January 6, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for January 6th: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7,10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 Theme: Epiphany Isaiah: This is a lesson in hope. We are now in the midst of winter. The darkness is upon us, and We look to the heavenly skies for any sign of new light. This lesson announces that that light has come. We have a reason to have hope in our lives. We celebrate this verse during epiphany, as a realization that the light, that hope is in the presence of Jesus Christ. Now that Jesus is here, things will start to look better for our community. As things get better for our community, people will come from miles around to see what is making a difference. Others will want to live in that light as well. The good news is that the light of God is available to all, and all are welcome to be a part of that light, that healing. Life is so much better for us all in the light. The light of God is in our spirit, so it cannot be extinguished. Matthew: The twelve days of Christmas ends with epiphany. The Wise men finally arriving in the manger to bring gifts to baby Jesus. Of course in Matthew, they did not come to a manger, they came to a house. This scripture is important, because it reminds us that the Christmas story is not just for the church, but for everyone. And that the message can touch the soul of anyone, who is looking for a change in the way the world is. We do not really know who the wise men are, or where they really come from. But they can recognize a sign from God. They can also recognize a person who does not have good intentions. They know that Herod does not mean this child any good, and they want nothing to do with him. God speaks to all of us in mysterious ways. Some of us are able to listen and learn, and others cannot. They listened and learned to worship this child who would bring about a change, and knew enough to avoid the plans of Herod. But the epiphany is the point where we all realize that God is speaking to us in the events and person of our time. Questions: What is the great epiphany (realization) that will make a difference in our world today? How do you show the light of Christ to the rest of the world? What presents would modern day wise men bring Jesus?

December 23, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for December 23rd: Micah 5:2-5; Luke 1:47-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45: Theme: 4th Sunday of Advent Luke: I think that it is relevant that women have a prime role in the story of salvation. Even though Christ is male, it is the women who come before him that open the door for God’s coming to earth. In this scripture, Mary has travelled to see her older cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth is carrying a miracle baby, but as soon as Mary comes into her presence the baby jumps – at the bigger miracle that Mary is carrying. Elizabeth blesses Mary and her part in turning the world upside down. The importance of women continues as Jesus life unfolds. But as we are approaching the arrival of the Christ child – today we focus on his mother Mary. On her life, her faith and her willingness to be used by God. She is a model for all of us – to become vessels of God’s love to the world. Micah: The world turned upside down seems to be an endearing theme throughout the history of the old testament. This is part of a prophecy saying that a new king will arise out of Bethlehem, the birthplace of David. That the fortunes of the country will be restored. It appears that this prophecy fortells the coming of Christ into the world. Christ is a descendant of David. His birth is fortold. He is able to bring the people of Israel together, and yet his rule spreads throughout the whole world. Advent is the time when we anxiously await his coming anew into the world and we still look to Christ for peace that will change the fortunes of the whole world. Questions: How to we honor the contributions of women in today’s story of salvation? How do we bless the faith of Mary today? What part did Mary play in Jesus life as he grew up and lived out his destiny? What peace is needed in the world today? How is Jesus the new King of Israel?

December 16, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for December 16th: Zephaniah 3:14-26; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18; Theme: Third Sunday of Advent Luke: John speaks more about repentance and baptism. John makes a cry in the wilderness, but he is surprised when the people of the community start to come and to ask what should we do. The masses seem to realize that life has to change, and that they have to do something different. This gives John a chance to tell them that we have to care about other people. We have to treat one another differently. John then tells people to wait for something better. We can prepare for salvation, but we cannot give salvation. It takes God’s presence to do that. John says that something better is coming, but we have to prepare our hearts for it. Today, even though we know Christ’s presence, we still ask what must we do this year to be saved? Who is it that we are supposed to be helping, what are the ways that we need to repent to get ready for the gifts of God. Preparing for Christmas is not just about getting the house ready, it is also about getting our hearts ready. It has been a long year, how to we put the year aside and get ready for a new day? Isaiah: The world is full of uncertainty. If you look at the headlines, that is easy to see. There are things going on in all parts of the world, that effect us, but we can do nothing about. The names change year after year, but it seems that the situation does not. It is easy for us to see that this world needs God to step in and change things. Our world is not much different then the world that Isaiah was writing to 5000 years ago. Isaiah sings a song – telling us to trust in God in the midst of the world’s uncertainty. He sings a second song thanking God for faithfulness. Isaiah encourages us to sing, when we are worried. We can listen to the news, but we don’t have to put our trust in the newscast. No matter what problems are affecting us, we can still pray, worship and praise God. That is why we go to church, that is why Christmas is such a special time. God is our light in a dark world. Questions: What does repentance mean in your life? How do you trust in God in uncertainty?

December 9, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for December 9th: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6; Theme: Second Sunday of Advent Luke: We begin with the theme of the world turned upside down. God is known for turning the tables in life. When it happens in the life of those who are faithful, they celebrate. This is the song of Zechariah. Zechariah had been trying to have a child. In their old age, he and his wife are blessed. Zechariah is not able to speak until the baby is born. When his son John, this is his celebration. Zechariah celebrates three things in this blessing: God remains faithful to God’s promises, God’s way is the way to salvation and God is a God of peace. All three of these statements are the message of Advent. But before God can do God’s work, God has to change the powers that be. Malachi: This passage is the inspiration for Handel’s message that no one can stand before the Lord and that the Lord shall purify and forgive the faithful so that they can stand during the Day of the Lord. It continues many of the advent themes: that there is a time of tribulation, but the faithful will endure. God wants us to return from the sin of the world and life with Him as our center. As we move closer to advent, we are getting closer to the beginning of the Christian story – the birth of Christ. But this message is that before we can get that close to God we need to take a look at our lives, and to repent from our worldly ways and live a life faithful to a God who is faithful to us. Questions: When has God turned the tables for you and your life? How have you celebrated God’s blessings in your life? When was the last time you have asked for God’s forgiveness? How are you spiritually preparing for Christmas?

