We WILL NOT BE MEETING ON CHRISTMAS EVE morning. Please read Nahum chapter 1 & we'll not meet again until Wednesday morning January 7th, 2009!!!
God bless & Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Steve

Nahum

Please read the short book of Nahum and revisit the picture of Nineveh below.
Nahum prophesied, according to some, in the beginning of the reign of Ahaz (B.C. 743). Others, however, think that his prophecies are to be referred to the latter half of the reign of Hezekiah (about B.C. 709). This is the more probable opinion, internal evidences leading to that conclusion. Probably the book was written in Jerusalem (soon after B.C. 709), where he witnessed the invasion of Sennacherib and the destruction of his host (2 Kings 19:35).
The subject of this prophecy is the approaching complete and final destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the great and at that time flourishing Assyrian empire. Assur-bani-pal was at the height of his glory. Nineveh was a city of vast extent, and was then the centre of the civilzation and commerce of the world, a “bloody city all full of lies and robbery” (Nah. 3:1), for it had robbed and plundered all the neighbouring nations. It was strongly fortified on every side, bidding defiance to every enemy; yet it was to be utterly destroyed as a punishment for the great wickedness of its inhabitants.
Jonah had already uttered his message of warning, and Nahum was followed by Zephaniah, who also predicted (Zeph. 2:4-15) the destruction of the city, predictions which were remarkably fulfilled (B.C. 625) when Nineveh was destroyed apparently by fire, and the Assyrian empire came to an end, an event which changed the face of Asia. (See NINEVEH.)

Micah

The next lesson will be on Wednesday December 10th. Our focus that morning will be on Micah 6:1-8 (one of Dr. Overby's favorite Bible verses is in this. Which one?).
Things to think about as you meditate on this passage in Micah:

1. What are some ways you can practice doing what is fair, or just? Who needs justice?
2. Do you know anyone who shows that they love kindness? Who and how? What difference does it make?
3. How does your walking with God make you humble?
   Steve

Wednesday October 15, 2008

This is a picture of what Nineveh might have looked like in 700 BC.

Please read Jonah 4 before this Wednesday gathering. We'll be reflecting on Jonah's anger, his deep desire to see his enemy punished, while he seems fine accepting forgiveness for himself! How typical! What is the bush in your life? What might your reaction be if you were to lose your "bush?" Have the economic events of the past few weeks challenged your sense of comfort? even as others existence has been threatened for years?

Jonah Chapter 3 and 4

Wednesday October 8th and 15th we will discuss chapters 3 and 4 in Jonah. Please be reading and meditating on these two chapters as we discuss how God's interaction with Jonah, Nineveh and creation speak to us today.

Jonah chapter 2 questions for consideration

Questions regarding Jonah Chapter 2:
In this chapter we see the themes of descent and ascent. These connect to the correlation between death and life contending for control, as well as the struggle between God (Yahweh) and Jonah. Where do we see these forces contending for power and control today (death and descent over life and ascent)?
Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Descent! What does this immediately remind you of? In Jonah 3:3 we'll see that Jonah had to walk for three days to get from one side of Nineveh to the other. If "three days" conveys a great distance, "three days and three nights" conveys a longer time! The belly of the great fish and three days in the evil city of Nineveh connect with descent. Remember that Paul prayed "three times" for God to deliver him from his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:8).
It is interesting that when Jonah prays to Yahweh from within the "mother' fish (v. 7), Jonah appropriately moves from death to life. How does prayer effect this for us? For others? What does this say about God's desire for relationship with us?
Jonah's predicament causes his prayer to God. In turn, the prayer causes God to speak to the fish with the effect that the fish vomits Jonah onto dry land. Embedded in the belly of the fish, unpredictable Jonah prays. Is it OK for people to pray for God's deliverance when they get in a predicament that they cannot extricate themselves from? Why is it that some might feel the answer to this is "No!"
In a situation of dire calamity, he prays not a lament (complaining and grieving) or complaint song asking to be delivered form danger (as the sailors did in 1:14)' instead he prays a psalm of thanksgiving asserting that he has already been delivered. What does this tell us about the power and possibilities available through prayer and faith?
The journey begun when Jonah went down to Joppa (1:3) and continued when he went down into the ship (1:3) and down into the innards of the ship (1:5). Yet the present setting of water, the deep, weeds, and mountains is strangely incongruent with the belly of a great fish. There is then the great reversal. The evil of Nineveh has already "come up" before God (1:2), a plant yet to be appointed will "come up" to shade Jonah (4:6). Jonah emerges from the pit! God is clearly in the business of "bringing up." What are things that we don't want to "bring up?" Are there topics in your family that you're afraid to "bring up?" Why? Can you "bring up" issues as you deem it appropriate to find those involved in those specific issues that need to be "brought up" into God's love, presence, and healing? Are there things going on in our church right now that are should not be brought up? Why? What should be brought up? Why? What are we trying to "bring up" in spite of increased anxiety and stress? (new nontraditional worship service)
In spite of Jonah being self-centered (vv. 8-9) with his counterfeit piety, deliverance belongs to God! Who are we to determine who and how God seeks to deliver others?

