Prayer for the week

Read Matthew 1510-20) 21-28

Jesus teaches his disciples that true purity is a matter of the heart rather than outward religious observances. Almost immediately, this teaching is tested when a woman considered to be pagan and unclean approaches him for help. Compare Mt. 15:17-20 with Micah 6:8. While the wording differs greatly, what common theme or attitude can you perceive in these two passages? What similarity do you see between Tuesday’s reading (Isaiah 56:6-8) and vv. 21-28? In vv. 21-28, what did Jesus do to try to drive the woman away? Why do you think he was so off-putting? What, in the end, changed his mind?

Prayer for the week

God of the foreigner and outcast, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you.  Teach us as disciples of Christ so to love the world that your name may be known throughout the earth.  Amen.

God has not rejected Israel. Rather, the call and gifts of God are irrevocable, so that while all have been disobedient, God has mercy upon all.  Read Rom. 11:11-12 and 11:25-27. What is the relationship between Jew and Gentile that Paul lays out here?  In vv. 29-32, to whom does “you” refer? To whom does “they” refer?  What puts Jews and Gentiles on equal footing before God?

Prayer for the week

God of the foreigner and outcast, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you.  Teach us as disciples of Christ so to love the world that your name may be known throughout the earth.  Amen.

This psalm is a celebration of universal worship as God’s ways are made known to all the earth, and “all the nations” and “all the people” will praise and sing with gladness.  How do the Olympic games in Beijing, China, promote this same kind of inclusion and mutual celebration among nations?

Prayer for the week

God of the foreigner and outcast, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you.  Teach us as disciples of Christ so to love the world that your name may be known throughout the earth.  Amen.

Beginning with chapter 56, Isaiah’s oracles were most likely addressed to those who were rebuilding Jerusalem after the Exile; this part of Isaiah is often called “Third Isaiah”. Observance of the Sabbath took on increased importance during the Exile, for it was one means by which Israelites could keep their identity while living among the pagans in Babylon. Read the full passages, vv. 1-8. What 2 subjects are left out (vv. 2-5)? In what ways do vv. 3-5 and 6-8 deal with the same theme? How do these 2 passages address the prohibitions in Deuteronomy 23:1-8? In v. 7, to what does “house” refer? Read Mark 11:15-19. How does Jesus make use of this passage?

Prayer for the week

God of the foreigner and outcast, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you.  Teach us as disciples of Christ so to love the world that your name may be known throughout the earth.  Amen.

The story of Joseph’s brothers in need of food begins in chapter 42. Joseph realizes who his brothers are long before his brothers do.  Why do you think Joseph waited so long to reveal his true identity to them? Finally, moved to tears by Judah’s plea on behalf of Benjamin, Joseph declares, “I am Joseph!” and asks, “Is my father still alive?” the evil intent of the brothers had been trumped by God’s using Joseph to preserve many lives at a time of famine.  In a lovely verse, Gen. 50:20, Joseph reassures his brothers of God’s using the evil they intended for good.  Have you seen something good come from what you initially thought was bad?

Prayer for the week

God of the foreigner and outcast, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you.  Teach us as disciples of Christ so to love the world that your name may be known throughout the earth.  Amen.

Following the feeding of the 5000, Jesus makes the disciples get into the boat and travel to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  He retreated to pray, but the boat full of disciples gets caught in a storm.  Jesus walks on water, rescues a sinking Peter who is trying to do the same, and stills the storm.  Looking at this miracles, as a hole, what does it say about Jesus? What impression does it give about the disciples? What would it have said to a Christian toward the end of the first century? What message does it have for Christians today? Read Psalm 107:23-32. What does this say about God? If you knew this Psalm and heard the story of Jesus stilling the waters, what would be your impression of Jesus? What are some of the spectacular ways in which we see the presence of God? What are some of the quiet ones? When people look for the presence of God’s activity in the world or in their lives, what do you think is one place that is most often overlooked?

Prayer for the week

God of awe, from whom we flee in holy terror:  your silence burns like ice; your whisper cuts through fear; we long to hear your faithful word of righteousness and peace.  Bless us with bold believe even in the darkness of the night and the assault of life’s storms, that we may be messengers of your justice, in the name of the One whom wind and wave obey.  Amen.

