Key Scriptures: John 4:1-42
Before we begin, let's examine the character of this woman of Samaria. She was looked down upon because of where she was from, and she was despised because of her romantic affairs, yet she is the person who Jesus decided to disclosed himself to. This is another example of not knowing who God will use to fulfill his purpose and also another reason why we should not be a respector of persons. We should be careful how we treat people for we never know who God will send.
Think on these things as you prepare to answer one or all of the questions below:
1. This woman, an outcast because of her race and her lifestyle, found acceptance in Jesus. When have you associated with someone considered an outcast or befriended someone who wasn't part of your group?
2. Do you think the woman understood what sort of water Jesus was speaking of here? Looking at her lifestyle, what do you think she was really thirsy for?
3.In John 4:19-24, the woman abruptly changes the subject here. Was she really interested in the asnwer or was she more interested in moving the topic away from her lifestyle?
4. This is the very first time Jesus acknowledges exactly who he is. Why do you think he would choose to tell this woman, an outcast of society, instead of the leaders of Jewish religion and culture or even his own disciples. Do you find his action delightful or just a bit distasteful?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Anna - Her Name Means "Favor" or "Grace"
Key Scripture: Luke 2:22-38
"Anna blinked as she watched the beating wings swerve into the sunlight and vanish. She wondered into which privileged corner the little bird had disappeared."
I could just imagine Anna's experience as I have had similiar ones when taking video footage of the hummingbirds in my own back yard, watching them fly off and wondering where in the world do these tiny little creatures go.
As Anna was left with the mystery of where the bird had flown, the photo on the right is the hand of a high school classmate who captured this little one in her garage just last week. While I know this could not be the same one from my own back yard, what is ironic is that this particular species is called Anna's Hummingbird! Now, how's that for serendipity!
After much anticipation, the joy that I felt the first time that I saw a hummingbird in my back yard after setting up the feeder could never compare to Anna's joy of beholding the Messiah that she longed to see. I hope that we will all have the opportunity to experience Anna's joy as our own some day. Keep this thought in mind as you answer one or all of the questions below:
1. Describe what you think Anna's lifestyle was like.
2. What about Anna's lifestyle do you wish were true of your own? What can you do to make that happen in your life?
3. What do you think Anna said about Jesus? How do you think the crowd who listened responded?
"Anna blinked as she watched the beating wings swerve into the sunlight and vanish. She wondered into which privileged corner the little bird had disappeared."
I could just imagine Anna's experience as I have had similiar ones when taking video footage of the hummingbirds in my own back yard, watching them fly off and wondering where in the world do these tiny little creatures go.As Anna was left with the mystery of where the bird had flown, the photo on the right is the hand of a high school classmate who captured this little one in her garage just last week. While I know this could not be the same one from my own back yard, what is ironic is that this particular species is called Anna's Hummingbird! Now, how's that for serendipity!
After much anticipation, the joy that I felt the first time that I saw a hummingbird in my back yard after setting up the feeder could never compare to Anna's joy of beholding the Messiah that she longed to see. I hope that we will all have the opportunity to experience Anna's joy as our own some day. Keep this thought in mind as you answer one or all of the questions below:
1. Describe what you think Anna's lifestyle was like.
2. What about Anna's lifestyle do you wish were true of your own? What can you do to make that happen in your life?
3. What do you think Anna said about Jesus? How do you think the crowd who listened responded?
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Mary-The Mother of Jesus
Her Name May Mean "Bitterness"
Key Scripture:Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-80; John 19:25-27
One of the topics that our lesson focuses on this week is Angels. Toya gave me this little bear years ago with a heart that bears the inscription, "Mothers are really Angels in disguise." I am so glad that at some point in her life she saw the same quality in me that I saw in my own mother. I too thought that she was an Angel because she seemed to make the impossible happen at just the right time.
Luke 1:37 says, For nothing with God is impossible. He especially hand picked our mothers, as he did the mother of Jesus. He sent angels to guide and console, just like a mother.
