tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43937274058880857022024-03-18T21:00:34.643-07:00Sunday School ClassGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.comBlogger362125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-7122055576833215652020-09-09T07:16:00.001-07:002020-09-09T07:16:11.746-07:00Discussion for 13 August 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 18:21-35</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">21</span>Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">22</span>Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. </div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">23</span>“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">24</span>When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">25</span>and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">26</span>So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">27</span>And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">28</span>But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">29</span>Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">30</span>But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">31</span>When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">32</span>Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">33</span>Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">34</span>And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">35</span>So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”<br />
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<b>FOR CONSIDERATION:</b></div>
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What is this passage say about the inversion of the Golden rule? "Do unto others as they have done to us!"</div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-90484318385254910602020-08-28T12:28:00.003-07:002020-08-28T12:28:34.954-07:00Discussion for 30 August 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 16:21-28</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">21</span>From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">22</span>And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">23</span>But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">24</span>Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">25</span>For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">26</span>For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">27</span>“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">28</span>Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”</div>
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<b>FOR CONSIDERATION</b><br />
Last week Peter was given the keys to the kingdom. This week he is behaving like satan. What has happened? How are we tempted to behave like Peter?</div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-42699433256626163702020-08-20T07:45:00.000-07:002020-08-20T07:45:08.348-07:00Discussion for 23 August 2020<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matthew 16:13-20</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For Consideration</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- In Verse 19 Jesus speaks of "Bind & Loose." What does he mean by this?</span>GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-63167634989190215992020-08-03T10:45:00.002-07:002020-08-03T10:45:30.871-07:00Discussion for 5 August 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 14:22-33</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">22</span>Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">23</span>And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">24</span>but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">25</span>And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">26</span>But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">27</span>But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”</div>
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mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,<br />
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">28</span>Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">29</span>He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">30</span>But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">31</span>Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">32</span>When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">33</span>And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”</div>
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<b>FOR CONSIDERATION</b><br />
The discourse of Peter asking to walk on water is not mentioned in the Gospels of Mark & John. Nevertheless, if Peter had not asked Jesus to "come to you {Him} on water" what would Peter have missed? </div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-41850662396013797212020-07-30T11:14:00.000-07:002020-07-30T11:14:11.261-07:00Discussion for 2 August 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 14:13-21</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">13</span>Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">14</span>When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">15</span>When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">16</span>Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">17</span>They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">18</span>And he said, “Bring them here to me.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">19</span>Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">20</span>And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">21</span>And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.</div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-51737166996256302242020-07-24T12:52:00.000-07:002020-07-24T12:52:09.297-07:00Discussion for 26 July 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">31</span>He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">32</span>it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">33</span>He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">44</span>"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">45</span>"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">46</span>on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">47</span>"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">48</span>when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">49</span>So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">50</span>and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">51</span>"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">52</span>And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."</div>
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<b>FOR CONSIDERATION</b></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: sourcesanspro, source sans pro, sans-serif;">- A mustard seed is like a bearded darnel (weeds discussed last week). It is something undesirable....not wanted. Yet, in the first parable it appears Jesus makes the undesirable useful.......comparing it to the Kingdom of Heaven. How can this be? Do you understand this? </span></div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-78132790791123229882020-07-14T10:50:00.002-07:002020-07-17T14:55:05.141-07:00Discussion for 19 July 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">24</span>He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">25</span>but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">26</span>So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">27</span>And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">28</span>He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">29</span>But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">30</span>Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds <br />
