Forum

Search Forum Home

Forums

The Classroom

"Reading the Weekly Lessons"

david

52 posts

"Reading the Weekly Lessons"
Posted: 15 Jan 07 8:08 AM (United States)

Welcome to a new conversation and learning opportunity...a somewhat modified on-line version of our Sunday evening Bible study. On this thread, we'll be exploring the Biblical texts that will be read in the coming Sunday's worship services. We invite you to read the Scripture lessons, to consider the questions that will be posted for each week, and then to reply with answers, comments or questions of your own. We can read each other's entries, and (hopefully!) learn a few things on our way through the week to the next Sunday.

Pr. David

david

52 posts

Re: "Reading the Weekly Lessons"
Posted: 15 Jan 07 8:22 AM (United States)

For Sunday, January 21: the readings will be...

Nehemiah 8:1-10. This incident occurs just after the return from exile in Babylon, and as Jerusalem is being re-built. The "Torah" has been re-discoverd and is being read to the people...men, women and children. What effect does this reading have? How do the people react? How does Ezra suggest that they react to this? What might this reading have to see about how we receive God's word? What else caught your eye in this text?
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a. Paul's advice to those rascally, bickering and often bitterly divided Corinthians continues. How might we benefit from taking Paul's advice to heart for the church in this day and age? For those of you who are members at Grace...how might we better take Paul's counsel?
Luke 4:14-21. Where has Jesus been just prior to this incident and what has he been doing there? Note the quotes from Isaiah 61 and 58. These are originally linked to the promise of deliverance from exile...a pervasive Old Testament theme tied to God's faithful deliverance and restoration of his people. Jesus attaches this theme of deliverance and restoration now to his ministry. What do you think that means about how we are to regard Jesus? Who is he, anyway...and what is he up to?

OK...there's a start for this coming week. Let's have your responses and thoughts. I look forward to seeing them!

Pr. David

david

52 posts

Re: "Reading the Weekly Lessons"
Posted: 29 Jan 07 8:44 AM (United States)

For Sunday, February 4...

Isaiah 6:1-13. This text recounts the call of Isaiah. The setting seems to be in the Jerusalem temple. And the vision suggests a God who is overwhelming in scope. For example: what does the just the hem of his robe do? And what is meant by the "holy, holy holy" which the seraphim sing? Another question: what is Isaiah's mission? Why do you think God would send Isaiah on such an adventure?
1 Corinthians 15:1-11. Part of this reading sounds like it dropped right out of the Apostle's or Nicene Creeds. What are the basics of Christianity according to what Paul has received? How has he come to experience this for himself? What impact has that experience and this received tradition had on his life?
Luke 5:1-11. Why do you think the Isaiah text has been paired with this particular Gospel reading? In verse 5, Peter seems to perceive Jesus in one way; in verse 8 that perception has changed. What's the difference between the two? Do you notice any similarities between Isaiah and Peter? Do you notice any similarities between Peter's experience and Paul's experience...and the effects it had on their lives?

Hopefully, this will get some ideas stirred up for you. I look forward to reading your responses and insights!

Pr. David

shower

4 posts

Re: "Reading the Weekly Lessons"
Posted: 04 Feb 07 5:54 PM (United States)

I'm not sure what the hem of His robe does. Did Isaiah use it to cover himself because he was ashamed. I believe Holy, Holy, Holy means The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I think Isaiah's mission is to go and spread the word of God to every man he comes into contact with. He is being sent out into the world to plant the seed of God to everyone. I believe Isaiah and Peter were much alike in the fact that they had little faith in themselves and in God. Once they themselves experienced the grace of God then they were men of faith and could go unto the world and spread the gospel. I don't think either of them thought they were worthy of God's love but as Paul described it is by the grace of God that they are and confession of their sins have cleansed them. The basis of Christianity according to Paul are Christ died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day he rose in accordance with the scripture.
In Luke Peter questioned God, why would I go out there to fish, I was just there and didn't catch anything but he went as directed from God. When he caught enough to sink two boats, it was then he realized his sin of questioning God's direction.

