Beginning with a BANG! Some points to ponder...

There have been 3 points thus far in the study that have really challenged me...

1) To witness you must SPEAK. Sigh...I didn't really like this one to be honest. "We are all called to minister to others." That I can handle. "The most effective way to minister is to live a life according to The Word and people will see the difference in you." Yup...That I like too.
                                                      
                                                  That's where I like to stop.
                                                                                    That's the easy part.
Opening my mouth is the hard part. (yeah, i know, but try to avoid the comments on that one if you can!!) I challenge you to ask yourself where and with who you need to be a little more bold in your witnessing. My only caution is that if you ask, you need to be ready for the Holy Spirit to show you!!


2) Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, All of Palestine, The Whole Roman World.
       This is the succession of areas that Paul and the other disciples witnessed. They started with their neighbors and family, then went to the surrounding towns, onto the the distant countryside, then out way past their comfort zones. The funny thing about this is it took the persecution of Christians for them to go. In other words, listen carefully to where God would have you go, or He will find a way to make you move!

3) Baptism of the Holy Spirit
        Yup, that's a can of worms for some of you, I realize that, but I'm going there anyway!!
Acts 2:4, 17-18  Note the 14th word of verse 17. (NIV version) (uh huh, that means you and me too). I have never spoken in tongues...to be honest it has always weirded me out a little. But if this is the baptism that Jesus has to offer me, who am I to turn it down??? Matthew 3:11

                                    "No thanks Jesus, I'm not really into all that stuff". 

I don't think so...

I will leave it at that for now.

A little info about Acts, and a few thoughts on the Holy Spirit

YAY!!! It's about time right! Oh well, better late than never right??

Onto my second course, Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers

I'm going to approach this course a little differently than the first. The first was full of background info and history and culture of the time that wasn't apparent in the context of the books studies. This study of Acts has a different focus. It's more about analyzing what's in the book of Acts, and digging a little deeper into the meaning and application. I would highly recommend reading through my first blog entries about the History and Culture of Jesus' time, it will give a much better understanding of Acts.

I will start with some basic info on the book of Acts:

Author: Luke (well, at least this is the most likely case. The Author is never stated directly in the book, but based on the structure, personal knowledge of Paul's travels, and references to the book of Luke, we can safely conclude it was written by Luke)

Date Written: around 63 AD

Main Characters: the Holy Spirit, Paul, and Peter (in that order!)
                                        (At one time the book was called The Acts of the Apostles. All the Apostles are mentioned, however Peter and Paul's journeys are more the focus.)

Main Ideas: History of the Church; The Holy Spirit; How to be a witness 

Being that the true Main Character of this book is the Holy Spirit, I think it's good to take a moment to really identify who He is. This is the part where I get to stray from my text's teachings, and simply talk for a bit.....ohhhhhh I like this part!!

I like to think of the Holy Spirit kind of like a mall security guard. They don't get as much hype as the "real" cops, people like to make fun of them, but they are the first we call on when we can't find our car or someone takes our purse. Jesus promised the Disciples he would send someone whose coming was so important, it warranted Jesus' departure.(John 16:7) He commanded (not asked, but commanded) them to wait in Jerusalem until they received this "gift" from His Father; a gift that would be for all people (Joel 2:28-29). Why is it then that something that Jesus recognized as vital for His people, is something that we like to shy away from?? I don't mean to condemn on this, I too fall into the category of people who like to try to put the Holy Spirit into a box. I doubt this is what God had in mind when He sent this gift for us. I would be hurt (and a little dumbfounded) if I gave you a mansion as a gift, and you only chose to utilize the basement and garage.

As we really take some time to look deeper into the book of Acts I pray that you will join me in moving forward with and open mind, and a surrendered heart.

Talk to you soon!
Sarah

Can you hear the sound....of silence???

...........yup........i hear the silence too.....

I have been having a hard time feeling motivated these days...working on it tho

I'm reading through the book of Acts right now in prep for my next course. It's AMAZING how much more it all makes sense now that I know some of the history and culture of the time!  I've always had such a hard time understanding anything out of the bible, now it's starting to make some sense...crazy!

If I don't post anything in the next few weeks feel free to start harassing me!

After the "Passion"

Well, in my last post I said I would go more into detail about this time, because it was too much to cover in just one blog entry. I'm sorry to say I might disappoint some of you here. After further review I don't think I am going to go too in depth about this. My studies focused mostly on who told what in reference to the different Gospels, and that sort of knowledge isn't the goal of this blog.

I strongly encourage you to take some time and sit down to read about the arrest, trial, Crucifixion, and resurrection of our Lord. Knowing what Christ endured only brings me that much faster to my knees.

This will actually end my blogging on my first course "Christ in the Synoptic Gospels". Thank you so much for following along with me through this course, and I sincerely hope you were able to walk away with a better understanding of the History and Culture of Jesus' time.

My next course will be on the books of Acts...So I'll see you soon!!

