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Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6

February 7, 2016 • Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6

OUR NEW TESTAMENT study this week clearly illustrates the viewpoints of the gospel writers with parallel accounts of the disciples eating grain plucked from the stalk (on the Sabbath–oh, no!) and the healing of a man with a withered hand (also on the Sabbath–oh, no!). Matthew draws on the Torah to validate Jesus’ claims of divinity, Mark offers a condensed, almost bullet-point account, and Luke, the careful historian, is the only one to mention that it was the man’s right hand Jesus healed.


We also cover the calling of the twelve apostles, the only unforgivable sin, Luke’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, and we discuss the favorite Bible verse of people who don’t know anything about the Bible.

Jesus, the Christ

January 10, 2016 • Matthew 1, John 1, Luke 1, Luke 2

TODAY WE begin our study of the New Testament, which we will follow in chronological order just as we’re doing with the Old Testament. Our readings today begin the story of Jesus, the Christ. We discuss the differences between the styles and intended audiences of Matthew, Luke, and John, all of whom, in their own way, establish right from the start the bona fides of Jesus as the rightful heir of the kingdom of David and the kingdom of God. Here is the link Derek promised to the video presentation by Dr. Michael Heiser making a case for the birth date of Jesus as September 11, 3 B.C.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqt9pbsyy5y (note: Derek incorrectly said the “woman clothed in the Sun” prophecy was in Revelation 11).

The Baptism of Jesus

January 17, 2016 • Matthew 2, Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3

WE BEGIN to study Jesus’ ministry, the early days, beginning with his appearance to John the Baptist at the Jordan River and the calling of the first disciples: Andrew, Simon (Peter), James, and John. We also spend some time discussing the Magi, the virgin birth of Jesus, and the geopolitical climate of Judea at the time of Jesus’ birth.

The Testing of Jesus

January 24, 2016 • Luke 5, John 2, John 3, Matthew 4, Luke 4

TODAY WE encounter the Devil as Jesus is led into the desert for 40 days and then tempted — or, more accurately, tested. Thankfully for all of us, Jesus resisted the snares of physical gratification (bread), public acclaim, and earthly power. We discuss Jesus’ first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, the miraculous catch on the Sea of Galilee, and the unique nature of Jesus as God’s only son.