This week we discussed various topics related to the church in Antioch, Syria. We learned the first instance a disciple was called “Christian” was in Antioch. A prophet came down from Jerusalem and predicted a severe famine that would spread over the entire Roman Empire, and we were able to pinpoint almost exactly when this... The post Acts 11:27-30 ~ Famine Felt 'Round the World appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Wisdom from the Word™ with Laura Zielke

Acts 11:27-30 ~ Famine Felt 'Round the World

From the earliest days of the church, there has been one message uniting people across all human-made divides: love. That's the core of the gospel. Barnabas was sent to Antioch to make sure they were in compliance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The post Acts 11:19-26 ~ Barnabas and the Hellenists appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 11:19-26 ~ Barnabas and the Hellenists

This week we studied how the gospel spread north beyond Palestine into less Jewish-centric communities including Phoenicia, Antioch (in Syria) and the island of Cyprus. This section introduces us to the city of Antioch which will become the center of Christianity after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and to the church who sends out... The post Acts 11:19-26 ~ Meanwhile in Phoenicia, Cyprus & Antioch appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 11:19-26 ~ Meanwhile in Phoenicia, Cyprus & Antioch

In our final discussion on this passage, we got down to where the rubber meets the road. As we focused on Peter’s defense of his experience in Acts 11, we learned that he had become convinced his vision had nothing to do with food and everything to do with people.  And so the real question... The post Acts 11:1-18 ~ Clean. appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 11:1-18 ~ Clean.

As part of our continuing discussion about Peter’s speech(es) in Acts 10 and 11, we stepped back to look at how Peter and the apostles adjusted their presentation of the gospel message to each audience based on their knowledge of the Scriptures and Jewish religious traditions. Through comparison and contrast, we identified key elements of... The post Acts 10:1-11:18 ~ The Core of the Gospel Message (Kerygma) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 10:1-11:18 ~ The Core of the Gospel Message (Kerygma)

First we read of Cornelius’ vision. Then Peter’s. Then Peter mentions his to Cornelius, and Cornelius recounts his to Peter. Then Peter retells both visions to a new audience. But we’re reading it—so why all the repetition? What makes this event so special?  This week our discussion took us from analyzing Luke’s purposeful repetition to... The post Acts 10:1-11:18 ~ Emphatic Repetition appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 10:1-11:18 ~ Emphatic Repetition

What happens when a hungry Jewish apostle has a vision about food? But not just any food! This vision involves certain “unclean” foods—the types of food he has avoided his entire life for religious reasons. What happens when during the trance he is commanded to eat the “unclean” food? Three times! What is the meaning... The post Acts 10:1-33 ~ Peter & Cornelius (Overview) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 10:1-33 ~ Peter & Cornelius (Overview)

This week we studied two miracle stories in Acts 9 which have been preserved as a unit in ancient manuscripts: the healing of Aeneas and the raising of Tabitha (a.k.a. Dorcas) from the dead. We examined a variety of similarities and differences in each account and discussed why these two stories were juxtaposed. What truths... The post Acts 9:31-43 ~ Aeneas and Tabitha appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 9:31-43 ~ Aeneas and Tabitha

This week we continued our study in Acts picking up with Saul’s first-recorded visit with the apostles in Jerusalem after his decision to follow Jesus. Everyone was skeptical, except Barnabas, one of the seven Hellenists who were chosen to serve the growing Christian community in Jerusalem. He was the only one willing to hear Saul’s... The post Acts 9:26-31 ~ Welcome to Jerusalem… Now, Go Home! appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 9:26-31 ~ Welcome to Jerusalem… Now, Go Home!

This week, Craig Bondy (guest teacher) compared and contrasted three different accounts of Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus. We examined the narrative in Acts 9 as well as Paul’s testimony in Acts 22 and his witness in Acts 26. We focused our attention on what Saul was told about his future.  Click to... The post Acts 9, 22, 26 ~ What Was Saul Told? appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 9, 22, 26 ~ What Was Saul Told?

This week Craig Bondy (guest teacher) guided us through a detailed review of the timeline of Acts chapters 1-9. He also brought local and empire history into the timeline to help form a more complete historical context for this section of Scripture. There’s also a homework assignment at the end, if you’d like to participate! ... The post Acts 1-9: Timeline Review appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 1-9: Timeline Review

This week we took a closer look at few passages that describe a time in Saul’s first few years as a follower of Jesus—particularly his time in Arabia (Nabatea). This journey is NOT mentioned in Acts at all; however, Paul mentions it in both his letter to the church in Galatia and his second (third?)... The post Acts 9:19b-25 ~ Saul & the Nabateans appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 9:19b-25 ~ Saul & the Nabateans

This week we worked on piecing together the evolution of Saul’s theology based on the account we have in Acts as well as his own testimony in Galatians. The more we reflected on the details of Saul’s life leading up to this moment, the more we saw how God had wired him with a passion... The post Acts 9:19b-30 ~ Wired with Wanderlust appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 9:19b-30 ~ Wired with Wanderlust

This week slowed our pace to take a closer look at Saul’s Damascus Road experience. Rather than focusing on the details of the event, we zoomed out to discuss the story behind the story. We explored how Saul’s life was dramatically and forever changed following his personal encounter with the risen Christ: We examined Saul’s... The post Acts 9:1-16 ~ The “Bind-er” Becomes the “Bind-ee” appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Acts 9:1-16 ~ The “Bind-er” Becomes the “Bind-ee”

This week we compared and contrasted three different accounts of Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus. We examined the narrative in Acts 9 as well as Paul’s testimony in Acts 22 and his witness in Acts 26. We looked at the setting of each account and discussed why certain details were presented in one... The post Acts 9, 22, 26 ~ Same Event. Different Details. appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

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Wisdom from the Word™ with Laura Zielke

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