Philosophy of Small Groups
Philosophy of Small GroupsIntroductionThe concept of small groups has become an important topic in church growth discussions over the last number of decades. However, the proper method or philosophy of small group deployment within the local church continues to be...Disciple Making in the Local Church
Disciple Making in the Local ChurchIntroductionThe process of making disciples has varied throughout the centuries from monastic asceticism to liberal antinomianism. Currently, the question of specifically how disciples are made within the context of a postmodern...Spheres and Stages of Discipleship
Spheres and Stages of DiscipleshipIntroductionDiscipleship is not a singular event, but instead, it is a lifelong endeavor. The question of how believers develop into disciples varies among scholars. Without an understanding of the discipleship process, believers may...Christ in Discipleship
Christ in DiscipleshipIntroductionFor almost two millennia, from Augustine to N. T. Wright, scholars and laymen alike have struggled with the nature of Christ’s involvement in the process of Christian discipleship. The question of how Christ is central to...Define and Describe Discipleship
Define and Describe “Discipleship”Synthesize the readings from the Dempsey & Earley and Putman et al. textbooks and give 3 characteristics of a follower of Jesus Christ. Create your own definition of a follower of Jesus; use Scripture to support your...Stages of Discipleship
Stages of DiscipleshipIn your thread, analyze and summarize the 3 stages of discipleship. Give ideas and suggestions for each stage and discuss how you plan to develop and implement those ideas in your church ministry context.ResponseDiscipleship is a process, not an...An Exegesis of Romans 7:7-25
An Exegesis of Romans 7:7-25IntroductionRomans 7:7-25 is one of the most challenging exegetical and theological enigmas in the New Testament. The primary questions pertain to the identification of the “I”, whether the “I” is regenerate, and how...Letters Found in The New Testament
Letters Found in The New TestamentQuestionWhat are the general characteristics of letters as they are found in the New Testament? How important for interpretation are the historical and literary contexts for these documents? Why did first century writers employ the...Acts as Theological History
Acts as Theological HistoryQuestionGive an explanation of the genre of the book of Acts as theological history. What are the implications for this particular genre on the interpretation of the book? How does the reader differentiate between the theology...Characteristics of Words
Characteristics of WordsQuestionList the 5 characteristics of words. Which one was new to you? Which one do you think is most important? Why? Define “connotative” and “denotative” meanings. What are the steps for performing a word study?...Historical-Cultural Background
Historical-Cultural BackgroundQuestionDefine the phrase “historical-cultural background.” What is the significance of this material in interpreting the Bible properly? Describe the process of “contextualization.” How would you explain...Grasping God’s Word
Grasping God’s WordQuestionUsing the 9 items to consider when reading sentences as listed in chapter 3 of Grasping God’s Word (i.e., repetition of words, contrasts, comparisons, lists, cause and effect, figures of speech, conjunctions, verbs, pronouns),...Presuppositions/Foundational Beliefs and Preunderstandings
Presuppositions/Foundational Beliefs and PreunderstandingsQuestion Offer a definition of the terms “presuppositions/foundational beliefs” and “preunderstandings.” How can we test these things to see if they are adequate or appropriate?...The History of Biblical Interpretation
Consider the history of biblical interpretation and choose 1 time period and 1 person whose method offers the most promise for attaining a clear interpretation of Scripture today. Be sure to identify the person and the method with special focus on how that method aids...Allegorical Methods
Allegorical Methods QuestionThroughout the history of the Bible, allegorical methods have been employed as a means to discover a “hidden meaning” in the text. Outline the use of allegorical approaches and discuss the benefits and pitfalls of utilizing...Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders To Better Understand The Bible
Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes:Removing Cultural Blinders To Better Understand The BibleRichards, E. Randolph, and Brandon J. O’Brien. Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible. Downers Grove:...Textual Criticism: Deuteronomy 32:8-9 and Genesis 49:10
Deuteronomy 32:8-9 According to the BHS, a textual variant occurs in the last two words of Deuteronomy 32:8. The NASB translates the last half of the verse as follows: “He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel”...Hebrew Translation of קנה in Scripture
Introduction A debate over the meaning of the Hebrew verb קנה dates back to the Church Fathers. At issue is the way Proverbs 8:22-31 assigns the status of co-creator to wisdom in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament. The implications of...Noah’s Nakedness
Noah’s Nakedness The enigmatic account of Genesis 9:20-24 is not without difficulties. Specifically, the narrative states, “Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father” (Gen. 9:22 [NASB]). The vehement response to Ham’s activity...
Freedom: How Grace Transforms Your Life Now
Minds on Fire: What Is Wrong With Our Thoughts..And How To Fix It