2009 First Meeting Set

Koinonia Bible Fellowship
For 2009

Date: Thursday, January 8th, 2009
Meeting thereafter each Thursday through end of March
First meeting in the home of Myron and Ruth

Time: Thursday at 7pm
From 7-8:30pm, followed by light refreshments

Topic: A practical Christian approach to the coming chaos
A 10-week discussion on Biblical principles and their practical application
Goal : the group will focus on specific ways to help those with needs
caused by the upheaval in the society around us.
Though the group will meet weekly for only three months,
its service to the community will continue throughout the year.


Location: In different homes within a 5 mile radius of Silver Spring
We will meet in different homes. Hosting a meeting is voluntary.

Everyone is welcome!
We hope that you will commit to most of the evenings scheduled.
In the past, those who have done so have been encouraged,
strengthened and challenged to a deeper walk with God and their
fellowmen.
This will be our eighth year, come join us as we celebrate God’s
call to “be our brothers keeper.”

Interested, Questions, want more information?
Call Myron Hostetter at 717-285-9355
Or Email at: myron@oorb.org

Blogging at: www.koinbb.blogspot.com

After the meetings begin, meeting notes will be posted weekly
at our blog site above.

Please let us know if you intend to attend.

Continuing Updates

Blogging From Our Home on Oxford Hill

Though our three month Bible Study ended on Thursday night of the 20, I as blogmaster will continue to post Bible material on various subjects. Please continue to visit our blog site for future topic and discussion. Myron Hostetter
These three months have been ones of searching the scriptures; learning, applying and good spiritual fellowship. This makes our eighth year and if God gives us life, we hope to continue next January. We were blessed as various people took the responsibility to lead the Biblically based topical discussions. Now it becomes our responsibility to practice what we learned. By God's grace we will be better citizens of God's Kingdom.

Intercessory Prayer

The first 20 minutes of the Bible Study on 3-20 were about Intercessory Prayer.
Praying as a Friend of God 2 Chronicles ; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23
• Anyone with an intimate relationship with God can be an effective intercessor.
• Holiness gives us confidence in our prayer life.
• A friend of God can ask God for anything because they understand what pleases God.
• “If we ask anything according o His will ….”
• An unsaved person cannot be an effective intercessor
This part of the evening was moderated y Norma Link from material taken from the
Book by Dutch Sheets titled, Intercessory Prayer

For the remainder of the evening Ric Fogie moderated a discussion on
The Character of God

No matter what extreme action is taken against God and his Word, the Word of God remains true and nothing can thwart its purposes.

Study taken from the web site www.siscom.net/~direct/god’s_character.htm
“All About” God’s Character – Bible Basics Series

This evening concluded our three-month, annual Bible Group study.
On Thursday, March 27 the group will meet at 6:30pm at the Ichiban Restaurant for a meal.

A Man Born Blind Sees

Ruth at home in the sun room with an Amaryllis

John chapter 9 Jesus and a blind man

• Who was truly blind?
• Who were the real sinners?
• What was the cost of the blind mans healing?
• What were some rewards of his obedience?
• Are there areas of blindness in us?
• How can we apply this lesson to us?

In this story the blind man was receiving more light, his sight;
both physical and spiritual.
The Pharisees were becoming blinder.

What is God trying to teach us through this story? Rev. 3:14-19

This Bible Study held in the home of Esther Shirk
David Frey led this discussion
The next Bible Study will be in the home of Ric and Kathy on March 20th

The Year of Jublee Worksheet

Harvest Time in Silver Spring, PA.

The Year of Jubilee
Leviticus 25 ( NLV )
WORKSHEETS


Q- 1. Would the law of the Year of Jubilee found in Leviticus 25 be 
workable in the twenty-first century in which we live?
Q- 2. Could these principles be used within our churches?
Q- 3. What ramifications would implementing such a law have upon our 
lifestyle?
Q- 4. Can you give me an example were the Year of Jubilee was obeyed in 
O.T. times?

