Small Groups
Theology in Life – Colossians 1:24-2:5: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Filling up what is lacking – This is a potentially confusing phrase from Col 1:24. Paul cannot be saying that Jesus’ afflictions were not sufficient for forgiveness of sins and salvation because that would contradict Col 1:22 & 2:13-14. His point seems to be that on the cross Jesus didn’t end…
Read MoreFirst Over All – Colossians 1:15-23:Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Image of the invisible God – This term image was commonly used in the ancient world to refer to objects that represented gods or the likeness of Caesar that was stamped on items such as coins. For many Jews in Paul’s day, the “image” of God had also become associated with…
Read MoreFinding the Signal – 1 Timothy 4:7-8 & Matthew 11:28-29: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Lowly (Matthew 11:29) – This word is only used here in the NT, but in wider Greek literature it has a negative connotation and speaks to the state of the poor or slaves. It’s significant and striking that Jesus, the Son of God, would use this word to describe himself. Train…
Read MoreA Non-Anxious Presence in a Shipwreck World – Acts 27:1-28:16: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Syrtis – An area of quicksand and shoals off the coast of Libya widely known as an extremely dangerous area for sailors. Malta – An island in the Mediterranean Sea located between Italy and Libya. Luke calls the people on Malta barbaroi (meaning “non-Greek speakers”), which reveals they were likely a…
Read MoreThe Way of the Cross – Acts 21:37-26:32: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Felix – Felix was a former slave who was promoted to governor over Judea and Samaria by Claudius Caesar. Agrippa – One of the Roman appointed Jewish rulers of Israel who was part of the Herod family. Caesar – Originating from Julius Caesar, the title “Caesar” came to be applied to…
Read MoreLeave it all on the Field – Paul’s Final Encouragement to the Elders at Ephesus – Acts 20:1-38: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms The first day of the week – The first time in the NT where we see Christians meeting together on Sunday. The connection to “breaking bread,” most commonly understood as a reference to communion, seems to indicate this is a formal Sunday gathering of the church. By the end of the…
Read MoreLeaps of Faith, Last Hopes of Humanity – Acts 3:1-26: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms The hour of prayer – The time of the afternoon sacrifice (3 pm), which Israelites often set aside each day in order to pray and when many Israelites living in Jerusalem would go up to the temple in order to pray together. Alms – The practice of giving charitable gifts to…
Read MoreA New Day, A New Community – Acts 2:42-47: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms The apostles’ teaching – The Early Church gathered in public at the temple and in homes to hear the apostles (those who had been with Jesus) teach; we get a glimpse of what they taught in the various sermons in Acts (see Acts 2:14-40, Acts 7, Acts 13:16-41) as well as…
Read MoreHow Pierced Hearts Become Glad Hearts – Acts 2:14-41: Reflection Guide
Key Terms Peter – One of the original 12 disciples and the writer of 1 & 2 Peter; Peter famously confessed Jesus as the Christ (Mt 16:16) but later denied knowing Jesus three times after Jesus’ arrest (Mt 26:69-75). However, Jesus restored Peter and chose him to be one of the prominent leaders in the…
Read MoreDescent of the Spirit, Ascent of the Church – Acts 2:1-13: Reflection Guide
Key Terms Pentecost – The Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks (Ex. 34:22; Lev 23:15-16; Deut 16:9) that occurred 50 days after Passover (pentecost literally means “fiftieth”); many Jews travelled to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival. Galileans – People from the northernmost region of Israel, called Galilee; Galileans were often thought of as…
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