It’s good to be home but in all honesty the Chicago area is every bit as steamy this week as Orlando was last week! Thanks for bearing with me while I was on the road and trying to type my comments with my thumbs. I’m better with the thumbs than I used to be but don’t think they’ll be able to keep up with all ten digits any time soon!
A Peek at What’s Next . . .
Had a great treat on the way home as we stopped in Chattanooga to cut some video promos with Jan Silvious and Kay Arthur for an upcoming inductive Bible study on mentoring. It was overwhelming to say the least but I didn’t throw up and I didn’t pass out, so that’s pretty much a success in my book! Seriously, Kay and Jan are both such pros and both so gracious that even though I started off on the dangerous side of nervous it ended up being a lot of fun. Had a lot of people praying that I’d be able to breathe and didn’t feel short of breath once! God cares about even the little things!
The book will be releasing this October, so keep your eyes opened for it! Just like the Chocolate studies, it will flex to meet you in the homework department.
Keep Flexing . . .
I know I sound like a broken record (for those of you old enough to remember records) but I have to remind you to keep flexing. Romans 8 is such a sweet piece of Scripture and I want so much for you to enjoy every single minute you spend in it. Sometimes that means slowing it down, sometimes it means speeding it up. Just keep letting it flex to the pace that works in your life . . . and let it flex differently from week to week when you need to!
Keep the Comments Coming . . .
I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed discussing with all of you during this study! It is my joy to read your comments and to comment back, so keep ‘em coming and if you have time to drop back and encourage people who have started later that would be a great, too!
The more I get to know you all, the harder time I’m having keeping these blog posts short! Mercy, I need my editor!
Love to you all!
pam
This is my first post and my first time with a precept study. I want to say some of what I have learned these 5 weeks. Probably the most important is the flex. The first week I worked to hard to get it all done. I didn't want to miss a thing. Now - I am taking my time, going where the Lord leads me and not fretting about what I didn't do. Specifically I went 1 John 3:1-3. When question 1. said 'if you are familiar with 1 John' I knew I wanted to get familiar. So I got out my New Inductive Study Bible and spent time working through all of 1 John. What a blessing to begin to have a grasp of that whole book.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think I am really beginning to get context. I always knew the 3 most important things about Bible study was context, context, context. But now it is really coming together for me.
I had fun today with Colossians 3:1-17 as I listed the imperatives from Paul. I included 18-25 on my list to the verses of wives:submit; husbands:love; children:obey. I realized that if we concentrate on seek things above, consider earthy bodies dead, put aside, do not lie, put on, bear, put on love, let peace rule, be thankful, let the word of Christ dwell richly in us, do all things in Jesus name; it would be a piece of cake to submit, love and obey.
I am also doing word studies. Not into the tenses yet. But maybe some day.
Thank you, Pam.
I will listen to the lesson tomorrow. I am too busy with my noise in His Word right now.
I am blessed.
kathyw
@Kathy . . . You're making me tear up! You never need to listen to a word I say if you keep your nose in His Word. You've made my day reading this post! When you're ready for tenses I am some website for you to check out. Keep pressing on!! I'm off to a softball awards dinner with a huge grin on my face! :)
ReplyDeleteI had a couple of things I wanted to share. I looked up steadfastness (word study - Colossians 1:11) - endurance, not swerved from His deliberate purpose despite trials and suffering. Great encouraging word.
ReplyDeleteIn addition for my academic study, I've been looking for an academic definition of conscience for my dissertation - we all know the real conscience is the Holy Spirit. Any way as I started reading, I found that apparently self-identify and norms of behavior come from referent others - the most significant being Christ. That fits with this week's study - walking in the Spirit - we find our identity and norms of behavior/roles in Christ.
Hope that's not too academic sounding - I found it fascinating to think about - our identity should be in Christ not people pleasing.
@Marlene . . . Good word! The idea of referent others is interesting. Implies that there is a standard, that everything in life is not relative.
