6-9-24 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued with lesson 17 in his Study of Revelation starting with a reference to The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis which shows how Satan instructs his demon with eight ways to shake and destroy our faith. Satan uses the church, ourselves, Christian life, prayer, focus, all to pull us away from God. Mark then expanded…

Mark continued with Lesson 15 in A Study of Revelation. This week’s focus was on the dragon,the beast, and other things.The persecuting dragon in Revelation 12-14 shows a spiritual war.This occurs during the age of the church through the second coming.The dragon: Satan, the deceiver, accuser, devil.Two different beasts are sent to plague theworld: …

05/26/2024 Biblical-literacyThe lesion begins with Mark talking about where we are so far in the book of Revelations and then talks about the persecuting Dragon, which starts in Revelations Chapter 12.Where are we so far in Revelations?Revelations was the type of writing that was common 2000 to 2500 years ago that Scholars today call apocalyptic.Th…

5-19-24 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued in The Study of Revelation with the 7 visions that happen in parallel construction.The focus of today’s lesson is the interlude period: the sixth seal and the sixth trumpet prior to the second coming. This age of the church period is a call and a warning for people to repent before it's too late.Mark also tau…

5-12-24 Biblical-LiteracyBrent Johnson taught today’s lesson on the topic of what we should do while waiting on the 2ndComing of the Lord. Brent’s primary passage was from 2 Peter 3:11-18. Peter wrote the letter around64-67 AD. Brent opens by explaining the letter’s purpose: to remember truth, faith supplements, andbe aware of false teachings becau…

5/5/24 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued in The Study of Revelation with a comparison of chapters 4:7 and 8:11The lesson showed how John’s two visions compare and relate to the people at the time of writing and thoseliving in the age of the church.Revelation 4-7: The 7 seals,what each signify and there effect on believers and unbelieversconcluding wi…

4-28-24 Biblical-LiteracyDr. David Capes taught a class in the Study of Revelation with a focus on the apocalyptic themes noted by the Apostle Paul.Dr. Capes reviewed more traits of apocalyptic themes including analysis of the academic definition, literature of the time, and how it encouraged faithfulness for the persecuted believers. In addition, …

4-21-24 Biblical LiteracyMark continued in A Study in Revelation expanding the theme of visions. Revelation replicates the same visions in different ways. Today’s agenda focused on Revelation 8-11: the 7 angels and 7 trumpets, similar to the 7 seals in Revelation 4-7.We learn that:1.The visions are happening at the same time.2.Bible trumpets are th…

Biblical Literacy 4/14/24Pastor Jarrett Stephens taught the Biblical Literacy class lesson with a focus on“Remember" that God offers the believer hope. He asked us to focus on these times:1. Remember your salvation2. Remember your calling3. Remember when the Lord first used you4. Remember when you met your spouse and/or had your first child5. Remem…

4-7-24 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued in our class study of Revelation with a reminder that what God says is reality. Mark's lesson had three areas of focus:1. Reading Revelation in time: The reader is encouraged to understand literature during the time of writing Revelation.2. Deeper study of Revelation 4-7 and the seven seals: We see heaven's pe…

Mark continued the Study of Revelation, Part 10, with a focus of Revelation in Context. Mark begins with an overview of Apocalyptic literature and continues with three points. 1.Revelation in context: type of literature, time of literature, and intense persecution of Christians. Two themes in Revelation: comfort the church in its struggle of evil, …

March 17, 2024 Pastor Dr.David FlemingRevelationsPastor Fleming opens the class by explaining the effect of how we approach the study of Revelations. Approaches to the study of Revelations include Views, Genres and Interpretation.He goes into detail on how we approach the text of Revelations can determine what we see when we get there. For example,…

Mark continued teaching in the series on Revelation in three sections:1. Two remaining letters to the churches - Philadelphia & Laodicea.The church of Philadelphia receives commendation.The church of Laodicea is warned about its lukewarm status.2. Two different ways to read Revelation:Timeline reading: ChronologicalVignette reading: Vision, story, …

Mark interviewed Dr. Alister McGrath from Oxford University in England. Dr. McGrath was born in Ireland. He became an atheist and Marxist as a way to deal with the struggle between Catholics and Protestants during the 60s in Belfast known as The Troubles. He became a Christian soon after starting his studies at Oxford.Dr. McGrath spoke about the po…

Mark continued in the Study of Revelation with Chapters 2 through 3:4. Todaycontinued with the study of the letters to the 7 churches. Each church had specificinstructions to strengthen them for their mission.1. Letters:The letters are written to the 7 churches structured in 7 parts but for allchurches for all time.2. Examine the letters to: Pergam…

2-18-24 -Biblical-LiteracyMark continued in the series A Study of Revelation which was a comfort to the church in its struggle against the forces of evil. Christ wins over Satan.1. Symbolism -a quality or an idea that showed the church how God desires a complete relationship with them. Not all images are symbols. Never lose focus of the message.2. …

