Small Groups
Lean on Me – Genesis 30:25-31:55: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 30:25–31:55 Key Terms Speckled/Spotted/Black – Speckled and spotted goats and black lambs were the opposite coloration of typical goats and lambs and were less desirable (Gen 30:32 & following). Household gods – Although it’s unclear exactly what these household gods are (Gen 31:19, 34, & 35), they are most likely figurines made…
Read MoreStairway to Heaven – Genesis 28:10-22: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Paddan-aram/Haran – These two place names are used interchangeably in the narrative to refer to the same place (or it’s possible that Paddan-aram is the region containing the city Haran). Thus when Isaac sends Jacob to Paddan-aram in v. 6, Jacob is being obedient when he goes to Haran (v. 10).…
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 MoreWalking with God in the Age of Amazon – Genesis 26:1-35: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Famine – Famine was a common occurrence in the ancient Near East where much of the land was difficult to cultivate and modern technology to grow, store, and transport food was not yet invented. Abraham experienced a famine during his life (Gen 12) and famine would be instrumental in Israel’s history…
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 MoreGrowing Up In Christ – Growing Up In Christ: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Right hand of God – In ancient culture, the right hand signified the place of honor and prominence (e.g. 1 Kgs 2:19). This language of sitting at the right hand of God (v. 1) comes from Ps 110:1 and is used of Jesus’ position throughout the NT (e.g. Acts 2:33-34, Heb…
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…
Read MoreAlive Together – Colossians 2:6-15: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Elemental spirits – This term literally means “fundamental components” and was used to refer to things like letters in the alphabet, notes of a musical scale, or air, fire, and water (i.e. basic components of the physical world). For Paul, there was no separation between the material and spiritual realms of…
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