Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Pharisees
()
About this ebook
Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Pharisees presents ten conversations of Jesus with the Pharisees and their scribes who were considered to be experts in the interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures. The conversations reveal Jesus’ passionate attempts to connect with these leaders who opposed his teachings and his mission from the moment he arrived on the religious scene. While he conversed with the Pharisees, Jesus taught great truths about the Christian faith that continue to inform and inspire.
The author presents Jesus' conversations in dialog fashion, using fiction techniques to enliven the text while remaining true to the biblical account. The presentations take into account the cultural and political background of the period and places.
Following the account of each conversation are interactive learning exercises that can be completed individually or in a group setting. This book is a handy tool for group and individual Bible study.
Contents:
Introduction: Conversation: A Way to Connect
Conversation 1: Why Am I Here?
Reflection 1
Conversation 2: When Will the Kingdom of God Come?
Reflection 2
Conversation 3: What Must I Do to Obtain Eternal Life?
Reflection 3
Conversation 4: Is It Lawful to Heal on the Sabbath?
Reflection 4
Conversation 5: Why Do You Eat with Sinners?
Reflection 5
Conversation 6: Why Don’t You Wash Your Hands?
Reflection 6
Conversation 7: Who Is My Neighbor?
Reflection 7
Conversation 8: What Is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
Reflection 8
Conversation 9: What Sign Will You Give Us?
Reflection 9
Conversation 10: Born Again? How Can This Happen?
Reflection 10
What Happened Next?
Scripture Index
Subject Index
Glossary of Terms
About the Author
Links to Other Books by Shirley St ephens
Shirley Stephens
Shirley Stephens has written and edited over a period of thirty-plus years. She is a graduate of Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona, and Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. She is the author of eleven books and countless articles. Books to her credit: My Daughter Susan Smith, the story of a troubled young mother who sent her children to their deaths in a South Carolina lake; Under the SS Shadow, the true story of a former Hitler Youth and the son of an SS major; A New Testament View of Women, a detailed exegesis of all of the New Testament passages that deal specifically with the role of women; Breaking Crime's Vicious Cycle, the gripping, true-life story of hardened criminal Don Dennis and his conversion and transformation into a life of service to inmates; From the Cell to the Cross, an update of Breaking Crime's Vicious Cycle; Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Women presents, in dialog fashion, nine truths that Jesus taught women; Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Men presents, in dialog fashion, eleven truths that Jesus taught men; Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Pharisees presents, in dialog fashion ten truths that Jesus taught Pharisees; Great Truths from One Woman's Conversations With the Apostle Paul presents, in dialog fashion, nine teachings of Paul on the role of women in the home, church and society; Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With the Apostle Peter presents, in dialog fashion, nine truths that Jesus taught the Apostle Peter; Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With the Apostle John presents, in dialog fashion, Jesus' letters to the seven churches of Revelation.
Read more from Shirley Stephens
A New Testament View of Women Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGreat Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Women Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGreat Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Men Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Pharisees
Related ebooks
Portraits of Jesus: A Reading Guide Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Jesus: The Centre of It All Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Book of Acts: Is It Historically Accurate? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSome Shorter Letters of Paul: Verse-by-Verse Commentary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLift Up Your Eyes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShouting Above the Noisy Crowd: Biblical Wisdom and the Urgency of Preaching: Essays in Honor of Alyce M. McKenzie Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKing David: The Golden Age of Ancient Israel, Vol 2: The Badlands Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHell Fire Not a Literal Fire Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Basics: Basic Theology Every Christian Should Know Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWho Do People Say I Am: An Intimate Conversation With The Only Begotten Son Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Pharisaism: Its Aim and Its Method Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMade in His Image Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Basic Christian Theology Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fresh From the Word 2022: The Bible for a change Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBuilding on the Rock: Practical Advice from Jesus! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIsaiah 9:6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOut of Context: How to Avoid Misinterpreting the Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christian Spirituality and Ethical Life: Calvin's View on the Spirit in Ecumenical Context Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Long Way to Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLights in the Storm: Thoughts and Lessons from Life’s Stormy Path Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Parables for Today Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove That Rejoices in the Truth: Theological Explorations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBirth Control and the Catholic Conscience Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Absence of God in Biblical Rape Narratives Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpeaking of God: An Essential Guide to Christian Thought Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUltimate Guide to Defend Your Faith: A Complete Walk-Through of All 66 Books of the Bible / Photos / Maps / Charts / Timelines Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJoshua: New European Christadelphian Commentary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTrue Bible Study: Joshua and Israel's Inheritance Joshua 13-24 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsResting in God's Shadow: Encouragement for Military Boot Camp Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPrayers of a Life in Tension Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You've Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Pharisees
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Great Truths from Jesus' Conversations With Pharisees - Shirley Stephens
Great Truths from
Jesus’
Conversations
With
Pharisees
Shirley Stephens
© Copyright 2011 by Shirley L. Stephens
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-9833672-0-8
Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Scripture quotations marked GNB are taken from the Good News Bible, The Bible in Today’s English Version. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Printed in the United States of America
Authors Book Nook
P. O. Box 513
Brentwood, TN 37024-0513
Website: www.authorsbooknook.com
Email: authorsbooknook@bellsouth.net
A note to the reader
The ten conversations in this book are based solidly on the biblical record. Some liberties have been taken to recreate the scene related to each conversation, such as likely responses of the persons involved and background information about the people and the locations where the conversations took place
Following the account of each conversation are interactive exercises designed to delve into the truths to be learned and the life applications that can be made as a result of studying the conversation.