December 2, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for December 2nd: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36; Theme: First Sunday of Advent Luke: Advent always starts with the end in mind. So Jesus is talking about how things will happen at the end of the world, the end of time. Whereas Mark says that the end will come when the Jewish temple is destroyed, Luke does not say when it will end. He says that no one knows but God when the end is near. In the meantime we have all experienced the signs that he mentions: signs in nature, panic over climate change, people being affected by those natural disasters, and yet we are all still here. Christ has not come yet. But we can still head Luke’s message to be alert and not to get too caught up into what is going on in the world. As Christians, we are encouraged to always stay alert, to always be prepared for Christ returned, and to live as if this is your last day. That is who we are. 1 Thessalonians: The Thessalonian people lived as if the end was near. They actually quit their jobs, sold their possessions because they thought they didn’t need them anymore. So Paul had to encourage them to slow down. No one can know when the second coming will come. But it will be a normal life. We should keep the faith, and continue to show love to all. It is that love that will strengthen us and get us through the dark times. For Paul the key to being a disciple of Christ was not in being ready to go, but in showing love to others. As long as Christ finds us showing love, then he will be happy when he returns. Questions: What are your beliefs about the end times? How do you prepare for the second coming of Christ? During advent do you schedule time to retreat and spend time with God? How do you show love to other people? How has helping others helped you to become more faithful?

November 25, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for November 25th: 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-12; Revelation 1:4-8; John 18:33-37; Theme: Christ the King John: Jesus has been captured and is bought to trial. The charge against him – being the King of the Jews. So now Pilate asks that question of Jesus – Are you the King of the Jews. Jesus has to explain once again that he has no intention of being an earthly king. He has not intention of ruling. And he is definitely not trying to threaten the power of those in charge. But in willingly going to the cross, Jesus shows us what it means to care for your people – what it means to make the ultimate sacrifice. What it means to be a spiritual king. A king has to have a kingdom. Those who follow Jesus are a part of that kingdom – the church. Christ the King teaches us to reflect on the kingdom of God and our part in it. What is Christ calling us to do for the world? How are we to follow his example? What is our role as subjects of the kingdom? 2 Samuel: Last week we read the beginning of the Samuel books, one week later we read the end. Samuel the kingmaker, has anointed David as King. David has lived a very full life and now it is time for him to pass on his legacy. He is grateful for God’s favor and mercy. He declares that the house of David shall last forever, and that there shall always be a king from his house. Little does he realize at that point that the real King – Jesus Christ should come from that house and make that prediction true. Jesus turns that prediction on its head, because he is not interested in ruling a nation, but in ruling the hearts of men. David excludes everyone else from his family, Jesus included everybody in the kingdom. David was not perfect but God loved him anyway. Jesus was perfect and God used him to increase the kingdom. It is funny how the twist and turns of history always leads us to the truth of God’s reign in our world and in our lives. Questions: What is the role of a King? If we have a president, does the metaphor of a king fit our time?

November 18, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for November 18th: 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-8; God works with unlikely people 1 Samuel 2: Many times we think of prayer as something that we ask for, but prayer is also a celebration of how God answered us. Hannah had been praying a desperate prayer for years for a child. And when she gave birth, it was her confirmation that God cared for her. She thanked God for what God did for her in the present, but also for what God will do in the future. This prayer was not just about her needs, it was about the needs of her people, and all people of the world. She praises God for all that God is to all of us. And eventually she returns God’s gift back to God- her son is raised to live in the priest house. Just as Mary thanks God when she learns that she is pregnant, this prayer of Hannah is a important poem for our faith. 1 Samuel 1: This week we have another story of a woman who has fallen through the cracks of society. Hannah is married and her husband loves her very much, but she is still unhappy, she still has no status in this society. Her husband had sons by another wife. If he were to die, they would inherit all that he has, and she would be nothing. She feels like a nobody, a third wheel in an otherwise happy family. She has no one to turn to but God. So when the family travels to the temple to pray – she prays for a son. She seeks council from the priest. She asks God to deliver her. She does give birth to a son, so she knows that in God’s eyes she must be somebody. God cares for her. And that is all that she really needs to know. She can return her gift to God and live in peace – knowing that God cares. Questions: How many of us remember to thank God when our prayers are answered? How does God give to the world through your life? Do you think that you are important in God’s eyes? When has God answered an Important prayer for you? How did you say thank you?

November 11, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for November 11th : Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44; Psalm 124 Theme: God provides in the midst of tough times Ruth: Ruth is an important part of the story of salvation. She is a foreigner, but she is one of the few women listed in the Hebrew genealogy. She becomes the mother of Obed, who is the father of David. She has a very interesting story which starts with her first husband dying, and she stays with her mother in law during tough times. When things get better, they both return to Bethlehem. Being that they are widows, they have no way to take care of themselves. So Naomi slyly introduces Ruth to one of her husband’s relatives. Ruth gets married and they both live happily ever after with a permanent place in history. Mark: This is another important stewardship story. Even though Jesus is very close to God, he is not close to the Pharisees. He feels that they are taking advantage of the people, and are sometimes very insincere. He feels that lot of them are doing religious work for the recognition. So, when a poor woman comes into the temple and gives everything that she has to God, Jesus is impressed. He says that she gave most, even though it was monetarily a little; because she gave from her hear. She gave sacrificially. She was sincere in her offering to God. Jesus lifts her up as an example of how we should give – we should give from our heart – the place of our abundance. Questions: Who are the important women in your family history? What can you learn from their lives? When has God turned a bad situation into a good one for you? Who are the people who give all that they have to God today? What motivates you to give to God?

