Biblical Teaching
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, September - May, 9:15-10:45 am
Cynthia’s heart is that God's people would love his word and align their lives with it. She particularly desires to see women grasp the Scriptures and grow closer to Jesus through that knowledge. Cynthia teaches a Bible Study each Wednesday morning at La Jolla Presbyterian Church and, if you are local, you would be welcome to join! All of her studies are now posted on the Women’s Bible Study with Cynthia Podcast found on any podcast platform.
Each study is posted by date and can be easily located by it’s unique icon. Scroll to the bottom to listen to them in order. Click the study links to be directed to the first episode in each series.
THE DIVIDED MONARCHY: A KINGDOM ENDS IN EXILE
Join us in this study that is so apropos to our culture right now. Following Solomon, the kingdom of Israel divides in two, with Israel to the north under Jeroboam and Judah to the south under Rehoboam. To keep the countries from reunification, Jeroboam state-sanctions cult worship, teaching the people to worship Yahweh + the gods of their Canaanite neighbors. But Yahweh has told his people they can only remain in the land of Canaan if they follow the Big 10-worshipping Him alone and treating their neighbor according to laws of their covenant community. In an effort to call the Israelites back to faithfulness to Him, he sends prophets to tell them they’re off track. Join us as we read about the kings of Israel and Judah and prophets who preached to them, reading from 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, & Jeremiah. Along the way we consider, how do we worship the gods of our neighbors today?
SAUL TO SOLOMON: THE UNITED MONARCHY
The Israelites want to be just like everybody else, with a king to lead them. Yahweh grants their desire, in grace, and selects the first three kings to rule under him and over the people. Journey with us as we read parts of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 1 Chronicles and learn about Saul, David, and Solomon, the kings who led Israel when she was a united country. How did these kings do? What lessons do we learn from them? Why was David considered a man after God’s own heart? How do we see the understanding of a messianic figure to come continue to form?
THE PENTATUCH
Everything began in the beginning: our understanding of who we are and for what reason God made us. Journey with us through the Pentateuch, the first 5 books in the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy. People often ask, is the God of the Old Testament the God of the New Testament? Jesus responds himself saying the Torah, the Pentateuch, is about him. How? Join us as we explore creation, covenant, and how these early books set up an expectation for a messiah to come.
CONQUERING TO KING
When the Pentateuch ends, the Israelites stand on tiptoes looking into the Promised Land of Canaan! They’ve made it! But will they take it? Will they be faithful? What’s up with all this war? Does it justify holy war or genocide? Consider these hard questions with Cynthia, in this 27 week study of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel 1-10 as we explore the time period from when the Israelites arrive at Canaan, through the judges, until they petition God for a king.
LIFE OF JESUS STUDY
In this 29 week study, Cynthia studies the 4 Gospels as a continuous story, looking for the heart of Jesus throughout. Cynthia asks the questions: what did Jesus teach? What did he care about? What historical information do we have about Jesus, his disciples, & those who opposed him? Can we create a timeline for Jesus’ life and ministry?
BIRTH OF THE CHURCH
How did the church begin? What was going on historically when the church started? How does this information help us understand Acts and Paul’s early letters? In this 31 week study, Cynthia dives into Acts 1-20 and the letters the Apostle Paul wrote on his early missionary journeys: Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and 1 & 2 Corinthians.
THE CHURCH EXPANDS
We continue where we left off, following Paul through his 3rd missionary journey, finishing Acts and reading the letters he wrote during the later part of his life: Romans, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 & 2 Timothy. Join us in this 27 week study!
Speaking
Cynthia loves to help women understand the Bible and is always excited to do that. She specializes in teaching an overview of the Bible, helping women to understand it’s continuous story. She also loves to teach Jesus’ encounters with women in the Gospels to better understand his heart. Due to life stage, Cynthia only takes a limited amount of engagements each year but she is open to discussing all opportunities!
Story of the Bible Condensed
A condensed overview of the Bible that focuses on seeing how all the Biblical books fit into the overall story of Scripture and looking for the expectation for Jesus throughout. Cynthia will trace the lineage of Christ from Adam and discuss historical context to better understand the overall story. Teaching time: 1-1.5 hours
Story of the Bible
A less condensed version of the above that allows time to tell some of the great stories of Scripture. Teaching time: 3-4 sessions/1 hour each.
Jesus’ Encounters with Women in the Gospels
Have you ever asked the question, how does Jesus see me? Cynthia unpacks some of the most beautiful stories of the Gospels, diving into historical context, and looking for Jesus’ heart. Pick a story or schedule Cynthia for a series. Scripture studies: The Samaritan Woman, Woman Bleeding for 12 Years, Widow from Nain, Woman Caught in Adultery, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, Martha of Bethany, Mary Mother of Jesus. Teaching time 1-8 sessions, 45 minutes each.
Pick a Topic!
Cynthia will happily teach any topics from her Story of Scripture or Life of Jesus Bible Study.