Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Gospel of Peace: Making it Real - Lesson 05


Lesson 5                           
“Love Without Hypocrisy”              
Romans 12:9-13
The WORD: What does the Bible say?
ID: Inductive Questions (Asking the text, “Who, what, where, when, why, & how?”) 
CR: Cross References (Comparing Scripture to Scripture, understanding the vague by the clear.) 
WS: Word Study (Understanding grammatical and theological definitions and usages in other passages.)

1.      Context: Read chapter 12. How does Romans 12.1-4 help set the tone and context for our passage?
2.      WS: (9) The more literal versions say, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” What does it mean for love to be without hypocrisy? Looking up the Greek word will help. ”without hypocrisy/ anypokritos   
3.      CR: (9) Why do you think the admonitions, “Abhor what is evil,” and “Cling to what is good,” are placed in the middle of two mentions of love? (Amos 5:15; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:11)
4.      ID: (10) List several things from verse ten that characterize Christian relationships with others.
5.      ID: (10) How do honor and giving preference practically relate to kindly affections and brotherly love?
6.      ID:  (11) What is the common thread in the next three admonitions?  How do they relate to verses ten and twelve?
7.      ID: (12) There is a threefold admonition in verse twelve to hope, patience, and prayer. How are they related to each other? How do they support each other?
8.      CR: (12) Two closely related words for hospitality occur five times in the NT.  The word is used in the context of strangers and brothers in Christ. What does the context in this passage show us about the meaning of “stranger love”?
The WALK: What should I do?
1.      What do you do when you just don’t feel like loving someone?  Talk about how we love someone who is difficult.
2.      What makes it difficult to prefer or honor others?  Who do you struggle to give preference to? Why?
3.      In addition to having someone over to your home, what are some ways we can show hospitality (be hospitable)?
4.      Sometimes when you have a list of short admonitions, one or two will stand out to you.  Which ones specially relate to our theme of making the Gospel of  Peace real? 
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 WEB LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY  (PART 1)

I usually have a five step approach to the use commentaries and study tools.
First, I become familiar with the passage.  I look at the larger context by looking at the general setting and reading the passage before and after the one I am focusing on.  Then I read my specific verses several times.  I continue to read the passage in several versions that include more formal or literal translations (Young’s Literal, KJV, RSV, NASB) and some of the more dynamic translations and paraphrases (like the NIV84, Wuest’s Expanded Translation, NET Bible, Amplified, New Living, and The Message).  I like to compare them verse be verse from literal to dynamic making note of the variations.
Second, I use linguistic/language tools to clarify the meaning of the words.  Third, I also check cross references and cultural resources to better understand the meaning of the text.  I will typically focus on places where there was greater variation between the translations.  I also like to study parallel passages and allusions the New Testament makes to the Old Testament.  During this phase I am making notes about questions I have about the passage meaning.
These links below are to free stuff that is online or downloadable. I put these links on here because they have been a helpful resource for me, not because I endorse the organization that makes it available.  Check out the web site (doctrinal statement, links, sponsoring person or organization) or “google” a person to find out more about them. The important thing is that you understand the perspective and orientation of the source. Be aware of who you are using. Precepts Austin has a lot of links to resources in all categories and has helpful information about how to study the Bible. 
Linguistic/language
History/culture

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