Mark taught a standalone lesson on Judah and Assyria using a time travel theme all the way back to September 3, 701 BC. Mark, as tour guide shared: A tour of Nineveh: an expensive capital city built through Assyria's war machine.Nineveh was a large city in its day covering over 3 square miles. A tour of Jerusalem: 50 times smaller than Nineveh. King Hezekiah refused to pay tribute and chose to trust God and reinforce the city. A conflict between King Sennacherib and King Hezekiah was inevitable....
Sep 03, 2023
8-27-23 Bib-Lit Brent Johnson taught BBS - Better Bible Study - on the topic of Communication. Communication with God is prayer. Proper communication means the sender sends a message through a channel to the recipient. That channel is either verbal or nonverbal. The process takes time. Brent offers three points in our communication with God. 1. God speaks: When God speaks, things happen because God created everything out of nothing. The written word is the Bible, and God called Jesus the Word. C...
Aug 28, 2023
8-21-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark taught another class in the Better Bible Study, BBS, series with a focus on the Bible theme - Time. 1. God and time: God created time, people are under time and God is over time, and God doesn’t change. 2. People And time: people exist in time, does wisdom come with time? time is fleeting, time should affect how we live, and we have a longing in our heart for eternity. 3. History and time: the age of Eden, the age of death, and the age to come. Listen to Mark expou...
Aug 20, 2023
8-13-23 Biblical-Literacy Dr. David Capes continued in the Better Bible Study, BBS, by highlighting principles of exegesis. Exegesis - a “close reading” of a text. Dr. Capes began with a review of the BBS lessons to-date, then turned his attention to the topic of Exegisis. Lesson points: What do you bring to the tasks of studying the Bible? History, disposition, culture, values, griefs, and hopes BBS begins with reading entire books not isolated verses. Reading the Bible closely. Reviewing the c...
Aug 13, 2023
8-6-23 Biblical-Literacy Pastor Jarrett Stephens shared his approach to Better Bible Study, BBS, during this week’s class. He encouraged us to create our own method for our time with the Lord. Start small and grow in time spent building your relationship with God. Hour of power - a spiritual workout. 1. Prioritize your time 2. Use a Study Bible and journal your thoughts, prayers, and what God is telling you. 3. Get a plan - As you engage with God’s word, ask yourself 1) What does this text say a...
Aug 06, 2023
Dr. David Capes taught the next lesson in the Better Bible Study, BBS, series focused on Immanuel in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel was placed first by the early church leaders. It’s a user-friendly handbook to the church. Dr Capes had three points. 1. Background of Immanuel in Matthew Fulfillment of Scripture Prophets both spoke and acted out their messages 2. Bookends Matthew begins when Jesus is born as Immanuel - God with us. It ends with the great commission and Jesus is with us al...
Jul 30, 2023
Mark continued the Better Bible Study - BBS with a focus on the theme of exile—the state or period of forced absence from one’s home or country. 1. The “exile” began with the exile from the garden to restoration with God woven throughout the Bible. Sin resulted in exile. God had to clean us up. 2. Mark reviewed additional passages that deal with exile including echoes of creation and re-creation. 3. Points for home: Give purpose and meaning in life’s storms. His presence is in the exile. Help va...
Jul 23, 2023
7-16-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the Better Bible Study, BBS, series with the theme of Messiah throughout the Bible. Messiah is one who is anointed or consecrated to God’s purpose. The Bible speaks of 3 types of individuals who were Messiah'd: priests, kings, and prophets. Jesus fulfills all three as the ultimate Messiah. Mark divided his teaching between the roles & titles of Messiah then concluded with Points for Home. Listen to Mark show how Jesus Christ is the Messiah from Gen...
Jul 16, 2023
Mark continued BBS Better Better Study focused on the theme of sacrifice. The Bible was built over time, and associations are built into it. Mark defined sacrifice as the destruction or surrender for the sake of something else. Marks presents this lesson with two points: 1. Lessons on sacrifices from more obvious passages like with how Moses explained how sacrifice association are built into the Passover regarding unintentional sin. 2. Lessons on sacrifices from less obvious places noting that d...
Jul 09, 2023
7-2-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued BBB - Better Bible Study - with two themes: the Bible as a love story and giving. 1. Love story narrative First, what is love? Mark shares the Greek words for love and the Hebrew word. God centers His love for us throughout the Bible: starting in Genesis, we are created in His image and His love continues through the wedding feast as depicted in Revelation. 2. God as a giver From Genesis to Revelation, all we need is God. Mark points out how God fills ever...
