1 Timothy 6:6-10

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many briefs.

To possess, the basic needs (food and clothing) is a reason to be content in following God. When we are blessed beyond that point, we are faced with challenges of handling the blessings in a Godly manner. Blessings beyond the basic require a fight to stay Godly.

Women of the Bible – The Shunammite Woman – 10/25/2014

The Shunammite Woman, is our fourteenth study in our series from Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups by Jean E Syswerda. The study of The Shunammite Woman, is found on page 127. The Bible Study will meet 4:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you have not received your books for the study, please see Glenda. Remember that all materials are free as they are gifts to you from students participating in Homewords Small Group Bible Study Ministry. For information contact Glenda at 727-542-4683.

Faith – Matthew 17:19-20

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing is impossible for you.

In God’s hands, nothing is impossible, no matter how difficult it seems.

Wherever God Sends You, He Will Be With You

2 Chronicles 20:15-17

He Said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ “

Tamar Daughter of King David – 10 Key Points for Bible Study 08/23/2014

For our lesson of Tamar 2 Samuel 13:1 – 22, here are some important points. The points do not directly answer the questions on pages 103-106 of the text, but may help you in our discussion of the Saturday Bible Study 08/23/2014.

1. There were three (3) women named Tamar found in my research: The daughter-in-law of Judah, the daughter of David, and Absalom’s only daughter. (1. pp. 517-518) Our study will be restricted to Tamar, David’s daughter.

2. Her mother was Maacah daughter of Talmai. David’s marriage to Maacah undoubtedly had political implications. With Talmai as an ally on ish-Bosheth’s northern border. David flanked the northern kingdom both south and north.(2. 2 Samuel 3:3, NIV, footnote).

3. Daughter of David, sister of Absalom (2 Samuel 13:1).

4. Her name means, ” Date Tree or “Palm Tree.”(Text, pg. 103.)

5. Her character: Tamar shared her father David’s good looks. Young and innocent, she was naïve to the danger that threatened from her own family. (Text, pg. 103).

6. Raped by her half-brother Amnon. (2 Samuel 13:2-21).

7. Then Amnon hated her with an intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!”. The rape was avenged by Absalom, her full-brother (2 Samuel 13:23-33).

8. Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put hand on her head and went away weeping aloud as she went. (2 Samuel 13:19)

9 . Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman. (2 Samuel 13:20).

10. Her sorrow: That her half-brother saw her only as an object for his lust, destroying her future as a result, and that her father, the king, did nothing to protect her. (Text pg. 185)

Text: Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for individuals and Groups, Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan, 1999.

Other references:

1. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume Four, In Four Volumes, Abingdon Press, New York 1962.

2. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1995.

3. Women of the Bible, One Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture, Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan, 2007.