James Book Assignment

James 3

Lauryn:

This chapter represents self control to me. I often say things with my mouth, that can do alot of damage. Even though our mouth is so small; it can hurt people, and damage relationships. This encouraged me to always try to watch what i say, and think before i speak. James 3:6: And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

James 3:13: If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! People often try to make a show of the "good deeds" they do, or the acts of kindness they show. this chapter shows us that this is not wise. We should strive to do all of these things, but not make a show out of it. It also says not to brag about being wise, because that is the worst kind of lie. We should use our hearts and minds and always make wise desicions.

Jealousy and selfish ambition will always make us fall. This chapter is definitely an "ouch" chapter. It lets us know the consequences for the choices we make. I should defintely try to strive for excellency always. I should never be satisfied with complacentcy. this also encourages me to examine my own heart, and see the things that arent what they should be. And try my best to fix them and lead a holy and blameless life. :)



Mikki:

In james 3 God speaks to us about many things. But one thing that stood out to me was james 3:7-8 People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. this tells us that we should hold out tounge.
This verse also stood out because it says that man can do many things but we can not hold our tounge everytime we speak. God commands us in his word that the tounge is the deadliest thing. And its also proven that its the strongest muscle in the body. We should always think before we speak.

Hebrews Book Assignment

Hebrews 12

Lauryn:

Hebrews 12 is definitely an ouch chapter. James is telling us the things that we dont want to hear. He is teaching us to love discipkine, and live blameless and holy in Gods sight. These are hard things to hear. They wake you up to the truths that we so often put aside. Hebrews 12 really got me thinking.

God tells us to love discipline. Though that is hard to do, its true. We should love when God corrects us because as he said in Hebrews 12:6: The Lord punishes those that he loves. This really stuck out to me, and it makes me think differently about the Lord correcting me when im wrong. We should rejoice, because God is just showing us how much he loves us.

Perhaps the best scripture that stuck out to me was, Hebrews 12:14 (Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the lord. This showed me how I should model the way I live. I really loved this scripture, but more importantly this chapter. It has encouraged me to live in a way that I glorify god in everything that I do. Also, knowing that if i dont try to lead a blameless life, i will not see God. That is a scary thought. But it makes me want to be a better person.

Mikki:

Hebrews is a wonderful book it teaches us alot.
Jesus talks much of the angels that are in heaven.
In hebrews 1:7 is says.... Regarding the angels, he says,“He
sends his angels like the winds,his servants like flames of fire.”
This really stood out to me because his angels we made to serve him
like we as his children were.

God also encourages us that we are safe and that he will protect us
through whatever we go through. In hebrews 13:5 we can see this...
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you.I will never abandon you..” We see that God will never
leave us nor forsake us. He will always here no matter what.

In hebrews we see that God uses his angels not only to protect us but
also to serve him as well. We also see that God DOES protect us from all harm
because we are his chilren. I like the book of Hebres it is very encouraging!

Titus 3

Titus 3

Lauryn: This chapter is rich with wisdom. Paul is telling the people to be obedient. Under all circumstances, be obedient. We often find this a hard thing to do, but why? I realized that obedience should be easy, and a habit, not somthing we have to work and remember to do. It should be automatic. Also, he tells of Gods undying love for us. Which is an amazing and beautiful thing. This chapter was very encouraging. :)

Mikki: Titus 3 reminds us as believers to obey God and His law. It also warns us in Titus 3:9-11 to stay aways from those who do not believe and who deliberatly disobey God and his laws. 9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees[b] or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. 10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. 11 For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them. We may not relize that Titus is a good Book and gives us great advice but it does!

Titus and Philemon Blog Test

Titus:

Who wrote it? Paul
When was it written? 63 AD
Who is Titus? He was left in charge of the church
Where is Titus at? Crete
What is Paul’s Main Point? Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Titus 1:12-13 Even one of thier own men, a prophet from Crete has said about them, "The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons. This is true. So reprimand them sternly.

Philemon:

Who wrote it? Paul
When was it written? circa 60 AD
Who is Philemon? he is a christian slave owner; church leader in 1st century AD
Who is Onesimus? He is a runaway slave
What does Paul say to Philemon? He told him to go back to his master.

Titus and Philemon Book Assignment

Read "How To Pastor A Congregation of Scum" on page 451. Answer questions and post to blog:
1) What's the "one liner" in Paul's letter? The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.
2) Who is Paul quoting? a Crete writer
3) What is Titus' job in Crete? organize churches
4) The Island People are descended from? Corinth
5) Though Cretans are spiritually sick,there just the kind of people Jesus needs most.