Jul 02, 2023
6-25-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued BBB- Better Bible Study - with Lesson 4 using a hermeneutical approach. This week’s focus was on the Biblical theme of the temple. 1. What was the temple? Earthly home of a heavenly God, the presence of God among people, His dwelling and resting place.The tabernacle was a portable temple. 2. The temple theme throughout the Bible begins in the creation, shows Jesus dwelt with man, and moves on to Jesus’ second coming in Revelation. 3. Points for home: - Se...
Jun 25, 2023
Mark taught Lesson 3 in the summer’s Better Bible Study series expanding on three themes. 1. The surviving and thriving remnant. A remnant is a small piece or amount that is left from a larger original or amount. Mark detailed how God referred to the remnant of his people throughout scripture. 2. Spiritual warfare. This aspect begins in Genesis with Adam and Eve’s encounter with Satan and fall, and carries through to Revelation. 3. A love story between God and his creation. The love theme is par...
Jun 18, 2023
Mark taught Lesson 2 in the summer’s Better Bible Study series with a hermeneutical approach, the study of the methods of reading and understanding Bible passages. Mark covered three themes: 1. The kingdom of God come among His people. God will bring His kingdom to the redeemed. 2. God as a just God. Humanity has a problem: pride. 3. God’s provision of land for His people.The redemption story is about land. Points for home included: Live as children of the King. Live the righteousness of God. Tr...
Jun 11, 2023
Mark started a new summer series on Better Bible Study, BBS. The goal of this series is to learn how to study the Bible with each lesson building on the previous. Today’s overview reviewed the why, what & how of bible study. Why? Timothy 3:12-17. The Bible is God-breathed, used for reproof, correction, train, inspired by God, and equips the believer for every good work. What? The Protestant Bible has 66 books. God’s holy and sacred words. In contrast, the Catholic Bible contains 14 additiona...
Jun 04, 2023
05/28/2023 Chapter 27, The Old Testament Minor Prophets; Concludes with Malachi.In this last Book of the Minor Prophets , Mark addresses the book of Malachi with respect to, 1.Background 2.Book 3.Points for home The Background is an extensive review of the history of the middle east as seen today and what it looked like from the days of Abraham, as he walks us through the Exodus, the 12 tribes and their linage, David and Solomon, the Divided Kingdom, the Assyrian Conquest of Israel and the Babyl...
May 28, 2023
5-21-23 - Biblical-Literacy Dr. David Capes interviewed Dr. Daniel Wallace, Executive Director of The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts, CSNTM, & Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and Dr. Tommy Wasserman, Professor of New Testament at Orebro School of Theology in Sweden. Dr. Wallace and Dr. Wasserman discussed the accuracy of the New Testament Greek manuscripts of which there are nearly 6000 even after 1400 years of scribes hand...
May 21, 2023
5-14-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark completed the book of Zechariah in the Study of the Minor Prophets. He offered a three-step approach to looking at Zechariah: read the passage, understand it, and apply it to our lives. Mark discussed dark passages which are there for a reason and not to be scanned over. He shared evil has no place among God’s people. Jesus is Lord of all, and He came to dwell with His people. Listen to Mark teach how we are not to live in darkness but in the presence of the Lord. ...
May 14, 2023
Biblical - Literacy May 7, 2023 Mark continued with Zechariah in The Minor Prophets series. Scripture is for all people for all times, pointing to Jesus as the Bread of life. Mark focused on various passages in Zechariah : to read them, understanding them, and apply them to our lives. God is at work in us and for us, which means we need get to work with God. Listen to Mark show us that we are the apple of God’s eye. He is the ultimate cleaner of our souls. Let us sing and rejoice.
May 07, 2023
Biblical-Literacy 4-30-23 Dr. David Capes taught from the book of Zechariah as part of the Study of the Minor Prophets series. We were reminded that the prophet’s name Zechariah means "God remembers”. David divided the lesson: Define Messiah: The one who is anointed; Christ—the one who is anointed; the anointed one; Liberating Jesus. God would return to be king. Matthew’s use of Zechariah: The New Testament quotes Zechariah 66 times. Dr. Capes showed four of the passages in Matthew. “On that day...
Apr 30, 2023
4-23-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued the study of the Minor Prophets with the book of Zechariah. Today he provided an overview of the book written around 518 BC sharing: Historical context: God relates to amazing people to reflect His image. When humanity fell from God, He promised a male redeemer from the offspring of Eve. Throughout the Old Testament, God promises a Messiah. He is faithful despite our unfaithfulness. Key passages: Zechariah 1:1-17 reveals the prophet’s name means "God reme...
