Week Six Topic:
Cultural Anthropology
This week’s outcome:
To establish a general framework to understand the cultural and societal norms of the ancient and contemporary Middle East, therefore providing greater context to the biblical narrative and the acts of those within its books.
Home
5 mins
Take a couple minutes to pause and clear your mind and let go of what may be filling your heart and mind. Allow God to remind you that you are at home in Him and His immense love for you. He doesn’t need anything else from you right now – just your stillness.
Read
Read this document prior to gathering or read together as you gather.
Access Readings ► Cultural Anthropology Readings
Dig In
20 mins
Question ► Considering all you have read, what impact has it had on how you interpret Jesus’ behaviour throughout the gospels, particularly the way he engaged with people?
Here are some stories if you’re not sure where to start:
John 4: 1-26
Luke 19: 1-9
Question ► Coming to understand the significance, particularly of ascribed honour in the ancient and modern Eastern culture, how does it affect how you hear and accept the passage below?
‘Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.’ Romans 8:17
Action
5 mins
With all you’ve come to understand about the cultural and societal dynamics of the East, spend time this week identifying these norms in the biblical book you are reading and consider how it may alter your interpretation of the book.