John 20:19-30: Bible Study plan and outline John 20:19-30 may be analyzed in two parts, based on the two distinct occurrences of Jesus Christ’s appearance the passage describes. One occurs in Thomas’s absence, when he appears before his disciples on Easter evening (20:19-25), whereas in the other instance, he appears after seven days and this time, Thomas is in attendance (20:26-31). The two events may initially be considered individually, followed by an interpretation of them together. In the first (20:19-25), the disciples are described assembled on Easter evening at a dwelling, somewhere within Jerusalem or in the holy city’s vicinity. Fear causes them to hold a secret meeting. However, the impact on readers is: they expect the occurrence of a miracle, and they aren’t left disappointed. A miraculous appearance of the resurrected Christ is witnessed (Hultgren, 2008).
Why the disciples have convened together has not been mentioned. However, the preceding verse (20:18)…...

mla

References

Hultgren, A. J. (2008, March 26). Commentary on John 20:19-23 by Matt Skinner. Retrieved September 24, 2017, from

Magruder, J., Dr. . (2016, June 28). How to Win Your Audience\\\\'s Attention for Your Sermon. Retrieved September 25, 2017, from  https://www.sagu.edu/thoughthub/6-attention-getting-sermon-introduction-techniques 

Moyer, R. L. (2012, January 4). Preaching: 4 Ways to Gain Attention - 3 Ways to Keep It • ChurchLeaders.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017, from  https://churchleaders.com/pastors/preaching-teaching/138197-how-get-audience-attention-30-seconds.html 

Nasser, R. (2012, October 4). Alban at Duke Divinity School » Preaching the Transition. Retrieved September 24, 2017, from  https://alban.org/archive/preaching-the-transition/ 

Schott, L. A. (n.d.). Immersion bible studies: Job. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

Teaching, G. (2012). Learning: A Handbook for Teachers and Leaders in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion.

 

http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=887

systematic approach to bible study promoted in the book. The reader is then led through a discussion of the meaning of the term and the way it relates to the bible and those who follow and study the bible.
BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS

For more than 2000 years people have studied the bible and tried grasp it's meaning. There are schools of literary interpretation as well as schools of theoretical thought when it comes to the bible. It is the book of Christianity and the guideline from which Christians are to lead their lives if they want to live the way they believe God wants them too. However, there are so many different ways of interpreting the document that it can often lead to controversy and argument. In An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics, by alter C. Kaiser, and Moises Silva makes a valiant attempt to simply the procedure. Studying the methodical principles…...

mla

Works Cited

Biblical Interpretation: Principles and Practice. Studies in Honor of Jack Lewis. By Kearley, F.

Furman, Myers, Edward P. And Hadley, Timothy D., editors. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House,

Moises, Silva. Has the Church Misread the Bible? Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Academie Books,

The Act of Biblical Interpretation. By Dyck, Elmer, editor. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity

The relevant behavior of Jesus will be that which takes him to his own cross, rejected by the leaders of his people (Keener, 1999, p. 691).
b. "cross" (stauros)

"The cross means death, and nothing less; the point is so important that Matthew reedactionally underlines it in an earlier persecution context (10: 38-39)…)" (Keener, 1999, p. 435).

3. CONTEXT:

This implies that…individuals as Christians or disciples of Christ must be ready to follow Him at any cost, even if it means that one may have to lose his/her life.

Summary of Context: As Christ followers one needs to:

(1) Be willing to follow Christ - even to death;

(2) ecognize the "cost" for following Christ

(3) Accept ("take up") concept of Christ; exchange one's life for His call.

4. WOD USAGE:

This implies that…Jesus expressed to His disciples, as He does all throughout the Bible, that following Him may literally require that one gives up His life. Jesus speaks…...

mla

REFERENCES

Beare, Francis Wright. The Gospel according to Matthew: Translation, Introduction and Commentary. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981.

Blue Letter Bible. "Gospel of Matthew 16 - (KJV - King James Version). Blue Letter Bible.

1996-2009. 25 Nov 2009.

