Mr. Ellis' Bible 8 Class: February 2018

Friday, February 16, 2018

Feb 16, Fri - Unit 7 Test

Next Quiz/Test: Today was your Unit 7 Test
- Next Friday is Quiz 8a: Psalm 119:9-11, 15-16 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
- Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
- Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their test.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Farewell!

Greetings All,

With my new position I will no longer be updating this blog (except by occasional special request of your new teacher). Please follow-up with your new teacher for future class notes.

It has been a great pleasure to know and teach each of you. I will greatly miss each of you!

In the Joy of Jesus,
Mr. Ellis

Feb 15, Thu - Unit 7 Review

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is your Unit 7 Test

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
- Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
- Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal: None given, we jumped right into our review game (see below)

Unit 7 Review:
1. All three of the main institutions that we talked about should try to create (foster) what things?
Love, Respect, discipline, work, peaceful community, &Physical/Spiritual/mental/moral well-being
2. When should a Christian disobey the government? (a way of 'being involved')
When the government is trying to make them disobey God
3. Why should Christians be politically involved with the government? (a way of 'being involved')
To help it be more godly and make good decisions.
4. What type of environment should the family provide?
A loving & stable environment that encourages mental, emotional, spiritual, & physical growth
5. What are five main purposes of the church? (Make sure you can define these some on the test!)
Evangelism (tell people about Jesus), Discipleship (to help believers learn how to follow God more), Worship (to help believers rightly worship God), Fellowship (to build an encouraging community of God-followers), Ministry (to serve society)
6. In relation to the government as our ruler, who is God?
The ultimate king & ruler, above the government!
7. Biblically, how do we get the institution of the government and its different leaders?
God appoints them
8. What does it mean for a Christian to be 'in the world, but not of it'?
It means they are with non-Christians (the world), but they do not act and think like them (instead they act & think like Christ to help care for the world & bring them to Jesus!)
9. The family is the most basic institution of people united by what possible three things?
Marriage, blood, or adoption (Note: The ideal family is one man, one woman, & then children)
10. What is the church?
The community of believers in Jesus who make disciples of Jesus to live & teach His truth
11. What are the three main jobs (purposes) of the family that we listed & discussed in this unit?
Build the family, Govern (be responsibly in charge of) the earth, Symbolize God's love
12. How are constitutional democracies helpful for minorities?
Their laws protect the minority from the majority
13. What does it mean for the government to produce 'order'?
It arranges things in a specific, beneficial way.
14. Which institution has the major role of supporting justice for a nation & what does that even mean?
The government: It provides fair & impartial handling (proper treatment) to any situation
15. What is the benefit of the government focusing on protecting the people of a nation?
It helps people to live as God intended: safe peaceful, & productive
16. Which institution did we emphasize as having the job of standing up for what is true?
The church (they are a ‘pillar of the truth’)
17. For a Christian, why are individuals of greater importance than social institutions?
Made in God's image, Never-ending spirit
18. How do Christians find hope & direction for problems in society?
They look toward Jesus
19. What studies how we live together in a community or group of people?
Sociology:
20. What should each institution do concerning the job of another institution?
Each institution should focus on doing its own job & then let the other institutions do the same.
21. How should a Christian appeal for change from the government? (a way of 'being involved')
In a gentle, respectful way
22. When should a Christian obey the government? (a way of 'being involved')
Every time they are not trying to make them disobey God!
23. Why do many Christians like how the American Government was created?
Many Christian values were seen in its created
24. How is the church like a body?
It has many different parts, each with different roles and abilities that all needed to work together
25. Which institution has the primary job of education?
The Family
26. Give examples of 3 important ways a Christian can pray for the government? (a way of 'being involved')
Wisdom, safety, health, godliness, etc…
27. Based upon this unit's talks, families should raise ('grow') children to be what two key things?
Godly & educated
28. What three key things does the government provide, promote, or do?
Order, Justice, Protecting
29. Generally speaking, what do we call organizations of people that are set up for specific purposes inside a society?
Institution
30. What do you call the study of any association of people?
Politics

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Feb 14, Wed - Concluding Audacity

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal: We started class with a Binder Check.

Audacity: Today we finished off this video

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Feb 12-13, Mon-Tue - Audacity Video

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal: None given, we reviewed the answers from the Learn to Discern Quiz.

Audacity: (LINK), After this we started to watch this movie that provides a healthy Christian perspective on how to respond to homosexuality.

Friday, February 9, 2018

Feb 9, Fri - Learn to Discern Quiz

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Quiz 7b: Learn to Discern
- Next Friday is your Unit 7 Test

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
- Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
- Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their quiz.

Bible Verses About the Government: We spent the rest of the period finishing this.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Feb 8, Thu - What the Bible says about Homosexuality

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 7b: Learn to Discern

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
- Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
- Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal 7-9: Study Packet, Page 7 & 18
- Read “Considering a Legacy” (page 7)
- - Note:
- - - A “Legacy” is what you hand or pass down” to future people (often family) after you die
- - - It could be property, traditions, a reputation, or more!
- - Afterwards, answer the three questions at the bottom of this small article as Journal 7-9 (page 18)
- - 1) Do you think that this is a good legacy to have? Why or why not?
- - 2) Describe the type of legacy you would want your family to have and why you would want it.
- - 3) How do you think you could help guide your family to this end?

