Archive for category: GAMEtime Sharing

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Exodus 1:1-22.  Let’s go!

A. Israel’s affliction in Egypt.
1. (1-6) The twelve sons of Jacob who came into Egypt.

Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation.

a. Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt: The first verses of Exodus reach back some 430 years. The story of the Exodus begins where the story Genesis ends: a large family with a crucial place in God’s plan of the ages and their migration to Egypt.

i. The Hebrew title for the Book of Exodus is taken from its first words: And These are the Names Of. In the original language, the first word of Exodus is and, marking its continuity from the Genesis account.

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Titus 3:1-8.  Let’s go!

Titus 3:1-2 (NIV) 
1  Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 
2  to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

On verses 1-2:  One of the big themes of the book of Titus is that Christians are to lead by example as much as by their words.  In verses 1 and 2 Paul identifies several characteristics by which Christians can lead by example.   How well do you demonstrate these characteristics?  For example, are you law-abiding (v1)?  Are you quick and ready to do what is good (v1)?  Do you slander (speak maliciously about) no one (v2)?  Do you get along with others (“peaceable” – v2)?  Are you thoughtful and considerate in the way you treat others (v2)?   Do you show true humility to everyone you meet (v2)?  Which of these characteristics do you especially need to work on? 

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Titus 1:10-16.  Let’s go

Titus 1:10-11 (NIV) 
10  For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. 
11  They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach–and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

On verses 10-11: Paul warns Titus to guard against those who try to deceive the church in Crete with false doctrine.  In particular, Paul warns Titus about the “circumcision group” (also known as the Judaizers) who taught that in order to be saved it was not enough to believe in Jesus but that you must also be circumcised and follow the ceremonial and food regulations of the Jewish law.   Paul warns Titus sternly about them.  He tells Titus to speak for the truth and silence those false teachers.  It’s no wonder that when picking leaders, Paul especially emphasized that a leader must “hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refuse those who oppose it” (v9).

What can we learn from this?  If you are a parent in your home, a leader in your small group, a teacher in your classroom, or in some other leadership position where people look to you for leadership, you must remember that part of your role is that of a protector.  You are to protect those in your care from believing in lies and false doctrine.  Don’t remain silent but be sure to speak up on issues of truth so that those in your care can know right from wrong.

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Philemon 1:17-25.  Let’s go!

Philemon 1:17-19 (NIV) 
17  So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 
18  If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 
19  I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back–not to mention that you owe me your very self.

On verses 17-19:  Earlier in verses 8 to 16 we saw Paul acting as a mediator between Philemon and Onesimus, trying to help Philemon and Onesimus reconcile with one another.  But here in these verses we see Paul going beyond what a typical mediator would do.  For while a mediator’s role is help two warring sides reach an agreement, a mediator normally does not sacrifice himself just so that the two sides can reconcile.  But that’s what Paul does.  Paul writes in verses 17-18, “So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.  If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.” To emphasize how serious he is about this, Paul even takes his secretary Timothy’s pen and writes these words himself on the scroll: “I will pay it back” (v19).  

What is Paul doing?  He’s putting himself on the line, sacrificing his own reputation and financial well-being, all so that Philemon would forgive Onesimus and take him back.

Hi GAMErs,

Today we begin the book of Philemon, a letter Paul wrote during his first imprisonment in Rome between 61 to 63 AD (imprisoned for preaching the gospel).  Here is some background that you might find helpful:

· Paul wrote this letter to a man called Philemon.  Who was Philemon?  Philemon lived in the city of Colosse and came to faith in Christ through the ministry of Paul (v19).  Later on Philemon would open up his home for the church in Colosse to use as their meeting place.  The fact that Philemon had a home large enough to host a church and owned slaves like Onesimus suggests that Philemon was wealthy.

· Paul’s reason for writing Philemon personally is because one of Philemon’s slaves, called Onesimus, had stolen something from Philemon, ran away, only to meet Paul in Rome and become a Christian under his ministry.  Onesimus becomes useful to Paul’s ministry, but Paul thinks it is best to send Onesimus back to Philemon, encouraging Philemon to forgive his former slave and take him in again.

From this short letter we can learn some powerful lessons on communication, forgiveness, the greatness of what Christ has done for us, and the kind of lives God calls us to live. 

Today’s passage is Philemon 1:1-7.  Let’s go!

Philemon 1:1-7 (NIV)
1  Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,
2  to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
3  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.