Lord of Life Lutheran Church - Kamloops

Book of the Month Club

In 2007, pastor began offering a new Bible Study once a month featuring a book of the Bible (or a shorter portion of a book). For instance, the first month we read the book of Jonah. These small group studies meet at church or in people's homes. Pastor presents some background and the main message of the book and participants discuss what they have learned and ask questions about the text. We also talk how this Word of God applies to our lives today. (See the study outlines on this page for samples of these Book of the Month Studies.)

Books of the Bible and Topics we have covered include: Jonah; Judges (Samson); Jude; Hebrews (in three sessions); 1 John, The Passion of Christ from the Four Gospels; The Resurrection of Christ from the Four Gospels; Amos; Daniel; Philemon; and more. 

Give us a call or drop us an email to find out when the next sessions will be held.  Or if you would like to host a monthly study in your home, contact Pastor Heselton to arrange a topic and time, invite some friends, and get into God's Word!

Month One

Book of the Month Club

Jonah

 Jonah is the story of a reluctant prophet whom the Lord sent to preach to the Gentile city of Ninevah.  Ninevah was the capital city of the great Assyrian empire approximately 800 years before the coming of Christ.  The Assyrian armies were fearsome and were well known for their lack of mercy and brutality.  In 722 B.C., the Assyrians invaded Israel, conquering the capital city, Samaria, and displacing  the Israelites to different part of the Assyrian empire.  These deportees are referred to as the lost tribes of Israel.  This left only the tribe of Judah intact in the holy land.

The events described in the book of Jonah probably took place much earlier in the 8th century B.C.

Questions to think about:

U Jonah’s name means “dove.”  Does his name fit his personality?  What name would you have given to Jonah?  What do you think of when you think of a dove?

U While most of the Old Testament deals with God’s relationship to His people Israel, the Book of Jonah describes a mission to a Gentile city.  What does this tell you about the love and mercy of God?

U Jonah is a reluctant prophet to say the least.  What reasons do you think Jonah may have had for not wanting to go to Ninevah?

U In chapter 1, is Jonah trying to save the sailors by having them throw him into the stormy sea or is he trying to kill himself so he won’t have to go to Ninevah?  Note the sailors’ reaction to the events that took place.

U Read Matthew 12:28-32.  In what way does Jesus liken himself to Jonah?  In what way does Jonah experience “resurrection”?

U What is Jonah’s message to the Ninevites?  What is their reaction?  Who is at work through the Word of God spoken by Jonah?

U How does Jonah react to the repentance of Ninevah?

U Who has the “last word” in the argument between Jonah and the Lord?

U How does this story end for Jonah?

Soli Deo Gloria

(To God alone be glory)

Judges (Samson)

Please read Judges 2:1—3:11 and Judges 13-16

The Book of Judges, the seventh book in the Old Testament, describes the situation of the Israelites after their partial conquest of the Holy Land which had been promised to them at the time of the Exodus.  Spanning about 250 years, Judges shows a repetitive pattern on God dealing with His people:

1. The people “do what is evil in the sight of the Lord”

2. God punishes them for their unfaithfulness and allows an enemy to oppress them.

3. The people call out to God for deliverance.

4. God calls a leader (judge) whom He will use to rescue them from their oppressor.

5. The Spirit of the Lord empowers this leader.

6. Israel’s enemy is defeated by the Lord.

7. There is a time of peace in the land.  (Go back to step one.)

Things to think about:

U What does God say about the covenant He had made with Israel?  (2:1-2)

U Israel had failed to drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizittes, Amorites, and Jebusites from the promised land as the Lord had ordered.  What is the result of this?  (3:5-6)

U Othniel (3:7-11) is the first judge who is named.  Note the cycle as outlined above.

U Samson is the 12th Judge of Israel.  What is interesting about his birth?  (Ch. 13)  Note the lifelong Nazarite vow (see Num. 6:1-21)  “Nazarite” in Hebrew means “separate” or “dedicated.”  In the New Testament, John the Baptizer may have been under such a vow. 

U How does Samson break this vow in Judges 14:9-10?

U How would you characterize Samson’s personality?  (Note both positive and negative attributes.)

U What commonality is there in 14:6, 19; and 15:14?  Compare to 16:20.

U What was Samson’s weakness?

U One of the themes of Judges is “faithfulness vs unfaithfulness.”  How was Samson faithful and/or unfaithful?  Is the Lord faithful to Samson?

U How are we like Samson?  Isn’t it good to know that God is still faithful to us?

