We have been emphasizing "words" this week. They are very important in communicating ideas to us. We can hear a word, and many words will form pictures in our minds. Words are an expression of something else.
Words are so important that the biblical writer, John, chose that term to refer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (See John 1:1.) Later in that chapter we are told that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word was (and is) Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the divine expression of the Father. If you want to know what God the Father is like, look at Jesus!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Response Posting--Important Words
As you continue this week, keep asking and answering questions about the content of your materials. It would also be good for you to ask each other questions about the important words in your materials. You could also share some of your "word-detective" experiences.
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Important Words
I hope you have already picked out three words to do your "word detective" assignment on. If you haven't, be sure and do that today. Hopefully, though, you have and you have a homemade definition for each of them. Maybe you have had to tweak that definition if that first guess did not seem to fit when the word was used again. You might even have two guesses--"It might be this, or it might be this."
After you have read all your chapters or watched your DVD's, you can finish the assignment. That report will go something like this.
Important Word:
First "homemade definition":
Tweaked definition: (you might have several of these or none for the same word.)
Final Homemade definition: (This might actually be the same as your first guess.)
Dictionary definition that most closely matches your guess:
Give that report for each word. (Even if the dictionary definition does not match at all, give at least one that you think really fits how the word was used in your chapter, and chalk up your "wrong" guesses to learning experience. I suspect that most of the time, you will find that your guess was at least close, but if not, there was still value in this exercise.)
You still have today to ask each other questions for that third bonus point.
Your discusssions have actually been quite good. Keep up the good work!
On a side note, last night Rhonda and I went to pick up Larry and Ginger Sauvageot from the airport in St. Louis. They have been ministering in Australia for the last few months. They will be here for a day or two. Then they will be on the road again.
After you have read all your chapters or watched your DVD's, you can finish the assignment. That report will go something like this.
Important Word:
First "homemade definition":
Tweaked definition: (you might have several of these or none for the same word.)
Final Homemade definition: (This might actually be the same as your first guess.)
Dictionary definition that most closely matches your guess:
Give that report for each word. (Even if the dictionary definition does not match at all, give at least one that you think really fits how the word was used in your chapter, and chalk up your "wrong" guesses to learning experience. I suspect that most of the time, you will find that your guess was at least close, but if not, there was still value in this exercise.)
You still have today to ask each other questions for that third bonus point.
Your discusssions have actually been quite good. Keep up the good work!
On a side note, last night Rhonda and I went to pick up Larry and Ginger Sauvageot from the airport in St. Louis. They have been ministering in Australia for the last few months. They will be here for a day or two. Then they will be on the road again.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Becoming a "Word Detective"
Along with your regular assignments, we have one additional assignment this week.
1. Pick three or more important words as you go through your study this week. (A definition of "important words" will be below.
2. Look at the first use of that word and see how it seems to be used in that context. The context means to see how it is used in that particular sentence or paragraph.
3. Write down, in your own words, what the word seemed to mean in that sentence or phrase. (Important: DO NOT LOOK UP THE WORD IN A DICTIONARY OR EVEN AN ONLINE DICTIONARY.)
4. Each time you come to the word, look at the context again. See if the definition in your own words still seems to fit. If so, good. If not, change your definition to where it fits better. (Sometimes you may have two definitions that are slightly different. That is O.K. too. Keep both of them handy to use the next time you see the word.)
5. At the end of the week. Look up the words in a dictionary or online (for this exercise, do not do this until you have read your chapters of viewed all your DVD's for this). Then see if one of the definitions is close to your homemade definition. Write down the one that seems to be closest to what you came up with.
Three definition of "Important Words" for this exercise: (1) These are words that stand out as being the main thing that is discussed. These are also words that the author is emphasizing a lot.
(2) Another definition of important words for this type of exercise is: a word that has a common meaning but is being used in a very specialized way by this author. He may be giving an "unusual slant" upon this word.
(3) The most important words for you are the words with which you are unfamilar. They could be new words that you have never heard before. They could be words that you have a vague idea of what they might mean. They are the most difficult words. This could be a different group of words for each reader.
