Engaging the God of the Old Testament

Wednesday Morning - 7:30 - 9 am

or

Thursday Evening -7 - 8:30 pm

Five Week Series on II Kings 4:1-7 and Psalm 19

Beginning February 16 or February 17

Ending March 23 or March 24

(No class week of March 7th)

$60

Meeting in room 101 of the Seminary

Series Description

 For many Christians today the Old Testament is a section of the Bible that they know very little about. For some, it is a collection of historical documents setting forth the chronology of the formation of the people of Israel. Others pick and choose their way through it by reading only the psalms, a few proverbs, and the prophecies that seem to point either to the Messiah, or the end of the world. Still others find it a confusing collection of stories containing violence that rivals Gladiator and Braveheart. Regardless of how the Old Testament is viewed, one thing seems clear enough: few people have an intimate, life-giving relationship with it.

The series’ five presentations will include texts from each of the three main sections of the Hebrew Bible, the TaNaKh (Hebrew acronym for Torah “Teaching” – Nevi’im “Prophets” – K’tuvim “Writings”) a short sermon from the Torah (Deut. 6.4-9, the “Shema”), a dramatic story about the prophet Elisha from the Prophets (2 Kings 4.1-7), and a selection of verses from Psalm 19 (from the Writings).

Series Registration

Engaging the God of the Old Testament is offered on Wednesday mornings (smaller group) and on Thursday evenings (larger group) for on the following dates:

$60.00 for series

Registration is available online by clicking on Journey at www.westernsem.edu or by calling Journey, Center for the Church’s Learning at 616-392-8555 x 128.

Series Presenter

Rev. Travis West received his M.Div from Western in 2008 and returned the following year to earn his Master of Theology in the Narratives of the Hebrew Bible. Travis has taught the Hebrew language class and a Hebrew elective course here at Western the past four years and was recently ordained for that calling. Rev. Travis West, the series presenter, combines a deep love for the Church with a strong commitment to reestablishing the Old Testament as a vital spiritual resource for the Church. By incorporating an interactive teaching style with insights gleaned from the language the Old Testament was written in, Travis will endeavor to bring to life three Old Testament passages. Upon registration you will receive an article, written by Travis, called “The Theology of Hebrew Grammar” to help you prepare for the series.

Series Outline

    * Session 1 – Introduction and Deut. 6.4
    * Session 2 – Deut. 6.5 and 2 Kings 4.1-7
    * Session 3 – Deut. 6.6 and 2 Kings 4.1-7
    * Session 4 – Deut. 6.7 and Psalm 19
    * Session 5 – Deut. 6.8-9 and Psalm 19