He is Risen!  He is risen indeed.

Prime Timers is a St. Martin's Adult Bible Fellowship (A.B.F.) geared towards people in the Prime of Life, ages 50-64. We meet in the Payne Education Center in rooms 207-209 from 10:15am to 10:50. Whatever your age, if you want to explore the Bible in a course organized by the United Council of Churches you are welcome to join us.

The Prime Timers are exploring the book of Daniel.

Our course material this month is from a new unit titled "The Covenant in Exile." Its a great time to join a St. Martin's ABF! In April our readings come from the Old Testament Book of Daniel, "...a man capable of receiving divine communication through the intermediation of angels regarding the future destiny of the world." (from the Harper Collins Bible Commentary, p 623.) If you can't wait, the reading for next week is at the bottom of this page!

Daniel Keeps Covenant in a Foreign Land

Donn Fullenweider is our teacher this week. After an opening prayer Donn asked for news from the class. Lynn asked us all to remember Jean Fatheree, our member from England who passed away just a few weeks ago. Jean told us stories of what it was like to grow up in England during the German blitz in World War II, and always had an interesting thought on whatever we were discussing. Donn put in a word for former Prime Timer's leader Jackie Rose's husband Robert, a painter with Parkinson's disease who is having a show at Norton Ditto this Tuesday from 6-8pm. Norton Ditto is located at 2425 West Alabama street, near Kirby if you would like to check out Robert's unique mixed media creations of ballerina's, dogs, race horses, cattle and abstract landscapes.

Donn gave us some historical background on the terrible times the Jews were enduring during the story for today. The Book of Daniel, written around 175-164 BC and referring to events occurring from 606 BC, is part of the books of the Bible called Wisdom Literature. Daniel is one of fifteen prophetic books forming the central section of the Hebrew Bible. It also contains prayers that are part of the liturgy of our church.

In 167 bc Antiochus IV Epiphanes conquered Jerusalem and desecrated the Temple, erecting a pagan altar. The persecution of the Jews during this period was especially harsh. It is in this atmosphere that the story of wise Daniel unfolds. Today's story of Daniel refusing the "royal food" and being the better for it is a reminder to trust God. Donn asked us to think of a time where we were "strangers in a strange land" and whether we had to make decisions that might have been unpopular. He asked us to think of two convictions we would stand up for, and to convince someone else that we might!

The Lesson for Sunday, April 13th is "Three Refuse to Break Covenant"

Key Verses:  Daniel 3:17-18

Focus of the Lesson: Many people are willing to take risks when they hold firm convictions. What is worth dying for? Three Hebrews held captive in King Nebuchadnezzar's court risked their lives by refusing to bow down and worship anything but the Lord God.

The reading is Daniel 3:10-13, 16-18, 21, 24-25. This text is from the New International Version. (NIV)

Background Scripture:  Daniel 3

   ¹⁰You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, ¹¹and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. ¹²But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."

   ¹³Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,

   ¹⁶Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. ¹⁸But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

   ²¹So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.

   ²⁴Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?"
They replied, "Certainly, O king."

   ²⁵He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

NIV