Bible Study Reminder Session 17

[Michael Crayne]

Hello all!

I hope you have all had a chance to enjoy these lovely sunny days we've been having. Spring has certainly sprung!

First, two administrative things to think about:

-Deacon Chuck brought up the idea of moving the Bible Study to a different night, to allow the RCIA members to participate. Please think about if you would like/be able to have Bible Study on a different night. Deacon Chuck, you suggested Tuesday, but I can't remember if you said Thursday would work as well?

-There will be no Holy Hour on April 2nd, so we could potentially have Bible Study on that Wednesday. Please think about if you would like to meet on that weekend, bearing in mind that we will be taking a break on April 16th, as it will be Holy Week.

Please think about these things and we can discuss them on Wednesday.

This week we will be coming to the end of our journey in the Old Testament. Our topic for this week is the Maccabean Revolt, a time in which the Jews faced violent, terroristic suppression of their religion. The required reading is 1 Maccabees 1-6, along with some additional reading mentioned in the questions. If you have time, read all of 1 Maccabees.

Maccabean Revolt

1. 1 Maccabees 1 tells the story of Antiochus Epiphanes and his brutal suppression of the Jews and desecration of the Temple. This is not the first time Israel faced serious opposition. How would you summarize the threat to Israel, and ho did the people respond?

2. Read 1 Maccabees 2. When Matthias saw what was done to Jerusalem, he moved with his sons to Modein. What threat did he face there? What were Matthias and his sons able to do against this threat? How did Matthias strengthen his sons before he died?

3. Read 1 Maccabees 3 and 4. How do you explain the victories of Judas Maccabeus and his family over far greater armies? What was their attitude and motivation?

4. After crushing their enemies, Judas and his brothers turned their attention toward home. What did they accomplish in 1 Maccabees 4:36-61, and why is it important?

5. Read 2 Maccabees 7. What enabled these brothers and their mother to stand steadfast in the face of such cruelty? Read also Sirach 2. What kind of strength and encouragement is offered to them, or anyone whose faith is being tested?

6. Read 2 Maccabees 12:38-46. What did Judas Maccabeus do on behalf of those who had died?

As always, pray before you read!

[Dcn. Chuck Amsberry]

Dear Michael and the Bible Study,

Thanks again for the good prayer and sharing of faith you are doing!

Micheal, the parish Finance Council meets once a month on a Thursday evening in where you meet, the Bliven Conf. room.   So that is a bit of a conflict.

I think Tuesday might be your best bet - without conflicting groups meeting there when you want to.  Yet, as God leads you.  Don't let me force anything or time upon you!

Before you make any changes for sure, please check with Jerri our Office Manager, to make sure the room is free for that night you want to meet each week.

Then again, you may decide to stay on Wed. nights.

If you change off of Wed., it just allows, possibly, some folks from RCIA, if they want to join you, to have that chance.  Right now they can't - direct conflict.  Or even some Bible study folks to come and share the RCIA journey, as well!

As God leads you, us.

God bless you all

En Cristo,

Dcn. Chuck

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