BIBLE MATTERS -- The Minor Prophets

In the Hebrew Scriptures, they are one book.  In our Bible, they are twelve books.  They are called the Minor Prophets due to their length, but not due to their importance.  They are often overlooked, and so they are usually unfamiliar.

In our fall session for Bible Matters, we will have an overview of each book.  We will not be digging terribly deep into any book due to time.  Rather, we will be considering the main theme of each book and what makes each prophet’s message unique.

Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  All are welcome.  Questions and discussions are encouraged.

The tentative schedule is below.

September 3              Hosea, a prophet to an unfaithful lover

September 10            Joel, a prophet who unleashes a swarm

September 17            NO CLASS

September 24            Amos, a prophet who rebukes faithless worship

October 1                   Obadiah, a prophet for Israel’s “brother,” Edom

Jonah, a reluctant prophet sent to Nineveh

October 8                  Micah, a prophet who rebukes the rich and powerful

October 15                 Nahum, a prophet against Israel’s enemy, Nineveh

October 22                Habakkuk, a prophet with a bitter complaint

October 29                Zephaniah, a prophet who judges many and offers hope to a few

November 5              Haggai, a prophet who wants God’s house built

November 12             Zechariah, a prophet who reveals many visions

November 19             Malachi, a prophet with the final word

November 26            Thanksgiving Service (7:00 PM)

Bible Matters -- Spring Session begins April 23

           Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings.  We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions.  All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics. 

          Sessions will focus on the topic: The Resurrection Accounts in the Gospels.  The resurrection of our Lord is recorded in each of the four Gospels.  Each one gives an account with different details, as each account focuses on different emphases and had different initial audiences.  Each deserves to be considered in its own context.

April 23           According to the Gospel of St. Matthew

April 30           According to the Gospel of St. Mark

May 7              NO CLASS

May 14            According to the Gospel of St. Luke

May 21            According to the Gospel of St. John

May 28            Accounts from Acts and 1 Corinthians.

Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

Bible Matters -- Winter Session 2025

Bible Matters is a discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings.  We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions.  All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics.

This winter’s topic will be “Jesus responds to challenges by his enemies.”  These challenges were hurled at Jesus during Holy Week in an attempt to accuse him of false teaching and practice.  Our winter sessions will be:

January 8             Hosanna’s forbidden (Matthew 21:12-17)

January 15           The withered fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22)

January 22           Where does Jesus’ authority come from? (Matt. 21:23-27)

January 29           The parable of two sons (Matthew 21:28-31)

February 5           Paying taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22)

February 12          Life after the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33)

February 19          What is the greatest commandment? (Matt. 22:34-40)

February 26         David’s Son and David’s Lord (Matthew 22:41-46)

March 5 is Ash Wednesday.

Bible Matters: The Book of Judges

          On Wednesday, April 10, we will begin a new series for Bible Matters, a discussion group. 

          We will be considering portions of the book of Judges. Judges was an era of problems for the people of Israel--self-inflicted problems. God's people suffered the consequences of godless behavior.

          The tentative schedule is:

            April 10        Judges 2:1-9          The problem takes root

            April 17        Judges 2:10-23      The problem follows a pattern

            April 24        Judges 4                 The problem of men not taking the lead

            May 1           Judges 7                 The problem of trusting in man's effort

            May 8            NO CLASS

            May 15         Judges 11                The problem of rash vows.

            May 22        Judges 16                 The problem of a negligent faith

            May 29        Judges 19-21            The problem of little reaction and overreaction to sin

          Bible Matters begins at 6:30 PM.

BIBLE MATTERS: The End Times -- begins Wednesday, January 10

            We will begin a new series on Wednesday, January 10.  Our topic will be The End Times.  Class time is 6:30 PM.

           With all of the turmoil going on in the Middle East, many pastors are saying that the final prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled.  Some will speak of the conversion of all the Jews.  Some will talk about a rapture in which Christians will be taken up into the heavens to be spared any tribulation.  Others will speak about a 1,000-year reign of Christ in Jerusalem.  Often, the order of events contradicts each other from various pastors.  What are we to believe?

We will consider how the Scriptures describe the End Times so that we can face it with both comfort and confidence and so that we will not be distracted by false teachings and promises.  

