October 31, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for October 31st: Ruth 1:1-18, Psalm 146:1-10, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 Theme: loyalty in our relationships Song: Pass it on UMH 572 Ruth: There are only 4 women mentioned in Jesus lineage by name. Ruth is one of those people. She is not even Hebrew, she is an inlaw – but she loved everything about her mother in law. Perhaps she had no real family, perhaps she comes from an abusive home. For whatever reason, when her husband died, she refused to go home. As a woman, she had no life on her own, she had to survive based on her relationships. Eventually she marries into Ruth’s family and becomes David’s great great grandmother. Her story teaches us a lot of lessons about loyalty and love. Her story demands that as people of faith we need to be sensitive to people in need. Even though they are women, it is a love story. Not only is Ruth healed from her love, but her mother in law also gets a new lease on life. Mark: Jesus is being constantly questioned by the authorities. Jesus does not give the standard answers, but they find that they can’t question his theology. In this scripture they are asking Jesus what the most important teaching is. Love the Lord your God with your all love your neighbor as you love yourself. They don’t have a problem with the first part, but what is the point of loving our neighbor. Eventually Jesus tells them that our neighbor is God in person. Loving our neighbor is unique to Christianity. Others are taught to love family, but not those who are not related to us. But it is the same love that Ruth had for her mother in law. In the eyes of God we are all one family. And when someone is in need, does it really matter if they are related to us in order for us to help them. Jesus takes it one step further, when we help then, we help Jesus – that is the greatest love of all. Questions: Who are the ones who show you love? Who are the ones that you love and take care of? Do you have a relationship with your neighbor? How can you get to know them better?

October 17, 2021 - Laity Sunday

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for October 17th: Lamentations 1:1-6, 3:19-26, Psalm 137, Psalm 37:1-9, 2 Timothy 1:3-7, Luke 17:5-10 theme: Laity Sunday Song: What a Friend we have in Jesus UMH 526 Luke: Jesus is explaining what it means to be a servant. He feels that is an important lesson for leaders. Usually when we have servants, we Lord it over them and tell them what to do and give them no apologies. Jesus turns the tables and says that if we want to lead, then we have to be willing to serve. When we help people in need, we do it not for glory, but because it is what we are called to do as people of faith – it is our duty. He starts out by saying that we do not have to have a lot of faith to be effective – the faith of a mustard see will open the door and call God’s presence into the situation. Laity Sunday helps us to understand that all of us have a job to do, all of us have talents to give. Psalm 137: This psalm speaks to the situation of the church in the midst of the pandemic. How can we sing praise songs when there are so many problems in the world? The Hebrews had been taken away from their land, their heritage and they were being held hostage in a strange land. Their praise of God was also a celebration of being on their land, fulfilling the promises of God. God tells them that this terrible time will too pass. One day it will all make sense. One day the same people that terrorized the Hebrews will be terrorized themselves. But the good news of it all will be that they will once again be the apple of God’s eye. God will bring them home and restore their faith. When this pandemic is over, may God do the same for us. Questions: When have you had an opportunity to be a servant for God? When have you had an opportunity to be a leader for God? How has the pandemic affected your faith in the church? What will restoral after this is over look like for you?

October 10, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for October 10th: Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Psalm 22:1-15, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 Theme: Jesus as our mediator; Song: God of Grace and God of Glory UMH 577 Hebrews: The Gospel of John says that in the beginning was the Word, the Word was God and was with God. Jesus was with God from the beginning of time. Jesus Christ is the word of God. Hebrews speaks of Jesus Christ being our mediator – the one who stands in between God and us. Sometimes we need to pray to Jesus in order for God to hear us. Sometimes Jesus needs to speak to God on our behalf to ask for mercy. Jesus is the mediator because he died on behalf of our sins. Our scripture says that the word of God is like a double edged sword. Sometimes it holds us accountable for our actions, and sometimes it inspires us to do good for others. Jesus lived our life, so he understands where we are coming from. His mission on earth – to tell us how earth can be more like heaven. Job: How do you cheer up a friend who is depressed? We realize that our words can never really be enough to make a difference. Job was depressed with his situation. His wife and 3 of his best friends tried to say things to cheer him up. But it only encouraged Job to be more determined to accept societies definition of the situation. The current wisdom was that if something happened it was your own fault and that God was too far away to make a difference. Job does not want to hear a word they are telling him. He also decides that if he can just talk with God, then perhaps he can feel better. But Job has no idea of where to find God, he too thinks that God is too far away and that God does not know him. He is afraid to talk to God directly. Eventually Job will get his chance to speak with God. God will not be angry, but God will also not give Job any solid answers. This is one issue he will have to contend with his own heart. Eventually he does find his way out of depression and blaming others. Questions: If Jesus mediates for us, what do you need him to say to God about your life? How has God’s word held you accountable? If you could speak to God what would you say? How has your faith helped you out of depressions?