Encounter the Bible

  April 27, 2021 Welcome to Week 14!  This week we will begin the "John track" by reading the first 12 chapters of the gospel of John.  This track will also bring us to 1-3 John and Revelation. You will immediately notice a difference between John and the other three gospels.  For example, John does not include a birth narrative; he presents Jesus as the Word who was with God in the beginning and who has now been manifest in the flesh (The Word became flesh...).  As another example, you will not find any parables in John's gospel.  Lest we only focus on what's not there, I will also point out that John is the only gospel where you will find Jesus' "I am" statements.  As Michael Williams points out, the use of the "I am" statements ("I am" is the covenant name of God revealed to Moses) is one of the ways that John shows that Jesus and God the Father are one.  John also includes 7 of Jesus' miracles (note that 7 is a number of compl...

April 20, 2021 Welcome to Week 13!  This week we will finish the "Matthew track" by reading through Hebrews and James.  These two letters (epistles) are included in this track because of their Jewish flavor which goes along with the Jewish emphasis in Matthew's gospel. The letter of Hebrews presents Jesus as the mediator.  He is the one who mediates between a holy and righteous God and sinful people like us.  Through Jesus, we are reconciled to God and our sins are forgiven!  In James, we encounter the faith vs. works debate.  Some suggest that Paul and James are at odds.  You may recall from reading through the letters of Paul that his emphasis is on grace and faith.  James seems to emphasize works ("faith without works is dead").  I love how Michael Williams brings faith and works together through his theme for James: "God enables a life of good works that flow from a genuine faith." As you read, keep in mind our reading questions.  Us...

April 13, 2021 Welcome to Week 12! This week we finish the gospel of Matthew. I wonder what differences you have seen between Matthew and Luke and Mark.  What does the inclusion or exclusion of a story or details in a story tell you about what the author is trying to communicate?  Have you ever wondered why there are four gospels?  As you get to the passion narrative, you will notice more details than Mark and some different details from Luke.  As you read, try to note those details and differences while also noting the "big picture" that Matthew is creating through his gospel. As you read, keep in mind our reading questions.  Use these as general questions to keep in mind as we read to help formulate your reflections, observations, and questions. Our guiding questions are these: What stood out to you in the reading? Was there anything confusing or troubling? Did anything make you think differently about God? How might what you read change the way you live? Plea...

April 6, 2021 Welcome to Week 11! This week we begin the "Matthew track" of our reading by getting through the first 15 chapters of Matthew. This track will lead us through Hebrews and James in the weeks ahead.  This track is grouped together because of the Jewish flavor of all 3 books.  It is believed that the author of Matthew is Jesus' disciple, also called Levi, and formerly a tax collector.  This is now our third gospel and the third of the "Synoptic gospels," which means that many of the accounts are similar between Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  Even so, there are some differences.  If you have a Bible that gives parallel passages, it might be interesting to check out a few of the parallel passages to note the differences.  When you note a difference, ask yourself what that difference teaches, how it adds to the story, and how it reflects the authors' perspectives. As you read, keep in mind our reading questions.  Use these as general questions to ke...