OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

“One Night With the King,” starring Peter O’Toole, Tiffany DuPont, Luke Goss and Omar Sharif was the 2006 movie depicting the unlikely love story between Hadassah, a beautiful Jewess, and the powerful Xerxes, the king of Persia.  This coming Monday night we begin our in-depth study of this curious Old Testament book of Esther.

To prepare for our introduction to the book, plan to read through the ten chapters at least once, in one sitting, prior to Monday night.  In addition, ponder the following points/questions:

1.  Who are the main characters?

2.  What else is happening in the world at this time?  In other words, place this story within the context of history, both biblical and secular.

3.  Summarize the primary points of the story.

4.  What peculiarities do you notice about this book of Esther?

5.  What is/are the purpose(s) of the book?

Instructions for downloading additional notes will be emailed to you.

See you Monday at 7 pm!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

The Dominguez family has four children:  Paola (12), Saul (9), Julieta (6) and Crystal (5).  They regularly receive food from Coast Hills Church’s food ministry.  Here are the instructions for filling their Christmas stocking:

• Purchase one $15 – $25 gift card per child to one of the following stores: Target, Walmart, or Toys R Us.

• Purchase a Bible (or New Testaments are available in the Coast Hills Bookstore for $2.00).

• Optional items: Children’s Christmas books, candy, or other fun stocking stuffers.

• We must be able to pin shut the stocking.

• We will write a brief note from our group in the cloth square on the back of the stocking.

• The filled stocking must be returned to Coast Hills Church no later than Sunday, November 29th.

If you are interested and willing to participate, then either post a comment to this blog, or email me with what you plan to do, so that I can coordinate our efforts.  You can bring purchased gift cards to next Monday’s study.

Check back to this blog in a couple days for information about our next book study of Esther.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Our study is growing … in numbers … and in wisdom!

The O.T. prophet Hosea wrote that God sometimes spoke through His prophets using “parables” (12:10).  These are analogies, or types, or symbols.  As we wrap-up our study of the book of Ruth this next Monday, we will focus more closely on the prophetic symbolism of the book.  Here are questions to aid your preparation.

1.  The city elders bless the actions of Boaz by invoking the memories of Rachel, Leah and Tamar (4:11-12) … why?

2.  They also bless Boaz with the hope that he would “become famous in Bethlehem.” How did this occur?

3.  In 4:14, the women of the city also bless Naomi with the hope that her redeemer would also “become famous in Israel.” How/when did this occur?

4.  In what ways may Boaz serve as a type of Jesus Christ as our kinsman-redeemer?

5.  Ruth may serve as a type of whom?

6.  Who introduces Ruth to Boaz?  May this unnamed person serve as a type of someone?

7.  Naomi may serve as a type of whom?

8. Whom might the “nearer kinsman” represent?

Roc returns from his business travels and promises to bring the dessert, which will be served at 7 pm.  The study starts shortly after that … see you Monday!

~ tr

P.S.  You may also want to get a head start on our next book study:  the O.T. book of Esther.

Gentlemen,

As we attempt to cover Ruth 3:15 – 4:12 this next Monday, here are questions to facilitate your preparation:

1. What are some of the potential multiple meanings for the “six measures of barley” that Boaz gave Ruth in 3:15?

2. Why are ten elders of the city selected by Boaz to “sit down” in the city gate (4:2)?

3. How was it possible for Naomi to “sell the piece of land” which belonged to her deceased husband, Elimelech (4:3)?

4. What is significant about how Boaz identifies “Ruth the Moabitess” in 4:5?

5. Why did the nearer kinsman change his mind about redeeming Elimelech’s land (4:6)?

6. The city elders bless the actions of Boaz by invoking the memories of Rachel, Leah and Tamar (4:11-12) … why?

Dessert is served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that … see you Monday!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Consider these five questions prior to Monday night’s study:

1.  What does Naomi mean by the word, “security” (rest) in Ruth 3:1?

2.  What is Naomi proposing that Ruth do in 3:3-4?

3.  Ponder Ruth‘s reply and response in 3:5-6.

4.  What does Ruth mean by the phrase, “spread your covering” in 3:9?

5.  What is the significance of the “six measures of barley” that Boaz gave Ruth in 3:15?

The study starts at 7 pm, at my home!

