Week 4 - Bible Study 2 (Acts 17-18)
"22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly."~ Proverbs 14:22-24
Diving into week 4 it's easy to get overwhelmed by work at times,
but never forget that 'hard work brings a profit'
God knows what you're going through and if you persist
He will certainly reward you in ways you cannot imagine :)
Dear brothers and sisters,
After two weeks' break we'll resume bible studies and continue to look at Paul's journey from Acts 17-18.
Having studied the book of Acts for quite a while you should have observed the pattern of Paul's journeys in general - arrive at a new place, preach the gospel, many (in particular gentiles) believe yet the Jews resist and persecute them.
This time, I would very much encourage you to look at the passage in a different perspective. In particular, below are some things which you may want to think ahead and discuss in the bible studies:
1. We always heard about Paul preaching the gospel as he travels but very seldom do we see a full record of his sermons. This time, Paul's speech given at the meeting of the Areopagus in Athens was written down in detail by Dr Luke the author, and the only other time was when Paul preached at Antioch (Acts 13:13-41).
- Why is this piece of sermon significant? What are we to learn from this? By comparing the similarities and differences of the two sermons, try and find out why.
2. Two important cities/places in Paul's journeys were Corinth and Ephesus - the former is described in Acts 18 and the latter, in Acts 19. In the latter part of Acts 18 a new character Apollos appears - he is a knowledgeable man and a fervorous believer in God like Paul.
- Apollos is a very special person. Read 1 Corinthians and you'll see how later believers in the church were divided into two: some claiming to be a follower of Paul and some of Apollos. Is there something we can learn from here? Do we, at times, put our focus on the wrong "person"?
Electronic copies of the passage could be found at the links below:
Acts 17-18 (English NIV version):
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2017-18;&version=31
Acts 17-18 (Traditional Chinese version):
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2017-18&version=22
Dinner at 6.30pm this Wed as usual and you're very welcome to come and help.
If you are going to be late for dinner please send an email to jfdinner@yahoo.co.uk as well so we can reserve a dish for you.
*** DINNER ***
QQ's group will be cooking dinner this week.
Anyone who can come to help with cooking and/or washing up, please let QQ (qh205@cam.ac.uk) know and arrive at Henry Martyn Hall at 5:30pm.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE email jfdinner@yahoo.co.uk if you are not on default list but would like to have dinner (with subject: I would like to join for dinner this Wednesday!). This is essential as we need to prepare enough food for everybody.
In Christ,
Helen
On behalf of Joshua Fellowship
**************************************************
Joshua Fellowship
a fellowship of Cambridge Chinese Christian Church,
meets every Wednesday during term time at Henry Martyn Hall
6:30pm - 7:15pm for dinner
7:30pm - 9:30pm for main programme
email: JF_CCCC@yahoo.co.uk
Web Site: http://www.joshuafellowship.org.uk
But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly."~ Proverbs 14:22-24
Diving into week 4 it's easy to get overwhelmed by work at times,
but never forget that 'hard work brings a profit'
God knows what you're going through and if you persist
He will certainly reward you in ways you cannot imagine :)
Dear brothers and sisters,
After two weeks' break we'll resume bible studies and continue to look at Paul's journey from Acts 17-18.
Having studied the book of Acts for quite a while you should have observed the pattern of Paul's journeys in general - arrive at a new place, preach the gospel, many (in particular gentiles) believe yet the Jews resist and persecute them.
This time, I would very much encourage you to look at the passage in a different perspective. In particular, below are some things which you may want to think ahead and discuss in the bible studies:
1. We always heard about Paul preaching the gospel as he travels but very seldom do we see a full record of his sermons. This time, Paul's speech given at the meeting of the Areopagus in Athens was written down in detail by Dr Luke the author, and the only other time was when Paul preached at Antioch (Acts 13:13-41).
- Why is this piece of sermon significant? What are we to learn from this? By comparing the similarities and differences of the two sermons, try and find out why.
2. Two important cities/places in Paul's journeys were Corinth and Ephesus - the former is described in Acts 18 and the latter, in Acts 19. In the latter part of Acts 18 a new character Apollos appears - he is a knowledgeable man and a fervorous believer in God like Paul.
- Apollos is a very special person. Read 1 Corinthians and you'll see how later believers in the church were divided into two: some claiming to be a follower of Paul and some of Apollos. Is there something we can learn from here? Do we, at times, put our focus on the wrong "person"?
Electronic copies of the passage could be found at the links below:
Acts 17-18 (English NIV version):
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2017-18;&version=31
Acts 17-18 (Traditional Chinese version):
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2017-18&version=22
Dinner at 6.30pm this Wed as usual and you're very welcome to come and help.
If you are going to be late for dinner please send an email to jfdinner@yahoo.co.uk as well so we can reserve a dish for you.
*** DINNER ***
QQ's group will be cooking dinner this week.
Anyone who can come to help with cooking and/or washing up, please let QQ (qh205@cam.ac.uk) know and arrive at Henry Martyn Hall at 5:30pm.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE email jfdinner@yahoo.co.uk if you are not on default list but would like to have dinner (with subject: I would like to join for dinner this Wednesday!). This is essential as we need to prepare enough food for everybody.
In Christ,
Helen
On behalf of Joshua Fellowship
**************************************************
Joshua Fellowship
a fellowship of Cambridge Chinese Christian Church,
meets every Wednesday during term time at Henry Martyn Hall
6:30pm - 7:15pm for dinner
7:30pm - 9:30pm for main programme
email: JF_CCCC@yahoo.co.uk
Web Site: http://www.joshuafellowship.org.uk