classes available through Dallas Theological Seminary
I recently started taking a free class online regarding the Gospel of John put together by Dallas Theological Seminary. The seminary President Dr. Mark Bailey is the teacher for this class. It lasts for about 8 weeks and is formatted, so that if you don't want to wait for the next lesson you can continue at your own pace. I am on week three and enjoy the lessons. Here is a link to the courses online if you want to sign up for one
https://courses.dts.edu/
I would encourage you to do this if you have half an hour a week to spare. I believe doing something different like this periodically can greatly help to refresh your walk with the Lord and give you a new perspective. Even if your not a seminary student or haven't studied the Bible much on your own these classes are easy enough that you would be able to get something out of them.
In week three, Dr.Bailey was talking about how Jesus turned the water into wine. This is one of the first public miracles of Jesus. It actually started out as a request from Jesus' mother Mary for Jesus to help. There is some speculation that Mary was a host at the wedding. She did something really smart which was she brought the problem to Jesus. She knew that he would care about the situation. Which is important for us to remember as well, that we need to remember to bring all requests both big and small to God.
Jesus reply at first seems discouraging because he says basically, "What is that to me?" It can sound like he doesn't care to our ears, but that isn't what he meant. Jesus was an obedient child and Mary was use to telling Jesus what he needed to do as his parent. He was letting her know that he wasn't under her anymore. That he was going to do the work the Father had for him and wasn't taking orders from her. Jesus repeatedly says in the gospels that he is doing the work that the Father sent him to do. Over 20 times in the gospel of John, Jesus refers to himself as one who was "sent". He sees himself as being on a mission. Then he sends his disciples before his ascension on a mission also.
https://courses.dts.edu/
I would encourage you to do this if you have half an hour a week to spare. I believe doing something different like this periodically can greatly help to refresh your walk with the Lord and give you a new perspective. Even if your not a seminary student or haven't studied the Bible much on your own these classes are easy enough that you would be able to get something out of them.
In week three, Dr.Bailey was talking about how Jesus turned the water into wine. This is one of the first public miracles of Jesus. It actually started out as a request from Jesus' mother Mary for Jesus to help. There is some speculation that Mary was a host at the wedding. She did something really smart which was she brought the problem to Jesus. She knew that he would care about the situation. Which is important for us to remember as well, that we need to remember to bring all requests both big and small to God.
Jesus reply at first seems discouraging because he says basically, "What is that to me?" It can sound like he doesn't care to our ears, but that isn't what he meant. Jesus was an obedient child and Mary was use to telling Jesus what he needed to do as his parent. He was letting her know that he wasn't under her anymore. That he was going to do the work the Father had for him and wasn't taking orders from her. Jesus repeatedly says in the gospels that he is doing the work that the Father sent him to do. Over 20 times in the gospel of John, Jesus refers to himself as one who was "sent". He sees himself as being on a mission. Then he sends his disciples before his ascension on a mission also.
