Online Bible Institute | Don | Activity

Don posted a new activity comment

Sat, 16 May 2026 22:56:29 -0400

Your thoughts bring up something-clarity is important when digging into Scripture maybe especially if the aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding.
A readiness to grow manifests in approaching Scripture free of preconceptions and open to new light. Old views on characters like Adam or Noah could be transformed by new reading. Certainty… Read more

In reply to - Saqueena posted an update

Session 1

Understanding the Author’s Intentions

This session is setting the tone to what we will learn and understand about one of the most common people we know in the bible Adam […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Sat, 16 May 2026 22:39:52 -0400

Starting off differently each time helps clarity emerge gradually. One crucial aspect involves recognizing how ancient stories were shaped by their times. Seeing things through older worldviews opens up fresh understanding now and then. The way people wrote back then carried meanings beyond surface details. Gaining insight means paying… Read more

In reply to - John posted an update

Course: Noah to Abraham

Session 1: How We Read the Flood Story

· To understand what the biblical authors intend to communicate, the literary, cultural, and historical context […]

Don posted an update: What stands out in Session 21 is the careful look […]

Sat, 16 May 2026 22:33:29 -0400

What stands out in Session 21 is the careful look at Joseph’s closing words to his sons, along with the ancestral blessings he offers each. Rather than just ending a story, these moments build toward something larger – foreshadowing Israel’s path through poetic structure and layered symbols. It caught my attention how Judah rises while Reuben…

Don posted an update: Session 20: Twenty-first century viewers might overlook […]

Sat, 16 May 2026 22:31:27 -0400

Session 20: Twenty-first century viewers might overlook how deeply Joseph’s story roots itself in divine continuity, yet this lecture pulls that thread clearly. From Galatians’ Genesis collection comes insight not often voiced – power held abroad can still serve ancestral vows. What stands out most is the framing of hunger and authority, showing…

Don posted an update: Something shifted in me by Session 19 - Joseph’s meeting […]

Sat, 16 May 2026 22:29:06 -0400

Something shifted in me by Session 19 – Joseph’s meeting with his brothers, the slow rise of forgiveness, it changed how I saw everything. Not just about exposing guilt, those past struggles seemed meant to open space for real turning, for remorse that reshapes a life. What stood out was Judah stepping forward for Benjamin; once driven by…

Don posted a new activity comment

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:49:05 -0400

What is both striking and enlightening about a justice-oriented model of moral practice is how it clearly defines moral practice itself. Splitting ethics into right motive, right standard, and right purpose introduces orderliness – now faith may direct moment-by-moment living. It bases itself just enough on Scripture, Romans 14:23, for the…

In reply to - Ted Stacey posted an update

I really appreciated the depth and clarity that this lesson provided on the issues presented. I thought that breaking morality down into proper motive, proper standard, and proper […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:40:14 -0400

What stands out is how your insight reflects genuine curiosity, something that fuels deep learning. Fascination with written expression grows alongside strong grasp of language, necessary for full understanding in literary texts, including those found in religious writings. A solid foundation forms when one learns to see beyond vocabulary…

In reply to - Saqueena posted an update

Session 1: The Wonderful World of Words

I am so excited about this class. Written words are so fascinating to me and to grab an understanding of different literature is very […]

Don posted an update: Session 18: One moment stood out clearly - the meal […]

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:35:00 -0400

Session 18: One moment stood out clearly – the meal where Joseph reveals who he is. Not just emotional, it carried weight beyond the surface. Bread, once tied to separation, now binds them together instead. Peace enters quietly through “shalom,” shaping repair among kin while echoing something wider – something sacred. Seated by age, their…

Don posted an update: Caught up in Session 17 was how Judah steps forward, […]

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:32:22 -0400

Caught up in Session 17 was how Judah steps forward, taking responsibility for Benjamin when speaking before Jacob – no hesitation, just commitment. A turning point arrives quietly here: regret surfaces, self-giving appears, and change takes root. Unlike Reuben’s failed effort earlier, this time someone offers themselves, not excuses, but…

Don posted an update: Surprise struck me first - not by plot but craft - […]

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:29:15 -0400

Surprise struck me first – not by plot but craft – when Joseph starts testing his brothers in Session 16. Beauty hides in structure: mirrored scenes, repeated phrases, patterns that circle back like echoes. Bleeding appears again; so does binding, along with offerings made silently, almost hidden. These are not just details – they pull the…

Don posted a new activity comment

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:28:14 -0400

Your reflection sets apart manipulation from authentic spiritual connection, bringing certain concepts into sharper view

What sets motive manipulation apart from genuine arm mobilization becomes clear when examining underlying drivers. Fear tactics, intimidation, personal gain – these often fuel manipulation behind closed doors. True… Read more

In reply to - Andrea posted an update

MOBILIZATION OR MANIPULATION?

