Footnotes and Witness

Our last deep dive into biblical narrative! Today is all about the plot, the events. How should we read events? What can we and should we infer from these stories? How do we apply what we learn in our own lives? What do events in biblical literature teach us about God's character?

Understanding Before Inferring---Application After Study

Scripture references:
Luke 2:21-35 Mary and Jospeh take sacrifices to the temple and meet Simeon
Leviticus 12- purification traditions after birth

Action To Take: MAKE A READING PLAN! There are so many plans that have scriptures laid out for you. Getting a plan of what logistically you are going to read is the easy part. Making the time, that is the challenge. I would LOVE to know that you made your plan to study, to read, to pray, to intentionally spend time getting a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a selfie and tag #footnotesandwitness! 

My website:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Season 2 continues on with how to tackle biblical narrative. This week: settings! 

Scripture References:
Matthew 2:13-15 / Matthew 2:19-23
Hosea 11:1 ("out of Egypt I called my son")

Study Notes start with these questions:

• Who wrote this?
• -to whom?
• Where/When is this happening?
• Character List:
• Key words

Have you made a study plan? Is it in your calendar?
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/
(you can contact me on my website for any pdfs of study aids)

Study Resources:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/
Atlas- ESV Study Atlas (https://www.christianbook.com/crossway-esv-bible-atlas/john-currid/9781433501920/pd/501922?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=books-20-40%7C501922&p=1179710&utm_source=google&dv=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8dCly8nt-wIV8hZ9Ch3WRAmjEAQYASABEgJ0qvD_BwE) Prices go up and down all the time so check a few bookstores
NIV Study Atlas- (https://www.amazon.com/Zondervan-Essential-Atlas-Bible-Rasmussen/dp/0310318572/ref=asc_df_0310318572/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312129792228&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2855620764839647967&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032002&hvtargid=pla-526391568691&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60258872617&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312129792228&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2855620764839647967&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032002&hvtargid=pla-526391568691)

I am not sponsored by or get any credit or recognition for these recommendations. 

Biblical Literature-Narrative How do I know if I'm reading literature? 

• 1. Is a story being told about a particular character (s)?
• 2. Is there a description of a time or place?
• 3. Is there dialouge?
• 4. Has the events in the story already taken place?

Looking at characters: 

• make a list
• list attributes and or decisions made by each character 
• look up the name and record the definition (blue letter bible. com : interlinear) 
• make note of any description (there usually won't be a physical description)
• observe their responses and reactions
• observe God's responses to them

After looking at the characters and noting your observations, ask: 
What have I learned about God's character? Where do I see Jesus? 

Scripture References from today: 

Matthew 1 & 2 / Luke 142 

• • • 

resources:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/ 
https://www.biblegateway.com/

 My character sheets: https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/messages/biblical-narrative-character-sheet-examples

Season 2 is here! Biblical Literature
It is so important to know what type of literature you are reading when cracking open your Bible. There are different types of literature genres in the Bible. When we can learn to recognize these literature patterns, the Bible can come alive for us. It helps you read the scriptures rightly. I am not an expert; I was simply given tools and resources. These things are available for you!

I have broken down the literature types to 3 simple categories: narrative, poetry, and composed discourse. This season we are going to go through each category and get equipped to recognize these types of literature.

My challenge to you is to make a plan: schedule your Bible study time. Plan time for just reading. Plan time for making notes and study. In each time, make a plan for prayer. To whole point in reading the Bible is to further a relationship with God. Relationships take time and intention. Be intentional, schedule the time.

https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Join us for a special season ending discussion of the disciples! My husband, Mike, chats with me about questions that stood out to him and what it is like to be a witness from the guy perspective. 

Bible Study Resources:
Inductive Bible Study
https://www.logos.com/grow/how-to-inductive-bible-study/

Books:
Jen Wilkin: Women of the Word
https://www.jenwilkin.net/books-and-studies
Howard Hendricks: Living by the Book
https://livingbythebook.net/

Show:
The Chosen:
https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen

Study Websites:
Charles Simeon Trust - Online Courses - https://simeontrust.org/online-courses/

My Website: https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Jesus' crew has given us more information to see Jesus' character rightly. Hopefully this has been a time, not simply to accumulate facts, but the fall even more in love with our Savior!

Matthias 
1st mention Acts 1:23 - name means "gift of God" 

Acts 1:15-26 account of replacing Judas 

Reflection Questions 
Is there a place in your life where God is asking you to take on more responsibility? What does it look like when you need to make a big decision?
 Have you ever watched your friends get what you always wanted? 

• • • 

Paul 
Saul- Hebrew form meaning "desired"
Paul - Greek form meaning "small or little"
epistles "letter" 
1st mention: Acts 7:58 
Paul's self-description: Acts 22:3-4 
Acts 8:3- paul described as ravaging the church 
Paul's conversation 
Acts 9: 1-19 / Acts 22: 6-211 Acts 26: 12-18 

• • • 

Reflection question: Has there been a time when you changed your mind and it cost you? 

https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com

We are rounding out the last of the OG 12 of Jesus' crew: Thaddaeus and Judas Iscariot 

Thaddaeus: name means" large hearted or courageous" (may be the author of Jude) 
Scripture References:
Jesus family didn't believe (follow) Him John 7:1-5 / Mark 3:21- Acts 1:14-Jesus family does come to believe 

Reflection Question:
How would you react/feel if someone else got credit for your accomplishments?

