Blasphemy, Grace, Quarrels and Reconciliation: The Intriguing Lives of First Century Disciples - Leader Guide

The OBSCURE Bible Study Series
Grow in your faith through examining fascinating and unusual biblical stories and events.

BENEFITS- This is the story of the Bible and the Gospel presented in a new, interesting, and fresh setting.

• These ordinary believers, strange characters, and people living on the fringe of life have the same troubles and circumstances as people today.
• This is a unique approach to bible study - fun, unique, but challenging.
• You will learn timeless truths in a different and revealing way.

• The OBSCURE Series provides new insights to life and scripture.

  CONTENTS
  Book 2 of The OBSCURE Bible Study Series explores the nature and challenges of life as a first-century disciple. Paralytic Man. Four men lower a paralytic through the roof so that Jesus could heal him. Either the four men had great faith and determination, or the paralytic's health was so bad that they were driven by friendship or compassion to get him to Jesus. Would you have dug a hole in the roof?
  Joseph of Arimathea. Why did Joseph give the tomb for Jesus' burial? Did this put Joseph at risk from the Pharisees? Why did Pilate give the body to Joseph? Was there a conflict of interest with Joseph serving in the Sanhedrin and being a secret disciple of Jesus?
  Joanna & Susana. These two women are identified as benefactors and supporters of Christ. They supported Jesus' ministry out of their own wealth or income, helping the traveling band as it moved from one location to the next. They were totally committed to Jesus and made life on the road a bit easier for all those traveling with Jesus.
  Ananias. Grace and power are the subjects related to Ananias, God's messenger to Paul on the road to Damascus. Ananias was a disciple in Damascus and the Lord spoke to him in a vision telling him to go to Saul (Paul) who was now blind and pray for him. But Saul was the emissary of the Sanhedrin that was arresting all the Christ-followers. Would you have gone and prayed for Saul?
  Hymenaeus committed blasphemy and Paul wrote to Timothy, warning him about Hymenaeus. Paul wanted to make sure that Timothy would stand firm in the face of this false teacher. Paul told Timothy that he had handed Hymenaeus over to Satan.
  Euodia and Syntyche allow us to consider the subject of reconciliation. There was disunity or disharmony between these two women and Paul wanted them to "agree in the Lord." Is there a situation in your life that needs reconciliation in which you can be an agent of unity?
  Elimelech, Mahlon & Chilion. The deaths of Ruth's husband, Elimelech, and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, lead us to examine issues related to physical death. Thank God that He is the ruler of both life and death. We have a righteous God over both life and death, and that is good, because we are all going to die.
  Cornelius is a centurion and a Gentile. Jewish customs and the challenges of being a Gentile are the focus of this study. Who were Gentiles? Why was there a wall between Jews and Gentiles? How did Christianity eliminate the separation between Jew and Gentile? Buy Now!