Question of the Day, 10/12/09

First, open the following link in a new window to get to Matthew 11.

Matthew 11.

Second, read Matthew 11:2-6.

Third, click play on the following video to get the question of the day. (If you're looking at this through Facebook, there will be no video - instead, click here to go to the full blog.)

"What does it mean to be blessed for not stumbling over Christ (sometimes translated, "takes no offense at Me")?"

Question of the Day, 10/8/09

First, open the following link in a new window to get to Isaiah 30.

Isaiah 30.

Second, read Isaiah 30:18-23.

Third, click play on the following video to get the question of the day. (If you're looking at this through Facebook, there will be no video - instead, click here to go to the full blog.)

"Those who wait on the Lord will be blessed. But who else in this passage is waiting for something? For what?"

The YGRV

What is the YGRV? The "Youth Group Revised Version." Heretical? Not at all.

The youth were studying Romans 2:17-29, which was is written to Jews who treat the externals of their religion as if they were sufficient for true faith. Paul soundly criticizes an "externals only" attitude. But how they studied it is actually a great technique to understand Scripture for anyone at any age.

The youth broke off into two teams and rewrote this passage to an audience of modern-day teenage Christians. It was a difficult exercise, but the results were excellent. Both teams clearly understood the passage because they so clearly reiterated the main ideas in modern language and circumstances. (You might even ask one of them about what they wrote.)

Here's the best part - I didn't have to teach a thing! They taught the passage to themselves. That's exactly what we want to create in all believers - the ability to study and understand Scripture on your own. Without it being an exercise "to learn how to study Scripture on your own," that's exactly what they did.

The lesson for us: One way to understand a passage is to try to rewrite it with modern trappings and language, without losing the meaning. If you can do with some level of accuracy, then you're obviously understanding the passage.

Question of the Day, 10/7/09

First, open the following link in a new window to get to Isaiah 30.

Isaiah 30.

Second, read Isaiah 30:18-23.

Third, click play on the following video to get the question of the day. (If you're looking at this through Facebook, there will be no video - instead, click here to go to the full blog.)

"What are the blessings in this passage for those who wait on the Lord?"

First, open the following link in a new window to get to Isaiah 30.

Isaiah 30.

Second, read Isaiah 30:18-23.

Third, click play on the following video to get the question of the day. (If you're looking at this through Facebook, there will be no video - instead, click here to go to the full blog.)

"How can the Lord of justice be the one who wants to have compassion on us?"

Question of the Day, 10/5/09

First, open the following link in a new window to get to Isaiah 30.

Isaiah 30.

Second, read Isaiah 30:18-23.

Third, click play on the following video to get the question of the day. (If you're looking at this through Facebook, there will be no video - instead, click here to go to the full blog.)

"What does it mean to wait on the Lord?"

First, open the following link in a new window to get to Matthew 5.

Matthew 5.

Second, read Matthew 5:1-12.

Third, click play on the following video to get the question of the day. (If you're looking at this through Facebook, there will be no video - instead, click here to go to the full blog.)

"Are the blessings described rewards or the natural consequences of being that kind of person?"