Author Archives: Michael W.

Helpful Distractions

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

Download discussion questions:  1 Peter 1:4b-13
Jump to beginning of 1 Peter Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in 1 Peter before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

Using a single translation in a group Bible study has a benefit and a limitation.  One translation shared by all (as on a prepared handout) makes it easy to focus on the wording of the text and think together about the meaning.  A common starting point avoids the distraction of differences in wording among various versions.

That benefit is also a limitation.  Comparing translations can be a distraction (or even a competition).  But comparing translations can provide insight by provoking questions. Continue reading

Past, Present, Future

“Our trials keep us trusting”

Download discussion questions:  1 Peter 1:1-9
Jump to beginning of 1 Peter Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in 1 Peter before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

The beginning of Peter’s letter is an interesting mix of past, present, and future aspects of God’s work in the lives of believers. Continue reading

1 Peter – A Brief Introduction

Download discussion questions:  1 Peter 1:1-2
Listen to 1 Peter 1-5 (NASB)

I encourage you to look at the passage in James before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

At least a minimal amount of background will be helpful in our inductive study of 1 Peter. Continue reading

Bringing Back Wanderers

The end of James really makes sense.

Download discussion questions:  James 5:6-20
Jump to beginning of James Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in James before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

Approaching the end of the letter James wrote, this study takes a brief detour into questions of translation.  (Be sure to read the note at the beginning of the handout.)  How does James conclude his letter?  What effect do the first four chapters have on our interpretation of chapter five? Continue reading

Farmers, Prophets, and Job

Trials, training, trust, tranquility

Download discussion questions:  James 5:1-11
Jump to beginning of James Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in James before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

This week’s handout with the passage from the Letter of James did not include any detailed questions.  Instead, we explored the text with the basic methods of Observation, Interpretation, and Application. Continue reading