In Friday's reading, our text ask that you choose one episode in the life of Mary and imagine yourself in her place. Our text also suggest that we pray for the grace to be like the woman who said; "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Meditate on these words and then answer one or all of the questions below:
1. After reading Luke 1:36-37, what two things does the angel tell Mary in these verses? Why would he tell her about Elizabeth? Why would he tell her that "nothing is impossible with God"?
2. If truly "nothing is impossible with God," what area of your life or circumstance do you need to turn over to him? What is keeping you from doing this?
Key Scripture:Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-80; John 19:25-27
One of the topics that our lesson focuses on this week is Angels. Toya gave me this little bear years ago with a heart that bears the inscription, "Mothers are really Angels in disguise." I am so glad that at some point in her life she saw the same quality in me that I saw in my own mother. I too thought that she was an Angel because she seemed to make the impossible happen at just the right time.Luke 1:37 says, For nothing with God is impossible. He especially hand picked our mothers, as he did the mother of Jesus. He sent angels to guide and console, just like a mother.
In Friday's reading, our text ask that you choose one episode in the life of Mary and imagine yourself in her place. Our text also suggest that we pray for the grace to be like the woman who said; "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Meditate on these words and then answer one or all of the questions below:
1. After reading Luke 1:36-37, what two things does the angel tell Mary in these verses? Why would he tell her about Elizabeth? Why would he tell her that "nothing is impossible with God"?
2. If truly "nothing is impossible with God," what area of your life or circumstance do you need to turn over to him? What is keeping you from doing this?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Gomer - Her name means "Completion
Key Scripture: Hosea 1-3
Have you ever had your heart broken? You know that feeling when you think you’ll never be the same and surely you’re going to die. Come on, you know the feeling, when you sobbed like a baby and cried until there were no more tears.
Now, for some of you there has probably never been any greater pain. Put yourself in God’s shoes and compare that feeling with how he felt about Israel’s unfaithfulness.
Before I began this week’s Blog, I surveyed nine people, asking them the following three questions:
1. Have you ever had your heart broken?
2. How did it make you feel?
3. What song do you remember listening to during that time?
I received a range of comments. Of the nine people, all but one said they had, at one time or another, experienced a heartbreak. The top two emotions expressed were betrayed and depressed. While a couple of those surveyed could not recall the particular song that they sobbed to, there were some who could remember right away. They included:
When a Woman's Fed Up
Everything I do, I do for You
Love Don't Live Here Anymore
Going Crazy
Have You Ever
When I read the second paragraph on page 283, it literally brought tear to my eyes, as I too thought about the time in my life when my heart was broken. I just knew I was going to die, but I didn’t. I must have listened to Barry White sing “I’ve Got so Much to Give” a million times, wondering why I couldn’t make him stay. Why her instead of me.
“So this is how God felt about his own people—bitterly betrayed, cut to the heart, disgusted, outraged. His tender love, his every gift meant nothing to a people enamored with Canaanite gods.” Get the picture?
God used Gomer and Hosea to portray his jealousy for his people. Think on these things as you answer one or all of the questions below. If you want to share your own experience with heart break, feel free to do so as well:
1. What sin is the Lord accusing his people of committing?
2. What do each of the names of Hosea’s children signify? How clear should that message have been to the people of Israel?
3. How does God speak to us today? How clear is his message? Are we any better at understanding and following than the Israelites were?
4. What do these words mean for you today? How has God been faithful to you even when you were unfaithful to him?
Have you ever had your heart broken? You know that feeling when you think you’ll never be the same and surely you’re going to die. Come on, you know the feeling, when you sobbed like a baby and cried until there were no more tears.
Now, for some of you there has probably never been any greater pain. Put yourself in God’s shoes and compare that feeling with how he felt about Israel’s unfaithfulness.