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first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">36</span>Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">37</span>He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">38</span>the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">39</span>and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">40</span>Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">41</span>The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">42</span>and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">43</span>Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”</div>
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<b>FOR CONSIDERATION</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">- How does this passage describe the faith community the Church must be, both to survive and to produce the desired kingdom?</span></div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-22261532547008608902020-07-14T10:07:00.001-07:002020-07-14T10:07:34.773-07:00Discussion for 12 July 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span>That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">2</span>Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">3</span>And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">4</span>And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">5</span>Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">6</span>But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">7</span>Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">8</span>Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">9</span>Let anyone with ears listen!”</div>
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the beach.<br />
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">18</span>“Hear then the parable of the sower. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">19</span>When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">20</span>As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">21</span>yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">22</span>As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">23</span>But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”</div>
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FOR CONSIDERATION<br />
- Which soil best fits your faith?</div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-33663249693570971722020-07-01T11:35:00.004-07:002020-07-01T11:35:45.240-07:00Discussion for 5 July 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">16</span>“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">17</span> ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;<br />
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">18</span>For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">19</span>the Son of </div>
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Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”<br />
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">25</span>At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">26</span>yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">27</span>All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">28</span>“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">29</span>Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">30</span>For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”<br />
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FOR CONSIDERATION<br />
<br />
Verses 28 & 29 speak of light burdens and rest. If we consider Jesus <i>Sermon on the Mount</i> (Matthew 5-7) is our call to discipleship really that easy?</div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-6916160635526551752020-06-19T11:56:00.000-07:002020-06-19T11:56:05.898-07:00Discussion for 21 June 2020<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #323333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Romans 6:1-11</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">1 What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?2By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.6We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.7For whoever has died is freed from sin.8But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.9We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.10The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.11So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>For Consideration</b></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">In Verse 7 Paul indicates those who have died are freed from sin. Please consider the implications of this verse and how it applies to us today as living humans in a world full of sin.</span></div>
GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-40847577271618043502020-06-10T10:28:00.002-07:002020-06-10T10:28:36.959-07:00Discussion for 14 June 2020<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #323333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Romans 5:1-8</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.7Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.8But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>FOR CONSIDERATION</b></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">- In Verse 4, what type of "Character" is produced by endurance?</span></div>
GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-11537670488098689952020-06-08T12:33:00.001-07:002020-06-08T12:33:06.814-07:00Discussion for 7 June 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 28:16-20</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">16</span>Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">17</span>When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">18</span>And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">19</span>Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">20</span>and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”</div>
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<b>FOR CONSIDERATION</b><br />
-How have you experienced the Holy Spirt? Who, what, when, where and how?</div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-56464519246207081692020-06-01T10:32:00.000-07:002020-06-01T10:32:04.116-07:00Discussion for 31 May 2020<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #323333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Numbers 11:24-30</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">24So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. 25Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, </span></div>
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and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">26Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” 29But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!” 30And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">FOR CONSIDERATION</span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">-Does this passage effectively define The Holy Spirit?</span></div>
GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-72110905744275854922020-05-22T11:39:00.001-07:002020-05-22T11:39:19.256-07:00Discussion for 24 May 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">4:12</span>Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">13</span>But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">14</span>If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfqZ04BRlY4VUodzgY5qTzvq2aLSj5HL0f3s-mXX8_6hts2AJdYUtPgtSG6MnUyTIWpSbtxuaSOlQNTolK8kbIvryjPli_Tlc4z5Sau-hQ62UTfdIM7mRcW0zlvJqBMjLd8TSTrtwQp8/s1600/Unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfqZ04BRlY4VUodzgY5qTzvq2aLSj5HL0f3s-mXX8_6hts2AJdYUtPgtSG6MnUyTIWpSbtxuaSOlQNTolK8kbIvryjPli_Tlc4z5Sau-hQ62UTfdIM7mRcW0zlvJqBMjLd8TSTrtwQp8/s200/Unknown.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
