Grafted In

This study guide is intended to be a guide through the Scriptures on a very important topic for the messianic movement regardless of their ethnic background.  Having received a degree in Jewish Studies from Moody Bible Institute and a Th.M. in Hebrew Bible and Semitic Languages from Dallas Theological Seminary, I realize that for most of evangelicalism this topic has little bearing. Since for the most part, they live with the assumption that all who believe in Yeshua are Christians and most of their churches are not necessarily trying to reach out to Jewish people as part of their official mission. 


However, for the messianic movement this topic is important. It is important because we do deeply believe that G-d continues has His covenant plans, promises and predictions for the Jewish people, including those Jews who have come to faith in Yeshua the Messiah. So to that end, this this study guide is an attempt to recognize the distinct role of Jewish disciples of Yeshua in this current age.


Second, this study guide is designed for messianic congregations that want to have an inclusive model of ministry welcoming non-Jewish peoples and giving them a legitimate seat at the table.  Throughout the study we will deal with issues of acceptance and issues of identity replacement.  We will always work from the idea that the Shema “Here O’Israel the Lord our God, the Lord is One,” is a creedal statement acknowledging that Israel’s G-d is the sovereign God of all the nations.  And that if a person must become a Jew (conversion or replacement theology) to be in a right relationship with G-d then fundamentally the One Lord of Israel is merely a tribal god and not the G-d over all the nations.  It is this author’s opinion that the chorus of the Shema sounds best when it is sung with Jewish people and people from all nations, tribes and languages who have discovered a rich and meaningful relationship with the G-d of Israel through Yeshua the Messiah.      


Last, this study guide was written with my local messianic synagogue in mind.  Here in Houston, Texas we sit at a unique cultural crossroads.  We have people from all over the world who come here for the oil and gas business, the real estate or the low cost of living.  We also have one of the fastest growing Hispanic immigrant communities in the United States.  Many, though not all, have a rich Sephardic Jewish background that they bring into our mainly Anglo-Ashkenazic congregation.  When writing this guide, I took all these things to bear and tried to address issues related to them along the way.