Spring Session - Tuesday: Morning and Evening

Ezekiel the Prophet

The prophet Ezekiel was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel. His main goal is to declare the holy character of God and to extol His glory. The effect of Ezekiel’s labors is to be seen in the improved character of the Jewish people towards the close of the Babylonian captivity, and their general cessation from idolatry and return to the law.

For the average reader of the Bible, the Book of Ezekiel is like a maze of incoherent visions. This perception often prevents readers from studying the book and to miss one of the great literary and spiritual parts of the Old Testament.

The name “Ezekiel” means “God strengthens.” It is an appropriate name for a man who was to minister as a prophet to the exiles in Babylon. His style is plain and simple. The obscurity of his writings lies in the substance, not in the form, of his communications.

There are at least five themes that run through the Book of Ezekiel. The first concerns the character and holiness of God.

The second emphasis is on the sinfulness of Israel. Chapter eight lists the wrongdoings in the Temple: idolatry, animal worship, nature worship and sun worship.

The third theme is the inevitable fact of judgment in the face of bold sinful practices. And in light of the previous concepts, the fourth theme of individual responsibility is evident, Ezekiel’s purpose in acting as a watchman is that the wicked man may turn and save his life.

The fifth theme is hope in the promise of a future restoration. Repentance is for the individual and has implications for the community as a whole. The people will enjoy the blessings of the everlasting covenant expressed as “and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

Chapters 40-48 conclude the book with a glimpse of the glorious Messianic Kingdom. The chapters cover the Millenial Temple, the Second Coming and return of Jesus, the Millenial sacrificial system and the division of the land among the twelve tribes. *Adapted from the Bible Knowledge Commentary

Spring Session - Wednesday Evening

The Book of Psalms

We will only know in eternity what the Book of Psalms has meant to God’s people through the centuries since it was written.

This book is the greatest poetry every written. In it we find: theology at work in people’s lives during the “good times” and the “bad times,” songs of worship to God and encouragement of His people, reflections of the human emotions of sorrow, fear, doubt, hope, joy.

When inspiring the Book Psalms, the Holy Spirit used more human authors than any other book in the Bible (David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, Heman, Ethan, and others). In our verse-by-verse study we will note the human authors and backgrounds of each of the Psalms.

Psalms is the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament. Of the 360 Old Testament quotations or allusions in the New Testament, 112 are from Psalms. Our study of these quotations in context will help our study of the New Testament.

Psalms contains more messianic prophesies than any other Old Testament book, other than possibly Isaiah. It reveals the Messiah as the Son of God (Psalm 2), and Son of Man (Psalm 8) in His obedience (Psalm 40:6-8), betrayal (Psalm 41:9), crucifixion (Psalm 22), resurrection (Psalm 16), ascension (Psalm 68:18), and enthronement (Psalm 110), etc. We will learn much about our Messiah.

You are invited to come with us as we unlock the inexhaustible riches of this much loved portion of Scripture.

Class Information

Spring Session - Wednesday: Evening

Greek Exegesis

The class will provide a study of the basic grammar of Koine Greek as found in the New Testament. Students will learn the fundamentals of Koine Greek grammar and vocabulary. Grammar will be taught within the context of modern linguistics with an emphasis on the function of the language. Students will be exposed to the New Testament as quickly as possible through reading and translation. Work in the class will focus on the translation of the NT from the original Greek.

As a result of the class the students will:

Build a basic vocabulary of every word occurring fifty times or more in the NT,

Learn the necessary paradigms and rules to become proficient in parsing,

Gain a beginning understanding of NT grammar, and

Acquire a basic proficiency in NT translation.

Required Texts:

Mounce, William D., Basics of Biblical Greek, 2nd ed.
Mounce, William D., Basics of Biblical Greek Workbook, 2nd ed.
A Greek New Testament – please no interlinear texts.

Highly Recommended Texts:

Silzer, Peter James & Finley, Thomas John., How Biblical Languages Work.
DeMoss, Matthew S., Pocket Dictionary for the Study of New Testament Greek.
Metzger, Bruce M., Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek.

A note about class attendance:
While there are no grades or tests in the class, students are encouraged to attend all classes and complete all translation work. The study of language is a cumulative process. Failure to participate in class or to do the weekly work will result in an inability to learn Greek sufficiently to do quality Bible study in the original languages.

Class Information

Spring Session - Thursday: Morning and Evening

John from the Top

John is very clear as to why he wrote his gospel. In John 20:30-31 he writes, "Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” In his gospel, John records a number of the signs (miracles) that Jesus performed, along with a number of things that Jesus said. He did so in order that one who reads the gospel with an open mind and the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit, will become convinced that Jesus is God incarnate, the Messiah.

John had another important reason for writing his gospel. The book was probably written at a time when the church was composed of second and third generation believers who needed more detailed instruction about Yeshua as well as new defenses for apologetic problems raised by apostasy within the church and growing opposition from without. The understanding of the person of Messiah that had depended on the testimony of His contemporaries was becoming a philosophical and theological problem. Doctrinal variations had begun to appear, and some of the assertions of the basic messianic truths had been challenged. A new presentation was necessary to meet the questions of the changing times.

This course in the gospel of John will be a verse-by-verse study of the book. Major themes will be discussed, the book’s relationship to the Old Testament will be studied, and John's emphasis on belief in Jesus, and how he develops this important theme, will be studied.

The goal of the course is two-fold. By the end of the course, the student should have a clear understanding of the book. Also, an important result of taking the course is that the student's faith be increased. We invite you to join us in this study of the Gospel of John.

Class Information

• When: Thursday May 1, 2008 to conclusion
• Where: Morning Class—Fellowship Hall, Irvine Community Church
  Evening Class—Main Sanctuary, Irvine Community Church
• Address: 14804 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine CA 92618
  (Sand Canyon and I-5)
  
• Cost: Other than the cost of the materials, the class is free of charge. A free-will offering opportunity will be available at each session to offset the ongoing costs of the class (suggested weekly donation $5.00-$7.00 per student)
• Time: Morning Class—9:30 to 11:30 AM
  Evening Class—7:00 to 9:00 PM
• Questions: 949-559-1701 or HaDavar@hadavar.org
• Teacher: Mark Ellick, Chosen People Ministries