Cato the Elder

• not too impressive as a character (Pat)
• impressive as a father (Pat) “Cato’s devotion to his family led him to teach his son himself, thus educating his family as well as the state.” [introduction, page 5]
• was a great orator “developed and equipped himself with an eloquent style of speech as if it were a second body—a tool that is virtually indispensable of a man is to avoid a life of obscurity and failure.” [1]
• compare with Cato the Younger, who had some of the same character traits.
• he was “censor”

Caesar

• greedy, used money to buy power and influence
• military strategist, confident, winsome
• the kind of leader you want to follow
• better to suffer death once than always life in fear of it
• how closely did he follow divination (he laughed off the word to “beware the ides of March”)
• compare/contrast with George Washington

Impact of Caesar, God at work

• he stabalizes Rome: ends the Republic and institutes Imperial Rome, people have less power, Rome becomes great.
• all the ingredients for getting the gospel out are in place–the gospel moves West
• safety for the travelers throughout the western world
• why did Rome fall? people were comfortable/complacent, hard to control so much land. For an interesting take on this, see Early Middle Ages by Philip Daileader.

Preparation (sent before the discussion)

“I came, I saw, I ate” … recently heard @ previous book club about
Wendy’s chocolate chip brownies.

Don’t miss the fun this Friday as we examine the lives of two notable
Roman dudes.

Please prepare for the evening by:

1.  Writing out 5-6 trivia questions and the answers on 3″x5″ note
cards (or small pieces of paper similar to a 3″x5″ note card).
Questions can be from either story.  They can be about people,
places, quotes, or events.  Please write the question on one side and
the answer on the other.  Please use one card per question, so you should end up with 5-6 note cards – question on one side, answer on the other.
2.  Bring a prize or two for our trivia game.  Prizes should not be
purchased, but should be old, less than stellar stuff that you would
like to donate to someone else’s household.  (We will be playing the
game “Greed”)
3.  Meditate on the following scriptures:
Daniel 2 – story of when Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream – key verse – Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.

John 19:1-16 – when Jesus was before Pilate – key verse John 19:11
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Romans 13:1-7 – key verse Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
See you soon.