2/11/24. Biblical-LiteracyMark continued in The Study of Revelation series with a study of the first chapter in Revelation.His lesson had three areas of focus:1.The Exalted Christ is depicted as the Alpha and the Omega. We find that He isreferencedthroughout the Old and New Testaments.2. The Setting of the Book of Revelation is more than a book Joh…

02/4/24Mark continues the study of Revelations by going into detailabout how decisions were made about which scrolls andwritings were to be put into the Bible Library as we know it.Mark discussed the meaning of Canon and Canonization of thebible.Was Canon to Jesus and the Apostles?Mathew 15:3Was Canon to the Church?Mathew 15:6The Church’s recogniti…

1/28/24 Biblical LiteracyMark continued with Lesson 3 in the Study in Revelation series setting the stage to dig deeper instudy. He divided the lesson into three sections then share some Points for home:1. Review of past two lessons: the Bible as a library, the apocalyptic genre, and apocalyptic traits.2. Approach to studying Revelation: how to und…

Listen to Mark explore the Old Testament and other writings that show the ancient peoples' understanding of apocalyptic writing.Mark continued with a Study in Revelation sharing a brief review of the foundation class from twoweeks ago. He encouraged the class to not be afraid of Revelation; we have this. The book ofRevelation is apocalyptic, which …

1-14-24 Biblical-LiteracyIn today’s class, Mark had Pastor Jarrett Stephens interviewed the highly respected Fred Gray, the civil rights attorney who represented Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. and is a young ninety-three years old.Mark began the interview with a statement about MLK weekend and thereconciliation of races noting: Regardless of…

Mark began the New Year with a new series on The Study of Revelation, a focused study. The bookhas varying points of view, but Mark will teach from his perspective after life long study. Revelation isa part of the apocalyptic genre, a type of writing, that involves discerning divine secrets by dreams,visions, and/or angelic explanation.Mark had thr…

Dr David Capes 12/17/2023Dr. Capes wraps up the study on Genesis by taking us to Matthew 1:1, the Book that that takes us back to the genealogy of Jesus ChristDR Capes reviewed, in detail, how various versions of the Bible address the genealogy of Christ identified in Genesis, for example,KJV: The Book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of …

Mark shared nuggets from each of his published daily devotional books including a preview of one that will be published in 2024. His newest devotional, Minor Prophets for Living, is number four in a series of five daily devotional books published in partnership with 1845 Books, an imprint from Baylor University Press. Mark read excerpts from each b…

Mark continued his teachings in the Genesis series sharing the highs and lows after the flood. We learn:1. Blessings: Noah and his sons were blessed2. A sad and disturbing story: Sin resulted in Canaan’s curse.3. The Tower of Babel: man attempted to build a tower for God to visit, and God chose instead to confuse their language and divide the peopl…

11-26-23 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued with the study of Genesis-The Prequel. This week focused on Noah Part 2 and was divided into 3 Sections:1. Background stories to the Flood. Other ancient stories that contrast and provide information.2. The flood storyline. Noah walked with God. Do we walk with God or hide from Him?3. Lessons and implication…

Biblical Literacy Class 11/19/23Noah and The FloodGenesisBiblical Literacy Class 11/19/23Noah and The FloodGenesis Mark breaks down this lesson into three parts:1. Genealogies/ LinageThis is a look at the linage of Adam and Eve and what happens to the family.2. Genealogies /AgesThen look at the genealogies because it is shocking that these people l…

Biblical-Literacy 11-12-23Mark diverted teaching from Genesis to interview Dr. Ed Stetzer,an evangelical scholar, author, missiologist, and Dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in La Mirada, California. Dr. Stetzer also hosts a radio show and weekly podcast.Mark posed various questions that began with the highlights of Dr. Stetzer’…

11-5-23 Biblical-LiteracyPastor David Fleming taught the next lesson in the Genesis series, with an emphasis on Genesis 3: The Garden of Eden and the fall. Pastor Fleming cited three points in today’s lesson:1. The ancient context: Moses responded to the Hebrew people’s questions according to the historical language, vocabulary, understanding, and …

10-29-23 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued with the study of Genesis and focused on the Garden of Eden as written in Genesis 2. Three points highlighted his discussion: Story basics: Information and meaning. Genesis was written for us but to ancient Israel. Mark gave a review of the pagan culture of the world during Moses’ time. We don’t know the exa…

10-22-23 Biblical-LiteracyMark interviewed Dr. John Lennox, who not only shared about his loving wife and family but also the spiritual and encouraging influence of his Irish parents. Dr. Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, internationally renowned speaker and author of several books on the interface of science, philosophy and re…

October 15, 2023Genesis Session 5In this session Mark discusses Moses on Mount Sinai +1240 BCA close look at "Enuma Elish and "Atrahasis"The Lesson is broken down into:Bizarre Story:The implications and teaching of what and how Moses communicated his message and how we as human beings should interpret the scriptures related thereto.What Moses and t…

10-8-23 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued in the Genesis series with a focus on Part 2 of Creation and asking the question: Are faith and science at war?Mark organized his teaching to cover:1. Basics -The fundamental principles of creation. The ancients had different teachings for the creation. God is above creation, not captive to nature. God made s…

