Isaiah Assignment #2

Again, sorry for the late post! Hopefully I'll get this up earlier from now on. Here are some questions for study of Isaiah 1-5:

1. Isaiah is mostly poetry, and we ought to pay attention to that! The main characteristic of Hebrew poetry is parallelism, where a line parallels the previous line either in a similar way (synonymous parallelism) or an opposite way (antithetical parallelism). Find examples of both in these first 5 chapters.
Also, see if you can discover some other poetic devices (like, for example, similes or metaphors).

2. Imagine chapter 1 as a courtroom scene. Using the text, identify what happens in this courtroom—for example, the members of the court (prosecutor, judge, jury, defendant, witnesses), the summons, the arraignment, the charges leveled, the sentence, the plea bargain, etc.

3. List out the repeated words and phrases in 2:6-22. Then, make some observations in connection to this repetition (e.g. the poetic structure of this repetition; terms or ideas connected to the repeated words/phrases; relationship of repetitions to one another; etc.).

4. Isa 4:2-6 is a beautiful messianic picture. Describe the three main aspects of this picture: 1) the person of the Messiah, 2) the remnant, 3) the work of the Messiah.

5. What do you think is the main point of the vineyard metaphor in 5:1-7?

Okay, I know, this is quite a bit, especially at this late date. But do what you can and want! See you tomorrow.

Isaiah Assignment #1

Just a reminder: as a way to begin Isaiah, let's trace the theme of holiness through the book.
1) Do some thinking/studying/tracing of the unique title "Holy One of Israel."
2) Also, trace the words "holy", "holiness" in the book. What do you discover?

Budget issues

I find the whole idea of staff cuts or reductions in staff pay disturbing, especially if the body is not fulfilling its end of the bargain by being faithful in tithes and offerings.

I don't particularly care that the economy is depressed; is the Ancient of Days dependent on the economic status of the United States? Of course not! Nevermind the status of the global economy - join God's economy. My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hillsides; He never has a credit crunch.

Lets pray that He prospers His people and His church. Even as we are to be in the world but not of it, let us be different in this way as well SO THAT our community sees a difference and wants to know what we have that they do not. Not that there are not important lessons to be learned from lean times, and not that we want to get into some false prosperity doctrine. But we should not be here! Why can't we give out of our abundance AND our poverty? Most of us are feeling the squeeze, but we still have so much. Take a leap of faith!

Groupies,
We will be cleaning the activity center this Saturday morning (1/10) at 8:30am. Bagels will be provided but please bring other breakfast items - eggs, casserole, bacon, etc.

I really enjoyed our discussion tonight about how getting together for any reason, including cleaning is more about being together than the actual activity.

Paul

Cleaning the Activity Center

Hi everyone,
I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year! Saturday is our day to clean the activity center. I believe that you have been cleaning at the same time each week, I cannot make it that early because I need to feed Lorelai etc... So I suppose just plan on doing it as you have the past couple months. If someone could mention it at group tomorrow that would be helpful.

Thanks!

Shawn

Christmas Puzzle and Answers

By popular demand, here is the puzzle and answers.

Paul

White Elephant Party

Our annual White Elephant Party will be held at the Holt's this Wednesday. It will begin at 6pm. Please bring hors d'oeuvres.

As always we will have a prize for the best (that is the worst) WE gift. You can always bring a real gift (one of actual value) but bad gifts are preferred.

See you then,

Paul