Sunday, August 31, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Solomon's Colonnade or Portico
This isn't the real place, but it is an ancient colonnade.
Imagine Jesus teaching here...when it talks about him teaching in the temple...this is most likely the setting.
Imagine what it sounded like...how His voice echoed and carried in this magnificent setting.
In ACTS, the apostles continued on in the tradition Jesus had set forth...they gathered and taught in Solomon's Colonnade or Portico
OUTLINE for ACTS study
STUDY OF ACTS
Aug 17 The Mission in Jerusalem 3:1-6:7
Aug 24 Stephen, Philip, and Saul 6:8-9:31
Aug 31 The Gospel Spreads in Syria-Palestine 9:32-12:24
Sep 7 The First “Missionary Journey” and the Jerusalem Council 12:25-16:5
Sep 14 The Second and Third “Missionary Journeys” 16:6-19:41
Sep 21 To
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Inductive Study of ACTS
We began a 7 week study of Acts this Sunday. Acts is fast moving account of the first 30 years of the early church. Once you gain insight into Acts, the entire New Testament will be much more clear.
Why an Inductive Bible Study?
A Chinese proverb says "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime."
My wish for you is for you to learn how to "fish" - how to study God's word in your own quiet time. In this way the Holy Spirit will be your teacher - He is a perfect teacher and I know you will grow in Christ.
As a testimony -
I grew up trying to be a "daily bible reader" out of sense of Southern Baptist Duty...not love for God's word, but because you could raise your hand in Sunday School if you were a daily bible reader. Just before I dozed off to sleep I would flip open the bible and try to read something to say I had at least read the bible that day. I would read the bible ONLY if i was involved a formal book study...but it still was "How much do I HAVE to read to get through this?" I thought people who liked to read the bible also liked to read fine print on contracts and the phone book for fun. (maybe you have been there or you are there today...there is much better way to live in Christ.)
Really not until 10 years ago did I learn how to study the bible. It was over a period of time, but God began to call me to read his word. I was not satisfied with my walk with Christ and knew that God's word had to be part of becoming His disciple. I asked God in very simple prayers to understand the bible before I began to read each time. God answered those prayers and I received the Holy Spirit's guidance in understanding God's word. I didn't know it at the time, but John 16:8 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth..." - it clearly says one of the main purposes of the Holy Spirit is to help us to understand the bible. My walk with Christ began to grow and I gained a sincere desire to learn more and a love for God's amazing bible.
You can't learn all the Bible in a single day...Pray asking for God's help and take small steps - His word will be come Fresh and Alive and Active. With God's help, the words will begin to almost leap off the page. By God's grace, you will become one of those "Jesus Freaks" who say..."I was reading this scripture the other day and WOW...God just showed me this!"
How do I begin?
First if you don't have a quiet time...Begin a quiet time today...God will honor your efforts.
Second - If you have a quiet time - Begin with PRAYER FIRST...then read smaller passages of the Bible, but study deeper.... ask questions.
For example:
What is the “big idea” of the passage?
Who is writing or speaking and to whom?
Click the link for a download of a PDF guide to the Inductive Bible Study Method.
Some people will ask every question and be very formal...while some will use 4-5 main questions to look at the text. Both are fine. The main point of the inductive method to bible study is to first seek God in prayer, read a small passage and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you God's word.
One word of caution - an attempt to find "hidden things" not present in the scripture is sometimes a fault of students using this bible study method. God's word is powerful as it is written ...just ask the questions and see what is written in God's word.
Also to add further depth to your study.... invest a few minutes to read the Book introduction and try studying the maps for the highlights will add a whole new element to bible study.
Call or email me if you have a question during the week.. I want to help you and see you grow in Christ.
In Him,
Ken
Why an Inductive Bible Study?
A Chinese proverb says "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime."
My wish for you is for you to learn how to "fish" - how to study God's word in your own quiet time. In this way the Holy Spirit will be your teacher - He is a perfect teacher and I know you will grow in Christ.
As a testimony -
I grew up trying to be a "daily bible reader" out of sense of Southern Baptist Duty...not love for God's word, but because you could raise your hand in Sunday School if you were a daily bible reader. Just before I dozed off to sleep I would flip open the bible and try to read something to say I had at least read the bible that day. I would read the bible ONLY if i was involved a formal book study...but it still was "How much do I HAVE to read to get through this?" I thought people who liked to read the bible also liked to read fine print on contracts and the phone book for fun. (maybe you have been there or you are there today...there is much better way to live in Christ.)
Really not until 10 years ago did I learn how to study the bible. It was over a period of time, but God began to call me to read his word. I was not satisfied with my walk with Christ and knew that God's word had to be part of becoming His disciple. I asked God in very simple prayers to understand the bible before I began to read each time. God answered those prayers and I received the Holy Spirit's guidance in understanding God's word. I didn't know it at the time, but John 16:8 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth..." - it clearly says one of the main purposes of the Holy Spirit is to help us to understand the bible. My walk with Christ began to grow and I gained a sincere desire to learn more and a love for God's amazing bible.
You can't learn all the Bible in a single day...Pray asking for God's help and take small steps - His word will be come Fresh and Alive and Active. With God's help, the words will begin to almost leap off the page. By God's grace, you will become one of those "Jesus Freaks" who say..."I was reading this scripture the other day and WOW...God just showed me this!"
How do I begin?
First if you don't have a quiet time...Begin a quiet time today...God will honor your efforts.
Second - If you have a quiet time - Begin with PRAYER FIRST...then read smaller passages of the Bible, but study deeper.... ask questions.
For example:
What is the “big idea” of the passage?
Who is writing or speaking and to whom?
Click the link for a download of a PDF guide to the Inductive Bible Study Method.
Some people will ask every question and be very formal...while some will use 4-5 main questions to look at the text. Both are fine. The main point of the inductive method to bible study is to first seek God in prayer, read a small passage and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you God's word.
One word of caution - an attempt to find "hidden things" not present in the scripture is sometimes a fault of students using this bible study method. God's word is powerful as it is written ...just ask the questions and see what is written in God's word.
Also to add further depth to your study.... invest a few minutes to read the Book introduction and try studying the maps for the highlights will add a whole new element to bible study.
Call or email me if you have a question during the week.. I want to help you and see you grow in Christ.
In Him,
Ken
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Gossip Free...It's the way to be.
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/423908.aspx
Follow the link to hear about a small church that started a challenge...a 8 day break from gossiping.
From speaking gossip or perhaps more difficult...to keep from listening to gossip from others.
I am blogging about it, because I believe in the south, we too often turn a blind eye to the SIN of gossip. I confess I have had a "wink at sin" attitude with gossip.
Sadly, the sin of Gossip has become as normal as talking about the weather in our communities.
How many times have you said in your head or even out loud, just before you sinned with gossip:
"I really shouldn't say this....but..." and go ahead with your gossip?
First, Gossip destroys-kills the person who sins by gossiping, we can't be in proper fellowship with God with Gossip in our lives.
Next the victim is harmed by our sin,
Finally, the church or organization, the group becomes damaged and without harmony.
The THINK - test...measuring device for our conversations.
True Helpful Inspiring Necessary Kind
Is it TRUE?
Is it HELPFUL?
Is it INSPIRING?
Is it NECESSARY?
Is it KIND?
If it doesn't pass the THINK test...DON'T say it.
I have a feeling I won't be speaking as much...but that is OK...I need to THINK more about my words.
Wow I know that is tough to think about every word we say, but that is what we are called to do as followers of Christ. We cannot live the lives Christ has called us to without taking care of the "sins which so easily entangle us."
There are many scriptures we could look at but two come to mind...
First- what we should focus our live upon,think and talk about found in Philippians 4.
Second Romans 1, where Paul descibes how the un-Godly act....gossip is right in the middle of the list of sins.
Philippians 4: 8 (NASB) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Romans 1:28-31 (NASB) And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice;
they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
God bless you,
Ken
Follow the link to hear about a small church that started a challenge...a 8 day break from gossiping.
From speaking gossip or perhaps more difficult...to keep from listening to gossip from others.
I am blogging about it, because I believe in the south, we too often turn a blind eye to the SIN of gossip. I confess I have had a "wink at sin" attitude with gossip.
Sadly, the sin of Gossip has become as normal as talking about the weather in our communities.
How many times have you said in your head or even out loud, just before you sinned with gossip:
"I really shouldn't say this....but..." and go ahead with your gossip?
First, Gossip destroys-kills the person who sins by gossiping, we can't be in proper fellowship with God with Gossip in our lives.
Next the victim is harmed by our sin,
Finally, the church or organization, the group becomes damaged and without harmony.
The THINK - test...measuring device for our conversations.
True Helpful Inspiring Necessary Kind
Is it TRUE?
Is it HELPFUL?
Is it INSPIRING?
Is it NECESSARY?
Is it KIND?
If it doesn't pass the THINK test...DON'T say it.
I have a feeling I won't be speaking as much...but that is OK...I need to THINK more about my words.
Wow I know that is tough to think about every word we say, but that is what we are called to do as followers of Christ. We cannot live the lives Christ has called us to without taking care of the "sins which so easily entangle us."
There are many scriptures we could look at but two come to mind...
First- what we should focus our live upon,think and talk about found in Philippians 4.
Second Romans 1, where Paul descibes how the un-Godly act....gossip is right in the middle of the list of sins.
Philippians 4: 8 (NASB) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Romans 1:28-31 (NASB) And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice;
they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
God bless you,
Ken
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