Author Archives: Michael W.

Turning Back or Drawing Near

steps toward God keep us turned away from sin

Download discussion questions:  Hebrews 9:11-22
Jump to beginning of Hebrews Discussion Group Blog

[I encourage you to look at the passage in Hebrews 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.]

Our discussion of this passage was more spontaneous (and a bit shorter) than some of our other conversations.  We met for dinner and the conversation led to taking a look at the text in Hebrews.

Cleansing The Conscience

Our focus was almost entirely on the idea of a cleansed conscience in verse 14.  What does it mean to have a “cleansed” conscience? Continue reading

Good Things to Come

relating to God on the basis of His grace alone”

Download discussion questions:  Hebrews 8:13-9:12

I encourage you to look at the passage in Hebrews 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.

In our normal routine, our group spent ten to fifteen minutes looking at the passage individually before we began our discussion.  The silence was marked by an unusual number of non-verbal “Huh!” noises from various members. Continue reading

A New Covenant

the head rules the belly through the chest

Download discussion questions:  Hebrews 8:6-13

I encourage you to look at the passage in Hebrews 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.

[NOTE:  Although this group has been together for some time, our study of Hebrews was interrupted for several months.  When we recently resumed, I was able to begin the blog here at a key point in the sermon to the Hebrew Christians.  Be sure to read the first seven chapters to better understand the flow of the writer’s argument. – mw]

Does God Care?

One simple way to begin a discussion of a Bible passage (after the group has had time to read through the text a few times) is to ask the question, “What confuses you about this passage?” Continue reading

Is Hebrews Relevant?

 “None of this strikes us as having genuine relevance to our situation.”

Given the potential (or at least perceived) obstacles to studying the book of Hebrews (mentioned in the previous blog post), why bother?  Aren’t the other, more comprehensible books of the New Testament likely to be more profitable, both theologically and practically?  One of the most enthusiastic commentators (quoted in that previous post) acknowledges:

“It draws much from Leviticus….  It appeals to the experience of Israel in the wilderness…. It makes reference to the mysterious person of Melchizedek….
None of this strikes us as having genuine relevance to our situation.”[1] Continue reading

Why Study (and Blog about) Hebrews?

“Hebrews is a delight for the person who enjoys puzzles.”

A Neglected Book?

In your experience (as a Christian, or as one inquiring into the Faith), which parts of the New Testament have been most explored?  In sermons, reading, or your own study, which are most familiar?  Conversely, which parts of the New Testament canon seem like uncharted territory?  If all of Scripture is inspired by God[1] why such a disparity?  For most of us the four gospels (or at least one of them), some of Paul’s letters, maybe Acts, and bits and pieces from the Revelation fill the first list.  Sermons and Bible study groups repeatedly return to familiar territory.  But some parts seem to receive much less attention.  Hebrews would top that list for many. Continue reading

Prisoner with a Purpose

May 7, 2023 – 2 Timothy 1:7-14

Guard the treasure.

Download discussion questions:  2 Timothy 1:7-14

I encourage you to look at the passage in 2 Timothy 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.

One of the observations in our group discussion noted the repeated words or themes in this passage:

An Emotional Introduction

April 30, 2023 – 2 Timothy 1:1-7 – An Emotional Introduction

Why was Timothy crying?

Download discussion questions:  2 Timothy 1:1-7

I encourage you to look at the passage in 2 Timothy 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 first meeting of our group focused on an introduction to the inductive method of Bible study[1].  Since not much time was left to actually explore the passage, we decided to work on our own during the week.  If you have read previous blogs here you will note that this is a difference.  In the past, the studies began and ended in the course of about an hour.  The first part of the hour was spent looking at the passage individually, which limited the time left for discussion.  Most likely, this study will follow the format of doing “homework” (as much or as little as is practical for each individual) and then pooling our results in the group discussion.  Either approach works well depending on the group you are in. Continue reading

Why 2 Timothy?

“In a sense it is kind of a last will and testament, a ‘passing on the mantle.’”

Why Study (and blog about) 2 Timothy?

The letter of 2 Timothy is generally grouped as part of “the Pastoral Epistles” or the letters to leaders, along with 1 Timothy and Titus.  All three provide personal and pastoral guidance to young leaders in early congregations.  So perhaps the three brief Biblical books are only intended for pastors? Continue reading

Jesus’ Family – Mark 10:21-22, 28-31; Acts 2:42-45; Acts 4:32-37 – March 8, 2020

Download discussion questions: Mark 10; Acts 2; Acts 4

Again this week our group looked at three passages – one in the gospels and two near the beginning of Luke’s account of the church in the Acts of the Apostles.  One feature was a degree of repetitiveness in the passages.  Someone told me a long time ago, “If God says something once, it’s important.  If He says it more than once, we really better pay attention!” Continue reading