Després de reunir-nos avuí per xerrar sobre el funcionament del grup a partir del mes de Setembre, aquestes han sigut les nostres conclusions:
Horari i lloc de reunió: Els estudis els continuarem realitzant en diumenges alterns tot i que després de dinar, de 16:00 a 18:00 hores. El primer dia d´estudi s´ha fixat pel 5 d´Octubre. Només queda per concretar a casa de qui.
Dinàmica dels estudis: Abans de cada estudi ens haurem de comunicar aquells dubtes o preguntes que puguem tenir per tal que el dia d´estudi poguem aprofitar millor el temps centrant-nos en les preguntes que el dinamitzador estableixi. Per poder seguir amb aquesta dinàmica, utilitzarem el blog durant els dies anteriors per tal de resoldre possibles dubtes. En quant al contingut dels estudis: continuarem com fins ara, estudiant desde Gènesi tota la Biblia i des del darrer capítol en que ho vam deixar (Gènesi 17 seria el proper).
Lectures: El nostre objectiu és llegir 3 llibres per any. Durant un tarda extra (a banda de l´estudi) ens reunirem per tal de comentar el llibre. Els mesos decidits per tal de fer aquestes trobades són: Octubre / Gener / Juny. Hem establert el dia 27 o 28 de Setembre com a data per trobar-nos per tal de xerrar sobre el llibre que actualment ens estem llegint ("The Reason For God"). Aquest dia a més a més, cadascú de nosaltres portarà una proposta per a la propera lectura.
Blog: Decidim continuar treballant amb el blog com a eina útil per donar a conèixer la nostra fe a d´altra gent d´arreu del món. Es decideix també que s´utilitzarà més com a intercanvi d´informació pel grup i també com a fòrum d´opinió, etc. Els resums dels estudis s´anexaran èn un document per a aquelles persones interessades en llegir-los (no com a una entrada com estàvem fent fins ara).
M´he deixat alguna cosa important a dir?
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Summary of Genesis 13-14
Good afternoon all
a few weeks late, I admit, but here is the summary of the Bible Study that we did at the Hersey household on April 13. The study covered chapters 13 and 14 of Genesis.
por cierto, he pensado que a lo mejor debemos tener estos resumenes tambien a mano para los siguentes estudios, para que la gente que no pudiera assistir sepan por donde vamos...
In chapter 13 we saw Abram and Lot go their different ways. Abram returns to the place where he had previously built an altar, and we commented that his return to God allowed him to offer Lot the choice of the lands. As the patriach of the group, Abram was entitled to the pick of which lands he wanted, but as God's servant, he chose to trust in God's chioce, and avoid any family discussions, by offering Lot the first pick. Lot, naturally, chose the best lands. Lot was choosing based on human, material needs. I do not think we should criticize his pick too much, either. Given the choice, he was taking what was natural. Abram, on the other hand, placed his faith in God, as he had seen in Egypt where trusting in his own goodness had resulted in essentially selling his wife to the Pharaoh. How many times in our dialy lives are we confronted with the opportunity for placing our trust in God's hands, and how many times do we actually do it?
In chapter 14, we see that Lot has fallen captive in a war. Abram's reaction was immediate. It is the first reference of the word Hebrew, and we also see that Abram's wealth was substantial, considering he had more than 300 men who were specially trained to help him. His own personal army. Not only does Abram rescue Lot, but also recovered all the good and possessions. At the end of chapter 14, we meet Melchizedek, who comes up again in the book of Hebrews. This "priest/King" has no genealogy either before or after in the Bible, but his inclusion is important. It shows God operating not only in Abram and his people, but that God is recognized elsewhere. We also see the beginnings of the 10% tithe, where Abram gives Mechizedek a portion of his possessions to use for God's glory. On the other hand, the King of Sodom takes a more worldly approach, suggesting to Abram that he "give me the people and keep the goods for yourself" (Genesis 14:21). Abram's reaction shows once more his dependance on God, he accepts nothing. For me personally, to see that Abram is capable of such faith, even after falling multiple times, is a great relief and inspiration.
a few weeks late, I admit, but here is the summary of the Bible Study that we did at the Hersey household on April 13. The study covered chapters 13 and 14 of Genesis.
por cierto, he pensado que a lo mejor debemos tener estos resumenes tambien a mano para los siguentes estudios, para que la gente que no pudiera assistir sepan por donde vamos...
