Book
What was our memory verse from these two chapters?
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
True/False: A believer does not have to read apocalyptic scripture since interpretation is widely misunderstood. Explain your reasoning.
False - They ought to remain be careful when reading and wait for revelation from the Lord but they are to read it.
~ Revelation 1:3 (ESV) Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
What was hidden since the foundation of the world? Please bring a reference used.
Answer:
(Matt. 13:35 & Gen. 3:15) - God’s plan of redemption, salvation, restoration after the fall.
God is speaking a promise of redemption that was from the foundation of the world.
This plan of restoration or glorification of how God created us to be (from Gen 1 & 2)
According to our main verse, what is the prophetic word Peter is referring to? How do we know this? Bring scripture.
Answer: The prophecy is about Christ’s sufferings
~ 1 Peter 1:10-11 (ESV) 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.
The prophetic word is concerning their salvation.
Read Philemon. Identify the elements of the introduction for an "Ancient Letter."
Author I.D. - Paul, Timothy (v.1)
Recipient I.D. - Philemon, Apphia, Archippus (v.2)
Greeting - (v.1-3)
Blessing - (v. 3) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer - (v. 6) and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
The book gave 4 strategies for reading and understanding letters in the New Testament. Explain as if to a sister in Christ this structured way of studying letters you learnt.
1. Read through the entire letter as you would a letter today
2. Summarize the content of each paragraph.
3. Ask yourself: “What’s the situation?”
4. Look for the main point(s) under discussion.
What is the micronarrative, and what is the metanarrative? Explain with scripture.
Metanarrative:
The grand (“meta”) story that explains claims about reality, truth, and history.
Jesus was speaking about what was beyond just the parables.
Micronarrative:
The parables (Matt. 13:35) are an example of micronarrative because the grand plan of God (metanarrative) was hidden as the parables were explained
Parable of the mustard seed (Matt. 13:31-32) - the Kingdom of God starts small but it grows, as God’s plans always unfold gradually!
What are two points we learned about God’s plans from the Parable of the Mustard Seed?
Verse: Parable of “The Mustard Seed and the Leaven” (Matt. 13:31-32)
Point 1)
The unfolding of God’s plans is gradual.
They start slow and hasten until the end
Each day, it keeps growing more powerful!
Point 2)
The race is not a short-distance run!
The victory is short, but our obedience is for a lifetime.
Peter tells the new believers to pay attention to the prophetic word in our main verse for week 8. What is the outcome of a believer who does not pay attention to it? How can one prevent this outcome?
Answers:
A) 2 Peter 1:9 (ESV) For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
One becomes blind and forgets the work God did to save them.
B) 2 Peter 1:10 (ESV) Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
Unless one makes every effort to supplement their faith with the qualities - virtue, knowledge, self-control,…- they will become nearsighted and forgetful.
Please read Romans 16 and identify at least 4 greetings. What can one learn about the different types of greetings mentioned?
A) (v.1 -16)- different greetings
The book listed ___ number of literary genres found in the Bible. What are they and include an example?
A) 8
B)
1. Prophetic (Isaiah)
2. Apocalyptic (Revelations)
3. Law ( Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deut.)
4. Parable (Gospels, in 2 Samuel 12:1-7 when Nathan rebukes David)
5. Wisdom (Proverbial) (Proverbs, Job, Ecc., Song of Solomon)
6. Poetic (Psalms)
7. Historical Narrative (Gen., Exodus, 1-2 Samuel, Gospels, Acts)
8. Letter (Titus)
Why study apocalyptic scripture? Bring at least 2 points.
Answer:
Revelation 1:3 (ESV) Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
Because the time is near.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (ESV) 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
A strong delusion will come in the end times. Apocalyptic scripture helps one to be aware of the timing of the Lord.
It helps one to make the best use of time in light of Christ’s coming.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 (ESV) The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.
What can we learn from Solomon about the steps to take in order to arrive at the knowledge of God as he wrote 2 wisdom books? (Bring scripture) How can this be applicable to a believer?
Answer:
A) Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 (ESV) 9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.
It requires a lot of studying and a lot of weighing in order to arrive at the knowledge of God.
B) For one to speak by the Spirit of God, it does not come randomly. It comes from much understanding of the Word of God.
