HOLY WEEK: The Olivet Discourse & Judas In Negotiations

Tuesday of Holy Week was the day Jesus went up on the Mount of Olives to give the "Olivet Discourse" - a long sermon focussed around prophesies of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and ultimately the End Times.  It is also the day that Judas negotiated the price to betray Jesus (Matthew 24:14-16)

THIS WEEK: Review all Chapters of Acts

REMINDER:  THERE IS NO PRACTICE NEXT MONDAY BECAUSE OF HOLY WEEK.

This week (March 31 thru April 6), please review all chapters of Acts.

If you want to read the chapters online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

If you are missing any MP3s, please contact the coaches.

Study Tip: We're now done learning new material for the year.  From here on out, it's all review.  But don't let that turn you off to studying.  We've got two weeks - 14 days - until our next practice.  Use that time and study 2 chapters each day, and you'll end up at the perfect place by the next time wee meet.

Upcoming Events:

- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

HOLY WEEK: Clearing of the Temple

On Monday of Holy Week, the major event was Jesus's cleansing of the Temple, recorded in all four gospels.

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.  (Mark 11:15-19)

CHAPTER REVIEWS: Acts 28

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Acts 28

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According to Acts 28:28, let it be known that what?
ANSWER:     (To you) That this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen.  (cf 13:38; 28:28

FINISH THE VERSE: Acts 28

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION:  Therefore // let it be known...
ANSWER:  ...to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” (Acts 28:28)


QUESTION:  He lived  // there two whole years...
ANSWER:  ...at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:30-31)

WEEKLY COMIC: How's your endurance?

THIS WEEK: Study Acts, Chapter 28

This week (March 24 thru March 30, please study Acts, Chapter 28.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Download an MP3 of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

Study Tip: This is our last week of new material.  After this, it is all review which is much harder to stay motivated for.  Use the excitement and interest of "the new" to keep yourself motivated this week.  Because Districts is almost upon us!

Upcoming Events:

- Monday, March 30 - Family Pizza Party!
- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

REMINDER: Pizza Party is Next Monday!

Next Monday, were having a pizza party to celebrate Easter and all of the hard work you have been doing on the book of Acts.

Date:  Monday, March 30

Time:  6:00 – 8:00 PM

The whole family is invited!

We’ll provide the pizza.  You bring veggies and/or desserts.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: In Christ Alone

CHAPTER REVIEWS: Acts 27

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

BONUS COMIC: Not the Kind of Fellowship Dinner I Want!

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Acts 27

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According to Acts 27:4, we sailed under the lee of where?
ANSWER:   Cyprus.  (cf 27:4, 7, 16)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 27:7, we sailed under the lee of where?
ANSWER:   Crete.  (cf 27:4, 7, 16)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 27:10, I perceive what?
ANSWER:   That the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.(cf 17:22; 27:10)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 27:22, I urge you to what?
ANSWER:   Take heart.  (cf 27:  22, 34)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 27:34, I urge you to what?
ANSWER:   Take some food.  (cf 27:  22, 34)

WEEKLY COMIC: Big Brother, Little Angel?

FINISH THE VERSE: Acts 27

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION:  For this // very night...
ANSWER:  ...there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’  (Acts 27:23-24)


QUESTION:  And when he had said these things, he // took bread...
ANSWER:  ...and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. (Acts 27:35)

THIS WEEK: Study Acts, Chapter 27

This week (March 17 thru March 23, please study Acts, Chapter 27.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Download an MP3 of the chapter.

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

Study Tip: Do try to study every chapter the exact same way, no matter what the content?  That may be a big mistake.  The last few chapters were speech heavy, which lends itself to a focus on keywords and situation questions.  But this chapter is action heavy, which lends itself to more of a focus on key events and sequencing.   Be sure to think about the kind of chapter you're working with before you study so that you can focus on the right things.

Upcoming Events:

- Monday, March 30 - Family Pizza Party!
- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  Take some time today to remember the great evangelist of Ireland.  http://www.examiner.com/article/the-real-st-patrick

CHAPTER REVIEWS: Acts 26

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Light Me Up

Happy ∏ Day

Today is 3/14/15 and Pi (the ratio of a circle's radius to its circumference) is 3.1415.  Today is celebrated as Pi Day in honor of this numerical coincidence.  Enjoy some sweet mathematical goodness today!

