1. Share insights on table from ‘homework’
2. Cut up text of Psalm 23 as indicated
www.cicconline.org
Purpose
To enable Christians in 21st century Wales
to communicate with credibility, confidence and
competence the message of the Bible in the
local church and in every work place, including
in politics, the media, the arts, the health
service, education and business
CICC Cafe: Biblefresh Insights
The Aims
1. To discover the way God writes – the biblical
(Hebrew) worldview, culture, literature
2. To develop skills in enjoying and meditating
on the inspired text of scripture
3. To appreciate the benefits that come from
studying Torah in fellowship with others
CICC Cafe: Biblefresh Insights
The Session Outline
•
•
•
•
•
Gathering
Focusing
Engaging
Meaning-making
Closing
CICC Cafe: Biblefresh Insights
The Sessions
1. Glory to God – Speaking with tongues of angels! (Luke 2.14)
2. The Lord is my Shepherd – Poetic analysis of Psalm 23
3.
4.
5.
6.
Behold my Servant – Poetic analysis of Isaiah 53
How does God write? – The Concept of Woven Text
In the Beginning – An example of woven text
Our Father in heaven – Woven text in the New Testament
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace
towards people on whom his favour rests.
Glory in the highest to God, and on earth peace
among people of favour.
Glory in the highest to God,
&
on earth peace among people of favour.
Glory
in the highest
to God,
peace
among people
of favour.
&
on earth
Glory
in the highest
to God,
on earth
among people
&
Peace
of favour
The Law through Moses was given, the grace and the
truth through Jesus Christ became.
John 1.17
(The) Law
through Moses
was given,
(the) grace
&
(the) truth
through Jesus Christ
became
I, indeed, baptise you in water into repentance...he you
will baptise in the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matt 3.11
I indeed,
he
&
baptise
you
in water
into repentance
you
will baptise
in the Holy Spirit
fire
CICC Cafe: Biblefresh Insights
Focusing
The Lord is my Shepherd
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Lots of ways to study the Bible
This series is about Biblefresh Insights
The usual way we see the text – as prose
Listen to Abby on YouTube recite Psalm 23
Need to study the text as given (see Item 4 – Ps 23)
Translations versus the literal translation (Read)
Item 2 – meditate on/ arrange the blocks of text
Psalm 23
1a (Since) Yahweh (is) my shepherd (‘pastor’; used of King/ruler)
1b I will not be in need (or ‘be missing’ ie. from the flock)
2a
2b
3a
3b
In pastures of fresh grass he causes me to lie down
Beside waters of rest / tranquil waters He leads me
My soul/whole being he refreshes / restores / brings back
He leads me in paths of righteousness / right paths / trustworthy paths
3c (All) for the sake of his name
4a Even though I may walk through death-shadow ravine
4b I will not fear evil.
5a
5b
6a
6b
Because you are with me
Your rod and staff they comfort me / give me reassurance
You set in order in front of me a table as my enemies look on
You anoint with oil my head
6c My cup is saturated / well-filled (with blessings)
7a Surely, goodness and love shall pursue me all the days of my life
7b And you will cause me to dwell in the house of Yahweh, for length of days
Psalm 23
1a (Since) Yahweh (is) my shepherd
1b I will not be in need (or ‘be missing’ ie. from the flock)
A. Proclaiming
Trust
4a Even though I may walk through death-shadow ravine
4b I will not fear evil
A. Proclaiming
Trust
7a Surely, goodness and love shall pursue me all the days of my life
A. Proclaiming
7b And you will cause me to dwell in the house of Yahweh, for length of days
Trust
Psalm 23
1a (Since) Yahweh (is) my shepherd (‘pastor’; used of King/ruler)
1b I will not be in need (or ‘be missing’ ie. from the flock)
2a
2b
3a
3b
3c
In pastures of fresh grass he causes me to lie down
B. Proof
Beside waters of rest / tranquil waters He leads me
Horizontal – ‘He’
My soul/whole being he refreshes / restores / brings back
He leads me in paths of righteousness / right paths / trustworthy paths
4a Even though I may walk through death-shadow ravine
4b I will not fear evil
5a
5b
6a
6b
6c
Because you are with me
Your rod and staff they comfort me / give me reassurance
You set in order in front of me a table as my enemies look on
You anoint with oil my head
B. Proof
Vertical – ‘You’
7a Surely, goodness and love shall pursue me all the days of my life
7b And you will cause me to dwell in the house of Yahweh, for length of days
Psalm 23
1a (Since) Yahweh (is) my shepherd
1b I will not be in need (or ‘be missing’ ie. from the flock)
2a
2b
3a
3b
3c
In pastures of fresh grass he causes me to lie down
Beside waters of rest / tranquil waters He leads me
My soul he restores
He leads me in paths of righteousness
(All) for the sake of his name
C. Primary Reason
4a Even though I may walk through death-shadow ravine
4b I will not fear evil
5a
5b
6a
6b
6c
Because you are with me
Your rod and staff they comfort me / give me reassurance
You set in order in front of me a table as my enemies look on
You anoint with oil my head
Your/My cup is saturated / well-filled (with blessings)
C. Final Result
7a Surely, goodness and love shall pursue me all the days of my life
7b And you will cause me to dwell in the house of Yahweh, for length of days
Psalm 23
1a Yahweh (is) my shepherd
1b I will not be in need (or ‘be missing’ ie. from the flock)
2a
2b
3a
3b
3c
In pastures of fresh grass he causes me to lie down
Beside waters of rest / tranquil waters He leads me
My soul he restores
He leads me in paths of righteousness
(All) for the sake of his name
A. Proclaiming
Trust
B. Proof
Horizontal – ‘He’
C. Primary Reason
4a Even though I may walk through death-shadow ravine
4b I will not fear evil
5a
5b
6a
6b
6c
A. Proclaiming
Trust
Because you are with me
B. Proof
Your rod and staff they comfort me / give me reassurance
You set in order in front of me a table as my enemies look on Vertical – ‘You’
You anoint with oil my head
My cup is saturated / well-filled (with blessings)
C. Final Result
7a Surely, goodness and love shall pursue me all the days of my life
7b And I will dwell in the house of Yahweh, for length of days
A. Proclaiming
Trust
CICC Cafe: Biblefresh Insights
Meaning-making
The Lord is my Shepherd
• Parallelism
– Key insight in Hebrew-Biblical literature
– Usually in pairs, sometimes 3s or 4s (two pairs)
– In sentences, in paragraphs, in units, in books!
• Inverted Parallelism
– As in Psalm 23.3a and b
– Also called Chiasma(ta)
CICC Cafe: Biblefresh Insights
Meaning-making
The Lord is my Shepherd
• Truth at two dimensions
– Linear or 2D – the linear reading of the text
– Parallel or 3D – the parallel reading of the text
• Notice the learning that comes from the As
• Notice the learning that comes from the Bs and the Cs
– Like the difference between 2D vision & 3D vision!
– 2D is seeing on one plane, 3D is seeing in depth
CICC Coming Up
• Homework!
– Try another one yourself – Psalm 1
– Bring your own laptop next week!
• Resources
– New Testament
– Old Testament
– NET Bible
– Bibleworks
CICC Coming Up
• Events such as this, around Wales
– Story Wars with Gerard Kelly, 24 March, Glenwood; 25th Breakfast
– Can I believe the Bible? Tyndale House, 6/7 May, Highfields
• CICC Cafes
– Biblefresh Insights
– Relating Faith
– Culture – do your own!
• Website
• Courses
– Leadership Academy