The tentative schedule is:

Jan. 10 -- God’s Word on the Future: Jesus Is Coming, but the Day and Hour are Unknown

Jan. 17 -- While We Wait for Jesus’ Return

Jan. 24 -- The Events of Judgment Day and the Judgment

Jan. 31 -- Millennialism (a 1,000 year reign of Jesus)

Feb. 7 -- Dispensationalism (Rapture and Tribulation); The Present Life in Light of Jesus’ Future Coming

           This will be the same series we have been going through on Sunday mornings, but it will be abbreviated due to limited weeks between the new year and Ash Wednesday (February 14).

          If you would like to order a book which covers this topic, one option for you is The People's Bible Teachings: End Times.  You can order that book at this link: End Times (nph.net)

Bible Matters begins Wednesday, September 13

JOSEPH: Humbled and Exalted Servant of God's People.

Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings. 

Bible Matters also allows for people unfamiliar with the Bible and the Christian faith the freedom to ask questions and even to challenge what we believe, because we believe the Bible stands up to scrutiny and that the Bible matters.  We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions. 

Bible Matters will meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM.  Here is our tentative schedule for the Fall.

          Sept 13                 Favoritism and Jealousy (Genesis 37)

          Sept 20                NO CLASS

          Sept 27                Joseph sold into slavery (Genesis 37)

          Oct 4                    Fleeing from temptation; Suffering for faithfulness (Genesis 39)

          Oct 11                   Dreams and Prophesy; Joseph is exalted (Genesis 40-41)

          Oct 18                  Being put to the test (Genesis 42-43)

          Oct 25                  Standing before the sovereign king and judge (Genesis 44)

          Nov 1                    God’s people preserved (Genesis 45-46)

          Nov 8                   Forgiveness; not deserved by freely given (Genesis 50)

          Nov 15                  The hope of the resurrection (Genesis 49-50; Exodus 13:19)

          Nov 22                 Thanksgiving Worship (7:00 PM)

All are welcome.  Feel free to bring guests!

Bible Matters -- Spring Session

          Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings.  We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions.  

All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics.

            Sessions will focus on the topic: The Narrow Road.

4/19      Why is the narrow road the only road?

4/26      The narrow road between doubt and presumption.

5/3        The narrow road between carnal security and despair.

5/10      NO CLASS

5/17      The narrow road between exclusive emphasis on God’s providence and on God’s promises concerning prayer.

5/24      The narrow road between good good works and bad good works.

5/31      The narrow road between idolatrous love for the world and an ungrateful contempt for the world.

            Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. 

NOTE: The topics for this study will be based on the book "The Narrow Lutheran Middle," by Rev. Daniel Deutschlander.  It is available for purchase here: The Narrow Lutheran Middle (nph.net)

Bible Matters: Winter Session (January - February 2023)

BIBLE MATTERS

Winter Session

What does it mean 

to be a disciple of Jesus?

 

January 11                 Jesus teaches what the Sabbath is for. (Luke 6:1-11)

January 18                THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

January 25                Jesus declares blessings and curses. (Luke 6:20-26)

February 1                 Jesus teaches us what love does. (Luke 6:27-36)

February 8                 Jesus shows us how to measure other people. (Luke 6:37-42)

February 15               Jesus teaches about an active and enduring faith. (Luke 6:43-49)

February 22               Ash Wednesday – Divine Service with Imposition of Ashes

Bible Matters meets on 

Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

All are welcome to engage in discussion 

about these matters and to find 

encouragement in the Bible’s promises.

BIBLE MATTERS to begin on Wednesday, September 14 (6:30 PM)

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? 

The Bible takes a hard look 

at the purpose of life 

and the point of living. 

09 / 14        Is there meaning in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom? (Ecclesiastes 1) 

09 / 21       NO CLASS

09 / 28        Is there meaning in the accumulation of pleasure or accomplishment? (Ecclesiastes 2) 

10 / 05        Is time a servant or a master? Is there a time or place for relief? (Ecclesiastes 3-4) 

10 / 12        Does it help to make any deals with God? Is there meaning in our labors?
                   Can we find satisfaction in them? (Ecclesiastes 5-6)

10 / 19        How do we remain grounded so that life is not meaningless? (Ecclesiastes 7) 

10 / 26        Where is the meaning in life’s unfairness? (Ecclesiastes 8) 

11 / 02        Where is the meaning if everyone dies in the end? (Ecclesiastes 9) 

11 / 09        Is there meaning in putting forth effort in a dying world? (Ecclesiastes 10-11) 

11 / 16        The end of the matter: What does it all mean? (Ecclesiastes 12) 

Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. 

