Fellowship Night at the Grosjeans' house 6pm

This Friday we will be meeting once again to spend time together and enjoy each other's company. We will be meeting a little earlier so that the kids can spend some time together before they have to go to bed. If you can't come until later, no big deal, just swing by when you can. We'll meet at the Grosjean's house at 6:00pm, though Pascal and Bea will be at a seminary banquet. :(

We will spend some time in prayer, 30 minutes or so, and the rest of the time will be for fellowship, games, hanging out and whatever else we'd all like to do. If you want, bring food, games, chocolate desserts, questions, whatever.

Also, Chris is making some music CDs for us and will be bringing those to give out. If he forgets, make sure you corner him and put the pressure on until he delivers.

If you have any questions or need directions, give me, Jacob, a call.

We hope to see you all there.

Jacob and Stephen

Study This Friday, Feb 24th, at Moore's House

Proverbs 2.2

Proverbs 2:12-22

This week we will be looking at the second half of Proverbs 2: verses 12-22. As usual, please read over Proverbs 2 several times before the study and pray over any questions you might have. Again, we will be looking at Proverbs 2 and I would like to keep the focus on this chapter and how it relates to our lives, so I will not be deviating from it to other scripture.

Here are some review notes and questions to help keep the context in mind for this week.

Verses 1-4 form the "if" part of the larger if/then statement that spans the first 9 verses.

Verses 5 & 9 are the "then" part of the if/then statement.

Verses 6 & 10 explain how and why "you" will receive what is promised. In other words, the “for” acts somewhat like a “because” in these verses.

From verses 6-8, what reasons do you have for believing that if you look for

wisdom you will receive it? How would this proverb change if verses 5-8

were not in it? In other words, what would be missing if the proverb went from verses 1-4 directly to 9 and following? What then can we learn about the relationship between searching for wisdom and finding it?

In verses 11 & 12 we see the fruit, or the results of, this wisdom, knowledge, discretion, and understanding. All these terms – wisdom, knowledge, discretion, and understanding – are used somewhat synonymously. What words are used to describe the relationship between “you” and these things? e.g. How do “you” view wisdom and knowledge; what does discretion and understanding do for “you”?

In verse 12, what are “you” delivered from? To see what this means, let's look back at what it is contrasted with in verses 7-9. What type of imagery is used

in verses 7-9 to illustrate what God protects? e.g. v7 to whom is God a

shield; v8 what does he guard; what does he watch over? In verse 9,

what is the final thing that you will understand? Is this more than a promise that God will protect his saints from evil? How would you explain your answer using this text?

In verse 12, what is the second thing “you” will be delivered from? How are men in verses 12-15 contrasted with son in verses 1-4? If you had to describe the son in verses 1-4 with only one phrase, what would it be?

Wisdom keeps us from walking in the way of evil. In verses 16-19 we see that in keeping from the way of evil we are delivered from the forbidden woman as well. If you are interested to see what happened to Solomon because of the forbidden women he kept, look at 1 Kings 11.

In verse 20 we see the positive side of wisdom. It not only keeps us from the forbidden woman, but it causes us to... what? This is contrasted with the “way of evil” in verse 12. Is this different than simply being protected from evil and evil men? If so, how? Where does this keep our focus?

I hope these questions are beneficial to you in helping you read and understand the text before we get together. As usual, if you have any question or comments, please let me know.

Jacob

I look forward to seeing you all on Friday.

Prayer night this Friday

Dear Noho study,

This Friday night we will be having a night of prayer. Like other fellowship nights, feel free to eat first or bring your food. We'll be meeting at Roderick's place this week (right next to church) and as usual we'll meet at 6:30. Prayer will begin roughly around 7:15 with a few breaks for a short devo and Scripture reading. Fellowship will surely ensue afterward. :)

Location:
[email doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com for more info]

We hope to see you there!

Stephen and Jacob

Proverbs 2:1-11

Please read Proverbs 2 several times before this next study. I want to focus particularly on verses 1-11. I will not be going outside of Proverbs 1 & 2 at all, so let us keep our thoughts and answers specific to these two chapters.