Before I began this week’s Blog, I surveyed nine people, asking them the following three questions:
1. Have you ever had your heart broken?
2. How did it make you feel?
3. What song do you remember listening to during that time?
I received a range of comments. Of the nine people, all but one said they had, at one time or another, experienced a heartbreak. The top two emotions expressed were betrayed and depressed. While a couple of those surveyed could not recall the particular song that they sobbed to, there were some who could remember right away. They included:
When a Woman's Fed Up
Everything I do, I do for You
Love Don't Live Here Anymore
Going Crazy
Have You Ever
When I read the second paragraph on page 283, it literally brought tear to my eyes, as I too thought about the time in my life when my heart was broken. I just knew I was going to die, but I didn’t. I must have listened to Barry White sing “I’ve Got so Much to Give” a million times, wondering why I couldn’t make him stay. Why her instead of me.
“So this is how God felt about his own people—bitterly betrayed, cut to the heart, disgusted, outraged. His tender love, his every gift meant nothing to a people enamored with Canaanite gods.” Get the picture?
God used Gomer and Hosea to portray his jealousy for his people. Think on these things as you answer one or all of the questions below. If you want to share your own experience with heart break, feel free to do so as well:
1. What sin is the Lord accusing his people of committing?
2. What do each of the names of Hosea’s children signify? How clear should that message have been to the people of Israel?
3. How does God speak to us today? How clear is his message? Are we any better at understanding and following than the Israelites were?
4. What do these words mean for you today? How has God been faithful to you even when you were unfaithful to him?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Elizabeth
Her Name Means "God Is My Oath"
Key Scripture: Luke 1:5-80
Elizabeth was a woman the Bible calls "upright in the sight of God." She is praised for observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations without blame. She was the first to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and her joy was to give birth to John the Baptist.
We never know what blessings God has in store for our lives. In the story of Elizabeth, we see the encounter of another childless couple, Elizabeth and Zechariah, who had forgotten about having children because the were so old, but when the Lord shows his favor what seems impossible is POSSIBLE!
Keep that thought in mind as you answer one or all of the questions below:
1. What important things do the verses in Luke 1:5-7 tell you about Elizabeth and Zechhariah?
2. Why do you think that Zechariah did not believe the angel? Was he afraid? Was the announcement so unbelievable? Why do you think he was punished for not believing?
3. Why would Elizabeth say she was disgraced among her people?
4. Do you think the reaction of Elizabeth's baby to Mary's arrival was just coincidence?
5. What is the focus of Elizabeth's praise: what God has done in her life or what God has done in Mary's life? What does this reveal about Elizabeth?
Key Scripture: Luke 1:5-80
Elizabeth was a woman the Bible calls "upright in the sight of God." She is praised for observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations without blame. She was the first to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and her joy was to give birth to John the Baptist.
We never know what blessings God has in store for our lives. In the story of Elizabeth, we see the encounter of another childless couple, Elizabeth and Zechariah, who had forgotten about having children because the were so old, but when the Lord shows his favor what seems impossible is POSSIBLE!
Keep that thought in mind as you answer one or all of the questions below:
1. What important things do the verses in Luke 1:5-7 tell you about Elizabeth and Zechhariah?
2. Why do you think that Zechariah did not believe the angel? Was he afraid? Was the announcement so unbelievable? Why do you think he was punished for not believing?
3. Why would Elizabeth say she was disgraced among her people?
4. Do you think the reaction of Elizabeth's baby to Mary's arrival was just coincidence?
5. What is the focus of Elizabeth's praise: what God has done in her life or what God has done in Mary's life? What does this reveal about Elizabeth?
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Shulammite Woman
Her Legacy of Prayer
Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.
--Song of Songs 8:6-8
Song of Songs (Solomon) 8:6-7 expresses the undying commitment of the lover and the beloved. What do you think is required to have the love described in these verses? Is it something that just happens or is it something that must be worked out? Give reasons for your answers.
Throughout history, intimate love relationships have been shamefully distored and profaned. Song of Songs gives God's picture of the beauty of the relationship. What can or would you do to foster this purer love in your own marriage relationship or what other thoughts do you have about this?