You are not limited to three words. Pick as many as you like. Don't agonize over which words to pick. If none stand out when you first read this, just pick three or more, and go through the steps mentioned above.
At the end of the week, you will be asked to tell us the words you chose, give us your first guess as to what it meant. Then give us the last guess as to what it meant when you have finished reading the chapters and have looked at it in different contexts. (These might be the same, but sometimes you refine your guess as you look at different sentences.) After that, you will give us the dictionary defintion that most closely resembled your homemade definition. (Sometimes you may have been completely off base--if so, just acknowledge that and write down the dictionary definition.) You will have learned a lot in this process, and you will have been actively engaged in your reading. Even if you missed the meaning of the word, it will probably really stick in your mind for future reading.
If you wish, as you go through this exercise, you can even mention what you are doing in your posts. The rest of us may also comment about what we have thought those words meant. The only thing that is off limits is to give the dictionary definitions for those particular words during the week. If the author of your book defines the word for you, of course that is all right. He has helped you out!
Happy Studying!
1. Pick three or more important words as you go through your study this week. (A definition of "important words" will be below.
2. Look at the first use of that word and see how it seems to be used in that context. The context means to see how it is used in that particular sentence or paragraph.
3. Write down, in your own words, what the word seemed to mean in that sentence or phrase. (Important: DO NOT LOOK UP THE WORD IN A DICTIONARY OR EVEN AN ONLINE DICTIONARY.)
4. Each time you come to the word, look at the context again. See if the definition in your own words still seems to fit. If so, good. If not, change your definition to where it fits better. (Sometimes you may have two definitions that are slightly different. That is O.K. too. Keep both of them handy to use the next time you see the word.)
5. At the end of the week. Look up the words in a dictionary or online (for this exercise, do not do this until you have read your chapters of viewed all your DVD's for this). Then see if one of the definitions is close to your homemade definition. Write down the one that seems to be closest to what you came up with.
Three definition of "Important Words" for this exercise: (1) These are words that stand out as being the main thing that is discussed. These are also words that the author is emphasizing a lot.
(2) Another definition of important words for this type of exercise is: a word that has a common meaning but is being used in a very specialized way by this author. He may be giving an "unusual slant" upon this word.
(3) The most important words for you are the words with which you are unfamilar. They could be new words that you have never heard before. They could be words that you have a vague idea of what they might mean. They are the most difficult words. This could be a different group of words for each reader.
You are not limited to three words. Pick as many as you like. Don't agonize over which words to pick. If none stand out when you first read this, just pick three or more, and go through the steps mentioned above.
At the end of the week, you will be asked to tell us the words you chose, give us your first guess as to what it meant. Then give us the last guess as to what it meant when you have finished reading the chapters and have looked at it in different contexts. (These might be the same, but sometimes you refine your guess as you look at different sentences.) After that, you will give us the dictionary defintion that most closely resembled your homemade definition. (Sometimes you may have been completely off base--if so, just acknowledge that and write down the dictionary definition.) You will have learned a lot in this process, and you will have been actively engaged in your reading. Even if you missed the meaning of the word, it will probably really stick in your mind for future reading.
If you wish, as you go through this exercise, you can even mention what you are doing in your posts. The rest of us may also comment about what we have thought those words meant. The only thing that is off limits is to give the dictionary definitions for those particular words during the week. If the author of your book defines the word for you, of course that is all right. He has helped you out!
Happy Studying!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday's Posts
I have already put up Tuesday's new posting areas for week 4. To finish week 3 comments before midnight tonight, you will have to scroll down and click on "older comments" or "older posts." After midnight, you may use the new posting areas.
Course 6 Week 4 Roger's Topics
Roger, beginning Tuesday (or after midnight Monday night), you may place your initial posts and answers to questions in the comments section below.
Course 6 Week 4 Sean's Topics
Sean, beginging Tuesday morning (after midnight Monday night), you may place your initial posts and answers to questions here.
Course 6 Week 4 Tyler's Topics
Tyler, you may place your initial posts and answers to questions here. (Begin using this on Tuesday.)
Last Day Week 3
We end week 3 at midnight tonight.
Good job of discussing the different aspects of your courses.
