Book Club Bible Study Starts Here September 13, 2011

  Book Club Bible Study

Yes, U Can Get It

What is the purpose of Book Club Bible Study?

Book Club Bible Study is designed to equip you to effectively study the Bible for yourself; to think, act and respond biblically.

Secondly, it is designed to equip future leaders to lead effective Book Club Bible Study discussion groups.

The New Inductive Study Bible is the Bible study workbook used for every Book Club Bible Study.  Click here to order The New Inductive Study Bible from Amazon

Requirements for effective Book Club Bible Study – HOT

                    H ungry for biblical Truth

                    O bedient to biblical Truth

                    T eachable

• Be committed.
• Confidentiality is crucial.
• Discussion based on scripture not opinion.
• Beware of the tongue.  Proverbs 12:18 on page 1034 in The New Inductive Study Bible.

How will Book Club Bible Study equip me to effectively study and understand the Bible?  Follow this pattern for daily Bible study and group Bible study.

• Open in Prayer – Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and apply what you read and study.  John 14:26 on page 1743 in the New Inductive Study Bible.

• Read Scripture – “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 on page 1961-1962 in The New Inductive Study Bible

• Interact with Scripture – Look for repeated words and phrases.  Make a list.  Ask who, what, where, when, why and how?  Use scripture cross references and allow scripture to interpret scripture.  Use a concordance, dictionary or lexicon to define unfamiliar words.  Consult a reputable commentary after all personal study has been completed.  Above all, keep everything in context.  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15 on page 1960 in The New Inductive Study Bible.

• Close in Prayer – Give thanks and rejoice in the Lord.  Ask God in prayer to help you think biblically (see Philippians 4:8) and practice right living (see Philippians 4:4-9).

Things to know before you get started:

1. The books of the Bible are not chronological.

• Genesis – Deuteronomy = Pentateuch – Greek word meaning a 5 fold book.  Also, referred to as the Torah in Judaism.  The general consensus is that these books were written by Moses.
• Joshua – Esther = 12 historical books – The history of the nation of Israel from the death of Moses to the restoration of the nation after Babylonian captivity.
• Job – Song of Solomon = Poetry and wisdom books.  Wisdom versus folly.
• Isaiah – Malachi = 17 books of prophecy.
• Matthew – John = Biographical books of the life of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
• Acts = Historical book of the acts of the apostles.  The beginning of the church.
• Romans – Jude = Epistles or letters – Letters written to the churches or individual christians.
• Revelation = Prophetic revelation of the destiny of the church.  Also, referred to as the apocalypse or revelation.

       2.  Read “Understand the Value of God’s Word” on pages 2083-2086 in The New Inductive Study Bible.  It provides the background on the Bible.

       3.  Read “Major Events in Israel’s History” on pages 2087-2098 in The New Inductive Study Bible.  See the “big picture” of the nation of Israel and its significance to biblical history and modern-day world events.

      4.  Familiarize yourself with the timeline located on pages NISB-42 – NISB-48 in The New Inductive Study Bible.  The timeline provides historical context for each book of the Bible, the nations, and the leaders mentioned in the Bible.

     5.  http://www.biblestudytools.com is an excellent online resource for the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and the Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible.

 Yes, U can get it,

Ginger

Armed & Dangerous 4 the One True King – 1 Samuel week 1

1 Samuel - Week 1 Discussion Guide

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Armed & Dangerous 4 the One True King – Week 1

Book Club Bible Studies are designed to equip you to effectively study the Bible for yourself.  Begin with a
brief review of the blog post Book Club Bible Study Starts Here.  It provides the “big picture” for effective Bible study.

Locate the timeline on page NISB-42 of The New Inductive Study Bible. The nation of Israel can trace its ancestry back to Adam.  Begin with Adam and follow the line over to Judges.  The season of the judges, over the nation of Israel, spanned 300 years.   Judges begins with a generation that did not know war, nor did they know the works of the Lord firsthand.  The book of Judges sets the stage for 1 Samuel.

1. Read Judges 1:27-33 on page 399-400 in The New Inductive Study Bible.

• God had instructed the tribes of Israel to drive out the inhabitants of the land of Canaan.
• What did the tribes do with the inhabitants of the land according to verses 27-33?

 

2.  An angel of the Lord speaks to the people at Bochim.  Read Judges 2:1-3 on page 400 in The New Inductive Study Bible.

