This week we’re working on Lesson 4. This will be our only week to study chapter 8, can you believe it? The 1st 2 days of our homework are to be spent observing the chapter. Like chapter 7, Daniel has a vision and then receives an interpretation of his vision. It can seem rather confusing at 1st glance! So, here are some suggestions that will hopefully simplify things a bit:
1. Don’t worry about interpreting every detail immediately! Remember: focus on what is obvious, not the obscure. What’s obvious? Well, this vision involves a ram, a goat, and a small horn. (That’s right….we’ve got another small horn!) So, pick 3 different colored pens and mark each reference to the ram, the goat, and the small horn.
2. After you’ve marked those 3, make a simple list of everything you learn about each one on a piece of paper. Use Daniel’s words when making your lists….don’t add your own words. This helps us keep our observations objective. We want to become very familiar with the facts of chapter 8.
When you finish making your lists, look back over them and think about what you’re learning. We don’t have to wonder who the ram and goat represent…we’re told very clearly! When you look at your list about the small horn, notice which kingdom he comes out of. Is he the same guy as the little big horn in chapter 7? Reason thru your answer, using chapter 8.
Note: you may not want to mark the ram, the goat, and the small horn at the same time. You might find it helpful to just focus on one of those at a time. For example, you could mark the ram, then make your list on the ram. Look back over your list and think about what you’re learning. Afterwards, get up and go do something else! If you’re like me, there’s always laundry waiting to be done!! Come back later and work on the goat. Breaking it down into smaller steps can help.
3. After you mark the ram, goat, and small horn, you may want to mark all references to God and any other people or angelic beings mentioned in the chapter.
4. Read over the chapter and mark any time phrases you find.
5. After you've spent time observing chapter 8, look back over your notes from the 1st lessons about the history of the Middle East. Review what we learned about the Medo/Persian and Greek Empires. Who was Greece’s 1st king? Hmmmm....does he show up in chapter 8? What happened to his empire when he died?
6. There will be some challenging things to interpret in chapter 8. If you see things you just don’t understand, put a little question mark next to them in pencil. And then move on! If you have a lot of little question marks, that’s ok! Remember: focus on what is obvious! Yes, there are some confusing things…but there are many clear things as well.
As you study, keep in mind that this is a process! Sometimes we want it all to come together quickly and in a neat, orderly fashion. Well, that’s just not gonna happen in Daniel!! So, relax and enjoy the ride! Think about how much we're learning this fall! Isn't it amazing? Yes, we have many questions about what we're learning, but we also have many answers!
Paul prayed this prayer for the believers in Philippi:
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
Amen!
Showing posts with label Homework. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homework. Show all posts
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Homework: Lesson 2
We have one primary goal this week: to observe Revelation 12 and 13 and look for information that relates to Daniel's vision in chapter 7. There are so many interesting details in these chapters that it's easy to get overwhelmed. Remember, though, we are not doing a study of Revelation; we are using these chapters as cross references to Daniel 7.
As you're studying, remember that our primary goal is to observe these chapters as objectively as we can. We will not interpret all the details, even though we may want to try! This week we're looking for information that sounds like things we read in Daniel 7.
You may be tempted to grab a commentary to see how someone explains the details in Revelation 12 and 13, but this is not the time. Keep them closed for now (that includes your wonderful study Bibles and all their notes!). Read these chapters over and over and try to stick with exactly what the text says. If you can't figure something out, that's okay. We need to observe, observe, and observe some more before we try to interpret! Put a little question mark next to the things you don't understand and move on. If you have a ton of question marks, don't worry about it. Maybe you'll find yourself erasing some of those question marks after awhile.
In the homework we're asked to interpret the woman mentioned in Revelation 12. You might find it helpful to grab a piece of paper and make a simple list of everything it says about her. After you make your list, look over it and think about what it says. You may not come up with a firm conclusion, but you could jot down your ideas. We'll talk about it on Wednesday. I've already had several conversations with some of you about this woman. So, if you're struggling to understand who she is, you've got company!! The process of figuring out who she might be is a good one. So hang in there and keep chewing on it!
If you will stick with this method of studying, you will learn what the Word of God says for yourself. It's definitely a process, so give yourself lots of grace and time. There are no shortcuts for becoming equipped in understanding the Bible and handling it accurately! It takes time and discipline.....but it's so worth it!