Read "Tough Love" on page 452. Answer questions and post to blog:
1) What does Titus 1:12-13 say? Even one of their own men, a prohphet from Crete has said about them the people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons. This is true so reprimand them sternly.
2) What's Titus on the island of Crete to do? Completes the work there and appoints elders for each town.
3) What's at the top of Titus' "To-Do" list? Find pastors for each church
4) Who's Minos? A legendary ruler
5) What destroyed the ancient Minoan civilization? A tidal wave
6) What happened in 67 BC? the Romans conquered the island of Crete
7) Cretan pastors should? be faithful to their wives, have well behaved children not be arogant or quick tempered, not be heavy drinkers, violent, or dishonest, enjoy having guests in their homes, and be able to teach others about christian lifestyle.
8)What does Titus 1:11 say? Who's Paul referring to? because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching, they must be silent. He is refering to people who brag about their Jewish pedigree.
9) What does Titus 3:10 say? Who's Paul referring to? Give a first and second warning, after that have nothing more to do with them. Jewish christians in Crete.

Read "Crete Critics" page 455. Answer questions and post to blog:
1) Who was Epimenides? What'd he say? he is a cretian prophet, " the people of Crete are all liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons.
2) What does "Kretizo" refer to? An ancient verb form of Cretan, means "why"
3) Who was "Callimachus"? What'd he say? He was a Cretan poet, he said Cretan's are always liars. A tomb, oh lord, cretans built for you, but you didnt die. you are forever.
4) Who was "Plutarch"? What'd he say? a Greek historian, all of his soldiers abandon him except for the Cretans, who followed him not out of good will, but because they devoted to his riches as bees to their honey combs.
5) Each person in your group should read the book of Titus and post a 2-paragraph summary about the book. Include 1 scripture from the book. Your thoughts about Titus? Your thoughts about Titus? your thoughts about Crete?

Lauryn: Paul wrote the Book of Titus to his friend, called Titus. Titus was working on an island called Crete. There were many churches on Crete, but these churches did not have leaders. So, Paul told Titus to appoint a leader for the church in each town. But Titus must choose the leaders carefully. Each leader must be a good man, who is kind, holy and honest. And the leaders must teach God's message accurately.
This was an important task. Some people were trying to convince the Christians to obey their traditions. These people pretended to know God. But their actions proved that they denied God. Paul advised Titus not to argue with people who taught the wrong things. He told Titus to warn them on two occasions only. Then, Titus should leave that person.

Mikki: Titus is Paul's letter to Titus. Paul was appointing leaders for Titus to lead in the church. He also gave Titus rules and regulations about the church and the people in it. I think that Titus is a very respectable person. Paul is trusting Titus and believing in him to do what he needs to do in the church.




Read "A Favor From a Christian Slave Owner" page 456. Answer questions and post to blog:
1) Who's Philemon? He was a slave owner
2) Who's Onesimus? A runaway slave
3) How does Paul fit into the mix? He writes Philemon a letter. He told Philemon to accept Onesimus in.
4) Each person in your group should read the book of Philemon and post a 2-paragraph summary about the book. Include 1 scripture from the book. Your thoughts on Onesimus, Philemon, and Paul?

Lauryn: Paul wrote some encouraging words to Philemon. Then, Paul appealed to Philemon on behalf of Philemon's slave. The slave was called Onesimus. Onesimus had escaped from Philemon. Later, Onesimus became a Christian. He helped Paul. But Philemon still owned Onesimus, because Onesimus was a slave. Paul decided to return Onesimus to Philemon. Paul asked Philemon to accept Onesimus as his Christian brother, instead of a slave. I think that Onesimus is very brave for coming back and continuing as a slave. And Philemon is good for taking him in as a brother, rather than a slave. Philemon 1:5, "Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;"

Titus Book Assignment.

Pg. 454

What does Paul say about older men? they need to teach themselves self control and patience. and earn the respect that older people give them.

What does Paul say about older women? they shouldnt bad mouth people or drink too much.

What does Paul say about young men? they should learn from Titus's example to be kind and helpful towards others.

What does Paul say about slaves? they should try their best to please their masters.

What does Paul say about Roman citizens? Titus 3:1 "Remind the believers to submit to government and its officers, they should be obedient and always ready to do what is good.

1 Thessalonians Book Assignment

1) Read pp 430-431, answer following questions:
What convinced Paul to go to Greece?a nightime vision
What does Acts 16:9 say? Come over to Messadonia and help us.
Where was the first European church planted? Philippi
What's the Egnatian Way? Where does it bring him? A port town of Thessalonica; a roman road
How many miles does he WALK? 90
Where is Paul when he gets a report on the church in Thessalonica? Berea
What are the "three main questions" of the church? What should they do about the persecution their facing? How should Christians behave? When is Jesus coming? What happens to christians who die before then?


2) Read page 432, answer following questions:
How many people lived in Thessalonica? 100,000
How was Thessalonica a "free city"? Rome granted special priveleges
Who was Cassander? a former general of alexander the great
When did Romans capture the city? 167 B.C.
What's "Thessaloniki"? Greece's second largest city


3) Read page 434 "How Holy Is Enough", answer following questions:
What does 1 Thess 4:3 say? God's will is for you to be holy.
What does 1 Thess 5:23-24 say? Now may the god of peace make you holy in every way, and may your holy spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until lord jesus christ comes again, god will make this happen for he who calls you is faithful.
What does Matt. 5:48 say? you are too perfect, even as your father in heaven is perfect.
What is holiness? Reaching a point of spiritual maturity, a goal, a description of our one of a kind God.