1. Where was Moses when the Lord spoke to him? ( Lev. 25:1 )___________.

2. The land itself must observe a Sabbath to the Lord every _____________year.

3. What happened to the land during this seventh year? ________________

4. What will the people eat during this Sabbath year?

5. How many years between the years of Jubilee?

6. On what day did the Year of Jubilee begin?

7. What must every Israelite do at the beginning of the year of Jubilee?

THE LAW OF KINSMAN-REDEEMER
8. What could never be done to the land?
9. What went along with the bill of sale?

BANKRUPCY LAW
10. Explain the Bankruptcy law.

Houses:
11. What was the difference between buying a house outside an unwalled village and the purchase of a house inside a walled village?
12. Why were the Levites special?

13. How was the Bankruptcy law different for a Levite?

14. What did the term “usury” mean in O.T. terms?

15. Against who did this law against “usury” apply?

16. What happened to an Israelite who was poor or went bankrupt and could not
support himself?

17. Why did God say an Israelite was different than a common slave?

Slaves:
18. Did the O.T. condone slavery?
19. Where did “slaves” come from?

Resident Foreigner

20. Could a Resident Foreigner own Israelite slaves?
21. Explain what happened to an Israelite who went bankrupt and sole himself to a
Resident Foreigner.

22. What was the price of freedom based upon for a bankrupt Israelite?

23. How were people who sold themselves into “slavery” to be treated?

24. What happened to an Israelite at the time of the Year of Jubilee?

25. What did God say was the difference between an Israelite who sold himself into slavery and a foreign slave?

26.If you had been living at the time of the Civil War what position would you have taken and why?

27. Didn’t the O.T. justify a southern benevolent slaveholder in keeping his slaves?

28. Is there slavery in the twenty-first century? Where?

29. Who might be almost considered “slaves” in the USA?

30. How are slavery and abortion alike?

The next Bible Study will be in the home of Esther Shirk on Thursday, March 13.

Effective Prayer

A split rail fence and cabin that Hector walked past on his way to his grandfathers home in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Oaxaca

Effective Prayer

To understand how to pray we must understand the Character, Circumstance, Content, and Consequences of prayer.

1. The early church – Acts 2:42; 4:24
Q. How can we pray with the same fervency and effectiveness today?

I. The Character of prayer

1. Supplications - reverence before a sovereign king
2. Prayers – an attitude of worship-literally bending the knee.
3. Intercessions
a. Used when trying to obtain something for another.
b. Prayers made for the sick
4. Thanksgivings
a. Giving of thanks
b. Used for all blessings that come our way

II. The Circumstance of prayer
A. In the assembly. ( I Tim. 2:8 )
a. General prayers ( I tim. 2:1-3 )
b. Praying around the Lord’s table ( I Cor. 11:23-25 )
c. Closing prayers ( Acts 20:36 )
B. Around the dinner table ( Matt. 14:19; 15:36 ; I Tim. 4:4-5 )
C. In private devotion ( Mark 6:46 ; Luke 5:16; 22:41 )
D. The example of Paul ( Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:4 ; Col. 1:9 )

III. The content of prayer
A. Address – To God the Father ( Col. 3:17; Matt. 6:9 )
B. Body of Christ ( Phil. 4:6
1). Give thanks for:
a. The Christ
b. The Word
c. Our jobs
d. Our food
e. Our families
2). Request Guidance for:
a). for ourselves
b). the church ( local and universal )
c). family
d). government
3). Specifics
a). Enemies ( Matt. 5:44 )
b). The sick ( Jaes 5:13-14 )
c). More workers in the kingdom ( Matt. 9:38 )
d). That the gospel will go forth ( 2 Thes. 3:1 )
e). That our love may abound ( Phil. 1:9 )
f). That God will open doors for the gospel ( Col. 4:3 )

IV. The Consequences of prayer
1. Physical consequences ( James 5:15-18 )
2. Spiritual consequences ( Phil. 4:6-7 )
3. That your prayers will be heard ( I Pet. 3:12 )
4. Parable of the unjust judge ( Luke 18:1-8 )

Conclusion - Matt. 7:7-11

Material moderated by Richard Fogie 2/28/08 met in home of Myron and Ruth
Material taken from “Sermon On Prayer” y Kevin Cauley
www.preachersfiles.com/prayer
Next Bible study in home of Myron and Ruth on 3/6/08 … topic, “The Year of Jubilee”

The Year of Jubilee

Old Order River Brethren baptism, Lancaster, PA.

