weekly blog assignments
Blog 1 due January 20th
According to Galatians, why did Paul confront Peter? What do you think
Christians and/or churches can learn from this event?
Blog 2 due January 26th
What
does Paul say about the “second coming” in 1&2 Thessalonians? What
application, if any, do you think this has to the life of the believer today?
Blog 3 due February 2nd
What
are some insights you gained from 1 Corinthians concerning sex, marriage and
being single? Does this have any application in America’s cultural
constructions of “dating,” “engagement,” or other relationship statuses?
Blog 4 due February 9th
1 & 2 Corinthians deals
with themes on both death and resurrection. What are some important insights
you gained about death? About the resurrection? Compare Paul’s views on death
with other belief systems such as atheistic naturalism, reincarnation in
Hinduism, etc., and discuss how these views differ on the question of death on
an emotional level.
Blog 5 due February 17th
First, briefly summarize
Paul’s expression of the gospel message as presented in Romans. Second, answer
the following questions based on your summary: What do you think would be
hardest to explain to a non-believer? What do you think would make the most
sense to a non-believer?
Blog 4 due February 9th
1 & 2 Corinthians deals
with themes on both death and resurrection. What are some important insights
you gained about death? About the resurrection? Compare Paul’s views on death
with other belief systems such as atheistic naturalism, reincarnation in
Hinduism, etc., and discuss how these views differ on the question of death on
an emotional level.
Blog 5 due February 17th
First, briefly summarize
Paul’s expression of the gospel message as presented in Romans. Second, answer
the following questions based on your summary: What do you think would be
hardest to explain to a non-believer? What do you think would make the most
sense to a non-believer?
Blog 6 due February 23rd
What
do you think is/are the most applicable exhortation(s) of Romans 12:1 – 15:7
for your school, your class, or your church? Explain.
Blog 7 due March 2nd
The question of
predestination (whether God has planned out our future or whether we have free
will) is notoriously controversial in Protestantism. The opening of Ephesians
requires one to wrestle with this very question. Where do you land in the
debate and how do you interpret Ephesians 1:3-14 in light of your position?
Blog 8 due March 23rd
In
your opinion, and in light of your reading, how structured should a church be?
Who should have authority in that structure? Can a woman be a pastor or be part
of that authoritative structure? Compare your insights and thoughts to how your
current church is organized.
Blog 9 due April 6th
Wealth and poverty is a recurring theme in the book of James—what do you think
are the most important insights a Christian can gain on this topic after
reading James.
Blog 10 due April 20th
Suppose you visited a church that taught something you had never heard before,
or had previously been taught was wrong—how would you respond? What do you
think are the “essential” parts of the Christian message and where is there
room for disagreement?
Blog 11 due April 27th
Suppose a friend of yours has never heard of Jesus—explain your beliefs about
who Jesus is. Anticipate questions from your friend like: Is Jesus a man or a
god? Is he like a spirit or an angel? Who is more powerful—Jesus or his Father?
Blog 12 due May 4th
“Love” has almost become an empty word—“I love BBQ and my wife,” “She loves
Justin Bieber,” “He secretly loves Justin Bieber”—but John’s letters discuss
love frequently and gives more depth to the word. What are some insights you
gained on the topic of love after reading the Johannine epistles?
Blog 13 due May 11th
What do you think is the best way to interpret Revelation? What impact does this position have on the life of the believer?
Blog 12 due May 4th
“Love” has almost become an empty word—“I love BBQ and my wife,” “She loves
Justin Bieber,” “He secretly loves Justin Bieber”—but John’s letters discuss
love frequently and gives more depth to the word. What are some insights you
gained on the topic of love after reading the Johannine epistles?
weekly blog rubric
Length of the Post 5 4 3 2 1
Post should be between 200 and 400 words (199-150 and 401-450 = 4; 149-100 and 451-500 = 3; etc.). Content must also be relevant to the assigned topic—any text that does not seek to answer the question will not count toward length. Quotations will not count toward length.
Application of Scripture 5 4 3 2 1
Post should show adequate thought and meditation on the relevant scriptures and should be applied to contemporary life with love and respect. Using insights from scripture, an application should encourage readers to do one of the following: see the world/their faith/God in a particular way; take or omit a specific action; organize their life or community around an idea or value; address relevant questions or struggles that are widely shared.
Interpretation of Scripture 5 4 3 2 1
Post should consider two or more of the following: the context of verses within the passage; the context of the passage with the letter/book; context of the passage within the New Testament; the context of the letter/book in its historical setting; the original meaning of key words or phrases.
Appearance of the Post 5 4 3 2 1
Post is easy to read, free from significant errors, and visually pleasant. Students are encouraged to fully utilize the medium (e.g., include video clips, songs or pictures that are appropriate, relevant and enhance the message).
Total Points: _____/20
Length of the Post 5 4 3 2 1
Post should be between 200 and 400 words (199-150 and 401-450 = 4; 149-100 and 451-500 = 3; etc.). Content must also be relevant to the assigned topic—any text that does not seek to answer the question will not count toward length. Quotations will not count toward length.
Application of Scripture 5 4 3 2 1
Post should show adequate thought and meditation on the relevant scriptures and should be applied to contemporary life with love and respect. Using insights from scripture, an application should encourage readers to do one of the following: see the world/their faith/God in a particular way; take or omit a specific action; organize their life or community around an idea or value; address relevant questions or struggles that are widely shared.
Interpretation of Scripture 5 4 3 2 1
Post should consider two or more of the following: the context of verses within the passage; the context of the passage with the letter/book; context of the passage within the New Testament; the context of the letter/book in its historical setting; the original meaning of key words or phrases.
Appearance of the Post 5 4 3 2 1
Post is easy to read, free from significant errors, and visually pleasant. Students are encouraged to fully utilize the medium (e.g., include video clips, songs or pictures that are appropriate, relevant and enhance the message).
Total Points: _____/20