Rhonda and I visited Grange Hall last night. Sean, I heard you were there. Sorry, I missed seeing you. Tyler, they told me you have been sick, and you haven't even tried to get sympathy here! Hope you get to feeling better soon.
A lot of testimonies of people dealing with real life highlighted the service. Praise the Lord.
At our church, we had a young man preach for the first time. I am looking forward to listening to the recording of the service. My mother said he did a very good job!
I also heard that the meeting concerning for how the church would go about looking for a new pastor went well, too. Please be in prayer about this process. This is the first time Rhonda and I have been away since we made the announcement about resigning. It was hard. That was why having such a good service at Grange hall really helped in taking that first step.
Good job of discussing the different aspects of your courses.
Rhonda and I visited Grange Hall last night. Sean, I heard you were there. Sorry, I missed seeing you. Tyler, they told me you have been sick, and you haven't even tried to get sympathy here! Hope you get to feeling better soon.
A lot of testimonies of people dealing with real life highlighted the service. Praise the Lord.
At our church, we had a young man preach for the first time. I am looking forward to listening to the recording of the service. My mother said he did a very good job!
I also heard that the meeting concerning for how the church would go about looking for a new pastor went well, too. Please be in prayer about this process. This is the first time Rhonda and I have been away since we made the announcement about resigning. It was hard. That was why having such a good service at Grange hall really helped in taking that first step.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
New Opportunities
Tyler's study of the Gospels, Roger's study of "Life in the Son," and Sean's study of writings by the apostle Paul, as well as other early Christian leaders, all describe the exciting events that took place in the first century or that can take place in any individual's life when they follow Christ.
Embarking on this new area of my life, (after having recently resigned as pastor of a church that is very dear to my heart) I was contacted yesterday by one of the mission organizations that I thought I might have the oppotunity to do some projects with. I don't know where everything is leading or how it will all come together, but I do know that God is faithful and He is trustworthy.
Possible trips to Japan and Australia seem to be real possibilities in the years to come too. As we go through life, we must learn two things. One is to be content with what God is doing at the present time of our lives. The other is always to be open to his leading to move in new directions.
God is Good.
Embarking on this new area of my life, (after having recently resigned as pastor of a church that is very dear to my heart) I was contacted yesterday by one of the mission organizations that I thought I might have the oppotunity to do some projects with. I don't know where everything is leading or how it will all come together, but I do know that God is faithful and He is trustworthy.
Possible trips to Japan and Australia seem to be real possibilities in the years to come too. As we go through life, we must learn two things. One is to be content with what God is doing at the present time of our lives. The other is always to be open to his leading to move in new directions.
God is Good.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Correlations
I noticed that in Roger's reading material, there was reference to both Hebrews and John 15. Then I noticed how Sean is studying Hebrews, and Tyler is studying the Gospels. There is a content link in our studies. Of course, The Lord is the common denominator of all of our studies. May He be glorified in it all.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
God's Promises
In your reading this week, list one or more of God's promises you come across along with the other items you wish to discuss.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Course 6 Week 3
We are a fourth of the way through the course beginning this week. We are dealing with topics as diverse as the four Gospels, the book of Revelation, and continued discussion of salvation by grace through faith, with faith being the important conditon of salvation.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Course 6 Week 3 Roger's Topics
Roger, you may place your initial comments and the answers to our questions in the comments section below.
Visitors may join our discussion by clicking on the word "comments" below any of these sections.
Visitors may join our discussion by clicking on the word "comments" below any of these sections.
Course 6 Week 3 Tyler's Topics
Tyler, you may place your initial posts and the answers to our questions in the comments section below.
Visitors may join us by clicking on the word, "comments below any of these sections.)
Visitors may join us by clicking on the word, "comments below any of these sections.)
Course 6 Week 3 Sean's Topics
Sean, you may place your initial posts and the answers to our questions in the comments section below.
Visitors may join us by clicking on the word, "comments below any of these sections.)
Visitors may join us by clicking on the word, "comments below any of these sections.)
End of Course Six Week Two
This week ends at midnight tonight. Thanks for a great discussion this week.
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