September 30, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for September 30th: Esther 7:1-6,9-10,9:20-22; Psalm 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50: Theme: It is a Christian’s job to support one another. James: This is the last chapter and the last lesson of James. James wants us to have a faith that is able to sustain us in every day life. Some practical tools that we don’t have to search for. For James, wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord. James is teaching us that our faith is a gift from God, it is assurance that God is with us in our lives. The major lesson if James is that faith without works is dead. In this chapter James is not talking about a personal faith, but a communal faith. The last gift of faith that God gives us is a caring community.n James says that we as a community should pray for those who are in need and bless them. We should be confident to pray for others. James ends by saying that the greatest gift of community is teaching others a new way of life as they learn what it means to be forgiven and to give up their sin. Esther: This book is considered a book of wisdom. This is an interesting story – God is not mentioned, there is a lot of things that should not be mentioned or talked about in front of kids, yet it still made it into the bible. This is a story about a woman who chose to risk everything for her nation, and her bravery paid off. This story tells us not to be afraid to stand up for what we believe in, even in times when it would be easy to keep silent. In return, Esther will love forever in history. The Jews celebrate Purim in her honor. The celebration reminds us that God can work in the most difficult of circumstances, when things do no seem to be in our favor, God can still turn them around. Questions: How important is Christian community to you? Have you ever visited someone in the name of Jesus Christ? Has someone visited you? Name a time when you thought you were doomed, but God worked it out for you. What has the church done to make your life better?

September 23, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for September 23rd: Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1; James 3:13-4:3, 7-8; Mark 9:30-37: Let the children come! Mark: For most of Mark, the disciples are thoroughly confused about what Jesus is trying to tell them. It does not become clear to them until Jesus has been resurrected. The rest of the time, they are trying to figure it out. In this verse, Jesus has just healed a blind man and made him see. It doesn’t make any sense to the disciples. But when Jesus asks them what they are talking about, no one wants to say for real. They are silent, so Jesus heals their misunderstanding by explaining what the kingdom of heaven is like. Heaven is a place where the children come freely. So the church should also be a place there the children come freely. When we welcome the children, we welcome the face of God into our lives. Jesus welcomes us into the kingdom even when we don’t understand what is going on. We should be able to do the same. James: James continues his discussion on what it means to have common sense. And how do we apply common sense to the life of a Christian? We use wisdom, the wisdom that has been around since the beginning of time. Treat people the way you want to be treated. James says that there are actually two types of wisdom. There is the wisdom from God and the wisdom from earth. Wisdom from earth is always self serving. It causes conflict, because then we start to compete with one another. We want what we want and we don’t care who we hurt in the process. But James reminds us that we cannot control our cravings, but God can. If we draw near to God, then we will learn to live in harmony, because we are using God’s wisdom and not our own. Questions: What does it mean to let the children come? What can we as a congregation learn from our children? How do you control your cravings and desires? How do you come near to God? What is the source of wisdom?

September 16, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for September 16th: Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38; Theme: Watch what you say to others. James: This is one of the more controversial chapters of James and of his teaching of faith without works is dead. The lesson for this week is that we have to watch what we say, once it comes out of our mouth, we can’t take it back again. Every word that comes out of our mouth has a consequence. James says that we have to be very careful about what we say when we are teachers because we are responsible when our words are taken in the wrong way. If we say that we are a Christian, then we have to make sure that our words reflect God and not our own issues. If we are on God’s side, then our life cannot reflect negativity, and neither can our words. Tame the tongue, be responsible for our words, and never be afraid to teach others the ways of God. Proverbs: I love this lesson in Proverbs. I personifies good advice as a woman crying in the streets. Sofia is wisdom. If you read the story of creation, you will see that Sofia (lady wisdom) was with God as God created the world. In the first chapter of Proverbs, she is in the middle of the street talking with people, telling them to do different and to think and listen to the ways of God. She is frustrated because the young people do not listen. I would imagine that lady wisdom is still in the middle of the street, and the young people who don’t come to church still don’t want to listen. We can be grateful that no matter how much we ignore lady wisdom, she has not been silenced, and she is still willing to speak to us. We just have to put aside our busy lives and learn to listen. We need to listen to the elders who have experience. We need to listen to the spirit of God speaking through scripture. We need to listen to our own hearts. We need to listen to the spirit of God in the world today. Questions: What do you do to control your words? What is lady wisdom saying to this generation?

September 9, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for September 9th: Proverbs 22:1-2,8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125; James 2:1-17; Mark 7:24-37; Theme: God favors the poor over the rich James: James continues to help us to understand that faith is not how we believe, it is how we live our lives. We have a tendency to live in stereotypes of other people. We tend to believe that if people are poor, then it is their own fault, and they are bad people. If people are well dressed, then they must be doing something right and they are good people. James says that actually it is the exact opposite. God is always on the side of the poor. So whatever reason they may be poor, we need to help them to live a better life. Proverbs: This book is attributed to Solomon as a middle aged man. Others say that the book is written by a concerned mother. It is a book of advice for a young prince growing up and trying to find his way in the world. The advice for this week: a good name is better than riches, the rich and the poor are both created by God, injustice will always be repaid, The generous will always benefit, and don’t take away from the poor. Questions: What were some pearls of wisdom that your mother gave to you? What do you think when you see someone in need? How willing are you to help others, Do you see benefits for yourself when you help others? What is it that you wished that you had learned earlier in life?

September 2, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for September 2nd: Song of Solomon 2:8-13, Psalm 45:1-2,6-9; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23: Theme: Faith in Action James: For the next month we will be studying the book of James. James goes much further than Ephesians in telling us how to live as individual Christians, and as the church. James starts our by asking us two fundamental questions. Who is God, and who are we. God is a God who gives, we know God by what we have been given in faith – God gave us birth, God gave us every gift, God gave us a harvest to enjoy. Then James asks who are we: Just as God showed God’s love in action, we the faithful must also be those who act upon our faith, not just think about it in our heads. We show our faith in the way we treat others, when we forget who we are, not only do we lose track of our lives, but we lose track of God. Whatever we are doing, we must never forget our faith, others are watching. Mark: People are asking Jesus why his disciples don’t wash their hands like everyone else. Jesus explains that it is not what is on our hands that hurts us and others, it is what is on our hearts. Jesus tells the pharisees to not get so caught up on outward appearances. It is pretty common for the faithful to talk about how good they are – but then to think that just because they go to church everyday- they can treat people anyway they want. Jesus continually reminds us that true faith is not about appearances, it is about what we think and about how we live that out in life. People can tell our faith by the fruits that it produces. Are we kind and gentle, or controlling an mean? Jesus says that true evil comes from inside the heart. So we have to be careful about what we feed our spirit. Questions: What gifts have you received from God recently? Did you say thank you in prayer? How do you put your faith into action? How do you guard your heart from doing mean things? What inner practices do you do to get closer to God?

