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TALK TOPICS
Talks are formatted for various times, from 1 hour to 6 hours. Contact Madelon for info regarding details and fees.
BIBLICAL OVERVIEWS
Bible Overview: Sweeping through the Scriptures
This talk is intended to provide a context for more detailed topics that follow and serve as a general introduction to the Bible for older Sunday School attendants as well as teachers. It provides the listener with a sense of the order of events as they unfolded from the beginning of the Patriarchs in 1900 B.C. to the close of the New Testament at the end of the 1st century A.D. with Paul and his followers. The Law, Patriarchs, prophets, the writings and poetry of the Old Testament are described, including captivity. Then the role of Jesus, the Gospels and John, the beginning of the early Church, under Paul’s missionary leadership, are also reviewed. Maps are used in a PowerPoint presentation to orient participants. (Time: 1.5 – 2 hours)
Overview of the Old Testament
A brief overview of the Law, Prophets and Writings of the Hebrew Bible. This can be as an introduction to a specific book of the Old Testament, or to help set the context for the New Testament, identifying the main themes of the Hebrew Scriptures as well as the historical overview of the Patriarchs, Exodus, settlement of Canaan, the Judges, rise of the Monarchy, uniting of the 12 tribes into one kingdom, splitting of the kingdom, invasion by foreign armies, the Exile, the return to Israel and the inter-testament period prior to Jesus and the Christian era.
Overview of the Gospels and Acts
Although an overview talk, this goes into more depth than the total Biblical overview talk cited above. Each Gospel is explored, their authorship, circumstances, objectives, audiences, historical issues. What were the authors trying to accomplish? How did the early Churches use these early documents? Helpful for those teaching Sunday School as well as older students (12 and above).
OLD TESTAMENT
Deuteronomy: Pinnacle of the Exodus
Learn about this magnificent Old Testament book attributed to Moses and quoted so often by Jesus. What is the significance of this fifth book of the Pentateuch to us today? With similar material to the book of Exodus, why was it written and remain in the Canon? Was it the first “Association address”? Learn about its history, structure, authorship and relevance to the 21st century. Again, if participants can read the book’s 34 chapters prior to the talk, it will mean much more.
The Old Testament Prophets
This is intended to help participants distinguish between each of the major prophets and some of the minor ones. Their backgrounds, historical circumstances, relevancy to our day, key messages, success in communicating their messages, major obstacles.
Jonah: Prophet with an Attitude
Learn more about this ‘whale of a tale’ and its deeper layers of a teaching about the role of a prophet. Who was Jonah? What was the author trying to convey? How does he stack up with other Old Testament characters? Learn about the historical trends that make the story relevant to today, as well as how to mine its brief four chapters for various levels of Sunday School students.
Amos: Prophet of Social and Divine Justice
Amos is one of the shortest prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible but a tremendous look into the historical, sociological, religious, political context of much of the Hebrew Bible. His warnings to leaders of the consequences of disobedience, his stern demeanor and great care show the range of Amos editors over three centuries, revealing distinct views of God.
NEW TESTAMENT
The Women of Mark's Gospel
Who were these women the first Gospel writer referred to and why them in particular? Do they represent qualities that can teach us about our own receptivity to healing? What does this shortest of all Gospels tell us about Jesus' attitude toward his female followers? You will learn about the social customs and historical context of the first century A.D, as well as the women who figure predominantly—by name or unnamed—throughout this Gospel. The talk’s purpose is to point the listener back to the Gospel for re-reading with new attention paid to the juxtaposition of stories; questioning why this particular character’s experience was included; why in this order; what their relationship is to each other, if any. The message will be more meaningful if participants can reread the Gospel of Mark prior to attending, and if possible, in one sitting.
