Coming up NEXT on OT SURVEY! (6/1/14)

Hello everyone!

We started our Old Testament Survey series last Sunday (May 25) and I thought it went really well!  We had a lot to talk about as we began what is normally called "Introductory Studies." 

This week, we are beginning our study of Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible).  Some topics we'll be looking at:

1. An introduction to Pentateuch--and people who question whether it's really scripture
2. Different understandings of the creation story--what do different Christians think really happened?
3. What the creation story says about God and about people
4. What humanity was supposed to be like
5. What happened to God's creation (sin and the Fall)

I'm calling this message "Intro to Pentateuch: Creation and Fall."  I'm really excited about this Sunday!

If you are reading along in your books, you should probably look through the Intro to Pentateuch chapter as well as the Genesis 1-11 chapter.  If you are reading along in your Bible, you should go ahead and read Genesis 1-11.  I've included a link below to a place where you can read it online.  You can also listen online at the same site!

Genesis 1-11 online

Everyone, I don't know how far we'll get.  There is so much to talk about!  We may get stuck on a specific topic and have to finish this up next week.  I'm looking forward to a LOT of interaction!.  If we do, that's OK.  There's plenty of time.

We'll see you this Sunday! 

Coming Up THIS SUNDAY! (5/25/14)

Hey everyone,

We've finished our study of James and are beginning our study of the Old Testament!

This week we will be addressing some issues which are important in beginning a survey of the Old Testament.  In biblical studies we call them "opening studies."  We'll talk about context, timeline, etc.  Believe it or not, what we are endeavoring to do is quite an undertaking!  We need to be prepared.

I do have some resources I'm going to share on Sunday, so if you can be there, you definitely should!

See you then!

Coming Up THIS SUNDAY (5/18/14)

Hey Castlers!

Tomorrow is going to be our LAST SUNDAY in James.  And it's going to be a good one.

In the passage tomorrow, James tells us to pray.  And he appears to make some big promises about what happens when we pray.

I'll be honest, this is difficult for me.  I struggle to understand what James means and why it has never worked this way in my own life.  And I have to assume that James means something different than we think he means.

That's why I'm calling this message "The Problem of Prayer" from James 5:13-20.  I think it's going to be an interesting Sunday!

ONE MORE THING!  I am considering making a change to our plans to do 1 John next.  I am considering doing either a survey of the Old Testament prophets, or a survey of the entire Old Testament.  I'll be asking everyone for their thoughts tomorrow, so please be thinking about this choice!

Jason

Coming Up THIS SUNDAY (5/11/14)

Hello Castle Folks!

We're nearly done with James!  It's been an adventure.  We have two more passages to go.

Last week we read James 5:1-6.  In that passage, James addresses those who are wealthy and powerful and sometimes oppress those who work for them.  And we learned that God will hold those people accountable who treat people who work for them poorly.

This week we are studying James 5:7-12.  In this passage, James will address those who are oppressed and waiting for relief.  Some claims he makes:

• Persevere--be patient
• The Lord is returning!
• Treat each other well while you wait

This one should be a good one, folks!

See you Sunday!

Jason 

Coming Up THIS SUNDAY (5/4/14)

It's MAY!

Greetings, Castle folks!  We are getting back into James this week.  In fact, we'll most likely be done with it in a few weeks!

This Sunday we'll be studying James 1:1-6.  This is a very important passage because it reveals God's heart about financial injustice.  In this passage, James addresses things like:

• wealth and poverty
• fair pay
• unfair and oppressive employment
• self-indulgence

I can promise, this is an interesting passage!  I'm simply calling this message "God Cares About Your Horrible Job!"

Don't forget the James challenge!
James

See you Sunday!

Jason