Bible in the Life of the Church Today
Today, the Holy Bible remains the mainstay of Christian churches around the world, but there remains a debate over its precise role in the life of the church. To help determine the facts in this debate, this paper reviews a series of selected essays surrounding the nature of the Bible and its use in the modern Christian church. This review includes a synopsis and description of the structure of each article, the main points of interest and an analysis concerning the extent to which the authors succeeded in conveying these main points. Finally, a description of the author's methodology and an assessment concerning the validity of each author's arguments is followed by an evaluation of their effectiveness in communicating their main themes and a summary of the research and important findings regarding the main themes addressed in these articles are provided in the…...

mla

References

Anderson, B.W. 'Tradition and Scripture in the Community of Faith' in The Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 100, No.1 (March 1981), pp 5-21

Martens, E. A. "What Have They Done to the Bible? A History of Modern Biblical Interpretation." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 382-385.

Neuman, W. L. (2009). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. New York: Allyn & Bacon.

Paul, M. "Biblical Exegesis and the Formation of Christian Culture, by Frances Young" in Shofar, Vol. 18, No. 3, p. 147.

Bible
Encountering John: The Gospel in Historical, Literary, and Theological Perspective provides a remarkably thorough explication of John's gospel from multiple perspectives and points-of-view. The book is divided into five main parts, in addition to the appendices, indexes, and study tools. Author Andreas J. Kostenberger formats Encountering John as a textbook, and yet the tome also serves as a reference book that complements exegetical works and Biblical commentaries.

In the preface materials, Kostenberger clearly states that the book is intended for an audience of students. However, the tone is personal, informal, and familiar, rather than strictly scholarly or academic. This is due to in part to the fact that Kostenberger writes as a believer for believers, resisting the temptation to secularize biblical studies. The primary audience for Encountering John is students in biblical, theological, or seminary school who seek deep understanding of the gospel.

Part One of Encountering John covers basic history, chronology,…...

mla

Work Cited

Kostenberger, A.J. (2006). Encountering John: The Gospel in Historical, Literary, and Theological Perspective (Encountering Biblical Studies). Baker Academic.

Bible
Genesis as a whole establishes fundamental Biblical theology, defining the role of God in the world and God's relationship with and responsibilities to humanity. The establishment of patriarchal rule is a central theme of Genesis, evident in passages like Genesis 17:1-4. Although not Abram's first encounter with God, this interaction highlights several key elements of God's covenant with Abram, elucidates the necessity for total submission to God, and characterizes God as almighty and omnipotent. Also central to this passage is the promise to bless Abram's offspring, thus establishing Abram as the patriarchal leader of two distinct but biologically related lineages: that of Ishmael and that of Isaac. In Genesis 17:1-4, God bestows upon Abram the blessing of being the "father of many nations," and not just one great nation. The difference between God's injunction in Genesis 17:1-4 and the previous promise issued in Genesis 12:2 is powerful and has social,…...

mla

References

Bible: NIV

Bible Hub (2014). Genesis 17. Retrieved online:  http://biblehub.com/commentaries/genesis/17-1.htm 

Bray, L. (n.d.). The divine prerogative. Retrieved online:  http://lukebray.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/the-divine-preogative.pdf 

Deffinbaugh, B. (2004). Grasping the great truth of God. Retrieved online:  https://bible.org/seriespage/18-grasping-great-truth-god-genesis-171-27

One of the most striking parallels between society in Malachi's time and today's world is expressed in Chapter 3, verse 15: "now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape." The arrogant among us are the people who are admired most: the sordid celebrities and celebrity athletes who lead lives distant from God. Furthermore, the "evildoers" of the world are prospering rather than the righteous. Those who make the most money are the ones who receive the most admiration -- not the ones who are the most faithful. Those who "challenge God" indeed "escape" from any social sanction in our world.
Fortunately, the Bible teaches remedies for the moral turpitude of modern society. Rebuilding relationships to God depends on simple steps. Those steps are clearly outlined in the Bible, but are apparently difficult to follow in practice. For instance, marriages must remain…...

