Here at Lancaster First UMC, I am privileged to be part of two weekly bible study groups that study the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday worship services.
New Sermon Series – “Movie Month”
Movies & Faith
February 13 – Movie: “The Enchanted Cottage”
I Samuel 16:2-12
- V. 4 – The fear of the people might reflect north/south tension of Israel
- V. 7 – This is a direct contrast to Saul who had the external appearance of a king but lacked the internal qualities.
- The same story appears in I Chronicles 2:13-14. That passage only includes 7 sons.
- V. 11 – David wasn’t present reminding us of the story when Saul wasn’t present either when he was to be selected King. The stories of Saul & David play off of each other by the biblical writers.
- Questions for Discussion: 1) If the outward appearance isn’t important to God, then why does verse 12 refer to David as being handsome? 2) What are the inner qualities that God is looking for in his followers? 3) How can this scripture help us today, especially since we live in a very outward appearance driven society with celebrities and stardom?
4) How can we focus more on someone’s internal character rather than on his/her outward looks?
Isaiah 53:1-7
- Isaiah is broken into three authors/historical periods of Israel’s history – 1) pre-Babylonian exile - chapters 1-39 2) Babylonian exile – chapters 40 – 55 3) post-Babylonian exile – chapters 56 – 66
As a prophet, Isaiah was warning people of their sins and injustice as well as announcing hope for God’s redemption and future messianic kingdom.
- Isaiah speaks of a “suffering servant.” It’s unclear if this is referring to the prophet himself, to Israel as a whole, to a future king, or a blending of all of these possibilities.
- Verses 4-6 In this passage, the suffering of the servant will be on behalf of others.
- Verse 6 refers to the scapegoat from Lev. 16:20-22 in which a sheep was driven from the camp of Israel as a visible sign of God removing Israel’s sins.
- The gospel writers saw this passage and the suffering servant as referring to Jesus. See Matt. 8:17, I Peter 2:22-25, & Phil. 2:6-11
- John Wesley saw these verses along with this text from Isaiah as the heart of the good news of our faith. This is how we are saved from our sins and made right with God.
New Sermon Series – “Movie Month”
Movies & Faith
February 13 – Movie: “The Enchanted Cottage”
I Samuel 16:2-12
- V. 4 – The fear of the people might reflect north/south tension of Israel
- V. 7 – This is a direct contrast to Saul who had the external appearance of a king but lacked the internal qualities.
- The same story appears in I Chronicles 2:13-14. That passage only includes 7 sons.
- V. 11 – David wasn’t present reminding us of the story when Saul wasn’t present either when he was to be selected King. The stories of Saul & David play off of each other by the biblical writers.
- Questions for Discussion: 1) If the outward appearance isn’t important to God, then why does verse 12 refer to David as being handsome? 2) What are the inner qualities that God is looking for in his followers? 3) How can this scripture help us today, especially since we live in a very outward appearance driven society with celebrities and stardom?
4) How can we focus more on someone’s internal character rather than on his/her outward looks?
Isaiah 53:1-7
- Isaiah is broken into three authors/historical periods of Israel’s history – 1) pre-Babylonian exile - chapters 1-39 2) Babylonian exile – chapters 40 – 55 3) post-Babylonian exile – chapters 56 – 66
As a prophet, Isaiah was warning people of their sins and injustice as well as announcing hope for God’s redemption and future messianic kingdom.
- Isaiah speaks of a “suffering servant.” It’s unclear if this is referring to the prophet himself, to Israel as a whole, to a future king, or a blending of all of these possibilities.
- Verses 4-6 In this passage, the suffering of the servant will be on behalf of others.
- Verse 6 refers to the scapegoat from Lev. 16:20-22 in which a sheep was driven from the camp of Israel as a visible sign of God removing Israel’s sins.
- The gospel writers saw this passage and the suffering servant as referring to Jesus. See Matt. 8:17, I Peter 2:22-25, & Phil. 2:6-11
- John Wesley saw these verses along with this text from Isaiah as the heart of the good news of our faith. This is how we are saved from our sins and made right with God.
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1 comment:
I am anxious to read this sermon. I wish that I was able to be there and hear it in person.
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