In chapter 13 we saw Abram and Lot go their different ways. Abram returns to the place where he had previously built an altar, and we commented that his return to God allowed him to offer Lot the choice of the lands. As the patriach of the group, Abram was entitled to the pick of which lands he wanted, but as God's servant, he chose to trust in God's chioce, and avoid any family discussions, by offering Lot the first pick. Lot, naturally, chose the best lands. Lot was choosing based on human, material needs. I do not think we should criticize his pick too much, either. Given the choice, he was taking what was natural. Abram, on the other hand, placed his faith in God, as he had seen in Egypt where trusting in his own goodness had resulted in essentially selling his wife to the Pharaoh. How many times in our dialy lives are we confronted with the opportunity for placing our trust in God's hands, and how many times do we actually do it?
In chapter 14, we see that Lot has fallen captive in a war. Abram's reaction was immediate. It is the first reference of the word Hebrew, and we also see that Abram's wealth was substantial, considering he had more than 300 men who were specially trained to help him. His own personal army. Not only does Abram rescue Lot, but also recovered all the good and possessions. At the end of chapter 14, we meet Melchizedek, who comes up again in the book of Hebrews. This "priest/King" has no genealogy either before or after in the Bible, but his inclusion is important. It shows God operating not only in Abram and his people, but that God is recognized elsewhere. We also see the beginnings of the 10% tithe, where Abram gives Mechizedek a portion of his possessions to use for God's glory. On the other hand, the King of Sodom takes a more worldly approach, suggesting to Abram that he "give me the people and keep the goods for yourself" (Genesis 14:21). Abram's reaction shows once more his dependance on God, he accepts nothing. For me personally, to see that Abram is capable of such faith, even after falling multiple times, is a great relief and inspiration.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Questions for our next study: Genesis 15 - 17
Abram is "in training", learning how to exercise his faith in the practical details of life. Can God be trusted in times of famine? Can he supply what Abram needs? Abram experineces God's intervention in Egypt on Sarai's and his behalf. When Lot chose the most fertile part of Canaan for his flocks, the Lord repeated, giving greater detail, the promise to Abram of the whole land and multiplied descendants. After rescuing Lot from the kings who plundered Sodom, Abram declared his undivided loyalty to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. He gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God, and he refused to accept the king of Sodom's gift of the spoils of war. So our study begins, After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision.
Read Genesis 15
1. Put in your own words the reassurance the Lord gives to Abram in verse.
2. What is the reason for Abram's distress in verses 2 and 3?
Note that according to ancient documents a childless man could adopt one of his male servants to be his heir or guardian of his estate.
3. In response to Abram's complaint, God renews his promise of offspring as numerous as the stars (15:5) or the dust of the earth (13:6). How does Abram respond to God's astounding promises?
4. Upon what does Abram base his belief?
Compare Romans 4:3, 18 -24 to better understand the implications of Abram's faith.
On what do you base your own faith - the character of God, your own works, or something else?
5. What covenant or pact does God make with Abram (verses 4-8, 18-21)? What future events does God reveal to Abram?
6. In ancient covenant ritual (vv 9,10,17) both parties would pass between th dismembered animals to signify what would happen to them if they broke the covenant. "May it so be done to me if I do not keep my pledge". How would the sign of fire assure Abram that God would keep his coveant?
What is Abram's role in the covenant?
Read chapter 16
7. Some 10 years have passed since God first promised descendants to Abram. To what household pressure does Abram yield and why?
8. What seemed like a workable idea soon runs into trouble. How do the three individuals in vv 1-6 each display their sinfulness?
