared things that we learned from those who have disagreed with us. It was interesting to hear the way that our growth and learning has come not only from the good times with our friends but also the challenging times with challenging people.
What do you think about this? Is it, in fact, possible to learn from an enemy things we can't learn from a friend? Has God used challenging people in your lives and their hurtful (but true) comments to shape and grow you? Is God using such people and circumstances now?
How?
Friday, January 11, 2008
Does God mean it?
God promised Abraham that He would (i) give him children and descendants that would eventually form a nation; (ii) give those descendants land - a place to live; and (iii) use Abraham and his descendants to bless all nations (Gen 12 and 15). The stories that we have recently read were recorded and given to Jews so they could look back over their history and see how God progressively honored His promises. We track God's promises being fulfilled through Abraham, then through his son - Isaac, then through Isaac's son - Jacob. Specifically, Abraham's children keep having children. Then, God's blessing gets past down the family tree. We will soon begin reading how Abraham's descendants move towards the land they were promised. These individual stories combine to show God's faithfulness. That is the big point, and it is helpful to keep the big point in mind as we read through the individual stories.
However, these individual stories also reveal things about the people that God was choosing and using. Think about some of the stories we read today (Genesis 27-31) or in previous days. Is there any common theme among the characters involved? What are the things they do well? What are similar mistakes they seem to make? Is there some underlying factor/concern that motivates their poor choices? Why do they act the way they do, particularly in light of what God promised to them.
Much like the characters we read about, God has promised certain things to us. Now, here is the harder question...why do we sometimes act the way we do, particularly in light of what God has promised to us?
However, these individual stories also reveal things about the people that God was choosing and using. Think about some of the stories we read today (Genesis 27-31) or in previous days. Is there any common theme among the characters involved? What are the things they do well? What are similar mistakes they seem to make? Is there some underlying factor/concern that motivates their poor choices? Why do they act the way they do, particularly in light of what God promised to them.
Much like the characters we read about, God has promised certain things to us. Now, here is the harder question...why do we sometimes act the way we do, particularly in light of what God has promised to us?
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Calendar
If you have not yet received your Daily Walk Bible, here are the upcoming, suggested readings:
01.08 Genesis 18-20
01.09 Genesis 21-24
01.10 Genesis 25-26
01.11 Genesis 27-31
01.12 Genesis 32-36
01.13 Genesis 37-40
One important thought...our primary goal is not to merely follow a schedule. Our goal is much greater. We want to regularly read the Bible, allow it to transform our daily actions and thoughts, and better know the God who loves us. That is the goal. It is a much bigger goal than complying with a schedule. Discipline is important, and schedules can be very beneficial. On the flip side, it is far too easy for keeping the schedule to become the goal, in and of itself.
So, pick a pace and schedule that is helpful for you. If the Daily Walk schedule is helpful - use it. However, if your reading pace is different, that is absolutely fine. Do not feel guilty. Do not become frustrated. Read at the pace that works for you.
Am I overstating things? How do you think reading calendars can be beneficial? Can they be harmful? Is reading through the entire Bible in one year the ultimate goal or is there more?
Thoughts?
01.08 Genesis 18-20
01.09 Genesis 21-24
01.10 Genesis 25-26
01.11 Genesis 27-31
01.12 Genesis 32-36
01.13 Genesis 37-40
One important thought...our primary goal is not to merely follow a schedule. Our goal is much greater. We want to regularly read the Bible, allow it to transform our daily actions and thoughts, and better know the God who loves us. That is the goal. It is a much bigger goal than complying with a schedule. Discipline is important, and schedules can be very beneficial. On the flip side, it is far too easy for keeping the schedule to become the goal, in and of itself.
So, pick a pace and schedule that is helpful for you. If the Daily Walk schedule is helpful - use it. However, if your reading pace is different, that is absolutely fine. Do not feel guilty. Do not become frustrated. Read at the pace that works for you.
Am I overstating things? How do you think reading calendars can be beneficial? Can they be harmful? Is reading through the entire Bible in one year the ultimate goal or is there more?
Thoughts?
Monday, January 7, 2008
A rescue plan
Thanks for checking out this blog. If you have ripped off the plastic and cracked the binder on your Daily Walk Bible, you will see that today's reading isn't a Bible reading at all. It is a rest stop of sorts allowing us to review what the prior six readings covered. Tomorrow's reading will pick up in Genesis 18-20. But, for today, let's pause and think about the story told by Genesis' first seventeen chapters. Understanding these first few chapters is critical to understanding the entire biblical story. As such, this post will be longer than most.
The story in the first seventeen chapters is rather simple, very tragic, yet thick with hope. Here's the deal: "In the beginning, God created . . . " He created. He made. He began the story, and in Genesis 1 and 2 everything was very good. Life then was what we so often long for now.
In a moment, however, everything changed. Everything. Genesis 3 tells how humans were deceived into thinking that God was holding out on them. They thought that life would be better if they did what they wanted instead of what He wanted. They were mistaken. They disobeyed, and that disobedience shattered the relationship they had with God. It filled their lives and this world with pain (See Genesis 3:14-19). There was nothing they could do to restore themselves to God. There was nothing they could do, through their own efforts, to fix the mess in which they found themselves. They were in need of rescue. That is where Genesis 3 leaves them, all of humanity, and all of creation.