Apr 23, 2023
Biblical Literacy -4-16-23 Dr. David Fleming taught the book of Haggai as part of the Study of Minor Prophets. A book only 2 chapters in length not of Haggai’s opinion but God’s word to his people thru the prophet.The context of Haggai was during the reign of King Darius who allowed the Jews in Babylon to return to Jerusalem from exile, but they are dissatisfied. Themes included: God speaks -a time to line up our ways with Him Consider your ways -misplaced priorities. Jesus? Go and Do -Put God f...
Apr 16, 2023
Apr 6, 2023 Mark continued the study of the Minor Prophets with the book of Habakkuk. Mark started his review of Habakkuk with some context. Neither the writer nor the date of Habakkuk is known, leaving the reader to also question why, how, and where. Jesus and other New Testament writers quoted from Habakkuk. He continued analyzing the dialogue. We learn that Habakkuk protests against God. We read a cry for help, protest against violence, and why is the evil happening. It is acceptable to bring...
Apr 02, 2023
Mark discusses passages in the book of Zephaniah. Lesson objectives include: 1. Looking at the passages in a different way 2. Apply the passages to me and you 3. Wash, Rinse and repeat Zephaniah 1:1 Mark breaks down the meaning of each name and why the name Zephaniah is followed by his family linage and how the Name of God is incorporated in the name. Key point is, make a name for yourself by how you live. Bring Glory to God by how you live. Zephaniah 1:2-3 God wants to “Clean you up” in ways yo...
Mar 26, 2023
Dr. David Capes delivered an overview of Zephaniah in the Study of The Minor Prophets. Zepaniah's name means God has hidden. Names that contain the name of God, those ending in iah or el, are theophoric. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah in 640-630 BC. Dr. Capes focused on three areas: Oracles against nations - who have sinned against God. Utter destruction of creation. Oracles against Judah - I will destroy all idolatry and the people who have turned against God. Vision of ho...
Mar 19, 2023
Note: Last week's lesson from Feb 26 was not published due to technical difficulties. It was addressed in this week's lesson. Summary: Mark Lanier continued the study of the Minor Prophets with Nahum. An oracle to Nineveh in the Assyrian Empire. Mark reviewed: What in the world was going on? The reign of Ashurbanipal - 668-627 BC called himself the King of the World, the King of the Underworld. He had military might, great cities, postal system, and Eunuch’s as governors. God prophesied thru Nah...
Mar 12, 2023
Mark hosted a special guest during today’s class - Dr. Havila Dharamraj from India. Dr. Dharamraj is from Bengaluru, India, and a third-generation Christian. She is currently Head of the Department of Biblical Studies at South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies in Bangalore, India. Her country has four basic religions: Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christianity. Christianity dates back to the first century in India. Havila became a Christian at age twelve and was baptized at age eightee...
Mar 05, 2023
Mark continued the Study of the Minor Prophets with the book of Micah. He characterized Micah as a concept book focusing on three aspects: 1. Authenticity: Good and evil lead to different places. Micah is authentic to this reality. 2. Justice: Justice is more than a courtroom. Justice is part of God’s character. Micah understood good and evil and how it applied to life. Consistency is key. 3. Promise: God is on the other side of every door. Jesus is the promised one. Listen to Mark explain that ...
Feb 19, 2023
2-12-23 Biblical-Lit Mark moved forward in the Study of Minor Prophets with the second lesson in Micah. Todays lesson had 3 points 1. A story of bookends Who is like Yahweh? Nobody is like the Lord 2. The meat of the sandwich God is the witness Israel was warned, and God was not amused. 3. Points for home Expect the unexpected. Is 55:8 Remember the bookends. God pardons iniquity Listen to Mark teach how God pays attention to what we do, warns, disciplines, and restores His people....
Feb 12, 2023
2-5-23 Biblical LiteracyDr. David Capes continued in the Minor Prophets series by introducing Micah. Dr. Capes gave us the 30,000 foot view of Micah, including the history and setting. He continued with various oracles forSamaria showing judgment and the hope and promise of restoration in a world that recognizes God as God. Dr. Capes show how Micah warned the people of how God would destroy the people for their disobedience and violence.In the points for home, Dr. Capes emphasized that disobedie...
Feb 05, 2023
Mark completed the study of Hosea in the Study of the Minor Prophets series with a focus of God going to trial with the Israelites. Trials in Israel at the time needed two to three witnesses for a capital offense - ones punishable by death. In Hosea, God takes Israel to court because Israel has broken covenant with God and committed adultery. Points for home: Time out. God wants best for you. God isn’t blind to what we do. Don’t miss the interweaving of law and grace.
Jan 29, 2023