In this lesson we learn the difference between manipulation and true spiritual mobilization. Manipulation controls people through fear, pressure, or […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Wed, 13 May 2026 17:22:23 -0400

What stands out is how clearly the reflection captures core ideas vital to studying the Bible well. It correctly points to divine authority, treating Scripture as shaped by God’s direction. Rather than assuming meanings, it holds to straightforward reading – unless the setting implies something different. Looking at wider passages before drawing…

In reply to - Candice Gentry posted an update

Lesson 6 was very interesting and not short of so much knowledge Second Timothy 2:15 says to do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need […]

Don posted an update: What stood out in Session 15 was Judah’s moving speech - […]

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:16:39 -0400

What stood out in Session 15 was Judah’s moving speech – his willingness to take Benjamin’s place struck a deep chord. Far more than personal growth, his choice becomes the moment guilt shifts into grace, repairing what had long been fractured. Because of this, the story pivots not only for him but also reshapes the destiny of the entire…

Don posted an update: That moment in Session 14 was so striking – how it […]

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:14:18 -0400

That moment in Session 14 was so striking – how it mirrored so closely Joseph’s fraught meeting with his brothers when they came to Egypt for grain. Because every word the brothers spoke was parsed, their nervy chatter revealed more than fear — it revealed mounting guilt. They didn’t recognize him, despite Joseph recognizing them…

Don posted an update: That moment in Session 13 stood out clearly when the […]

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:08:31 -0400

That moment in Session 13 stood out clearly when the second act reshaped attention toward Judah’s place in Joseph’s tale. Instead of moving forward with old tricks, he walks beside Benjamin – changed, carrying the weight from past choices. A slow turn from betrayal begins here, quiet yet firm. Light does not blaze; it seeps through cracks in…

Don posted a new activity comment

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:50:44 -0400

Repentance comes not from human effort but as something given – placed into hands by divine intention. Transformation of inner thought, outward behavior, and settled direction flows only through grace received. Though failure lingers at times, regret shaped by faith reveals an active turning, not mere guilt. Growth unfolds gradually; it…

In reply to - kyle cole posted an update

Repentance is a gift ordained by GOD alone not GOD plus anything. To GOD’s glory alone a sinner’s heart, mind, and life are changed. By HIS grace in repentance alone a believer walks […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:46:22 -0400

There is one strong point of your post in which prison ministry is clearly related to that of Scripture, based on Matthew 25:31-40. Based on the very words of Jesus himself, the ministry is directed and it has a sense of urgency. What is striking is the sense of balance – in the good and true manner of sharing our faith, whilst at the same…

In reply to - Pieter van der Merwe posted an update

“The Biblical Mandate for Ministry” – The main reference for the scriptural mandate for prison ministry is Matthew 25:31-40. Jesus is our greatest Biblical example for […]

Don posted an update: Session 12 reached its height with Joseph […]

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:32:15 -0400

Session 12 reached its height with Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, then rising into authority – a moment where symbolism, belief, and personal growth merge seamlessly. His transformation appeared in detail: a renamed identity, garments refitted, influence reshaped – each element sketching divine choice and unearned favor. What stood out…

Don posted an update: Session 11:That moment when Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker […]

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:26:24 -0400

Session 11:That moment when Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker each receive dreams – then later Pharaoh himself – shows a pattern quietly unfolding. Not just coincidence, but structure: dual visions repeating across time, echoing Joseph’s own earlier experiences. One might notice how such mirroring gives weight to what seems accidental. Through…

Don posted an update: Session 10: Surprisingly, Joseph’s rise in Egypt revealed […]

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:23:54 -0400

Session 10: Surprisingly, Joseph’s rise in Egypt revealed layers beyond mere plot. Though shaped by divine support, his journey questioned whether success might also challenge personal truth. Often, beauty – called “goodly in form and eyes” – marks him differently; garments shift meaning each time he moves forward. Instead of just power or luck,…

Don posted a new activity comment

Mon, 11 May 2026 16:18:43 -0400

Your reflection thoughtfully points to key reasons people experience what feels like a spiritual blackout – failing to stay connected to divine strength. What stands out is the emphasis on turning back toward Christ through genuine change and restored relationship, which opens access to deeper empowerment. Naming specific problems like… Read more