ReplyDeletecannot open the video.
ReplyDeletewhat book would you suggest for leading couple 9-12 year girls for inductive bible study?
effective prayers or kay's new book?
thanks!
I would like to say that this format, the side margins, the extras, the whole layout and binding is the absolute best I have used. I have led PUP, NISS, 40 minute studies. The coverage and depth and references are superb. The leaders guide is awesome- I printed it out and had it coil bound. There is one flaw though. I do not think I could get men to study this because of the Sweeter than chocolate name and cover graphics. Nothing in the study is gender directed- awesome. But how would I convince the men in the class to do this study? It is hard enough to get men into Precept. Just a thought. Great job on the study. I have received so much in studying.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous . . . Mac or PC? What browser (Safari, Firefox, Chrome)? Video is posted on my public Facebook page, too. You can click on my name (blue type above) to see if you can run it through Facebook.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous . . . 9 to 12 year-olds or 9th to 12th grade?
ReplyDelete@Linda . . . So glad the study is working for you! How to encourage men into Bible study in general is the million dollar question. :)
ReplyDelete9-12 year-old
ReplyDeleteI'd go for the Discover for Yourself kids studies. Jonah is usually the one Precept recommends to start off with. Here's a link:
ReplyDeletehttp://store.precept.org/p-913-wrong-way-jonah-d4y.aspx
Oh how I wish I knew the Greek language ! I am not too good with word studies, even though I know they are so very important, Thank the Lord for Spiros Zodhiates. But in simple English, I always knew that the way we live our lives displays the fruit of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit. Col. 3:1-17 gives detail of how to tell if I am actually living in the Spirit with the good fruit growing on the tree. Those verses gives the commands that are in line with living a santified life and producing good fruit. I see where we must get in line with the "Imperative Mood" (FYI pg 103) These commands, not suggestions, were inspired by the Holy Spirit. And we are actually walking in the Spirit and producing the fruit of Galatians 5 if we are obeying the commands recorded in Col.3 I need to pay attention. I don't want "half-ripe" fruit. Love this study......
ReplyDelete@Louise . . . Knowing biblical languages is fun—no doubt about that—but we are blessed to live in a time where we have SO many study helps that we can do a lot with biblical languages even without knowing them first-hand. And, of course, the Holy Spirit does His work whether or not we know Greek and Hebrew! So glad you're enjoying the study . . . I love studying with you all!!
ReplyDelete@pamgillaspie.thank u,will start from D4Y on Jonah
ReplyDeleteable to open and watch the video today.awesome!it is so hard to live out,but isn't that the goal,the pattern we strive for...allowing the power of His ressurrection living out of our body.at least we have this hope,pattern,example to follow,instead of fall into self-destruction without knowing.Phil 3:10-21
ReplyDeleteI think the kids will enjoy Jonah! :)
ReplyDelete@JJ . . . It's only by His Spirit and His power that we can walk in His ways! Love those verses from Philippians! :)
This weeks lesson is so important to me! As I studied and read the through the scriptures! I have seen first hand what jealousy and disorder can not only do to a church, and at my job! When we focus on our job for us and not as unto God then we start seeing us doing it and not as His ability on ours to accomplish it! We start getting the glory instead of giving it to the one who gives us the power to finish all good works! I cleaned the church for many years and loved it! I really was blessed cleaning toilets. Its amazing how God will talk to you when you are cleaning! First hand I saw people get jealous as the pastor would give me praise and thanks! I was truly faithful only because there was a season for me to grow in helps! Servanthood is so important. For a time i grew weary with this! But thanks be unto God that He knows how to mature us! None of us are sainted and through this study ive seen many things about my self that He has shown me as not his fruit but also how with His Grace we can overcome! One thing I would like to say I think that the journaling on these pages has let me see allot more into the spirit. We can go back and reread and pray over things we know we fall short in! I for one hate to see this class end! I have truly learned and have had my eyes open to many things I need to keep praying for!
