Closing for Now

Due to declining health issues, I am unable to maintain this blog.

Should my energy level improve, I'll be back. But...

Connie

Noah Study: Lesson 3

The story of Noah is about faith, obedience and grace. Let's begin by looking at what faith is.

Faith Quotes to Ponder

Faith in God is the rarest of things because we only have “faith” in our feelings. 

"I do not believe God unless He will give me something in my hand whereby I may know I have it. Then I’ll say, “Now I believe.”  

There is no faith in that.

-      David McArdle

Scottish Bible Scholar

When we are motivated by what Jesus needs- not what man needs and not what we think we need- then we are on the path of continual and perpetual blessing [through obedience based on faith.]

-      Chip Brogden, author

The life of faith is not a life of mounting up on wings, but a life of walking and not fainting… faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.

-      Oswald Chambers

True faith involves the whole of the inner person: the mind hears God’s instructions; the heart ponders the possible outcomes then acts in obedience to God’s Word.

-      Unknown

     

 

     Selah - think on this 

      

     Connie

     Next post: "Faith Defined"

Noah Study Lesson 2:

The Sunday group did not meet due to several not feeling well. However, I want to share what was on my heart. I ran across this on Pinterest:

I am guilty. Read, write, talk... no problem, but I haven't listened well. Overall I know what God expects from me, but right now? This moment? I don't know specifically. Thus, the temptation is to do my own thing. That may lead me where I don't want or need or shouldn't go. So...

First,

Next...

 Working on that.

Then...

 Now, with gratitude, I'll listen! 

Is there something in your life you need to change or to say I'm sorry for?

Salah ~ think on this

Connie

Noah Study: Week 1

Our study group met for our first session. Everyone received a Study Packet; and the tree picture (from Getting to Know You) to fill in and return next week.

Everything I Need to Know About Life I Learned From Noah’s Ark

1. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

2. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something Really big.

3. Don’t listen to critics. Do what has to be done.

4. Build your future on the high ground.

5. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

6. Two heads are better than one.

7. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.

8. When you’re stressed, float for a while.

9. Don’t forget that we’re all in the same boat.

10. When the doo-doo gets really deep, don’t sit there and complain– shovel!

11. Stay below deck during the storm.

12. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs & the Titanic was built by professionals.

13. Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.

14. No matter how bleak it looks, there’s always a rainbow on the other side.

15. DON’T MISS THE BOAT !!!

~ Unknown

We covered the foundational posts: 

               Noah's Family Tree

               Getting to Know You

               As We Begin

               Noah Verse By Verse (July 2015)

(See Blog Archives- above right. Click on the title you wish to read. Or continue to scroll down.)

Noah's story is about faith and obedience plus God's mercy:

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7(NLT)

For this study we need:

1.  A basic understanding of what faith is.
2.  A look at the Hebraic (Old testament) versus the Greek (New Testament) mindsets.

That's where we'll begin next week.

Selah ~ think on this

Connie

Noah's Family Tree

for Noah

Adam & Eve

'                         (

 Cain                                                                                                               Seth

   ↓                                                                                                                        $

Enoch                                                                                                              Enosh

   ↓                                                                                                                         $

Irad                                                                                                                 Kenan

   ↓                                                                                                                         $

Mehujael                                                                                                        Mahalalel

   ↓                                                                                                                         $

Methushael                                                                                                    Jared

   ↓                                                                                                                         $

Lamech                                                                                                          Enoch

w/Adah                  w/Zillah                                                                                              $

   ↓                                ↓                                                                                             Methuselah

Jabal                 Tubal-Cain                                                                                               $ 

   &                                &                                                                                            Lamech

Jubal                  [Naamah]                                                                                              $                      

                                                                                                                                    Noah                                                                                                                                                     [10^thgeneration]

Note the similarities in names between Seth and Cain's heirs.

A key to the building of the ark is found in the relationships between Noah and his father and grandfather. Both were still alive during the building process. 

NEWS

Moody Publishing announced today that they are releasing two new Bible Studies for Women.

Moody asked women what they were looking for in Bible studies. Their response was "something in-depth with no fluff...something to feed the mind not just the heart."

I am delighted that publishers are listening. I've been saying that for years; and why I studied then wrote this study and several more.

My in-person group meets Sunday afternoon. Prepare your heart and mind... I am!

Remember to submit- in the box to the right- your e-mail address so you won't miss a post.

Getting to Know You

This is YOUR tree to copy.

The ladies in the real-time study group did this "Getting to Know You Tree."

