Bible Study - First Presbyterian Church

Nancy Piper
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  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Weekly

  1. 4d ago

    Hebrews 2: Don’t Drift—Jesus Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest

    Hebrews 2: Don’t Drift—Jesus Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest The session opens with prayer for the church, caregivers, ministries, world concerns, and gratitude for preserved lives on a plane, then introduces Hebrews’ five warning passages, beginning with the brief warning against drifting. The teacher explains Hebrews 2:1–4 as an aside applying chapter 1’s truths about the Son’s divine greatness and superiority to angels, using nautical imagery of mooring and drifting to urge closer attention to the gospel. Discussion covers the law “spoken through angels,” its unalterable penalties, and the greater accountability for neglecting salvation first spoken by the Lord, confirmed by eyewitnesses and miracles. Hebrews 2:5–18 is traced to Jesus’ incarnation, suffering, and exaltation, linking Psalm 8, Philippians 2, and Psalm 22 to show Jesus became like his brethren, defeated the devil’s power of death, made propitiation for sins, and serves as a merciful, faithful high priest able to help the tempted. Chapters: 00:00 Opening Prayer 02:56 Hebrews Warning Passages 07:32 Drifting From Truth 12:43 Law Given Through Angels 23:19 Signs, Wonders, Miracles 27:23 Jesus Named At Last 29:32 Psalm 8 And Dominion 32:48 Incarnation And Philippians 2 33:30 Christ’s Humble Descent 36:15 Suffering Completes the Savior 38:18 The Great Exchange 40:09 Not Ashamed to Call Us Family 46:25 Partaking Our Nature 48:55 Freedom From Fear of Death 53:06 Merciful High Priest 57:26 Propitiation and God’s Wrath 59:54 Help in Temptation 01:02:12 Closing Prayer and Announcements

  2. Sep 27

    Hebrews 1 Study: God Speaks in His Son—Greater Than Angels

    Hebrews 1 Study: God Speaks in His Son—Greater Than Angels In a Bible study on Hebrews 1, the teacher opens and closes with prayer and reviews an outline highlighting warning passages, then focuses on how God has spoken in many ways—through creation, the law, prophets’ words and actions, and supremely in His Son. The group discusses key truths from Hebrews 1:1–4 about the Son: heir of all things, co-creator of the ages, radiance of God’s glory, exact representation of God’s nature, sustainer of all things, purifier of sins, and seated at God’s right hand, emphasizing completion and Christ’s ongoing intercession. The lesson then traces Old Testament quotations (Psalms, 2 Samuel) to show the Son’s superiority to angels, including Psalm 110’s Messiah as king, priest, and judge, and notes the persecution context tempting some to return to Judaism. Chapters: 00:00 Opening Prayer 01:33 Hebrews Overview Handout 02:58 God Has Spoken 04:31 Creation Speaks 06:34 Audio Interruptions 08:18 Prophets And Law 10:57 Listen And Obey 16:13 Jesus The Final Word 18:45 Son And Trinity 20:01 Heir And Firstborn 25:42 Radiance Of Glory 30:42 Exact Image Of God 35:47 Upholds All Things 37:11 Word of His Power 37:40 Purification by Blood 38:53 Seated at God’s Right Hand 41:20 Sevenfold Portrait of the Son 44:52 Better Than Angels 49:35 Old Testament Prooftexts 53:53 Begotten Son vs Created Angels 01:00:42 Psalm 110 King Priest Judge 01:07:57 Angels Serve the Heirs 01:09:27 Worshipful Wrap Up and Prayer

  3. Sep 21

    Precepts - Hebrews Overview: Jesus Our Great High Priest, Better Than All

    Hebrews Overview: Jesus Our Great High Priest, Better Than All The session opens and closes with prayer, thanking God for redemption and asking for understanding while studying Hebrews and for needs in the church and community. The teacher introduces an overview of Hebrews, discussing whether it is a letter or sermon, uncertainty about the human author (arguing it was likely not Paul based on Hebrews 2:3), and the unclear identity of the recipients, possibly a mixed group of Jewish and Gentile believers, with quotes often from the Greek Septuagint and references framed around the tabernacle. The class suggests a likely date before the temple’s destruction in 70 AD, noting present-tense descriptions of worship (e.g., Hebrews 9). The teacher explains the book’s structure of theology interrupted by six escalating warning passages, highlights “better” as a key comparative theme, and emphasizes the purpose statement in Hebrews 13:22 as a “word of exhortation” centered on security in Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. Chapters: 00:00 Opening Prayer 03:06 Jesus Our High Priest 04:03 Is Hebrews A Letter 04:49 Authorship And Canon 07:32 Who Was It Written To 11:56 Septuagint And Audience Clues 14:51 Tabernacle Versus Temple 19:54 Dating Before 70 AD 22:41 Warning Passages Overview 24:45 Course Roadmap: Angels And Tabernacle 28:26 How To Study Hebrews 29:55 Better Than Everything 31:00 Jesus Greater Than Moses 32:49 Better Covenant Promises 33:50 Purpose Word of Exhortation 35:40 Cheat Sheet Hebrews Outline 36:41 Mixed Audience and Persecution 42:55 Warning Passages and Drifting 46:30 God Has Spoken Listen Up 49:27 Homework and Class Q&A 51:27 Holy of Holies and Ark 54:43 Closing Prayer and Sendoff