ReplyDeleteQ. How can you pay better attention to category 3 attacks so you don't fall prey to them? What is the specific threat that category 3 attacks have for the church?
ReplyDeleteThe specific threat these attacks have for the church is the destruction of unity. While all unity may not be good--remember the unity at the tower of Babel--the unity of the church, to be one in Christ, to love the Lord and to love one another is crucial to our walk and spiritual growth; and, to being salt and light in the world. Remember, they will know we are Christians by our _____ ?
So, how can we pay better attention to category 3 attacks. I think, for me, it is not to turn them into something good. For example: outbursts of anger are not just healthy "venting", selfish-ambition is not a form of healthy competition, factions and gossip is not just communicating information etc. We have to recognize them for what they are--blood-sucking leeches (yech) destroying the body of believers; uh, better known as sin, I think.
Pam,
ReplyDeleteI'm stumped - Pg. 113 - Can't figure out how to find the other Greek words for intercedes. Can you provide any tips?
@Pam...http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1793 I seach this link came up with two.
ReplyDeleteAs I did a word study on obligation, come from Num 32:22 bring out a promise, Jesus made us a promise, Ezr 4:14 brings out protection, Jesus is our protector and Rom 4:4 brings out paid, Jesus has paid for our sins. So when I see the word obligation in the bible I can see why I am under obligation to Jesus Christ. I will always take obligation to help me remember how important it is for me to obey God's word through out my journey on this earth. This is more than a vow to keep. I will continue to stride to walk in the Spirit and not so much in the flesh. Thank you Oh Lord for who you are. Amen
ReplyDelete@Bettyanne: "Not turning them into something good" was a very good thought about category 3's. You are right, that is how we rationalize our bad behavior to make it acceptable (at least to ourselves).
ReplyDelete@Pam, enjoyed another great week of study and reading the comments and your video! Thanks!
@Kathy . . . I love reading all the posts, too. Helps so much in processing the material. So glad that you've been learning through this study! I'm sorry to see it ending, too, but look forward to what God has in store for us all next! Been thinking about what you said about jealousy and disorder. I think most of us have seen at least some of this first hand. It is so important, like you said, that we give the glory to God instead of harvesting it for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI just signed up for Google+ a couple of days ago and one of the profile questions it wants you to fill in is a "Brag" section—I just wrote in Galatians 6:14. If we have to boast, let's boast in the cross!
@Bettyanne . . . Good point about all unity not necessarily being a good thing. Unity in Christ is of paramount importance but unity for the sake of unity on the wrong things can propel great evil. Great application points—so often we rationalize sin by dressing it up with more acceptable names.
@Marlene, are you using Blue Letter Bible? If so, look on the upper right hand corner of the page for the "Search the Bible" box. Choose NASB from the drop down menu. In the search box type "intercede*". It's important that you type the * at the end of the word because this is a wild-card character that will make the search return other forms of the word . . . intercede, interceded, interceded.
ReplyDeleteYou'll then see every place the English word "intercedes" appears in the NASB version of the Bible. You'll be able to identify two Greek words: Strong #5241 and #1793.
Let me know if this is as clear as mud. :)
@Marina . . . looks like another good site!
@Marina . . . Yes, it is walking by the Spirit, not keeping a vow in the sense of law-keeping! The Spirit works the behavior in us. How did you arrive at the OT references?
ReplyDelete@Jamie . . . Glad you're enjoying the study. Romans 8 is so rich!!
ReplyDeleteHi all! I hope you all have a great week this week as we go to the finish. What wonderful truths to read!