All are welcome 

to engage in discussion 

about these matters and 

to find encouragement 

in the Bible’s promises.

Bible Matters -- A Discussion Group (Spring session)

BIBLE MATTERS RESUMES – APRIL 20

          Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings.  We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions.  All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics.

          Our Spring session will focus on the Lord's Prayer and exactly what Jesus teaches us to pray for.  The Spring session will be:

          April 20      Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom Come.
                             How is God’s name kept holy? What is God’s kingdom? How does it come?

          April 27      Thy Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
                             What is God’s will? How is it done on earth with all the sins we see and experience?

          May 4         NO CLASS

          May 11       Give Us this Day our Daily Bread.
                             What is included in daily bread? Why do we limit our petitions for just today?

          May 18       Forgive Us our Trespasses as We Forgive Those who Trespass against Us.
                             Why do we forgive? Is it forgive and forget? Is God’s forgiveness tied to ours?

          May 25       Lead Us not into Temptation, but Deliver Us from Evil.
                             Why are we asking God not to lead us into temptation? 

                             What evils do we want to be freed from?          

          Bible Matters resumes on Wednesday, April 20 at 6:30 PM. 

          Bible Matters will go on a break over the Summer months.  Bible Matters will resume in September.

Bible Matters, a discussion group: Winter Session

          Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings. We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions. All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics.

          Topics will be select portions of our Sunday morning Bible Class on Great Chapters of the Bible. Our winter sessions will be:

January 5           Psalm 1                           Delight in the Word of the Lord

January 12         Genesis 3                        The Fall and the Curse

January 19         Isaiah 52:13-53:12         The Suffering Servant

January 26         Romans 8                       God Is for Us

February 2         Ephesians 1                    Chosen from Eternity in Christ

February 9         Galatians 3                     Saved by Faith Alone

February 16       1 Peter 3:8 – 4:19           Suffering for Being a Christian

February 23       1 Corinthians 15             The Resurrection of the Body

March 2 Ash Wednesday Divine Service at 7:00 PM.

Bible Matters resumes on Wednesday, January 5 at 6:30 PM.

A GOD-LIVED LIFE: Bible Class

          We have begun a series of sermons with a Stewardship emphasis. Stewardship, ultimately, is about our entire life. We use what God gives us to his glory and for the good of our neighbor. Over the next few months, we will consider the various ways we use the gifts God gives us as is God-pleasing.
          Each month, I will be sending out an email to further encourage what we pondered on the first Sunday of that month. In this way, the thoughts do not perish by that Sunday evening, but each one can give intentional consideration how he or she may put into practice what was proclaimed as a God-pleasing way to serve him.
          For the month of October, we continue to consider what it means to have A Life of Being a Disciple.

A GOD-LIVED LIFE: A LIFE OF BEING A DISCIPLE

Week #1           Bible Class

          Bible Class gives all of us a chance to ponder a little more deeply what God has to say to us in his word. We more than triple the time given in a sermon to read and reflect on God’s word. Bible Class also allows for God’s people to ask questions. You are able to have clarified words, phrases, and doctrines that are unclear, unfamiliar, or challenging to you.

          In addition, you have the chance to speak freely about the Christian faith. You should be able to do this without fear of ridicule or embarrassment. No one knows it all, not even the pastor. We all live in a world where we hear strange ideas. Some are passed off as biblical ideas. Others sound like they could be biblical. What is the truth? You are allowed to be bold enough to ask hard questions. The Bible is not afraid of hard questions. You are allowed to ask challenging questions. You even are allowed to be a heretic with your questions and statements. You are not, however, allowed to remain a heretic. God’s word will provide correction. Bible Class gives you the chance to explore these things and to get answers that are solidly in line with God’s word.

          You are welcomed to join a class. You are encouraged to engage in discussion. This enables you to get more comfortable speaking about your Christian faith with others. We get to grow together. We tighten the bonds of fellowship among us. Most importantly, we get to have God enlighten, strengthen, comfort, and guide us by his word. This is both the goal and the delight of all of God’s people.