In reply to - Jeff Shott posted an update

This lesson in Power Principles discussed what happens when there is a “power failure” in our lives. When we are not seeing the power of God in our ministry, daily lives or […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Mon, 11 May 2026 16:11:41 -0400

That image of eternal life shown in the tree – going beyond our limited time here, opened through belief and Christ’s restoring act as the new beginning after Adam – you framed with quiet strength. Grasping right from wrong marks becoming whole inside, not slipping into sin; you put that plainly. The tree standing for choice – to follow divine… Read more

In reply to - John posted an update

Course: Adam to Noah

Session 14: The Tree of Knowing Good and Bad

The tree of life represents life that is beyond the original life that God breathed into humans. The first human by […]

Don posted an update: That moment in Session 9 when Judah and Tamar […]

Mon, 11 May 2026 16:01:49 -0400

That moment in Session 9 when Judah and Tamar resurfaced sharpened my sense of how justice, survival, and redemption function within harsh societal frameworks. Though widowed and at risk, Tamar uses layered strategies – deception among them – to claim what is rightfully hers, revealing much about female vulnerability in early Hebrew society.…

Don posted an update: What stood out most was Session 8, unpacking the […]

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:56:56 -0400

What stood out most was Session 8, unpacking the tangled tale of Judah and Tamar – often brushed off as odd or overly dramatic. Though initially puzzled about its placement within Joseph’s arc, seeing it framed as a puzzle shifted my perspective entirely. Instead of dismissing it, I began noticing patterns: nine segments arranged in threes,…

Don posted an update: Session 7 carried weight because of how deeply […]

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:53:41 -0400

Session 7 carried weight because of how deeply the discussion on Joseph’s betrayal dug into emotion and belief. Not comforted, tearing his clothes – Jacob’s grief showed what real sorrow looks like when deception runs deep. What stayed with me longest? The quiet presence of sacrifice woven through: the goat killed, the robe soaked in blood.…

Don posted a new activity comment

Sun, 10 May 2026 17:33:02 -0400

Truth shines when someone admits fault, like the prodigal son turning back home. Seeing sin clearly – its presence and pattern – is what 1 John 1:8–10 describes as confession, a theme your thoughts bring into focus. Because honesty before God isn’t performance; it reflects reality. Even beyond pardon, naming wrongdoing keeps faith aligned with…

In reply to - Mark posted an update

I am sharing what I learned in this lesson. I believe confession is really important. I remember the prodigal son said that, He will go home to His Father and say, “Father, I have […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Sun, 10 May 2026 17:29:16 -0400

Looking at Psalms 1 and 2 together reveals a shared glimpse into prophecy – one where the so-called righteous individual finds joy in divine guidance, while also pointing toward a future ruler from David’s line destined to overcome evil powers. Rather than repeat ideas, Psalm 2 builds on the foundation laid earlier, showing how this upright…

In reply to - Chaundra Saenz posted an update

This session looked at psalm 1 and 2 and how they tell of the savior to come. Psalm shares a picture of a righteous human who meditates on the Torah or word of God day and night […]

Don posted an update: Looking back, Session 6 deepened how I see human […]

Sun, 10 May 2026 17:22:05 -0400

Looking back, Session 6 deepened how I see human intentions shaped by larger designs. A figure appearing in open country shifted everything – suddenly, guidance hidden within chance moments came clear. Often unseen, direction emerges through events labeled random. Meaning grows where pain and treachery exist, yet purpose still moves forward.…

Don posted an update: What struck me most in Session 5 was the way layer […]

Sun, 10 May 2026 17:18:50 -0400

What struck me most in Session 5 was the way layer upon layer unfolded in the opening chapter, Joseph’s tale. At seventeen, described as a young herder, his role tugged my thoughts backward – to Abel, history’s earliest shepherd, and the long-standing strain between those who tend flocks and those who farm earth. That thread shows how tightly…

Don posted an update: Looking closely at the opening of Joseph’s story inside […]

Sun, 10 May 2026 17:13:08 -0400

Looking closely at the opening of Joseph’s story inside Genesis changed how I see the whole book. What stood out was spotting how “these are the birth generations of…” acts like a marker – each time it appears, the narrative shifts direction. Not every family branch gets equal attention; some lines move forward while others fade, shaped by…

Don posted an update: Biblical Narrative Course - Session 25 Reflection Session […]

