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The Studies Stream offers easy access to all the existing Growing Disciples video resources. This stream also features new ‘Deep Dive’ studies on selected books and important themes of the Bible. Frequently Asked Questions will also be answered in written articles. New resources will be added each month.
The title of Mark’s gospel makes clear that it’s all about Jesus, who is the Messiah, the Son of God. Mark presents this message in an economical and direct manner that will be useful for the persecuted 1st century Christians of Rome. Mark’s economic use of language should never be thought simplistic. Instead, he invites the reader’s inquiry into Jesus’ claim to be the kind of suffering servant saviour Messiah described in the latter writings of the prophet Messiah.
In Exodus 40, after the tabernacle is built, Moses orders everything to be set up, all exactly as God had instructed. Then, with the Priesthood consecrated and in place, the glory of God fills the tabernacle. Throughout Exodus God's personal presence has been represented by a cloud and by fire, which was an expression of the glory of God. And so the cloud indicated that God had moved right on in to his new home in the midst of his people.
In Exodus 25-40 the tabernacle'� in all its elaborate specification and details'� is placed in the midst of the community of Israel. It is a mechanism that deals with sin, while at the same time, protects the people from God's holiness. He would make his home with Israel within this mobile-tented temple; while a system of priests and sacrifices manages Israel's problem of sin.
The fifth commandment stresses the importance of the child-parent relationship. It is said to be something, literally, of great '�weight'. Today we consider how to 'honour' our parents through the varying seasons of life.
The fourth command proclaims a Sabbath Rest for all God's people. There are at least 3 reasons why the Christian also sets aside a Sabbath. It is not meant to be a guilt-driven burden. Instead, it is how we live well in relationship with God. We don't judge others, but we prioritise it for ourselves, and for those for whom we have responsibility.
God's commandments reveal his nature to us, as well showing us how to live in relationship with him. The first and second commandments show us that God's love for us is a jealous love. He will tolerate no rivals for our love because of his own strong and passionate love for us. Worshipping anything else, or mediating worship for God through anything else, is an insult to God because it limits his glory.
The third commandment forbids God's people to '�take up the name of Yahweh your God to worthlessness.' This is because God is determined that his name will be honoured and revered throughout all creation, among all nations'� and his people are charged with demonstrating this to all.
