Deuteronomy 01: Introduction to Deuteronomy

As we head into the book of Deuteronomy, how are you feeling about? Do you look forward to these summer studies in the Old Testament? Is this your first? Prior to this sermon, how much did you know about the book of Deuteronomy? How important does an understanding of this book seem to you? Why? How are you feeling about it after this first introductory sermon?

Tim outlined the meaning of the Hebrew word be’er. Essentially, it means re-interpretation… making clear, reiterating, and adapting. Tim also said that, “this be’er (reinterpretation) of Torah (teaching, laws) was assumed to be both necessary and faithful.” He also said (paraphrased) that “the easiest way to fail at faithfulness is to refuse to do this work, either by ignoring the faith or attempting to preserve the external form of the faith unchanged from a previous era.” What’s your experience with this idea? What surfaces for you, both intellectually and emotionally, as you contemplate the idea that what it looks like to embody allegiance and fidelity to YHWH will and should change over time? How much does this align with what you have been taught about Christianity and faithfulness to God? What do you make of any disparities or similarities you find between this idea and whatever you’ve thought before?

Tim put up the following slide (attached) toward the close of his sermon. Slowly re-read and digest its words and discuss, as a group, the different ideas, feelings, and responses that it prompts in you.   What experiences do you have that connect to ideas here? Share what you’ve seen and learned through those experiences.