Blog

Fall 2020

Love for one another Radical activist Jerry Rubin made a profound observation about the English language. In response to a commercial that ran in the late 1960s claiming that “Cars love Shell [gasoline],” Rubin complained that the word love had lost its meaning. How can a word used to describe how cars “feel” about gasoline also be applied to a husband and wife, a parent and child, or a glutton and cupcakes? Love can be either good or bad, depending on one’s motive and the object of the love (contrast the love in John 3:16 with that noted in 2 Timothy 4:10 and 1 John 2:15). A survey of key Old and New Testament passages directs us properly. Love and Families It has been said, “You can choose your friends; family you’re stuck with!” There is a lot of truth in this modern proverb. Some of the most difficult people […]

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Summer 2020

Many Faces of Wisdom We admire wisdom, but struggle to define the term. In 2016, a team of psychologists a attempted to understand how people perceived the concept of wisdom. “e team presented historical figures who were generally esteemed as being wise, then asked what specific qualities made them wise. “Three templates emerged: practical wisdom, philosophical wisdom, and benevolent wisdom. Scripture confirms that wisdom manifests itself in many ways. Bezalel was filled with wisdom for his work constructing the tabernacle (Exodus 31:2, 3). Joshua was filled with wisdom to lead Israel into the promised land (Deuteronomy 34:9). A wise woman persuaded her city to slay David’s enemy and save themselves (2 Samuel 20:16–22). Even in biblical times, it was apparent that wisdom has diverse blossoms. The Roots of Wisdom True wisdom is rooted in a single source: God himself. We open unit 1 with a survey of wisdom in the […]

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Spring 2020

Justice and the Prophets Unit 1: God Requires Justice Date Title Bible Text March 1 A Call to Accountability Amos 5:18–24 March 8 A Prayer for Justice Habakkuk 1:1–4, 12–14 March 15 Consequences for Injustice Habakkuk 2:6–14 March 22 An Argument Against Corruption Micah 3:1–3, 9–12; 6:6–8 March 29 Need for Just Leaders Malachi 2:1–9; 3:5, 6 Unit 2: God Promises a Just Kingdom Date Title Bible Text April 5 A Just Servant Isaiah 42:1–9 April 12 A Resurrected Savior 1 Corinthians 15:1–8, 12–14, 20–23, 42–45 April 19 An Executed Scoundrel Esther 7:1–10 April 26 A Justice-Loving God Isaiah 61:8–11; 62:2–4a Unit 3: Called to God’s Work of Justice Date Title Bible Text May 3 Prophesying Restoration Zephaniah 3:14–20 May 10 Promising Peace Zechariah 8:1–8, 11–17 May 17 Practice Justice Jeremiah 21:8–14 May 24 Repent of Injustice Jeremiah 22:1–10 May 31 Pursue Love and Justice Hosea 11:1, 2, 7–10; 12:1, […]

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Winter 2019

Honoring God In a courtroom, the judge is referred to as “Your Honor.” Chivalrous men vow to protect their ladies’ honor. High-achieving students work to make the honor roll. At a small bed-and-breakfast, guests might find a basket of snacks and be trusted with paying on the honor system. This English word is very old, with its first usage being traced to the thirteenth century. Honor means “fame earned,” recognition based on merit. An appointed or elected jurist, a chaste person, an exceptional student, and trusted clientele gain a reputation by past behavior. More than any human being, God has earned his fame. This quarter is designed to explore how the Bible teaches us to express honor to God. To do so, these lessons will focus on three studies from Scripture. David and Mary Express Honor In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Brutus defends the assassination of Caesar as a noble deed. […]

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