9. What do you learn about God from his dealings with Hagar?
Read Genesis 15
1. Put in your own words the reassurance the Lord gives to Abram in verse.
2. What is the reason for Abram's distress in verses 2 and 3?
Note that according to ancient documents a childless man could adopt one of his male servants to be his heir or guardian of his estate.
3. In response to Abram's complaint, God renews his promise of offspring as numerous as the stars (15:5) or the dust of the earth (13:6). How does Abram respond to God's astounding promises?
4. Upon what does Abram base his belief?
Compare Romans 4:3, 18 -24 to better understand the implications of Abram's faith.
On what do you base your own faith - the character of God, your own works, or something else?
5. What covenant or pact does God make with Abram (verses 4-8, 18-21)? What future events does God reveal to Abram?
6. In ancient covenant ritual (vv 9,10,17) both parties would pass between th dismembered animals to signify what would happen to them if they broke the covenant. "May it so be done to me if I do not keep my pledge". How would the sign of fire assure Abram that God would keep his coveant?
What is Abram's role in the covenant?
Read chapter 16
7. Some 10 years have passed since God first promised descendants to Abram. To what household pressure does Abram yield and why?
8. What seemed like a workable idea soon runs into trouble. How do the three individuals in vv 1-6 each display their sinfulness?
9. What do you learn about God from his dealings with Hagar?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Reason for God
The book "The Reason for God" should have arrived the next time we meet up for a study (which will be next Sunday at my place by the way). In the meantime, you might like to listen to Tim Keller (the author of the book) talking about the subject before a group of students in the US. Why not access this link, and listen to Tim Keller? It will give you a taste of the content of the book. I'm sure you will agree with me that it is very challenging!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Our first book as a group
Hello again,
We decided on our last bible study to begin reading our first book as a group: "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Tim Keller. I think that the idea is to buy it online (all books at the same time), paying just one shipping.
For the moment we need 3 books:
Roger - 1 book
Sergi & Susan - 1 boook
Eric & Elna - 1 book
Isra, I suppose that you want also a book, right?
If anyone else is interested in buying this book, please write a comment on this blog or contact us! As soon as we get the books we will start reading them!
Meanwhile, you can check some of this websites to know more about the book and Timothy Keller:
Amazon - Search Inside the Book
Redeemer Presbiterian Church
Have a nice week!
We decided on our last bible study to begin reading our first book as a group: "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Tim Keller. I think that the idea is to buy it online (all books at the same time), paying just one shipping.
For the moment we need 3 books:
Roger - 1 book
Sergi & Susan - 1 boook
Eric & Elna - 1 book
Isra, I suppose that you want also a book, right?
If anyone else is interested in buying this book, please write a comment on this blog or contact us! As soon as we get the books we will start reading them!
Meanwhile, you can check some of this websites to know more about the book and Timothy Keller:
Amazon - Search Inside the Book
Redeemer Presbiterian Church
Have a nice week!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Resumen del estudio de March 9
The idea here is to post a basic summary of what happenned at Sunday's study. We covered chapter 10, mostly dealing with Noah's sons, and why it was important to see who there were and what they became. We learned that among them they became the founders of seafaring people and mighty hunters/warriors (building kingdoms such as Babylon). This chapter shows us the post-flood development of the "world", whether we understand that to be in the literal sense or in the mesopotamian basin, it clearly shows an evolution from one stage of humanity to another. Also, once more we see God's use of younger children, in this case Shem, in a culture of primogenitry.
A couple of points I would like to make, since we didn't really talk about them during the study, although Roger has already referred to one of them: 1) God's punsihment of Ham and 2) the subsequent curse of his children (Canaan). Roger asked if it was too harsh. I do think we might want to discuss this a bit in the next study, because it will become important.