~ tr

P.S.  Check out Nate’s new ministry blog!  The link is on the right-side toolbar:  Nate’s News.

Gentlemen,

Monday night’s Bible study on Ruth will be held at our home.  Dessert will be served at 7 pm, so arrive a few minutes early, if you like.

Here are several questions to aid your preparation for the study:

1.  Describe Boaz‘s response to Ruth after his servant identifies her (2:8-9, 11-12, 14-16).

2.  What prophetic symbolism might there be to Boaz’s offer of “bread” and “vinegar” in 2:14?

3.  How large is an “ephah of barley”? (2:17)

4.  Does a proverbial “light come on” in Naomi‘s mind in 2:20?  See also 3:1-2.

5.  What is the O.T. “Law of Redemption”?  See Leviticus 25:47-50.

6.  What is the O.T. “Law of Levirate Marriage”?  See Deuteronomy 25:5-10.

7.  What is the significance of the “wheat harvest” mentioned in 2:23?

~ tr

What did rural Mississippi have to offer a young black man in the 1960s?  He could stay in the system and live in poverty, he could join the civil rights movement and protest, or he could leave.

Dolphus Weary chose the latter, stating, “Someday I’m leavin’ Mississippi and I ain’t never comin’ back.” Dolphus did leave in 1969 and became one of the first black students ever to graduate from the previously all-white Los Angeles Baptist College.   Subsequently, he has earned a M.R.E., a M.Ed. and a D.Min.

He also returned to Mississippi to work with Mendenhall Ministries, a multi-faceted, Christian Community Development organization, where he served for 27 years.

Currently, Dolphus divides a busy schedule between two organizations:

• Rural Education and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) Christian Foundation – connecting economic and technical resources with rural Christian ministries.
• Mission Mississippi – a racial reconciliation ministry that encourages unity within the Body of Christ in the state of Mississippi.

He also serves on the boards of multiple organizations, including Belhaven College, Catholic Charities, Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and WorldVision.

~  ~  ~

Gentlemen,

Dolphus is a long-time friend, with whom Deb and I ministered in Mississippi.  The title of his talk is “The Church as God’s Agent of Reconciliation.” He is a tremendous resource person, as well, in terms of church-based ministries to effectively reach the poor for Christ.  There will be ample time for Q&A, too.

Feel free to bring guests.  Please note the time:  6-8 pm.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Here are four questions to aid your preparation for Monday night’s study:

1. Contrast Ruth’s affirmations in 1:16-17 with Naomi’s accusations in 1:20-21.
2. What do we know about Boaz?
3. Describe the O.T. “laws of gleaning.”
4. How does coincidence relate to God’s sovereignty?

Mark has promised to bring the dessert.  See you by 7 pm!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click on the link in the right-side toolbar to automatically receive an email notification every time a new post is made to our blog.

~ tr

P.S.  Roc is back from Rwanda!  He will share some of his experiences with us at Monday night’s study.  Remember to check out some of the questions in the previous post to prepare for the study.

Gentlemen,

After a quick review last night, we made solid progress in the book of Ruth … three verses!  It’s great to be back into an in-depth study of God’s Word!

To prepare for next week and the remainder of chapter one, consider these questions:

1. After the death of her husband and two sons, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem.  What motivated her:  desperation, faith, or something else?
2. Ruth responds to Naomi with an oft-quoted (sometimes sung) affirmation in 1:16-17.  Identify the component parts.
3. Contrast Naomi’s four-fold accusations upon her arrival in Bethlehem in 1:20-21.
4. What is the significance of the “barley harvest” mentioned in 1:22?

Bob promises to bring next week’s dessert … should be good … as usual!

The study starts at 7 pm … see you before then!

~ tr