What is God’s promise? * ___________________________________________________

What is God’s command?  __________________________________________________

How had the tribes of Israel responded?  ______________________________________

What were the consequences? ______________________________________________

*See scripture cross reference Genesis 17: 7-8 for covenant in Judges 2:1 on page 26 in The New Inductive Study Bible.

 

3.  Read Judges 2:16-3:6 on page 401 in The New Inductive Study Bible.  Mark judge(s) with a “J.”

• What do you learn about the judges, the people & the Lord?

 

4.  Read and highlight Judges 17:6 on page 427 in The New Inductive Study Bible;  Judges 18:1 on page 428; Judges 19:1 on page 430 and Judges 21:25 on page 436.

• What is the weakness that kept Israel defeated and ineffective?
• How are the days of the judges similar to today in America and in the world?

 

5.  There is hope.  Read the opening of 1 Samuel on page 446 in The New Inductive Study Bible.

 

Things to do before next week’s group discussion on page 446 in The New Inductive Study Bible.

Chapters 1-3:  Samuel, the Last Judge – 1, 2 and 3

 

Action step to be Armed and Dangerous 4 the One True King

Effective Bible study produces transformation in our individual lives.  What idol, sin or weakness do you need to put out of your life this week to be Armed and Dangerous 4 the One True King?

 

Taking down idols to serve the One True King,

Ginger

What idol are you taking down in your life to serve the One True King?  Leave a comment to encourage others to be Armed & Dangerous.

What is Armed & Dangerous 4 the One True King?

Armed & Dangerous 4 the One True King – 9 week Bible Study 1 Samuel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is your greatest weakness?   Do you know that God’s strength is a perfect
fit for each of our weaknesses?  Armed & Dangerous 4 the One True King
is a 9 week Book Club Bible study of 1 Samuel.

 

Armed & Dangerous 4 the One True King will allow you to…

• Examine the strategies of successful and
  unsuccessful men and women.
• Develop a personal action plan to be properly
  armed for every battle.
• Face the giants in your daily life.
• Hear the voice of the One True King.

 

Will you join me in the movement this fall to be Armed & Dangerous?

Order the Book Club Bible study work book; The New Inductive Study Bible at Amazon

A small group discussion guide will be posted each week on the blog.

 

 

Armed & Dangerous 4 the One True King,

Ginger

Priority for 2011… Do whatever it takes to BE READY! (Part 2) Luke 16-18 January 11, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change requires adjustments…

                Change can be awkward and uncomfortable…

                                Opposition arises…

                                                Will you quit?

 

                                                                Will you do whatever it takes to BE READY?

As Jesus approached the end of His life, He was purposeful to prepare His followers for the changes that lay ahead.  Review the chart “Life of Christ Showing Coverage by Luke” on page 1710 of “The New Inductive Study Bible.”  Over a brief three year span notice how Jesus has transitioned from obscurity to popularity to increasing opposition.

This week we will see how Jesus continues to offer instruction, correction and encouragement to his followers.

 

Things to Do this Week

Read Luke chapters 16-18 on pages 1688-1694 in “The New Inductive Study Bible.” (Or use the Bible of your choice.)

Make an effort to read and interact with a portion of Luke each day.

• An easy way to read Luke is one event at a time.  List each main event in the margin of your Bible for easy reference.  Mark every reference to time with a circle. Underline geographic locations.
• Record your answers to the questions below in a notebook or journal.
• Consider adopting this pattern for your personal Bible study time each day.

1. Pray –  John 14:26  Ask the Helper, the Holy Spirit to teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance what you read and study.
2. Read Scripture – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Why?  All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness; so the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
3. Interact with Scripture – 2 Timothy 2:15 Why?  So you will not be ashamed and you will be able to accurately handle the word of truth and apply it to your life effectively.  Interaction with scripture includes:  keeping everything in context; marking repeated words & references to time; asking questions… who, what, where, when, why & how; using scripture cross references to allow scripture to interpret scripture; word studies (dictionary, lexicon, concordance)
4. Pray – Philippians 4:4-9 Thank God for what you learn.  Ask God to help you PRACTICE what you learn.  Ask God to help you THINK correct thoughts based on what you learn.

 

Main Events – Luke 16-18

• Read 16:1-12  Who is Jesus speaking to in verse 1?  When the manager was confronted by his boss about the mismanagement of his possessions, how did the manager respond?  Why did the manager respond by collecting only part of what was owed to his boss?  Verses 8-9 can be confusing so it is helpful to consult a reputable commentary.  An excerpt from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise) is copied below.  The link is also included.

