Sermons
It’s a Wonderful Life – Genesis 48:8-21: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 48–49 | It‘s a Wonderful Life Key Terms Joseph – Joseph was Jacob’s 11th son and the first son of Rachael—Jacob’s favorite wife. As Joseph grows up, Jacob shows him favor and Joseph’s brothers become angry at him, eventually selling him into slavery in Egypt. While in Egypt, Joseph advances to become…
Read MoreOn the Road Again – Genesis 35:1-28: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 35:1–29 | On the Road Again Key Terms Foreign gods – Before leaving Shechem and returning to Bethel, Jacob instructs his family to put away their foreign gods (v. 2). These items were most likely taken from the destruction of Shechem and include earrings (v. 4), which were likely associated with the…
Read MoreBreaking Bad – Genesis 34:1-31: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 34:1–31 Key Terms Shechem – A prominent city in Canaan, 50 miles north of modern-day Jerusalem. Shechem is also the name of the son of Hamor—the ruler of Shechem in Genesis 33-34. In Israel – Genesis 34:7 is the first time Jacob’s family uses the new name Israel. Although just receiving this…
Read MoreFight Club – Genesis 32:22-32: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 32:22–32 | Fight Club Key Terms Jabbok – A river that flows westward through a cleft in the Jordan Rift Valley mountains and empties into the Jordan. By crossing the Jabbok, Jacob and his family are heading towards Esau, not away. Today the Jabbok is called the Zerqa. Israel – In this…
Read MoreInto the Unknown – Genesis 32:1-21: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 32:1–21 | Into The Unknown Key Terms Mahanaim – Mahanaim (v. 2) means “two camps.” Jacob chooses this name when he comes to see that—in addition to his own camp—God is present with him as well. Angels/messengers – In Hebrew, the word for angel (v. 1) and messenger (v. 3 & 6)…
Read MoreThe Masquerade Party – Genesis 27:1-46: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Blessing – In Ancient Near Eastern culture, it was common to pronounce blessings or curses on others. These blessings/curses were not seen as mere wishful thinking but were believed to be influential ways to call upon God to act in a certain way towards an individual or a nation. This means…
Read MoreAlive in the Mission of God – Colossians 4:2-6: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Being watchful – The phrase being watchful (v. 2) could have two emphases. It’s possible Paul is encouraging believers to be “watching” for Christ’s return (see Col 3:4; when Christ…appears). However, this word basically means “to be awake” and is used more often in the NT to encourage Christians to be…
Read MoreNew Creations at Home and Work – Colossians 3:11-4:1: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Submit – The primary meaning of this word in the NT is to voluntarily “put oneself under” the authority or direction of someone or something else (see James 4:7 with respect to God, Rom 13:1 to government, and 1 Cor 16:16 to leaders). Paul uses the word obey when speaking of…
Read MoreGrowing Up In Christ, Part 3 – Colossians 1:1-17: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide *This is our last of four Sundays in this same passage. This week’s reflection guide is topical, focusing on one of the major theological themes of this section. Key Terms Justification – Justification is an act of God in declaring a person to be righteous, or in “right standing” with God, because of…
Read MoreCommon Mistakes Spiritual Seekers Make – Colossians 2:16-23: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Festival/new moon/Sabbath – These are Jewish holy days found in the OT with the Sabbath being a weekly celebration, new moons a monthly celebration, and festivals as annual celebrations. Shadow – With this term Paul is using a popular image from Greek philosophy of a “shadow” and corresponding “substance.” Plato famously…
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