ReplyDeleteFor me, and probably others too, knowing what the fruit of the Spirit is and the reminders of what is not of the Spirit has to be remembered. Not just as a reminder today but every day. I have to remember to keep my emotions in check. When backed in a corner or dealing with my daughter, letting love come out in a positive way but firm and having the self-control to not open my mouth with anger or even wrath. Does not mean shut my mouth totally when being cornered even though I need to sometimes so that my anger does not get the best of me but recognizing when tension starts and realizing what really is happening. Or the envy, for me having a stroke - envy and jealousy creep up and the tears flow, wanting to have same functions, walk, use right hand, but I won't let them take away my Joy and Peace so I look to the Lord and heavenly Father. Reminders needed every day! While I can remember some of the flesh moments so thankful for God's mercy and grace! Remember this is a process. The more we walk in the Spirit, those actions and words of the flesh stop.
@Sara . . . At home is the hardest, isn't it? How old is your daughter? Remembering that's it's a process is healthy, I think. I'm constantly reminding myself that I'm in process and so are the people that I'm living with! :)
ReplyDeleteShe is 9. School starts next week, gasp! Right now is the challenge of bedtime schedules. She really wants to please so we are working on saying exactly what we want/need, listening to the other person and not assuming we are incorrect. She says "sorry" a lot. I want to be a good example for her as kids watch their parents closely.
ReplyDelete@Pam...I used the blueletterbible, NIV
ReplyDelete@Sara . . . Hang in there—mine is 13! :) You're starting some hard but fun years.
ReplyDelete@marina . . . Gotcha! I was searching LXX and then looked at NASB.
I'm LOVING this study! Does anyone know of an online tool that allows you to look up Greek verbs and their tenses/moods? I don't have the physical textbook for that. Thanks.
ReplyDelete@Shannon - there is a free resource I have been using for years: E-SWORD.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.e-sword.net/
As the years have gone by there are fewer free modules, but the Greek/Hebrew dictionaries are free.
There are many, many online free resources too such as Blue Letter Bible mentioned above. For e-sword you don't have to be online to use it.
I am trying to do the questions in Week 6 on who searches the heart. I looked up other verses- Rev 2:23, I Cor 2:10, 1 Chr 28:9 and all three members of the Trinity search the heart. How can I conclusively decide which member of the Trinity is meant by He unless it is totally by context, which would be the Holy Spirit. Thanks, I have spent a lot of time on this point when I thought of this blog to ask.
ReplyDelete@Marina, how did you come across those cross references on obligation? I checked it out on blueleterbible and did not find those except the Nu 32:22 one.
ReplyDeleteAnd your statement on each verse bringing out a promise, protection, paid, was that your insight or you find that somewhere?
Just trying to get up to speed on references and such! Thanks! Jamie
@Linda Swanekamp
ReplyDeleteI agree. Also to me, it exemplifies the complete "unity" found in the Trinity. Trinity being our best way of comprehending the incomprehensible...this side of heaven.
@kathy B...amen!
ReplyDelete@Jamie Rindt... go to blueletterbible type word change box from KJV to NIV you will get the verses
ReplyDelete@Shannon . . . try this: http://biblos.com/colossians/3-1.htm
ReplyDeleteIt's very Greek, but you'll see the English in the far right column and you can roll over parsing info in the Morphology column. :)
You can also get this at www.studylight.org but it's a little harder to find the info.
Both of these are online; neither require a download.
Good comments on the Trinity!!
ReplyDeleteI looked closely at the list in Romans 8:35. I noticed that except sword, every other word is listed by Paul in one of the other letters as something he experienced. That means that Paul knows first hand that these things can happen to you and me and God's love for us will still stand. What I haven't investigated is whether Paul's claim to each of these things happened before or after he wrote Romans.
ReplyDeleteKathy
Make that KathyW since there is another Kathy.
ReplyDelete@KathyW . . . Good observation! And in the end it is likely that Paul did experience the sword of Rome.
