Wolfe Stew

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the International Children's Bible . The Measure You Use (From Luke 6:37-45 ) Apple Orchard at Harvest by lumix2004 at Pixabay 1. Summary Wisely choose how you interact with others. It's easy to focus on other people's flaws, but you must focus instead on your own transformation. Then, when you see someone else struggling with a problem you've already overcome, you'll be prepared to lovingly help them. After all, you will be treated the same way you treat others, and you will become like the person you follow. So choose to be with people who bear good fruit, because the fruit they bear indicates what is in their hearts. 2. N/W/L Statements I NOTICED that all of the advice is practical, actionable habits we could put in place today: Don't judge. Don't condemn. Forgive. Be generous. Focus on your own transformation. Help others who are experiencing troubl...

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the International Children's Bible . Love Your Enemies (From Luke 6:27-36 ) Maple Leaves in Autumn Light by HeungSoon at Pixabay 1. Summary When you are mistreated, let it happen—offer a blessing, even. We are to be people who love and who give to those people who we think do not deserve it, and we are to expect nothing in return. After all, everyone can be nice to people who are nice to them, and lend to people who return what was borrowed, but we are called to a higher calling: we are to love those who despise us; we are to be generous to those who take advantage of us. God is the same way, and we are made in His image. 2. N/W/L Statements I NOTICED that: This section of scripture is a huge challenge to our natural, selfish way of thinking. It is counterintuitive. It also makes us consider God's perspective: we are typically not loving and generous toward Him, yet He is ...

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the International Children's Bible . Blessings and Woes (From Luke 6:17-26 ) Sunshine on Birch Trees by SutekhDF at Pixabay 1. Summary The disciples all descend the mountain to a flat land where they are joined by an extremely diverse group of people from across the region. They came for healing and to be liberated from demonic possession by simply touching Jesus. Jesus looks at His disciples and tells them they are blessed. Their current circumstance might be poor, hungry, mourning, or hated, but Jesus urges them to look beyond to the eternal truth as satisfied, joyful, chosen, heirs to God's kingdom. He further comforts them by recalling a promise of old: those who curse you, will be cursed. Those who seek their reward on earth—wealth, satisfaction, and happiness—receive the opposite eternally. 2. N/W/L Statements I NOTICED that  While the characteristics are the same (fi...

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the International Children's Bible . Naming the Disciples (From Luke 6:12-16 ) Mountains in Autumn  by shogun at Pixabay 1. Summary Jesus, after praying in solitude on a mountain all night, gathered all of His disciples to Him and from them, chose twelve. He also named them apostles. They were Simon [Peter] and his brother, Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew, Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; Simon the Zealot; Judas the brother of James; and Judas Iscariot. The last Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus. 2. N/W/L Statements I NOTICED that: All the disciples were men. There are a lot of repeated names. Very little information is given about each person. Some of the disciples are coupled with someone else while others are mentioned by themselves. First, Jesus prayed. Then, He called everyone to come to Him on the mountain. I WONDER: If any of the ones who weren...

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the International Children's Bible . Lord of the Sabbath (From Luke 6:1-11 ) Wheat Field by Ihannemann at Pixabay 1. Summary Jesus and His disciples were walking through a grain field on the Sabbath. Some of the disciples picked some grain, rubbed the heads (*to release the grain), and ate it. The Pharisees chastised them for breaking Sabbath law.  Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the time David ate bread from the temple that was meant only for priests and shared it with the people who were with him. That, too, was breaking the law of Moses. Then, Jesus proclaimed that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. On the next Sabbath, Jesus healed a man with a disfigured hand while the Pharisees watched. The Pharisees became so angry that they began to plot ways to harm Jesus. 2. N/W/L Statements I NOTICED that the Pharisees are concerned with rule-following while Jesus is concerned wi...

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the Good News Translation . The Challenge to Rigidity (From Luke 5:33-39 ) Wine with Leaves by stux at Pixabay 1. Summary The Pharisees, still confused, ask Jesus, "Why is it that You and Your disciples can party, while we fast? Even John and his disciples fast."  Jesus reasoned that because He was with them, they had no need to fast. When He leaves them, that is when they will fast again. He sympathized with how confused they felt because it contradicted what they thought was right. But, if they truly wanted to see the truth, Jesus told them they would need to discard their old way of thinking and become something new. 2. N/W/L Statements I NOTICED that: The Pharisees think solemnity is more important than celebrating. Jesus says the disciples celebrate because He is with them. I WONDER if : We celebrate because we know God is with us, or if we tend to stay in a state o...

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the Good News Translation . Jesus Chooses Levi (From Luke 5:27-32 ) Forest Road in the Fall  by Valiphotos at Pixabay 1. Summary After healing the paralytic, Jesus went to Levi's place of work and said, "Follow Me." And Levi did. Immediately. Levi, probably because he was thankful and wanted to celebrate, threw Jesus an enormous feast. Among the diners were Levi's friends - also tax collectors. The Pharisees and scribes question Jesus and His disciples about eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus answered, "A healthy person doesn't need a doctor, a sick person does. Likewise, a righteous person doesn't need repentance, a sinner does." 2. N/W/L Statements I NOTICED that: Levi is called Levi here instead of Matthew. The Pharisees and scribes saw the feast, but clearly didn't join. I WONDER if : The disciples were hesitant to join the feas...

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the Good News Translation . Forgiven and Loved (From Luke 5:17-26 ) Home by Rigby40 at Pixabay 1. Summary One day, Jesus was teaching. Among the crowd were Pharisees and teachers of the law from Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. At this time, Jesus was empowered by God to heal the sick. Some men came carrying their paralyzed friend on a stretcher. But they could not make their way through the crowd, so they broke a hole in the tiles of the roof and lowered him down. Jesus, seeing their great faith, told the man that his sins were forgiven.  Immediately, the Pharisees and teachers of the law began to cry out in protest: Jesus had no authority over forgiveness of sins. Only God can forgive! Jesus asked, "Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or 'Get up and walk'? But so you can see that I have the authority to forgive sins, get up, pick up your bed, and g...

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the Good News Translation . Rhythms of Healing and Solitude (From Luke 5:12-16 ) Medicinal Chamomile by neelam279 at Pixabay 1. Summary Jesus was approached in a town by a man with leprosy. The man said, "Lord, I know if you are willing, I can be healed." And Jesus replied, "I am willing; be healed." And the man was! Jesus instructed the man to go to the temple and perform the requirements for cleansing, but not to tell anyone what happened.  Regardless, news of Jesus spread quickly. People flooded to Him to hear Him teach and to be healed. But Jesus often sought solitude so He could spend time in prayer. He never let the demands of the people overtake His time alone with God. 2. N/W/L Statements I NOTICED that to heal him, Jesus touched him. (Which would make Jesus unclean. -  Leviticus 5:3 ) *He did not care about "sullying" His status if it stood i...