You mentioned in the service today, that God speaks to you suddenly when unexpected. How does one know that it is God speaking to you OR something you have infected into yourself? Sometimes if you want something really bad you make those thoughts come to yourself. Did that make any sense?? With Isaiah and Peter they saw God and Jesus stand before them and give them direction. We of course will not have that and it is by faith alone we stand with God.

david

52 posts

Re: "Reading the Weekly Lessons"
Posted: 14 Feb 07 1:30 PM (United States)

One explanation that I've heard for the hem of God's robe filling the temple is to consider the scale of what we're talking about here. Hems are small things...less than an inch of fabric at the very bottom of a garment in most cases. But in this instance, Isaiah sees the hem of God's robe filling the entire temple...a huge building by any definition. So how great must God be if just the hem of his robe takes us so much space? The other explanation I've heard is that the word "hem" might also be a mis-translation for a similar Hebrew word that can mean "glory" or "bright appearance." Which ever translation you choose, you get the idea that God is something way more than we puny mortals can grasp.

The question about discerning God's voice within us is a tough one because it's just so hard to do. The best advice I can give you is to ask some questions when that voice comes: Am I being called to some task or idea that is consistent with the witness of the Scriptures? Is the voice calling me to something that I know already is good and the right thing to do? The other thing to do is to follow some of Luther's advice, i.e. talk it over with another Christian person...a friend in the faith or your pastor. They might be able to ask you questions that would help you determine whether or not the thing you are struggling with is legitimately of God.

Pr. David

david

52 posts

Reading the Weekly Lessons for Transfiguration Sunday - February 18
Posted: 14 Feb 07 1:40 PM (United States)

First, an apology for no new posting last week. We were having internet problems. They're fixed (for now) and we're back.

For Sunday, Febuary 18...the Transfiguration of our Lord (and the last Sunday in Epiphany):

Exodus 34:29-35...Why is Moses' face shining, and why does it instill such fear in the Israelites? In this day and age, we don't seem to fear exposure to the glory of God very much. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2...Paul speaks with great boldness, but recognizes that we are still a work in progress. What's going on with us Christians, according to verse 18? What might it mean to understand that we are created in God's image?
Luke 9:28-43...Peter's offer to build three tents and stay on the mountain was well-meaning but wrong. Why? What resemblence does this event have with the event described in Luke 3:21-22? Jesus goes down the mountain to heal. What does that say about the nature of his mission?

Enjoy pondering these. I look forward to your responses.

Pr. David

shower

4 posts

Re: Reading the Weekly Lessons for Transfiguration Sunday - February 18
Posted: 15 Feb 07 5:11 PM (United States)

I believe Moses' face is shining from the glory of God. I don't understand why the Israelites were in fear of him though. In my teaching Bible in 2 Corinthians it explains that the veil was not intended to hide the glory but to obscure it. The people was his brightnessbut not directly. Why would the veil obscure His glory? Why not let His full glory be shown? It also says, not only did this veil actually conceal the full brightness of the glory, but it also concealed the end of that which is abolished. I don't understand what concealed the end of that which is abolished means.?? In verse 18 I believe it explains as we grow as Christians, we reflect more of a truer image of God by means of the Holy Spirit. As always I'm a little confused with Luke. In verse 34, While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud. I'm assuming this is where the Holy Spirit is talking to them and the were afraid because they didn't have faith? I'm not sure why the were afraid. If they stayed on the mountain then they would not have shared the teaching of the Holy Spirit and would not have spread the word of the Lord. I think this relates to Luke 3:21-22 in regards to the Holy Spirit desending upon them. I don't understand why Peter, John, and James did not have faith when they came down from the mountain.

david

52 posts

Reading the Weekly Lessons for Lent 3 - 11 March 2007
Posted: 05 Mar 07 1:11 PM (United States)

Once again...no new posting last week due to technical difficulties. But we're back with a few questions to ponder on the readings appointed for the Third Sunday in Lent, March 11.