What does the Bible say about Homosexuality: Study Packet, Pages 10
- We finished talking through this today.
- Genesis 1:27–28 & 2:18–24 share the original example God set for marriage
- - In this we see that the idea set-up for a family is one man, one women, and then children.
- - Don't you think God had the best design with His original design before sin was even an issue?
- Romans 1:26–32 brings up God's clear teaching against homosexuality
- - But, here we also see it is paired alongside other 'more popular' sins like: wickedness, evil, greed, depravity, envy (selfish jealousy), murder (involves anger/hatred), strife, deceit (lies), malice (wanting others to be hurt), gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogance & boastfulness (pride); inventing ways of doing evil; disobeying parents; having no understanding, not being faithful, having no love nor mercy, simply knowing God's laws & chose not to do it.
- - - In American culture some have made it sound like homosexuality is a HUGE issue for Christians, a MAJOR sin, bigger than most others!
- - - Yet here you see it is alongside with greed, gossiping, lying, and pride!
- - EVERY sin is a HUGE issue for God!
- - - It is NOT right for us to pick and choose which ones we will especially point out as evil and then be okay with the others.
- Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13 are the Old Testament (OT) laws that speak against homosexuality:
- - In the New Testament we hear that one of the purposes of the OT law was to point out our sins and show how we are broken and in need of God
- - These verses show how people are broken by homosexuality & are in need of God's healing and forgiveness to overcome it!
- - - They cannot do it on their own!
- - - Each of us is 'born into' sins & in need of God's saving power.
- 1 Timothy 1:8–10 shared that homosexuality is along side with other sins (like Romans 1:26-32 pointed out)
- - Homosexuality is a sin, just as killing parents, murdering, sexual immorality, slave trading, lying, perjurers, and going against contrary to sound doctrine are all sins!
- 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NIV) shares a VERY important truth in this conversation!
- - "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?
- - - Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
- - - And that is what some of you were.
- - - - But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
- - Did you catch that? These Christians were ONCE sinners in all those ways listed (including homosexuality.
- - - The early church already reached out to people with that sin!
- - But what happened?
- - - When these people recognized their sin & need for God (a key purpose of the law), they came to Him in repentance!
- - - God then washed them, sanctified them, & justified them!
- - - Healing from any sin is found through God's cleansing & forgiving power!
- Finally we had a brief discussion on how Jesus dealt with people who struggled with sexual sins
- - Specifically we looked at:
- - - The Woman at the Well (John 4)
- - - The Woman caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11):
- - - - "Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
- - - - “No, Lord,” she said.
- - - - And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”"
- - Jesus clearly confronted them in their sin & pointed out that it was wrong
- - - You can check this out even more in Revelation 2:18-29
- - Jesus also showed them mercy & compassion in both His attitude & His words!
- - - He invited them to repent and enter a relationship with Him!

An Article about Homosexuality in the Bible: Study Packet, Pages 11
- Students were encouraged to read through this (we talked through several

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Feb 7, Wed - Christian Purpose of Government

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal 7-8: Study Packet, page 18
- Consider:
- - Rights: Something you are free to do because of the law.
- - - We hear about rights for : Civil freedom, women, gay marriage, religious freedom, abortion, animals, and more!
- - Responsibility: Something you should do because it is morally right or required by law.
- - - Our focus 'rights' sometimes causes us to forget about these!
- Answer these questions:
- - 1) Which is of greater importance, your rights or your responsibilities? Why?
- - 2) What could happen to a society where people focus on their rights and ignore their responsibilities?
- - 3) What could happen to a society where people focus on their responsibilities and ignore their rights?
- - 4) Who ultimately determines what your ‘rights’ are?
- - 5) How should you handle it when someone else's 'rights' seem to go against your own 'rights?'

Christian View: Christian Involvement in the Government: Study Packet, Page 3
- Christians are called to be in but not of (or ‘like’) the world. (John 17:15-16)
- - This includes politics. Here are five key ways Christians should take part in the government:
- We should be involved with…
- - Obedience: God calls on us to obey the government
- - Appeals for Change: Respectfully question & challenge when they are wrong
- - Civil Disobedience: God calls on us to disobey the government when it goes against what God commands
- - Prayer: For leaders
- - Political Involvement: God-followers should take part in the government to help it govern in a godly way (Examples: Joseph, David, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, etc...)

Short Answer 1: Describe four key ways that Christians should be involved in the government.
- Possible Answers: Obedience, Appeal for Change, Civil Disobedience, Prayer, Political Involvement (see notes for these from yesterday's post)
- Note: You only need to know four of them!
- - Make sure to use your own words to explain these ideas, don't just quote what I gave you...