Drawing a distinction between the works of the law and faith, Paul proclaims:  “if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (v. 9).  In vv. 5-8, what contrast does Paul make between righteousness of the law and righteousness of faith? What similarities do you find between Deuteronomy 30:11-14 and vv. 6-8? What is the point of these verses? What comfort would vv. 8-11 give to a Christian who wonders if his or her faith is firm and strong enough to connect with God? How do the questions Paul asks in vv. 14-15 challenge you?

Prayer for the week

God of awe, from whom we flee in holy terror:  your silence burns like ice; your whisper cuts through fear; we long to hear your faithful word of righteousness and peace.  Bless us with bold believe even in the darkness of the night and the assault of life’s storms, that we may be messengers of your justice, in the name of the One whom wind and wave obey.  Amen.

With anticipation and enthusiasm, the psalmist awaits God’s word as he paints a descriptive picture of a beautiful future that he envisions will indeed come to pass.  What are some of the images characterized by harmonious and complementary relationships?  God’s glory has come to dwell in our midst!  Yet the peace and prosperity God promises for all of creation has yet to reach its fullness.  How can you as an individual, and we as a church, work for peace and justice?

Prayer for the week

God of awe, from whom we flee in holy terror:  your silence burns like ice; your whisper cuts through fear; we long to hear your faithful word of righteousness and peace.  Bless us with bold believe even in the darkness of the night and the assault of life’s storms, that we may be messengers of your justice, in the name of the One whom wind and wave obey.  Amen.

Read 1 Kings 19:9-18

King Ahab, of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, had Jezebel who brought with her the priests of Baal.  Loyal to Yahweh, Elijah challenged the Baal priests to a showdown:  Would their power or Yahweh’s power end the drought in the land (1 Kings 18:20-46)? Yahweh won and furious Jezebel set out to kill Elijah.  Read 1 kings 19:1-8. How would you describe Jezebel’s feelings? How did Elijah react? Why might Elijah have felt this way? What did God do in response? Read Exodus 34:27-28. What connection does that passage have with this lesson? What other period alone with God does it remind you? Compare this lesson with Ex. 33:17-23. What similarities do you find? Read Mark 9:2-8; who appears at the Transfiguration? What does this information suggest to you about the significance of Elijah?

Prayer for the week

God of awe, from whom we flee in holy terror:  your silence burns like ice; your whisper cuts through fear; we long to hear your faithful word of righteousness and peace.  Bless us with bold believe even in the darkness of the night and the assault of life’s storms, that we may be messengers of your justice, in the name of the One whom wind and wave obey.  Amen.

Though Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son, his jealous brothers sold him into slavery.  What feelings are aroused by Jacob’s sons plotting revenge on Joseph (vv. 18 and following)? By Reuben’s rescue attempt and sense of loss (vv. 21f, and 29f)? By Judah’s successful intervention (vv. 26f)? By Joseph’s actual fate (vv. 28, 36)? Can you imagine some of Joseph’s, and also his father Jacob’s “if-only’s” as this story comes to pass? What is one of your biggest regrets (“if only…”)? How has God acted in the ensuing time since?

Prayer for the week

God of awe, from whom we flee in holy terror:  your silence burns like ice; your whisper cuts through fear; we long to hear your faithful word of righteousness and peace.  Bless us with bold believe even in the darkness of the night and the assault of life’s storms, that we may be messengers of your justice, in the name of the One whom wind and wave obey.  Amen.

This begins a new section in Paul’s letter in which he will deal with the place of Israel in God’s saving plan. He opens by highlighting how Israel’s heritage and legacy include being God’s children, having God’s covenants, being given God’s law, participating in worship of God, and receiving divine promises. Though many early Christians were Jews, not all Jews accepted Jesus as Messiah. This hurt Paul, who was a faithful Jew, but he still mentions many spiritual blessings belonging to the Jews. What are they? In v. 4, we read of covenants, in the plural. Read Genesis 9:8-17 and 17:1-8. With whom were these 2 covenants made? From the human side, what benefits did these covenants promise? What covenant did we read in Tuesday’s reading from Isaiah 55?

