Posts Tagged ‘Reflection Guide’
John 4:1-18: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Samaria – The region between Judea (where Jerusalem is located) and Galilee (where Nazareth and Capernaum are located). After Assyria conquered the area in the 700’s BC, the remaining Israelites intermarried with Assyrians, leading to centuries of hostility between Jews and Samaritans, whom Jews viewed as impure. Living water – In…
Read MoreReflection Guide: John 1:19-34
Reflection Guide John 1:19–34 | Make Way for a New Day Key Terms Jews, priests, Levites, Pharisees – Each of these terms represents a group who regularly shows up in John. Jews can refer to Jewish people in general, but is also used to refer to Jewish leaders who oppose Jesus. Priests were those who…
Read MoreReflection Guide: The Most Marvelous Thing You Will Ever See
Reflection Guide John 1:14–18 | The Most Marvelous Thing You Will Ever See Key Terms Glory – In the OT, the word glory is used to convey God’s intrinsic goodness and holiness, often connected with his presence—and thus a display of his goodness and holiness—with his people (see Ex 24:16 & 1 Kgs 8:10-11). John…
Read MoreLean on Me – Genesis 30:25-31:55: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 30:25–31:55 Key Terms Speckled/Spotted/Black – Speckled and spotted goats and black lambs were the opposite coloration of typical goats and lambs and were less desirable (Gen 30:32 & following). Household gods – Although it’s unclear exactly what these household gods are (Gen 31:19, 34, & 35), they are most likely figurines made…
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…
Read MoreStairway to Heaven – Genesis 28:10-22: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Paddan-aram/Haran – These two place names are used interchangeably in the narrative to refer to the same place (or it’s possible that Paddan-aram is the region containing the city Haran). Thus when Isaac sends Jacob to Paddan-aram in v. 6, Jacob is being obedient when he goes to Haran (v. 10).…
Read MoreWalking with God in the Age of Amazon – Genesis 26:1-35: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Famine – Famine was a common occurrence in the ancient Near East where much of the land was difficult to cultivate and modern technology to grow, store, and transport food was not yet invented. Abraham experienced a famine during his life (Gen 12) and famine would be instrumental in Israel’s history…
Read MoreColossians Introduction Guide
We’ve put together this introduction guide to help you in your personal study of the book of Colossians. You can download the guide below or pick up a hard copy on a Sunday morning at Redemption Church. Download – Colossians Introduction Guide
Read MorePrayer & Worship Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide This Sunday we will spend extended time in worship and prayer. To prepare for our worship gathering, take some time to reflect on Jesus’ famous words in John 15 about abiding in him. Following the reflection is our latest all-church axiom, Prayer Is the Path to Spiritual Vitality, and some discussion questions based…
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