Soli Deo Gloria

(To God alone be glory)

Book of the Month Club

The Passion of Christ

Suggested Readings*

Foot Washing: Jn 13:1-12

Last Supper:  Mt 26:17-29, Mk 14:12-25, Lk 22:7-22

Upper Room:  Mt 26:30-35, Mk 14:26-31, Lk 22:22-38, Jn 13:13—17:26

Gethsemane:  Mt 26:36-46, Mk 14:32-42, Lk 22:39-46, Jn 18:1

Arrest:  Mt 26:47-56, Mk 14:43-52, Lk 22:47-53, Jn 18:2-12a

1st Examination (Annas):  Jn 18:12b-23

2nd Examination (Caiphas):  Mt 26:57-68, Mk 14:53-65, Lk 22:54-65, Jn 18:24-27

Trial (Sanhedrin):  Mt 27:1, Mk 15:1, Lk 22:66-71,

Trial before Pilate:  Mt 27:2-14, Mk 15:1-5, Lk 23:1-5, Jn 18:28-38

Trial before Herod:  Lk 23:6-12,

2nd Trial before Pilate:  Mt 27:15-26, Mk 15:6-15, Lk 23:13-25, Jn 18:39--19:16

Mockery, Procession:  Mt 27:27-34, Mk 15:16-23, Jn 19:2-3, 16-17

Crucifixion (First 3 hours):  Mt 27:35-44, Mk 15:24-32, Lk 23:34-43, Jn 19:18-27

Crucifixion (Last 3 hours):  Mt 27: 45-49, Mk 15:33-36, Jn 19:28-29

Death:  Mt 27:50-56, Mk 15:37-41, Lk 23:44-49, Jn 19:30

Burial:  Mt 27:57-61, Mk 15:42-47, Lk 23:50-56, Jn 19:31-42

*There are several options for you as you go over these readings:

1.  Concentrate on reading one (or two) of the Gospel accounts of the Passion.

2.  You can read each Gospel Passion straight through, (i.e. Matthew, then Mark, Luke, John).

3.  Using the above chart, you can read about each Passion event in all Gospels.  Note the differences and variations in each Gospel. 

4.  Do both 2 and 3. 

Other suggested comparisons:

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Betrayal: Mt 26:31-35; Mk 14:27-31; Lk 22:31-44; Jn 13:31-38

Peter’s Betrayals: Mt 26:69-75; Mk 14:66-72; Lk 22:56-62; Jn 18:15-18, 25-26

Jesus’ Words from the Cross: Lk 23:24; Lk 23:39-43; Jn 19:25-27; Mt 27:46 & Mk 15:34; Jn 19:28-29 (c.f. Mt 27:48-49); Jn 19:30; Lk 23:46.

Assignment

As you read, make a few notes of any questions, insights, or things that touched you personally.  If you wish, you can share these with other participants at the next Book of the Month Bible Study.

Coming Soon—The Resurrection!

Book of the Month Club

The Resurrection of Christ

Suggested Readings

The Women Go to the Tomb: Mt 28:1; Mk 16:1

Opening of the Tomb: Mt 28:2-4

Women at the Tomb: Mt 28:5-8; Mk 16:2-8; Lu 24:1-8; Jn 20:1

Report to the Disciples: Lu 24:9-12; Jn 20:2-10

Appearance to Mary Magdalene: Mk 16:9-11; Jn 20:11-18

Appearance to the Women: Mt 28:9-10

Report of the Guards: Mt 28:11-15

Appearance on the Road to Emmaus: Mk 16:12-13; Lu 24:13-35

Appearance to the Ten: Mk 16:14; Lu 24:36-43; Jn 20:19-25

Appearance to Thomas: Jn 20:26-31

Appearance at Sea of Galilee: Jn 21:1-25

Commissioning of the Disciples: Mt 28:16-20; Mk 16:15-18; Lu 24:44-49; Act 1:1-8

Ascension of Christ: Mk 16:19-20; Lu 24:50-53; Act 1:9-11

Appearances to Saul (Paul): Acts 9:1-9, See also 22:3-16; Acts 22:17-20; 23:11.

Commissioning of Saul: Acts 9:10-19, See also 22:17-16

Other Resurrection References: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (9-57); 1 Peter 1:3-4, 3:18-22; Romans 10:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Questions to think about?

What was the angels’ message to those at the tomb?

To whom did Jesus appear first?

When did the two men on the road to Emmaus realize their companion was Jesus?

How did Jesus greet the disciples when He appeared in the locked room?

Why is John 20:22-23 so important?

What word do we use to describe Thomas? (cf Jn 20:26-29 but note John 11:16)

Note the significance of John 20:29-31 for Christians today

How does John 21 relate to “fishers of men?” To Peter’s three denials of Jesus?

Why is the resurrection so crucial to Christians? See Romans 10:9 & 1 Corinthians 15:13-22, 54b-57.

The Women Go to the Tomb         Mt 28:1; Mk 16:1