BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Bible Study Week 13

Season 4- Episode: “He That Believeth In Me”

John 6:25-59
Mark 1:21-28
 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
²⁷ The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of the film.

What promise does Jesus make in the John passage?

What promise does Cara give in the episode?

Compare these promises.

How did people respond to these promises?

What is the meaning of Saul’s vision?

How do the various ‘Final Five’ behave in the midst of the attack?

What happens when Sam engages the Raiders?

Reflect on this quote: “maybe something’s changed.”

 Compare Sam’s power to Jesus’ power over his adversaries.

Reflect on this quote: “Do you believe in miracles?...No.”

How do people treat Jesus in the John passage and why do they treat him this way?

How do the people on Galactica treat Cara and why do they treat her this way?

What do you think of the decision to treat Cara Thrace like a Cylon trap?

What discussions do the Final Five have regarding who they are?

What is Cara asking people to do in regards to her?

Reflect on the symbolism of them jumping away from Cara’s suggested course, and her reactions. What is this all about? 

What are the writers commenting on?

Reflect on where Jesus is trying to lead people in the John passage, on their reactions, and on his feelings about their r

rejection of Him.

What is the conversation about Lee’s brother and Cara’s return all about?

What is Sam and Cara’s conversation about finding out one’s true identity?

Galatians 1:11-24
 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. ¹² I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
¹³ For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. ¹⁷ I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
¹⁸ Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
²¹ Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. ²² I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they praised God because of me.

1 Kings 11:1-5
 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. ² They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. ³ He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. ⁴ As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of the film.

What kind of people have ‘adopted’ Gaius?

 Why would people flock to a man like this?

What does it say that Gaius has this kind of religious charisma and power, given his character?

Why do you think Paul was able to form a Christian community despite his reputation?

 How does Gaius react to his new situation and why does he react this way?

What does he want from Angel Six? How does she react to his request?

What does this new community become for Gaius?

What did God’s gifts become for Solomon?

Why does God give such power to such people?

For what purposes do the women turn to Gaius? What kind of truths do they seek from him?

Why does Laura turn to Caprica Six?

What do they share and what binds them together?

What is the substance of Gaius’ prayer regarding the boy? Reflect upon this.

What does Gaius try to do when he is attacked? What is he told by the angel?

Reflect upon this.

What does it mean to offer our bodies up to God as a sacrifice?

Reflect upon the images of Gaius, surrounded by this hedonistic impulse, and so terribly sinning, yet drawing upon God’s 

grace with prayer and self-sacrifice.