Note: On Sept. 29, Carl Flynn discussed Crestview’s Adult Education ministry (video) and on Oct. 6 all adult classes will meet in the Community Center to get to know one of Crestview’s missionary families from Croatia. Our next series, “Paul in Prison” will begin on October 13.
The Book of the Twelve in the Hebrew Bible — also commonly referred to as the Minor Prophets — remembers the witness of prophetic voices in Israel during the fall of Israel (722 BCE), the fall of Jerusalem (587/6 BCE), and the return of the exiles (520 BCE). While spoken in, to, and about the people of Israel in particular moments, the Word of these “original 12” sometimes looked forward to and were heard by the earliest Christians as a witness to Jesus the Messiah. During Christianity’s rise, these prophetic voices are referred to as the “book of the twelve” and remain enduring voices for the faith of the Church. The Original 12 still resonate, speaking with relevance to God’s people in every era.
Our primary guide for this study will be Dr. James Nogalski, W. Marshall and Lulie Craig Professor of Bible at Baylor University. His Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets (Abingdon Press, 2018; ISBN: 1426742282) includes a brief overview of the Book of the Twelve and each of the prophetic books it contains. You will note in the schedule that the readings from Nogalski are not sequential since the schedule is arranged canonically and the resource text is arranged historically and thematically.
As always, the following schedule is tentative and will be updated to accommodate based on changes in the life of the Crestview community. In addition, not all of our adult Bible Classes will consistently follow this schedule. However, each week our Bible Class in Room 106 on the first floor of the main building will follow the schedule very closely, and will be both livestreamed and recorded for later viewing.
May this series be a blessing to the body of Christ at Crestview and among those beyond our immediate community.
| Date | Topic | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| April 7 | Introduction to the Book of the Twelve: History and Theology — A Conversation with Dr. Kipp Swinney in the Worship Center [Video] | |
| April 14 | Hosea: The Metaphor (Hosea 1) [Video: Carl Flynn] | Nogalski, pp. 97-105 |
| April 21 | Hosea: Mercy, Not Sacrifice (Hosea 2-4) [Video: Carl Flynn] | Nogalski, pp. 105-106 |
| April 28 | Hosea: Divine Emotions (Hosea 5-14) [Video: Carl Flynn] | Nogalski, pp. 106-109 |
| May 5 | Joel: Locusts Everywhere (1.1-2.11) [Video: Carl Flynn] | Nogalski, pp. 191-194 |
| May 12 | Joel: Egalitarian Vision (2.12-3.21) [Video: Carl Flynn] | Nogalski, pp. 194-199 |
| May 19 | Amos: The Preacher (1.1-3.15) [Video: Dwayne Simmons] | Nogalski, pp. 109-113 |
| May 26 | Amos: Heart of Justice (4.1-6.14) [Video: Dwayne Simmons] | Nogalski, pp. 112-115 |
| June 2 | Amos & Amaziah (7.1-9.15) [Video: Dwayne Simmons] | Nogalski, pp. 115-120 |
| June 9 | Obadiah: God and the Nations [Video: Brent Gibson] | Nogalski, pp. 199-207 |
| June 16 | Jonah: Prophet on the Run (1.1-2.11) [Room 106/Livestream: Larry Williams] Unfortunately, we missed livestreaming and recording this session. On June 23, Larry provides a brief recap. | Nogalski, pp. 207-210 |
| June 23 | Jonah: Prophet Outside the City (3.1-4.11) [Video: Larry Williams] | Nogalski, pp. 210-216 |
| June 30 | Micah: Introduction: Doom and Hope, Part A (1-2) [Video: Mark Henry] | Nogalski, pp. 120-123 |
| July 7 | Micah: Doom and Hope, Part B (3-5) [Video: Mark Henry] | Nogalski, pp. 126-129 |
| July 14 | Micah: Doom and Hope, Back to A (6-7) [Video: Carl Flynn] | Nogalski, pp. 123-126 |
| July 21 | Nahum: God and the Superpower [Video: Carl Flynn] | Nogalski, pp. 175-185 |
| July 28 | Habakkuk: Shock and Awe (1.1-2.20) [Video: Larry Williams] | Nogalski, pp. 185-187 |
| August 4 | Habakkuk: God and History (3.1-19) [Video: Larry Williams] | Nogalski, pp. 187-191 |
| August 11 | Zephaniah: Genesis Undone [Video: Mark Henry] | Nogalski, pp. 129-139 |
| August 18 | Haggai: Prophet of the Temple [Video: Mark Henry] | Nogalski, pp. 141-150 |
| August 25 | Zechariah: God and the World (1.1-8.23) [Video: Dwayne Simmons] | Nogalski, pp. 1 50-157 |
| September 1 | Zechariah: God and the Future(9.1-14.21) [Video: Dwayne Simmons] | Nogalski, pp. 157-166 |
| September 8 | Malachi: God and Faithfulness (1.1-2.9) [Video: Carl Flynn] | Nogalski, pp. 166-170 |
| September 15 | Malachi: The Coming Elijah (2.10-4.6) [Video: Carl Flynn] | Nogalski, pp. 170-174 |
| September 22 | A Concluding Conversation on Malachi & the Book of the Twelve with Kipp Swinney and Dennis Tucker [Video] |