          The following Bible Classes are active at Good Shepherd:

          Adult Bible Class (7th grade and older) -- Sundays at 8:45 AM
          Sunday School (age 3 through 6th grade) -- Sundays at 8:45 AM
          Bible Matters, a discussion group (high school and older) -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
          Bible Information Class – a course which covers the basic teachings of the Bible; arranged by appointment (a basic outline is at the link)
          Catechism Class (7th and 8th grade) – currently Mondays, 4:00-5:30 PM

Bible Matters -- Schedule for Fall 2021

BIBLE MATTERS 

Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings. 

Bible Matters also allows for people unfamiliar with the Bible and the Christian faith the freedom to ask questions and even to challenge what we believe, because we believe the Bible stands up to scrutiny and that the Bible matters. We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions. Bible Matters will meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. 

Here is our tentative schedule for the Fall. 

     9 / 15           How can Christians dismiss evolution as the origin of all things?
     9 / 22           What does it mean to be a man or a woman?
     9 / 29           How do we measure a person’s worth?
     10 / 6           Are people generally good or bad? Are we still “in God’s image”?
     10 / 13         How can we believe in a God who cannot be seen or touched?
     10 / 20         Why credit God for providing when I work for my possessions?
     10 / 27         What does it mean to be free? How far does free will go?
     11 / 3           What should we expect from God? Does God treat us fairly?
     11 / 10         What happens when a person dies?
     11 / 17         How are Law and Gospel the key to understanding the Scriptures?

All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics. Feel free to bring guests

Bible Matters: Wednesday, May 19 at 7;00 pm

Good Shepherd will be revisiting the topic from last week's Bible Matters discussion: "I have been challenged or attacked for my Christian faith. How do I respond?"

It is safe to say, this topic applies to all Christians. If you have specific challenges you have faced, feel free to share them.

We meet at 7:00 PM. Join us.

If you want to join us over Zoom, please contact Good Shepherd (welsnovi@aol.com) to get the links.

Bible Matters -- Spring Sessions

Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings.  We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions.  All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics.

            Topics for our spring sessions are:

04/14      What does it mean to be “on the right side of history”?
04/21      Is the Old Testament God (i.e., vengeful) the same as 

                              the New Testament God (i.e., merciful)?
04/28      Are the Ten Commandments still valid? Do they need to be updated?
05/05      -- NO Bible Matters --
05/12      I’ve been confronted about my faith. How do I respond?
05/19      Is there value to “thoughts and prayers”?
05/26      How do God and religion really help you get through tough times?

            Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. 

             This discussion group serves as a way for guests to become acquainted with us and allows them to ask probing questions about what we believe and why.  It also serves as an opportunity especially for young people to either ask about the ways their faith has been challenged or to prepare them for such challenges.  All are welcome.

 If you want to join us on Zoom, contact the pastor to get links.  NOTE: Zoom viewers may likely be delegated to listening as Zoom is not a great format for participating with the group meeting in person.

Bible Matters, a discussion group

Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM

Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings.  We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions.  All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics.

Topics for our winter sessions are:

                        January 6         Suggestions for meditating on God’s Word

January 13       Can a Christian hate anything?

January 20       Does God speak through dreams?

January 27       Why Lutheran?

February 3       When God is silent, what is our confession?

February 10     “Male and female he created them.”  Why is this controversial?

February 17     Ash Wednesday; Lenten services begin.

Bible Matters resumes on Wednesday, January 6. 

If you want to join us on Zoom, contact the pastor to get links.  NOTE: Zoom viewers may likely be delegated to listening as Zoom is not a great format for participating with the group meeting in person.

Bible Matters -- Leftovers

In our Bible Matters discussion last evening, we were considering the Canon of Scripture: How can we be sure these books are the right books?

In our discussion, we brought up the point that there are two main ways to destroy the Christian faith and to leave it all in ruins.  One is to prove that the resurrection of Jesus is a fraud.  If that can be proven, then Christians are to be pitied more than all mankind since our entire faith and hope rest on Jesus Christ being risen from the dead.  St. Paul treats this in 1 Corinthians 15.

Speaking of St. Paul, the second method of destroying Christianity is to prove that the conversion of St. Paul to Christianity is a fraud.  If Paul's conversion is a sham, that means he infiltrated Christian leadership and, by his many epistles and founding of many Christian churches, commandeered and perverted the Gospel of Jesus to whatever Paul wanted it to be.

Is the resurrection of Jesus a sham?  Is the conversion of St. Paul a fake?  Do these theories make sense?