WEEKLY COMIC: Splish Splash!

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Acts 26

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According to Acts 26:22-23, Moses said what?
ANSWER:   What would come to pass:  that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.  (cf 2:22-23; 7:37)

QUESTION:  According to Acts 26:27, I know what?
ANSWER:   You (King Agrippa) do believe the prophets.  (cf 3:17;20:25, 29; 26:27

FINISH THE VERSE: Acts 26

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION:  Delivering  // you from your people...
ANSWER:  ...and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Acts 26:17-18)

QUESTION:  But declared  // first to those in Damascus,... 
ANSWER:  ...then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. (Acts 26:20)


QUESTION:  To this  // day...
ANSWER:  ...I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:22-23)

THIS WEEK: Study Acts, Chapter 26

This week (March 10 thru March 16, please study Acts, Chapter 26.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Listen to the chapter online. (MP3s are coming soon.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

Study Tip: Do read through the text of scripture and find at the end that you know barely more than you did at the beginning? Do you envy those who can read it once, and be able to quiz effectively? Different people learn in different ways. Some people can do it by simply reading, others by listening. But you may be a learner who needs to really engage the text. Consider taking notes as you read - note down really interesting sections, questions that the text raises, notable phrases, etc. At the end, you will have applied not only your eyes but all the parts of your brain, and the learning may very well be far more effective. Oh, and don't forget to call, e-mail, or speak to the coaches, your parents, or the pastors to get the answers to those questions you had.

Upcoming Events:

- Monday, March 30 - Family Pizza Party!
- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

CHAPTER REVIEWS: Acts 25

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Soul on Fire

REMINDER: "Spring" forward tonight

Tonight we begin Daylight Savings Time, and "Spring" forward an hour.  Set your clocks ahead so you don't arrive at church at the wrong time tomorrow!

WEEKLY COMIC: Pottery Barn Agrees

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: Acts 25

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According to Acts 25:6, who went down to Caesarea?
ANSWER:   (He) Festus.  (cf 12:19)

FINISH THE VERSE: Acts 25

Remember, the full list of FTV's can always be found at this link. The // in the verse marks the minimum number of words you need from the FTV to uniquely identify it.

QUESTION:  If then I // am a wrongdoer...
ANSWER:  ...and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” (Acts 25:11)

THIS WEEK: Study Acts, Chapter 25

This week (March 3 thru March 9, please study Acts, Chapter 25.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

Listen to the chapter online. (MP3s are coming soon.)

If you'd like to read a commentary on the chapter, click here.

If you want to download the puzzle for this week, click here.

Study Tip: Did you know we only have 3 more weeks of new material after this?  The end of the Bible Quizzing season is coming up fast!  Be sure to focus and study extra-hard over the next few weeks, as these will likely be the most prominent chapters at Districts!

Upcoming Events:

- April 17-18 - Districts Quiz Meet in Dallas, PA

CHAPTER REVIEWS: Acts 24

If you'll miss practice this week we don't want you to miss out on the review of the chapter.  You can download Coach Mark's lesson by clicking here, or on the image below.

DID YOU KNOW: How was the high priest selected?

Last practice, we talked a lot about Ananias as the "High Priest" of Israel.  How was/is a High Priest chosen?

The High Priest is a unique position for Judaism.  While the High Priest was a major religious leader, his most important function was to enter the Holy of Holies in the temple once a year on Yom Kippur to gain atonement for the sins of the people of Israel.  Since the destruction of the last temple, this act has not been possible.  But many within the modern nation of Israel are ready for when a new temple is built.

There are many requirements to be the High Priest:

• He must be male
• He must be a direct descendent of Aaron (brother of Moses)
• He must be widely recognized as the greatest priest in Israel

Of course, this leaves open the question of "Who decides?"  In any time and any election, the question of who is "the greatest" is a matter of debate.  Historically, there have been different answers to the question:

• God appoints the High Priest (as He did with Aaron)
• The King appoints the High Priest (as Solomon did with Zadok)
• The Sanhedrin appoints the High Priest (as they did for Ananias)
• The next High Priest may be the son of the last High Priest (as Aaron's sons were after him)

The Bible requires a high priest, but Israel has had to maintain the position thru many different historical contexts.

Information largely comes from here:  http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/994923/jewish/How-Is-a-High-Priest-Selected.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Priest_of_Israel