Remember to keep asking yourself what you're learning about your God as you study. In the midst of all your questions, is there anything that grabs you personally? Is God speaking to you through these chapters?
As you're studying, remember that our primary goal is to observe these chapters as objectively as we can. We will not interpret all the details, even though we may want to try! This week we're looking for information that sounds like things we read in Daniel 7.
You may be tempted to grab a commentary to see how someone explains the details in Revelation 12 and 13, but this is not the time. Keep them closed for now (that includes your wonderful study Bibles and all their notes!). Read these chapters over and over and try to stick with exactly what the text says. If you can't figure something out, that's okay. We need to observe, observe, and observe some more before we try to interpret! Put a little question mark next to the things you don't understand and move on. If you have a ton of question marks, don't worry about it. Maybe you'll find yourself erasing some of those question marks after awhile.
In the homework we're asked to interpret the woman mentioned in Revelation 12. You might find it helpful to grab a piece of paper and make a simple list of everything it says about her. After you make your list, look over it and think about what it says. You may not come up with a firm conclusion, but you could jot down your ideas. We'll talk about it on Wednesday. I've already had several conversations with some of you about this woman. So, if you're struggling to understand who she is, you've got company!! The process of figuring out who she might be is a good one. So hang in there and keep chewing on it!
If you will stick with this method of studying, you will learn what the Word of God says for yourself. It's definitely a process, so give yourself lots of grace and time. There are no shortcuts for becoming equipped in understanding the Bible and handling it accurately! It takes time and discipline.....but it's so worth it!
Remember to keep asking yourself what you're learning about your God as you study. In the midst of all your questions, is there anything that grabs you personally? Is God speaking to you through these chapters?
Friday, September 25, 2009
Homework: Lesson 1, Part 2
This week we are working on the 2nd part of the 1st lesson. This past Wednesday we reviewed the history of the Middle East as it relates to Daniel, and we did an overview of Daniel so we could see how the book is put together. This week we are diving into chapter 7. (For those of you who missed class, start working on assignment #2, page 5 in your workbook. This lesson ends on page 10.)
If you are new to our study, there is a copy of the entire book of Daniel in the appendix of your workbook. Each chapter is double spaced and has wide margins, so you can write all over it!
Our first assignment is to "observe Daniel 7" (page 5, #2a). The workbook instructs us to mark key words as we read Daniel 7. You'll need colored pens or pencils to do this, and you get to choose how you mark each word. Try to keep your markings simple - that helps! For example, you might just draw a blue box around Daniel. Remember to also mark any pronoun or synonyms for the words you're marking. This will take some time, so pace yourself. As you mark each word, think about what you're learning about that word.
After you mark the key words they give in the workbook, you will also want to mark all the time phrases you find. Time phrases help us keep the sequence of events straight, so they're helpful when we're observing a chapter, especially in these chapters. Again, keep it simple! I usually underline a time phrase with a black pen and draw a small clock in the left margin next to the verse (okay, so sometimes I don't draw a clock next to every single time phrase I underline...just the biggies).
There are a lot of time phrases in chapter 7. For example: verse 1 begins with the phrase "In the year of Belshazzar king of Babylon." That's a biggie, so we need to note it. Here are examples of a few other time phrases that aren't so big but are helpful to notice: v2: by night, v6: after this, v7: after this, v 8: while. This is just to get you started - there are a lot more of them in the chapter!
After you mark the key words and time phrases, it will be helpful to notice when Daniel is describing his dream and when he is given the interpretation of his dream. Next to verse 2 I wrote Dream in the left margin. When you find the verse that begins the interpretation, you could write Interpretation next to it. This will help you see the flow of the chapter.
After you've spent time observing chapter 7, there's a wonderful assignment at the top of page 6. There are pages in the appendix where you can record what you learn about God and about Daniel in each chapter. This is where things can become personal for each of us. We want to make sure we aren't just going for 'head knowledge' as we study Daniel but also let it sink into our hearts. Take time to think about what you're learning about your God in chapter 7 this week. How does all this apply to you...to how you think about God? As you watch Daniel in each chapter, what can you learn from this godly man? How does he respond to this dream?