  4. Sep 15

    How to Study Hebrews: Inductive Bible Study Methods, Marking, and Seeing Jesus as Our High Priests - Intro to Hebrews

    How to Study Hebrews: Inductive Bible Study Methods, Marking, and Seeing Jesus as Our High Priest The class opens with prayer, remembering family losses and lifting up prayer requests, including updates on Nell Lucius recovering after a serious fall and Debbie Davidson recovering from a severe UTI that led to sepsis and rehab. The leader introduces a new study of Hebrews and explains an inductive approach: read Scripture first, ask who/what/when/where/why/how, avoid commentaries until after personal study, and slow down by marking key people (God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit), repeated words, and important themes. Students are given a printed copy of Hebrews to mark up, guidance on paragraph titles, comparisons/contrasts, lists, “therefore” conclusions, and word studies using tools like Vine’s and Strong’s, with the leader providing curated references. The episode previews major themes such as Jesus being better than angels, Jesus as compassionate High Priest, and later study of the tabernacle, then assigns homework to read all of Hebrews for the big picture and closes in prayer. Chapters: 00:00 Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving 01:52 Community Updates and Prayer Needs 03:40 Launching the Hebrews Study 06:55 Inductive Study Approach 09:23 Marking Key People and Themes 14:03 Homework Rhythm and Paragraph Titles 16:11 Bible Observation Tools 18:35 Word Studies and Why They Matter 20:18 Why Hebrews Matters 22:10 Course Roadmap: Angels and Tabernacle 22:54 Tabernacle Orientation and Eastward Focus 25:14 What Worship Means Then and Now 25:50 Hebrew Worship and Feasts 26:37 How to Study Hebrews 28:31 Word Studies and Concordances 32:36 Greek Tenses and Translation 36:43 Jesus Above Angels 42:46 Jesus Our High Priest 44:48 Homework: Read Hebrews 46:08 Canon Authorship and Genre 48:11 Class Logistics and Closing Prayer

  5. Mar 26

    Precepts Bible Study Review of Romans

    Romans Review: Propitiation, Redemption, Justification & Reconciliation A church class opens with prayer thanking God for worship, the book of Romans, and justification by faith, lifting up people needing healing, upcoming Easter outreach, local and overseas ministries, and those affected by conflict involving Iran, including Christians, civilians, and soldiers. The teacher reviews four key salvation terms from Romans—propitiation, redemption, justification, and reconciliation—explaining their biblical images (temple sacrifice, marketplace ransom, courtroom declaration, and family restoration/adoption), the reality of sin and God’s wrath against evil, and the believer’s access to God through Christ. Discussion covers prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, and praying in Jesus’ name, along with reports of ministry to Iranians and broadcasting messages into Iran. Participants reflect on how Romans confronts legalism, unity, loving those with opposing views, using spiritual gifts, and stepping out in faith, and how it comforts through God’s sovereignty, assurance, and Romans 8. The meeting closes with prayer and plans to study Hebrews next year. Chapters: 00:00 Opening Prayer 01:46 Church Needs and World Events 05:33 Class Updates and Review Plan 07:42 Four Salvation Words Overview 08:57 Propitiation and Gods Wrath 17:10 Redemption and Ransom 22:15 Justification Not Amnesty 25:10 Reconciliation and Prayer Life 30:49 God at Work in Iran 33:47 Adoption Into Gods Family 34:09 Grafted In Tree Imagery 36:44 Big Romans Salvation Words 37:22 Going Deeper Than Head Knowledge 40:07 Lecture Class Versus Life Lab 41:26 How Romans Confronts Us 42:47 Legalism Unity And Loving Others 49:36 Using Gifts And Hospitality 55:30 Comfort And Assurance In Romans 58:07 Sovereignty And Romans 8 Hope 01:02:33 Final Reflections And Prayer

  6. Mar 14

    Romans 16 Bible Study: Phoebe, Priscilla & Aquila, Unity in the Church, Mystery Revealed