August 26, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for August 26th: 1 Kings 8:1,6,10-11;Psalm 84; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69; Theme: The armor of God Ephesians: We are reminded of what it means to be the church of God. That it is our job as a church to address the wiles of the world, to show the world that there is a new and different way to live. But the world can be very forceful, that is why we are encouraged to put on the whole armor of God to protect us. We are to be immune to all of the challenges of life, and to keep determined to the mission of God. The most important part of our armor is a relationship with God where we pray about everything. A lot of Christians are not comfortable with references to soldiers or of fighting, but we are told that we are to have the sword of the spirit. We have a right to fight for justice and righteousness in the world. 1 Kings: Solomon has fulfilled his destiny of being the king who will build a house for God. In the midst of his humanness, Solomon has shown that he has a relationship with God, and now is his chance to bring that relationship to the people of God. He is able to dedicate the temple. God reminds Solomon that God is bigger than the temple, and that temple does not completely contain the spirit of God. God also instructs Solomon to remember the immigrants and visitors who are present. To remember the God is bigger than any one people. God is present in some form in all people. So there was a place at the temple for foreigners and strangers who were in search of God. Eventually, Jesus will bring even the strangers (the gentiles) into the family of God so that we can all be equal and all stand around God’s table. Questions: What is the armor of God? How are some ways that we have to protect ourselves from the influence of the world? What are the fights for justice in our time? Who are the people that we need to allow to come to the table of God?

August 19, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for August 19th: 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58; Theme: Jesus, the bread of life John: We continue our look at John 6 and to asks the question what does it mean to eat the body of Christ and to have eternal life? Many scholars believe that it means to believe in Christ as your savior. But when Jesus says this is my body and my blood he is speaking on many levels. This is also our invitation during communion. – to take and eat and to take and drink. Once again, we are not eating a symbol of Christ; Christ is in the elements. When we participate in the communion we are given spiritual life to face our struggles. Just the knowledge that God is always with us, gives us strength to last a lifetime and beyond. Ephesians: This continues the conversation of how as Christians, we should be set apart. We should live our lives to be an example to the rest of the world. It is interesting that in this verse we are told not to get drunk and to sing Christians songs all day. One practical thing that we are told to do is to live in an attitude. Learn to tell God thank you for our blessings. How many of us actually think of something to be grateful for in everyday? The world can tell us to keep up with what others are doing, to always have something to do. This verse encourages us to slow down, and think about the true meaning of life – God’s love. We have to be constantly reminded that we are intended to lead the world to love, not follow the world to suffering. Questions: What does communion mean to you? Does communion give you any spiritual strength? What does it mean to have eternal life? How many times do you say thank you to God for what you have? What does it mean to have the wisdom of God?

August 12, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for August 12th: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, psalm 130, Ephesians 4:25-5:2, John 6:35, 41-51: Theme: Getting along with others in the church. Ephesians: Gentleness can be defined as living a life controlled by God. It is learning to get angry at the right times and to never get angry at the wrong time. That was the theme of the first part of chapter 4, the second part is about how to deal with anger in the church. How to be angry in the right way. I like that the writer says that the church should be the place where the truth is told. But the truth can sometimes hurt our feelings. So the church is also the place where we deal with our honest feelings. Living in community can be hard, but Christ asks us to learn to be in community with one another. In order for us to be a community of love, we have to deal with our anger. The writer of Ephesians says that we should look at life through the mind of Christ, not our own. We should see people as Christ sees them, not as we see them. That means forgiving them and staying connected in love. John: We are still studying the important concept of the bread of heaven. We are still learning how Jesus feeds us and sustains us through life. The people are happy with Jesus, but they are still complaining about life. Jesus tells them that he comes to point us to God. He came to remind us to look to God for our strength and our sustenance. What Jesus is doing for us, is so that we can rely on God. Jesus is making the ultimate sacrifice of his own flesh, so that we can have direct access to the grace of God in our lives. Jesus is giving us bread that will keep us full for a lifetime. The manna that the ancestors got only lasted for a day, and them they had to get more. Once again Jesus is saying that man cannot live by bread alone, but we have to live on the word of God in our lives. Questions: What do your do when you are angry at a fellow Christian? Is the church a place where the truth is told? What does it mean for Jesus to be the bread of life? When was a time when you were fed and nurtured by God?

August 5, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for August 5th: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13; Psalm 51:1-12; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35; Theme: Unity of the Church Ephesians: This is a continuation of the teaching on unity. It is important for us to be one church. The writer says that there is one God, one Christ, One Lord, so there is no reason that we can’t be one church. Unity does not mean uniformity, we are a symphony of people with many different gifts. The writer tells us what the gifts are, and he says that there cannot be unity without good leadership. It is the leaders who lead us in one direction. But they do not get that direction from themselves, but from God and studying the bible. John Wesley says that there should be diversity in how we express our love for one another, but unity in understanding the word of God. It is okay for us to disagree with one another, as long as we respect the persons that we disagree with. Unity is not something that comes all at one, unity is a process, a working relationship of understanding. John: This is a continuation on Jesus teaching on bread. This is one of the I am statements – I am the Bread of Life. Jesus starts our with the everyday understanding of bread, but he is trying to get them to look beyond that normal understanding to think about the real bread of life. Jesus says that man cannot live on bread alone, but on the word of God. But if you are hungry in your belly, then you are not able to listen to what God is trying to tell you. God wants us to be fed, but God also wants us to understand the meaning of life. He sent Jesus to give us both. Everything that Jesus does points to the work of God. We are empowered to continue that work. Questions: Who in your life has mentored you to understand what the bread of life is? Who is God asking you to feed and nurture? Is it possible for the church to be totally united in mission? What is it that keeps us separated from one another? What will it take to bring us all into unity?