revealed. </div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">5:6</span>Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">7</span>Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">8</span>Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">9</span>Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">10</span>And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">11</span>To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.<br />
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<b>For Consideration</b><br />
- Is suffering in accordance with God's will?</div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-86129597178298814972020-05-13T14:15:00.001-07:002020-05-13T14:15:35.473-07:00Discussion for 17 May 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
1 Peter 3:13-22</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0Uyw2JN7wOjDVMzebU1fgKlhLPxw6yQVfYNW3NXlzcYdlNJUsqpouU9Nh4mRFe7m65fsZ3jWB0OY6SalF0v6sNzZxQKkfs7IWZYGMlaGZJRNRgA0LQ488JMjaLJD9TEyNrz4CsJfc1U/s1600/Unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="304" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0Uyw2JN7wOjDVMzebU1fgKlhLPxw6yQVfYNW3NXlzcYdlNJUsqpouU9Nh4mRFe7m65fsZ3jWB0OY6SalF0v6sNzZxQKkfs7IWZYGMlaGZJRNRgA0LQ488JMjaLJD9TEyNrz4CsJfc1U/s200/Unknown.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">13</span>Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">14</span>But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated,<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">15</span>but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">16</span>yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">17</span>For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">18</span>For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">19</span>in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">20</span>who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">21</span>And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you — not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">22</span>who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.</div>
FOR CONSIDERATION<br />
For the last several weeks 1 Peter has been discussing suffering in our attempts to imitate Christ. We have suggested suffering by how Christians are perceived by others; Behaving in caring, compassionate endeavors; proclaiming Christ's resurrection. Verse 20 might give us another reason to "Obey" Peter's desire to live as Christ did......FEAR. </div>
GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-12056747377227586342020-05-11T06:40:00.001-07:002020-05-11T06:40:48.122-07:00Discussion for 10 May 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
1 Peter 2:2-10</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">2</span>Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation — <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">3</span>if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">4</span>Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">5</span>like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">6</span>For it stands in scripture:<br />
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,<br />
a cornerstone chosen and precious;<br />
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">7</span>To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,<br />
“The stone that the builders rejected<br />
has become the very head of the corner,”<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">8</span>and<br />
“A stone that makes them stumble,<br />
and a rock that makes them fall.”<br />
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.</div>
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priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.<br />
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">9</span>But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">10</span> Once you were not a people,<br />
but now you are God’s people;<br />
once you had not received mercy,<br />
but now you have received mercy.</div>
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FOR CONSIDERATION</div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-67716516143156517162020-05-11T06:40:00.000-07:002020-05-11T06:40:32.932-07:00Discussion for 3 May 2020<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>1 Peter 2:19-25 </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><b>19 </b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><b>20 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 12px;">If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><b>21 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 12px;">For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>22 </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“He committed no sin,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">and no deceit was found in his mouth.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><b>23 </b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><b>24 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 12px;">He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,[</span><span style="color: #631e16; font-size: 12px;">a</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 12px;">] so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds[</span><span style="color: #631e16; font-size: 12px;">b</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 12px;">] you have been healed. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><b>25 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 12px;">For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.</span></div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-45898719076978709982020-04-23T10:24:00.002-07:002020-04-23T10:24:57.484-07:00Discussion for 26 April 2020<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b>1 Peter 1:17-23</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; line-height: normal;"><b>17 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; line-height: normal;"><b>18 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; line-height: normal;"><b>19 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; line-height: normal;"><b>20 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; line-height: normal;"><b>21 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; line-height: normal;"><b>22 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply[</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(99, 30, 22); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #631e16;">b</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">] from the heart. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; line-height: normal;"><b>23 </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Why does the author refer to those hearing these words as "exiles" in Vs 17?</span></div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-34662312855603768052020-04-08T14:53:00.002-07:002020-04-08T14:53:46.138-07:00Easter Sunday 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Jeremiah 31:1-6</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span>At that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">2</span> Thus says the LORD:<br />
The people who survived the sword<br />
found grace in the wilderness;<br />
when Israel sought for rest,<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">3</span> the LORD appeared to him from far away.<br />
I have loved you with an everlasting love;<br />
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">4</span> Again I will build you, and you shall be built,<br />
O virgin Israel!<br />
Again you shall take your tambourines,<br />
and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">5</span> Again you shall plant vineyards<br />
on the mountains of Samaria;<br />
the planters shall plant,<br />
and shall enjoy the fruit.<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">6</span> For there shall be a day when sentinels will call<br />
in the hill country of Ephraim:<br />
“Come, let us go up to Zion,<br />
to the LORD our God.”</div>
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FOR CONSIDERATION<br />
- Why would this passage be placed in the Easter Lectionary?<br />
- Why would the Chapel Class facilitator choose this passage today?<br />
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-73894971930239401622020-03-20T10:17:00.000-07:002020-03-20T14:39:18.093-07:00Being the Church During a PandemicThis was shared with me by Mary Beth Cotham:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;"><strong>In the News</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">When we at <em>The Wired Word</em> started talking about possible topics for this week's lesson, there was no question that even though we've already provided two lessons related to the coronavirus crisis (the first lesson for the February 16 TWW installment and the second lesson for the March 8 installment), that we needed to address it again this week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">So we decided to write about how churches are responding to the efforts to slow the spread of the disease. That decision was made just three days before writing this lesson (on Tuesday).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">But what we didn't realize at the time was how fast some of what churches decided to do would need to be revised as the governments of our states and our nation issued new guidelines and imposed new restrictions that had seemed almost unthinkable just days earlier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">What happened in the Episcopal Diocese of Albany (New York) is an example of how fast decisions about how the church should respond have had to be rethought. In an email message sent on March 13, Bishop William H. Love, the diocesan leader, informed the clergy and laypeople of the diocese that while "a few" other dioceses had decided to cancel all their Sunday services, he had chosen not to do that, at least not yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">Instead, he issued instructions to minimize person-to-person contact during worship services. One concerned changes in how communion should be served. "The wine consecrated at Holy Communion will be consumed by the celebrant only," the bishop said, rather than by each worshiper from a common cup, which is standard Episcopal practice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">Communion was to be administered from the aisle, not the altar rail "to do away with the need for multiple people touching the altar rail one after another while kneeling side by side," the bishop said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">But just four days later, Bishop Love sent a second email message, stating that due to new guidelines from President Trump to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people, he was suspending all regular Sunday and weekday services through the end of March.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">That suspension is to apply even to funerals, which are to be limited in attendance to immediate family members. The bishop recommended that a larger memorial service honoring the life of the departed member be scheduled once the suspension is lifted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">It seems likely that given the guidelines from the White House, many other churches, as well as houses of worship from other religions, will make similar decisions before this Sunday or the day they would normally gather for worship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">Part of the difficulty is that the guidelines for minimizing the health risk from the coronavirus continue to evolve. Pastor Linda Stephan of Williamston United Methodist Church in Williamston, Michigan, recently proposed a hybrid service where healthy members could attend in person, and others could attend via a livestream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">But already that plan has been scuttled. She has now arranged to stream her sermon on Facebook Live. Stephan is certain that for a church, "gathering matters," but she understands that these are not ordinary times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">She also sees the importance of her role as a faith leader in this crisis, which is unprecedented in lifetimes of people today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">"I am also grateful that I'm in the place that I'm at, and hopefully [will] be a calming presence to my people and also a bold leader, and to make some good decisions, not just for my church community, but for everyone," Stephan said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">Lest we increase fear, we should also report some "good news" about the disease itself. The first epidemiological studies are beginning to be published. One study preprint (see the "Estimating the Infection and Case Fatality …" link in the list below) was of the cruise ship <em>Diamond Princess</em>, where over 3,700 passengers and crew were exposed to the coronavirus in Hong Kong prior to sailing to Yokohama. During most of the voyage, things proceeded with normal social interactions in a confined space. There was no isolation (confining a diseased person) or quarantine (restricting those known to be exposed). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">Once in Japan, the ship was quarantined for 14 days and approximately 3,100 of those on board were tested for the virus. Although conditions were favorable for the spread of the disease prior to knowledge of it onboard, only 17 percent tested positive -- and over half of those showed no symptoms. Seven people died, six of the 1,015 passengers aged 70-79 and one of the 216 aged 80-89. Although this is a small sample, this indicates that the quarantine and restrictions currently in effect are likely to greatly reduce the spread of the disease and, as long as the rates remain low and medical facilities are not overwhelmed, almost everyone who contracts the disease will survive. As some people have noted, we should be concerned and careful, but not fearful or hysterical. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">The calming-presence role for religious leaders that Stephan mentioned cannot be overstated. Nor should their role as Bible teachers and Christian theologians. The Bible and Christian theology provide a solid rock on which to stand during difficult times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times"; font-size: small;">God is with us. </span></div>
GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-37452603579324852112020-03-11T14:49:00.002-07:002020-03-11T14:49:29.290-07:00Discussion for 15 March 2020<div class="kappa" style="color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
John 5:25-29</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">25</span>"Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. <span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">26</span>For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; <span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">27</span>and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. <span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">28</span>Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice <span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">29</span>and will come out - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.</div>
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<b>FOR CONSIDERATION</b><br />
In Verses 25 & 28 Jesus uses the word "Voice." In this passage the "Voice" of Jesus requires a response. What is that response?</div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-80684511514029962542020-03-04T13:02:00.000-08:002020-03-04T13:02:07.633-08:00Discussion for 8 March 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
