Triennial Cycle of Torah Readings

Posted on September 16, 2016 by admin

torahscroll

We’re starting a regular weekly cycle reading passages from the first five books of the Bible, the Torah, in imitation of how Jesus and the disciples studied the scriptures. The whole process will take three and a half years. Passages from the Prophets and the Psalms are paired with those from the Torah, which often brings out hidden meaning and clarifies many of the sayings of Jesus.

We’ll publish the readings for each week here, and you are encouraged to comment, ask questions or add insights each week. Follow along with us!

More background on the Triennial Cycle is found here.

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October 2, 2016 – Gen. 2:4 – 3:21 – Adam, Eve and the Fall

Posted on September 19, 2016 by admin

Torah Reading – Gen. 2:4 – 3:21 – Adam and Eve, the Fall

Psalm 2

Haftorah – Isaiah 51:6-16
Isaiah 40:26 – 41:4

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Sept. 25, 2016 – Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement

Posted on September 19, 2016 by admin

The binding of Isaac is said to have occurred on Yom Kippur. The fast, which we will observe September 24-25, coincided with the sin offering offered for all Israel and the Kol Nidrei, the absolution of vows. Twin goats were chosen by lot, one for sacrifice and the other for release, bearing away the people’s guilt. It was the one time of the year that the high priest entered into the Temple’s Holy of Holies. Jesus fulfilled this feast:

Hebrews 9:12 – “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

Read the Yom Kippur memo here.

The Triennial Cycle Torah readings will resume October 2.

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September 18, 2016 – Gen. 1:1 – 2:3 – Creation

Posted on September 16, 2016 by admin

Torah Reading – Gen. 1:1 – 2:3 – Creation

We’re also celebrating Rosh Hashanah!

Psalm 1 – Delight in the Torah

Haftorah – Isaiah 42:5-13 + 21; Isaiah 44:24 – 45:5, 7;
Isaiah 45:18-25; 46:9-10
Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22
Special: Hosea 14:2-10; ‎ Micah 7:18-20

See some additional notes.

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The Summer Fasts of Tammuz and Ab

Posted on July 5, 2016 by admin
destruction_of_temple_small

Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by Francesco Hayez, 1867.

Zechariah 8:19 – Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

The Fast of Tammuz, which we will celebrate this year on July 24, and the Fast of Ab on Aug. 14, mark off a season of mourning. The first fast reminded Jews of the day when the wall of Jerusalem was breached by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. (and later by the Romans in 70 A.D.). The second fast designated the complete destruction of the Temple and Israel carried off into captivity. The focus is on the idolatry that brought God’s judgment upon them, and a search to rid themselves of any idolatry within.

The medieval Jewish commentator Maimonides said that all these fasts would cease in the times of the Messiah. So Zechariah’s prophesy points to God’s final victory, which as believers we celebrate from our position as “seated with him in the heavenlies.”

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Josiah’s Passover and the purging of idolatry

Posted on April 7, 2015 by admin

King Josiah
The Passover that was celebrated by King Josiah was said to be like none since the days of Samuel the prophet. Why? Because after a copy of the Law was discovered, Josiah realized how far Israel had drifted from the truth. Josiah repented, and overturned all the idolatry that had permeated the nation. (This was also a foreshadowing of Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple) Once there were no “strange gods” among them, Israel could celebrate the feast properly, with hearts open before God.

Let’s have that kind of Passover this year!

II Chronicles 35:18 – “And there was no Passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”

(Image: King Josiah Destroying the Idols of Baal by Gustave Dore)

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Jesus wasn’t big on resolutions … at all.

Posted on January 5, 2015 by admin

“I say to you, do not swear at all.” (Matthew 5:33-37).
The Bible is full of warnings about vows and expectations on ourselves or others. New Year ResolutionsThe reason? Instead of asking God to meet our needs, a vow (or a New Year’s resolution) puts us in the position of swearing before God that we’re going to accomplish something on our own.
Besides, it’s presumptuous. Consider James 4:13-15 – “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
The Jewish ceremony of Kol Nidrei on Yom Kippur declared all our vows as annulled and “made void.” And for those who “place no confidence in man,” the Kol Nidrei should apply every day.
Thankfully, God provides another way:  “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).

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A History of the Passover Haggadah

Posted on March 30, 2014 by admin

Tom Brooks is just back from Afghanistan, and he’s been doing a ton of research on Passover and the history of the Haggadah, which is read during the feast. He’s Passove Matzohpulled together some great background information we can use as we get ready for Passover, which this year for us will be Easter weekend, April 18-20.

Here’s a link to Tom’s Passover resources:

You can find our general memo on Passover here:

To prepare for the feast, we need to start now resolving conflicts and sweeping out the leaven from our lives!

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Passover and the Crucifixion

Posted on March 14, 2013 by admin

Leading up to Passover this year we’re concentrating on the New Testament scriptures associated with the feast.

Lord's Supper sederAs we read about the raising of Lazarus, the triumphal entry, the Last Supper, and the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus, be open to the Holy Spirit to make this experience real to you.

The purpose of the annual Passover ceremony is to bring this into present immediacy so that each participant is made to feel “as if he had personally come out from Egypt.”

Let’s make that our prayer again this year– to  leave Egypt and leave our selves behind. Download the Passover Memo for scripture readings and a schedule of activities.

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Remembering Shannon

Posted on February 12, 2013 by admin

Michael Scruggs with daughter Shannon

Shannon Scruggs died Feb. 10. She brought untold joy to our gatherings, and profoundly influenced our understanding of humility and faith.

Ole always reminded us that she, as the weakest, was “the most important member of the body.”

We’ll miss her smile and the rays of God’s love she reflected to us all.

The family has suggested instead of flowers to send a donation to Community on Columbia at  5644 Columbia Ave., Dallas, TX 75214.

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