Instructions:
Place your name on the trunk; then add who you are as one word at a time in each leaf. This will help us know who you are and we will use it as a prayer reminder by exchanging them each week.

For those online: Using the comments, write what is on your leaves.  We will pray for you also.

I tried to copy my tree, but it didn't work.

Here is the list of my leaves (in no particular order):

adoptive mom, friend, daughter, sister, heir,wife/widow, musician, record maker, neighbor, trustworthy, lover, forgiving, collector, Hebrew learner, compiler, content, writer, editor, poet, author, letter writer, cook, baker, mystery fan, blogger, organizer, honest, defuser, giver, storyteller, thankful, classical music lover, journal writer, movie watcher, praiser, encourager, gramma to 3, X-stitcher, game player ~ Canasta, Mahjongg, Scrabble~ quoter, knitter, nurse, book lover, Bible study-er, aunt, color-er, senior, seed planter, forever student, sister, pray-er,& most important a child of the King of the Universe. At the top of the roots, I added F-A-I-T-H.

As we begin...

Bruce Feiler, author of Walking the Bible, wrote:

          "This ability of the Bible to continually reinvent itself is matched only by its ability to make itself relevant to anyone who encounters it... The chameleon-like quality is what makes the Bible so vital." (p. 408)

That's why we can read a portion of Scripture many times, but each time it is as if it is brand new. Because our level of understanding grows/changes that we're ready to go to the next level in our comprehension.

In Dr. Bob Utley's "Opening Statements on the Study of Genesis1-1," he reminds us that even though "it is beyond our mental capabilities... we must be able to comprehend it in order to be able to properly respect it. Believers interpret it differently (some poorly), but all are responsible for the truths they understand.*" (p. 2)

Remember the onion's many layers? Each of us is accountable for what we understand in God's Word...and that's different from person to person. What a just God we have.

I also agree with Dr. Utley's opening statement in each of  his "Study of Genesis" sessions:

          "A commentary is a guide, which means you're responsible for your own interpretation... You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretations... You must not relinquish this to a commentator. [pastor, priest, rabbi, Sunday School teacher or Bible study leader*] The questions are meant to be thought-provoking...not definitive."

Please remember these words as we begin our study of Noah.

Selah,
Connie

* emphasis & additions are by this writer

Studying Scripture

Looking for the perfect way to study and understand God's Word?

The answer is whatever works best for you, but help is available. I searched  Google and perused Pinterest and found hundreds of options. In reality, they are variations of a simple format.

First, you must make a commitment to study. Set a time; inform your family so you won't be interrupted.Write it on your calendar and to-do list. Get a simple notebook or journal to write in. Choose a place where you are comfortable- I chose a specific rocking chair in the corner. When I was there, my young son never distracted me.

Optional, join an established study group to see if that's best for you.

Choose a version of the Bible that is easy for you to read and understand. Later, you will want to do comparisons. I own about 12 versions/paraphrases that I have purchased over the years. However, I find I use BibleGateway.com and blueletterbible.org, which are faster and  less cumbersome. 

           

            Pray with an open heart and mind for God to bless your study with understanding,

            Read selection/passage/chapter slowly. Savor the words and ponder its meaning.

            Interpret and evaluate... use helps, but remember this is between you and God. 

            Listen to His instructions.

            Apply the concept  to your life.

    

Think of onions and their many layers. That's a good mental picture of our understanding of Scripture. God teaches us layer upon layer that's why the Bible is never stagnant. He builds on our unique foundation.

What you need to know...

Where you are at this moment.

Next time it will be new again.

Lysa TerKeurst wrote, “If I were able to keep it all figured out, I would start to lose that sense of reliance on the Lord.”

Personally, going deeper in God's word fills me with great joy and draws me closer to Him. When I'm not studying I feel a huge gap in my life. I pray and start again...

Charlie Brown has the right attitude:

For those of you who have studied Scripture for a long time, the above has already happened in your lives.Stick to what works for you. Embellish or expand it. Do that Google search or Check out Pinterest to freshen your approach. Consider Bible Journalling. Share your wisdom and encourage the new study-ers.

Encourage your churches to go deeper in their Scripture studies. 

One final suggestion: stay hydrated. Drink water, tea or your favorite beverage to keep your brain cells operating at full speed.

As always Scripture says it best:

Selah ~ Think on these things.

Connie

Verse By Verse & More

Genesis 6-9 study begins July 31st, 2016. 

Lessons will be posted weekly after the live sessions. 

For a student guide and FREE gift subscribe 

and I will e-mail them to you. 

See below for Introductory background notes.