What do the names Amorite, Makkedah and Joshua mean? How do these meanings apply to you? Why did the 5 kings hide in a cave while their armies were fighting and dying on the battlefield? What did Joshua do when their hideout was discovered? Why?
What happened to the kings when the battle was over, and Joshua had defeated their armies? Can you name five “kings” you are battling? They may be very personal: spiritually, mentally, emotionally or behaviorally. They may be in your family, or at work or school, or in your social life, or in your church.
The Christmas Story - Part 2 (DLM Movies)DLM Movies
The Christmas Story, part 2.
http://dlm-movies.com/christmas
Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem where baby Jesus is born. An angel comes to some shepherds and tell them of Jesus.
Luke 1:1-20
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." -Luke 1:11
DLM Movies, Dec 2011, http://dlm-movies.com
What do the names Amorite, Makkedah and Joshua mean? How do these meanings apply to you? Why did the 5 kings hide in a cave while their armies were fighting and dying on the battlefield? What did Joshua do when their hideout was discovered? Why?
What happened to the kings when the battle was over, and Joshua had defeated their armies? Can you name five “kings” you are battling? They may be very personal: spiritually, mentally, emotionally or behaviorally. They may be in your family, or at work or school, or in your social life, or in your church.
The Christmas Story - Part 2 (DLM Movies)DLM Movies
The Christmas Story, part 2.
http://dlm-movies.com/christmas
Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem where baby Jesus is born. An angel comes to some shepherds and tell them of Jesus.
Luke 1:1-20
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." -Luke 1:11
DLM Movies, Dec 2011, http://dlm-movies.com
Part 4/4 in my "In the Beginning" Series I did in 2012. By far, one of my favorite sermons to preach and started me thinking about culture and the impact it has on us.
Babel means to confuse or confound in Hebrew. The story of the Tower of Babel shows the arrogance of humans to reach the heavens and make their name great. All the people were united in performing the same sin of pride and rebellion.
God teaches us by diving the people that if He wants to do something nothing can stop Him and we should always strive to glorify God and not ourselves. Relive this sad but significant story in the history of mankind.
What happened to the axe head (5-7)? Since verse 8 begins with the word “then” what is the connection between the inci-dent of the axe head and the events that follow? Why did the king of Syria want to capture Elisha (12-14)? Ex-plain the irony of Benhadad’s pursuit of Elisha. Why was Elisha’s servant afraid (15)? What did Elisha do in response to his servant’s fear (16)? Identify fears you or those close to you may have and apply Elisha’s example. What happened to the soldiers sent to capture Elisha (18-23)? Why do you suppose Elisha did not destroy the Syrian army? Since there was no battle between God’s armies and the Ara-means, what is the purpose in the account of the “chariots of fire” on the mountain? Why doesn’t God answer our prayers instantly and dramatically, as He did Elisha’s prayers? Explain what “spiritual warfare” means to you (cf. Eph. 6:12-17). What responsibilities do the angels of God have in this warfare? How are they involved in your life? Why did Benhadad besiege Samaria after his army was spared and treated so kindly (25)?
When it comes to Christmas time it's so important to be reminded that there is something more than just gifts and parties going on here. It's about Jesus. In the Christmas story we see people everywhere recognizing that something more is going on than their present circumstances. So this year, remember there is something more to Christmas; something more to life.
Part 4/4 in my "In the Beginning" Series I did in 2012. By far, one of my favorite sermons to preach and started me thinking about culture and the impact it has on us.
Babel means to confuse or confound in Hebrew. The story of the Tower of Babel shows the arrogance of humans to reach the heavens and make their name great. All the people were united in performing the same sin of pride and rebellion.
God teaches us by diving the people that if He wants to do something nothing can stop Him and we should always strive to glorify God and not ourselves. Relive this sad but significant story in the history of mankind.
What happened to the axe head (5-7)? Since verse 8 begins with the word “then” what is the connection between the inci-dent of the axe head and the events that follow? Why did the king of Syria want to capture Elisha (12-14)? Ex-plain the irony of Benhadad’s pursuit of Elisha. Why was Elisha’s servant afraid (15)? What did Elisha do in response to his servant’s fear (16)? Identify fears you or those close to you may have and apply Elisha’s example. What happened to the soldiers sent to capture Elisha (18-23)? Why do you suppose Elisha did not destroy the Syrian army? Since there was no battle between God’s armies and the Ara-means, what is the purpose in the account of the “chariots of fire” on the mountain? Why doesn’t God answer our prayers instantly and dramatically, as He did Elisha’s prayers? Explain what “spiritual warfare” means to you (cf. Eph. 6:12-17). What responsibilities do the angels of God have in this warfare? How are they involved in your life? Why did Benhadad besiege Samaria after his army was spared and treated so kindly (25)?
When it comes to Christmas time it's so important to be reminded that there is something more than just gifts and parties going on here. It's about Jesus. In the Christmas story we see people everywhere recognizing that something more is going on than their present circumstances. So this year, remember there is something more to Christmas; something more to life.
The meaning of Christmas is found in a story. Not in the stories about Santa, Frosty, the Grinch, etc., but in the story of Baby Jesus. And that story is true. It really happened!
Extra Credit – Reflection on the Nativity Gospels Instru.docxmydrynan
Extra Credit – Reflection on the Nativity Gospels
Instructions: The following passages are read in many Christian churches around Christmas. This particular
order is based off of the Byzantine Catholic order of readings for the morning and evening services for
Christmas Eve. For 2.5 points extra credit, read the following narratives and write a 1 page reflection (12pt
Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, single-spaced); you can reflect on such things as how a Christian would
understand these passages, your own reactions to these passages or their order, or how these passages refer to
different topics we have discussed in this course. This extra credit assignment is due by class time (either email
or hard copy) on Thursday, December 3rd. No late submissions will be accepted!
(Matthew 1: 18-25)
18 Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but
before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce
her quietly.
20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph,
son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that
this child has been conceived in her.
21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means “God is with us.”
24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
25 He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.
(Luke 2:1-20)
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
4 And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
9 The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck
with great fear.
10 The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be
for all the people.
11 For today ...
2. And it came to pass in those
days, that there went out a
decree from Caesar Augustus,
that all the world should be
taxed.
(And this taxing was first made
when Cyrenius was governor of
Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every
one into his own city.
3. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of
the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of
David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were
there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered.
4. And she brought forth her firstborn
son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him
in a manger; because there was no
room for them in the inn.
5. And, lo, the
And there angel of the
were in the Lord came
same country upon
shepherds them, and
abiding in the the glory of
field, keeping the Lord
watch over shone round
their flock by about them:
night. and they
were sore
afraid.
6. And the angel said unto
them, Fear not:
for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord.
7. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall
find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger.
8. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men.
9. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away
from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to
another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see
this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath
made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and
Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
10. And when they had
seen it, they made
known abroad the
saying which was told
them concerning this
child.
And all they that
heard it wondered at
those things which
were told them by the
11. But Mary kept
all these
things, and
pondered them
in her heart.
12. And the
shepherds
returned, glorifyi
ng and praising
God for all the
things that they
had heard and
seen, as it was
told unto them.