ReplyDeleteHow do we stand? After meditating upon that question, study from James and doing a word study on peace loving, I came to this conclusion that will help me to stand.. James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. Coming from version NLT. This is the way I handle catagory 3's and I pray everyday that the Lord will continue to stengthen me to do. Sometime specially in the church building it can be very hard to keep your mind from wanting to bite back. The hards part is some people take your kindness for granted and they also want to use your kindness to control you. I am finding that the more I do it like James states, it comes out where He gets the glory and I gets peace. I continue to sing to Him and thank Him for His protection. Amen
ReplyDelete@Marina . . . It is hard within the church because we tend to have higher expectations of others there. That section of James has been huge for me, too!
ReplyDeleteFrom CJ --
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this study! At the same time we are examining Romans 8, our church's annual Bible reading schedule is in Romans and it has been very helpful to see Romans 8 in the larger context.
I've been through several Romans studies but slowing down to focus on this one chapter has clarified concepts that I thought I knew. For example, I have a better grasp on election and God's hardening or partial hardening of hearts. I pray that I will remain malleable in His hands!
A couple of the women in our study group were not able to afford the book although they watch the videos and participate in group discussions. Please consider offering a less costly downloadable version for future studies. It would be be so helpful and appreciated.
@CJ . . . Don't you love it when God lines things up like that?! I'm a huge proponent of reading widely and studying deeply. Love it when you see the two work together like this!! So sorry to hear that there were some who weren't able to get the workbook. I know that Precept has some downloadable studies available and that they continue to investigate newer and more cost-effective delivery systems.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for another great week. I have been slowing down in my study to meditate on some of the major truths I'm finding. I have the tendency to be discouraged when I read about walking in the Spirit vs. walking in the flesh. I appreciate it when you reminded me that it is an ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit. At times I battle a feeling of being a "bad tree" and forget that growing is a process. I do need to pay better attention to the temptations to the deeds of the flesh and remember that temptation is not sin. Being more aware of what tempts me and avoiding it and deliberately not justifying my feelinga are two ways of warding off the deeds of the flesh.
ReplyDeleteOne of the dangers of these sins in the church is that they tend to cause others to join in with them. If someone is full of selfish ambition, then it may cause others to be envious, jealous, or full of strife. This will destroy the love and unity in Christ and will also be a bad testimony to the world.
Well, I've had a lot to think about and I look forward to next week in study.
@Miss PittyPat . . . great observations! Love how you're meditating on and applying truth. None of us is an island and our obedience or disobedience does affect others. Keep up the good the work!!
ReplyDeleteI want to echo the comments of thanks and enjoyment of this study! I happened along onto it when I was searching the Precept site (months ago) and am SO glad I found it!
ReplyDeleteMy Sunday School class has been reading/studying Adam Hamilton's book, "Why? Making Sense of God's Will." It has been a bit of a challenge for me to keep up with both studies, so I am glad you have kept this blog up. Anyway, that book is very interesting and supports things we have been studying in Mindset.
Thanks, Pam, for spelling out those category 3 behaviors...the tough ones we don't like to talk about. I have been working on those and try to remember "Make your words sweet for tomorrow you may have to eat them." I have also found, as Miss PittyPat says, those 3's can be contagious and once I discover that some others are falling into them, I need to remove myself from the negativity.
@Kim . . . I'm so glad you found it, too! God has His ways, doesn't He? Good word about removing yourself when the category 3s get going—they can be catchy if we're not careful and walking by the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteHi Pam and all, as usual enjoying the comments so much. I wish we could all meet in a group,how cool would that be?
ReplyDeleteMom and I are preparing to do chapter 6. We did get behind, but faithfully doing the work. And she has never studied Inductively before.
I do think that Category 3 can rear it's ugly head in the church. In fact, I had prided myself for years for never waivering in what church I attended, never not getting along with anyone. Unfortunately, something bad happened when I went to serve. And there was Category 3, all over the place. And I was not that type of person before. There was no concrete outbursts or anything out there. It was truly all underlying.
