Revelation--Discussion II

Please read Revelation 13-22, concentrating on the last four chapters. Take a passage and note whether the preterit, historical, futurist, or allegorical interpretation seems to work best in that case.

Alternative assignment: Cite a couple of verses from this section that show particularly well the beauties of this book or that show how difficult the book is to understand and interpret.

Revelation--Discussion I

Please read the first 12 chapters of Revelation for Thursday's class.

Do you find Revelation a difficult book? A beautiful book? Something of both? Cite a verse or two from the first 12 chapters that particular shows either the beautiful side or Revelation or the difficulties of figuring out this book.

James

Please read my list of study questions on the Epistle of James (the first nine questions on the link here), and then James itself. Suggest an answer to one or two of the study questions and cite or two a verse from James in support of your answer.

I Peter (Extra Credit)

None of us likes the feeling that we have failed at something, but, sooner or later, all of us seem to fail--and sometimes we feel like we have failed the really big test: life itself.

Peter certainly could understand the feeling that one is a failure: it was a feeling he sometimes shared. In I Peter, however, he provides us with a recipe for true success in life.

Please read through all of I Peter. Cite below a verse or two that seem to you to be particularly good examples of Peter's advice for success in life. Explain why you chose these particular verses.

Ephesians

Please read all of Ephesians. Choose one of the questions below and select a verse that particular helps in answering that question.

1. What seem to be the most import ethical challenges the Ephesian Christians are facing?

2. In what ways does Ephesians seem different than Romans and Corinthians?

3. What specific standards does Paul set for servants, masters, children, wives, and husbands? Is he right is saying that the husband is the “head” of the wife? How do Paul’s ideas differ from those of contemporary society?

4. What is Paul’s advice to leaders on handling ethical problems?

Romans

For next Tuesday, please read my study questions on Romans and then as much as you can of Paul's letter to the Romans. From the chapters you read, pick out a verse or two that you think is a particularly important part of Paul's recipe for helping Jewish and gentile believers get along with one another. Cite also a verse you find particularly puzzling and explain why you find this verse hard to understand.

Alternatively, you might take a stab at explaining the verse another student found difficult/confusing or at answering one of the study questions.

Jude and II Peter

Please read *all* of Jude and II Peter (only four chapters total) and respond to *both* of the following prompts:

1.  In what ways are Jude and I Peter similar?  How are they different?  How do you account for these similarities and differences?

2.  Pick out one verse from Jude and one verse from II Peter that you find particularly interesting, important, or hard to understand, and comment below on what you find interesting, difficult, or important in those verses.

A return to Corinth (extra Credit)

Peter noted that Paul's letters included a lot of wisdom, but also things that were "hard to understand."  What do you see here that someone like Peter might have considered particular wise? What things might he be referring to when he says that there are things "hard to understand?

I Corinthians

Please read as much as you can of I Corinthians. If you are short of time, read Chapters 1-3, Chapters 6-7, and Chapters 12-13. Choose any one verse in I Corinthians you think particularly interesting, important, or hard to understand, and explain why you think this verse interesting, important, or hard to understand.

Acts--Discussion II

Please review this summary of our class discussion on elements helpful to the survival and spread of a religious movement.  Then read Chapters 13-28 of Acts. Choose a verse or an incident from this section that seems to you particularly important in explaining one of those factors the class agreed might be helpful in the success of a religious movement.  Explain your choice.