Category: Bible Study

1 Chronicles and the big picture background to the story

This week’s podcast Here are the notes: Introduction 1 Chronicles 1-9 covers the whole of world history and specifically the history of God’s people up until the end of King Saul’s life.  It does this by recording the family trees of key people with occasional, pithy commentary. It would be helpful as we reach the… Continue reading 1 Chronicles and the big picture background to the story

Roots and Branches

Here’s the next part of “What Matters” – a teaching series on 1 and 2 Chronicles Adam to Noah v1-4 Japheth’s descendants v 5-7 Ham’s descendants v8-13 Shem’s -Abram v17-24 Abraham v28-33 Isaac v33-37 Edom/Esau (v38-50). The narrative seems bare.  We cover the equivalent of most of Genesis in 1 chapter.  However, it may tell… Continue reading Roots and Branches

Leaders at risk

These reflections were prompted by a conversation with my dad who has been reading through 1 Samuel over the past few weeks.  We were talking about Saul and his response to David’s popularity, his jealousy when David is praised for killing more Philistines than him. On one level, there’s some practical questions.  How should a… Continue reading Leaders at risk

Adoption: What God says about you

When King Saul and his sons died in battle, one of the few survivors from the family was a little boy called Mephibosheth.   As his family fled, he was dropped, irreparably damaging his legs so that he was unable to walk.[1]  Later King David expressed the desire to show kindness to relatives of Jonathan, Saul’s… Continue reading Adoption: What God says about you

Why does Proverbs focus so much on two commands “honour your parents” and “Do not commit adultery”?

The wisdom literature, including both Psalms and Proverbs provides reflection and meditation on the Law, helping us to think through God’s commands and apply them to our circumstances.  You may notice, as you read through them that there seems to be a heavy focus on two commands “Honour your parents” and “Do not commit adultery.” … Continue reading Why does Proverbs focus so much on two commands “honour your parents” and “Do not commit adultery”?

Why look at Chronicles?

Here is the first in our series on 1 and 2 Chronicles. There’s a video to watch or podcast to listen to with outline notes to accompany below. There’s also some discussions for personal reflection and discussion below too. Why do we want to study the Old Testament? All Scripture is God breathed and useful… Continue reading Why look at Chronicles?

Proverbs – prescriptions, promises or principles?

We want to be clear that when we come to the book of Proverbs, we are not opening up a box of promises or predictions about how our lives will go.  Now are they to be treated as prescriptive commands to be followed in a ritualistic or legalistic manner.  So, we sometimes talk about the… Continue reading Proverbs – prescriptions, promises or principles?

Lashing out and sounding off

This group of proverbs warn about the danger of making quick, surface responses.  There are those who are quick to sound off, to give their opinion, to let others know what they think and feel, everything is brimming up close to the surface. Examples of this type of person include those who are unloving and… Continue reading Lashing out and sounding off

Summing up the message of Isaiah

The message of Isaiah can be summed up as follows.  First, that we are rebel sinners. We have been unfaithful to God and chosen idolatry over worship and trust in him.  Isaiah warns us that we will become like our idols, impotent, hardened, powerless, ignorant.  Secondly, the consequence of sin and idolatry is God’s righteous… Continue reading Summing up the message of Isaiah