January 9, 2009
Spring Bible Studies!
Hey ladies!
Spring is in the air (really, it is…someday soon…really!) and we’ve got some great options for small groups. Take a look at our recent spring flyer info:
AM BIBLE STUDIES BEGINNING JANUARY 20:
Tuesday 9 to 11 am in the Fellowship Hall:
Heaven by Randy Alcorn (Teachers: Kay Thompson and Peggy Frederick)
Esther by Beth Moore (Teacher: Sherry Rist)
Ruth and Esther by Warren Wiersbe (Teacher: Ute Jones)
Seeking Him by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (Teacher: Pat Dykes)
PM BIBLE STUDIES BEGINNING JANUARY 21:
Wednesday 6 to 8 pm in the CMC and Activities Bldg:
Frazzled Female by Cyndi Wood (Teacher: Liz Knight)
Don’t forget our monthly programs! Third Tuesday of each month:
LADIES NIGHT OUT PROGRAM
JANUARY 20th
6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Spring Program Dates: Jan. 20, Feb. 17, Mar. 17, April 15, May 20
September 2, 2008
Backing Up Our Words
This week’s lesson brings out lots of ideas about the connection between love and obedience. Loving God means obeying God. Obeying God means following His commands. Living a Christian life means living according to the precepts and promises of God. How does this compare with your life? Are you living according to the Word? Are you acting according to the will of God?
In our study guide, on page 32, there’s a great question – “what steps of obedience do you sense God wants you to take today?” Think about it. Think about your life, and the choices you are faced with this week. What steps can you take to become more obedient to God’s call and plan for your life?
See you in class,
Jen
August 28, 2008
Reactions to Gnosticism
Hey friends!
Class was great last night – thanks for taking time to join the discussion, here and at the church. Last night we talked about 1 John 1:1-10. I enjoyed hearing how different parts of the passage touched each of us in a unique way. From the impact of John’s witness to the idea of God as light – pure and without sin, we have lots to think about!
I spent a good bit of time talking about gnosticism, because John’s letter speaks to many of the ideas of gnosticism that were permeating the culture and creeping into the church. We see much of the same influences in our own world. Maybe people don’t really believe Jesus is the Savior, or maybe they just think He was a good teacher; one among many. Maybe people around us are on a quest for knowledge – and are forming some sort of religious spirituality around their own quest to become like God through wisdom (gnostics believe they can tap into their own “inner divine spark” and become God…) Maybe there is a felt need for some sort of secret handshake, repetitive mantra, or private club. Whatever the case, there are a variety of paths presented by gnosticism intended to distract mankind from the true path of Jesus Christ.
The need for understanding such background is so that we can experience these letters from John like the early church did. Surely, his readers were aware of the cultural struggles around them, and the ideas that were seeping into their world. The “reinvention” of Jesus is nothing new, and nothing we should fall for…same old game from the enemy wrapped in a new fancy wrapper.
What were your reactions to this background of gnosticism? Are you more aware of those ideas in our own culture as a result of our conversation? How have you reacted to such false beliefs in the past, and how will you approach them now?
Leave a comment and reply on this message, and let’s talk it through!
August 23, 2008
123 John Study Syllabus
Hey! Here’s the dates and listing assignments for each week.
You’ll need your favorite Bible, a notebook, and access to commentaries (if you like to do research online, a great site is www.biblegateway.com). The commentary we will read together is “Life Application Bible Commentary: 1,2,3 John” by Tyndale House Publishers (ISBN: 0-8423-2857-2). You can get one from me in class, or online at www.amazon.com.