Dear Friends,
I pose a Biblical question to you Biblical scholar:

1. Would the law of the Year of Jubilee found in Leviticus 25 be
workable in the twenty-first century in which we live?
2. Could these principles be used within our OORB brotherhood?
3. What ramifications would implementing such a law have upon our
lifestyle?
4. Can you give me an example were the Year of Jubilee was obeyed in
O.T. times?

I would like your feedback.
The Koinonia Bible Study group will be studying the Year of Jubilee
at a future date.
C. Myron

__._,_.___

Ten questions about God that need answers

Tough Questions About Jesus
Material taught by John Hawbaker
At Manor BIC, July 29,08 , used by permission

EXPLAINING OUR FAITH TO OTHERS
• Every Christian is a Theologian
We have ideas about God, who he is, what he is up to in our world.
• Understand our generation
• Cultivate our relationship to God

Questions:
• Is Jesus the ONLY way to God?
• Isn’t Christianity too narrow? 66% of the worlds population non-Christian
• Can all the other religions be wrong?
• Jesus Christ may be the only Way for you, but how can you claim He is the only Way for everybody?
• Can you prove that Jesus is the only way to God?
Because of these and other questions, people have claimed Christianity cannot be defended logically.

I. Is Jesus the ONLY way to God?

A. If you wanted to know who George W. bush was:
* you could ask others
* you could go to his speeches, find out what he wrote about himself

B. We can go to the Bible to find what Jesus said about himself.
When we do, we find some astonishing things.
• Mark 2:5-12 … forgives sins, Jesus spoke to this man’s spiritual needs first
• John 14:6-9 … I AM the ONLY Way to the Father
• John 3:16-18 … Believers in Jesus will be saved / unbelievers, lost
( Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life )

C. Jesus made bold, exclusive claims. He is unique among all founders of religions.
1). Others said, “follow me and I will lead you to God
2). Jesus said, “ I AM God – now follow me.

D. Jesus presents Himself as the ONLY WAY to God
* Tolerance, the watchword of this generation
The mood of our generation is tolerance – for anything and everything
Jesus said, some things are objectively true, whether you believe them or not. These truths are not subjective, they do not depend on what you think about them.
These things are True for all people, everywhere and at all times.

Yes, the claims of Jesus are outrageous – unless they are true.
Many people like to make Christianity more tolerable, more welcoming by downplaying the claims of Jesus. Remember there is no Christianity without Jesus
C.S. Lewis put it this way. “Many people say, “I am ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher – but I don’t accept him as God.”
However, a man that said the things Jesus claimed would not be a great moral teacher but either a 1). Lunatic or 2). The devil of hell.
You can shut Jesus out as a fool, you can spit on him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. Let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a good man.
Jesus did not let that open to us – He did not intend to.

E. What did Jesus’ good friends and followers believe?
* Acts 4:12
The apostles presented Jesus as He presented himself. The Jesus of the Bible could not be held down by death. He is truly alive today. Take it or leave it!
A story:
A Buddhist man was converted to Christ. Someone asked him, why did you change religions. The Buddhist said
“if you were walking down the road and came to a fork in the road and two men were standing there and one was dead and the other alive, which man’s directions would you follow?”
That is the Biblical message, we are not inviting people to follow a dead Christ, we are inviting them to the eternal son of God, who was dead and is now alive, forevermore.

II. Isn’t Christianity too narrow?
Isn’t all truth narrow?
A man jumped off the Empire State Building. As he passed the 10th floor someone stuck their head out a window and asked, “how is it going”?
The man said, “I feel fine, so far.”
• The Law of Gravity is narrow.
If you jump off the ESB you will not break the law of gravity, it will break you.
• The mathematics table is narrow
• The law of overdraft at the bank is narrow

We are used of strict truth in many aspects of life.
The claims of the Bible are narrow only because they are true. You will not break Jesus and His claims, you will break yourself first.
Lu 20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

III. Two thirds of the world’s population is not Christian – can all these religions be wrong?
This question implies a larger question:
Can the majority be wrong?

a).in the year 1,000BC, everyone thought the earth was flat
all religions are wrong when they deny that Jesus was not both man and God.

