Shabbat School – Page 2 – Messianic Apologetics

Study Questions: Why Do We Observe the Seventh-Day Sabbath? – Shabbat School

13 March, 2021 J.K. McKee

J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics goes through the study questions for Ch 4 in the Messianic Beginnings workbook:

1. On what day did God rest from His work? What is the Hebrew word for this?

2. Why did God command the Israelites to keep the Sabbath?

3. What is the “sign” between God and His people? What is the significance of this sign?

4. How were the Israelites to observe the Sabbath?

5. In what context is Shabbat one of the Lord’s appointed times? Explain.

6. How is the Sabbath to be a delight?

7. What is the context of sojourners within Israel keeping the Sabbath?

8. Explain what happened when the Southern Kingdom exiles returned from Babylon in regard to the Sabbath. Why do you think the Rabbis added extra-Biblical regulations to observing Shabbat? Do you think their reasoning was justified? Why or why not?

9. Do you believe that Yeshua kept the Sabbath? Why or why not?

10. What are some blessings that those who keep the Sabbath can obtain?

Why Do We Observe the Seventh-Day Sabbath? – Shabbat School

6 March, 2021 Mark Huey

Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries goes through some of the Biblical reasons why many of today’s Believers are finding remembrance of the weekly Sabbath a great joy and delight.

Study Questions: Why Do We Need the Torah? – Shabbat School

27 February, 2021 J.K. McKee

J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics goes through the study questions for Ch 3 in the Messianic Beginnings workbook:

1. What are some examples of common Christian ignorance of the Torah? Do you think this is acceptable for those who claim to study and know the Bible?

2. Do you believe knowing about the Torah is important for our faith and having a proper foundation for understanding the Apostolic Scriptures (New Testament)? Why or why not?

3. Give examples of modern societal degradation that have resulted, or can result, from not heeding the Torah’s commandments.

4. In what sense is the Torah “Teaching”? In what sense is the Torah “Law”?

5. Give some examples, based in the Torah, of how Believers are to be holy, or more specifically set-apart, from the world. How important do you believe this is?

6. Why do you think many believe that the Messiah abolished the Torah? Do you believe that “fulfill” means “abolish”? Why or why not?

7. Why do you think that many Bible teachers speak against the Torah?

8. What do you believe the correct meaning of “under the Law” is?

9. Understanding that Yeshua upheld the validity of the Torah or Law of Moses, how might we reconcile what many claim about Paul and other authors in the Apostolic Scriptures (New Testament), to His words?

10. List some specific reasons why born again Believers need the Torah.

11. What is sin, Biblically defined? What is lawlessness, Biblically defined?

12. If sin is indeed disobedience to the Torah, what things might you need to change in your life? What things do you need to pray about?

Why Do We Need the Torah? – Shabbat School

30 January, 2021 J.K. McKee

J.K. McKee of goes through some of the significant reasons, from both the Tanach (OT) and Apostolic Writings (NT), of why God’s people need to consider the ongoing importance and relevance of the Torah for their spiritual instruction and direction.

Study Questions: The Importance of Studying the Torah – Shabbat School

23 January, 2021 J.K. McKee

J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics goes through the study questions for Ch 2 in the Messianic Beginnings workbook:

1. Do you think that it is significant that while many Jewish people have come to faith in Messiah Yeshua, many non-Jewish Believers have developed an interest in the Torah? Why or why not?

2. How was Ancient Israel to be blessed? Does this same principle apply to Believers today?

3. How did a return to the study of the Torah benefit the Jews who returned to the Land of Israel from the Babylonian exile?

4. How could studying the Torah portions on a weekly basis give you a newfound richness to your walk with the Lord?

5. Do you want to study the Torah? Why or why not?

The Importance of Studying the Torah – Shabbat School

16 January, 2021 Mark Huey

Perhaps the most shocking trend present today in the Messianic movement, is witnessing a return of many evangelical Believers to the foundations of our faith. This is best exemplified by many individuals studying the Torah on a consistent basis. The Torah is the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, also commonly called the Law of Moses or Pentateuch.

Study Questions: Why Should We Study the Scriptures of Israel? – Shabbat School

9 January, 2021 J.K. McKee

J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics goes through the study questions for Ch 1 in the Messianic Beginnings workbook:

1. Explain some of the reasons why Believers should study the Tanakh, the Scriptures of Israel.

2. What does being a Hebrew or Ivri mean? What are some spiritual applications of this?

3. In what context were the Patriarchs “Hebrews”? What did Biblical characters such as Abraham, Moses, and David do to make them “Hebrews”?

4. Explain some of the similarities and differences between the Jewish book and verse order of the Tanakh, versus that of the Christian Old Testament. Do you think these are significant? Why or why not?

5. Explain how Hebrew is an action-oriented language. Look up several passages in the Tanakh and how they might reflect our relationship to God.

6. Using the examples discussed in the chapter, how reverent were the people when the Torah was read publicly? What are some applications that can be drawn?

7. Have you ever been taught in your denominational tradition that Yeshua (Jesus) was a Torah obedient Jew, or that He at least followed some of the Old Testament commands? How might this change your perception of what you have been taught in the past?

8. Have you ever been taught that the Disciples and Apostles were Torah obedient, First Century Jews? How might this change your perception of what you have been taught in the past?

9. Using the examples given in the chapter, why do you think so many people believe that the Apostle Paul opposed the Torah? What challenges relating to Paul’s letters do you foresee when reading them?

10. How do you think that more consciously studying the Tanakh, the Scriptures of Israel, will change various aspects of your spiritual walk?

Why Should We Study the Scriptures of Israel? – Shabbat School

2 January, 2021 Mark Huey

Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries discusses the great significance of how increasing numbers of Believers in the Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus), who worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are studying more and more about the ancient origins of their faith in the Scriptures of Israel. Something is happening among people as the Bible is being reexamined to dig for truths which have often been overlooked by the masses of Christianity. Thousands are being encouraged to return to the foundations of our faith in the Tanakh (Old Testament), and it is deepening their walk and commitment to the Lord.

New Series: Messianic Beginnings – Shabbat School

26 December, 2020 J.K. McKee

J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics announces the new Shabbat School series, where we will be going through the workbook Messianic Beginnings.

A Survey of Messianic Theology: Study Questions for Unit Six – Shabbat School

19 December, 2020 J.K. McKee

J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics goes through the six study questions for Unit Six in The Messianic Walk workbook:

1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “theology”? How important is it going to be, in your Messianic experience, to have a more developed approach to various issues and subjects?

2. What specific areas of Messianic theology have you seen discussed or debated in a fellowship setting? Describe your experience. What do you think needs to be investigated or explored further?

3. What guidelines or methods have you followed, for studying the Bible in the past? How have these methods been useful? What are some immediate areas where you know you need to make improvement?

4. How have different Bible studies been conducted at your Messianic congregation or fellowship? Has the teacher been responsible with the text, or is it clear that various corners have been cut? Elaborate.

5. What do you think the next big phase of Messianic theological and spiritual development is likely to involve?

6. How do you think today’s Messianic Believers should truly learn to be Bereans, in their approach to studying Scripture or investigating various theological issues?