Mark continued the series Lesser-Known Women of the Bible with a focus on Shiphrah and Puah, two of God’s unlikely heroes. The Crisis: Egypt enslaved the Israelites when their increasingly large population became a threat. Pharaoh ordered the midwives to kill all newborn male babies. The Courage: Midwives Shiphra and Puah faced the choice of living or killing the babies. They chose life and feared God. The Blessings: God gave the midwives families. Point for home: God often works through the sma...
Dec 01, 2024
11-24-24 Biblical-Literacy Pastor David Fleming continued in the series of Lesser Known Women of the Bible with a focus on Vashti from Esther Chapter 1. Dr. Fleming’s roadmap for the lesson included: 1. Context: King Xerxses held a massive feast for seven days to show his wealth and power. Queen Vashti and ladies left, but other women joined the king and his guests. 2. Vashti’s story: The king ordered Vashti to attend on day seven in a degrading fashion. She refused and the king responded by rem...
Nov 24, 2024
11-17-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark Continued in the Lesser-Known Women of the Bible series with a snapshot of the daughters of Zelophehad, five sisters from the tribe of Manasseh who changed the law. The story is from Numbers 26 and 27. 1. The story: Zelophehad had no sons, and his daughters ask Moses for their father’s land. The Lord agrees. 2. The context. A person’s name in the OT days was an identifier, character and actions, continuity of being or existence, community memory/placement, and spi...
Nov 17, 2024
11-10-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the series Lesser-Known Women of the Bible. Today’s woman was a "wise woman” from 2 Samuel 20, who helped save her city by turning over Sheba to Joab and his army. The storyline: Sheba was a worthless man who encouraged the northern tribes of Israel to rebel against King David. Worthless in those days meant not living for God, did not know God, and didn’t use what he had to honor God. The woman termed wise was shrewd, crafty, and cunning. The contrast...
Nov 10, 2024
Pastor David Fleming taught Lesser Known Women of the Bible with focus on Lydia from Acts 16 during Paul’s second missionary trip. Pastor David share three areas of focus: 1. Story before the story: Paul was called from a dream to Macedonia. In Philippi, which had no synagogue, he and Silas gathered to pray outside the city gates by a body of water in prayer house. Paul found only women and met Lydia, who was a God worshipper. 2. Story of conversion: God opened Lydia’s heart to pay attention, an...
Nov 04, 2024
10-27-24-Biblical-Literacy Mark picked back up with the series: Lesser-known Bible Women with a focus on Judges 19. Mark shared some context for the storyline, what went wrong and some application points for home. Storyline: 1200 BC to 1040 BC. Israel is in the promised land. No earthly kings yet. A young woman of the Levite tribe is brutally murdered in the area of the Benjaminites. Her body is cut into twelve pieces and sent to the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Eleven tribes war agains...
Oct 27, 2024
10/13/2024 Bib-lit Class Synopsis Dr. Esau McCauley Mark interviewed Dr. Esau McCauley, an incredibly focused and jovial Messenger of God’s word. Dr. McCauley is a Professor at Wheaton College. He discusses his child hood growing up in a God loving home and learning about the Bible from a “Cartoon Bible” which he read with great diligence. He was born in 1979 and he was raised in Huntsville Alabama. His mom taught him that he could be whatever he wanted to be and he chose a Christ filled life. H...
Oct 13, 2024
10-6-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark completed A Study of Revelation with a focus on The Great News in Revelation 22. This final lesson closed out the study of Apocalyptic Literature and recapped the 7 vignettes each covering a segment of the age of the church to the 2nd coming. Mark revisited the 7th vignette acknowledging varied interpretations of the millennium, the binding of Satan, and Jesus’ 2nd coming where He will judge all humanity on the Great White Throne and create a new heaven and a new e...
Oct 06, 2024
9-29-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued A Study of Revelation acknowledging controversial viewpoints about the tribulation with a focus on the seventh or final vignette from Revelation 20:1-6. The context deals with Satan and his symbolic “binding” for a thousand years. We hear about 3 views of the Millennium, premillennial, postmillennial, & amillennial which is described as Satan bound for church age, a coming tribulation, and a 2nd coming. Points for home: Regardless of our millennial vi...
Sep 29, 2024
9-22-24 Biblical-Literacy Dr. David Capes interviewed Dr. Amy Orr Ewing, writer, scholar, and evangelist who shared her life and passion for transforming lives for Jesus. Dr. Ewing relayed her family background and how she and her parents came to know Jesus. Amy holds a doctorate (DPhil) in Theology from the University of Oxford, and serves as Honorary Lecturer in Divinity at the University Aberdeen. She has influenced the Kingdom all over the world as evidenced with numerous accolades during he...