IV. Some people say, Jesus truth may satisfy your needs but Christianity doesn’t satisfy mine.
Tolerance vs. Truth
Some things are relative, your preferences
• Isn’t that Pit bull cute?
• This hiking trail is going to be easy
• I don’t have a thing to wear
Yes, in some things you are entitled to your own opinion
But Truth IS Truth!

V. We live in a day of science and logic. Can you PROVE that Jesus is God?

That depends on what you mean by proof.
As Christians we invite every person we talk to to examine the evidence themselves.
• Read the gospels and see what Jesus says about himself and see if it makes sense.
• Read a book like Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis
• Pray sincerely and ask God, is this true or only nonsense. Help me to know if it is true.
• We say to our friends, “ I find the evidence compelling, what do you find?
• People don’t come to Jesus because we beat them at an argument, no, Jesus draws them.
• We can either cloud the real Christ or unveil the true Christ.

VI. What about the people who have never heard about Jesus at all?

What about their eternal destiny? If they have not heard they cannot believe.
It seems totally unfair for God to send them to hell.

Q. How do we answer this question?
Ans. You can say to the person, it seems that you have a real sense that God ought to be fair. Where did that sense come from?
God is going to be more fair and just than you can are so you can trust him with this. One thing is sure, no one ca be saved except through God’s grace and atonement through Christ.
How much of this must a person in a remote tribe in New Guinea understand before he can receive salvation? Luke 12:48. God is perfect love and justice and what he does in the end will satisfy even your longing for justice.

Q. I have a question for Christians. What is God going to say to Christians who know Jesus is the only way- yet never talk about it? They never witness, they just enjoy the blessings of God for themselves and hope somehow God will get the message out to sinners.
Q. To a Christian. I am not sure I know the whole answer, lets start with you. What are you going to do with Jesus? Are you willing to come with us and start following?

VII. Isn’t religion a negative thing?
People are fed up with religion. They have been burned by religion, mistreated etc.
Should we tell them to reject religion and just follow Jesus?


It all depends on what you mean by religion.

1. Any system of rules and rituals people use to make themselves acceptable to God

2. New Testament religion is different. It is positive.
N.T. religion is a system of beliefs and practices that people follow sincerely out of reverence and love for God. This describes the N.T. church.

Religion defined: What are the differences?
#1 puts man at the center
#2 puts Jesus at the center.
#1 is about self-effort
#2 puts emphasis on God’s initiative and grace
#1 is all about mans rituals and duty
#2 is about a relationship with Jesus which uses ritual and duty
#1 is all about keeping rules because they are rules
# 2 is all about letting the life of Jesus fill you as you keep his commandments out of a heart of love-service.

Jesus attack and rejected the first type of religion.
He came and died to bring us the second.
The religion of Jesus has changed the world for the better.

When your friends talk about religion and reject it, be gentle. Ask them what has been their past experience and feelings about religion. Talk about these distinctions.

What should be our response to God?
1. Ask God to continue working on sharpening our minds 2.Continue in prayer 3. Live righteously 4. Live a life of love

NEXT MEETING: In the home of Myron and Ruth ... Topic will be Prayer

Koinonia Valentine Celebration

February 14 at 6:30pm held at Country Table Restaurant in Manheim
Those present:
Jay and Rachel, Ric and Kathy, Myron and Ruth, Esther, David, Alvin Hostetter

The accommodations were nice; the food was good at a reasonable price. We spent two enjoyable hours eating and talking.

Romantic Stories:
Jay and Rachel and Ric and Kathy shared their courtship stories. Here they are.

Jay sent Rachel a valentine card on Feb. 14th, 1989. He wrote on the card asking her for a date. Rachel was surprised but wrote back that she would accept a date from Jay. While the card was in transit, the Koinonians met at the home of Jim and Kate Guerra for a fellowship evening. Jay had not receive Rachel’s answer of yes so he said nothing to Rachel. Rachel thought Jay must have received her answer but when Jay said nothing, Rachel was silent also. So there they sat spending a very uncomfortable evening together. Upon receiving Rachel’s affirmative answer the next day Jay lost no time in setting up a date for that Saturday. On their first date they ate at the Country Table in Mount Joy and then toured the Egg Basket.
Rachel shyly ☺ gave Jay a tour thus letting the cat out of the bag to her co-workers that she was dating. Nineteen years later it is quite evident that their first date was a success and has led to many years of happiness. Congratulations!

