Redemption Groups
Reflection Guide: John 2:12-25
Reflection Guide John 2:12-25 | A Welcome Disruption Key Terms Capernaum: A village on the north side of the Sea of Galilee approximately 150 miles from Jerusalem. Jesus uses Capernaum as a “home base” during his ministry. Money changers: OT law required a temple tax for all adult males coming to Jerusalem for Passover (see…
Read MoreReflection Guide: John 2:1-11
Reflection Guide John 2:1-11 | Overcoming a Joy-Shortage Mother of Jesus – John never names Jesus’ mother—only referring to her as the mother of Jesus—but the synoptics (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) identify her as Mary. Six Stone Water Jars – The stone water jars were used for cleaning hands before eating as part of Jewish…
Read MoreReflection Guide: John 1:6-13
Reflection Guide John 1:6–13 | A Reasonable and Transformative Faith Key Terms Witness – The concept of “bearing witness” (or “giving testimony”) about Jesus plays a big role in John’s gospel. As the story progresses, John applies this term to testimony about Jesus given by God the Father, God the Spirit, Jesus’ miracles, the OT…
Read MoreIt’s a Wonderful Life – Genesis 48:8-21: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 48–49 | It‘s a Wonderful Life Key Terms Joseph – Joseph was Jacob’s 11th son and the first son of Rachael—Jacob’s favorite wife. As Joseph grows up, Jacob shows him favor and Joseph’s brothers become angry at him, eventually selling him into slavery in Egypt. While in Egypt, Joseph advances to become…
Read MoreOn the Road Again – Genesis 35:1-28: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 35:1–29 | On the Road Again Key Terms Foreign gods – Before leaving Shechem and returning to Bethel, Jacob instructs his family to put away their foreign gods (v. 2). These items were most likely taken from the destruction of Shechem and include earrings (v. 4), which were likely associated with the…
Read MoreBreaking Bad – Genesis 34:1-31: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 34:1–31 Key Terms Shechem – A prominent city in Canaan, 50 miles north of modern-day Jerusalem. Shechem is also the name of the son of Hamor—the ruler of Shechem in Genesis 33-34. In Israel – Genesis 34:7 is the first time Jacob’s family uses the new name Israel. Although just receiving this…
Read MoreFight Club – Genesis 32:22-32: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 32:22–32 | Fight Club Key Terms Jabbok – A river that flows westward through a cleft in the Jordan Rift Valley mountains and empties into the Jordan. By crossing the Jabbok, Jacob and his family are heading towards Esau, not away. Today the Jabbok is called the Zerqa. Israel – In this…
Read MoreInto the Unknown – Genesis 32:1-21: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 32:1–21 | Into The Unknown Key Terms Mahanaim – Mahanaim (v. 2) means “two camps.” Jacob chooses this name when he comes to see that—in addition to his own camp—God is present with him as well. Angels/messengers – In Hebrew, the word for angel (v. 1) and messenger (v. 3 & 6)…
Read MoreDesperate Housewives – Genesis 29:31-30:24: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide – Genesis 29:31-30:24 Key Terms Bilhah & Zilpah – Bilhah and Zilpah were Rachel and Leah’s personal servants. Though this story sounds strange and even offensive today, the practice of bearing children through a slave serving as a surrogate was common in the ancient world when a couple could not have children. My…
Read MoreCan’t Buy Me Love – Genesis 29:1-30: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Laban – Laban is Rebekah’s (Isaac’s wife and Jacob’s mother) brother. He first enters the story in Genesis 24 when Abraham sends his servant to find Isaac a wife. Now, Isaac has sent his son Jacob to find a wife and Isaac again comes to Laban. In their culture, it was…
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