Christian history & theology Bible journal Christian history & theology

Bible Reading (Journal) Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 Questions How does God describe his Creation? Is it still so, or is it corrupted? How so? What do you think it means to be created in the image of God? What are the commands given by God to man in these verses? To what extent are humans to still follow these commands?

Bible Reading (Journal) Before you read… What do you think eternity looks like for Christians? Read Genesis 2:4-25 How is the creation account different from ch1? What direction is Eden? What watered the garden (v10)? Read and compare with Rev 21:1-7 & 21:22-22:5 What parallels do you see between the Holy City in Rev. and Eden in Gen?

Bible Reading (Journal) Read chapter 3 of Genesis What is meant by the serpent “striking the heel” of the “seed of the woman?” What is meant by “seed of the woman” crushing the head of the serpent? Read Gen 3:24 and compare to Rev 22:1-2 What can man eat from in the New Jerusalem that he is denied at the end of Gen 3?

Read Isaiah 52:13-53:9 Read Isaiah 53:10-12? What is the suffering servant likened to in v7? What happens to the Suffering Servant? Read Isaiah 53:10-12? What finally happens to the Suffering Servant in v 11? What Questions does this passage raise for you?

John the Baptist All 4 gospels insist we look at Jesus thru John the Baptist Read John 1:1-34 What does the author mean when he writes, “And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us”? what does John mean by calling Jesus the lamb of God? Re-read Gen 1:1-5 & compare with John 1:1-5. What elements from Gen is John referring to? What is St John insisting about the Word’s place in creation and eternity?

Read Acts ch 2 What does Peter appeal to in explaining the strangeness of what was occurring in v 16-21? What covenant does Peter refer to in v 29-30. After Peter’s Sermon convicts the listeners, what does Peter tell them they should do? How does Acts 2 explain Christian Worship v42? What Questions does this passage raise for you?

Read John 14:15-31 What is promised to the disciples when Jesus states that He will be going away? When Jesus says, “the Father is greater than I,” what does He mean? Who is the prince of the world, that Jesus refers to?

On Separate sheet of Paper NOT journal… Read Isaiah 52:5-10 What is the “good news” or “gospel” of peace? How does the Lord “comfort” his people? V8-9 Compare with Romans 10:11-18 What is the Good New or Gospel according to St Paul? What does St Paul say about Jews and Gentiles BIG QUESTION: WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

Read Acts 6:8-7:60 What is the basic argument St Stephen is making Read Acts 6:8-7:60 What is the basic argument St Stephen is making? Who is angered? What does it mean that Stephen “fell asleep?” Who is looking on during the martyrdom of St Stephen?

Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 Read John 6:34-71 What does Jesus in the words of institution call the bread and wine? What does it mean to “eat and drink in an unworthy manner?” What causes some to become “ill and infirm” and even die? How can simple bread and wine do such things? Read John 6:34-71 What does Jesus say is necessary for eternal life in this passage? Why do many of Jesus’ followers leave him? Why does Jesus allow them to leave? Why do the Twelve stay?

Questions for Church fathers Who was Ignatius? What do you think he means by “medicine of immortality”? Why do you think Gnostics (“those who hold heterodox opinions”) rejected Communion? Origen Why do you think Origen warns to “reverently exercise ever care lest a particle [of communion] fall”? St Hilary of Poitiers What does St Hilary claim leaves “little doubt?” After reading handout, what do these church fathers seem to believe about communion? Which of the “differing views” do you think they agree with? What do they seem to think taking Communion does?

Read Matthew 16:15-20 Read John 20:19-23 Read 1 John 1:8-9 What does Jesus give Peter? Why do you think Jesus would give Peter the authority to forgive sins? If Peter has the Keys of the Kingdom, how do we get into the Kingdom? Read John 20:19-23 Here, Jesus gives the keys to all his disciples. Is this a contradiction? Is this authority passed to other pastors? Read 1 John 1:8-9 Does confession imply speaking out loud to someone?

Read Romans 8:4-10 1 Corinthians 2:7-16 What is St Paul condemning of in this passage? What can people not do who live according to the flesh? What does concern for the Spirit lead to? 1 Corinthians 2:7-16 What must one be in order to “judge everything”?

Compare Psalm 2:6&7 with Mark 1:9-12 Read Psalm 2 Why does the Lord laugh at the Rulers of the earth? Who will “break” the rulers of the earth? Compare Psalm 2:6&7 with Mark 1:9-12 Are both passages referring to the same event? Why did Jesus begin his ministry only after his Baptism? Why did such extraordinary things happen at Jesus’ baptism? Do extraordinary things also happen when we are baptized?

Journal Someone walks up to you and says, “Your God is a Trinity? I don’t understand. Can you explain?” Answer!

Should Christians hold to “tradition”? To what extent? What traditions should be continued? What traditions can be discarded? Now Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13 - 2:17 What “traditions” do you think St Paul is talking about? Why would Paul ask for this? If your Bible uses the word “teachings” instead of “traditions” (v 15), why do you think your translation mistranslated the word?

Read John 3:1-8 Why do you think Nicodemus came at night to talk with Jesus? What does Jesus equate with being born again? Why does Jesus say we must be born of Water and Spirit?

Journal After hearing the Te Deum… What specific theologies are emphasized in this hymn? What is the purpose of this hymn, do you think? Why do you think this is known as “the greatest Western Hymn”? How are newer Christian hymns/songs similar/different?

Read 2 Tim 3:10 – 17. What portion of this text is commonly used in modern circles? Do you think this applies to itself? Read 1 Tim 4:6-16 What do you think the purpose of these books are? Do you think everything in it applies to you personally? Do you think Timothy’s office as pastor might cause Paul to charge Timothy with direction specifically for pastors (and therefore not to you)?

Read Matthew 16:13-19 Why does Jesus rename Simon-Peter? Who or what is “the rock”? What authority does Jesus give Peter in this passage? What does this mean for today?

Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Why do you think the chrch at Corinth was “divided”? How does St Paul approach the issue of division? What is the crux of his argument? Can you think of any other reasons why division is to be avoided? Can you think of any benefits?