HM - Bible study

Jan/Feb '05 Bible Study

This is the first installment of what we hope to become a regular and well-used feature –a long overdue Bible study pertaining to the most recent issue of HM Magazine.

Please feel free (and encouraged) to print this out and use it in small (or large) groups. We hope to provoke discussion and a close, analytical and intelligent look at the Scriptures. Feel free to email us and offer any feedback and/or criticism that will help further these discussions in the future. Some questions will have a corresponding Bible reference. Try to ask the question first (unless otherwise instructed), and then read the Scripture passage(s) and see if it provides more “light” to the subject and/or affirms the answers given. Each Scripture is not to be seen as the “right” answer to each question, but only as a “prompter” or just one voice (among many) for the conversation.

Saved!
In the DVD review of the movie Saved, several questions are posed:

Should we really try to make Jesus look cool? (1 Peter 5:5)

Are the superficial games of popularity in high school something followers of Christ should be playing? (Philippians 2:3-4)

Are non-believers “projects” that we convert to make ourselves feel better? How do we answer this question in light of Matthew 28:19-20?

Do parents and leaders have an obligation to live by higher standards because they are being watched by youngsters? (Luke 17:1-4; Matthew 18:1-6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18)

How valid are outward appearances in judging our walks with God? (1 Samuel 16:7, Leviticus 19:27-28)

How should confessed sin be treated in a community setting? (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:19-22; Genesis 9:20-25)

Company Verse
On page 10, next to the “Letters to the Editor” section, under the “masthead” of staff writers are listed two Scripture passages. What do they mean? What is their context? What do they say about God and His character? Why did HM include them?

1. John 4:10

2. Psalm 62

The “Ministry” of the Musician
In the Anberlin story (pages 34 & 35), drummer Nathan Young refers to the band as being a “job,” to which the writer references Calvin’s thought of vocation. Is being a musician a valid vocation? Read Genesis 4:20-22 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. Do either of these verses (or others) make you think that being a musician is any less or any greater than any other vocation? Why or why not?

In Esther 4:14, Mordecai poses the question that the opportunity that Esther is about to have in the presence of a powerful and influential person might be her destiny. When an artist is at the microphone on stage at your nearby church or club, is that necessarily or always “such a time as this” (the God-ordained time to speak up)? Why or why not? How do we know when it’s time to speak up? And how do we know when it’s time to keep a low profile and “just do your job?”

The band Showbread talked about “planting seeds” (pages 38 & 39). Where does this metaphor come from? What is its meaning? (Read Matthew 13:1-23) How does this verse apply or not apply in this context?

Who is Jesus?
In the “Taking Back Sunday Says” article, Matt and Eddie respond to the “What do you think of Jesus Christ’ question with a sense of humor and a respectful reference to “the story.” In a nutshell, what is the story of Christ?

Matt also made reference to the times and culture of Christ’s time on earth 2,000 years ago. In what ways does the context of His culture add weight to or explain the claims that He made? (For example: John 14:6; John 10:24-30; John 8:56-59).

Eddie explained that one of the reasons he always had a girlfriend was so that he could participate in holidays. Can you think of a few reasons on why God would direct His people to celebrate several festivals and holidays? Can you think of other purposes beyond rest that celebrating holy days might accomplish?

Intermission
On page 51, author John J. Thompson makes a claim that believers need to be setting examples of good works so that outsiders will listen up when we talk. How does 1 Peter 2:12 support or not support this? Why?

Columns
While Kemper Crabb’s column on The Christian & Art already serves as a great study of Scripture, let us look at one of his references – Revelation 4 & 5. Read it and describe in a short sentence or two what is happening. Why do you think the angels are repeating the word “holy” three times?

Chris Wighaman calls for us believers to be like David’s “Mighty Men,” who were committed to following God at all costs. Sometimes it’s very intimidating to look at a Bible hero and endeavor to be like him or her. Look at a description of the kind of people that joined “David’s Mighty Men” in 1 Samuel 22:2. Can you relate to any of those d-word descriptions? Do you think you qualify as being worthy of being used by God? Why or why not?

Greg Tucker gives us a prayer to pray. Pray that prayer on the bottom of page 61, but change the words to describe the work or vocation that you are involved in. Ask God to make you a living example in whatever you do – giving glory to your Creator and Redeemer.

The Back Page
“A wise man fights to win, but he is twice a fool who has no plan for possible defeat.” What did Louis L’Amour mean by that statement? How would this question Jesus asked (recorded in Luke 14:28) apply to this plan?

Return to Bible Study list