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Volume 16 |
Volume 16 | Cultures In Conflict |
Volume 15 |
Volume 15 | A Clash of Kingdoms |
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15.2 | The Believers |
Volume 14 |
Volume 14 | The Mission of Jesus |
Volume 11 |
Lesson 11.1 | The Way of the Essenes |
Volume 11 |
Lesson 11.4 | The Last Passover |
Volume 10 |
Lesson 10.1 | Build Me a Sanctuary |
Volume 10 |
Lesson 10.2 | Making Space for God |
Volume 7 |
Lesson 7.3 | An Unlikely Disciple |
Volume 7 |
Lesson 7.5 | Don't Forget Us |
Volume 6 |
Lesson 6.4 | Living Stones |
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There are many theories about the origin of a gathering place called "synagogue." The Greek word for synagogue means "assembly" and is used in place of the Hebrew word meaning "congregation" or "community of Isra...
MOREThis spectacular mosaic floor from a synagogue built in the second or third century was found at the oasis of En Gedi along the Dead Sea. The synagogue hall shown here is 45 feet long and about 30 feet wide. It follows the synagogue style found in...
MOREThe remains of this synagogue, one of the oldest found in Israel, are outlined in this photograph. It apparently functioned as a community center because no specifically religious artifacts were found in it. However, the mikveh (ritual bath) uncov...
MOREKorazin was one of the cities where "most of his miracles had been performed" (Matt. 11:20). Typical of Galilean towns of the time, the synagogue occupied a prominent place on an elevated platform in the center of town, symbolizing the i...
MOREBoth boys and girls attended school in Galilee. But only gifted boys continued their education beyond the age of 15, as girls were married by that age. Students probably attended school in the synagogue and were taught by the hazzan or a local Tor...
MOREThe Synagogue ContinuesThe early Christians continued to attend synagogues, although they had a new interpretation of the Torah since Jesus had been revealed as Messiah (Acts 13:14). The new community of Jesus was born out of the synagogue, and th...
MORESabbath WorshipWhile the synagogue building functioned as a community center, school, and court during the week, it became the meeting place for prayer on the Sabbath. When the first three stars could be seen on Friday evening, the hazzan blew the...
MOREImagine Jesus standing on a synagogue platform and unrolling the Torah scrolls. As the community listens, he reads the familiar scriptures and pauses. Everything about the synagogue service has been routine until now, and then Jesus begins his lif...
MORESynagogues continued to be a focal point for Jewish life during the first century. By the time Jesus' ministry began, a synagogue was found in most towns of Galilee. The Gospels specifically mention those of Nazareth (Matt. 13:54) and Capernaum (M...
MORENation or area north and east of Israel. Old Testament: a bitter enemy of Israel. New Testament: large province (including Israel) under Roman control. At the time of Jesus, a large Jewish community lived in its capital, Damascus.
MOREThe Hebrew word for disciple is talmid. This word stresses the relationship between rabbi (teacher or master) and disciple (student). A talmid of Jesus' day would give up his entire life in order to be with his teacher. The disciple didn't only se...
MOREA craftsman who often worked with stone. Jesus was trained as a tekton while growing up in nearby Nazareth.
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