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  Opening question Go to  nrich – pattern snake and try and solve the number pattern problem. Once you have an answer check the solution tab on the page. Study Why did Paul write 1 Timothy? Consider the following verses to help answer this: 1 Timothy 1:3-7 1 Timothy 3:14-15 1 Timothy 4:6-16 Bible interpretation Some helpful things to consider when interpreting difficult passages in the Bible from "How to read the Bible for all its worth" by Gordon Fee: What is the purpose of the writing and why was it written? What is the point of a particular section and how does it fit in the overall narrative? Is what you are reading a repeatable pattern in the Bible (repeatable patterns help us see that it is an eternal command rather than a cultural one). What is incidental in the text must not become primary. Other helpful things: Ask what it meant before you ask what does it mean (author unknown). God doesn't contradict himself so does it meet the "Principle of harmony"...

For more tips in marriage consider listening to a podcast: MarriageToday Opening question Did anything resonate with you from the video about men and women and the way they do friendship? Study Read Genesis Ephesians 5:22-33. What do you learn about the purpose of marriage from the passage? Marriage is a covenant . How would you explain the importance of the marriage covenant to someone? What good things does a covenant give to help make a marriage successful? How should wives submit to their husbands? How does this help us understand the nature of God and his church? (Eph 5: 22-24, 32-33) How should husbands love their wives? How does this help us understand the nature of God and his church? (Eph 5:23, 25-31) (If you are married) When have you faced problems or difficulties in your marriage? How did you deal with the problems? If single, consider/discuss how you saw your parents deal with problems in their marriage. Friendship is of vital importance in a marriage. Share some ideas...

    …the most natural implication of God’s decision to bring Adam onto the scene ahead of Eve is that Adam is called to bear the responsibility of headship. That fact is validated by the New Testament when Paul uses the fact that “Adam was formed first, then Eve” (1 Tim 2:13), to draw a conclusion about male leadership in the church. 50 crucial questions: An overview of central concerns about manhood and womanhood , John Piper and Wayne Grudem, 2016 Opening question When have you encountered a snake? What happened? Study Read Genesis 3:1-13. In what ways was Eve deceived (Genesis 3: 1-6, 13)? What do you think of Adam’s participation in the sin and then his response to the Lord? Do you think it is significant that Satan (the serpent) approached Eve not Adam? Explain why. Read Genesis 3:14-19. What are the consequences for the sin of both Eve and Adam? God says that Adam “listened to the voice of his wife” instead of obeying the Lord. How can we prevent other voices from leadi...

For more information on this video please scroll to the bottom. Opening question How would you describe what it means to be a man or woman? Study Read Genesis 1:26 – 28, 2:5-9, 15-24. What are the similarities and differences between the creation of man and the creation of woman? Make a list with 2 columns for similar/different, considering things like: their being (Genesis 1:26-28) the method (Genesis 2:7, 2:21-23) order of creation their purpose/role (Genesis 1:28, 2:15, 18-20, 23, 24)  instructions from God (Genesis 2:16-17). It can be tempting to think about the differences between man and woman as superior/inferior or lesser/greater. How does God promote equality and diversity in the different sexes? Genesis 2:18 says that God made Eve as a helper for Adam. What do you think this means?  Read the following passages to see the same Hebrew/Greek word for “helper” used throughout the Bible. What does each example teach us about what it means to be a helper and what it ...

Opening question Share with the group what you like to grow in the garden and any success stories you've had with your garden. If you really don't like gardening, then share with the group what you would rather be creating, building or growing. Study Read Hosea 13:1-16. When you look back over Hosea, there is no doubt that God is patient, willing to heal, relent from disaster and turn from wrath. What do we learn from the following verses about why judgement is finally coming to Israel (Hosea 13:1, 2, 6, 9-10, 12-13, 16)? What do we learn from the following verses about what the wrath of God will be like for Israel (Hosea 13:3, 4, 7-11, 15)? God's justice is always right and good. Why does the Bible encourage us not to take justice into our own hands and leave vengeance to God? When do you find this most difficult? Read Hosea 14:1-9 God's final word in Hosea is one of repentance, restoration, hope, beauty, righteousness and relationship. Which vs in chapter 14 causes ...

Opening question Have you ever created something new from something old, recycled or discarded? What was it? Briefly describe the process you went through. Study In this chapter, Hosea refers to the life of Jacob. Read some key moments from Jacob's life: Genesis 25:24-27 Genesis 27:15-23 Genesis 32: 9-12 Genesis 32:22-28 Hosea 12:1-5 What are some of the transformations that took place in Jacob's life? When Jacob wrestles with God, God blesses him and gives him a new name. How would this have impacted Jacob? The theme of new identity is all throughout scripture. What life experiences with God have shaped your identity? Read Hosea 12:6-8 Hosea uses Jacob's fervour and pursuit of God to encourage Israel to do the same. He gives a process to follow: Return, hold fast, wait continually. In your Christian life, how do you hold fast to love and justice: in your workplace? with your money? When you feel like waiting for Jesus to return or God to answer prayer is taking to long, ...

Opening question Imagine you were a judge on a panel for "Father of the Year". What would you be looking for (your criteria)? Study Read Hosea 11:1-11. What can we learn about God as a father and what he is like from this passage? What distorted/incorrect images of God as father might we have, possibly learnt from our own earthly fathers? When would a father experience joy and delight? When would a father experience pain and sorrow? After all Hosea has said so far and God has experienced with his evil children, his compassion still grows warm. What are some of your happiest memories of someone showing you compassion? Why can compassion and forgiveness be so hard for us to give? Are there things you can/need to forgive people in your own family (for example, parents, siblings or children) or ways you can show compassion because your heavenly father has shown you compassion? Pray for children and families. Artwork  © Alison Gilmour