I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and then write down your thoughts. This can become a journal of sorts as you go thru Daniel. Won't it be interesting to reread it when we finish our study in December?
The main point of everything we're doing is to closely observe the text of each chapter...this week, chapter 7. It's important to slow ourselves down and really look objectively at what the text says. This way of studying is all about the process. No one is gonna grade your homework! The goal is to know God more intimately.
I hope this helps a bit! If you've never done a Precept study before, it can seem rather overwhelming at first. If you're feeling that way right about now, you're not alone...trust me! But, if you stick with it and give it a try, I think you'll find that this way of studying God's Word is truly a blessing. Remember to give yourselve time and lots of grace along the way!
Do you have questions about your homework for week two? About marking Key Words or Time Phrases? If so, please post them in the "comments" section of this post.
If you are new to our study, there is a copy of the entire book of Daniel in the appendix of your workbook. Each chapter is double spaced and has wide margins, so you can write all over it!
Our first assignment is to "observe Daniel 7" (page 5, #2a). The workbook instructs us to mark key words as we read Daniel 7. You'll need colored pens or pencils to do this, and you get to choose how you mark each word. Try to keep your markings simple - that helps! For example, you might just draw a blue box around Daniel. Remember to also mark any pronoun or synonyms for the words you're marking. This will take some time, so pace yourself. As you mark each word, think about what you're learning about that word.
After you mark the key words they give in the workbook, you will also want to mark all the time phrases you find. Time phrases help us keep the sequence of events straight, so they're helpful when we're observing a chapter, especially in these chapters. Again, keep it simple! I usually underline a time phrase with a black pen and draw a small clock in the left margin next to the verse (okay, so sometimes I don't draw a clock next to every single time phrase I underline...just the biggies).
There are a lot of time phrases in chapter 7. For example: verse 1 begins with the phrase "In the year of Belshazzar king of Babylon." That's a biggie, so we need to note it. Here are examples of a few other time phrases that aren't so big but are helpful to notice: v2: by night, v6: after this, v7: after this, v 8: while. This is just to get you started - there are a lot more of them in the chapter!
After you mark the key words and time phrases, it will be helpful to notice when Daniel is describing his dream and when he is given the interpretation of his dream. Next to verse 2 I wrote Dream in the left margin. When you find the verse that begins the interpretation, you could write Interpretation next to it. This will help you see the flow of the chapter.
After you've spent time observing chapter 7, there's a wonderful assignment at the top of page 6. There are pages in the appendix where you can record what you learn about God and about Daniel in each chapter. This is where things can become personal for each of us. We want to make sure we aren't just going for 'head knowledge' as we study Daniel but also let it sink into our hearts. Take time to think about what you're learning about your God in chapter 7 this week. How does all this apply to you...to how you think about God? As you watch Daniel in each chapter, what can you learn from this godly man? How does he respond to this dream?
I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and then write down your thoughts. This can become a journal of sorts as you go thru Daniel. Won't it be interesting to reread it when we finish our study in December?
The main point of everything we're doing is to closely observe the text of each chapter...this week, chapter 7. It's important to slow ourselves down and really look objectively at what the text says. This way of studying is all about the process. No one is gonna grade your homework! The goal is to know God more intimately.
I hope this helps a bit! If you've never done a Precept study before, it can seem rather overwhelming at first. If you're feeling that way right about now, you're not alone...trust me! But, if you stick with it and give it a try, I think you'll find that this way of studying God's Word is truly a blessing. Remember to give yourselve time and lots of grace along the way!
Do you have questions about your homework for week two? About marking Key Words or Time Phrases? If so, please post them in the "comments" section of this post.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Homework: Week 9
It's hard to believe that this coming lesson is the final one in our study of Daniel, Part 1. Hasn't it been a rich study thus far?
This week we'll study another familiar tale from the book of Daniel - the Lion's Den. Let's dig deep and uncover the truths that we may have overlooked in the past.
Post your comments or questions here throughout the week as you study to help get our dialogue started. Thanks!
This week we'll study another familiar tale from the book of Daniel - the Lion's Den. Let's dig deep and uncover the truths that we may have overlooked in the past.