Now lets hear Rick’s story. and quite a tale it is.
A certain girl was interested in Ric for a long time. She took the liberty of hanging out with Rick’s parents and got to know them well. She persisted even though Ric showed no interest in dating her.

One day this girl came to Rick’s parents home with a friend named Kathy. Ric had been painting the stair steps up to the second floor of the house and had put up an outside ladder so he could get down from the second story. He thought he was safe from the girl.

But no, the next thing he knows is that Kathy has climbed up the ladder and into the room. So Ric gets out paper and pen and begins to play tit-tat-toe. Later Kathy’s friend calls that she is ready to leave and Kathy climbs down the ladder leaving Ric on the second floor. Remember Ric is trying to avoid the girl. Surprise, surprise, Ric looks at
the tit-tat-toe sheet and discovers that Kathy has written down her phone number.

Now I ask you, does Kathy seem this sort of girl? I thought she used to be shy, or was that just a rumor!
Anyway some time later Ric decides to call Kathy for a date. The answer was yes and the rest is history. Yes, years of stories. Want to tell us more Ric?

At next years Koinonia Valentine meal we will hear from Jim and Kate and Myron and Ruth. For you see, we all have decided that our Valentine meal must become a yearly tradition. Right?

Prayer request. Pray for Kate's mother as she prepares for heaven in the next few days. Remember the family as they say good by.

Our next Koinonia Bible Study will be in the home of Ric and Kathy on Feb. 21st. We will view a DVD on the topic of “ten questions people ask about Jesus” Come prepared to be challenged and learn how to answer the questions of seekers.

Be Strong and of Good Courage - Joshua 1:1-9

Koinonia Bible Study #4
2/7/08







Myron an Hector at the Cabin of the Red Earth in Oaxaca,
the home of his deceased grandparent in Mexico.
Picture taken in February,2005

Psalm 37:4-5
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Delight, Commit, Trust
* How we are to claim and possess the delights of our heart.
Receive, believe and act upon the promises found in Joshua 1:1-9

Read Joshua 1:1-9
Note that the phrase; “be strong and of good courage” is repeated three times; Vs. 6, 7, 9
Vs. 6 … the people receive the inheritance that God promised their forefathers.
“it was worth fighting for”
Vs. 7…
1. Study the book of the law continually
2. Meditate upon it day and night
3. Be sure to Obey all Gods principals
4. Only if you do these three things will you succeed

Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
1. Be strong and of good courage
2. Do not be afraid or fearful
3. Do not get discouraged or depressed
4. Why? … The Sovereign God is with you at all times and in all places.
5. Study Psalm 139
Make the Lord your “security blanket”.

Prayer Requests:
Myron & Ruth going to Mexico/ timing, safety due to crime in Jerez
Ruth's cold
Dan Moyer - flu
David and Tina V. - death of grandson, grieving
Jay and Rachel - healing for Rachel, no surgery
Esther - Michael Shirk discomfort over rods inserted in back
Ric & Kathy - New employment after Ric's job ends on May 1, Kathy's brother Larry; Kathy's involvement with health clients
David F- where to attend church, trip to State College, PA
Norma - health issues, finances, job related

Study held in the home of Esther Shirk
Present: Rick and Kathy, Myron and Ruth, David F, Esther
Next gathering on Thursday, Feb. 14 at a local restaurant to celebrate Jay and Rachel

The Character of God - "Bethlehem Star" DVD

Koinonia Bible study # 3, January 31,08

Presented by Kathy Fogie

Kathy used the first 15 minutes to set the context for a DVD titled, “Bethlehem Star”.
She talked about the basic attributes of God, acknowledging that this was only a brief view.