The Ministry of Christ

Ok, so here is another LOADED topic. My goal here is not to re-tell the bible, really, you should read it for yourself! But this will hopefully serve as a guide to give you a better understanding of the Gospels. The Gospel writers weren't too interested in painting a chronologically correct picture of Jesus' ministry, but I think it does help to have a general outline of how things likely happened. Just please note that this timeline is NOT 100% accurate, it's just the best guess.

The Early Judean Ministry

• Began with Jesus' baptism and temptation in the desert
• Lasted about 8-10 months
• The Synoptics tell little about this time period, so the book of John helps to fill in the blanks a bit
• Jesus chooses his first 5 disciples:
• Andrew
• John
• Simon Peter
• Philip
• Nathanael (thought to be another name for Bartholomew)
• Goes to Cana and Capernaum in Galilee briefly. (Here he performs His first recorded miracle of turning water into a wine at a wedding feast. (John 2:1-11) Makes you wonder if that's why he bothered to go to Galilee for such a short amount of time. I can't imagine it was a quick or easy journey...His mother must have wanted him to come...what a good son!)
• Returns to Jerusalem for the Passover feast where he clears the temple of money changers (John 2:14-16) and has a little meeting with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). Nicodemus was a Pharisee...we will touch on that a bit later :) 
• Christ preaches in the Judean countryside, while John the Baptist is baptising not too far away.
• Controversy is brewing between the Pharisees and John the Baptist's disciples regarding Jesus' ministry in comparison to John the Baptists. This is likely a reason that Jesus decided to leave Judea.
• Christ moves through Samaria (where he talks to the woman at the well) on His way to Galilee.
• According to Mark and Matthew John was imprisoned before Jesus left, Luke states it to have happened after.

The Galilean Ministry

• Jesus selects the last of the disciples, completing the list of 12
• Simon Peter
• John
• Andrew
• James son of Zebedee
• Levi (Matthew)
• Bartholomew
• Judas
• Phillip
• Thomas
• James son of Alphaeus
• Thaddeus
• Simon the Zealot
• This area of the ministry is a little harder for me to put into a timeline format. What really matters is that Jesus preached, taught, and performed miracles all over Galilee. This was his main area of ministry, lasting about 20 months.
• At the beginning of the Galilean ministry Jesus was creating a lot of buzz, and people seemed to be attracted to his teachings. The Bible often notes "large crowds" that followed Jesus as he taught. I'm sure this was in somewhat of a contrast to what the ministry in Judea was like. It's like country mouse and town mouse! 
• As time went on people started to be challenged by the teachings of Christ, and as that happened, more people started to question and reject Him.
• A key event in the latter part of this time is when John the Baptist's disciples come to question Jesus. (Matthew 11:2-19; Luke 7:18-35). This seems to be a pivotal point where we can note the attitudes of people changing toward Jesus.
• The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36) occurs during this time.
• Toward the end of this time Jesus starts to spend more time alone with His disciples and less time teaching to the public. This is understandable when you think of the rejection He was facing, as well as His preparation for what was to to come. Jesus knew what was going to happen when He left Galilee and returned to Judea, and He needed to prepare His disciples.
• The end of this part of Jesus' ministry is best summed up in John chapter 7. He is rejected by His own brothers at the Feast of Tabernacles. That leads us into....

 The Later Perean/Judean Ministry

• Jesus spends time in both Perea and Judea over a time of about 6-7 months
• Of the Synoptics, Luke will give you the most info on this part of Jesus' ministry. Start with Chapter 9.
• The Gospel of John again fills in some holes. (Thanks John!)
• Controversy is continuing to mount against Jesus'
• More and more of Jesus' time is spent alone with His disciples
• When Jesus does teach to the public (and well...I suppose to His disciples as well) He is using more and more parables to teach. (I will touch on the reasoning of this a bit later...be patient!). Because of this I am not going to elaborate too much more on this time frame. There isn't much for me to elaborate on...if you want to know what Jesus taught on during this time, read Luke 9-19. (yup, it's a long one, but a pretty easy read)

The "Passion Week"
I'm going to buzz through this part a bit, not because it's not important, but I feel like we are getting to an area that most people are pretty familiar with. (It's ok if you are not though, remember, we all are learning together here!!). I'm going to address this area as my text did, and lay it out there in a day by day format.

1. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11)
2. Jesus cursed the fig tree, and drove out the money changers (Matthew 21:12-17) The chief priests and teachers of the Law began to look for ways to have Jesus killed
3. Christ is challenged by the chief priests and teachers, and He responds with parables and teaching...wow what a patient guy! ...But wait!!! READ Matthew 23:1-39...I LOVE IT...way to sock it to them Jesus, you are just too cool. (Verse 33 is my favorite, ohhhhh how that must have sent the Sadducees and chief priests right over the edge! If ever they had any doubt about wanting this man dead, this must have sealed their decision.) Christ delivers His Olivet discourse. (Matthew 24:1-25, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36) on this day as well
4. This is a quieter day for Jesus, at least there is less recorded about it. A few highlights we do know that likely occurred on this day is the woman anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, and it is likely this is the first time Judas Iscariot has contact with the chief priests. (Who are still fuming over being called a "brood of vipers"...hehehehe) 
5. Jesus ate the "Last Supper" with his disciples (this was the Passover meal), predicts Judas' betrayal, goes to the Mount of Olives where he predicts Peter's denial, then on to Gethsemane where Christ prays.