July 29, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for July 29th: 2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 Theme: God’s Abundance John: This is the story of the feeding of the 5000. It is more than a miracle story. It is a story that reminds us of God’s abundance. John tells us a story as a precursor of what it to come when we all get to heaven and eternally live in the presence of God. All of our needs will be taken care of. There will be enough for everyone. Jesus does more than heal, he points to the presence of God. John tells us these stories so that we know exactly who Jesus is, and what it means that he is the messiah – the anointed one of God. this story takes place right before the Passover, Jesus has everyone gather together in community before they are fed. When we gather together for fellowship and with family, we are coming together in hopes that God will provide for all who are present. Ephesians: This scripture continues the theme of God’s abundance. The author is praying for the church to have all that it needs to fulfill God’s mission on earth. This passage talks about the fullness of Christ. Christ provides all that the church needs. The prayer is for faith, love and fullness all in the name of Christ. God can provide far beyond our understanding and sight if we trust in Christ. the final prayer request is for glory in the church. What does that mean? What does it mean for a church to be successful? Does it mean that the seats are filled and they have all the money they dream of? Or Does it mean that the church has learned to be faithful in all situations and they give whatever is necessary to fulfill God mission? Questions: When have you experienced God’s abundance? Does your family celebrate love with food? How is that like being in heaven? What does it mean to attend a successful church? How does love contribute to the fullness of Christ?

July 22, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for July 22nd: 2 Samuel 7:1-14, Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56; Theme: What does it mean to be the Church? Ephesians: This is an affirmation that the church is the family of God that is connected to original people of God. As the church started to grow with new and different people. There were many people who did not know the history of the church, who did not realize that the church has a deeply rooted purpose. The church gives us a vision of what heaven will be like. The church should reflect the world, and how people who come from different backgrounds can all get along. If we don’t like the people that we come in contact with in church, how do we think we will like heaven, when we will be with the exact same people? Mark: Jesus sent the disciples out two by two to do ministry. When they return from their mission they are downtrodden from all of the flack that they received from others. When they return they learn that John the Baptist has been beheaded which adds insult to injury. So they are looking to Jesus to give them a sense of comfort. Jesus encourages them to keep doing the ministry. Jesus continues to heal, and as word spreads, more and more people are coming. The healing ministry becomes more and more important, so Jesus tells them that they cannot quit now. Everyone who came to healing, received it no matter what. Questions: Why do you think that the church is important? What do you like about the people in your church? What do you dislike? Have you ever experienced healing for a problem? How can you help to heal the problems of others? How can you represent Jesus in your context?

July 15, 2018

Scriptures for July 15th: 2 Samuel 6:1-5,12-19; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29; Theme: Being blessed by God Ehpesians: The writer is making it clear, who Christ is, who God is, and who we are as believers. Because of God, we are. The writer makes 4 statements about God: God has chosen believers, God destins them for adoption into the God family, God blesses us, and God showers grace upon us. God comes to us through the life of Jesus Christ in order for us to be able to relate. Christ reveals who God is, but he also opens our eyes to what is to come. The Holy Spirit is a down payment on all of the wonderful things to come when we enter into eternity. Once we know who God is we are able to do our job and serve others and to be a witness to who God is and How God is present in the world. Psalm: This Palm continues that conversation on who God is and why that is important to God. Everything that we understand about life comes from God. This psalm would have been sung as people entered into the temple. There are three main point to this poem. God is the creater of all, we are entering into sacred space, and God is returning to the world in all of his own moving, etc. This poem asks the important question of who is the king if glory – the lord who has been mighty in battle. we are coming to worship and to be grateful for what he has given us. We don’t look at the psalms very often. But I think it is important to look at them and to celebrate the songs of worship, in good times and in bad. Questions: Who is Christ for us? What does it mean for us to follow Christ? Does it make a difference in our lives? If we were to make up a song about coming to church to worship God – what would you say? Why do we need to praise God for what God does?

July 8, 2018

Scriptures for July 8th: 2 Samuel 5:1-5,9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13; Theme: what does it mean to believe? 2 Corinthians: Paul tells us that faith affects different people in different ways. People come to faith for different reasons. Some people work for God and some people think that God works for them. Paul points out that those who work for God are humble, and attribute their power to God and not to themselves. Their strength is in their ability to be weak and vulnerable. Paul believed that God gave him a “thorn in his side” in order to keep him vulnerable and dependent upon God. He encourages us to look up to leaders who are humble and respectful of God. Look to those who consider themselves suffering servants who give to help others. As we serve, it is important to be humble. Mark: In this text the question comes up again, Who does this man think that he is. He has not been ordained, he had not been accepted by others, yet he claims that his power is from God. And once again, Jesus proves who he is, by healing and performing miracles. Jesus is surprised at how hard it is to be accepted by those who know him. But I think that the end of the text is most important to us. This is where Jesus empowers his disciples to heal and perform miracles just as he did. He also encourages them to have faith and not to worry about being accepted by others. If they believe, they are faithful, if not then shake the dust from your feet and move on. The good part of the story is that the disciples were faithful and they were able to make a lasting impact on the world. Questions: Is your faith based on your faith in God or your faith in yourself? What does it mean to be humble? Does humbleness really make a difference in our faith? How do people view you in your hometown? Have you had a chance to witness to your faith with strangers?