The great news for them, for us, and for creation, however, is that our Daily Walk Bibles do not end with Genesis 3. There are many other chapters, events, and characters. Nearly all of those chapters, events and characters (from Genesis 4 through Revelation 19) reveal one theme and goal--God's unfolding plan to rescue and restore what He created for His glory. All of what we will read in the coming chapters unfolds His plan to rescue us.
So, God rescues Noah (Genesis 5-10). He then chooses a man named Abram/Abraham to be a key player in the rescue plan. God makes promises (Genesis 12, Genesis 15) to Abraham, which form the foundation for God's rescue plan. God promises to give Abraham children, who will grow into a nation that will be blessed by God. God further promises that a person from that nation will eventually bless and rescue all people in all nations. Tomorrow, we will read about how God continues to work with Abraham.
For now, though, let's think about this idea of rescue. Do you think of the Bible as revealing a rescue plan? Do we think that we need to be rescued? Or, is there a tendency to think that we pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps and, somehow, worked our way into a relationship with God? God rescues us...should we do or think anything differently today because of that?
The story in the first seventeen chapters is rather simple, very tragic, yet thick with hope. Here's the deal: "In the beginning, God created . . . " He created. He made. He began the story, and in Genesis 1 and 2 everything was very good. Life then was what we so often long for now.
In a moment, however, everything changed. Everything. Genesis 3 tells how humans were deceived into thinking that God was holding out on them. They thought that life would be better if they did what they wanted instead of what He wanted. They were mistaken. They disobeyed, and that disobedience shattered the relationship they had with God. It filled their lives and this world with pain (See Genesis 3:14-19). There was nothing they could do to restore themselves to God. There was nothing they could do, through their own efforts, to fix the mess in which they found themselves. They were in need of rescue. That is where Genesis 3 leaves them, all of humanity, and all of creation.
The great news for them, for us, and for creation, however, is that our Daily Walk Bibles do not end with Genesis 3. There are many other chapters, events, and characters. Nearly all of those chapters, events and characters (from Genesis 4 through Revelation 19) reveal one theme and goal--God's unfolding plan to rescue and restore what He created for His glory. All of what we will read in the coming chapters unfolds His plan to rescue us.
So, God rescues Noah (Genesis 5-10). He then chooses a man named Abram/Abraham to be a key player in the rescue plan. God makes promises (Genesis 12, Genesis 15) to Abraham, which form the foundation for God's rescue plan. God promises to give Abraham children, who will grow into a nation that will be blessed by God. God further promises that a person from that nation will eventually bless and rescue all people in all nations. Tomorrow, we will read about how God continues to work with Abraham.
For now, though, let's think about this idea of rescue. Do you think of the Bible as revealing a rescue plan? Do we think that we need to be rescued? Or, is there a tendency to think that we pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps and, somehow, worked our way into a relationship with God? God rescues us...should we do or think anything differently today because of that?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Beginning....
Throughout the Bible, those who "started well" listened to what God said. At The Bridge, we want to start 2008 well. We desire to hear what God has revealed and, together, think about how we can better obey and apply it. So, we created this blog.
This morning we gave out Daily Walk Bibles. As you read through those Bibles, this blog is a place to share your thoughts and questions. It will also be a place to consider how the readings impact our lives. Other Bridge pastors and I will moderate this blog, post discussion questions several times a week, and help guide the conversations.
A few things:
1. If you have not yet received a free Daily Walk Bible, you may pick one up next Sunday in The Bridge's lobby.
2. If reading the Bible is intimidating or you simply want to gain some tools for biblical study, I invite you to DiscipleShape 2 on Sunday, January 27th from 1 - 3 p.m. DiscipleShape 2 is a casual class that introduces some Bible study methods and provides thoughts on prayer and other spiritual disciplines. Lunch will be provided. To register for that event or for more information, email Sarah Pinckney.
3. Posting to the blog will begin on Monday, January 7th. See you then...
Peter Smith
Pastor of Community
The Bridge Church
This morning we gave out Daily Walk Bibles. As you read through those Bibles, this blog is a place to share your thoughts and questions. It will also be a place to consider how the readings impact our lives. Other Bridge pastors and I will moderate this blog, post discussion questions several times a week, and help guide the conversations.
A few things:
1. If you have not yet received a free Daily Walk Bible, you may pick one up next Sunday in The Bridge's lobby.
2. If reading the Bible is intimidating or you simply want to gain some tools for biblical study, I invite you to DiscipleShape 2 on Sunday, January 27th from 1 - 3 p.m. DiscipleShape 2 is a casual class that introduces some Bible study methods and provides thoughts on prayer and other spiritual disciplines. Lunch will be provided. To register for that event or for more information, email Sarah Pinckney.
3. Posting to the blog will begin on Monday, January 7th. See you then...
Peter Smith
Pastor of Community
The Bridge Church
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