She divided the attributes of God into two categories:
Incommunicable Attributes
Communicable Attributes

Incommunicable Attributes are those aspects of God we don’t share with Him. These are attributes God has not passed on to us either in ourselves or in creation.
God is:
Independent / Transcendent
God does not need any of his creation for any reason
( Ex.3:14 ; Acts 17:24-25 ; Is. 62:5 )
God does not change in any way
( Ps. 102:25-27 ; Malachi 3:6 )
God is eternal
( Ps. 90:2 ; Rev. 1:8 ; I Pet 3:8 )
God is Omnipresent ( Present everywhere )
Jeremiah 23:23-24

Communicable Attributes are those attributes of God refer to those divine attributes of which we should have some form of personal experience and understanding.
God is:
Spiritual
( John 4:24 ; I Tim. 1:17 ; John 1:18 )
Omniscient ( all-knowing )
( I John 3:20 ; Ps. 139:16 )
Wise
( Job 12:13 ; Rom. 11:33 )
Truthful & Faithful
( Titus 1:2 ; Heb. 6:18 )
Good
( Luke 18:19 ; Ps. 100:5 )
Loving
( John 4:16 ; Rom. 5:8 ; Ex. 34:6 ; 2 Cor. 1:3 )
Graceful
( Rom. 3:23-24 ; I Pet. 5:10 )
Patient
( Ps. 103:8 ; I Tim 1:16 )
Holy
( Is. 6:3 ; Ps. 99:9 ; Lev. 19:2 )
Wrathful
( Ex. 32:9-10 ; Deut. 9:7-8 ; John 3:36 )
Peaceful
( I Cor. 14:33 ; Rom. 15:33 )
Righteous & Just
( Deut. 32:4 ; Is. 45:19 )
Jealous
( Ex. 20:5-6 , 34:14 )
Perfect
( Matt. 5:48 ; Ps. 18:30 )
Beautiful
( Ps. 27:4 )
Glory-filled
( Rom. 3:23 ; Ps. 24:10 )

Myron comments that every person must study and learn “who God is” before they can live a life of victory and be able to witness effectively for God. This is especially important in the life and ministry of a Biblical counselor. The character of God is the place to begin when counseling the terminally ill.

Kathy’s presentation set the stage for the DVD, Bethlehem Star.
The DVD was approximately one hour.
Bethlehem Star is about God’s communication to man using the starry hosts. The lawyer who gave the presentation spoke often about his personal search for how and when God had used the heavenly bodies to speak of the birth of Christ and then tied that birth to the death of Christ.

This was a fascinating, thought-provoking study. One had to diligently focus upon what was being said. I especially liked the fact that many scriptures were used and that the teacher spoke often about his personal faith. The DVD was very graphic. Mathematics, science, history, Biblical text and personal comments were woven into a compelling case. Each viewer, be they Christian or non-Christian, was challenged to consider God’s witness to them using the heavenly bodies as His messengers. Any teacher who can speak without notes for an hour must know his subject well. This man did.

This DVD should be shown to your church group. It is available at www.bethlehemstar.net

Study held in the home of Ric and Kathy Fogie
Attending were: Esther Shirk, David Fry, Myron and Ruth, and Ric and Kathy
Next study in the home of Esther Shirk on Thursday, February 7.
No topic was suggested. We will give time for a brief Bible blurb and spend the rest of
the time in taking prayer requests and praying.

The Character of God - "Bethlehem Star" DVD

The Character of God
Koinonia Bible study # 3, January 31,08

Presented by Kathy Fogie

Kathy used the first 15 minutes to set the context for a DVD titled, “Bethlehem Star”.
She talked about the basic attributes of God, acknowledging that this was only a brief view.

She divided the attributes of God into two categories:
Incommunicable Attributes
Communicable Attributes

Incommunicable Attributes are those aspects of God we don’t share with Him. These are attributes God has not passed on to us either in ourselves or in creation.
God is:
Independent / Transcendent
God does not need any of his creation for any reason
( Ex.3:14 ; Acts 17:24-25 ; Is. 62:5 )
God does not change in any way
( Ps. 102:25-27 ; Malachi 3:6 )
God is eternal
( Ps. 90:2 ; Rev. 1:8 ; I Pet 3:8 )
God is Omnipresent ( Present everywhere )
Jeremiah 23:23-24