If the Incarnation were not a spiritual event, then more concrete terms would suffice in describing the Son of God. hurch schisms have evolved related to the misinterpretation and reinterpretation of the Incarnation of hrist. Prophecy also discounts the importance of time and place when studying the incarnation of hrist. As Walvoord (nd) points out, "prophecy does not necessarily include all the intermediate steps between the great events in view."
Because of the difficulties in interpreting prophecy and scripture, the Incarnation of hrist can best be understood from a personal perspective. hrist has had a profound impact on billions of souls, enabling the transformation of humanity and human history. At the most basic level, the Incarnation of hrist suggests the mystery and transcendence of God. The Incarnation reminds me of the limitations of the human mind and the power of God; in other words, the Incarnation humbles me and makes…...

mla

Christ's Incarnation in fact entails humiliation and despair. Christ's crucifixion was also a matter of prophecy, and a profound mystery that Christians continue to grapple with. We find solace in knowing that God's only Son sacrificed his blood to help save humanity. The Incarnation also makes God feel closer to us. By assuming the form of flesh, God proved that He is close. God proved Himself via miracles and the transcendence of the physical laws that bind us to a mundane existence. The Incarnation reminds us of our sins and the fall from Grace detailed in the Book of Genesis. The Incarnation also reminds us of hope, forgiveness, and salvation.

Reference

Walvoord, J.F. (nd). The Incarnation of the Son of God. Bible.org. Retrieved June 12, 2010 from  http://bible.org/seriespage/incarnation-son-god

He indicates that even what Paul writes to people through his epistles is the Word of God. He is (again presciently) aware that the words might be twisted and misunderstood). But he has no doubt that Paul's writings (more prolific that his own were) as well as his own are divinely inspired Scripture. Paul, writing in Corinthians sums up the closeness of the role of the Holy Spirit in the furtherance of God's Words. He indicates that what he preaches does not come from him. hey are not his teachings, but directly the teaching of the Holy Spirit, which manifests itself in the form of words.
In recognizing Scriptures as the unadulterated Word of God, one must also consider biblical references of what Jesus, his apostles, prognosticators and epistle-writers thought of scripture. Simply put, what do the primary characters of the New estament think of the Old estament? Several centuries…...

mla

The astronomical notions of the earth being the center of the Universe are false. Not only are there several universes and galaxies, the Sun is the center of our universe. (Armstrong 1996) the school of thought indicates that the bible writers were influenced by pagan religion followed at the time. The pagans specifically believed in the flatness of the earth and the centrality of the earth and this is reflected in the Bible. (Swindler n.d.) Archeological evidence is also lacking to prove inerrancy. A lot of this comes from the Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus. Stories about the existence of Palestine, the towns of Beersheba and Canaan are anachronistic. Their existence has been historically and archeologically shown to be after the time period that the Bible describes when these places existed. This means that the books of Exodus and Leviticus were written much later than they originally claimed.

The evolution of religion as it is practiced with society has taken place for the better. From a socio-cultural standpoint, strict adherence to the Bible for all time would be detrimental to members of society. Indeed, we call people who do not evolve as backward and primitive. The Bible makes mention of corporal punishment, non-acceptance of homosexuality, intolerance towards other religions, required that a wife be a virgin by the time of her wedding on penalty of death (by stoning), capital punishment for adultery and a variable acceptance of slavery. If we adhered to these issues mentioned in the Bible as inerrant, practicing Christians would not be able to survive in today's society. At least from this standpoint then, most reasonable people will agree that the dictates of the Bible cannot be eternally binding.

If all

apture and Tribulation
The Church apture is what believers call 'Blessed Hope'. The Bible's New Testament explains a certain 'mystery', where according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:53, we will not all die (or sleep), but rather 'we will be changed' (1 Corinthians 15:53). Paul, in the letter he wrote to Thessalonica, writes,

"For Christ himself will come down from heaven; there will be a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with God's trump: and those who died in the Lord will first resurrect: After that, we who are living and remain will be held up together with the others in the sky, where we will meet Christ in air: and so will we forever be together with Christ. Wherefore give comfort to each other using these words." (1 Thess 4:16-17)

Trials, persecution and tribulation have been part of man from the day he left the Garden of Eden. Each tribulation in…...

mla

References

Benware, Paul. Understanding End Times Prophecy: A Comprehensive Approach. Moody Publishers, 2006.