Verses 1-5
- Verses 1-5 are an extended If/Then statement. IF "you" do this, THEN this will happen.
- What expressions or words are used to describe what "you" should do in verses 1-5? This is the part of the statement which follows the IF, e.g. vs 1: "if you receive my words."
- How does this "up the ante" from Proverbs 1:8?
- In verse 5, What are the expressions or words used to show what "you" will receive if you do these things? This is the part of the statement which follows the THEN.

Verses 6-8
- Verse 6 explains how and why "you" will receive what is promised.
- Based on verse 6, where do knowledge and understanding come from?
- Where does wisdom come from? Is it something we earn as a reward for the work done in verses 1-5? 
- In verse 2, Solomon states that his words are wisdom. Does this conflict with what we learn in verse 6? Why or why not?
- Other than the promise of wisdom, knowledge and understanding, what other promises do you see in verses 7-8?

Verses 9-11
- In verse 9 we see another THEN statement. This is connected to the initial THEN statement in verse 5. What do we learn about the LORD between verses 5 and 9? How might this help us understand what happens between the IF statements in verses 1-4 and the second THEN statement in verse 9?
- How is the nature of the things promised in verses 9-11 different from the nature of the things promised in verses 5-8?

Again, this is a lot of material and we will get through as much as the Lord allows, but I hope to make good progress on these questions and I believe we can get through all of it if everyone comes prepared and if we stick to the questions at hand. Of course, I make plans but it is the Lord who establishes my steps, so we will see what happens. I hope these questions help you all think through the verses more thoroughly and, as always, if you have any questions or comments, please give me a call.

I look forward to seeing you all on Friday.

Jacob

Fellowship-Night @ the Del Aguila's - Friday January 20th - 7pm

Dear North Hollywood Bible Study

This coming Friday we will meet for another fellowship-night but this time at the Del Aguila’s.  We will do some games and sing some songs and hopefully enjoy another great opportunity to encourage each other with good conversations.  We’ll have snacks, Coffee, and Tea and it starts at 7pm!

Here is the address:

[email doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com for more info]

We recommend to print out a map or use GPS, because there is not great cell or data reception in the area.

We hope to see many of you there

Pascal and Chris

The Blessings of the New Covenant (Introductory Questions Part 3 1John) (Friday January 13th @ the Grosjeans)

Dear fellow Douloi

This coming Friday we will again delve into 1John and …yes…I know… we will still discuss introductory questions.  But I believe that this will be a very helpful study for your daily walk as a Christian and therefore I did not want to skip it.  You can prepare yourself studying the questions below, but I will give plenty of time to study those questions in groups on Friday as well.

I am looking forward to another great discussion and fellowship.

In His service

Pascal

STUDY PREPARATION:

1) Study Jeremiah 31:31-33 and answer the following questions:

a) What is the main difference between the old and the new covenant?

b) How is this truth shedding light on the difficult passage in 1John 3:9?

c) What does Jeremiah 31:34 contribute to the understanding of 1John 2:27?

d) What are therefore the basic truths, that every Christian knows instinctively (taught by the Holy Spirit), and that therefore constitute non-negotiable truths of the Christian faith? (Especially consider 1John 4:1-6)

2) Study Ezekiel 36:24-27 and answer the following questions

e) What effect will this New Covenant have on the recipients? (v.27)

f) How is this passage shedding light on 1John 2:3/ 2:29?

g) How is this contributing to our assurance of salvation?

h) Knowing all this, what do you think do the following theological terms mean?

h1) Regeneration (2Cor 5:17; 1Cor  2:14)

h2) Justification (Rom 3:21-26)

h3) Positional Sanctification (1Cor 1:2/ 1Cor 6:11)

h4) Progressive Sanctification (1Thess 4.3/ Heb 12:14)

i) Why is it important to know the difference between those terms for daily application?

Game Night at Stephen's House

Dear North Hollywood study,

2012 is off and rolling, and our first game night of the year will be this Friday at Stephen Duwe's house. Come enjoy more fellowship with the group, with the potential that we'll break into some games, a bonfire in the yard, and even rockclimbing(!?) in his garage. Feel free to bring your own food or eat beforehand. Stephen will be providing snacks. Also, please bring your favorite board game or group game.

6:30 pm, Friday the 6th.

[email doulosnorthhollywood@gmail.com for more info]

([...]Stephen's place is through gate and is the second residence.)

We hope to see you there! Many blessings,

Stephen and Jacob