I'm going to leave this one at that point, and I will pick up the details of Jesus' arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection in the next post...this one is long enough!!!

The Birth and Early Years of Christ

So this is an area that could either take me weeks to cover, or I could try my best to sum it all up as briefly as possible...I'm shooting for the second option. I think this is an area that tends to be easier for people to grasp than the history stuff, and we tend to be more familiar with this subject matter as well. So...that being said, here we go!

The Birth and Early Childhood Years
Matthew 1,2 and 3
Luke 1,2
You really should take the time to read through both accounts. There are details that are specific to each account that together paint a very good picture of how things tie together, and why things happened as they did. I thought of separating out the info for you, but naahhh, I really think you should open your bible and see for yourself!! (hehehehe)
(Mark says nothing about the birth of Jesus)

• The angel Gabriel (Luke says it was Gabriel) came to Mary and told her she was going to have a baby. As confirmation (although Mary didn't really ask for it) he told her about her cousin Elizabeth who was expecting a baby. (That would be John the Baptist)
• Mary went to visit Elizabeth in Elizabeth's 6th month of pregnancy.
• According to Luke, Mary stayed with Elizabeth for a few months, returning right before the baby was born. (odd she didn't stay for the baby to be born...oh well)
• Joseph (he was pledged to marry Mary) was considering calling it all off, but being a gentleman he wanted to do it quietly as to not disgrace Mary. An angel told Joseph not to worry, it was God's baby, so Joseph took Mary as his wife. (I love a happy ending!)
• Caesar Augustus wanted a census of the entire Roman empire, so everyone had to go to their town of birth. Joseph was from Bethlehem, so off they went. By this time Mary was really preggo!
• Jesus was born in Bethlehem (read Micah 5:2 - pretty cool huh!)l
• Shepherds came to see baby Jesus, and left proclaiming the good news of a savior being born. 
• At 8 days old Jesus was circumcised and brought to the Temple, where Mary and Joseph offered a sacrifice for their new baby. (As was the Jewish Law)
• While at the Temple Jesus was prophesied over my Simeon and Anna
• King Herod heard of the birth of a Jewish King and was jealous, so he ordered the death of all baby boys 3 years old and younger. (This really makes me sick to my stomach, I plan on talking to God about this when I see him in Heaven)
• Joseph was told this in a dream, so he and Mary escaped with Jesus to Egypt until King Herod died. (I really hope it was a slow and painful death!...I know I shouldn't wish such things, but well...I really think that man was pure evil!!)
• They returned to the town of Nazareth in Galilee, and that's where Jesus grew up.
• At the age of 12 they temporarily "lost" Jesus at the Temple during their annual pilgrimage there for the Feast of the Passover. They found him 3 days later chillin' in the temple courts with the teachers, impressing everyone with his awesomeness. (Mary and Joseph had a "little talk" with Jesus, and reminded him that if he was going to live in their house, he needed to follow their rules...which meant at 12 years you didn't ditch your parents! Jesus being the good boy he was returned to Nazareth with them.)
• That's all we hear about until the start of Jesus' public ministry that he begins in his young 30's. (Being the parent of a teenager, I can understand these years of silence.)

John the Baptist

uh...why are covering John the Baptist in a study of "Christ in the Synoptic Gospels"?

cuz, my textbook did, and there is some really interesting stuff to be covered!!

If you really want the most details about John the Baptist (can I just call him John, it would really make this easier...thanks!) the best place to look is the book of Luke chapter 1.

• Born to Zechariah and Elizabeth
• They were "well along in years" and past the age of having children. Zechariah was a priest, and as he was serving in the Temple the angel Gabriel appeared and told him he was going to have a son, and to name him John
• Gabriel identifies John's 3 main purposes to be:
1. to be a joy and delight to his parents...ahhh, isn't that great! (apparently Gabriel never dealt with a tantruming toddler...or worse...a tantruming teenager!!)
2. turn many of the people of Israel back to the Lord
3. prepare the people for the coming of Christ
• John was a Judean
• John was a relative of Jesus
• John was a rough mountain man who lived in the desert until the Lord called him to ministry at the age of 30. (John was about 6 months older than Jesus, so this gives us a good reference for how old Jesus was at the beginning of his ministry)
• John preached in Judea
• He preached a baptism of repentance. First repent, then be baptised as an outward sign of an internal change. (Isaiah 40:3-5)
• Many people believed that John was the Christ.
• He responded to this with...(Luke 3:16-18)   yup, I'm going to make you read it yourself!
• John baptised Jesus in the Jordan river
• John was put in prison and beheaded. Mark 6:17-29
• John was Elijah returned. Matthew 17:1-13

The important thing to remember about John the Baptist is that he prepared the people for the coming of Jesus.