Wednesday July 23, 2008

We have now finished our study and discussion on the book of Amos. Please read through the book of Joel as we will begin our study of this book Wednesday July 23rd.
Steve

Wednesday July 16, 2008 gathering

Amos 9:1-15
"I will plant My people on their land. And they will never again be pulled up from the land I gave them," says the Lord your God." Amos 9:15
Amos 1 - 6: Amos speaks
Amos 7-9: God speaks
Discuss how Google Earth zooms in on a specific location. How does this resemble what God does with us?
Amos 9:1-4: List the places where Israel might try to hide from God. Is this possible? Why or why not?
Amos 9:5-8a: Why is there on place to hide from God? Why was God so angry with Israel? What sins did God talk about? (consider Israel's treatment of the poor)
Amos 9:8b-15: Read this outloud and look for ways that God helps His people if they turn to Him.

Wednesday July 2nd Focus

Amos 7:7-17
"So now hear the Word of the Lord..." (Amos 7:16)

Research what a "plumb line" is.
What is the Christian's plumb line for living right?
Today's lesson deals with the dreams/visions of Amos. In 7:1-3 what did God show Amos? What did Amos do after he was the vision? What did God do?
Read Amos 7:4-6. What did Amos do after he saw this vision? What did God do?
Read Amos 7:7-9. What was the dream? What did Amos do this time? What was the purpose of the string (the plumb line) God said He was going to use? Amos may have remained silent because he knew that Israel had not obeyed God. He knew the people would not measure up to God's test. God said, "I will not change My mind again about punishing them" (v. 8).
Read Amos 7:10-17. Look at what Amaziah said & compare it with what Amos said. Amaziah was the priest at Bethel. Bethel was a city with a temple built by Jeroboam I. King Jeroboam II had appointed Amaziah to the job of priest. Because he had received his job from the king, it is possible that Amaziah was more loyal to the king than he was to God. Amos was loyal to God.
Imagine what Amaziah would have said in his messages if he had believed what Amos was saying. How might Amos have spoken to Amaziah if Amos had been afraid and not sure that he was speaking for God?
Listen to what God is saying to you this week and measure your life by what God wants and not what others say.

Amos

We finished the book of Hosea this morning at Dr. Overby's house with a grand view of sunrise over the river and followed by a delectable delight cooked up by Gretchen. I was impressed by the depth of your grasp of the overall book of Hosea. I learned much by going through this with you.
We now move on to study Amos (check out the YouTube video for a fun overview produced by some youth). Please read through the book before next Wednesday morning (June 4th). Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa. This prophet’s name means “burden bearer.” His message to Israel was again one of judgment, first to countries around Israel and then to Israel. Amos was the contemporary of Hosea, as well as Joel and Isaiah. Though he lived in the southern part of Judah, he was called to go to the northern kingdom. The northern kingdom about this time had won a war and had lots of money. Here's an outline of our intended focus in this book:

Lesson 1: A Message for You Amos 2:4-16
Lesson 2: Judgment on Wrongdoing Amos 3:9-4:3; 5:10-15; 6:4-7; 8:4-6
Lesson 3: Judgment on Pretend Worship Amos 4:4-5; 5:18-24
Lesson 4: Israel Will Not Listen to God Amos 7:7-17
Lesson 5: Certain Judgment—and Hope Amos 9:1-15

Hosea 14:1-9

A God who judges & brings back to Himself

Read Hosea 14:1-9

You have to understand the signs in order to obtain a valid NC Drivers License today. Why is it important to understand road signs?

What happens when we, or others, disobey or ignore road signs?

