Week three
Historical & Cultural Contexts of Literature
The Bible is full of history, but it is also a part of history. It shows us what has taken place historically and culturally at the time the stories were recorded. As we read God’s Word, we see that the development of mankind, civilization, and kingdoms through the centuries bleed onto its pages. This week, in our videos and devotional readings, we take a closer look at the culture and history of the Bible, so that we can more accurately interpret and apply it to our lives!
Welcome to Week #3 of Grow!
As you begin your studies this week, consider the following question:
What makes the Bible so unique? How does it differ from different generes (ie. Movies, Books, Poetry)? Share a moment of personal revelation you had while reading the Scriptures.
We’d love to know your thoughts regarding the video, discussion questions or devotional scriptures. Please comment in the feed below, or create your own post.
Happy Growing!
~ 🌱 The Grow Team
Wooo this week so far has pulled on my heartstrings. From the passage out of the book of Daniel not Boeing to the King’s requirements but staying set apart unto his God’s standards and watching God favor them. He made me think of Numbers 6:24-26 May the lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.
While reading the book of Luke 7:36-
I’m reminded of his love, grace, kindness that he has poured out to make and my response to him is like hers, I love sitting in his presence and adoring him and poring out my love on him. 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 Loved by him. He is my beloved and I am his!!!❤️❤️❤️
April Carter
What makes the Bible so unique?
Its a unified story that can be verified by history
How does it differ from different generes (ie. Movies, Books, Poetry)?
Its life changing and transformational that’s one of the differences among many
Share a moment of personal revelation you had while reading the Scriptures.
A personal revelation moment that will forever stand out to me is reading Genesis and the story of Adam and Eve and how God created Eve then presented her to the man it was revelatory in the way that it opened to my eyes that Eve spent time alone with God being made whole before she was presented to man. It really focused my walk as a single woman to spend quality time with God being made whole before even thinking about a man, in short.
Yes April! That part: “my walk as a single woman to spend quality time with God being made whole before even thinking about a man”. There are so many who have not grasped this concept yet.
100% Agree
What makes the Bible so unique? How does it differ from different generes (ie. Movies, Books, Poetry)? Share a moment of personal revelation you had while reading the Scriptures
The Bible is unique to me because it’s the breath of God, written by the Holy Spirit through Hood writers exactly where I’m from, from Genesis to Revelation. It’s different generes is like being in a play each act goes into a different era, I drink it in, so intoxicating. I’m inside this story in each book some kind of way. I’m still having my personal revelation of Him changing me has grow in Him moment by moment.
What is so unique about this woman and her interaction with God? What comes to mind when you read this passage? One thing that caught my attention was that she not only recognized who Jesus was, but also gave him what she had physically and internally as well (her heart)!! She also showed true sacrifice all while being in the house of a disciple. Even though Simon didn’t see her intention and heart, Jesus did by showing him how she did it and how he (Simon) didn’t.
As stated in Luke 7:44-47, “Do you see the woman? I came into your house [but you failed to extend to me the usual courtesies shown to a guest;] you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair [demonstrating her love]. You gave me no [welcoming] kiss, but from the moment I came in, she has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not [even] anoint My head with [costly and rare] perfume. Therefore, I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she showed much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (AMP 2015, Zondervan)
Tuesday:
Question: Read Luke 7:36-50. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. What is so unique about this woman and her interaction with God as context? What comes to mind for you when you read this passage?
Response: This woman faced the dirty looks and rejection of the Pharisees and others at the dinner. Her worship was at the cost of an expensive vial of perfume. She had humility to wash Jesus feet. We can only imagine the dirty looks she got. But her willingness and hunger to worship Jesus outweighed any fear she had of the guests in attendance at the dinner. As I reviewed this passage, I began to think of how all can be received, forgiven and saved. Forgiveness is available 24-7 and we should all behave just as this woman did.
April Carter 10/21/20
Read Daniel 1 Questions: What were the cultural requirements of worship and reverence during this time according to the reading? Daniel showed how the people of God were to live even in captivity, foreign land, amongst foreign people and religion it also demonstrated what it meant to be faithful to the rule of God above all others. Really inspiring in this day and time to live for the kingdom of God not the kingdom of this world no matter the cost, very brave.
What did Daniel and his friends say that they would do?
Do…? Daniel stated that he would not defile himself with the kings food or with the wine he drank.
Wk 3 Devotion
Day 1: What were the cultural requirements of worship and reverence during this time according to the reading? What did Daniel and his friends say that they would do?
Day 2: All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. What is so unique about this woman and her interaction with God as context? What comes to mind for you when you read this passage?
Day 3: The Jews had very distinctive feelings about Samaritans. Go a little deeper and discover what the reason was for the differences Historically?
Day 4: What is the meaning of this miracle? What were the traditions of this time? What would it have meant for the wedding to run out of wine?
Day 5: Who was the Author of the book of Acts and where did he write this book from? What’s unique of the Grecian culture of the time?
What makes the Bible so unique?
How does it differ from different generes (ie. Movies, Books, Poetry)?
Share a moment of personal revelation you had while reading the Scriptures.
Hello Grow!
Happy Thursday. Here’s one more question to ponder before tonight’s “Grow Chat”:
What scripture has stood out most to you this week? Have you uncovered any historical or cultural truths during your studies? If so, what?
The week is almost over, so let’s FINISH STRONG. We look forward to hearing from you in the chat!
~ 🌱 The Grow Team