Here we review the main components of the biblical narrative, then trace Abraham through the Bible, and close with a reminder that God's dealings with humanity in both testaments are always and only based on grace.

This week we undertook a helpful historical overview of the OT story from Abraham to the return from exile using a map of the Ancient Near East. We then looked at the foundational "relational dynamic" that underlies all of Scripture--this is how God relates to humanity, and relates to us. Four questions were raised to bring clarity to this critical relational framework of Scripture.    

The following two lectures were designed to help us interpret Jesus within his native historical setting in first-century Palestine and within his native Scriptural setting in the Old Testament. When Jesus himself sought to explain to others who he was and what he was up to he always turned back to the ancient Hebrew Scriptures and told that story as the way to make sense of his story. Seeking to enlighten two puzzled contemporaries how death and resurrection were expected scenes in the unfolding drama of his career, Jesus "took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27).

 

Following Jesus' example, his four biographers employ the same interpretive grid. They view Jesus through Old Testament eyes and thus use Old Testament personnel, stories, and images as the colors on their palette as they paint their varied, but complementary, portraits of Jesus. 

 

Under the title, "What on Earth is Jesus Doing?" we will take a careful look at just one chapter of Matthew's masterpiece portrayal of the one he knew as Savior. I trust this introduction to the life of Jesus will open our eyes, warm our hearts, and move our feet in the Lord's direction. May it help further a lifetime of discovery and transformation.

 

These two lectures were first delivered as Power Points at Rolling Hills Christian Church, El Dorado Hills, CA, in the Fall of 2005. 

• Part 1 John the Baptizer as Forerunner
• Part 2 Jesus: Baptizer and Baptized

The Apostle Paul

 

Paul is one of the protagonists in this Act of the Drama. For some brilliant insight on Paul and his role in the story, I suggest two authors:

Michael J. Gorman, Reading Paul (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2007). Biosketch 

Tom Wright, What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity? (Grand Rapids: Eermans, 1997).  

Thessalonians. Our second year with the small group we walked  through Paul's letter to a small, relatively new, community of believers. Our discussion notes from 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 provide a good entry into Paul's mission and teaching.

To orient yourself to our guide for the year, read The Bible in Time, "Getting Started," pages 7-12. Also helpful here are our OT Starting Points

 

Our discussion will address The Bible in Time, sections 1 and 2, pages 13-16.

 

For supplemental material on the creation narrative of early Genesis, see Professor Fretheim's observations: The Creation Accounts of Genesis 1-2

 

On our Insights page, more resources are provided on (1) the ancient science of the Bible and (2) what is might mean to be created in God's image.

The Bible in Time, section 3, pages 16-18. 

 

Our guest facilitator is my good friend of 20 years Scott Wieking, adult and family pastor at First Baptist Church, Davis. Scott and I have met once or twice a month for lunch since I moved back to Sacramento in 1999. Scott wrote a good study guide on the life of David, which I have posted on our OT Resource page, under Eugene Peterson's book Leap over a Wall.

 

Scott's handout for the discussion is here: Wieking. Genesis 3..pdf 

The Bible in Time, sections 4 and 5, pages 18-22.  

 

The Flood Story teaches us many things. We directed our attention to but three: the justice of God, the suffering of God, and the intentions of God. Our discussion notes can be found here. 

The Bible in Time, sections 6 through 8, pages 22-28. 

 

Highlights from our discussions can be found here.

The Bible in Time, sections 9 through 14, pages 28-38.

 

The Joseph story is a variegated and complex story, rich in wisdom, full of insights about God and ourselves. Our discussion notes can be found here. 

The Bible in Time, sections 15 through 17, pages 38-44.

 

The story of the exodus is central to both the Old and New Testaments. Our discussion notes from the first portion of Exodus can be found here. Discussion of Exodus continued with our small group the following year. See our Highlights part 2. 

 

Reflections on the Past Year

 

Our closing evening of the season was excellent. We opened our discussion time with some reflection, looking back at the year and noting the important gifts that God brought us by means of our small group. Here are a few things that many of us said we valued:

·         We love it that this group is a friendly, welcoming group of people, making us feel accepted and at home. Because we have connected to this group, we feel like we’re a part of the bigger church; we’re no longer strangers in the large crowd of Sunday mornings.

·         We love it when others demonstrate that they care, by lending us a helping hand, an empathetic ear, a comforting presence; by taking an interest in us, getting to know us, and becoming a friend; by showing up at important times and events in our lives (like the hospital or a memorial service); by helping us navigate through difficult seasons (such as illness, grief, divorce).

·         We love that this group is a team, with opportunities to participate at many levels. Thanks were given to the many hosts and culinary contributors. Thanks also were given to those who pitched in for our periodic service projects (for example, Powerhouse dinners, and our Christmas family).  

·         We love it that God has shown us that the OT is all about him, how he interacts with us, and what together we can accomplish in the world. The OT is no longer as foreign to us as it was, nor can we charge it with irrelevance. This is God’s story, and it shows us his character, his passions, his ways. What we know of God through Jesus we see on display in YHWH. Because we are among his children, the OT is our story, too. We appreciate teaching that makes the Bible understandable, sensible, useful, valuable. The weekly readings and discussions remind us what really matters and keep our perspectives aligned with the aims of God.

·         We love the book basket and the wealth of resources it provides. We have found great books there that we have read, re-read, and passed along to friends and family.