Ice, Thomas. "Why I Believe The Bible Teaches Rapture Before Tribulation." Pre-Trib Research Center, 2016.

Keathley, Hampton. Revelation - Appendix 5: The Doctrine of the Tribulation. 2004.   (accessed October 26, 2016).https://bible.org/seriespage/revelation-appendix-5-doctrine-tribulation 

McKim, Donald. The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms. 2. Westminster John Knox Press, 2014.

Performance in This Class eflects the Following Dispositions:
Social responsibility. This class has emphasized the importance of applying the principles of social responsibility to all actions and activities. Through an attitude of social responsibility it becomes possible to find meaning in even the most mundane of activities. As Colson (n.d.) points out, the heart of Christianity is social responsibility, making social responsibility integral to personal growth and development.

Commitment and work ethic. This class has taught me the importance of commitment and the value of cultivating a strong work ethic. The Bible is filled with references to the importance of self-discipline and taking responsibility for our actions. When we commit to a group such as a class, we become part of something greater than ourselves. Through working together, we achieve what we could never do alone. A strong work ethic has Biblical underpinnings (2 Thessalonians 3:6-18).

eflection. eflecting on our…...

mla

References

Bible: NIV

"Charles Colson on Social Responsibility," (n.d.). Christian Bible Studies. Retrieved online:  http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/c/charles-colson-on-social-responsibility.html 

"Freeloaders and the Christian Work Ethic," (n.d.). Retrieved online:  https://bible.org/seriespage/16-freeloaders-and-christian-work-ethic-2-thessalonians-36-18 

Muranda, J. (2016). What does the Bible say about professionalism? Retrieved online:  https://ebible.com/questions/15912-what-does-the-bible-say-about-professionalism

Bible esoteric and dated. Fee and Stuart in How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, however, show the applicability of the Bible and provide readers with the tools of applying the Bible to their contemporary lives. For them there is no "then and there" to the text, rather than "then and there" of the text can equitably be applied to the "here and now" of contemporaneous living. The authors in effect build two bridges; there is the bridge between Church and lay man and the bridge between Church and exegetical scholar. Whilst the exegetical scholar approaches the text from the past trying to see 'what it meant," the author tell us that the text is far more than that: it is applicable not only for the "then" but also for the "now" and, therefore, people should approach it with the intent of 'what does it mean" and…...

mla

Qutb, S. (1988). In the shade of the Koran. Beirut: The Holy Koran Publishing House

Swearer, D.K. (1991). Fundamentalistic movements in Therevada Buddhism. In Fundamentalisms Observed, ed. M.E. Marty, R.S. Appleby, pp. 628-691. Chicago: Univ. Chicago Press.

Voll, J. (1991). Fundamentalism in the Sunni Arab world. In Fundamentalisms Observed, ed. M.E. Marty, R.S. Appleby, pp. 345-403. Chicago: Univ. Chicago Press.

"
This point-of-view makes sense. Stuart and Fee have already suggested that the point of iblical interpretation is not to look for a novel or unique interpretation, but to really try to understand the point of the passages being studied. Therefore, their idea that people should feel free to consult commentaries, so that they can understand how other people have interpreted the texts, is a good one. Moreover, they suggest that people own multiple commentaries, with their ownership of each commentary geared toward the specific books being studied. Again, this is an excellent suggestion. Much like reading multiple versions of the ible, reading multiple commentaries on specific books is likely to stimulate intelligent analysis of the books in question.

Conclusion

Stuart and Fee do a very good job of helping guide people on how one should approach the ible. In fact, their book would be helpful for novices as well as for people…...

mla

Bibliography

Stuart, Douglas and Gordon D. Fee. How to Read the Bible for All its Worth. (Grand

Rapids: Zondervan, 2003).