What were some signs that Israel should have recognized, and obeyed?

How was Israel going the "wrong way?" Refer to Hosea 11:12 - 12:14 as well as Hosea 13.

What does "repentance" mean? What is on the news indicating that we, as a country, need to repent and turn in a new direction? physically, mentally & spiritually? How about as a church? as families?

Are there even church activities that we can get involved in that become a substitute for true repentance? How might that happen?

Read Hosea 14:4-5: What three pictures of God are revealed here?

Read Hosea 14:5-8: What did God say He would do if Israel repented?

Read Hosea 14:9: God says, "I do not relate with you through the false worship of idols and being busy at empty religion. I speak with you and I look after you and I am faithful to you directly by My Spirit to your spirit. Your ability to have faith in Me is a gift of Mine. If you are wise, you understand what I am saying. You can tell what I mean with your spirit. You know my ways are right to live and you know how to live by my Laws. You also know that to live any other way will cause your whole life to fall and stumble."

Discuss this paraphrased verse for further insights and considerations from the group.

Wednesday May 7th, 2008

This Wednesday we'll continue focusing on Hosea 11:1-11. Consider these questions regarding Hosea 11:1-4:

1. What is a favorite family event in your life (describe it as if describing a picture)

2. What pictures can we find of God in Hosea 11:1-4?

3. What stories of reconciliation from our day & time come to your mind when you think of Hos. 11:1-4?

Concerning Hosea 11:5-7:

1. How do we feel about consequences related to sins of others in our world today?

2. How do we feel about consequences related to our own individual sins? our collective sins as a church? community? state? nation?

3. How do you think the younger generation feels about negative consequences to their own actions? How about the older generation?

Concerning Hosea 11:8-11:

This passage tells what God really felt about Israel. Look at Hosea 11:9. God said:

• I will not do anything in My burning anger.



• I will not destroy again.



• I will not do anything in anger.

1. Have you ever acted in the midst of burning anger? How did things turn out, for you? for others? Have you developed this as a pattern of behavior, or learned from it?

2. Can you think of some whose goals it has been to intentionally destroy others out of anger? Physically? Mentally? Spiritually? Is this being done in this day & time?

3. Is it ever good to do anything out of anger? Why or why not?

4. How can our church show that God hates the sin but always loves the sinner and is willing to help to restore a faithful relationship?

Wednesday April 23rd focus

We had a great prayer time and discussion this morning focused on Hosea 4:1-12 and 8:1-10,14. Here are some questions to be considering before next Wednesday, April 23rd:

• What does faithful mean?


• What biblical characters come to mind when you think of faithful ones?


• What are some people from our world today that demonstrate faithfulness?


• What are some of the major roadblocks to us trying to practice faithfulness within our homes, workplaces and even churches in this day and time?


• How was Hosea faithful?

Consider these four complaints from God against Israel and why they were valid complaints. Where would we fall in God's judgment on these same concerns today?

1. You do not know me


2. Your land is a land of crime. There is lying and murder and staling and adultery. You have no respect for My laws and teachings.


3. You are killing the land, the animals, the birds, and the fish that I made.


4. You are playing religious games with my truth.

What did Israel do to bring these complaints? What are we doing to bring these same complaints from God in this day and time? What do you believe are some reasons people come to church today?

Wednesday April 9th focus

Please note that we'll have a visitor Wednesday morning, April 9th, leading our Wednesday morning Men's First Light group. Victor, a friend of Wade Fuller's, is an evangelist in India. Victor will share with us about his ministry: blessings, challenges, hopes and fears! Be there if you can. Also read Hosea 4:1-12 and 8:1-14 for the next Wednesday morning, April 16th, discussion.
Steve

April 2nd focus

Continue to read and meditate on Hosea chapters 1 through 3:5. Consider section seven "7" in the study guide (pg. 30), which you can access by clicking on the link at the bottom of this site.
Work on this memory verse:

“...I will put an end to
the bow, the sword,
and war in all the
land. And I will let
My people lie down in
peace and be safe.”
—Hosea 2: 18

Thanks for all the participation and we're working on securing a date to visit Harker's Island as a group.
See you all next Wednesday morning!!
Steve

As we think about "SPIRITUAL ADULTERY," what are some of the things in this world that get placed "higher than God?"

What kind of metaphor would your family be for our relationship to God? How about the governor of New York (former and now current)?