Key Themes in Nehemiah

As you read the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, look for the following key themes. First, notice what it communicates about who God is and what type of relationship he desires to have with his people (pay careful attention to the prayers recorded throughout the account). Second, observe how God graciously work with and through individuals to accomplish the physical and spiritual rebuilding he intends for the survival of his covenant partners. Third, recognize the way in which Nehemiah emphasizes both the continuity of the Jewish remnant with the historic nation of Israel as well as their religious purity in the midst of a pluralistic context. In particular, discern the stress the text places on adhering to the law and avoiding syncretism. Keep in mind how vital or critical to the ongoing existence of the returned exiles it was that they fully understood and obeyed the ethical implications of the covenant (i.e., how essential it was for the people to know and keep the principles of the law).

In case you are interested, I think the four books in the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series provide sound theology for kids. Here is the link from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Thoughts-For-Little-Thinkers/dp/089221614X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347828524&sr=8-3&keywords=big+thoughts+for+little+thinkers+series

Zephaniah

The prophet Zephaniah was active during the reign of the good, reforming King Josiah (640-609 B.C.). He spoke the word of the Lord to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, since the Northern Kingdom of Israel had already fallen to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. He was a contemporary of the prophets Nahum, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah.

Here is the outline of the book from the ESV Study Bible:

I. Heading (1:1)

II. Judgment Coming Against Judah (1:2-6)

III. The Day of the Lord (1:7-3:20)
     A. Day of sacrifice and punishment (1:7-9)
     B. The coming wrath (1:10-18)
          1. Against God's people (1:10-16)
          2. Against all humanity (1:17-18)
     C. Repentance is still possible (2:1-3)
     D. Nations warned (2:4-3:8)
          1. Philistines (2:4-7)
          2. Moab and Ammon (2:8-11)
          3. Cush (2:12)
          4. Assyria (2:13-15)
          5. Jerusalem (3:1-7)
          6. Summary (3:8)
     E. Anticipation of hope (3:9-20)
          1. Conversion of the nations (3:9-10)
          2. Judah's return (3:11-13)
          3. Joyful song (3:14-17)
          4. God's promised restoration (3:18-20)

The Mission of God's People

Pastor Jeff Daley's summer preaching series is on the mission of God. He is basing his messages on Christopher J. H. Wright's book The Mission of God's People. Our community will be following along in order to catch this new vision for Southern Gables Church. In class, we will discuss the chapter and content that Jeff has covered in his message the previous Sunday (please refer to the posted lesson schedule).

Here is the full title and publication information for the book:

Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God's People: A Biblical Theology of the Church's Mission. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.

ISBN-10: 0310291127
ISBN-13: 978-0310291121

Here is a link to the book on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Gods-People-Biblical-Theology/dp/0310291127/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341720678&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mission+of+god%27s+people

"Dangerous Meditations" by Dr. Groothuis

I finally found the link to an article Dr. Douglas Groothuis wrote on Yoga. I realize we are no longer studying other religions in class, but I thought this still might be of interest to some of you.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/november/10.78.html