Communicable Attributes are those attributes of God refer to those divine attributes of which we should have some form of personal experience and understanding.
God is:
Spiritual
( John 4:24 ; I Tim. 1:17 ; John 1:18 )
Omniscient ( all-knowing )
( I John 3:20 ; Ps. 139:16 )
Wise
( Job 12:13 ; Rom. 11:33 )
Truthful & Faithful
( Titus 1:2 ; Heb. 6:18 )
Good
( Luke 18:19 ; Ps. 100:5 )

Loving
( John 4:16 ; Rom. 5:8 ; Ex. 34:6 ; 2 Cor. 1:3 )
Graceful
( Rom. 3:23-24 ; I Pet. 5:10 )
Patient
( Ps. 103:8 ; I Tim 1:16 )
Holy
( Is. 6:3 ; Ps. 99:9 ; Lev. 19:2 )
Wrathful
( Ex. 32:9-10 ; Deut. 9:7-8 ; John 3:36 )
Peaceful
( I Cor. 14:33 ; Rom. 15:33 )
Righteous & Just
( Deut. 32:4 ; Is. 45:19 )
Jealous
( Ex. 20:5-6 , 34:14 )
Perfect
( Matt. 5:48 ; Ps. 18:30 )
Beautiful
( Ps. 27:4 )
Glory-filled
( Rom. 3:23 ; Ps. 24:10 )

Myron comments that every person must study and learn “who God is” before they can live a life of victory and be able to witness effectively for God. This is especially important in the life and ministry of a Biblical counselor. The character of God is the place to begin when counseling the terminally ill.

Kathy’s presentation set the stage for the DVD, Bethlehem Star.
The DVD was approximately one hour.
Bethlehem Star is about God’s communication to man using the starry hosts. The lawyer who gave the presentation spoke often about his personal search for how and when God had used the heavenly bodies to speak of the birth of Christ and then tied that birth to the death of Christ.

This was a fascinating, thought-provoking study. One had to diligently focus upon what was being said. I especially liked the fact that many scriptures were used and that the teacher spoke often about his personal faith. The DVD was very graphic. Mathematics, science, history, Biblical text and personal comments were woven into a compelling case. Each viewer, be they Christian or non-Christian, was challenged to consider God’s witness to them using the heavenly bodies as His messengers. Any teacher who can speak without notes for an hour must know his subject well. This man did.

This DVD should be shown to your church group. It is available at www.bethlehemstar.net

Study held in the home of Ric and Kathy Fogie
Attending were: Esther Shirk, David Fry, Myron and Ruth, and Ric and Kathy
Next study in the home of Esther Shirk on Thursday, February 7.
No topic was suggested. We will give time for a brief Bible blurb and spend the rest of
the time in taking prayer requests and praying.

Study on Daniel

January 24,08 in the home of Ric and Kathy Fogie

Ric taught and led the discussion. He stressed the Character of Daniel from the time he was deported around the age of 20 till old age, perhaps age 90. The consistent, righteous character of Daniel became clear as we studied the different faith challenges of his life.
1. Daniel refused to be assimilated into the Babalonian culture.
2. His response to the different rulers
3. His consistency in always witnessing for God and extolling Gods sovereignty.
4. The heathen people of that day recognize in Daniel sterling qualities of courage, faithfulness, loyalty to his Hebrew heritage,
and to the true God of the Hebrews, Ch. 6:4-5

Daniel was not a "yes man" but using the truth confronted evil. However this confrontation was done with love and in a respectful manner.
Daniel included the three Hebrew lads and they together represented God faithfully. ( the fiery furnace )

Daniel served under three different rulers and two different cultures. This is unusual. Not only did he serve under the Bablonian kingdoms but also under the Medes and the Persian empire. Therefore Daniel transcended kingdoms and nations.
( in a small sense it brought to my mind Billy Graham who served different presidents of the USA.

Conclusion: an uncompromising testimony for God lived out will influence peoples and rulers.
Ric made an excellent presentation. There was much discussion and imput. We were challenged to apply what we learned about Daniel to our own lives as we live for God in our generation. Wish you could have been with us.

