Bible Study #1

today was our first bible study! hooray! here are the notes for yall who couldn't come (or if you just wanna read more about it).

we talked about what it means to be a christian and why we arechristians. and then we mentioned the importance of "mysterious evidence"... how god works in our lives in mysterious ways, and how unexplainable things can be evidence of god for you even if you have don't always have concrete evidence to back up your faith (although that can be a good thing to have sometimes).

Some people believe in Jesus or reject Jesus without ever considering the evidence for either side. Have you ever really thought about why you believe in Jesus as your Savior? Take a minute and think of the reasons (evidences) that have helped you make the decision to believe in or not to believe in Jesus.

Leading up to his death, Jesus was questioned many times by many different people. You can find the whole story in John 18-19, but here’s one of those times (John 18:19-24):

"19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20"I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." 22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. 23"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest."

Is it possible to make a totally rational decision about whether or not to follow Jesus Christ, or is it something less than “rational” (or more than rational)?

This week reflect on what you would say if you were asked why you celebrate Easter and also imagine that you are now the one on trial and Jesus is the judge. How well prepared would you say that you are?

We also read talked about the story of Ruth and Naomi and talked about how God provided for them in a mysterious way through Boaz. The Message's version of Ruth 2:5-12 says...

5Boaz asked his young servant who was foreman over the farm hands, "Who is this young woman? Where did she come from?"

6The foreman said, "Why, that's the Moabite girl, the one who came with Naomi from the country of Moab. 7She asked permission. "Let me glean,' she said, "and gather among the sheaves following after your harvesters.' She's been at it steady ever since, from early morning until now, without so much as a break."

8Then Boaz spoke to Ruth: "Listen, my daughter. From now on don't go to any other field to glean--stay right here in this one. And stay close to my young women. 9Watch where they are harvesting and follow them. And don't worry about a thing; I've given orders to my servants not to harass you. When you get thirsty, feel free to go and drink from the water buckets that the servants have filled."

10She dropped to her knees, then bowed her face to the ground. "How does this happen that you should pick me out and treat me so kindly--me, a foreigner?"

11Boaz answered her, "I've heard all about you--heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to live among a bunch of total strangers. 12GOD reward you well for what you've done--and with a generous bonus besides from GOD, to whom you've come seeking protection under his wings."