Year 3

The life of Job is one of the best-known stories in the Old Testament. The book opens with a description of an upright man of great wealth (1:1-5), who, in God's sovereign providence (1:6-2:7), loses everything. Job's debates with ... more

Job refused to curse God forthrightly (2:9-10), but he came close to doing so by cursing the day of his birth (ch. 3). His intense suffering brought about a state of utter despair that welcomed death (3:20- 22). Beginning with chap... more

The second round of speeches by Job and his friends begins in chapter 15. The friends’ perspective on the root cause of Job's suffering does not change, and their remarks to him become less courteous and more direct. Job, how... more

Job 28, the "wisdom chapter," is distinct from the rest of the book. The chapter serves an important purpose as an interlude between the debate cycle and the major sections that follow and allows the reader an opportunity for refle... more

In the book's Introduction Job is described as a "blameless and upright man who feared God" (1:1). In the debate with his friends Job has maintained all along that his suffering is not related to sin, that he is innocent before God... more

Elihu, the last human participant in the debate with Job, appears in chapter 32. His speeches take up the next six chapters and serve as a prelude to the Lord's appearance at the end of the book. Two issues angered Elihu: Job's sel... more

In the end, God finally spoke, but not in a manner anticipated by Job or his friends. Along the way, Job desired an answer from God (cf. 13:22; 31:35), and each of the friends confidently offered an opinion regarding Job's dilemma.... more

In Ecclesiastes we encounter the ponderings of a wisdom teacher (traditionally identified as Solomon) concerning the harsh realities of life, which, from a human point of view, appear to be meaningless. Both intellectually and expe... more

Today’s lesson covers selected passages in three different chapters of Ecclesiastes. Each of the passages offers wisdom in relation to different aspects of life in this world. Two of the passages explicitly remind the reader ... more

In 1 Timothy 6, Paul warns of the "love of money" (6:10), yet he also states that God richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (6:17). Similarly, the writer of Ecclesiastes struggled with the tensions presented by wealth as he o... more

Ecclesiastes 7-8 carries the theme of man’s inability to discover the plan of God in the face of life’s complexities (see esp. 7:14, 27-28; 8:17). No one can know for sure what tomorrow will bring. Life is brief. Life i... more

The theme of wisdom for daily living expounded in chapters 7-8 continues in chapters 9-11. How should one live in light of life's unpredictability and the absolute certainty of eventual death? The author contemplates this question ... more

Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes the author has examined "life under the sun." Many observations have been made concerning the uncertainties and vanities of life viewed from a human perspective. Now, in chapters 11-12, the autho... more

1 Timothy 6 contains further warnings concerning false teachers in general (6:4-5) but focuses more particularly on the issue of wealth and the believer’s proper attitude toward it. Here one finds timeless, practical truth regarding ... more

1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are known as the "Pastoral Epistles" because they were written to individuals instead of congregations. These letters contain pastoral advice regarding practical matters such as church order and doctrine. 1 &... more

Following an exhortation to Timothy to wage a good warfare in ministry (cf. 1:18), Paul turns to matters relating to the worship of the gathered church. Worship is multi-faceted, involving prayer, teaching, and ordered relationships betwee... more

Godliness is the theme of 1 Timothy 3:1-4:16. First, Paul gives attention to the qualifications of pastors and deacons (3:1-15), which implies that godly leadership is integral to the pursuit of godly character by all. A church is only as ... more

In 1 Timothy 5 the focus of instruction shifts from the qualifications and responsibilities of church leaders (cf. chapters 3-4) to the church as a whole and how the various groups within God’s family should relate to one another. Th... more

Paul opens his second letter to Timothy with a summons to faithful service. The first chapter can be organized around three key exhortations found in 1:6, 1:8, and 1:13-14. Paul urged Timothy to keep his spiritual fire burning, to serve th... more

In 2 Timothy 2 Paul continues to exhort Timothy regarding personal life and ministry. Several practical applications emerge from the overarching theme of faithfulness. 2 Timothy 2 answers a number of key questions. What does diligence in t... more

Christians live in a world hostile to God and characterized by moral decay. In 3:1 Paul refers to the “last days,” a phrase generally used in the New Testament to describe the time between the first and Second Coming of Jesus. ... more

2 Timothy 4 records Paul’s final charge to Timothy, his son in the faith. The tone of the exhortation is very serious. Paul knew that his death was near, and he wanted Timothy to persist faithfully in the things of God (4:1-5). Paul ... more

Throughout  the  book  of  Ecclesiastes  the  author  has  examined  "life  under  the  sun."  Many  observations  have  been  made  concerning  ... more

The author of Hebrews concludes his letter with a series of practical guidelines for Christian conduct. Chapter 13 seems to pick up on the concluding exhortation of Hebrews 12, that believers should show gratitude in their&n... more

Our knowledge of the background of Hebrews is limited. The book is formally anonymous, and we do not know precisely to whom it was written. Nevertheless, it is a profound book of vital importance to the Christian faith. Many sugges... more

Hebrews 1 presents a highly exalted view of Christ. God has spoken de nitively and nally in his Son (1:1-3). He has become much better than the angels (1:4-14). For this reason, people must listen to the Son or face dire consequen... more

Hebrews 3 challenges Christian to be faithful in their commitment to Christ. Jesus, who is greater than Moses, is set forth as a positive example of faithfulness. Believers are exhorted to consider Jesus (3:1) and to endure steadfa... more

Hebrews 3:16-4:13 is concerned with entering into God's rest. The author elaborates upon Psalm 95 in order to remind the hearers of Israel's past rebellion and the subsequent consequences. Such rebellion, however, is now a present ... more

Having delineated examples of enduring faith in chapter 11, the author moves in chapter 12 toward exhortation and specific application. God has proven faithful in the lives of others who have endured in faith. Since others have persevered,... more

Hebrews 4:14-16 opens up the central portion of the book (4:14- 10:25) focusing upon the central theme of Christ's high priesthood. Concerning this topic, the author of Hebrews goes into far more detail than any other NT writer. Je... more

In Hebrews 5:11 the reader comes to the third warning passage in the book (5:11-6:20), a stern admonition of spiritual disaster for those who turn away from Christ. The scholarly debate on this passage has been extensive. Interpret... more

The focus upon Christ's priesthood continues in chapters 8-9 with emphasis upon the new covenant established by his once-for-all sacri ce on the cross. The main emphases of this section include the superior priestly ministry ... more

Following on the heels of strong warning (6:1-8), the author of Hebrews turns to strong encouragement (6:9 and following). This encouragement to the readers is grounded in the sure promises of God (6:13-19) which leads t... more

Hebrews 10:1-18 has been deemed a "theological crescendo,"meaning that the author of Hebrews reiterates key theological themes covered thus far in the book such as the exaltation, incarnation, and high priestly work of Christ... more

Hebrews 10:19-39 draws out the implications of the once for all sacri ce of Jesus described in the previous section (note the word "therefore"). The passage divides into three sections. First, the author encourages his r... more

Having expressed con dence that both he and his readers are counted among those who "have faith to the persevering of the soul" (10:39), the author of Hebrews now turns more speci cally in chapter 11 to the character of endur... more