Understanding Biblical Narratives (Stories) — The Story of Joseph

As you read Genesis 37-45, you’re reading a familiar story, I’m sure.  But slow it down;  observe carefully what you’re reading.

I’ve given you one thing to focus on:  the names of Joseph’s brothers.  Underline every occurence of the name of a son of Jacob OTHER THAN JOSEPH in this story.

The first thing you’re going to notice is that dropped smack dab in the middle of the story of Joseph, in ch. 38, is a story that has NOTHING to do with Joseph, but with Judah, his half-brother.  Hmmmmmm.  Why is THAT there???

Here’s another thing to consider:  the story of Joseph most likely took place between 1900-1800 BC;  but Moses is writing for people in 1400 BC or later — 500 years or so after the Joseph story.  Why does Moses include this story FOR THEM — and why the focus on Joseph, the second youngest of all the brothers?

And what is the significance of the interaction of the other brothers mentioned in the story?

Have fun!!!  We’ll talk about it at the next Amplified…

We’ve gotten down the overall purpose of the book of 1 Timothy.  Paul has left Timothy to appoint worthy elders because some of the elders have fallen into false teaching and are actually leading some of the Christians (some women are especially noted) away from the faith.  It’s time now to look at Paul’s particular commands about women not being allowed to teach (1 Tim. 2:8-15).

As we’ve said, we’re not trying to figure out what the letter is saying to US just yet;  we’re just working on what Paul was saying to Timothy about handling the situation at Ephesus.  In trying to understand that, we need to practice asking questions of the text.  Good interpretive questions usually begin with one of these words:  who, what, when, where, why, how.  Here are a few examples of the types of questions we need to ask of this passage.

1.  Why in 2:8 are men directed to pray?

2.  What context does this discussion of men praying suggest?

3.  Why does Paul say “likewise” (or “in like manner”) to begin 2:9?

4.  How does women dressing modestly relate to men praying?

5.  What does it mean for a woman to learn “in silence with all submission”, and why would Paul command Timothy to teach, observe, and enforce this?

6.  Why does Paul tell Timothy that he, Paul, does not permit a woman to teach?

7.  What is meant by “teaching”?

8.  What is meant by “having authority”?

9.  What is the relationship between a woman teaching and a woman having authority over men?

10.  What two reasons does Paul give for a woman not being permitted to teach or have authority over a man?

11.  Where does Paul get these reasons?

12.  What significance is there in these reasons?

13.  What does childbearing (2:15) have to do with a woman’s being “saved”, and why does Paul bring that up?

14.  How does a woman participating in childbearing relate to a woman’s not being permitted to teach or have authority over a man?

Seek to answer some of these questions as you read…

Or, feel free to come up with MORE questions…

And we’ll chat on Sunday night…

– PC

Keys to 1 Timothy…

As you all read 1 Timothy this week, you’ll be looking for three things:  (1) the problems in Ephesus that provoked Paul to write the letter to Timothy;  (2) Paul’s attitude/mood or the “atmosphere” of the letter — was he sarcastic?  rebuking?  encouraging?  rejoicing?  and (3) a logical outline of the letter.

Try to pick up on recurring words or themes.

Look too for transitional words.  For example, when you see the word “therefore” or “wherefore”, the writer is usually drawing a conclusion, and you might expect a new thought to begin AFTER that sentence.

Happy reading, and we’ll see you all Sunday!

The Components of a Church

No matter how cutting-edge you want to be, there are certain defining principles found in the Bible that form the parameters of all discussion about the church (or anything, for that matter).

We discovered together that the Bible lays out the following principles that form the life of the church, and I list these in no particular order: