Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Discussion for 4 January 2015


Matthew 2:1–12

2In the time of King Herod, 
after Jesus was born in 
Bethlehem of Judea, wise men 
from the East came to Jerusalem, 
2asking, “Where is the child who
 has been born king of the Jews? 
For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay
 him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was 
frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together 
all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired 
of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him,
 “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the 
prophet: 6‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are 
by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from 
you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people 
Israel.’” 7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men 
and learned from them the exact time when the star 
had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, 
saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and 
when you have found him, bring me word so that 
I may also go and pay him homage.”9When they had 
heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went 
the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over
 the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star
 had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering
 the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they 
knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their 
treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, 
and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to 
return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

For Consideration
-In the Christian tradition, the season of Epiphany is a season for 
new sight, new vision, and paradigm shifts. How does this passage
correlate to an Epiphany?

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Discussion for 21 December 2014

LUKE 1:26-38
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
FOR CONSIDERATION
-What does this passage say about Mary's character?
-In verse 34, is Mary doubting the words of Gabriel? If so, why was she not punished like Zechariah?
-In verse 38 Mary says she is a servant of the Lord. Is she resigning herself to be a passive vessel for the work of God?

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Discussion for 14 December 2014

JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23He said,  
     “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 

          ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” 
as the prophet Isaiah said.

24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
FOR CONSIDERATION
How does John embody our relationship with Christ?
How could this passage help with the many folks who find Advent and Christmas more as occasions for loneliness and sorrow then community and joy?

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Discussion for 7 December 2014

 MARK 1:1-8
1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in he prophet Isaiah, 
     “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, 
          who will prepare your way; 
3   the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 
          ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, 
          make his paths straight,’” 
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
FOR CONSIDERATION
-What do you consider the most pressing political situations of our present time?
-Why would John the Baptist preach repentance as an introduction for the One coming who "will baptize you with the Holy Spirit?"