November 8, 2020

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for November 8th: Joshua 24:1-3,14-25, Psalm 78:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13; Theme: Choose to be a disciple Song: 717 The Battle Hymn of the Republic Joshua: Moses has literally went to be with God, and the nation of the sons of Israel have to find a new leader. Joshua has been groomed for the job. When Joshua is ready to take over he personally goes to pray and to take his vows. Now he wants to include all of the people in his mission. He tells them that he has decided to follow God, and now each of them can choose, must choose to do the same. He does not want people to feel that they are being forced to follow God. It must be a choice. If it is a choice, then you will take it upon yourself to prepare to fulfiil that promise. They have made this choice twice before, but the third time they make it public and change their life in order to fit that choice. Matthew: Jesus continues to teach his disciples about faithfulness. These are the last teachings that Jesus will give them before he goes through his tribulation. This lesson is about endurance. This is the story of the 10 bridesmaids. They are all excited to be able to meet with the groom. 5 have enough oil to last through the night, and 5 do not. All of us who go to church want to consider ourselves faithful. But some of us give up more easily than others. When it really counts, we have already given up and walked away. We are easily discouraged. We are easily distracted. We are not very disciplined. Jesus is telling them to stay on course, to take faith serious, to study. We have gone this far, we have to have faith to make it to the finish line and to go all of the way. questions: When did you make a choice to become a Christian? How does making a choice for yourself help you? What are the things that discourage you about being faithful? What are the things that help you to keep focus?