Stuart, Douglas and Gordon D. Fee. How to Read the Bible for All its Worth. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003),

13.

M. Louise Cornell is professor of education at Providence College in Otterburne, Manitoba, Canada. She believes the real influence of the Bible grew out of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century. The Bible at that time, according to Cornell, was "wrested" from the hands of the priests and placed in the outstretched arms of lay people during the Reformation, as the Christian mission was becoming a powerful movement (Thiessen, 1998). During the Reformation scholars and Christian activists emphasized that "each person, filled with the Holy Spirit, could interpret the Bible without help," Cornell explains.

But in order to understand the Bible, there was a critical need for literacy. And so many schools were established, Cornell continues in the publication Faith Today, and throughout the Reformation the Bible played a significant role. "By the time of the second generation of Christians," Cornell goes on, "the developing Christian community needed to find…...

mla

Works Cited

Escobar, Samuel. 2006. The United Bible Societies and World Mission. International Bulletin

Of Missionary Research 30 (April): 77-81.

Pathrapankal, Joseph. 2006. From Areopagus to Corinth (Acts 17:22-31; I Cor 2:1-5) a Study

On the Transition from the Power of Knowledge to the Power of the Spirit. Mission Studies 23, 61-79.

Biblical Interpretation
The author of this report is to center and fixtate on a portion of the First Epistle to the Corinthians as written by Paul and analyze from a personal point of analysis as well as a scholarly one. The passage that will be used for this brief report is the first eleven verses of that first letter to the Corinthians. In that passage, Paul recites the resurrection and how it progressed from a procedural and chronological standpoint. He also makes it a point to assure people that they will be saved if they believe but they will fall if they do not. However, there is a little more complexity than just that when reviewing the passage. While being literal when engaging in biblical interpretations can be useful, there is also the use of metaphor and other literary devices and that needs to be recognized when assessing a passage of…...

mla

References

Asher, J.R 2000. Popularity and Change in 1 Corinthians 15, Hermeneutische

Unterschingen zur Theological 42, Mohr Siebeck

Fee, G. 1987. The First Epistle to the Corinthians, New International Commentary on the New Testament, Grand Rapids

Gillespie, TW 1978, 'A PATTERN OF PROPHETIC SPEECH IN FIRST

How to Study and Teach the Bible by Elmer L. Towns:

1. Begin by praying for guidance and understanding before reading and studying the Bible.

2. Use a reliable translation of the Bible that is easy for you to understand. Some popular translations include the NIV, ESV, and NLT.

3. Start with a specific passage or book of the Bible and read it in its entirety to get a sense of the overall message.

4. Use study tools such as commentaries, concordances, and study Bibles to deepen your understanding of the text.

5. Take notes while studying to help you remember key points and insights.

6.....

The Puritan Dilemma

The Puritan dilemma, a core tension within Puritan theology and practice, emerged from the inherent conflict between the pursuit of personal salvation and the demands of communal life. As a religious movement that emphasized strict adherence to biblical principles, Puritanism placed a strong emphasis on individual accountability and the need for constant self-examination. However, the Puritan commitment to community and the belief in the importance of collective worship also presented challenges to the primacy of individual conscience.

The Call for Personal Salvation

Puritanism was founded on the central tenet of predestination, the belief that God had elected a chosen few....

Enhancing Spiritual Growth at Mariakani: Exploring Pathways for Transformation

Introduction

Mariakani, a vibrant and faith-filled community, offers a fertile ground for spiritual exploration and growth. This essay delves into various approaches that individuals can adopt to foster their spiritual development within the Mariakani context.

1. Embracing Prayer and Meditation

Prayer and meditation serve as fundamental pillars of spiritual growth. Regular communions with God through prayer allow individuals to connect with their inner selves, express gratitude, and seek divine guidance. Meditation practices such as mindfulness and transcendental meditation promote self-awareness, calmness, and inner tranquility, creating an ideal environment for spiritual growth.

2. Engaging in Scripture Study

The....