Someone once told me, you probably remember being wounded more than the other person. They have moved on, you are stuck there. How true.
I have had to put a lot of these feelings down, shoving them down over and over. They can still come back up. This lesson is the tool I need to keep them down. I love the verses from James, at the end of the video.
I'll be working on it.
On to the final chapter.
Laura (and Mom)
PS I like what Sara G. posted on 7/25.
ReplyDeleteWow, talk about getting backed in a corner.
Three weeks ago I was finishing grocery shopping. I took my cart and moved it into the closest line to me, that was fairly empty.
A man, clear across the check out lines about four or more down, yelled at me. I mean yelled.
Told me there were people waiting and he was there first. Mind you, he was not in my line, he was way down there. And it isnt a bank. We were not waiting for the next teller.
The more calm I tried to be, the meaner he got.
Then the lady behind me started getting on my case. She had a baby in the cart, and told the baby how rude I was.
Hello?????
I had done nothing, and blammo, I was the bad guy. Just goes to show how easily we can be tested. I dont think I totally handled the test well, but like I said, nicely attempting to reason with him resulted in worse things.
I should have said nothing........I did get a bit grumpy. After that, he told me I had started the whole thing. HUH?
My flesh wanted to say a lot more than I allowed. whew. Conflict out of nowhere.
@Laura . . . It is easy to hang on to hurts that set off reactions down the road when we least expect them. I had a dear woman in a class several years ago (probably in her 50s at the time) who said the one thing she loved about growing older was that she didn't remember things like she did when she was younger. Holding grudges wasn't a problem because she simply forgot things! She said it while laughing but I have to tell you she has always been a woman in whose face you see Jesus. I've never forgotten those words. It reminds me not to rehearse offenses—after all, what we meditate on is what we typically remember. If I meditate on God's Word, I'll remember God's Word, if I meditate on offenses (and I have from time to time!) I'll remember the offenses. Sobering, but encouraging too, I think, because we have a choice in what we think about and dwell on.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam. A very good case for Scripture memory and meditating on the Word!
ReplyDeleteBack on track. Have just finished this lesson 5 after several weeks break. I love the 'flex' approach!I started off quite well in June then life got more hectic. Its been great to be able to pick up where I left off. This week has been a bit of revision as earlier in the year our group studied 'Life in the Spirit' so already this part of Romans 8 was well marked!It has helped me understand why life in the flesh is such a struggle. How much we need to live in the Spirit to walk in faith and live as children of God. Thank you Pam for this great study.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back, Patsy! I understand the hectic — just dropped my first-born off at college this week. What an experience! Yet another reminder of how important it is to walk in the Spirit in everything. Thanks for studying with me!
ReplyDeleteWhat you said about examining our own hearts before judging others with the "category 3" sins really caught my attention. I must admit that I find myself judging others, only to realize later that the same is true of me! Funny story: a friend with several children got a Honda Pilot. I thought, "A minivan would have been better." Guess which type of vehicle the Lord provided for my family? Yep, the Pilot. The Lord used this to remind me to examine my own heart. Instead of judging others for what they do, instead, I should ask myself, "are there areas in my life where I'm behaving similarly? If so, what do I need to do to become more Christlike?" The answer, of course, is to walk in the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteIt's always about the heart, isn't it? Pretty sweet that He provided the Pilot, huh? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, the heart attitude really matters! And I've been thankful every day for my Pilot. (We had three kids, all in car seats, in the back of a sedan with 200K miles on it prior to the Pilot.) The Lord is good to provide exactly for our needs, whether it's a spiritual lesson or a physical necessity that is needed.
ReplyDeleteHe does know our needs exactly! And that Pilot could last you a good long time. We have two Hondas that are, well, elderly but still going strong. Keep pressing on, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI think I need to listen to this video 100 more times--very important; great teaching! Thanks. Lani
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you too, Lani! :)
ReplyDelete