John: The Gospel’s Unique Christ Focus
Unlike the other 3 Gospels, John is not considered one of the synoptic gospels but unique in its approach to the life of Christ Jesus. Containing no parables or teachings like the Beatitudes, its author focuses much more on the identity and nature of Christ, making it ‘the spiritual gospel’, as people have described it for centuries. We’ll look in depth at its structure, its seven “I AM” statements and the teaching discourses that go with them. We’ll see how its telling of the Passion story is so distinct from the other gospels and what its author might be trying to convey that is so relevant to our lives today.
Learning from Luke: God’s Universal Embrace of Humanity
The author of Luke and his 2nd volume, Acts, are responsible for almost ¼ of the New Testament. Performing the dual functions of historian and theologian, Luke’s great story-telling faculties provide some of the Bible’s most well-known and well-loved stories of The Good Samaritan, The Prodigal Son, Lazarus and Dives, and many more. With his eye cast outward at the growing Gentile interest in Jesus’ life and work, Luke provides us a sense of Jesus’ universal and inclusive message of God’s great love for all mankind.
Paul: Leader of the 1st and 21st Centuries
For three decades he was the fire that launched Christianity throughout the Roman world. Second only to Jesus in the spread of Christianity, do we understand and honor him as we could? You will learn more about the first century he lived in, his background, his method of spreading the good news, the compatriots and resisters in his path, and his own spiritual learning curve revealed in the progression from Thessalonians to Romans. The talk will provide historical context for understanding Paul’s remarks about women as well. Any reading of his letters prior to the talk will be most useful.
Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
This is a deep dive into one of the seven of Paul’s letters, exploring the relationship of Paul to the early converts in the area of Galatia, in today’s Turkey. The issues Paul faced were at the core of the challenges to many of the new Gentile converts to “followers of the Way” – did they have to come into Christianity through the door of Judaism, as the Judaizers insisted, or were they saved by grace, as Paul described salvation.
MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
Celebrating the Bible
General background about the King James Bible and its role as a primary teacher worldwide, including history of how it came to be formed, including multiple translations prior to its creation in 17th century England. Includes Bible study tools, including both print and electronic. Good for National Bible Week. It can include a very brief historical overview of both Old and New Testaments. Directed toward newer Bible students or for the public.
Talks are formatted for various times, from 1 hour to 6 hours. Contact Madelon for info regarding details and fees.
BIBLICAL OVERVIEWS
Bible Overview: Sweeping through the Scriptures
This talk is intended to provide a context for more detailed topics that follow and serve as a general introduction to the Bible for older Sunday School attendants as well as teachers. It provides the listener with a sense of the order of events as they unfolded from the beginning of the Patriarchs in 1900 B.C. to the close of the New Testament at the end of the 1st century A.D. with Paul and his followers. The Law, Patriarchs, prophets, the writings and poetry of the Old Testament are described, including captivity. Then the role of Jesus, the Gospels and John, the beginning of the early Church, under Paul’s missionary leadership, are also reviewed. Maps are used in a PowerPoint presentation to orient participants. (Time: 1.5 – 2 hours)
Overview of the Old Testament
A brief overview of the Law, Prophets and Writings of the Hebrew Bible. This can be as an introduction to a specific book of the Old Testament, or to help set the context for the New Testament, identifying the main themes of the Hebrew Scriptures as well as the historical overview of the Patriarchs, Exodus, settlement of Canaan, the Judges, rise of the Monarchy, uniting of the 12 tribes into one kingdom, splitting of the kingdom, invasion by foreign armies, the Exile, the return to Israel and the inter-testament period prior to Jesus and the Christian era.
Overview of the Gospels and Acts
Although an overview talk, this goes into more depth than the total Biblical overview talk cited above. Each Gospel is explored, their authorship, circumstances, objectives, audiences, historical issues. What were the authors trying to accomplish? How did the early Churches use these early documents? Helpful for those teaching Sunday School as well as older students (12 and above).
OLD TESTAMENT
Deuteronomy: Pinnacle of the Exodus
Learn about this magnificent Old Testament book attributed to Moses and quoted so often by Jesus. What is the significance of this fifth book of the Pentateuch to us today? With similar material to the book of Exodus, why was it written and remain in the Canon? Was it the first “Association address”? Learn about its history, structure, authorship and relevance to the 21st century. Again, if participants can read the book’s 34 chapters prior to the talk, it will mean much more.
