For the "just for fun" section on Anna I thought about a modern day hymn that she might sing. The hymn by Charles Wesley: Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus seems to echo what Anna might have said:
Come thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free. From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s Strength and Consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art. Dear Desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
LOOK ! Each book of the Scripture, or section of Scripture has a key that is the cornerstone of what the author is trying to say. After reading Luke 2:36-38, write a key verse or phrase that gives an over-all theme for the story of Anna. Even in this short section there must be a phrase that is a summary.
LOOK! “Scan the horizon.” Where did this story take place? Find it on the map in a Bible Atlas, the back of most Bibles, etc… Do you know where Jerusalem and the Temple are located in Israel? Can you find Israel on a 2007 map?
LOOK! Spend time in this step to research and study what the verses are saying.
Read the verses again.
Return to the list of words and questions that you wrote in “STOP” section. Use a Bible Dictionary, Bible Encyclopedia, Commentaries, etc… research this list.Write down your findings. If you research the key words you will have great insight into these simple verses. How can you apply what you have learned to your life today?
Part of “LOOK” is to “Look right and look left” just as you were told as a child crossing a street. See what has happened before the story of Anna and then see what comes after the story of Anna.
a. Look left! Read Luke 1 and 2:1-35
b. Look right! Read Luke 2:39 – 3:38.
How do these verses impact your understanding of the story of Anna? Are they related in any way?
Continue to ask questions.
Again, why study Anna? Three little verses. Why is her story important? If Jesus said the every jot and tittle are important (Matthew 5;17-18), then the few short verses about Anna must be important. What is God trying to teach us?
LISTEN! as we come to the end of the study:
Scripture says "listen and obey." (Ps. 81: 8, 11,13; Jer:21)
Read Luke 2:36-38, God has spoken to you through the story of Anna – the first woman to see the Baby and recognize him as the Messiah. What did you learn from this study, and how are these words written so long ago applicable to your life today? Be specific. List three things that you learned, and/or can apply to your life today.
Showing posts with label Holy Land. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Land. Show all posts
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
ANNA - Part I
Anna - A “First Ladies” of Scripture
Luke 2:36-38
Anna is one of the “first ladies” of Scripture. She is the first recorded woman to see the Baby, and to recognize who He was. Only three short verses speak of Anna, yet God has given us her story for a reason. Let us begin our study of this very interesting woman.
STOP! (Return to the post for April 20 to read an introduction to this technique.)
1. Stop and ask yourself, “Why am I studying Anna?” What do you already know about Anna?
2. Gather information. Read Luke 2:26-38, the story of Anna, several times.
3.Start a list of key words, repeated words or concepts you might not understand in these verses. In order to fully understand the story of Anna you must dig-deep. Do not research these yet(You will research in the LOOK section). Despite the fact that this is just three short verses there are key words/concepts that may need more research:
Here is an example- you might list these (are there more?)
a. Anna(is she mentioned in any other books of the Bible?)
b. “There was also a prophetess” (What is a Prophetess? A prophetess is one who speaks to the people for God.)
c. “Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher”(What was the tribe of Asher?)
d. “She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage”God mentions not only marriage, but age. Why is this important?)
e. “and was a widow for 84 years”(What about widowhood?)
f. “She did not leave the temple complex"(Where did she live? What about the temple complex?)
g. “ serving God night and day with fastings and prayers”(What is Fasting? Why is prayer mentioned?)
h. “At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God”(giving thanks must be important.)
i. “and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”(What does this mean? What is the redemption of Jerusalem”?
j. Add any additional to your own list:
NOTE: If your are interested in the women of Scripture be sure to see my other blogs - www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com and www.biblestudy4women.blogspot.com
Luke 2:36-38
Anna is one of the “first ladies” of Scripture. She is the first recorded woman to see the Baby, and to recognize who He was. Only three short verses speak of Anna, yet God has given us her story for a reason. Let us begin our study of this very interesting woman.
STOP! (Return to the post for April 20 to read an introduction to this technique.)
1. Stop and ask yourself, “Why am I studying Anna?” What do you already know about Anna?
2. Gather information. Read Luke 2:26-38, the story of Anna, several times.
3.Start a list of key words, repeated words or concepts you might not understand in these verses. In order to fully understand the story of Anna you must dig-deep. Do not research these yet(You will research in the LOOK section). Despite the fact that this is just three short verses there are key words/concepts that may need more research:
Here is an example- you might list these (are there more?)
a. Anna(is she mentioned in any other books of the Bible?)
b. “There was also a prophetess” (What is a Prophetess? A prophetess is one who speaks to the people for God.)
c. “Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher”(What was the tribe of Asher?)
d. “She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage”God mentions not only marriage, but age. Why is this important?)
e. “and was a widow for 84 years”(What about widowhood?)
f. “She did not leave the temple complex"(Where did she live? What about the temple complex?)
g. “ serving God night and day with fastings and prayers”(What is Fasting? Why is prayer mentioned?)
h. “At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God”(giving thanks must be important.)
i. “and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”(What does this mean? What is the redemption of Jerusalem”?
j. Add any additional to your own list:
NOTE: If your are interested in the women of Scripture be sure to see my other blogs - www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com and www.biblestudy4women.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 3, 2007
SAMARITAN WOMAN –Part IV
This is a very familiar event. The story of the woman of Samaria is told often. It is seen from several frames of reference:
(1)The story of the woman of Samaria is important to our understanding of techniques of evangelism. How did Jesus speak with her? How did she approach the people of the town?