John 3:1-17</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span>Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">2</span>He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">3</span>Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">4</span>Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">5</span>Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">6</span>What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">7</span>Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">8</span>The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">9</span>Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">10</span>Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">11</span>“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">12</span>If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">13</span>No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">14</span>And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">15</span>that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">16</span>“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">17</span>“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”</div>
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Solve the Puzzle</div>
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Verse 17: Complete the follow sentence that paraphrases Vs 17.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">T _ _ _ i_ a r _ s_ u _ _ i _ s i _ n!</span></div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-89599668502963622982020-02-26T07:56:00.001-08:002020-02-26T07:56:18.408-08:00Discussion for 1 March 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 4:1-11</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIPZtStJqkzMpmbMgNPCpjXCBdU6dcK6WWWARgvlG12hzc3za-wPS2Fr9su00CX7GXlBb9i72uUzZyx-xqIFSSqhLOsohAhMUEm6paHSjXUmQYnS9-r2M7QUVJ406Spq8IgWNHUqZhFQ/s1600/Unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIPZtStJqkzMpmbMgNPCpjXCBdU6dcK6WWWARgvlG12hzc3za-wPS2Fr9su00CX7GXlBb9i72uUzZyx-xqIFSSqhLOsohAhMUEm6paHSjXUmQYnS9-r2M7QUVJ406Spq8IgWNHUqZhFQ/s320/Unknown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span>Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">2</span>He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">3</span>The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">4</span>But he answered, “It is written,<br />
‘One does not live by bread alone,<br />
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">5</span>Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">6</span>saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,<br />
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’<br />
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,<br />
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”<br />
<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">7</span>Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">8</span>Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">9</span>and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">10</span>Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">11</span>Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.</div>
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<b>FOR CONSIDERATION</b></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: sourcesanspro, source sans pro, sans-serif;">- How do these temptation define Jesus?</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: sourcesanspro, source sans pro, sans-serif;">- Are these temptations similar to ones we, as Children of God, face today? If so, what are some examples and how do we respond?</span></div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-34514418216514748952020-02-18T10:11:00.002-08:002020-02-18T10:11:34.571-08:00Discussion for 23 February 2020<h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Matthew 5:27-32</span> </h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tjQzIcI6DAElkGjnCjJHK3lZ0ZBWrC5qehy4lo5AjYABzSABb1en9tjyvMUxlB_y9hHpSM_T5mMxpwWccq_sj8FSe84lkjI4HdSng39CoY247VLgvZZz05eJ0M-nen1krqiO8-XLBeM/s1600/Unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="270" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tjQzIcI6DAElkGjnCjJHK3lZ0ZBWrC5qehy4lo5AjYABzSABb1en9tjyvMUxlB_y9hHpSM_T5mMxpwWccq_sj8FSe84lkjI4HdSng39CoY247VLgvZZz05eJ0M-nen1krqiO8-XLBeM/s200/Unknown.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="text Matt-5-27" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">27 </span>“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ </span><span class="text Matt-5-28" id="en-NRSV-23263" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">28 </span>But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. </span><span class="text Matt-5-29" id="en-NRSV-23264" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">29 </span>If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. </span><span class="text Matt-5-30" id="en-NRSV-23265" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">30 </span>And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.</span></h3>
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.55em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
<span class="text Matt-5-31" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">31 </span>“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ </span><span class="text Matt-5-32" id="en-NRSV-23267" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">32 </span>But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This will probably be a greta class!</b></span></div>
GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393727405888085702.post-36802222567241536552020-02-11T13:04:00.003-08:002020-02-18T10:05:26.185-08:00Discussion for 16 February 2020<div class="kappa" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: SourceSansPro, 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Matthew 5:21-37</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">21</span>“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">22</span>But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">23</span>So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">24</span>leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">25</span>Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">26</span>Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpDuxL_ra8CvoH22dt7UvgKjfHBByRzlEoBo678xOSvRTmL3-vVPZwQ7qzqZhwvRnEVwsfo92ndpzkVz4ygL-nruq-VbHuhaln2RFPgXvfn0sBI3S5PDvTkW-BU0110iZ3pzQt712ElU/s1600/Unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpDuxL_ra8CvoH22dt7UvgKjfHBByRzlEoBo678xOSvRTmL3-vVPZwQ7qzqZhwvRnEVwsfo92ndpzkVz4ygL-nruq-VbHuhaln2RFPgXvfn0sBI3S5PDvTkW-BU0110iZ3pzQt712ElU/s1600/Unknown.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">27</span>“You have heard that it was said, ‘you shall not commit adultery.’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">28</span>But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">29</span>If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">30</span>And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">31</span>“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">32</span>But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">33</span>“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">34</span>But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">35</span>or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">36</span>And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">37</span>Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”</div>
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<b>FOR CONSIDERATION</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">- Could organized religion survive today if it require its members to be reconciled with estranged neighbors, spouses, business partners, and declared enemies before worship could begin.</span></div>
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GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02995358772529347773noreply@blogger.com0