The Old Testament Prophets
This is intended to help participants distinguish between each of the major prophets and some of the minor ones. Their backgrounds, historical circumstances, relevancy to our day, key messages, success in communicating their messages, major obstacles.
Jonah: Prophet with an Attitude
Learn more about this ‘whale of a tale’ and its deeper layers of a teaching about the role of a prophet. Who was Jonah? What was the author trying to convey? How does he stack up with other Old Testament characters? Learn about the historical trends that make the story relevant to today, as well as how to mine its brief four chapters for various levels of Sunday School students.
Amos: Prophet of Social and Divine Justice
Amos is one of the shortest prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible but a tremendous look into the historical, sociological, religious, political context of much of the Hebrew Bible. His warnings to leaders of the consequences of disobedience, his stern demeanor and great care show the range of Amos editors over three centuries, revealing distinct views of God.
NEW TESTAMENT
The Women of Mark's Gospel
Who were these women the first Gospel writer referred to and why them in particular? Do they represent qualities that can teach us about our own receptivity to healing? What does this shortest of all Gospels tell us about Jesus' attitude toward his female followers? You will learn about the social customs and historical context of the first century A.D, as well as the women who figure predominantly—by name or unnamed—throughout this Gospel. The talk’s purpose is to point the listener back to the Gospel for re-reading with new attention paid to the juxtaposition of stories; questioning why this particular character’s experience was included; why in this order; what their relationship is to each other, if any. The message will be more meaningful if participants can reread the Gospel of Mark prior to attending, and if possible, in one sitting.
John: The Gospel’s Unique Christ Focus
Unlike the other 3 Gospels, John is not considered one of the synoptic gospels but unique in its approach to the life of Christ Jesus. Containing no parables or teachings like the Beatitudes, its author focuses much more on the identity and nature of Christ, making it ‘the spiritual gospel’, as people have described it for centuries. We’ll look in depth at its structure, its seven “I AM” statements and the teaching discourses that go with them. We’ll see how its telling of the Passion story is so distinct from the other gospels and what its author might be trying to convey that is so relevant to our lives today.
Learning from Luke: God’s Universal Embrace of Humanity
The author of Luke and his 2nd volume, Acts, are responsible for almost ¼ of the New Testament. Performing the dual functions of historian and theologian, Luke’s great story-telling faculties provide some of the Bible’s most well-known and well-loved stories of The Good Samaritan, The Prodigal Son, Lazarus and Dives, and many more. With his eye cast outward at the growing Gentile interest in Jesus’ life and work, Luke provides us a sense of Jesus’ universal and inclusive message of God’s great love for all mankind.
Paul: Leader of the 1st and 21st Centuries
For three decades he was the fire that launched Christianity throughout the Roman world. Second only to Jesus in the spread of Christianity, do we understand and honor him as we could? You will learn more about the first century he lived in, his background, his method of spreading the good news, the compatriots and resisters in his path, and his own spiritual learning curve revealed in the progression from Thessalonians to Romans. The talk will provide historical context for understanding Paul’s remarks about women as well. Any reading of his letters prior to the talk will be most useful.
Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
This is a deep dive into one of the seven of Paul’s letters, exploring the relationship of Paul to the early converts in the area of Galatia, in today’s Turkey. The issues Paul faced were at the core of the challenges to many of the new Gentile converts to “followers of the Way” – did they have to come into Christianity through the door of Judaism, as the Judaizers insisted, or were they saved by grace, as Paul described salvation.
MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
Celebrating the Bible
General background about the King James Bible and its role as a primary teacher worldwide, including history of how it came to be formed, including multiple translations prior to its creation in 17th century England. Includes Bible study tools, including both print and electronic. Good for National Bible Week. It can include a very brief historical overview of both Old and New Testaments. Directed toward newer Bible students or for the public.