Sun, 10 May 2026 17:12:27 -0400

Biblical Narrative Course – Session 25 Reflection
Session 25 provided us with an in-depth study of the table of nations in Gen 10, giving us an interesting lesson on biblical geography and genealogy with theological implications. The complex portrait of the descendants of Noah emerged as a narrative technique far more advanced than what…

Don posted a new activity comment

Sat, 09 May 2026 22:52:54 -0400

What is striking is how the message really communicates deep excitement about learning more about prayer. Since you regard it as important dialogue with God, the teaching has a natural flow from Jesus’ exemplars and stories. Observing different reactions — immediate, slow, unexpected, even beyond anticipations — indicates a matured spiritual…

In reply to - Timothy Greenlee posted an update

Good Saturday morning to all.

I just finished chapter 1 of of the Bible Study Methods and found it very helpful in breaking down the bible into the divisions, Law, […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Sat, 09 May 2026 22:45:37 -0400

What stands out is your genuine enthusiasm when exploring prayer. Clearly, you see it as real conversation with God, shaped by how Jesus lived and taught. Noticing that replies might come right away, unfold slowly, surprise us, or go beyond expectation shows deep trust in divine timing. The way you break prayer into phases – asking, seeking,…

In reply to - Brian Bogashewicz posted an update

I am very excited to be starting this course on prayer. Being a Christian my whole life, I have always had prayer in my life, and I believe that through this course I am going […]

Don posted an update: One thing stood out during Session 3 - learning to […]

Sat, 09 May 2026 22:40:59 -0400

One thing stood out during Session 3 – learning to spot literary shapes in Bible passages changed my view. Not every pattern jumps forward; some circle back, like triads nested inside others, turning texts into forms meant for reflection instead of quick takeaways. A quiet shift happened when the idea came up that scripture functions less like…

Don posted an update: What stood out most was how Session 2 traced repeated […]

Sat, 09 May 2026 22:38:55 -0400

What stood out most was how Session 2 traced repeated motifs from Genesis 1–9 into Joseph’s life. Because the rhythm of forming, breaking, unmaking, then delivering through someone raised up – someone whose journey builds like a rising wave – echoes across both tales, it became clear: Joseph’s path is tuned to an older song. Listening…

Don posted an update: That first session shifted my thinking - seeing Joseph’s […]

Sat, 09 May 2026 22:36:05 -0400

That first session shifted my thinking – seeing Joseph’s tale not just as family conflict but as the climax of Genesis, maybe even the entire Hebrew Scriptures. Deception, pain, then healing: shaped like a play in three parts, it felt intentional, built with care. What stood out was treating it as literature – not flat history, yet full of…

Don posted a new activity comment

Wed, 06 May 2026 22:48:45 -0400

Looking back, your take uncovered something quiet but strong – how Pentecost echoes the old promise in Genesis 12, even threading through Babel’s chaos. Instead of seeing separate moments, these links show Scripture moving with purpose, not chance. Because of observations like yours, readers start noticing how themes weave across testaments,…

In reply to - Jeremy Rockstroh posted an update

Module 5 was fantastic. Specifically, the instructor demonstrated how the famous coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2 was the fulfillment of Genesis 12 and […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Wed, 06 May 2026 22:45:18 -0400

One way to see it – Scripture carries both human setting and divine origin, two things not always easy to hold together. That image of encyclopedia versus dictionary? It shows how language and cultural background shape what words mean in the Bible. Even though real people wrote each part, the whole still holds together as one story pointing to…

In reply to - Noel Card posted an update

This second session continued with great ideas and insights. I appreciate the ‘encyclopedia versus dictionary’ model to emphasize the need to understand the language and culture of […]

Don posted an update: What stayed with me longest wasn’t the resolution of […]

Wed, 06 May 2026 22:41:18 -0400

What stayed with me longest wasn’t the resolution of Jacob’s arc – though Session 29 tied it neatly – but the raw way the conversation unfolded around human nature. Instead of hiding behind theology, voices in the room named fear, deception, distance. These patterns repeat – not just in ancient texts, yet inside families today. One person…

Don posted an update: What struck me most was Session 28’s raw pull, pulling […]

Wed, 06 May 2026 22:38:30 -0400

What struck me most was Session 28’s raw pull, pulling apart Jacob’s journey not just once but in loops that refuse to stay buried. Though escape seems possible, history circles back; its return feels almost magnetic by the close. Instead of balance, there’s tension – between sacred favor and broken choices – woven tightly through his…