Subject and Scripture indices, along with a glossary of terms, are provided to aid in study and understanding.
CONTENTS
Introduction: Conversation:
A Way to Connect
Conversation One: Why Am I Here?
Reflection One
Conversation Two: When Will the
Kingdom of God Come?
Reflection Two
Conversation Three: What Must I Do
to Obtain Eternal Life?
Reflection Three
Conversation Four: Is It Lawful
to Heal on the Sabbath?
Reflection Four
Conversation Five: Why Do You
Eat with Sinners?
Reflection Five
Conversation Six: Why Don’t You
Wash Your Hands?
Reflection Six
Conversation Seven: Who Is My
Neighbor?
Reflection Seven
Conversation Eight: What Is Blasphemy
of the Holy Spirit?
Reflection Eight
Conversation Nine: What Sign Will
You Give Us?
Reflection Nine
Conversation Ten: Born Again?
How Can This Happen?
Reflection Ten
What Happened Next?
Scripture Index
Subject Index
Glossary of Terms
About the Author
Other Books
by Shirley Stephens
Introduction
Conversation:
A way to Connect
Who were Jesus’ greatest enemies? If you asked that question of anyone familiar with the Scriptures, the answer probably would be: The Pharisees.
From the moment Jesus came on the religious scene, the Pharisees opposed him.
The Pharisees were hostile toward Jesus for a number of reasons. First, he claimed that his arrival brought in the kingdom of God. For the Pharisees, that meant he was claiming to be the Messiah. But Jesus was not the kind of Messiah they expected. They thought the Messiah would be a military leader after the order of King David; and, as king, he would establish such a kingdom. Jesus did not fit that mold.
A second reason the Pharisees were hostile toward Jesus was what he taught. On many points, he went against the Pharisees’ interpretation of the Old Testament Law. They followed and promoted a body of material known as the tradition of the elders. This body of material contained all kinds of rules and regulations and interpretations related to holy Scripture. It is in regard to the strict adherence of this body of material that Jesus and the Pharisees differed remarkably. Jesus was committed to the Old Testament Scriptures but not to this body of material. And that difference in viewpoint was the basis for most of their conflicts.
A third reason for the Pharisees’ hostility was that Jesus criticized their viewpoint. On one occasion, he told his disciples and the crowd to Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy
(Luke 12:1). By leaven, he meant their teachings.
A fourth reason for the Pharisees’ hostility was all about fear of losing power and influence. Their interpretation of God’s law was the rule of the day. They set the standards for living as a member of God’s people. The devout tried to live up to their interpretations and example. The Pharisees were convinced they would lose this place of power over the people if Jesus’ teachings prevailed. They did not want to be usurped by the teachings of someone they considered to be an itinerant preacher who did not view the Law of Moses as they did.
Not all Pharisees were opposed to Jesus. Nicodemus was one Pharisee who evidently had a positive view of Jesus. While he did not necessarily accept him as the Messiah, he did feel Jesus was a teacher sent by God
(John 3:2; Conversation 10). And there were other Pharisees who had a favorable attitude toward Jesus. But the prevailing impression given by a reading of the New Testament is that the Pharisees, as a religious - political party, were opposed to Jesus and worked passionately to turn the people against him.
In spite of the Pharisees’ hostility, though, Jesus attempted to teach them many great truths about God. The ten conversations in this book reveal how he took advantage of opportunities to teach the Pharisees and others about God’s plan for his people. These conversations contain messages that have informed and encouraged countless individuals down through the centuries.
Conversation One
Why Am I Here?
Matthew 9:9-13
Mark 2:13-17
Luke 5:27-32
"Follow me," Jesus said to Matthew
in a rather commanding tone of voice.
Matthew stood up and went with him.
-- Matthew 9:9
**********
Capernaum, located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, became Jesus’ base of operations in Galilee. He evidently moved his mother and siblings there after his hostile reception at the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth (Matt. 4:13; Luke 4:16-31). While the timing of the move corresponds with this incident, Jesus likely moved to Capernaum because its strategic location worked well with carrying out his public ministry.
A tax office was located at the entrance to Capernaum. This particular tax office probably collected tolls on the fishing and trade of the Sea. The Romans taxed just about everything.
On one occasion, Jesus emerged from his home, where he had healed a paralytic (Matt. 9:1-8), and was walking by the shore of the Sea (Mark 2:13). As he came near the tax office, he saw a man collecting tolls. That tax collector is called Matthew in the Gospel that bears his name. Luke calls him Levi
(5:27) while Mark refers to him as Levi the son of Alphaeus
(2:14). It was very common for a Jew to have two names — a Hebrew name and a Greek name. The first readers of the Gospels would certainly have known that the one called Levi, the son of Alphaeus, was also called Matthew. It is not surprising that Matthew would give only the name he was known by as an apostle and would avoid, as the Apostle Paul did, the name that was associated with his life before meeting Jesus. Matthew, Mark and Luke all include the name Matthew in their lists of the twelve apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15).
Some argue that this Matthew was not the Gospel writer because he is spoken of in the third person. But it was common in ancient times and has also been common in modern times for writers to speak of themselves in this way. The Apostle John, in his Gospel, used various techniques to avoid mentioning his own name, such as referring to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved
and the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote these things
(John 13:23;21:20,24).
While Matthew does not mention any previous contact with Jesus, this meeting, in all probability, was not the first time the two had met. It is quite possible