Comments for Sermon Study Questions http://bg.org/questions Bethel Grove Bible Church Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:42:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on October 28, 2007 by Alex http://bg.org/questions/2007/10/28/october-28-2007/#comment-45 Alex Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:48:51 +0000 http://bg.org/questions/2007/10/28/october-28-2007/#comment-45 What do you think, please, of Obadiah Shoher's interpretation of the story? (here: samsonblinded.org/blog/genesis-37.htm ) He takes the text literally to prove that the brothers played a practical joke on Yosef rather than intended to murder him or sell him into slavery. His argument seems fairly strong to me, but I'd like to hear other opinions. What do you think, please, of Obadiah Shoher’s interpretation of the story? (here: samsonblinded.org/blog/genesis-37.htm ) He takes the text literally to prove that the brothers played a practical joke on Yosef rather than intended to murder him or sell him into slavery. His argument seems fairly strong to me, but I’d like to hear other opinions.

]]> Comment on November 4, 2007 by jim http://bg.org/questions/2007/11/04/november-4-2007/#comment-29 jim Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:10:06 +0000 http://bg.org/questions/2007/11/03/november-4-2007/#comment-29 you're right about how the church as a whole does not value highly enough secular calling . I think it's because they don't understand that our work is our calling , not our job. Most christians give a poor witness at their work instaed of being oone of the best and most productive employees. you’re right about how the church as a whole does not value highly enough secular calling . I think it’s because they don’t understand that our work is our calling , not our job. Most christians give a poor witness at their work instaed of being oone of the best and most productive employees.

]]> Comment on November 11, 2007 by gadwall http://bg.org/questions/2007/11/11/november-11-2007/#comment-17 gadwall Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:33:33 +0000 http://bg.org/questions/2007/11/16/november-11-2007/#comment-17 How I have handled discouragement - curled up in a ball, become cynical, pulled away, stayed away, built a wall, disappeared, became a satellite, faked it, wore a mask, got caught up in my own turmoil, got trapped in downward spiral, dwelt on injustice, blamed, soured, fermented frustration, scornful, sulked, angry, despaired, stuck; YET - continued to pray, trusted God, shouted at God, wept, worshipped, waited with impatience, hung in there, continued to work, tried to focus on what was viable, contributed, wrote, asked for help, sought advice, struggled to understand, tried to find God’s path, meditated on scripture, kept home fires burning, reached out to others, felt an overwhelming presence of God, scripture became living and beloved, prayer life reached new depths of intensity and trust. I think that I have allowed myself to be stuck dwelling on the injustice and been unable to let it go and move on. I am not sufficiently trusting that God knows the truth, understands my situation, loves me, and will take care of me. So I am not trusting God’s care for my future. Feeling God’s presence and love is the greatest kindness. Feeling His assurance of love will see me through. How I have handled discouragement - curled up in a ball, become cynical, pulled away, stayed away, built a wall, disappeared, became a satellite, faked it, wore a mask, got caught up in my own turmoil, got trapped in downward spiral, dwelt on injustice, blamed, soured, fermented frustration, scornful, sulked, angry, despaired, stuck; YET - continued to pray, trusted God, shouted at God, wept, worshipped, waited with impatience, hung in there, continued to work, tried to focus on what was viable, contributed, wrote, asked for help, sought advice, struggled to understand, tried to find God’s path, meditated on scripture, kept home fires burning, reached out to others, felt an overwhelming presence of God, scripture became living and beloved, prayer life reached new depths of intensity and trust.

I think that I have allowed myself to be stuck dwelling on the injustice and been unable to let it go and move on. I am not sufficiently trusting that God knows the truth, understands my situation, loves me, and will take care of me. So I am not trusting God’s care for my future.

Feeling God’s presence and love is the greatest kindness. Feeling His assurance of love will see me through.

]]> Comment on November 4, 2007 by gadwall http://bg.org/questions/2007/11/04/november-4-2007/#comment-8 gadwall Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:04:36 +0000 http://bg.org/questions/2007/11/03/november-4-2007/#comment-8 It is interesting to consider that my work matters to God. Puts a new spin on mornings. But . . . I think it is a stretch to say that the church looks at secular work with the same enthusiasm as religious work. I think most of us could quickly make a rough hierarchy of work in the church, from missions to begging. Directly and indirectly, churches communicate that paid Christian work skyrockets in value over lowly secular work, or worse, volunteer labor. I find it hard to reconcile these two thoughts. It is interesting to consider that my work matters to God. Puts a new spin on mornings.
But . . .
I think it is a stretch to say that the church looks at secular work with the same enthusiasm as religious work. I think most of us could quickly make a rough hierarchy of work in the church, from missions to begging. Directly and indirectly, churches communicate that paid Christian work skyrockets in value over lowly secular work, or worse, volunteer labor.
I find it hard to reconcile these two thoughts.

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