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Monday Feb 03, 2020
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Psalm 119:17-48
New International Version (NIV)
ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counsellors.
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[b]
38 Fulfil your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
- Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Monday Feb 03, 2020
1 Timothy 6:11-21
New International Version (NIV)
Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Sunday Jan 26, 2020
Sunday Jan 26, 2020
Ephesians 4:1-6
New International Version (NIV)
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Sunday Jan 26, 2020
Sunday Jan 26, 2020
1 Timothy 6:3-10
New International Version (NIV)
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
This podcast covers both of the sessions that Duncan delivered on the night of Wednesday 22 Jan 2020.
We have removed the gap after about 29 minutes when Duncan allowed time for group discussions. There is only a 12 second period of silence before Duncan starts his second session.
Here is a copy of Duncan's handout:
Training for Godliness:
2. Reading the Bible (Part 2)
Jan-Feb 2020
A. Written to them, for us
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 ESV
We need to take the original route, not the direct one:
• What questions was the author trying to answer?
(These are more important than the questions I want answered!)
• Find out what it meant to them back then, before applying it to us now.
B. Context is King
ALL Scripture is God-breathed, not just the warm and cosy verses.
Beware the ‘Instagram Bible’ – “It comforts but rarely convicts. It emotes but rarely exhorts. It warms but rarely warns. It promises but rarely prompts. It moves but does not mortify. It builds self-assurance but balks at self-examination.” (Jen Wilkin, The Gospel Coalition).
e.g. 1 Corinthians 2:9 – Can we comprehend our salvation?
C. Genre
(Genre: “a style or category of art, music or literature”)
We instinctively learn to read different types of literature in different ways:
• Limerick v’s news report
• Comic v’s textbook
• Novel v’s autobiography
The Bible’s 66 books contain different genres of literature:
• Historical narrative
• Poetry
• Prophecy
• Law
• Wisdom literature
• Apocalyptic writings
• Gospels
• Epistles (Letters)
Commit to reading LITERARILY (according to literary style) before reading literally.
D. Literary Context
• Why is this here?
• What comes immediately before and after this?
• How does this fit into the whole?
o Look for author’s purpose statements (e.g. Luke 1:1-4; 1 John 5:13)
o How does this passage contribute to the bigger aim of the book?
[Also, historical context; redemptive context]
E. In your group:
Example 1
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 ESV
How have you heard this verse taught/applied? What sort of ‘things’ have we heard this verse be used to refer to?
Take time to consider the immediate context (i.e. what comes before and after) by reading Philippians 4:10-20. Why does Paul write this section? What is Paul’s situation (cp. 1:12-14). How does Paul want to reassure his readers?
In light of this, what does Paul mean by v13?
ii. Example 2
Read John 2:1-11. Where have you heard this passage preached? Taken on its own, what might the author’s purpose be for recording this?
Now read John 20:30-31. Why did John write his Gospel? How does John 2:1-11 contribute to that overall purpose? In light of this, what is John 2:1-11 about?
F. Reading the Bible – what to do
a. Bible in a Year
b. Reading a Part of the Bible
c. Meditating on the Scriptures (Psalm 1:2)
d. Reading with others
e. Apply!
You may as well quit reading and hearing the Word of God, and give it to the devil, if you do not desire to live according to it. Martin Luther
Homework.
Read the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
Think about the sort of lessons you have heard taught from this – especially the application (therefore you should…)
Now read 1 Samuel 17:46-47
• What is the purpose behind this story?
• Read through the whole chapter and note the ways that the author accomplishes his purpose in how he unfolds the story. What are we supposed to take from it?