Articles on authorship of Jude: https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/who-wrote-jude 

• • • 

Jude/ Judas = He shall be praised (meaning in Hebrew) 
Iscariot - men of Kerioth 
1st mentioned Matthew 10: 4 

Scripture References:
Kerioth (Joshua 15:25-city listed in inheritance) / (Jeremiah 48: 24 "judgement has come upon the plain country) /  (Jeremiah 48: 41 the city is taken and set at odds against the Lord) / (Amos 2: 2 city listed as devoured by God's fire in judgement) 

Jesus anointed with oil story:
John 12:3-8  & Mark 14: 3-9 

Account of Judas' betrayal: John 13 & 18 / Luke 22 / Matthew 26: 14.25, 47-50 / Mark 14:10-21, 43-46 

Accounts of plot to kill Jesus: John 11:45-53 / Luke 22:1-2 / Matthew 26:1-5 / Mark 14:1-2

Demonic influence on Judas: John 6:70 "Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”
John 13: 2 

God hardens Pharoah's heart Exodus 9:12 

Reflection questions: 
What would your legacy of faith be? 
Could you sit at a table with someone you know will or has hurt you deeply? 

Psalm 23:5-6 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

article references about free will: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/did-john-calvin-believe-in-free-will/

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/watershed-differences-between-calvinists-and-arminians

my website: https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/podcast

Witness- Common Ground 
Observations: 
Jesus chose unlikely people 
Jesus wasn't afraid of difficult relationships

Jesus Christ is the common ground that can overcome barriers 

Heart check questions: If you made a list of the people you talk to (or in relationships with) in a given week or month, what would it look like? Are they the same socioeconomic class as you? Life stage, race, age? 

Is your fear of others really coming from a knowledge of self 

• Do you fear judgement because you judge people when they share with you? 
• Did my opinion about my friend's character change after they shared with me?
• Do I act differently towards them after hearing their story?

1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit

Be the change you want to see - Be the one to trust 

https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/
Next up: Thaddeus/Judas 
Matthias/Paul 

Simon the Zealot and James son of Alphaeus 
This is our 6th episode of discussing the apostles of Jesus Christ and how we learn more about Jesus by looking at His crew. Today is James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot. 

James son of Alphaeus 
James means “Jacob” in Hebrew and “supplanter” in Greek
1st mention is Matthew 10:3

Can be referenced as “little” or “lesser” James

Reflection Questions:
Do you feel unseen?
What kind of recognition do you seek?

Simon the Zealot
Hebrew root means “heard”
1st mention is Matthew 10:4 

Matthew/Mark may have “zealot” translated from (G2581) as Canaanite or zealous
Luke/Acts translate (G2207) to zealous

Here is the link to blue letter bible where you can see all 4 translations and use the interlinear tool to see for yourself: https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=zealot&t=ESV#s=s_primary_0_1

Reflection Questions:
Has there ever been a label put on you that you didn’t agree with?
What is the main word your friends/family would use to describe you/r faith?

To contact me: https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com

We are continuing with our 5th episode about the disciples. Today we are discussing Philip and Bartholomew. We are also covering observations and making lists. 

Philip- his name means “lover of horses”. 

Scripture references: 1st mention : Matthew 10:3

Philip tells a friend: John 1:43-46

Asks Jesus to see the way/Father: John 14:6-11

Acts 6/8 is Philip the Evangelist and NOT this Philip, the apostle

Reflection Questions:

What’s the first thing you did after learning about Jesus?

Who is the first person you told about Jesus?

When did your faith became your own?

Bartholomew- name means “son of Tolmai”

Scripture references: 1st mention: Matthew 10:3

Bartholomew is assumed to be Nathaniel from the account of Philip telling a friend (John 1:43-46)

Reflection Questions:

Would you be satisfied if literally only Jesus knew what you did and how you served others? 

Are you satisfied, okay, with how much people you are close to know you? 

Observations/Lists: This is such a great bible study method. If you see a list, number it! The apostles are listed in 4 places: Matthew 10:2-4 / Mark 3:14-19 / Luke 6:13-16 / Acts 1:13

Observations help you understand the layers of the text in a more rich way than just reading the bible like a novel. Different books read different ways and it can be hard to read. Let scripture interpret scripture. Just note what you see, nothing more or less. Build the observation habits that will help you build a biblical foundation to deepen your understanding of God and His character. 

Charles Spurgeon quote about lists of apostles: “The apostolic number fitly represents the twelve tribes of Israel; and for practical purposes the twelve form a workable band of leaders, a sufficient jury, and a competent company of witnesses.”

Don’t take my word for it! If you don’t know who Spurgeon is, that’s okay. Here is a link to a website about him and why I think he is worth quoting: https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/blog-entries/who-is-charles-haddon-spurgeon/ 

Different types of books in the bible: History, Law, Poetry/Songs, Wisdom, Prophecy, Gospels, Epistles (letters). 

Resources for bible study in literature types: 

https://www.desiringgod.org/is-genre-important-in-bible-reading

Jen Wilkin Women of the Word https://www.jenwilkin.net/books-and-studies