Isaiah 55:1-9...one of my favorite passages of Scripture. This is likely written to the exiles in Babylon just prior to or at the time of their release to return home and rebuild Jerusalem. But some (perhaps many) were content to stay behind where they had become comfortable. So how does God entreat them? challenge them? cajole them? And finally, what does God promise them?
1 Corinthians 10:1-13...Note Paul's use of Old Testament imagery. To what is he referring in verses 1-5. What does Paul hope the Corinthians will learn from their Exodus ancestors?
Luke 13:1-9...What is Jesus calling for in these first five verses? Is there a parallel here to the Isaiah reading? (These two examples of innocent suffering, by the way, may be helpful as we reflect on last week's storm and accident tragedies.) The parable that concludes this reading is, I think, supposed to be a funny story. How might that be true if we imagine that God is the gardener and we are the vineyard owner?

Have fun with these. I look forward to your comments.

Pr. David

david

52 posts

Reading the Weekly Lessons for Pentecost 19 - 7 October 2007
Posted: 02 Oct 07 8:16 AM (United States)

After a few months off (sabbatical was wonderful!), we're back with questions and considerations for you to ponder concerning the upcoming week's Scripture readings. Here's what's ahead for Sunday, October 7:

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4...The prophet speaks in Jerusalem during the dark days just before the Babylonian exile. What we've got here is a snippet of the dialog between the prophet and God. Habakkuk's complaint sounds pretty relevant to today: Why does it always seem like the bad guys get ahead? God's answer: Be patient. The end of all things is safely in God's hands. And in the meantime, the righteous live by faith. So...what does it mean to live by faith? What is faith anyway?
2 Timothy 1:1-14...Timothy was one of Paul's closest and most trusted co-workers. A younger man than Paul, he was also pastor in Ephesus...one of the toughest places to serve as pastor in the first century. Paul's concern seems to be about false teachings that have infiltrated the congregation. Take a look specifically at verse 13. What is Paul's advice to Timothy? How might that still be good advice for us?
Luke 17:5-10...It might be helpful to begin reading with verse one so that you have a bit of background for the apostles' request of Jesus in verse 5. What do the apostles want? How does Jesus re-frame their request? Can faith really be increased...or does one just have it? And if we do have faith, how does that faith shape our service on God's behalf? Are we looking for rewards or simply doing our duty?

Well...there's a little to get you started. I look forward to your comments! Peace!

Pr. David

david

52 posts

Reading the Weekly Lessons for Advent 1 - the week of December 2, 2007
Posted: 04 Dec 07 6:31 AM (United States)

It's a change of seasons and the beginning of a new liturgical year. It's also a time when we return to the familiar themes of the Messiah's coming among us...both in history at the birth of Jesus and at the end of history as triumphant Lord. The lessons this week include:

Isaiah 2:1-5. Speaking in a time of political uncertainty, Isaiah attempts to focus Judah's attention on a vision of God's coming kingdom. What characteristics of this kingdom do you see? What do they tell us about the difference between God's reign and our human sense of authority? How might our desire for the coming of God's kingdom shape our behaviors and attitudes in these days?
Romans 13:11-14. Paul writes to a mostly Gentile congregation in the heart of the empire, calling them from their pagan past to embrace the life of the baptized. Note Paul's use of opposites: wake vs. sleep; night vs.day. In using these metaphors, what do you think Paul is trying to tell us about the emotional and ethical difference between our life in sin and our life in Christ?
Matthew 24:36-44. Jesus speaks these words during the days between his entry into Jerusalem and his death. In this context, the theme of the surprise coming of the Son of God might well foreshadow his resurrection as well as his second coming. What do you think about the image of Jesus as "thief" in verses 43-44?

Enjoy your reading, prayer and study. And be sure to email any responses or reactions you have to these texts and the questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Pr. David

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next

Forums

The Classroom

"Reading the Weekly Lessons"