July 1, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for July 1st: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43: Theme: Jesus Heals Mark: Jesus continues to demonstrate what it means to be the messiah. He continues to heal, and to change conditions not just people. This is a story of a double healing, a healing of two people that the authorities would not have touched. First he heals the daughter of a soldier. Even though Jairus is not a believer, he still believes that Jesus can help his daughter. And next a woman dares to approach a man with a bleeding issue. Jesus does not walk away, even though he knows that society will gossip about it. After it is over, Jesus debriefs with his disciples, saying to tell no one, he does not even tell the women to tell the priest what has happened. But the people see what he is doing and he is starting to get a reputation for making a difference. What does the church have a reputation for doing? Corinthians: This is a stewardship message. Paul wants us to know that the way in which we live out our membership vows does truly make a difference. It shows how much faith we have in God. Paul is collecting money for the widows of Jerusalem. He lifts up Macedonia as a church which does not have a lot of money, but is very willing to help others. This is the passage where Paul says that God loves a cheerful giver. Give out of what we have, not what we don’t. That the way in which we give and receive gifts says a lot about our faith. Giving to help others in needs is a big part of our faith. When we give, we always get something in return. Questions: Who are the people that society is afraid to touch today? How does Jesus tell us to treat those people? Have you ever been healed of a condition that made others shy away from you? What is your attitude toward giving to help others? What does it mean to give to help others?

June 10, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for June 10th: 1 Samuel 8:4-20(11:14-15);Psalm 138; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35 Theme: God sustains us through tough times Mark: Jesus is busy ministering to the community, but his family does not understand what he is doing or why. What he is teaching goes against everything that they have taught him as a child. So they come to stop him. But we know that eventually they listen to him and become followers to. As they come, Jesus does not reject them, he knows that God has given him to do. That is why he says that any who listen are his mothers and brothers. Sometime we have to make a bold step in order to follow Jesus. We have to walk away from home temporarily. But Jesus assures us that we will find our family and new home in the will of God. Psalms: This is a psalm of celebration for coming through a tough time. The psalmist realizes that they were weak, but it was God’s love that sustained them. God is the head of their life, not themselves, and certainly not their circumstances. They say that it is God that makes them live again and who protects them. We are reminded that the greatest response to God’s love and mercy is to be grateful. To take account of where we are and what God has done for us. We are encouraged to be faithful, and to not be afraid to tell God and others how far we have come. This is the psalm of the common person, just trying to make it through life. It is the strength to get us through the day. Questions: Do we have to sacrifice our family and friends in order to follow Jesus? How do we redefine our family when we understand our faith? Name a time when Jesus has helped you through a tough situation? How do you say thank you to God? You can view Breaking Open the Scripture online at https://breakingopenthescriptures.blogspot.comYou can view Pastor Harriette’s sermons online at https://aplaceforshalom.blogspot.com

June 3, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for June 3rd: 1 Samuel 3:1-20; Psalm 139:1-6,13-18; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23-3:6 Theme: Confirmation Sunday Psalms: This is a very personal psalm about our relationship with God. It is a confession that God knows everything about us. God knew us when we didn’t know ourselves. There is nothing that we can do to get away from God, because is always present in our lives. So instead of trying to run away from God, we need to embrace God. We should try to get to know God as well as God knows us. We should take advantage of our relationship with God. In times of trouble we can depend on God. In times when we are happy, we can rejoice with God. The last part says that God has plans for us, that is why we were created. In order to fulfill those plans, we have to have a relationship with God. 2 Corinthians: In this passage, Paul is trying to defend his ministry against the haters. He is confident in his relationship with Christ, so he tells the congregation that his actions come from his relationship. He is not in it for the personal glory, but the glory of God in Christ. This is a message for all of us to take to heart. We have all been criticized in some way for our relationship with God. Paul says that we are only human, and in this life things are not perfect. We are a good spirit inside of an earthly body – treasure in a clay pot. As long as we rely on that good spirit, we can withstand the criticism and the problems. We can let the light of Christ come through in our actions. In this life we die with Christ, so that we can live in Christ in victory. Questions: What is your relationship with God like? Is it comforting to know that God is always around? When have you been criticized for being a Christian? Did it cause you to have second thoughts or encourage you to move forward?

May 20, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for May 20th: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27,16:4-15: Theme: Pentecost Sunday Acts: This is the story of the birth of the church. The disciples had already been out in the world teaching everyone about Jesus. They already had success in what they were doing. New people were already interested in the church. But the disciples report, that it was a time when people from all over the world were gathered together, they were listening to the word of God, when all of a sudden the word came to life and the holy spirit came upon them and took the church to a whole new level. All present were inspired to go home and to spread the word to more people. The Holy Spirit has been working in the world every since then. John: Jesus is preparing his disciples for the time when he will no longer be with them. So as he introduces the Spirit, he wants them to know that they are not alone. They will have help with their work of evangelism. Jesus explains that the spirit will bring righteousness, truth and judgment. The spirit gives us the ability to do right in a world that wants to do wrong, it will tell the truth in a world that has bought into a lie, and it will teach us the consequences of our actions and our decisions. As long as we embrace truth and righteousness, we can accomplish anything in the name of the Lord. And we will be close to God. Questions: Where have you witnessed people from all nations gathered to praise God together? How have you seen the holy Spirit at work in your life? How can you further the work of the church and spread the good news in your life? What does it mean to live in righteousness for you? You can view Breaking Open the Scripture online at https://breakingopenthescriptures.blogspot.comYou can view Pastor Harriette’s sermons online at https://aplaceforshalom.blogspot.com

May 13, 2018

Scriptures for May 13th: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19; Theme: Mother’s Day John: Jesus is trying to make sure that his disciples are prepared for the days to come when he will not be with them. He wants to make sure that they have all that they need, so he tells them that he is praying for them. Jesus also says that he is praying for all who believe his message. He says that God has given him everything to take care of God’s people and now He gives it to us. It is our job to give it to others. Because of these gifts, we can be assured of God’s love, but not to keep it to ourselves, but to pass it on to others, so that they can pass it on to others. Jesus gives us access to all of his blessings to tell the truth in love. Acts: This is the first crisis in the new church. Now that Judas is gone, they have to select someone to take his place. Jesus chose the original 12 disciples, and many wonder why Jesus would make such a big mistake in choosing Judas in the first place. They establish who is even qualified to take the place of the original twelve. There are 120 followers not, but the person must be someone who has been with the movement all along, someone who actually listened to Jesus. They chose Matthias as the replacement. At the same time, Paul also feels that he is a disciple. He did not walk with Jesus on Earth, but Jesus came to him in spirit. Today we don’t know much about Matthias, but Paul reached people all over the world. Christ comes to all believers in spirit to guide us. Questions: If Jesus was praying for you what do you need? How do you use the gifts God gave you to help others to know who Christ is? If we needed to choose a new apostle, what would be the qualities we would look for? What present crisis do we need Christ to guide us through? You can view Breaking Open the Scripture online at https://breakingopenthescriptures.blogspot.comYou can view Pastor Harriette’s sermons online at https://aplaceforshalom.blogspot.com