Prayer for the week

Gracious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance.  Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

After John the Baptist is murdered, Jesus desires a time of solitude. Still, his compassion for others will not allow him to dismiss those who need him, and he is moved to perform one of his greatest miracles. This is the only miracle story that appears in all 4 Gospels:  Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:32-44, Luke 9:10b-17, John 6:1-15. Which versions have the people sitting in military formation, platoons, and companies? Which Gospel mentions a specific source for the loaves and fishes? Which versions mentions the cost of buying enough bread in town? Which Gospel suggests that there were more than 5,000 persons involved? What connection do you find between this Gospel reading and the reading from Isaiah 55?

Prayer for the week

Gracious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance.  Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

What is the divine King’s true greatness (v. 8)? How does God treat subjects (v. 9)? How does the Lord return the loyalty given? What kind of king is this?

Prayer for the week

Gracious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance.  Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Read Isaiah 55:1-5

The writer addresses the exiles in Babylon. Compare Isaiah 55:1 with Proverbs 9:1-6 and Luke 22:28-29. What is the common theme of these passages? Who is the “host” of each? God invites Israel to a great feast at which both food and drink are free.  Compare v. 1 with v. 2a. How does the tone of v. 2a differ from that of v. 1? What is the contrast the writer intends to make?  In v. 2b, we find images of food, but the images are not literal. What do you think the food images represent? God also promises to make an everlasting covenant with all the people, with promises that previously had been limited to the line of kings. As David was a witness to the nations, these nations shall now acknowledge the ways in which God has glorified Israel. Read 2 Samuel 7:4-17. What is the main point of the passage?

Prayer for the week

Gracious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance.  Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Why do you think Jacob chooses to be alone on the eve of Esau’s arrival? Jacob wrestled all night with God, and when God wanted to get away as dawn was breaking, Jacob would not let God go until God had blessed him. What might God be trying to teach Jacob by wrestling with him? In what sense does this story summarize Jacob’s life? Jacob’s name is changed to Israel to mark his new relationship with God as he enters the land. Jacob is astonished that he remains alive after seeing God face to face.

Prayer for the week

Gracious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance.  Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

What is the subject of these 5 parables? What is the basic theme shared by the first two parables (vv. 31-33)? What do you think that theme would have meant to the first readers of this Gospel in the first century? What does it mean to you today? What is the basic theme shared by the two parables in vv. 44-46? What do you think that theme would have meant to the first readers of the Gospel? What does it mean for you? How does the parable in vv. 47-48 differ from the others? Think of a time when some little thing or action developed, to your amazement perhaps, into something large and significant?

Prayer for the week

Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy.  By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.   Amen.

These words celebrate the depth of God’s actions for us.  Through Christ’s death for us and the activity of the Spirit praying for us, we are fused to God’s love poured out in Jesus Christ.  Nothing, not even death itself, is able to separate us from such incredible divine love. What do vv. 26-27 say to the despairing person who cries, “I can’t pray!”? What do they tell us about the relationship between God’s actions on our behalf and our actions toward God? Paul intends this passage to comfort Christians who are suffering. (For Paul’s own experience, see 2 Cor. 11:23-29.) What do you personally find most comforting in this reading, and why?

Prayer for the week

Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy.  By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.   Amen.

Why does the Psalmist obey God’s law? What kind of “light and understanding” (v. 130) have you received by opening God’s Word? Does injustice and inhumanity ever bring you to tears?

Prayer for the week

Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy.  By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.   Amen.

What do you recall of Solomon’s background (see 2 Samuel 11-12)? What promises did God make to David and to David’s sons (see 2 Samuel 7:7-17)? Why is God pleased with what Solomon asked? What did God give Solomon? Traditionally, Solomon was thought to author Proverbs, the book of wisdom. Read Proverbs 8:1-16. Who is the speaker? How do these verses reflect what Solomon said to God in his dream?

Prayer for the week

Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy.  By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.   Amen.