Hello everyone,
This past Sunday (the 15th), we had a great day! Of course, it was Father's Day, which is always a great day anyhow. But we were blessed by a great time of worship and a wonderful communion message. We were also blessed to read about the flood narrative, the story of Babel, and the beginning of the people of Israel with Abraham.
This Sunday, Vangie and I will be out of town with our kids. We have a rare opportunity to take everyone for a trip to see the ocean and experience some peace together (notice I didn't say "quiet").
So, this coming Sunday (June 22), please be prepared for an Agape meal. Everyone bring plenty of food (brunch/breakfast/lunch--whatever!) to share with one another. I have it on good authority that a surprise guest may be arriving that Sunday! (I won't say who, so don't bother!)
The following Sunday (June 29) we will be studying the story of Isaac and Jacob! This will lead us into our story of Joseph--which explains how the nation of Israel came to be in bondage in the time of Moses.
We look forward to seeing you all again in two weeks! Take care!
Jason
Monday, June 16, 2014
Friday, June 13, 2014
Coming Up THIS SUNDAY on OT SURVEY! (6/15/14)
Last Sunday was a good one. We spent time discussing the meaning of being "Created in God's Image" and the meaning of the first sin (the "Fall of Man").
This Sunday we are moving forward. We will be talking about the flood narrative, but will begin our study of the beginning of Israel by discussing Abram (who, later, became Abraham).
We will also discuss the concept of covenant. This is especially relevant to us because WE OURSELVES are children of Abraham!
If you're reading along, the assignment for this week was Genesis 12-23. You may also read that section of our textbooks.
You can read or listen here.
We'll see you this Sunday! It should be a good day!
This Sunday we are moving forward. We will be talking about the flood narrative, but will begin our study of the beginning of Israel by discussing Abram (who, later, became Abraham).
We will also discuss the concept of covenant. This is especially relevant to us because WE OURSELVES are children of Abraham!
If you're reading along, the assignment for this week was Genesis 12-23. You may also read that section of our textbooks.
You can read or listen here.
We'll see you this Sunday! It should be a good day!
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Coming Up THIS Sunday on OT SURVEY! (6/8/14)
Hey everyone,
We had a great discussion on Sunday about the different ways people have read Genesis 1. We had an interesting discussion!
This Sunday we'll be continuing our study with a study of creation/fall. In fact, I am posting below a preliminary schedule for what we'll be studying in upcoming weeks:
We had a great discussion on Sunday about the different ways people have read Genesis 1. We had an interesting discussion!
This Sunday we'll be continuing our study with a study of creation/fall. In fact, I am posting below a preliminary schedule for what we'll be studying in upcoming weeks:
- June 8--Creation and Fall
- June 15--Noah's Flood and the Tower of Babel
- June 22--Jason and family will be out-of-town--AGAPE SUNDAY
- June 29--Abraham
- July 6--Isaac
- July 13--Jacob
- July 20--Joseph
Thursday, May 29, 2014
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:
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!
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:
- An introduction to Pentateuch--and people who question whether it's really scripture
- Different understandings of the creation story--what do different Christians think really happened?
- What the creation story says about God and about people
- What humanity was supposed to be like
- What happened to God's creation (sin and the Fall)
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!
Friday, May 23, 2014
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!
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!
Saturday, May 17, 2014
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
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
Thursday, May 8, 2014
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:
See you Sunday!
Jason
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
See you Sunday!
Jason
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