Lutheran Satire to the rescue!  In a short, humorous video, Rev. Hans Fiene does a nice job of explaining that St. Paul, St. Peter, and all the apostles stood nothing to gain by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead.  Either Jesus is truly risen and St. Paul was truly converted, or the apostles concocted the "Best Conspiracy Ever."  

Certainly there are more thoughts to ponder regarding these matters, but this is a good place to start. 

Bible Matters will be suspended throughout Advent and will return in January.  Scheduled topics will be announced later.

Bible Matters -- The Canon of Scripture: How do we know these books are the right books?

Bible Matters, a Bible discussion group, meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.  Our topic for Wednesday, November 18 will be –  The canon of Scripture: How do we know these books are the right books? 

If we are going to be confident saying, "This is what the Lord says," then we ought to be confident that the books we have in our Bible truly belong there.  A "canon" is a word that means cane or rod.  It is a standard of measurement.  If something is not straight, it does not line up with the cane and is rejected.  So, what is the standard for the books of the Bible?

>>> Some Bibles have 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.  Other Bibles add other books, known as the Apocrypha.  Are they Scripture or not?  

>>> Then there are other books which the early Christians knew.  Some Christians even considered them Scripture, others did not.  Do they belong or don't they?  

>>> Then there are books known as Gnostic Gospels.  They supply stories about Jesus' childhood.  They are rejected by the Christian Church.  Is that fair?

>>> Some charge the early Church with hiding some writings.  Others say that the Council of Nicea (325 AD) voted on what is in the New Testament and suppressed other writings that they did not like.  Is that true?

These are the questions we will discuss so that we establish a greater confidence in the words we teach, believe, and confess.  All are welcome.

If anyone wants to follow along on Zoom, contact the pastor (welsnovi@aol.com) and I will send you a link.  Your contribution to the discussion may have to be limited to the Chat feature.  

Bible Matters -- Are All Judgmental People Bad?

Bible Matters is a discussion group about various topics.  We gather to discuss how the Scriptures guide us in how we address and defend the Christian faith in these matters.  Our discussion allows for frank discussions, honest questions, and even bold challenges to the Christian faith.  Our goal is to make Christians more comfortable in confessing their faith and in practicing that faith accordingly.

This week's topic: Are all judgmental people bad?

If there is one verse from the Bible that everyone seems to know, it is this: "Judge not, and you will not be judged" (Luke 6:37).   

Christians have often been accused of being judgmental and burdening people with unnecessary shame and guilt.  This verse from the Scriptures is used to tell Christians to practice what their Scriptures actually teach.  To confess faith in the Scriptures and to not follow them is hypocritical.  

So, where does that leave the Christian?  Can we judge or not?  What do we have to say to others?  How would we say it?  

We meet on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.  Topics may be suggested to the pastor and will be announced prior to each session.  

If anyone wants to follow along on Zoom, contact the pastor (welsnovi@aol.com) and I will send you a link.  Your contribution to the discussion may have to be limited to the Chat feature. 

Upcoming topics:

Nov 18 –  The canon of Scripture: Can we be sure we have the right books in the Bible? 

Nov 25 –  Thanksgiving service 

Bible Matters -- Wednesday, November 4 at 7:00 PM

Our next Bible Matters session will be Wednesday, November 4 at 7:00 PM.  Our topic: Is it important that I am special?  

Some of the questions we will discuss may include the following.  Other questions in line with our topic may be introduced, too.

>>>  Just how different from everyone else am I?  Are we all supposed to be the same?

>>>  If I am unique, does that mean I am supposed to make a unique mark on the world?  What if I don't seem to be doing anything noteworthy?  If I am going through life pretty much anonymously, does that mean my life is a waste?

>>>  What is actually special about me?  What is not special?  Is that good or bad?

>>>  How do I respond if I am not fitting in?  How do I respond to someone else who is not fitting in?  What if I find someone else to be quirky, annoying, or embarrassing?  

If you want to follow our discussion on a Zoom session, please contact me at welsnovi@aol.com and I will get you the appropriate link.  Your may have to be limited to the chat feature for questions and discussion.

Upcoming topics for Bible Matters: 

          November 11 -- Are all judgmental people bad?

          November 18 -- The canon of Scripture: Can we be sure we have the right books in the Bible?

          November 25  -- Thanksgiving service