Please read and study the following passages, being ready to discuss on the date listed:
Aug 20: Intro (pgs 1-11)
Aug 27: 1 John 1:1-1:10 (pgs 12-27)
Sept 3: 1 John 2:1-2:11 (pgs 28-39)
Sept 10: 1 John 2:12-17 (pgs 39-47)
Sept 17: 1 John 2:18-29 (pgs 47-59)
Sept 24: 1 John 3:1-9 (pgs 60-70)
Oct 1: 1 John 3:10-24 (pgs 71-82)
Oct 8: NO CLASS
Oct 15: 1 John 4:1-6 (pgs 83-90)
Oct 22: 1 John 4:7-21 (pgs 90-103)
Oct 29: 1 John 5:1-10 (pgs 104-112)
Nov 5: 1 John 5:11-21 (pgs 113-121)
Nov 12: 2 John (pgs 122-140)
Nov 19: 3 John (pgs 141-154)
Nov 26: NO CLASS
Dec 3: Jude (or review)
Each week’s assignment
* Read the passage due the next week. Journal about how it impacts you – your initial reaction to the passage.
* Then, read the commentary, and record any additional things you learn, along with any questions you want to ask in class.
* Think about how the passage impacts your life today, and how your life experiences have included such issues mentioned. How will knowing this passage of God’s Word impact your reactions in daily life?
* We will have additional questions and interaction on our Bible study blog! Check it out, and “leave a comment” as a way to respond/discuss with others – www.womenofzion.wordpress.com
If you are doing the study with us in class, I’ve given you a spiral notebook. If you’re following along online and at home, grab a notebook you’ll use just for this study, and work thru the following questions/sections each week. Be creative. This is a discovery and growth time between you and the Lord…you’ll get out of it exactly what you commit to put into it…
To help you out, here’s some sample section ideas:
Sample Journal Entries:
Passage:
- your initial reaction to the passage assigned – first thoughts
Commentary:
- reaction, thoughts, insight gained from the commentary and other research – you can include topical research on particular words, concepts, etc in this part of the journal – as a “research student”
Questions:
- what would you like to ask in class, or points you don’t want to forget? Jot them down here
Impact:
- total life application here. Think about what you’ve just read and researched. What does it mean for your life? How can you implement the truth you’ve learned in your life, and impact your world? How does this segment of the study change your outlook and understanding?
Prayer/praise letter to God:
- make this a personal time of conversation with the Lord – write a prayer to Him, and include praise for who He is, who you are in Him, and how His Word is transforming you today.
Blog discussion:
- take a look at the blog for additional questions, and to respond to comments and questions other classmates have about the week’s assignment. www.womenofzion.wordpress.com
I look forward to talking with you all about what we’ve learned. Discussion is encouraged!
August 21, 2008
Surprised reactions?!?
Hey girls!
Did you find the blog? 
It was great seeing you tonight.
Do you think your going to like the study? Hope so. I’m excited to see who’s joining us for class – don’t forget to let others know that they can still join us on the blog even if they can’t make it to the Wednesday night meeting.
I enjoyed our conversation about John’s experience with Jesus, and his interaction with the Savior as He walked the earth. John walked with Jesus. He saw the miracles Jesus performed. He was Jesus’ “beloved disciple” – John shared an intimacy with the Savior that only two others came close to. Peter and James were also in that inner circle of three Jesus shared closest fellowship with. But John, in his passion for the truth, wrote about his experiences with certainty. There was no doubt who His Savior was!
In the first 5 verses, we read John’s personal experience and convictions. How would the orginal readers react, and how do you react upon reading such statements about Christ and His followers? Do you think John’s certainty about what he saw surprised those reading the letter? Why or why not?
August 20, 2008
Talkin’ about John’s kind of Jesus follower…
Hey ladies!
I’m excited about this new adventure we are embarking on together. Through this blog we’ll have the opportunity to share our hearts, thoughts, and lives. Not just another spot for announcements and requests, this site will allow us to discuss Bible study classes, theological questions, and life struggles.
Hopefully you’ll join the conversation as we begin this online opportunity with a blog about our 1,2,3 John study that I’ll be teaching on Wednesday nights. Whether you can attend the actual class or not, you’ll be able to follow along from home and post your questions and ideas here. That way, you’ll still grow with us as we learn what John had to say to the early believers, as well as to us today. We’ve much to learn!