Post your comments or questions here throughout the week as you study to help get our dialogue started. Thanks!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Homework: Week 7
As we move this week into Daniel 5, we encounter a new Babylonian king - Belshazzar - and a very familiar story - the writing on the wall. Yet, we'll see, as we have with each week of this study and with each familiar tale we've read, that there's "more to the story." It's going to be fun to see what questions and what insights our homework this week raises.
We had a lot of great discussion this morning in our study, but please don't hesitate to post some of your questions and comments on the blog throughout the week. It would be wonderful to discuss our lesson with one another even before we meet together on Wednesdays.
"Blogging" may be new to you, but dive in, share your thoughts, and feel free to respond to others. Who knows? It may lead to some rich discussions and cool discoveries.
We had a lot of great discussion this morning in our study, but please don't hesitate to post some of your questions and comments on the blog throughout the week. It would be wonderful to discuss our lesson with one another even before we meet together on Wednesdays.
"Blogging" may be new to you, but dive in, share your thoughts, and feel free to respond to others. Who knows? It may lead to some rich discussions and cool discoveries.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Homework: Week 6
This week we are studying chapter four of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar is dreaming again, and once more Daniel provides the interpretation. As questions arise as you do your homework, or if you have thoughts you'd like to share, please do so in the comments section of this post. Thanks!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Homework: Week 4
I hope everyone is enjoying spring break this week! I'll miss seeing all of you on Wed morning, so I thought it might be fun to 'talk' to one another via the blog this week.
To get things started, here are a few questions for you to think about and post your thoughts:
To get things started, here are a few questions for you to think about and post your thoughts:
- Did anything in particular stand out to you...about Daniel or God...in chapter 2?
- Do you see any relevance to your life in this chapter?
- Are you finding the dream overwhelming and confusing...or is it really interesting to you?
Let's talk! What are you thinking this week?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Homework: Week Three
We survived the overview of chapters 7-12 of Daniel, and it certainly whet our appetite for a deeper understanding of what we're reading. This week we will dig in and chapter by chapter gain that understanding through observation and study. We start with Chapter 1 (obviously). If you have questions as you work through your homework, please post them here. Chances are if you are wondering about something, others are too! Good luck, dive in, and have fun!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Study Tip: Week Two
On day 5 of this week's lesson, assignment #2 tells us to find 'segment divisions' in Daniel and to record them on the 'Daniel At A Glance' chart. It tells you to consult Kay Arthur's book How To Study Your Bible (the book I told you not to buy!). Well, here's my suggestion: don't worry about doing this assignment, we'll do it together in class.
But, if you just can't stand it and feel compelled to give it a try, here's a (somewhat) simple explanation of a segment division:
After you overview a book, try looking for major divisions (segments) in a book. For example, in Daniel chapters 1-6 are chronological. They cover a large span of time. Chapter 7-12 are also chronological but they occur within the time frame of chapters 1-6. So, there is a division or 'segment' between 1-6 and 7-12 in regards to the timing layout of the book. It's very helpful to realize this when you're studying Daniel.
Let me give you some examples of segment divisions in other books. In many of Paul's letters, the 1st chapters are usually very doctrinal....and the last chapters are very practical applications. Chapters 1-11 in Romans are doctrinal, chapters 12-16 are concerned with practical application. Chapters 1-2 in Colossians are doctrinal, chapters 3-4 are very practical.
In some Old Testament history books, you can see segment divisions in the reigns of various kings....or the stories of particular people. Sometimes a book moves from 1 event to the next event....so you can segment the book according to the events.
In John, we saw a segment division between chapters 1-11 and 12-21. The 1st 11 chapters covered 3 years of Jesus' earthly ministry. Chapters 12-21 covered the last week of His ministry.
I like to think of segment divisions as ways to outline a book. In Daniel we see various people having dreams or visions in chapters 1-6 and Daniel interprets them. In chapters 7-12, who is having the dreams and who is interpreting them?
In Daniel we see various kingdoms and kings. Various chapters occur during the rule of a specific king or kingdom. So, you could list the chapters according to the kingdom that was ruling during that chapter.
