Biblical Literacy with Mark Lanier

Mark continued his series on the minor prophets with study of Jonah. Mark provided critical insight into Jonah’s life and the historical context. Jonah’s job was a prophet counselor to King Jeroboam II c793 BC before God directed him to Nineveh and call the people to repentance. Instead, of obeying God’s new job, Jonah flees via boat in […] The post Chapter 3 – Old Testament Minor Prop...

Mark continued teaching the series on Minor Prophets with Joel – Part II. He divided the lesson into three parts. Before the hinge: Joel 1:1-2-11 Joel is one of God’s speakers for His message. The hinge: Joel 2-12-17 Return to Me wholeheartedly, repent, and rend your heart. After the hinge: Joel 2:19-27 God’s blessings for repentant […] The post Chapter 2 – Old Testament Minor Pr...

Mark started a new series on The Minor Prophets beginning with the prophet Joel. Good indications suggest Joel is the earliest of the minor prophets. Historical context: Joel was likely written in 8th B.C. after Israel was divided. Biblical context: The Jews were entrusted the Word of God. The prophets are God’s speakers. We learn […] The post Chapter 1 – Old Testament Minor Prophets,...

Pastor Brent Johnson taught the final lesson of Snapshots of Jesus. He posed the question: How should we take action from what we’ve learned from Snapshots of Jesus? Pastor Brent encouraged us to live the Christian life as Jesus modeled during his short time on earth. We are to hear the Word of God and […] The post Chapter 29 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Gospels; Final: app...

Dr. David Fleming was the guest lecturer continuing with the Snapshots of Jesus series. Dr. Fleming’s focus was the three “lost” parables from the Gospel of Luke and how Jesus’ was making an overall single point from the three stories. Dr. Fleming used three questions to teach from the parables: 1. What did the parable […] The post Chapter 28- Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Gospels,...

Dr. David Capes guest taught a lesson in Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. Dr. Capes addressed the question of eschatology. 1. What is eschatology? Derived from two Greek words that mean final things. A branch of theology that deals with end times. It has individual and cosmic meanings. 2. A review of: […] The post Chapter 27- Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Gospels, Gospel...

Guest teacher Pastor Jarrett Stephens taught Snapshots of Jesus today from Luke 9 – The Transfiguration. The Transfiguration: God is revealing the glory of His Son Jesus to us who is 100 Percent God and 100 percent man. Pastor Jarrett compares this mountain top experience to other mountain top experiences described in scripture. 1. The […] The post Chapter 26 – Snapshots of Jesus...

Mark continued his teachings on Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of John 4 that features the woman of Samaria. After reviewing the story, Mark offered insights into the passage including: Jesus didn’t have to pass through Samaria; He chose to be on mission for God. Jesus offered living water which is fresh. Jesus revealed […] The post Chapter 25 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through t...

Mark continued the series Snapshots of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Mark teaches God’s great concern for the outsiders by using parables to teach His principles. 1. What are parables? A narrative or story that is told to convey an underlying message. During the time of Jesus, parables were used as a teaching tool. […] The post Chapter 24 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Gospels...

Mark continued Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. This week he continued with Part II of how Jesus interacted with women. Listen to Mark expound on the passages in Luke that shows how Jesus valued women and all outsiders. God is about making life better. God is setting about reversing the world. 1. […] The post Chapter 23 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Gospels, Gospe...

6-26-22 Biblical Literacy Mark continued sharing Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. This week’s theme focused on U-turns. Luke shows how the world is off course, but God is reversing the world. Good news: Elizabeth becomes pregnant in her old age with John the Baptist who will turn many of the children of […] The post Chapter 20 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Gospels...

6-19-2022 Biblical Literacy Mark continued with Snapshots of Jesus transitioning to the Gospel of Luke. Mark explained Luke’s background, the author of Luke and Acts. Luke uses the pronoun “they” when the events were told to him, and “he” when he was not an eyewitness. Luke puts the sources by name into his accountings, showing […] The post Chapter 19 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen throu...

Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. Mark taught today’s lesson about some of the women Luke records in His Gospel as cultural outsiders who became insiders. 1. Mark referenced several women passages and then focused on a first story where Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead. 1) The Lord had compassion on […] The post Chapter 22 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Gosp...

