Scriptures for June 26th: Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42. Theme: God will provide song: Amazing Grace UMH 378
Genesis: This is the powerful story of how Abraham believes that he must sacrifice the special gift that God has given him. He and his son, Isaac are hiking in the woods. Isaac thinks that this is a special time with his dad. His dad has a more sinister plan – to kill Isaac. Does he think that God will give him more sons? At 90 years old? But God saves the day and provides a ram to be sacrificed instead. He must have misunderstood God’s promise to make his children as numerous as the stars. Or perhaps Abraham did not believe that God fulfills his promises. Do you?
Matthew: The text from Matthew have been very short lately. But they are still very meaningful. This text tells us the most important part of being a Christian. To welcome others, and to make sure that you know that you are welcomed at God’s table. God provides for us, so that we are able to provide for others, not for us to hoard everything ourselves. It encourages us to think about what others think about us. And to think of how we think of others. Are they people that we don’t like and don’t understand- or are they important vessels of God? We are all children of God.
Questions: What do you do with the gifts that God gives you? Are you sometimes your own worst enemy by thinking that what God intended for good is a curse? In what instance has God provided what you needed out of nowhere? How do you welcome others? How do you see the good in everyone? What is the reward of the righteous?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
June 19, 2011
Breaking Open the Scriptures
Scriptures for June 19th: Genesis 1:1-2:4; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20 – Men’s Day
Genesis: This is a reading of the creation story. Isn’t amazing what God has done in seven days? But if that day was so long ago, why do we need to be reminded of it today? Because God is still creating. God needs us to create the world. Who we are and what we do is a part of creation. This texture also speaks of the work of the Father, the Son,and the Holy Spirit. God did the original creation, The Son perfected creation, and the Holy Spirit is still working today. The work of the church depends on the Holy Spirit. Throughout the year, we have looked at the work of the trinity, now it is our turn to roll up our sleeves and to work in whatever God calls us. But to also honor all of the gifts we have been given.
Matthew: This is known as the Great Commission. Jesus has appeared many times since the resurrection, but this is the last time. This is also the end of Matthew. The end of the Gospel. This is a day of beginnings and a day of endings. And it gives us the same message – Today is your turn to get to work. Jesus says to go and make disciples of all nations. That does not mean telling people what to do and teaching, it means being an disciple. People learn about Jesus from your example. People listen to who you are, not what you say. Further more, we don’t have to be afraid, because the Holy Spirit does all of the work – we just have to obey and listen. God is always there, we don’t always believe that. We need to spend more of our time becoming a vessel of God, willing to be used by God.
Questions: What is God creating today? What do you think needs to be created in the world today? What is your role in creation? Where do you plant the seeds? What nations do we need to work with to disciple? How do we reach them? What is your prayer to be used by God?
Scriptures for June 19th: Genesis 1:1-2:4; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20 – Men’s Day
Genesis: This is a reading of the creation story. Isn’t amazing what God has done in seven days? But if that day was so long ago, why do we need to be reminded of it today? Because God is still creating. God needs us to create the world. Who we are and what we do is a part of creation. This texture also speaks of the work of the Father, the Son,and the Holy Spirit. God did the original creation, The Son perfected creation, and the Holy Spirit is still working today. The work of the church depends on the Holy Spirit. Throughout the year, we have looked at the work of the trinity, now it is our turn to roll up our sleeves and to work in whatever God calls us. But to also honor all of the gifts we have been given.
Matthew: This is known as the Great Commission. Jesus has appeared many times since the resurrection, but this is the last time. This is also the end of Matthew. The end of the Gospel. This is a day of beginnings and a day of endings. And it gives us the same message – Today is your turn to get to work. Jesus says to go and make disciples of all nations. That does not mean telling people what to do and teaching, it means being an disciple. People learn about Jesus from your example. People listen to who you are, not what you say. Further more, we don’t have to be afraid, because the Holy Spirit does all of the work – we just have to obey and listen. God is always there, we don’t always believe that. We need to spend more of our time becoming a vessel of God, willing to be used by God.
Questions: What is God creating today? What do you think needs to be created in the world today? What is your role in creation? Where do you plant the seeds? What nations do we need to work with to disciple? How do we reach them? What is your prayer to be used by God?
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