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Psalm 119[a]
New International Version (NIV)
א Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Sunday Jan 19, 2020
Sunday Jan 19, 2020
1 Timothy 5:17-6:2
New International Version (NIV)
17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a] and “The worker deserves his wages.”[b]19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favouritism.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[c] of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
Footnotes:
- 1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4
- 1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7
- 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service
Thursday Jan 16, 2020
Thursday Jan 16, 2020
A. Training for Godliness
1 Timothy 4:7-10
7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
Godliness: attitude of heart towards God - to love Him with all heart, soul and strength
B. What is the Bible?
- 66 books
- ~40 authors
- Took 1500 years to write
- Finished writing >1900 years ago
- Old Testament – Hebrew (& Aramaic)
- New Testament – Greek
And yet… RELEVANT TO US.
i. God-breathed
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
ii. True
“…it is impossible for God to lie…” Hebrews 8:18 (cp. Titus 1:2)
iii. Living
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…”
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Therefore… iv. Authoritative
v. Spiritually Understood
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
vi. Human
C. Where Is The Meaning?
Who has the right to determine the meaning of a text – the author or the reader?
In your groups:
Read 1 Corinthians 13.
In what contexts have you heard this passage commonly used? What tends to be the main point(s) from considering a passage like this?
Read the following verses in 1 Corinthians, which help us to see why Paul wrote this letter
- 1:10-12;
- 3:1-4;
- 6:1-8;
- 11:17-18.
Do these verses affect how we read chapter 13? In what ways does our understanding why Paul wrote the letter clarify how we understand this chapter?
Guidance: If we are to understand a passage of Scripture we need to first of all try and understand what the writer was trying to communicate. We can do this by trying to answer questions like:
- Who is the writer?
- Who is the original reader?
- What do we know about their circumstances?
- What prompted this to be written?
- Problems needed addressed?
- Wanted to remind the readers of something?
- To encourage? To convert? To rebuke?
D. The Bible is ONE Story - it can be thought of as having four main parts which are:
- CREATION
- FALL
- RESCUE
- COMPLETION
Question to ask: How does this passage help me to understand God’s plan of rescue?
Homework.
Try this exercise for the book of Philippians
Read all four chapters taking a note of:
- Who wrote this & what do we learn about him?
- Who is this written to & what do we learn about them?
- What circumstances prompted this letter to be written? (may be more than one)
- Sum up what you think the main aim(s) of this letter were.
Thursday Jan 16, 2020
Thursday Jan 16, 2020
This is a copy of the handout that Duncan handed out to all who attended our Big Night In - some of the layout may not be exactly as it was on the paper copies but it is hoped it will help as you listed to Duncan,
A. Training for Godliness
1 Timothy 4:7-10
7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
Godliness: attitude of heart towards God - to love Him with all heart, soul and strength
B. What is the Bible?
- 66 books
- ~40 authors
- Took 1500 years to write
- Finished writing >1900 years ago
- Old Testament – Hebrew (& Aramaic)
- New Testament – Greek
And yet… RELEVANT TO US.
1. God-breathed
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
2. True
“…it is impossible for God to lie…” Hebrews 8:18 (cp. Titus 1:2)
3. Living
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…”
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Therefore…
4. Authoritative
5. Spiritually Understood
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
6. Human
C. Where Is The Meaning?
Who has the right to determine the meaning of a text – the author or the reader?
In your groups:
Read 1 Corinthians 13.
In what contexts have you heard this passage commonly used? What tends to be the main point(s) from considering a passage like this?
Read the following verses in 1 Corinthians, which help us to see why Paul wrote this letter
- 1:10-12;
- 3:1-4;
- 6:1-8;
- 11:17-18.
Do these verses affect how we read chapter 13? In what ways does our understanding why Paul wrote the letter clarify how we understand this chapter?
Guidance: If we are to understand a passage of Scripture we need to first of all try and understand what the writer was trying to communicate. We can do this by trying to answer questions like:
- Who is the writer?
- Who is the original reader?
- What do we know about their circumstances?
- What prompted this to be written?
- Problems needed addressed?
- Wanted to remind the readers of something?
- To encourage? To convert? To rebuke?
D. The Bible is ONE Story - it can be thought of as having four main parts which are:
- CREATION
- FALL
- RESCUE
- COMPLETION
Question to ask: How does this passage help me to understand God’s plan of rescue?
Homework.
Try this exercise for the book of Philippians
Read all four chapters taking a note of:
- Who wrote this & what do we learn about him?
- Who is this written to & what do we learn about them?
- What circumstances prompted this letter to be written? (may be more than one)
- Sum up what you think the main aim(s) of this letter were.
Monday Jan 13, 2020