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Woman of Proverbs 31
When I turned the page to this WOB, the first thing that I thought about was it being one of my daughter, Atoya's favorites. Because I know that she has had her own personal study of who she calls "SHE" over the years, I asked her to write this week's introduction.
Key Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31
SHE – THE “ICONIC” VIRTUOUS WOMAN - PROVERBS 31
One of my favorite verses in Proverbs 31 is verse 15: “She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.” Ladies, let me just tell you that this verse is such an inspiration to me, because I am not the one to get up early! However, the verse gives me the motivation to get up early each day, as to prepare myself to face the world with good intentions and strong efforts to live each day unto the Lord. When you awaken and start your day while it is still dark or while everyone else is still asleep, this gives you a heads start on your day. It gives you time to yourself, time to pray, and time to meditate on your thoughts and God's word. Thus, you get a new start each and every day and an oppportunity to become more and more like SHE.
Each verse in Proverbs 31 from 10-31 colorfully illustrates the characteristics and habits that manifests in this woman’s life. One of my favorite books, in addition to the Bible, is entitled Beautiful in God’s Eyes by Elizabeth George. I religiously refer to this book as I strive to become like this woman of God. This “manual” on this virtuous woman breaks down each verse into individual chapters. If you would like further study on a particular meaning from the verses, I highly recommended this book.
SHE is the woman that we all aspire to be like. SHE is a Virtuous Woman of God. SHE is the original virtuous woman…who can only by imitated, but never duplicated. Therefore, ladies, you should not beat yourself up if you cannot live up to every detail of this woman’s life. Just be motivated to be the best woman that you can be for yourself and your family and let this woman’s legacy live within each and every one of You. Lastly, in the words of the late Michael Jackson, “Who’s Bad?” SHE’S bad! God Bless!
1. Describe the relationship between this woman and her husband.
2. List some of the task that keep this woman busy. Now list how she goes about her work.
3. Why can the woman of Proverbs 31 "laugh at the days to come"?
4. Does verse 28 of Proverbs 31 seem out of touch with reality to you? Why? What would you have to do or how would you have to change for this verse to be more of a reality in your life?
Key Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31
SHE – THE “ICONIC” VIRTUOUS WOMAN - PROVERBS 31
One of my favorite verses in Proverbs 31 is verse 15: “She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.” Ladies, let me just tell you that this verse is such an inspiration to me, because I am not the one to get up early! However, the verse gives me the motivation to get up early each day, as to prepare myself to face the world with good intentions and strong efforts to live each day unto the Lord. When you awaken and start your day while it is still dark or while everyone else is still asleep, this gives you a heads start on your day. It gives you time to yourself, time to pray, and time to meditate on your thoughts and God's word. Thus, you get a new start each and every day and an oppportunity to become more and more like SHE.Each verse in Proverbs 31 from 10-31 colorfully illustrates the characteristics and habits that manifests in this woman’s life. One of my favorite books, in addition to the Bible, is entitled Beautiful in God’s Eyes by Elizabeth George. I religiously refer to this book as I strive to become like this woman of God. This “manual” on this virtuous woman breaks down each verse into individual chapters. If you would like further study on a particular meaning from the verses, I highly recommended this book.
SHE is the woman that we all aspire to be like. SHE is a Virtuous Woman of God. SHE is the original virtuous woman…who can only by imitated, but never duplicated. Therefore, ladies, you should not beat yourself up if you cannot live up to every detail of this woman’s life. Just be motivated to be the best woman that you can be for yourself and your family and let this woman’s legacy live within each and every one of You. Lastly, in the words of the late Michael Jackson, “Who’s Bad?” SHE’S bad! God Bless!
1. Describe the relationship between this woman and her husband.
2. List some of the task that keep this woman busy. Now list how she goes about her work.
3. Why can the woman of Proverbs 31 "laugh at the days to come"?
4. Does verse 28 of Proverbs 31 seem out of touch with reality to you? Why? What would you have to do or how would you have to change for this verse to be more of a reality in your life?
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