Mark continued in the series on Genesis with a focus on addressing context in the creation story.1. Translation and context: Written for us but to ancient Israel in ancient Hebrew vocabulary, culture, and understanding. The ancients used their common sense to explain the creation.2. Cosmos and Moses: Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s house and was instruc…

Mark interviewed the Revd. Dr. Michael Lloyd - Principal of Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University in England. He’s released a new book in the U.K. titled Image Bearers - Restoring our Identity and Living our Calling. It should release in the U.S. January 2024.The topic of the interview focused on Genesis 1:26-27. Michael Lloyd discussed seven points t…

Mark started a new class series on Genesis. This book is the prequel to the Torah or Pentateuch. It also sets up an understanding of the book of Moses, the Old Testament, and an introduction to the rest of the Bible. Mark divided the discussion of Genesis into three sections: Set Up - for cosmic approach, sin and its consequences, prophecy and bles…

In today’s class Mark interviewed guest Dr. Darrell Bock, the Executive Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.Mark posed a variety of questions to Dr. Bock, who expertly wowed us with his wisdom, humor, and relational biblical instructions for living in today’s culture.…

Mark taught a standalone lesson on Judah and Assyria using a time travel theme all the way back to September 3, 701 BC. Mark, as tour guide shared: A tour of Nineveh: an expensive capital city built through Assyria's war machine.Nineveh was a large city in its day covering over 3 square miles. A tour of Jerusalem: 50 times smaller than Nineveh. Kin…

8-27-23 Bib-Lit Brent Johnson taught BBS - Better Bible Study - on the topic of Communication. Communication with God is prayer. Proper communication means the sender sends a message through a channel to the recipient. That channel is either verbal or nonverbal. The process takes time. Brent offers three points in our communication with God.1. God …

8-21-23 Biblical-LiteracyMark taught another class in the Better Bible Study, BBS, series with a focus on the Bible theme - Time.1. God and time: God created time, people are under time and God is over time, and God doesn’t change.2. People And time: people exist in time, does wisdom come with time? time is fleeting, time should affect how we live,…

8-13-23 Biblical-LiteracyDr. David Capes continued in the Better Bible Study, BBS, by highlighting principles of exegesis.Exegesis - a “close reading” of a text. Dr. Capes began with a review of the BBS lessons to-date,then turned his attention to the topic of Exegisis.Lesson points:What do you bring to the tasks of studying the Bible?History, disp…

8-6-23 Biblical-Literacy Pastor Jarrett Stephens shared his approach to Better Bible Study, BBS, during this week’s class. He encouraged us to create our own method for our time with the Lord. Start small and grow in time spent building your relationship with God. Hour of power - a spiritual workout. 1. Prioritize your time2. Use a Study Bible and …

Dr. David Capes taught the next lesson in the Better Bible Study, BBS, series focused on Immanuel in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel was placed first by the early church leaders. It’s a user-friendly handbook to the church. Dr Capes had three points.1. Background of Immanuel in Matthew    Fulfillment of Scripture     Prophets both spoke and…

Mark continued the Better Bible Study - BBS with a focus on the theme of exile—the state or period of forced absence from one’s home or country.1. The “exile” began with the exile from the garden to restoration with God woven throughout the Bible. Sin resulted in exile. God had to clean us up.2. Mark reviewed additional passages that deal with exil…

7-16-23 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued in the Better Bible Study, BBS, series with the theme of Messiah throughout the Bible. Messiah is one who is anointed or consecrated to God’s purpose. The Bible speaks of 3 types of individuals who were Messiah'd: priests, kings, and prophets. Jesus fulfills all three as the ultimate Messiah.Mark divided his …

Mark continued BBS Better Better Study focused on the theme of sacrifice. The Bible was built over time, and associations are built into it. Mark defined sacrifice as the destruction or surrender for the sake of something else.Marks presents this lesson with two points:1. Lessons on sacrifices from more obvious passages like with how Moses explaine…

7-2-23 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued BBB - Better Bible Study - with two themes: the Bible as a love story andgiving.1. Love story narrativeFirst, what is love? Mark shares the Greek words for love and the Hebrew word.God centers His love for us throughout the Bible: starting in Genesis, we are created in Hisimage and His love continues through t…

6-25-23 Biblical-LiteracyMark continued BBB- Better Bible Study - with Lesson 4 using a hermeneutical approach.This week’s focus was on the Biblical theme of the temple.1. What was the temple? Earthly home of a heavenly God, the presence of Godamong people, His dwelling and resting place.The tabernacle was a portable temple.2. The temple theme thro…

Mark taught Lesson 3 in the summer’s Better Bible Study series expanding on three themes.1. The surviving and thriving remnant. A remnant is a small piece or amount that is left from a larger original or amount. Mark detailed how God referred to the remnant of his people throughout scripture.2. Spiritual warfare. This aspect begins in Genesis with …

Mark taught Lesson 2 in the summer’s Better Bible Study series with a hermeneutical approach, the study of the methods of reading and understanding Bible passages. Mark covered three themes:1. The kingdom of God come among His people. God will bring His kingdom to the redeemed.2. God as a just God. Humanity has a problem: pride.3. God’s provision o…