    Romans 16 Bible Study: Phoebe, Priscilla & Aquila, Unity in the Church, and the Mystery Revealed The session opens with a prayer thanking God for provision and asking protection and wisdom for soldiers, civilians, and leaders amid bombing and destruction, and for the church’s ministries and those needing healing. The class discusses logistics for a final review next week and votes to study Hebrews next year. The teacher explains Romans’ importance as Paul’s theological interpretation of Jesus’ death and resurrection, then introduces Romans 16, addressing questions about its originality and Paul’s many greetings. The group studies Phoebe as a trusted servant who carried the letter, highlights women’s significant roles in early church ministry, and reviews Priscilla and Aquila’s partnership with Paul, house churches, and discipleship. They note hard-working believers, Jewish “kinsmen,” Christians in imperial households, and the call to avoid divisive false teaching, concluding with Romans’ doxology about the revealed mystery of salvation by faith for Jews and Gentiles and assigning a chapter-by-chapter verse review. Chapters: 00:00 Opening Prayer for World 04:02 Class Logistics and Review 05:18 Choosing Next Study Book 07:35 Why Romans Matters 11:47 Romans 16 Authorship Debate 15:24 Phoebe the Trusted Deacon 24:28 Priscilla and Aquila Ministry 29:53 Beloved Greetings and Women 32:33 Worked Hard in Service 33:34 Kinsfolk and Early Believers 36:43 Inscriptions and Imperial Households 38:38 Slaves and Gospel Freedom 42:13 Women Workers and Rufus Story 45:27 House Churches and Holy Kiss 46:51 Why Names Matter 50:46 Watch for False Teachers 55:37 Final Greetings and Companions 58:01 Doxology Mystery Revealed 01:02:08 Benediction Homework and Prayer

  7. Mar 9

    Romans 15 Bible Study: Bearing with the Weak, Unity in Christ, and the God of Hope

    Romans 15 Bible Study: Bearing with the Weak, Unity in Christ, and the God of Hope The session opens with prayer praising God’s sovereignty, salvation through Jesus, and care for both global turmoil and personal needs, asking healing for those facing illness or trauma and blessing the church’s ministries and teachers. The study continues Romans 15, defining the “strong” as those strong in faith and the “weak” as those reliant on rituals in non-essential matters, urging believers to bear others’ weaknesses in love, seek their neighbor’s edification, and follow Christ’s selfless example. Paul’s teaching highlights encouragement, perseverance, and hope found in Scripture, calling the church to unity of purpose and to accept one another as Christ accepted us. The lesson explains Old Testament quotes showing God’s plan to include Gentiles, discusses the Holy Spirit’s work, and reviews Paul’s mission, offering for Jerusalem, and prayers answered differently than expected, emphasizing living by faith. Chapters 00:00 Opening Prayer 04:22 Romans 15 Setup 04:46 Weak and Strong Faith 07:16 Love Over Liberty 09:20 Edifying the Body 12:20 Scripture Gives Hope 16:56 Same Mind in Christ 19:32 Christ Serves Israel 24:02 Gentiles in the Plan 27:53 God of Hope Prayer 29:41 Holy Spirit Guidance 31:57 Joy and Peace Today 32:29 Hope Beyond Circumstances 33:55 Why Romans Was Written 37:15 Bold Reminders of Grace 38:48 Called to the Gentiles 42:50 Priestly Mission and Power 44:56 From Jerusalem to Illyricum 52:07 Plans for Rome and Spain 52:31 Offering for Jerusalem 54:47 Prayers Answered Differently 58:05 Living by Faith 01:00:19 Closing Prayer and Charge

  8. Feb 26

    Scruples, Christian Freedom, and Loving One Another - Precepts Bible Study Romans 14

    Romans 14: Scruples, Christian Freedom, and Loving One Another The speaker opens with prayer thanking God for salvation through Jesus, asking blessing for the church, ministries, missionaries, and those facing health challenges. The lesson then explains Romans 14 and the meaning of “scruples” or disputable matters, contrasting them with clear biblical commands about holy living. Using the early church’s mix of Jews and Gentiles, the speaker discusses food laws, meat sacrificed to idols, and observing special days, emphasizing that believers should accept one another, avoid contempt and judgment, and not use freedom in ways that become a stumbling block. Passages from Leviticus, Acts 15, and 1 Corinthians 8–10 are referenced to show that the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, and that love and edification of others should guide personal convictions. Chapters: 00:00 Opening Prayer 03:28 Announcements and Chatter 05:16 Romans 14 Scruples 07:51 Holiness and Freedom 11:29 Weak and Strong Faith 14:28 Meat Sacrificed to Idols 20:56 Leviticus Food Laws 24:07 1 Corinthians Love 29:48 Practical Conscience Rules 32:05 Legalism and Circumcision 33:49 Pentecost to Antioch 36:57 Acts 15 Debate 37:49 Sexual Purity Stands 38:41 Food and Conscience 39:45 Special Days Freedom 42:01 Stop Judging Believers 46:31 Faith Over Rules 47:38 Disputable Issues List 56:40 Tattoos and Contempt 59:03 Women in Ministry 01:00:34 Love That Spreads Gospel 01:02:16 Closing Prayer

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