Sep 22, 2024
9-15-24 - Biblical-Literacy Mark returned to the Study of Revelation starting with a fast but important review of chapters 1-16 noting that we need to go back in time to fully understand the writings. Understanding the aspects of apocalyptic literature changes how we read & understand Revelation. Marks explains it as a series of vignettes that reflect the age of the church to the second coming. Mark then shifted attention to some highlights of the ending chapters asking the question: So how ...
Sep 15, 2024
Dr. David Fleming taught the 2nd class in Lesser Known Women of the Bible with a focus on Joanna from the Gospel of Luke. She was the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager. David’s discussion was divided into: Context: Joanna’s religious and social context as a wealthy woman. Jesus' respect and affirmation of Joanna and women. Content: Joanna had a personal encounter with Jesus. She became a follower, disciple, and financially supported Jesus. She was there for Him at His crucifixion. Contrib...
Sep 08, 2024
Dr. David Fleming taught the first lesson in the "Lessor Known Women of the Bible" series. The focus today was on Achash, Caleb’s daughter and subsequent wife of Othniel, from Judges 1. Our roadmap: Context—Caleb ensured the right man for his daughter, a man to provide for her, and to strengthen their family. Conduct—Achash respectfully trusted her father, not passive, encouraged her husband, and made a bold request from her father. Contribution—Achash's family got what they needed to thrive in ...
Sep 01, 2024
August 25,2024 Traits of God, The Holy Spirit Mark Lanier Mark asks three questions: 1. What is the Holy Spirit? 2. What does the Holy Spirit do? 3. How do we see the Scripture? Mark addressed these questions: 1. What is the Holy Spirit? Holy: 1. Connected with God or a particular Religion 2. Good in a moral and religious way Spirit: 1. The part of a person 2. The soul thought of as separate from the Body Ghost: Soul Mark explains in some detail from, verses in Scripture, the Difference between ...
Aug 25, 2024
8-18-24 Biblical-Literacy Brent Johnson provided insight into the Attributes of God with a focus on Jesus Incarnate reflected who God is and what God wants through His teachings, commands, actions, and parables. Brent has three focus areas: 1. Why does Jesus matter? He is the Word, God, and eternal life. 2. Ethics of Jesus as seen in the 4 Gospels and themes: Matthew: The kingdom of God - Organization Mark: Radical fellowship - Reliance on God Luke: Status & expectations Reversed - Servant l...
Aug 18, 2024
8-11-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued teaching on The Attributes of God asking the question: How do we understand God? Three areas of focus to understand God include: 1. Words—God’s name is more than a label but who He is and what He does. His majesty & power are reflected in I Am. LORD, Yahweh, and Jehovah. 2. Socially—Through relationships we see God is our Good King, Father, Husband, Mother, Shepherd, Judge, and Teacher. 3. Attributes—As presented in the Westminster Confession of Faith...
Aug 11, 2024
8-4-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued teaching The Attributes of God using this outline: 1. The importance of Knowing God and understanding God is Truth. Mark shows how Truth has shaped and reshaped over the years through views of faith, theology, science, history, and reason. 2. The Westminster Confession of faith was written before the enlightenment. This doctrine of faith shows how God reveals Himself in the Bible. 3. Points for home Let’s get strong Let’s go for the gold Let’s follow His p...
Aug 04, 2024
7-28-74 Biblical-Literacy Mark Lanier returned from vacation to teach a lesson from the summer series - The Attributes of God. Practical life experiences with insight helps us understand the God who never changes. Mark’s three points: 1. The Importance of knowing God Eternal life starts now Thinking of God humbles the mind 2. The Westminster Confession of Faith Background for the statement of faith at the time. Calvinistic with a Puritan spin 3. Points for home Let's get strong Let's go for the ...
Jul 28, 2024
July 21, 2024 Dr. Capes discusses in detail “Favorite Attributes of God” as documented in Ephesians Chapter 1-6. He begins by citing the “anchor verse” of the lesson: Ephesians 1; Anchor Verse Blessed be the God and Father of our Lard Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be Holy and blameless before him. He continues by elaborating what spiritual blessings are, ref...
Jul 21, 2024
7-7-24 Biblical-Literacy Dr. David Fleming continued in summer series of The Attributes of God from the Bible using The Westminister Confession of Faith as a guide. This week David reflected on God as Incomparable, Incomprehensible & Indescribable and a focus of His Aseity. The lesson had three points: 1. Aseity of God - the belief that God doesn't not depend on any cause other than himself for his existence. Self-existent Self-sufficient Self-satisfied 2. What does that say to me? Comforted...