Don posted a new activity comment

Tue, 05 May 2026 18:12:01 -0400

Your post so perfectly captures the meaning of prayer as more than a list of needs and wants, it embodies prayer as a communications with God where we acknowledge His being, work, and purposes. Their focus on continual, Spirit-led prayer resonates with Ephesians 6:18, reminding us that what is important is a continual spiritual contact, and…

In reply to - Arlinda Henry posted an update

Lesson 1: An Introduction To Prayer

This lesson had my interest before I even began to read and after reading it I was not disappointed as it gave me a deep sense of not only […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Tue, 05 May 2026 18:03:57 -0400

A fresh look at the passage reveals how certain spiritual tools serve active roles in conflict situations. Not merely ritual acts, these practices gain strength through daily use and deeper belief. One insight stands clear: private conversation with God extends into bold requests for those in authority. This form of appeal ties directly to… Read more

In reply to - Carlos Ruiz posted an update

Offensive Weapons – This chapter lists the offensive weapons we are to use in our daily spiritual warfare. It starts by listing Prayer. No surprise there, but it reminded me […]

Don posted an update: Birth and then death - Benjamin’s arrival carries weight […]

Tue, 05 May 2026 17:14:44 -0400

Birth and then death – Benjamin’s arrival carries weight in Session 27 of Jacob in the Biblical Imagination. Here unfolds an old pattern: promise shadowed by pain, traced at least to Genesis 27. Rachel breathes her last even as new life enters the world. Her passing marks joy laced with sorrow. Fertility shows itself alongside grief – not…

Don posted an update: In Session 26 of Jacob in the Biblical […]

Tue, 05 May 2026 17:11:20 -0400

In Session 26 of Jacob in the Biblical Imagination, attention turned toward themes of change when Jacob made plans to return to Bethel with his household. Instead of holding on to old customs, removing foreign gods signaled a decisive moment – moving away from Mesopotamian practices felt necessary. Because they buried the idols, it wasn’t just…

Don posted an update: Session twenty-five on Jacob lingered - sin framed […]

Tue, 05 May 2026 17:09:10 -0400

Session twenty-five on Jacob lingered – sin framed as compelling, the unsettling tale of Dinah, then retaliation by her brothers, raw and fierce. Their deceit, followed by extreme bloodshed, was presented not as triumph but fracture, pulling focus toward how gender shapes power in sacred stories. Divine fairness feels distant when…

Don posted a new activity comment

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:40:44 -0400

Your reflection rightly points up the problem of knowing Scripture too well and missing what it says. Understanding that re-reading makes one take things for granted more than it makes one understand is a good step on your way to more study. That you ever read too fast in any point of your philosophy is a great fall—such a one as bad…

In reply to - Noel Card posted an update

This first session of The Wonderful World of Words really pulled me into the topic. Dr. Mackie used a small piece of scripture (Genesis 1: 1-8) that I have read dozens – maybe […]

Don posted a new activity comment

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:40:06 -0400

Your reflection really articulated the great difference between the encyclopedia and dictionary approach to Biblical context, and the need for deeper, layered study. Understanding that words may have more than one meaning due to cultural or situational factors is important for interpretation , and it keeps one from applying the word in an…

In reply to - Leah posted an update

I’ve learned about context previously, but this is the first time I’ve heard the encyclopedia vs. dictionary concept, and I love it! It really helps us go beyond thinking about […]

Don posted an update: Session 24: I was somewhat taken by surprise in session […]

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:19:37 -0400

Session 24: I was somewhat taken by surprise in session 24 of Jacob in the Biblical Imagination, with the emphasis on the birth and growth of Jacob’s twelve sons who become the tribes of Israel. It exposed the complex whole and half-sibling rivalries of family politics that define this new generation (favoritism, jealousy, and divine…

Don posted an update: Session 23 of Jacob in the Biblical Imagination […]

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:18:16 -0400

Session 23 of Jacob in the Biblical Imagination captivated me with its invasion of the anxious lens of the Jacob-Esau encounter, laden with unease, panic, and room for reconciliation. What struck me most was how finely drawn both brothers are, truly how the narrative mitigates Esau’s initial hostility with his willingness to make peace.…

Don posted an update: In session 22 lecture of Jacob in the Biblical […]

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:16:45 -0400

In session 22 lecture of Jacob in the Biblical Imagination, I was once again overcome by how unstable and precarious Jacob’s journey was as he navigated the consequences of his years on the run and in hiding. This session demonstrated how Jacob’s exploits are not the result of blind fortune but rather reflect a more general biblical pattern of…