Category Archives: Bible

Rethinking slavery in the Old Testament

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‘Slavery’ is one of those words that tends to prompt a knee-jerk reaction.  ‘The Bible condones slavery; how can we then take the Bible seriously on this or any other matter?’

But hold on for a moment, urges Gordon Wenham.  Maybe we are too ready to read back into the Old Testament teaching on slavery our own ideas about what is actually meant by that term.  Maybe ‘slavery’ isn’t even the best word to use.  What if Exodus 21:2, instead of being translated,

‘When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.’…

Discussion starters, Acts 18:1-28

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(a) Aquila and Priscilla had a lot in common with Paul, and became his life-long friends (see Rom. 16:3 and 2 Tim. 4:19).  Why do you think that Priscilla is usually mentioned first?  What evidence can you see in this chapter of how effective they were as a team?  How important is team-work between a Christian husband and wife?

(b) What do you think was inadequate, or incomplete, about Apollos’ understanding of the Christian faith?  What do you think was the content of the ‘more adequate’ explanation that he received from Priscilla and Aquila? …

Starting-points for studying Exodus

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What the Exodus story means for us will depend to a large extent on our own point of view.  John Goldingay discusses a number of ‘lenses’ through which Exodus has been, and continues to be, seen.

1. Pietism.  The pietist ‘lens’ is concern with my personal relationship with God.  Biblical stories then become ‘lessons’ or templates for how God deals with us today.  In typical Goldingay fashion, however, there is a reluctance to affirm that the story of Moses and exodus prefigure God’s saving work in Christ.  …

Discussion Starters, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26

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1. Which is more important: physical healing, or the forgiveness of sins?  Why?  And why do you think the two are linked together on this occasion?

2. Surely, healing and forgiveness are good things?  So why do you think the Jewish authorities we so resentful of what Jesus did?

3. In what ways can we follow in Jesus’ footsteps by bringing God’s healing and forgiveness to others?…

Discussion Starters, John 2:1-11

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(a) Jesus’ miracles are often referred to in John’s Gospel as ‘signs’.  Why do you think this might be?  If this miracle is a ‘sign’, then what does it point to?

(b) Jesus transforms something ordinary (water) into something special (good wine).  In what ways have you seen, or would you like to see, Jesus’ transforming power in your own life and relationships?

 …

Discussion Starters, Mk 11:1-11; Mt 21:1-11

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The Triumphal Entry

(a) Looking back over Mark’s Gospel, what evidence can you see that Jesus has been expecting for a long time to end up in Jerusalem?

(b) There is something distinctly kingly about our Lord’s ‘triumphal entry’ into Jerusalem. But in what ways is this entry different from what would have been expected of an earthly ruler?

(c) On Palm Sunday, the crowd sang “Hosanna!” Just a few days later, they shouted “Crucify him!”…

Discussion Starters, Lk 2:1-21

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1. In Luke 2:19 we read that ‘Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.’  How do you think Luke knew that?

2. What, in particular in this passage, do you think that Mary would have really ‘treasured’ and ‘pondered’?

3.  Which aspects of the story of Jesus’ birth are most likely to be neglected in the way that Christmas is celebrated today?

God might have been expected to announce the birth of his Son with a flourish: but he choose otherwise.…

Discussion starters, Ephesians 3:1-13

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1. What hints are there in this passage of what Paul’s feelings were at the time that he wrote this? What feelings do these truths arouse in you?

2. Paul regards himself as a ‘prisoner of Christ Jesus’ for the sake of others (verse 1). What would we be willing to do, or to give up, for the sake of those we seek to serve?

3. Why did Paul regard himself as ‘less than the least of all God’s people’ (verse 8)?…

Discussion Starters, Mt 5:1-12, Lk 6:20-26

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(a) Try composing an alternative set of ‘beatitudes’, based on popular opinion.  How would these compare with the ‘real’ beatitudes taught by Jesus?

(b) Rudyard Kipling spoke of his ‘six honest serving men’:-

I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why
and When And How and Where and Who.

Interrogate the beatitudes by asking questions such as…

  • Who are ‘the poor in spirit’?
  • When will ‘the meek inherit the earth’?
…

Discussion starters, Phil 2:19-30

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  1. At first sight, this rather personal and practical section seems unconnected to the great themes that Paul has been exploring so far in the letter. But have a closer look: do you see any ways in which this section picks up any of the concerns that Paul has mentioned earlier in chapter 2?
  1. Verse 22 reflects the fact that, in New Testament times, sons would often be trained by their fathers in the family trade. In what ways have you benefited from a more experienced Christian taking you under his or her wing?
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