 

Verses 1-12 Whatever we have, the property of it is God’s; we have only the use of it, according to the direction of our great Lord, and for his honor. This steward wasted his lord’s goods. And we are all liable to the same charge; we have not made due improvement of what God has trusted us with. The steward cannot deny it; he must make up his accounts, and be gone. This may teach us that death will come, and deprive us of the opportunities we now have. The steward will make friends of his lord’s debtors or tenants, by striking off a considerable part of their debt to his lord. The lord referred to in this parable commended not the fraud, but the policy of the steward. In that respect alone is it so noticed. Worldly men, in the choice of their object, are foolish; but in their activity, and perseverance, they are often wiser than believers. The unjust steward is not set before us as an example in cheating his master, or to justify any dishonesty, but to point out the careful ways of worldly men. It would be well if the children of light would learn wisdom from the men of the world, and would as earnestly pursue their better object. The true riches signify spiritual blessings; and if a man spends upon himself, or hoards up what God has trusted to him, as to outward things, what evidence can he have, that he is an heir of God through Christ? The riches of this world are deceitful and uncertain. Let us be convinced that those are truly rich, and very rich, who are rich in faith, and rich toward God, rich in Christ, in the promises; let us then lay up our treasure in heaven, and expect our portion from thence.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-concise/luke/16.html

• Read Luke 16:13-18  Remember Jesus is speaking to the disciples in chapter 16.  Who is listening “to all these things” in verse 14?  How did the Pharisees respond to what Jesus was saying?

 

Verses 13-18 To this parable our Lord added a solemn warning. Ye cannot serve God and the world, so divided are the two interests. When our Lord spoke thus, the covetous Pharisees treated his instructions with contempt. But he warned them, that what they contended for as the law, was a wresting of its meaning: this our Lord showed in a case respecting divorce. There are many covetous sticklers for the forms of godliness, who are the bitterest enemies to its power, and try to set others against the truth.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-concise/luke/16.html

• Read Luke 16:19-31  What do you learn about the rich man?  What do you learn about the poor man?  If you died today would you be with Lazarus or the rich man?  Who will your brothers, sisters, coworkers, friends and family be with today if they die?  Will this prompt you to take action?  If yes, what action will you take?

 

• Read Luke 17:1-6  What do you learn about stumbling blocks, correction, forgiveness and faith?

 

• Read Luke 17:7-10  Do you expect an immediate reward or an expression of appreciation for doing what is right?  What insight do you gain from the parable of the servant?

 

• Read Luke 17:11-19  Where is Jesus going?  Where is Jesus when he encounters the 10 leprous men?  When were the Lepers cleansed according to verse 14?  How many lepers gave thanks to God for their healing?  Notice that the one who returned to give glory to God and thank Jesus was a Samaritan… a foreigner.  Take time today to give glory to God and thanks to Jesus for the blessings in your life. 

 

• Read Luke 17-:20-37 How is Jesus the Son of Man described in verse 24?  List what will happen to Jesus in verse 25?  How are the days of the Son of Man described? 

 

• Read Luke 18:1-14  Remember Jesus is speaking to the disciples and the Pharisees are listening.  When should the followers of Christ pray?  Should they give up after awhile if their prayers are not answered?  Why?  Why not?  In verse 9 we see another group of people listening to Jesus.  How are the people in verse 9 described and how do they view others?  Describe the Pharisee and the tax collector.  Which are you most like and why? 

 

• Read Luke 18:15-27 The disciples mess up.  What do they do? How do men and women receive the kingdom of God and enter it?  What does the ruler want to know in verse 18?  How had the ruler been conducting himself throughout his life?  What did Jesus say the ruler lacked in verse 22?  How did the ruler respond?  Is it impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?  Why or why not… back your answer up with scripture. 

 

• Read Luke 18:28-34 What do you learn about the people who leave their homes and families for the sake of the kingdom of God?  List what Jesus tells the 12 disciples in verses 31-33.  Did the disciples understand what Jesus was telling them? 

 

• Read Luke 18:35-43 What city is Jesus approaching?  How did the people respond to the blind man who was calling out to Jesus?  How did Jesus respond to the blind man?  Why did the blind man receive his sight?  How did the man respond to Jesus when he received his sight?  How did the people respond to the miracle? 

 

 

Are you willing to do whatever it takes to be ready?

 

Write out a prayer of confession and thanksgiving.  Ask God to help you with the difficult and challenging areas of your life.  Give all glory and honor to God the Father and thank Jesus for the example that He has provided for you.

