Summary of New Testament From a Jewish Point of View - 8/15/2022

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We are all beginning to look so forward to Monday mornings!  Not only is our class fun, but the group is really getting to know one another and enjoying one another even though we meet virtually.  It is always great when new people join us too.

Dan, Jo Ann, Steve, Odette, Karen, David, Dave, Norky, Merrill, Robin, and Ginger attended.

After opening with our usual “Give Me That Old Time Religion” (with Dan leading us) we read both Chapters 3 and 4 of Ephesians.

When discussing Chapter 3, Dave brought up “The Mystery of Christ” in the notes.  Paul is saying the gentiles are now heirs to God’s covenant through Christ Jesus.”

We talked about God and Jesus being a “He.”  For example “Father.”

We talked about the definition of Gentile.  We realized that although Jews think of Christians as Gentiles, Paul is saying Gentiles are those who are not Christian.

In Chapter 4, Paul gives guidelines for good behavior for Christians since they have been “changed” by their new beliefs.

We spent some time talking about the verse that says “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.”  Jo Ann shared a memory of how although her father spanked her as a child, he never let her think he was still angry with her before she went to bed.

Merrill shared the miracle of reconciliation and forgiveness he recently experienced at his daughter’s wedding on August 12, 2022.

Karen shared our her belief in Jesus has changed her.  Jo Ann told about someone who she and Dan knew who stole things before becoming an evangelical Christian and returned everything he took in a truck!

We talked about not speaking evil which was related to verse 29 in Chapter 4.

We talked about who might be the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  Robin and Jo Ann talked about heavenly places could be beautiful places on earth.

David and Dan, as usual gave us a lot history.

Between reading Chapters 3 and 4, we all sang Happy Birthday to Odette who can’t be with us for the next four weeks, so we wished her a Happy Birthday early.

At the end of our discussion, we brought up Jessica who needs spiritual healing, Dan’s mom’s health, a dear friend of Karen’s, four of David friends, and friends that Jo Ann knows who have tragically lost their daughter suddenly at only the age of 31.  It was comforting to sing the Misheberach healing Jewish prayer together.

Before and after the meeting, we just got to share and enjoy one another in the Zoom room.

Everyone left the meeting in a happy mood!

Please comment if anything needs to be added to this summary.



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