(2)The story of the woman of Samaria is important to our understanding that the Gospel of Salvation is for Jews and Gentiles (non-Jew) alike. How is this point made?
(3)The story of the woman of Samaria is important to our understanding of how much Jesus cares for women. How is this point made?
In this study we have focused on the fact that this woman was the first person, to whom Jesus confessed that He was the Messiah. He tells no one else until His trial. (Peter and Martha realized it, but Jesus TOLD this woman.) The first recorded person to whom Jesus reveals that He is the Messiah is a pagan woman. Why might He have chosen this woman?
As the last step in the “LOOK!” section, go back to the verse that you identified as the key verse. Now that you have studied this story in depth, would this still be the key verse?
(1)The story of the woman of Samaria is important to our understanding of techniques of evangelism. How did Jesus speak with her? How did she approach the people of the town?
(2)The story of the woman of Samaria is important to our understanding that the Gospel of Salvation is for Jews and Gentiles (non-Jew) alike. How is this point made?
(3)The story of the woman of Samaria is important to our understanding of how much Jesus cares for women. How is this point made?
In this study we have focused on the fact that this woman was the first person, to whom Jesus confessed that He was the Messiah. He tells no one else until His trial. (Peter and Martha realized it, but Jesus TOLD this woman.) The first recorded person to whom Jesus reveals that He is the Messiah is a pagan woman. Why might He have chosen this woman?
As the last step in the “LOOK!” section, go back to the verse that you identified as the key verse. Now that you have studied this story in depth, would this still be the key verse?
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
SAMARITAN WOMAN - Part II
LOOK!
LOOK! Read John 4:1-26, 28-30, 39-45, again.
LOOK! Research the words/concepts that you listed from the STOP! section. Write out your findings. Continue to LOOK! Ask questions. Research.
LOOK! Read John 4:1-26, 28-30, 39-45, again.
LOOK! Research the words/concepts that you listed from the STOP! section. Write out your findings. Continue to LOOK! Ask questions. Research.
Monday, April 30, 2007
SAMARITAN WOMAN - Part I
The Samaritan Woman: John 4:1-26, 28-30, 39-45.
The Samaritan Woman is one of the “First Ladies” of Scripture. She was the first person to whom Jesus declared that He was the Messiah. The story of the meeting of Jesus with the Samaritan is familiar – let us see if we can learn anything new to apply to life today.
STOP!
If this is the first time you have worked on a STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! Bible Study go back read the post of 4/20/2007 to understand this Bible Study technique.
Never use a paraphrase for Bible Study (Message, Living Bible etc…) It is strongly suggested that you use KJ, NKJ or NAS.
STOP!
Why is a study of the Samaritan Woman important? What do you already know about her story?
Stop! Gather information. Read the story. Make a list of words that you need to research such as words that you do not understand, or even words that are of importance. (Just make the list, you will research in the LOOK! section.) For example: (1)Jesus speak about a gift that He can give to her. Research the word gift in Scripture. How many other times does Jesus use this word? (2) What is a Samaritan? (3) Where is Jacob’s well.
God explains things to us. Stop! Read the verses. Write out each of the verses that state “because” or “for,” "so that" etc....(when something means because.)
Stop! Read the verses again and pick one that summarizes the story of the Samaritan Woman.
NOTE: If your are interested in the women of Scripture be sure to see my other blogs - www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com and www.biblestudy4women.blogspot.com
The Samaritan Woman is one of the “First Ladies” of Scripture. She was the first person to whom Jesus declared that He was the Messiah. The story of the meeting of Jesus with the Samaritan is familiar – let us see if we can learn anything new to apply to life today.
STOP!
If this is the first time you have worked on a STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! Bible Study go back read the post of 4/20/2007 to understand this Bible Study technique.
Never use a paraphrase for Bible Study (Message, Living Bible etc…) It is strongly suggested that you use KJ, NKJ or NAS.
STOP!
Why is a study of the Samaritan Woman important? What do you already know about her story?
Stop! Gather information. Read the story. Make a list of words that you need to research such as words that you do not understand, or even words that are of importance. (Just make the list, you will research in the LOOK! section.) For example: (1)Jesus speak about a gift that He can give to her. Research the word gift in Scripture. How many other times does Jesus use this word? (2) What is a Samaritan? (3) Where is Jacob’s well.
