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?