OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

Let us all resolve to read through the entire Bible in 2012!  Check out the links at the top of the right-side toolbar: 2012 Bible Reading Plans.  You will find scores of options available to help make this resolution a reality:

• Print out a plan to tuck away in your Bible.
• Bookmark a plan in your browser for online reading.
• Enroll to have a daily reading emailed to you.
• Set up your mobile device to receive a daily reading.
• You can even choose to listen to the daily reading!

Let us all resolve to study the Scriptures in more depth than ever before in 2012!  Check out the links in the second section of the right-side toolbar: Bible Study Tools.  The newest addition is a very robust Bible study tool for the iPhone.  More tools will be added throughout the year.

Let us all resolve to live the Word of God throughout 2012!  The accountability that comes from consistent participation with the “OC Bereans” will help us all to be more faithful with this resolution.

Enough men requested it, so we plan to meet this coming Monday, January 2nd, at 7 pm.  Roc even promised to bring dinner!

Click here for the Daniel 7 handout and bring it with you.  In lieu of my normal list of questions, simply read through the chapter in preparation for our study, looking for patterns, key words, or anything that seems to “jump off the page” at you.

See you next year!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

The church where I am working part-time, Pacific Pointe, will not hold corporate worship this Sunday morning.  Instead, we encouraged all our households to celebrate Christmas in their homes, with their families.  To facilitate this, we created a tool … “Christmas-in-a-Box”!  In fact, our own Scott H. donated 150 cardboard boxes to the church; the high school group assembled the boxes; and our children’s church decorated them with crayons and stickers.  They look very creative!

We then filled them with several items:  step-by-step instructions for leading family worship, Christmas carols, portable Communion elements, even an offering envelope!  We challenged our dads, grandpas, uncles, etc., to LEAD their families in 15 minutes of worship before they tear into their presents.

If you were at this past Monday’s study, then you already received copies of the instructions.  For those not with us, you can click on the links below to download and print copies for your use this Sunday. Buy some grape juice, or a bottle of wine, and a small bread roll for Communion.  Make copies of the carols for everyone present.  Get everyone involved in discussing the questions.

Remember my tried-and-true ministry adage:

• Speak to basic human need.
• Use terms that people understand.
• Focus sharply on Jesus Christ!

May this simple idea facilitate your efforts to lead your families in worshiping the infant-king … Jesus, the Savior of the world!

• Family Christmas
• Communion
• Carols

Abide in the Vine!

~ tr

P.S.  Remember, we will NOT meet for Bible study this coming Monday, Dec. 26th … our next study is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 2, at 7 pm.

Gentlemen,

Click here for the Daniel 6:10-28 Notes from tonight’s study.  This concludes the historical narrative of the book of Daniel.  Chapters 7-12 will focus on Daniel’s dreams, visions, prophecies and prayers.

In addition, click here for the handout: A Christmas Surprise: Who Were the Magi?  This reveals an interesting connection between our study of Daniel and Christmas.

Make this weekend a memorable celebration with your family and friends as you reflect on the wonder of God’s grace.

See you next year!  No Bible study next Monday, December 26th, but we will meet on Monday, January 2nd.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

This is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible.  We will start our discussion at Daniel 6:10, then unpack the story through verse 28.  Scroll down the page for the link to download the Daniel 6 handout two posts ago.  Here are questions to aid your preparation for Monday night’s study:

• Was Daniel’s response in v. 10 spontaneous or premeditated?
• The contents of his prayer may be found in Daniel 9:1-19.  What specific things does Daniel pray about?
• How did the plot against Daniel (6:14) affect King Darius?  Why?
• How would you describe the king’s attitude in v. 16?
• How would you describe the king’s actions in v. 18?
• Why do you think God sent an angel to Daniel, instead of simply commanding the lions’ mouths shut?  (v. 22)
• What does King Darius attest about God in vv. 26-27?

Roc is bringing the goodies … arrive by 7 pm to enjoy them … then we’ll start the study shortly after that … we have a “special guest” from Thailand who promises to make an appearance, too!  🙂

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click here for the Daniel 6:1-10 Notes from tonight’s stimulating study.  I will post additional questions for your study of the remainder of chapter six later in the week.

In the meantime … like Daniel … resolve to pray for each other!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

These five words explain “in a nutshell” what Daniel chapter 6 is all about.  Once again, the sovereignty of God is supreme!

Click here for the Daniel 6 handout and bring it with you to Monday night’s study.  In lieu of my normal list of questions, simply read through the chapter in preparation for our study, looking for patterns, key words, or anything that seems to “jump off the page” at you.

Dessert will be served at 7 pm, with the study starting shortly after that.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Those are the meanings of the words – MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN – written mysteriously on the wall of King Belshazzar’s throne room on the last night of his life.  Click here for the rest of the Daniel 5 Notes from tonight’s power-packed Bible study.

A very special thanks to Scott for sharing from his heart tonight! … we were all blessed.

Continue to pray for the needs mentioned tonight.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Have you ever used this phrase – “the handwriting on the wall” – to refer to something imminent or inevitable?  On Monday night, we will study the original context for this phrase in the book of Daniel.  Click here for the Daniel 5 handout and bring it with you to the study.

Here are ten questions to ponder as you prepare for Monday night:

1. Is there any significance to the mention that King Belshazzar was “drinking wine in the presence of” his guests?  (v. 1)
2. What else have we already learned about the vessels that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem?  (see Daniel 1:2)
3. What is ironic about what occurs in Daniel 5:4?
4. Describe in your own words Belshazzar’s reaction to the fingers writing on the wall?  (v. 6)
5. The reward for interpreting the inscription was to be placed in the third position of authority in Babylon … behind whom?  (v. 7)
6. Why did Belshazzar grow more alarmed in vv. 8-9?
7. Who is the queen?  (v. 10)
8. It appears that Belshazzar did not know about Daniel … how is that possible?
9. Describe Daniel’s answer to the king’s offer.  (vv. 17-24)
10. Reflect on Belshazzar’s final, official action … what does it remind you of?  (v. 29)

Scott H. is bringing the dessert by 7 pm … plan on arriving by then to enjoy it! … before we start the study.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Tonight’s Bible study was energizing! … oftentimes, I cannot get to sleep for hours afterwards.  Click here for the Daniel 4 Notes.

In addition, I prepared this bonus handout showing what God thinks of pride … click here for Scripture on Pride.

Let’s all benefit from the hard lessons learned by King Nebuchadnezzar, and daily practice what he did after his “reason was restored” … namely, “praising, exalting and honoring the King of heaven”!

Questions for Daniel 5 will be posted later this week.  In the meantime, remember to pray for each other.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” ~ Proverbs 16:18

King Nebuchadnezzar certainly illustrates this axiom in Daniel 4, plus he testifies to the results of repentance.  Download the Daniel 4 handout and bring it with you Monday night.  In addition, think about these questions as you read through the chapter:

• Nebuchadnezar was warned of God’s coming judgment, yet did nothing about it.  What does that reveal about his “faith”?
• How did this change by the end of the chapter?
• What keeps us from repenting even when we are clear about our wrongdoing?
• In what ways have you seen pride function as a destructive force?
• How do you suppose Nebuchadnezzar approached his kingdom differently after receiving his second chance?

Rick H. is bringing the dessert, which will be served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that.

~ tr