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!
Monday, March 31, 2008
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
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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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