But back to the study. In chapter eleven we find the Tower of Babel. We see mankind at its egoistical best (and simultaneously its worst). Why did they want to build the tower to heaven? To be equals with God? Why was God so harsh? Because He knows what is good for us. Many people look at this passage as an example of the cruel and harsh God of the Old Testament. We discussed God's motives for this. Again, He understands us better than we understand ourselves. When humans get together our selfishness knows no bounds, and our pride becomes our weakness. Is the tower of babel an isolated incident? Well, look what we have done in the last centuries, with the mess of global warming we find ourselves in, largely due to our own desire to create bigger, faster, more, without thinking about the consequences.
Next Sunday we continue in chapter 11. Sergi and/or Susan will be leading the study, which will be at their place.
A couple of points I would like to make, since we didn't really talk about them during the study, although Roger has already referred to one of them: 1) God's punsihment of Ham and 2) the subsequent curse of his children (Canaan). Roger asked if it was too harsh. I do think we might want to discuss this a bit in the next study, because it will become important.
But back to the study. In chapter eleven we find the Tower of Babel. We see mankind at its egoistical best (and simultaneously its worst). Why did they want to build the tower to heaven? To be equals with God? Why was God so harsh? Because He knows what is good for us. Many people look at this passage as an example of the cruel and harsh God of the Old Testament. We discussed God's motives for this. Again, He understands us better than we understand ourselves. When humans get together our selfishness knows no bounds, and our pride becomes our weakness. Is the tower of babel an isolated incident? Well, look what we have done in the last centuries, with the mess of global warming we find ourselves in, largely due to our own desire to create bigger, faster, more, without thinking about the consequences.
Next Sunday we continue in chapter 11. Sergi and/or Susan will be leading the study, which will be at their place.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Las preguntas - chapters 10-13
Bon dia a tothom -
here are the questions for this week's study (March 9). We are going to try to cover 3 chapters. See you tomorrow!
Chapter 10:
1) This chapter begins and ends with a summary statement that this is the account of Noah's sons, their sons and their nations. Why do you think this genealogy is important to the story of Noah?
2)What kinds of details are given about a few individuals and nations?
Chapter 11:verses 1-9
1) What advantages are there in ahving one language that everyone speaks and understands?
2) What does the previous mention of Shinar in 10:8-11 tell you about its people?
3) What are the people trying to acheive by building the Tower? Compare their plans with God's instructions to Noah and his sons (9:1)
4) How are these plans reminiscent of the rebellion of Cain?
5) How and why does the Lord stop the project?
6) In what ways do you think increased technology encourages people to arrogance, instead of faith?
verses 10-32
7) The account now narrows to focus on Noah's son, Shem. What does this genealogy tell about age at parenthood and length of life? What facts do you learn about Terah's family and their travels?
Chapter 12:verses 1-9
8) The last time Genesis records God speaking directly to a human is in chpaters 6-8 when he spoke to Noah. Now what command does the Lord give Abram, and what does he promise to do for him?
9) How does the Lord identify himself with Abram?
10) What are your emotions when God calls you from something secure to something unknown?
11) Read verse 7 in the context of verses of 6b and 11:340. How does Abram show his confidence in God in the face of these problems?
12) Abram probably knew the experiences of his ancestor Shem, who with Noah built the ark and survived the flood. What effect do you think this might have on teh way Abram obeys God?
verses 10-20
13) What fear directs Abram to go to Egypt, and what fear does he face when he arrives?
14) At what point does Abram take matters into his own hands, instead of trusting God?
15) In spite of Abram's behavior, what evidence do you see of God's mercy?
16) What does this incident in Abram's life teach you about trusting God? Can you think of examples from your own life of choosing without consulting God?
Chapter 13
verses 1-13
17) After being put out of Egypt, what is the significance of Abram's return to Bethel to worship?
18) How do you account for Abram's generous spirit toward Lot at the time of moving?
19) What influences Lot's choice?
verses 14-18
20)The Lord affirms Abram after the departure of Lot. Tn what graphic terms does god expand and make more specific his previous promises to Abram? What would each of the two parts of God's promise mean to Abram?
21) What faith is required of Abram to believe both promises, and how does his response demonstrate faith?