Short Answer 2: Describe the 3 God-ordained institutions & explain what each uniquely offers for a society.
- Family: Most basic institution of people, united by marriage, blood, &/or adoption (One man, one woman, & then children)
- - Provides a loving, stable environment
- - Encourage mental, emotional, spiritual, & physical growth
- - Helps people fulfill God's calling in their life
- - To raise godly & educated children
- Church: Community of believers in Jesus
- - Makes disciples who live & teach His truth
- - Does Evangelism, Discipleship, Worship, Fellowship, & Ministry (explain these)
- Government: Provides order & justice to society, helping protect people
- - Arranges things in a specific order
- - Gives fair & impartial justice in situations
- - Protects families & churches to live as God intended them to
- - Helps us be safe, peaceful, & productive

Bible Verses About the Government: Study packet, Pages 14-15
- Read the verses & begin to answer the questions
- We used the rest of class working through this

Unit 7 Process Grid:

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Feb 6, Tue - The Government

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal 7-7: Study Packet, Page 7 & 18
- Read “Atheism & Education” (page 7)
- Afterwards, answer the three questions at the bottom of this small article as Journal 7-7 (page 18)
- - 1) "Education is a powerful ally of humanism"? Why do you agree or disagree?
- - 2) "Every American public school is a school of humanism"? Why do you agree or disagree?
- - 3) A humanistic five-day education program for all children will more effectively shape culture than a church's one (or two) day education program for a much smaller group of children? Why do you agree or disagree?
- - 4) How do you think a Christian family should respond to this claim?

The Government: Study Packet, Page 2
- Government: The institution of society designed to… provide order & justice
- Politics: The study of the governing of cities, states, nations, or any other association of people
- An Ideal Government?
- - There is no ‘Christian government’
- - God can work in any type!
- What about America? Christian often like how American was designed because values were seen in the creation of the American government
- - Checks & Balances: Power is spread out to different branches & individuals to keep leaders accountable
- - Seeing Human Nature: Laws regard the dignity & sinfulness of people
- - Avoids ‘Mob Rule’: Pure democracies let the majority hold power, regardless of the needs of the minorities
- - Constitutional Democracy: Laws protect the minority from the Majority

Christian View: The Purpose of the Government: Study Packet, Page 3
- Instituted by God to provide order & promote justice by protecting the innocent & punishing the guilty:
- - Order: It arranges things in a specific, beneficial way
- - Justice: It has fair & impartial handling; giving proper treatment to people
- - Protection: So that families & churches can live as God intended: safe, peaceful, & productive.
- Key Biblical Understandings:
- - God is the ultimate king/ruler (Judges 8:22-23, etc…)
- - Governments & their leaders are appointed by God

Monday, February 5, 2018

Feb 5, Mon - Quiz 7b

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)
Journal: None given, students studied for & then took their quiz. After that, we caught up on other class work.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Feb 2, Fri - The Church as Salt & Light

Next Quiz/Test: Today was Quiz 7b: Romans 13:1-3 (ESV)
- Next Friday is Quiz 7b: Learn to Discern

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
- Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
- Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal 7-6: Study Packet, Page 7 & 17
- Read “The Church as a Salt & Light” (page 7)
- - Afterwards, answer the three questions at the bottom of this small article as Journal 7-6 (page 17)
- - - 1) What good qualities of salt do you think Jesus wanted the church to be like? Explain how this would be a good effect on a society.
- - - 2) How should Christians be 'light' to the world? What would they provide that light provides? Explain how this would be a good effect on a society.
- - - 3) How could living out the Greatest Commandments (seen below) help us be better Salt and Light?
- "“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”" – Matthew 22:36–40 ESV

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Feb 1, Thu - The Church

Next Quiz/Test: Friday is Quiz 7b: Romans 13:1-3 (ESV)

Handouts: None given

Reminders:
- Service Project: The 10 hours, 2 forms, and 1 essay are due on Apr 23, 2018
- Devotion 2 Presentations: Be ready for your presentation day!
- Devotion 3 Outline: Due March 13th. Re-read the instructions (this lists your Devotion 3 Book Choices). Learn from your previous ones & start this early & make it good!

Instructional Time: Unit 7: Sociology (& Politics)

Journal: Study packet, Pages 12-13
- Open your Study Packet to pages 12-13
- Read the verses & begin to answer the questions

Backtrack: We finished off where we left off in these sections from yesterday's notes:
- The Church: It is seen as…: Study Packet, Page 2

The Limb: At this point we watched a video that dramatically shows how the church should *not* act as a 'Body'

The Church: Five Key Purposes: Study Packet, Page 3

Instituted by God to make disciples who live & teach His truth

- Evangelism: Teaches people about their need for God (Rom 10:14-15)

- Discipleship: Helps Christians to better know & follow God.

- Worship: Unites Christians in giving honor & drawing near to God

- Fellowship: Encourages each other in all of life while enjoying fellowship together (while showing God's love to each other)

- Ministry: Benefits society through teaming up to demonstrate God’s grace & mercy (and love!).

What does the Bible say about Homosexuality: Study Packet, Pages 10
- We worked through these verses & questions together

An Article about Homosexuality in the Bible: Study Packet, Pages 11
- We worked through this article together