As a guide for prayer consider the words of Jesus from Luke 12. 

All things that are hidden will be revealed.

Do not worry or be anxious about how or what you should speak in your defense. 

The Holy Spirit will teach you what to say when you need to say it.

Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed.

Seek God first and He will provide what you need.

 

Be ready, Jesus will return unexpectedly.

 

Doing whatever it takes,

 

Ginger

Lessons from a Bluebonnet April 12, 2010

Beauty...

 

Imagine on the hillside there is a Bluebonnet that is not sure of its identity or why it was created.  It is hesitant to break through the ground.  Afraid to push upward toward the light.   The Bluebonnet hesitates and holds back.  All around the other wildflowers are stretching out toward the light.  Bursting through the earth and spreading across the hillside in a stunning blanket of color and texture.

Is there something holding you back?  What thing keeps you from blooming in this season of life?  Could it be fear, vulnerability, insecurity or overcommitment?

As I have walked through the changing seasons of my life fear, vulnerability, insecurity and overcommitment have all held me back at various times.  Hesitancy stops me in my tracks and weighs me down. 

Wildflowers were not created to hold back and rest below the surface of the ground.  The frigid temperatures of the winter give birth to the cleansing spring showers and the warm sunshine of spring.  Wildflowers burst forth and lavishly fill the hills and valleys with vibrant color.

You and I were not created to hold back and rest below the surface of life.  Will you join me this spring and trust God with what matters to you most?  Let us lay down our vulnerability and remember each person is created in the image of God for His purpose.  Confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.” 

Shake off the shackles of overcommitment.  Focus on the one true Light.  Stretch out and bloom into the beautiful image of Christ that you were created to be.

Share a smile, words of kindness, forgiveness and encouragement with others.  Serve and love others without limitations.  Stretch out my friends with me and let us bloom, bloom, bloom…  May those who pass our way be drawn in by the merciful hand of God in our lives and be captivated by His Light forever.

Finding joy in the journey,

Ginger

The Anchor Holds September 30, 2009

The Anchor Holds

 

 

Two years ago a silent prayer was lifted up, “God, help me to see people from your perspective.”

 

I see…

Unexplainable, difficult and gut wrenching circumstances, invade the lives of those I know and love intimately.  Casual acquaintances are pummeled with incomprehensible heartache.   

I see…

Many are devoured and overcome by the harsh realities of life.

I see…

There are fierce, valiant men and women of faith who are not overcome.  In the darkest storms they are held securely by the Anchor.  They grow strong and mighty.

I see…

The Anchor holds.

“I have journeyed through the long dark night, out on the open sea.

 My faith alone, sight unknown and yet His eye is watching me.

 

The anchor holds, though the ship is battered.

The anchor holds, though the sails are torn.

 

I have fallen on my knees, as I face the raging sea.

The anchor holds in spite of the storm. 

I have visions.  I have dreams.

 I’ve even held them in my hand. 

But I never knew they would slip right through,

 like they were only crumbs of sand.

 

The anchor holds, though the ship is battered. 

The anchor holds, though the sails are torn.

 

 I have fallen on my knees as I face the raging seas. 

The anchor holds in spite of the storm. 

I have been young and I am older now,

and there has been beauty, these eyes have seen,

for it was in the night through the storms of my life,

that’s where God proved He loves me.

 

The anchor holds, though the ships been battered.  

The anchor holds though the sails are torn.

 I have fallen on my knees as I face the raging seas.

The anchor holds in spite of the storm.”

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL112E3NjqU

 

Song lyrics from “The Anchor Holds,” Ray Boltz

 

I know…

The Anchor holds.

Please join me in earnest prayer for the Varghese family and the Alter family.   Two precious families who know the Anchor holds.  You can read Micah’s story at http://howismicah.blogspot.com/   and Jada’s story at http://alterfamilyblog.com/

They are faithful men and women who love the Lord God Almighty and serve and honor Him consistently.

“In Thee, O LORD, I have taken refuge;

 let me never be ashamed;

In Thy righteousness deliver me.

Incline Thine ear to me, rescue me quickly;

Be Thou to me a rock of strength,

a stronghold to save me.

For Thou art my rock and my fortress;

For thy name’s sake Thou will lead me and guide me.

Thou will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me;

For Thou art my strength.

Into Thy hand I commit my spirit;

Thou has ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.”

Psalm 31:1-5 

Precious bloggers, may we all…

     See God

     Know God

     Trust God in all circumstances. 

The Anchor holds,

Ginger