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Bible Study Discussion Starters
The discussion starters linked from this page are written by the pastor for discussion on the church's online message board or listserv, but they may be used by anyone for private or group study. The listserv is restricted to members and friends of First Presbyterian Church, Bridgeton, and those who wish to join should give their e-mail addresses to the pastor. Then they will receive e-mailed invitations from Google Groups (the host for our message board) which they must accept in order to become members who can read the posts and can post their own messages or reply to those others have posted. A copy of each message is sent to members by e-mail.
The message board is restricted to prevent problems such as the harvesting of members' e-mail addresses by spammers and the spoiling of discussion by flamers or zealots. Flaming means posting angry, offensive, or obscene remarks about the board or another participant. A zealot would be someone interested only in pontificating and dominating the board rather than in discussion. Since religion has become such a volatile subject in our polarized society, there are plenty of flamers and zealots out there on the Net, and we don't want to lose our discussion forum to them.
Below are some brief Bible study materials intended as discussion starters. The suggestion is that you read each in the Bible first or find it online. One good online source is oremus Bible Browser.
The discussion starters are in PDF format so they will hold their pages and print well. To read them, you must have Adobe Reader® installed on your computer. Chances are you already have it, but if not, you may get it as a free download. Click here to get it: Reader.
Micah 6:1-8 - Walk humbly with your God
John 2:1-11 - Jesus at a wedding in Cana
Psalm 121 - Where will my help come from?
Psalm 95:1-7 - If only today we will listen
Exodus 3 - God revealed to Moses (a series of discussion starters)
Preface and Introduction to my study of the biblical themes of shame
Psalm 146 - Whose hope is in the LORD their God, who keeps faith forever
Matthew 13:24-30 - Jesus' Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds
Lesser to Greater (Luke 13:6-9) - Jesus' Parable of the Unproductive Fig Tree
Gleanings from Leviticus, a series
Summer shorts
Continuing short posts, one-page each