God explains things to us. Stop! Read the verses. Write out each of the verses that state “because” or “for,” "so that" etc....(when something means because.)
Stop! Read the verses again and pick one that summarizes the story of the Samaritan Woman.
NOTE: If your are interested in the women of Scripture be sure to see my other blogs - www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com and www.biblestudy4women.blogspot.com
Friday, April 20, 2007
INTRODUCTION TO THE “SLL” TECHNIQUE
“Stop! Look! Listen” most of us heard this from our parents as they taught us about crossing a busy street. I have adapted it to remember the basic steps of an in-depth Bible Study.
First of all, “Bible Study” is just that – study. It is not just reading through a passage or a daily devotional. “Study” has been defined as the act or process of applying the mind so as to acquire knowledge or understanding (Websters NewWorld Dictionary, 2nd ed, Prentice Hall, New York, 1986). This is a Bible Study blog.
Use a translation that is as close to the original language as possible. Do not use a paraphrase such as the Message or Living Bible. These are wonderful translations and very worthy of reading - but not for study. Use one of the translations that Bible scholars most often recommend : KJV, NKJ or NAS
A summary of the Stop! Look! Listen! technique.
1. Stop! Come to a halt and look around! Read it slowly as a general overview.
2. Stop! Identify any words/concepts that you might not understand. For instance, geography, do you know where Capernaum is located? What is a Pharisee? Who are the Caratites? Many times we quickly read over words that we do not really understand. At this step just identify these words/concepts. Make a written list. You cannot study without pen and paper in hand.
3. Stop! Read it a second time.
4. Look! Pay attention. Focus in on what is important. Look at what Scripture says. Anything that is not Scripture can be error. The main focus of Bible Study is….the Bible. Commentaries, footnotes and study notes are man-made and may contain error.
5. Look Left! Study what comes before this event that might influence the story.
6. Look Right! Study what comes after this event. How did this story and characters influence the future? Write down your answers.
7. Look! Scan the horizon. This means to identify and research the geographical locations. Geography must be important to God because He mentions it so often.
8. Look! Research all that you really do not understand (see the list you made in Step 2). Write! Write! Write!
9. Listen! Read it again.
10. Listen! Apply what you have learned to your life. Your walk (off the curb and across the street) is directed by what you have learned by Stop! Look! Listen! Perhaps you will hesitate. Perhaps you will run. Perhaps you will turn in a different direction. You are on the curb and must do something. You study the Word of God to change into more of what He wants you to be. Listen to what God is saying to you and apply it to your life – today.
NOTE: If your are interested in the women of Scripture be sure to see my other blogs - www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com and www.biblestudy4women.blogspot.com
First of all, “Bible Study” is just that – study. It is not just reading through a passage or a daily devotional. “Study” has been defined as the act or process of applying the mind so as to acquire knowledge or understanding (Websters NewWorld Dictionary, 2nd ed, Prentice Hall, New York, 1986). This is a Bible Study blog.
Use a translation that is as close to the original language as possible. Do not use a paraphrase such as the Message or Living Bible. These are wonderful translations and very worthy of reading - but not for study. Use one of the translations that Bible scholars most often recommend : KJV, NKJ or NAS
A summary of the Stop! Look! Listen! technique.
1. Stop! Come to a halt and look around! Read it slowly as a general overview.
2. Stop! Identify any words/concepts that you might not understand. For instance, geography, do you know where Capernaum is located? What is a Pharisee? Who are the Caratites? Many times we quickly read over words that we do not really understand. At this step just identify these words/concepts. Make a written list. You cannot study without pen and paper in hand.
3. Stop! Read it a second time.
4. Look! Pay attention. Focus in on what is important. Look at what Scripture says. Anything that is not Scripture can be error. The main focus of Bible Study is….the Bible. Commentaries, footnotes and study notes are man-made and may contain error.
5. Look Left! Study what comes before this event that might influence the story.
6. Look Right! Study what comes after this event. How did this story and characters influence the future? Write down your answers.
7. Look! Scan the horizon. This means to identify and research the geographical locations. Geography must be important to God because He mentions it so often.
8. Look! Research all that you really do not understand (see the list you made in Step 2). Write! Write! Write!
9. Listen! Read it again.
10. Listen! Apply what you have learned to your life. Your walk (off the curb and across the street) is directed by what you have learned by Stop! Look! Listen! Perhaps you will hesitate. Perhaps you will run. Perhaps you will turn in a different direction. You are on the curb and must do something. You study the Word of God to change into more of what He wants you to be. Listen to what God is saying to you and apply it to your life – today.
NOTE: If your are interested in the women of Scripture be sure to see my other blogs - www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com and www.biblestudy4women.blogspot.com
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