22) In what ways do you demonstrate that you believe God's promises?
here are the questions for this week's study (March 9). We are going to try to cover 3 chapters. See you tomorrow!
Chapter 10:
1) This chapter begins and ends with a summary statement that this is the account of Noah's sons, their sons and their nations. Why do you think this genealogy is important to the story of Noah?
2)What kinds of details are given about a few individuals and nations?
Chapter 11:verses 1-9
1) What advantages are there in ahving one language that everyone speaks and understands?
2) What does the previous mention of Shinar in 10:8-11 tell you about its people?
3) What are the people trying to acheive by building the Tower? Compare their plans with God's instructions to Noah and his sons (9:1)
4) How are these plans reminiscent of the rebellion of Cain?
5) How and why does the Lord stop the project?
6) In what ways do you think increased technology encourages people to arrogance, instead of faith?
verses 10-32
7) The account now narrows to focus on Noah's son, Shem. What does this genealogy tell about age at parenthood and length of life? What facts do you learn about Terah's family and their travels?
Chapter 12:verses 1-9
8) The last time Genesis records God speaking directly to a human is in chpaters 6-8 when he spoke to Noah. Now what command does the Lord give Abram, and what does he promise to do for him?
9) How does the Lord identify himself with Abram?
10) What are your emotions when God calls you from something secure to something unknown?
11) Read verse 7 in the context of verses of 6b and 11:340. How does Abram show his confidence in God in the face of these problems?
12) Abram probably knew the experiences of his ancestor Shem, who with Noah built the ark and survived the flood. What effect do you think this might have on teh way Abram obeys God?
verses 10-20
13) What fear directs Abram to go to Egypt, and what fear does he face when he arrives?
14) At what point does Abram take matters into his own hands, instead of trusting God?
15) In spite of Abram's behavior, what evidence do you see of God's mercy?
16) What does this incident in Abram's life teach you about trusting God? Can you think of examples from your own life of choosing without consulting God?
Chapter 13
verses 1-13
17) After being put out of Egypt, what is the significance of Abram's return to Bethel to worship?
18) How do you account for Abram's generous spirit toward Lot at the time of moving?
19) What influences Lot's choice?
verses 14-18
20)The Lord affirms Abram after the departure of Lot. Tn what graphic terms does god expand and make more specific his previous promises to Abram? What would each of the two parts of God's promise mean to Abram?
21) What faith is required of Abram to believe both promises, and how does his response demonstrate faith?
22) In what ways do you demonstrate that you believe God's promises?
How to begin enjoying the blog
Hello everyone!
Well, I´ll try to explain that. Right now you just can write comments ... In order to post (write another "entrada"), you will need to follow this steps:
1) Log in. I have sent you an email with the title "You have been invited to contribute ..." from "Bible Study Group". I need you to click on the link:
As soon as you click on the link, you will need to create your Blogger account, introducing your email and password.
2) Once you have signed up for our blog and you have a username (your email) and a password, you can begin to enjoy the blog! For example, you can post.
Just remember, write a title for your new entrance and of course, you can upload pictures, video, etc. Check out the "barra de herramientas" and follow the instructions.
Bye!
Well, I´ll try to explain that. Right now you just can write comments ... In order to post (write another "entrada"), you will need to follow this steps:
1) Log in. I have sent you an email with the title "You have been invited to contribute ..." from "Bible Study Group". I need you to click on the link:
As soon as you click on the link, you will need to create your Blogger account, introducing your email and password.
2) Once you have signed up for our blog and you have a username (your email) and a password, you can begin to enjoy the blog! For example, you can post.
Just remember, write a title for your new entrance and of course, you can upload pictures, video, etc. Check out the "barra de herramientas" and follow the instructions.
Bye!
Friday, March 7, 2008
We have a blog!
Ok, just a quick "hola, ya tenemos blog!" and to say that today we are going to post the bible study questions for this sunday (As you know, Eric is going to be the "moderator").
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