Month: September 2010

GodSpeak Group: Week 53

September 13-18 Song of Songs 3-Isaiah

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[audio:gs09-21-10.mp3]
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Monday, September 13 Song of Songs 4-6  Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Solomon describes his wife-to-be in Songs of Songs 4:1–7; she describes him after their marriage in Songs of Songs 5:10–16 and he describes her after their marriage in Song of Songs 6:4–9. What do these descriptions say about their love for each other? How are they a fitting description of Christ’s love for His bride, the church, and the church’s love for Christ? See Ephesians 5.

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GodSpeak Group: Week 52

Week 52: Ecclesiastes 3-Song of Songs 3

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[audio:gs09-14-10.mp3]
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Monday, September 6 Ecclesiastes 3-4  Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Several hints to the solution of the problem of meaninglessness appear in Ecclesiastes 3 and 4. Identify the aspects of the solution mentioned in these verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1–8; 3:12–14; 3:17; 3:18; 4:9–12. What did the angel announce as the great solution to these problems (Luke 2:10-11)? What is Peter’s confession about what is meaningful (John 6:68)?

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GodSpeak Group: Week 51

Week 51: Proverbs 22-Ecclesiastes 2

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[audio:gs09-07-10.mp3]
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Monday, August 30 Proverbs 22-23  Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. It is good to examine why we do things that are routine or a long time habit. Just because “we’ve always done it” does not make it bad; we just need to make sure we know “why” we do things so that we can do them well. Christian education is a case in point. Why do you read and study Today’s Light? Why does your church conduct a Sunday School of have Bible classes? Why do congregations dedicate so many resources to Lutheran schools or our church to colleges and seminaries? Review some of the reasons for having these programs with your group. Then look at Proverbs 22:19. What is the reason for Christian education that Solomon gives here? There are several other Christian education passages in this section of Proverbs. What do these verses have to say about why Christian education is so important: Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 23:12, 17, 23. Consult also these passages: Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 14:26–27; Proverbs 9:10. Conclude your study by praying for all the agencies of Christian education in your church and the people involved. Inquire if there is some way you might help at one of these agencies of Christian education.

Tuesday, August 31 Proverbs 24-25  Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. “It’s not what you say, but how you say it that’s important.” What does Proverbs 25:11–18 say about this statement? What does the Lord want us to be very diligent about saying (Jonah 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Timothy 4:9–13; 2 Timothy 1:8–10; Colossians 4:2–6)?

Wednesday, September 1 Proverbs 26-27  Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. Proverbs 26 and 27 are not uplifting chapters. Solomon shows his statement of Proverbs 27:19 to be true by giving negative examples. Look at Proverbs 26 and describe the types of people described there. Identify what Solomon says is so bad about each one. Unfortunately, we are all like the people described. Only God can remove the stain that we all bear. Comment on God’s Word of forgiveness in these passages: 2 Corinthians 5:14–21; Ephesians 2:1–10. Then pray for His forgiveness and new life.

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Perseverance

Perseverance is a value that is highly prized in Scripture. Even though the going gets tough or painful or redundant, we go on. Every once in a while it’s good for us to encourage each other to persevere. So, in the spirit of GodSpeak, I thought we’d listen to what God has to say about … Read more

GodSpeak Group: Week 50

Week 50: Proverbs 10-21

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[audio:gs08-31-10.mp3]
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Monday, August 23 Proverbs 10-11 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. For many years the sign-off line of a news commentator was “That’s the way it is.” Many of the proverbs in Proverbs 10-11 are like that. Choose a few proverbs and discuss how what is said is just how it works out in life, for good or ill. Select your own proverbs to discuss, but try these also: Proverbs 10:7, 32; Proverbs 11:10, 12. Now look at a few proverbs that specifically talk about God. For example, look at Proverbs 10:22, 29; Proverbs 11:1, 20–21. How would you summarize the messages of these proverbs concerning God? What might the Apostle Paul say concerning Proverbs 11:21? See Romans 3:10–12, 21–24; 6:18; Galatians 5:1.

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