Those present were:
Esther Shirk, David Fry, Daniel Moyer, Myron & Ruth, Rick, Kathy and Nathan Fogie

The next gathering will be at Ric and Kathy's on January, 31. At that time we will watch a DVD on the Character of God.
Come join us.
These brief notes presented by Myron

Jonah the reluctant Missionary

A Month In the Life of Jonah

Chapter 1:1-

The Word of the Lord “came”….
Q. Has the “Word of the Lord” ever come to you?
Q. Can you think of others who heard the “Word of the Lord” speaking to them
Samuel 3:4,6,8, *10

A. Titus 2:11-12 … Repent!

Vs. 2 … A direct commandment, GO! Not an option, not a choice

God is aware of what is happening on earth, and was aware of the sin in Nineveh.

Q. Can you give another example of God’s awareness of sin in a city?
A. Tower of Babel ( Gen. 11:4-8 )
B. Sodom and Gomorrah ( Gen. 18:20-21 ) .. read

Vs.3. Jonah flees because of disobedience

A. God knows and sees everything
a. Ps. 139 .. we cannot hide our secret sin from God
b. Luke 12:3

Q. Why was Jonah disobedient? ( 4:1-2 )

Vs. 4 Note how God responds to the disobedience of Jonah
Q. Does God always respond immediately to our disobedience?
* Name an example where lying trickery immediately cost disobedient people their lives.
Acts 5:1,5,9 Ananias and Sapphira
Q. Why doesn’t God strike us dead when we disobey? Or does he still do it sometimes?

Vs. 4-17 … Innocent people often suffer because of the sins of others. The storm that arose
Examples: evil rulers in Somalia,
People starve, drug addiction, an elderly lady gets mugged
Drunk driver kills a child riding a bicycle.

Vs. 15 Jonah takes the blame for his disobedience and is thrown overboard
Q. Have any of you almost drown?

Vs. 17 Gods provision, even for a disobedient man
Q. What is the “greatest fish” God has prepared for you?
God’s grace


Jonah Chapter 2 God’s Provision, Man’s Distress

Q. Give an example from your life when God’s Provision seemed to be your Distress.

Vs. 1 Out of the belly of “death” I cried and God heard me!
Q. Can you name a time when you were in the “belly of Gods fish”?

Vs. 3-4 Jonah knows his predicament was caused directly by God/ In his distress he still
hopes in God for deliverance.
Note: Psalm 88:1-18 … just like Jonah’s experience

Turning Point
Vs. 7-9 Key verses ( read them )
"When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple.
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

Vs. 10 Q. Why did God respond to Jonah’s prayer?
Repentance and a Commitment to obey

Chapter 3

Vs. 1-2 NOTE: God’s commandment did not change to accommodate Jonah
The commandment was still GO! --- OBEY ME.

Vs. 3 Jonah Obeys in his Actions … actions speak louder than words
NOTE:
• God knows everything about us
• God knows the intent of our heart
• God cannot be Manipulated

We might lie to get our own way with someone – I promise to _____ if you will_____.
while we have no intention of fulfilling our promise.
Ex. College students borrow money and never pay back their college loan.

Q. What was the message of Jonah to the people of Nineveh?

Vs. 4 Jonah preaches a message of doom
4 On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds:
Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!"
Q. How would the people of Lancaster City respond to such a message?


In the USA a message of repentance goes unheard or is ridiculed or the messenger is persecuted.
Jonah 3:5-9 The response of the king Nineveh and his people

• they believed
• they humbled themselves
• they repented and stopped sinning
• Great revival!

We see here that all Jonah preached was repentance. He did not talk about God’s love. He did not talk about God’s grace. He did not talk about some church doctrine. He preached repentance.

Vs. 10 God’s Response

God saw the Act of repentance and obedience of the people of Nineveh
Because the people humbled themselves and repented, God did not destroy them

Eternal principal:
When people obey in Heart and Action God blesses-
When people disobey they receive a curse
Galatians 6:7-8 ( turn to it )
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Scriptures to meditate upon
Psalm 88:1-18, 89:1-18
Ps. 89:15-18 … Read this together

The following people were present:
Ric and Kathy Fogie, Esther Shirk, David and Tina Vanderbosh, David Fry, meeting held in home of Myron and Ruth Hostetter
The next Koinonia Bible Study will be on Thursday, January 24 in the home of Ric and Kathy Fogie. 898-2006
We will be studying the Book of Daniel. Ric will moderate.