Dr. David Capes taught Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. This week, his focus was from Luke 10 with the lawyer’s question to Jesus: What is the goal of life? He expanded on: 1. Some possible answers to that question: 1) meaningless, 2) get all you can, and/or life, 3) liberty and the pursuit […] The post Chapter 21 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Gospels, Gospel of L...

Biblical Literacy – June 12, 2022 Scott Riley taught the Biblical Literacy class today on Snapshots of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. He had three areas of focus: 1) The kindness of God A supernatural reliance on the kindness of God. Love and do good—friends and enemies—without anything in return. Walk in the power […] The post Chapter 18 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Go...

hey began by discussing the Queen’s Jubilee, a celebration of her 70 years on the throne. They also discussed Tom’s service as Lord Bishop of Durham and what those duties entailed within the Church of England. He also discussed his responsibilities as a member of the House of Lords. They further discuss the Queen of […] The post SE- Special guest N. T. Wright joins Mark Lanier in conversatio...

Synopsis Biblical Literacy Class Chapter 16 05/29/22 Mark continues the Snapshots of Jesus, as found in the Gospel of Matthew Today’s lesson focuses on interpreting and clarifying problem passages submitted by class members, Matthew 27: 51-53 Mt. 27:51 “ And behold , the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” […] The post Chapter 17 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen thr...

Synopsis Biblical Literacy Class Chapter 16 05/22/22 Mark continues the Snapshots of Jesus, as found in the Gospel of Matthew Today’s lesson focuses on what is in a ”Name”, and how to interpret the many “Names “ Jesus was called throughout the scriptures of Matthew. We had the privilege of having Dr. Simon Gathercole from […] The post Chapter 16 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the...

5-15-22 Biblical-literacy Mark continued his series of Snapshots of Jesus returning to the Gospel of Matthew and addressing a few odd passages. Friends. Matthew 11:16-19 – Jesus was a friend of sinners and to me. Wisdom bears fruit. Vegetables Matthew 13:31-32 – Big things can grow from little starts. Moving Matthew 8:1-3 – Although we are […] The post Chapter 15 – Sn...

5-8-22 Biblical-Literacy Mark taught Mother’s Day: Lessons and instructions from the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 6 as he continued Snapshots of Jesus. Manners of righteousness, the how and why. The Instruction – Matthew 6:1-4 Danger is always present. Beware of practicing righteousness in front of people. We don’t do it to be seen by them. […] The post Chapter 14 – Snapsh...

Mark introduces today’s class with a reminder of the context of the writers of Mark and Matthew with a focus on Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. Mark’s Gospel was written on behalf of Peter for a largely Gentile audience, and Matthew’s Gospel was written for the Jewish people. Today Mark taught three […] The post Chapter 13 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen through the Gospels...

Synopsis Biblical Literacy Snapshots of Jesus 04/24/2022 Mark Interviews Bill Mounce and Dan Wallace Bill and Dan were childhood friends and lived and took very different paths In their careers, as Greek Scholars, and both were joined together as members of the NIV Translation Committee. They discussed that journey in some detail, which included how […] The post SE-Conversation with New Test...

4-10-22 Biblical-Literacy Mark taught today on Holy Week, giving us snapshots of Jesus from the days leading to the crucifixion and Resurrection Sunday/Easter Palm Sunday-The Triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The people went out to meet Him, just as we are to meet Jesus every day. Holy Monday-Jesus came as a man of peace, […] The post Chapter 12, Snapshots of Jesus continues, Holywee...

4-3-22 Biblical Literacy Snapshots of Jesus from Matthew. Today’s lesson focused on Matthew 15. Mark uses a boxing match to illustrate the lesson. Round 1. Pharisees and the scribes vs the disciples not washing their hands before eating Jesus comments on what God says vs what the elders say and called them hypocrites. Round 2. […] The post Chapter 11 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen throug...

Mark continued with Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. Mark showed the similarities and distinctions between Moses the prophet and Jesus; both were commissioned to bring God’s people out of slavery. Moses was a man who communicated God’s message to His chosen people. Jesus is the Son of God who authored the message. […] The post Chapter 10 – Snapshots of Jesus as seen throu...