At our Men’s Bible Study a couple of weeks ago there was a discussion of how and when we got the Bible that we were studying. I thought I would put together some quick facts about our Bible. I have no doubt that we can trust that the Bible we have today is trustworthy and reliable. Enjoy.

Lesson from March 29th, 2009

Philippians 1:1-11

The story of the church in Phillipi begins in the book of acts in the early 50s A.D.  In Acts 16 we learn of Paul taking Timothy with him on Missionary journey.  Paul has a vision of a man from Macedon (Modern day Greece) who begs him to come to help the people there.  We learn in Acts that Phillipi was a Roman colony and a leading city in the area. 

Lesson from March 21st, 2009

Colossians 4: 7-18

This is the last section of the letter to the Colossians. While it does not address a major theological issue or even a significant practical issue directly, there are still elements of these dynamics held within it. As we examine it closely we learn things about Paul’s ministry, his friends and companions, and the nature of Christian relationships. This is also the time to look back across the letter and to try to summarize what we have learned.

This past week I have been reading The Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight.  The book wrestles with the task of reading the Bible as God’s Story in which we listen to God and through which we understand our life today.

Lesson from March 1, 2009

Colossians 3:12-17

This passage continues the long section of exhortation that began in chapter 2, verse 6. There is a transition statement as Paul moves into this passage that is slightly different than the previous passages but continues the broad theme of calling on the Colossians to live up to their standing and status in Christ. Here he says, “As God’s chosen people, holy, and dearly loved ….” (v. 12). The other transition statements into previous units were at 2:6, 16, 20; and 3:1). Here Paul uses three words that his audience might have expected would be said about the Jewish people of his day, but he uses them in reference to Christians.