April 29, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for April 29th: Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18; Theme: Good Shepherd Sunday Acts: One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is a boldness to speak to authority. It is an understanding of how God is calling you to change things. The message of the disciples was not well received by the powers that be. Actually it was those authorities that ultimately silenced each of the persons. But the authorities could not stop the message of God’s love bringing new life to the world. Peter is being prosecuted because he healed someone on the sabbath. Peter takes this as a chance to help everyone understand who Christ is for the world. Peter is explaining that what was meant for bad, God is using for good. The more the authorities squelch God, the more powerful he in Christ gets. As long as we read the bible, and we follow Christ teachings, we cannot go wrong, even when we are criticized. John: One of the earliest images of Christ was not him on the cross, it was him as the good shepherd. Jesus talks about the faith in terms of being a shepherd watching over the sheep. This is one of the I AM statements of John. God wants us to know that he cares for us and will take care of us. We don’t have to be able to take care of ourselves. Many people who heard these words would have been shepherds themselves, they knew how important sheep were. They knew the weaknesses and strengths of sheep. They were trained to watch over the sheep no matter what. The shepherd stopped others from bothering them, and stopped them from wandering around. Christ protects us, but also keeps us together as a flock and keeps us focused on our task. Christ takes care of all of our needs, we just have to be faithful. Questions: How are you like a sheep in your faith? What activity do you need the Holy Spirit boldness to do for God? When has the shepherd protected you?

April 22, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for April 22nd: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8; theme: dying in Christ, Rising in Christ Acts: The Holy Spirit told Philip to go a certain way in order to show the power of the Risen Christ. Philip ends up encountering the Ethiopian, who is so impressed with the words that he hears that he wants to be baptized in the name of Jesus. The spirit is so powerful that Philip is taken up by the encounter, and the Ethiopian continues to rejoice. This helps Philip to know that it is okay that he has given up everything, he is doing what God called him to do. He has the confidence to continue to preaching the good news of the resurrection of Christ. When we are working for Christ, we have to listen to the Holy spirit and understand that it is the Spirit’s power that is working, we are just witnesses to the power of the Spirit. John: John is trying to help us understand what it means to be saved by the messiah. So he gives a series of statements of who the messiah is, each start with I AM. This statement is I AM the true vine. The messiah is our connection to God. We are the fruit, and God is the vineyard keeper. Christ helps us to grow in God and in life. Christ says that we cannot accomplish anything without a connection to him. This helps us to understand the point that the Holy Spirit undergirds all of our actions, and it is the spirit, not us that makes a difference. Christ is God’s abiding presence in our lives. Questions: When did you first have an understanding of who Christ is? Were you excited about the experience? What is the holy Spirit urging you to do to help others understand Christ? How do you intentionally stay connected to Christ? What does it mean to produce fruit for God? How do you feel the Holy Spirit in your life?

March 18, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for March 18th: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33 Theme: 5th Sunday of Lent Jeremiah: The prophet Jeremiah is speaking these words to a people who have been disconnected and taken away. They don’t understand why this is happening to them. And Jeremiah is saying that it has to do with their relationship with God. They had become lax in their covenant. The hope in their situation comes from the fact that God will have a new covenant with them. God will forget their former sin and love them in grace. They won’t have to worry about knowing the rules, because the rules will be written on their heart. It will affect how they live and how they relate to God. Jesus Christ is our new covenant with God. John: The ministry of Jesus lasts for 3 years in the book of John. This passage talks about the final time that Jesus has come to Jerusalem for the Passover. As he has come to town, so has other Jews from Greece. They want to talk and to learn from Jesus. Jesus tells them that this is his last time in Jerusalem. Now is the time for his destiny to be fulfilled. As he teaches, they hear a voice from heaven saying that Jesus will be glorified and everything that he is saying will make sense. Jesus says that when that happens , people will come forward and give their life to Christ. Jesus uses these words to prepare his followers for the events of Holy Week. Questions: How are the laws of God written on your heart? How is your relationship with God? Is there something that needs to change and be renewed? What do you do that lifts of the name of Jesus for others? You can view Breaking Open the Scripture online at https://breakingopenthescriptures.blogspot.comYou can view Pastor Harriette’s sermons online at https://aplaceforshalom.blogspot.com

March 11, 2017

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for March 11th: Numbers 21:4-9;Psalm 107:1-3,17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21; Theme: 4th Sunday of Lent John: John 3:16 is one of the most noted scriptures in the bible – God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that all who believe in him may be saved. This verse is in the context of a conversation that Jesus is having with Nicodemus. Nicodemus wants to learn from Jesus, but he does not want anyone to know, so he comes to him in the middle of the night. Nicodemus wants to know what he must do to be saved. Jesus explains that salvation is an act of God. It is contained in Jesus dying on a cross for all of us while we were yet sinners. Jesus tells of the significance of the cross. That he would be lifted up for all people to see, and to eventually understand what the act of salvation means for the world. We no longer need to walk in darkness, because the light has come to our world. Numbers: The people have been sinners, so they believe that God sent snakes into the world to destroy them. They have come to Moses to ask about a cure, what can they do to get back into God’s good graces. Moses tells them to get a poisonous snake and put it on a pole. To this very day, this is the symbol of medical treatment – a snake on a pole. The gospel of John also picks up this symbol for Jesus dying on the cross. Jesus too needed to be lifted up for the people to see a cure. A cure to all of the craziness in the world and the way it affects us. God always provides a way out . We just have to look up in order to see it. We have to want to do something different, before we can see God’s cure for the world. It is not a snake, but Jesus Christ who died on a cross. Anyone who believes that will be saved from the destruction of this world. Questions: What does the cross mean to you and your faith journey? How do you lift Jesus up for others to see his love for them? What is it today that the world prays for a cure for? What cure is God providing for sin in the world?