Jul 07, 2024
6-30-24 Biblical-Literacy Brent Johnson taught a new summer series: Favorite Attributes of God -based on The Westminster Confession of Faith. Brent selected "Working all things according to the council of his immutable and righteous will, for his own glory.” Brent started by sharing some background on the confession which was drafted in Westminster Abbey and published in 1647 providing an overview of the Bible and ultimately influential in Protestant Christianity. .Brent proceeded by digging dee...
Jun 30, 2024
6-23-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued A Study in Revelation with lesson 18 in this series. As an intro to the lesson, Mark shared a rendition of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” whose lyrics, written by Julia Ward Howe, were partially based on passages from Revelation. Mark then continued the lesson with three parts emphasizing the fundamental and biblical truth that Jesus will come again! 1. Earlier Vignette’s - a recap from Revelation: 1-16 show the age of the church to the second coming. ...
Jun 23, 2024
Mark continued in his Study of Revelation with lesson #18 with a refresher of material covered to-date. The setup: Review of the previous lessons, Revelation 1-14, from the age of the church to the second coming in parallel series of vignettes. The text: Chapters 15-16 mirror Exodus when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. God is full of righteousness and wrath. Points for home: God's works are great, amazing, awesome, and wonderful God judges as The King of nations Who are you listening to? ...
Jun 16, 2024
6-9-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued with lesson 17 in his Study of Revelation starting with a reference to The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis which shows how Satan instructs his demon with eight ways to shake and destroy our faith. Satan uses the church, ourselves, Christian life, prayer, focus, all to pull us away from God. Mark then expanded on this from Revelation 12 - 14. 1. The Reality of Satan’s Assaults - We learn: He is real and hides himself. Can be a frontal attack or more subtle...
Jun 09, 2024
Mark continued with Lesson 15 in A Study of Revelation. This week’s focus was on the dragon, the beast, and other things. The persecuting dragon in Revelation 12-14 shows a spiritual war.This occurs during the age of the church through the second coming. The dragon: Satan, the deceiver, accuser, devil.Two different beasts are sent to plague the world: sea and land. The beast from the sea represents earth's history, nations, and government. The best of the land represents the mind. Points for hom...
Jun 02, 2024
05/26/2024 Biblical-literacy The lesion begins with Mark talking about where we are so far in the book of Revelations and then talks about the persecuting Dragon, which starts in Revelations Chapter 12. Where are we so far in Revelations? Revelations was the type of writing that was common 2000 to 2500 years ago that Scholars today call apocalyptic. The writing was rich in: Symbolism An age to come Peculiar use of numbers Visions and Dreams Coming Cataclysm Angels and demons Mark singles out one...
May 26, 2024
5-19-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in The Study of Revelation with the 7 visions that happen in parallel construction. The focus of today’s lesson is the interlude period: the sixth seal and the sixth trumpet prior to the second coming. This age of the church period is a call and a warning for people to repent before it's too late. Mark also taught about the “little" scroll that the angel of God shows to John and asks him to eat it. The scroll tastes like honey in his mouth but becomes bit...
May 19, 2024
5-12-24 Biblical-Literacy Brent Johnson taught today’s lesson on the topic of what we should do while waiting on the 2nd Coming of the Lord. Brent’s primary passage was from 2 Peter 3:11-18. Peter wrote the letter around 64-67 AD. Brent opens by explaining the letter’s purpose: to remember truth, faith supplements, and be aware of false teachings because time is running out for the Lord’s return. I. Live Godly Lives 2. Live Gospel Lives 3. Live Growing Lives Points for home: Live right - godly a...
May 12, 2024
5/5/24 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in The Study of Revelation with a comparison of chapters 4:7 and 8:11 The lesson showed how John’s two visions compare and relate to the people at the time of writing and those living in the age of the church. Revelation 4-7: The 7 seals,what each signify and there effect on believers and unbelievers concluding with Jesus’s second coming. Revelation 8-11: The 7 trumpets parallel the 7 seals and occur at the same time. Trumpets refer to warnings and judgmen...
May 05, 2024
4-28-24 Biblical-Literacy Dr. David Capes taught a class in the Study of Revelation with a focus on the apocalyptic themes noted by the Apostle Paul. Dr. Capes reviewed more traits of apocalyptic themes including analysis of the academic definition, literature of the time, and how it encouraged faithfulness for the persecuted believers. In addition, Dr. Capes shared about Paul’s mindset and apocalyptic ideas in his writing: experienced visions, two ages of history (this evil age ruled by Satan a...
Apr 28, 2024
