Wisdom From The Word With Laura Zielke

This week we took a second look at Joel’s prophecy as quoted in Acts 2:17-21. We looked at the chiastic construction of verse 19, and then we focused on the apocalyptic imagery of Joel’s prophecy. We discussed the timing of Peter’s claim that the prophecy had been fulfilled. We may not all agree, but that is beside the... The post Acts 2:14-21 ~ Prophecy Fulfilled appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we got back into our routine of verse-by-verse study of Acts. We read through the entirety of Peter’s first sermon/speech, and then closely examined verses 14-21. We discussed the inspiration of the Scripture and Luke’s dedication to accurate transmission of facts and the challenge of summarizing this speech. We also learned an eight-syllable... The post Acts 2:1-41 ~ Peter’s First Sermon (Part One) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we continued our break from verse-by-verse study, and instead, we surveyed the large number and wide variety of public speeches in Acts. We also discussed various approaches to the source material for them including: verbatim inspiration, fabrication, and research-based summation (still inspired). We reflected on the freedom the Lord allowed for the writer’s own... The post Acts 2:14 ~ The Speeches of Acts appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we took a break from our verse-by-verse study of the book of Acts, and instead, we discussed the gift of Tongues. We discussed the various ways we have personally witnessed and/or experienced the gift. We created a safe space for class members to share diverse points of view. The discussion led us to 1... The post Acts 2:5 ~ The Gift of Tongues appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we continued our study of the first Christian Pentecost. We discussed the coming of the Holy Spirit in more depth, and enjoyed a few rabbit trails along the way. We discussed how it was possible that there were so many “foreign” Jews living in Jerusalem and from whence they came. We discussed what drew the crowd,... The post Acts 2:1-13 ~ Arrival of the Holy Spirit (Part 2) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we studied, in a general overview-ish type of way, the watershed event that Christians often refer to as Pentecost. We learned that Pentecost was actually a centuries-old annual festival celebrating the end of the wheat harvest and a time of spiritual (covenantal) renewal for the Jewish people. But on this particular Pentecost—fifty days... The post Acts 2:1-13 ~ Arrival of the Holy Spirit (Part 1) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we studied the process of choosing a replacement for the position that Judas left vacant after his betrayal and suicide. We examined the prerequisites of those put forth as candidates, the narrowing down of the field, the prayer, the casting of lots, and the choice. We also discussed the controversial suggestion (a) that this... The post Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 ~ To Replace or Not to Replace? That Is the Question! appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we studied Peter’s stepping into leadership, what happened to Judas, and why his position was replaced. Since Matthew’s account of Judas’ demise differs from what Luke recorded, we examined the so-called discrepancies to see if they could be reconciled. We also took a side trip (a.k.a. rabbit trail) to discuss the evolution of... The post Acts 1:15-20 ~ What Happened to Judas? appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we studied the Ascension of Jesus Christ—it’s necessity and historical relevance. Then, we began to look at the make-up of Jesus’ followers who remained in Jerusalem after this amazing event. We compared the lists of apostles in Matthew, Luke, and Acts, noting one obviously missing person. >> Click to read this week’s passage... The post Acts 1:9-15 ~ It Was NOT a Nimbus appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we started our verse-by-verse study in Acts. We looked at the overlap between the final verses of Luke’s Gospel and the first few verses of Acts–similarities and differences–and explored the Ascension as the “watershed” between this two-volume work. We talked about what “convincing proofs” are, and why Luke’s record of post-resurrection appearances and... The post Acts 1:1-8 ~ He’s Really Alive! appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we finished up the introduction to our new study of the “Acts of the Apostles” with a broad overview of the book and the six-panel structure which shows the continual growth of Christianity from A.D. 30 through A.D. 62-63. This introductory study will cover date, authorship, purpose, key themes, and audience. You’ll need... The post Introduction to Acts, Part 2 appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we begin our study of the “Acts of the Apostles” with a broad overview of the book and it’s position in the New Testament. This introductory study will cover date, authorship, purpose, key themes, and audience. We will also explore the strong connection between Acts and the Gospel of Luke. >> Click here to... The post Introduction to Acts, Part 1 appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we finished our study in the Gospel according to Mark. We affirmed that the last twelve verses of Mark were written by someone other than the author of the Gospel, but that these verses date back to the second century. While we cannot know for certain who wrote them, we do know that... The post Mark 16:9-20 (Focus: Long Ending of Mark) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we reviewed the Resurrection of Jesus as recorded in the first eight verses of chapter 16 of Mark’s Gospel. We focused our discussion on the historicity of the Resurrection and the authenticity of Mark’s account.  I also taught on this passage on Easter Sunday 2016. That lesson focused more on the textual criticism... The post Mark 16:1-8 ~ He Is Risen! appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Jesus: Dead and Buried. This week we studied what happened at the moment of Jesus’ death when He “cried out with a loud voice and gave up the ghost.” We briefly discussed His descent into Sheol and the various ways of understanding this part of our Christian theology. In addition to this, we observed how... The post Mark 15:37-47 (Focus: Dead and Buried) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we examined a couple so-called “discrepancies” between the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion (e.g., time of day and wording of the inscription), as well as what happened on the Cross. Some people mocked Jesus as they passed by, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves (typical), and even those crucified with him mocked... The post Mark 15:25-37 (Focus: Mocked, But Not Forsaken) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we carefully examined the sequence events as Jesus was led from the Praetorium to Golgatha. We talked about Simon of Cyrene and his children—possibly one of whom is mentioned in Romans 16. We also spent some time discussing Jesus’ refusal of the sedating myrrh-wine, and why He decided to experience all the pain of... The post Mark 15:21-24 (Focus: The Crucifixion) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we took our time working through the first twenty verses of Mark 15. What we discovered is that Pilate, although Governor of Judea, was a very weak leader who could not stand up to the manipulation of the Sanhedrin. With His eyes fixed on the cross, we watched Jesus endure everything from verbal abuse... The post Mark 15:2-20 (Focus: The Third Betrayal ~ Pilate) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we surveyed chapter 15 of the Gospel according to Mark. We examined the entire passage hitting highlights along the way including “cockcrow” (was there a rooster, or was this a bugle call?), Pilate (real or fiction?), Barabbas, Simon of Cyrene, the crucifixion and burial of Jesus, and the women who watched the death of... The post Mark 15:1-47 (Overview) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we studied Peter’s repentance after he realized his denial of Jesus; clarified the “three” trials; and learned a little bit about the first-century Roman Prefect, Pilate. This lesson served as a warning against becoming cocky in our faith (no pun intended), because we’re all vulnerable to temptation. We were encouraged as we discussed Jesus’ response to the... The post Mark 14:72-15:1 (Focus: Repentance) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.