March 4, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for March 4th: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22; Theme: Third Sunday of Lent 1 Corinthians 1:18-25: Paul is addressing the church of Corinth in order to convince them to support his mission trips to other areas. Paul knows that this is a modern church for a modern city. There are many different groups with the church: farmers, soldiers, merchants, laborers. They all have their own ideas about how to solve problems, they all have different ideas about what it means to be the church, they all have different ideas about who God is. Paul convinces them to remain united in the midst of their differences. Today, not only do we have those same differences, but we also have differences according to generations. Today, there are so many other things to do besides attend church. Many people think that going to church is going out of style. Believing in God is so 1970’s. Paul tells us that it is okay for the world to criticize God and church. But if we are faithful, we have to have a faith that calls us to have a relationship with God anyway. John: Jesus was not happy about what he saw going on in the world, and how wordly ideas had started to creep into the church. So he tried to overturn lot of what he saw going on. Jewish leaders asked by what authority did he have to criticize what he saw happening. Jesus knew that he had the spirit of God inside of him. He understood the original intention of the temple. And after the resurrection, his disciples saw clearly the authority he had. If Jesus was to come to our church today- would he approve of what he saw? Are we honoring the original intent of God? Or are we playing into what we see going on in the world? Questions: What criticisms does the world have of the church today? How do we respond to those criticisms? What does it mean to be faithful in the world today? If Jesus came to our church, how would we welcome him?

February 25, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for February 25th: Genesis 17:1-7,15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38 Theme: Second Sunday of Lent Romans: The Hebrew Bible reading for this week deals with covenant that God made with Abraham. He promised he and his wife that their descendants would be as plentiful as the stars. Abraham was willing to pull away from his family traditions and follow God. Today, Abraham’s descendants are from three religions: Jewish, Christian, Muslim. We are called the people of the book. In Romans, Paul reminds us that in order to be a part of Abraham’s family, we have to have the same faith, and the same obedience. We have to be willing to follow God where God leads us in this day and age. Genesis: This scripture outlines the original promise that God made. Abrahams and Sarah thought that it was ridiculous that a couple in their nineties would have a baby, but it happened…because they were faithful. They were willing to take God at God’s word. It was God who told Abraham not to get caught up into his family and to walk away to go to a new place, where he could hear God’s word clearly. In return, God promised that Abraham and Sarah would not only have one baby, they would have so many that they could not be counted. During the season of lent, we look at the promises that God made. This is the first one. Today, Jews live not only in Israel, but they live all over the world. God also made a promise that God would not destroy the world by flood anymore. Every time there was a doubt about the future, God’s promises opened a door and created a new way. Questions: What are the promises that God is making to our generation? How is God asking us to be faithful? Is there a way for all of Abraham’s children to be on one accord? This lent, what are you doing in order to hear God in your life?

February 11, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for February 11th: 2Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9; Theme: Transfiguration Sunday Mark: This scripture tells the story of when the disciples get their first glimpse of who Jesus really is. Prayer is important to Jesus. It is important to get direction from God in his ministry is important. This time, he is not alone, he brings his disciples. This time, he does not talk with God, but with the prophets for direction. As the disciples witness this wonderful occasion, they see that Jesus clothes are transformed and he starts to glow. By this, they know that he has been touched by the glory of the Lord. They too want to be touched and to be a part of his ministry. What are some ways that we experience God’s glory today? When are the times in your life when God makes an appearance and teaches you a lesson? This is a moment that the disciples will remember forever, but as they are coming down from the mountain, Jesus tells them to tell no one about what they just witnessed. This is known as the messianic secret. 2Kings: This is a very important verse, because it teaches us about the transference of power from one generation to another. Elijah has been a very successful prophet, and he has been training Elisha for years to take his place. Since Elijah has a relationship with God, he knows that soon he will join God and leave Elisha alone. Everyone seems to know this is about to happen, except Elisha. Elisha sticks to his master like glue. Finally his master, Elijah asks him what he wants. Elisha says that he wants to be twice the man Elijah is. When the day comes, Elijah does not die, he is just taken up by chariot to heaven. Elisha is left to pick of the mantle and to carry on the prophecy to the people. Questions: Who has been a spiritual mentor to you? What would you like to inherit from them?

January 14, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for January 14th: 1 Samuel 3:1-20; Psalm 139; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51; Theme: Come and Follow Me John: John’s purpose is to show everyone that Jesus is the Messiah. The main question of John is what are you looking for? The messiah can meet the needs of all that you are seeking. Very early in the story of Jesus, is the story of the disciples. Jesus seeks each one and persuades them to come and follow him. He shows them that he can give their life a purpose. And they do indeed follow. This is the follow story of Philip. Philip persuades Nathaniel to follow. When Jesus speaks to Nathaniel, he says that Jesus is the King of Israel. He also says that he is the one that the scriptures talked about. Jesus tells them both that if they follow him they will see great things. They will understand what it means for Jesus to be the King of the Jews. Samuel: This is the call story of Samuel. Samuel’s mother left him in the care of Eli. Samuel was much younger than the sons of Eli. It did not take long for him to see that they were training to be priest, but they were not very nice people. One night Samuel hears a voice calling him in the night, Eli tells him that it is God calling and that he should listen. Samuel grows up to become one of the most influential priest of Israel. He grows up to consecrate David as King and to advise him on how God speaks to the world. God always speaks in unexpected ways to unexpected people. That is why it is important to hear the background stories of the key people in the bible. Questions: What are you looking for in a savior? What will Jesus need to say to get you to follow? How is God speaking to you? What is God calling you to be in your life? Are those who are ordained sincerely representing the word of God for you?