FEAST OF LIGHTS OR HANUKKAH

On Sunday, September 18, our Bible Study Class, began our discussion on John 10. We looked at verses 1 - 21. These passages related the picture of the relationship between the sheep and their Shepherd. We reviewed passages in Old Testament and New Testament that gave us a vivid picture of this relationship. In the teachings from Jesus, we discover that Jesus characterized Himself as the gate through which the sheep enter the sheep pen. As believers, we understand that it is only through Jesus that one enters the family of God. He said "I am the gate for the sheep." John 10:7 

In John 10:11-21, Jesus states, "I am the Good Shepherd". This is the fourth "I Am" statements that is recorded in the book of John. 

On September 25, 2016, we will discuss John 10:22-42. Please read your Shepherd's notes pages 54 - 55. 

Verse 22-23 reads, "At the time of Dedication at Jerusalem, it was winter and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon's Colonnade."  What do you know about the Feast of Dedication or Feast of Lights (Hanukkah)? This is a very important Feast for the Jewish people, who celebrate Hanukkah even today. It is a very happy celebration that lasts for eight days. They use the nine branch menorah as their symbol to commemorate a special event in the  history of the Jewish Nation and their Temple in Jerusalem. The celebration takes place in the winter in the Jewish month of Kislev, the 20th day. For most years the Jewish Hanukkah falls in our month of December.

On Sunday we will look at some Jewish history.
See what you can find out about the following historical characters:

Antiochus IV Ephphanes, the Syrian Ruler, Greek, He lived from 215 BC - 164 BC, He died at the age of 50 or 51. One of his conquest was the persecution of the Jews in Judea and Samaria. His intent was to completely destroy the Jewish religion and convert the Jewish Nation to worship the Greek gods. He desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem. 

MACCABEAN REVOLT
Judas Maccabee
 God used Judas Maccabee and his men to stop this mad man from Syria. He was able to defeat this mighty, wicket king and restore the Jewish religion and the Temple in Jerusalem. 

The Jewish people celebrate for eight days, in December, at The Feast of Lights (Dedication) or Hanukkah to commemorate this great event.  During the first celebration, December of 165 BC, there was a miracle regarding the nine candle menorah. Find out what was that miracle? We will discuss this as part of our lesson on Sunday.

In class work session:
Assignment: Please bring your charts of the book of John and your hand-outs for John 1- 10.  I plan to review the first 10 chapters and we will fill in the charts during our class time. You also may need color pencils. We do have some pencils in class. Your Shepherd's Notes book will also be helpful.