As you can see, there can be more than 1 way to divide or outline a book.....in other words, more than 1 kind of segment division. In Romans, you can segment the book according to doctrine and practical application. You can also segment it into 5 divisions: sin (chapters 1-3:21), salvation (chapters 3:22-5), sanctification (chapters 6-8), sovereignty (chapters 9-11), and service (chapters 12-16). Remember our Romans' aerobics...those of you who studied Romans with us? Of course you do....whoo hoo!! We were just dividing Romans into segments.
Ok, I told you it'd be a 'relatively' simple explanation! So....if you're totally bogged down right now, skip #2 on Day 5....and remember that your salvation does not depend upon finding segment divisions in Daniel!!! Or, give it a try and see what you come up with. Call a friend in the study and brainstorm together a bit. You might have some fun with it! Besides, if you look back over this explanation, you'll find several ways to segment Daniel. But hey, you might just think of a few more!
But, if you just can't stand it and feel compelled to give it a try, here's a (somewhat) simple explanation of a segment division:
After you overview a book, try looking for major divisions (segments) in a book. For example, in Daniel chapters 1-6 are chronological. They cover a large span of time. Chapter 7-12 are also chronological but they occur within the time frame of chapters 1-6. So, there is a division or 'segment' between 1-6 and 7-12 in regards to the timing layout of the book. It's very helpful to realize this when you're studying Daniel.
Let me give you some examples of segment divisions in other books. In many of Paul's letters, the 1st chapters are usually very doctrinal....and the last chapters are very practical applications. Chapters 1-11 in Romans are doctrinal, chapters 12-16 are concerned with practical application. Chapters 1-2 in Colossians are doctrinal, chapters 3-4 are very practical.
In some Old Testament history books, you can see segment divisions in the reigns of various kings....or the stories of particular people. Sometimes a book moves from 1 event to the next event....so you can segment the book according to the events.
In John, we saw a segment division between chapters 1-11 and 12-21. The 1st 11 chapters covered 3 years of Jesus' earthly ministry. Chapters 12-21 covered the last week of His ministry.
I like to think of segment divisions as ways to outline a book. In Daniel we see various people having dreams or visions in chapters 1-6 and Daniel interprets them. In chapters 7-12, who is having the dreams and who is interpreting them?
In Daniel we see various kingdoms and kings. Various chapters occur during the rule of a specific king or kingdom. So, you could list the chapters according to the kingdom that was ruling during that chapter.
As you can see, there can be more than 1 way to divide or outline a book.....in other words, more than 1 kind of segment division. In Romans, you can segment the book according to doctrine and practical application. You can also segment it into 5 divisions: sin (chapters 1-3:21), salvation (chapters 3:22-5), sanctification (chapters 6-8), sovereignty (chapters 9-11), and service (chapters 12-16). Remember our Romans' aerobics...those of you who studied Romans with us? Of course you do....whoo hoo!! We were just dividing Romans into segments.
Ok, I told you it'd be a 'relatively' simple explanation! So....if you're totally bogged down right now, skip #2 on Day 5....and remember that your salvation does not depend upon finding segment divisions in Daniel!!! Or, give it a try and see what you come up with. Call a friend in the study and brainstorm together a bit. You might have some fun with it! Besides, if you look back over this explanation, you'll find several ways to segment Daniel. But hey, you might just think of a few more!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Homework: Week Two
Did the Week One overview of Daniel chapters 1-6 excite you about what's to come in our study this Spring? Now, let's continue with an overview of Chapters 7-12 in Week Two. Remember, keep it BIG PICTURE.
If you have questions or comments as you work through the lessons, please write them in the comments of this post. Check back throughout the week to read the responses to your comment/ question and to respond to the comments/questions of others.
If you'd like to be notified when someone makes a new comment in the Homework section of the blog, please click on "Subscribe by e-mail" at the bottom right of the Comments page.
If you have questions or comments as you work through the lessons, please write them in the comments of this post. Check back throughout the week to read the responses to your comment/ question and to respond to the comments/questions of others.
If you'd like to be notified when someone makes a new comment in the Homework section of the blog, please click on "Subscribe by e-mail" at the bottom right of the Comments page.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Homework: Week One
How exciting to get started with Daniel! Have fun with your Week One homework, and remember to keep it BIG PICTURE. If you have questions or comments as you work through the lessons, please write them in the comments of this post. Also, check back throughout the week so that you can read the responses to your comment/question and can respond to the comments/questions of others.
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