Isaiah 50:4 (ESV) The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
How can studying poetic scripture impact one’s prayer life? Explain with scripture.
Psalm 45:1 (ESV) To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song. My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
The offering is fully pleasing, full of love and adoration. The way they approach the Lord is full of understanding. Never just speaking to speak.
Studying poetic scripture will drive the tongue to address the Lord very differently, very specific.
Please read 2 Timothy. Identify the elements of the conclusion for an "Ancient Letter."
Travel plans - (v. 12) - Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
Requests - (v. 9, 11, 13)
Greetings - (v. 19, 21)
TRUE or FALSE
1. Historical narratives are a type of fictional narrative.
2. Parables are a type of fictional narrative.
3. Historical narratives only teach moral lessons.
4. There were 3 basic types of laws found in the Old Testament: civil, ceremonial, and moral.
5. Civic Laws outlined for citizens of Israel which behaviors were subject to criminal prosecution and punishment. Also how to care for vulnerable members of society.
6. Ceremonial Laws provided instruction on how the people of Israel should behave; behavior reflecting God’s character, defining what God considers good and evil.
7. Proverbs, Job, James, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon are the primary books characterized as wisdom literature.
8. 2 Samuel 6:1-15 is of the genre Historical Narrative.
1. Historical narratives are a type of fictional narrative. (False)
Answer: Historical narratives tell a story of true events involving real people.
2. Parables are a type of fictional narrative. (True)
Answer: brief tales that illustrate moral principles using everyday matters familiar to the original listeners (e.g. Farming, travel, money)
Historical narratives only teach moral lessons. (False)
Answer: They record what happened, and usually illustrate a doctrine taught somewhere else. Doesn’t necessarily give a full explanation on the doctrine. (Ex. in 2 Sam. 11 - with David and Bathsheba)
4. There were 3 basic types of laws found in the Old Testament: civil, ceremonial, and moral. (True)
5. Civic Laws outlined for citizens of Israel which behaviors were subject to criminal prosecution and punishment. Also how to care for vulnerable members of society. (True)
6. Ceremonial Laws provided instruction on how the people of Israel should behave; behavior reflecting God’s character, defining what God considers good and evil. (False)
Answer: Provided instruction for carrying out the practice of worship in Israel. They established behaviors that made a person unclean and the process for being restored to a state of cleanliness. (instituted the roles and structure of the temple priesthood)
7. Proverbs, Job, James, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon are the primary books characterized as wisdom literature. (False)
8. 2 Samuel 6:1-15 is of the genre Historical Narrative. (True)
The book gave a form of “Ancient Letters.” What is the form?
(please include a. the number of parts with b. the name of the part, and c. the elements in each of the parts of the letter).
A) 3 parts
B) Introduction, Body, Conclusion
C)
Intro: Author ID, Recipients ID, Greeting, Blessing/Prayer
Body: - addressing specific situation for intended community
Conclusion - Travel plans, prayer, requests, greetings/affection
The ___ GOD __ given me the ___ of those who are ___, that I may __ how to ___ with a ___ ___ who is __. ___ by ___ he __; he __ my __ to ____ as ___ who ___ ___.
____ __:_ (ESV)
The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
Isaiah 50:4 (ESV)
A) ____ being wise, the ___ also ___ the people ____, _____ and studying and _____ many proverbs with ___ ___. The Preacher ___ to find words of ____, and uprightly he wrote words of ____.
The words of the ___ are like ___, and like ___ ____ fixed are the ____ sayings; they are given by ____ _____
Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 (ESV)
B) From this verse, what could be a practical application?
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 (ESV)
B) For e.g., in prayer, growing in one's understanding of God in order to not approach God in the same way each time.
Identify from the letter of 1 Thessalonians the elements of the Introduction and Conclusion.
Introduction
Author ID: Paul, Silvanus, Timothy (1 Thess. 1:1)
Recipients ID: The church of the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:1)
Blessing: “Grace to you and peace”.
Conclusion
Blessing: Now may the God Of peace sanctify you completely,… (1 Thessalonians 5:23, 28)
Requests: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, 25-26)
Affection: 1 Thessalonians 5:26