PRAY: Practice prayer meditation. Find a quiet time and place, clear your mind of everything else, and allow God to speak to you in the silence.
PONDER:
God communicates with Peter and Cornelius through dreams and angels (literally, messengers). Who else in the Bible hears God’s Word in this way? What does God communicate with them?
Does God still communicate like this? How does God most often communicate with you?
What is Cornelius doing when the angel appears to him? What is Peter doing? What do you think they might have been praying about (would they have been expecting this)?
Do you have a regular routine and / or place for prayer? What do you pray about?
What can we learn about prayer from this story? How, if at all, does it change your expectations?
Peter responds to the Lord’s command to eat by saying, “I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean” (Acts 10:14). What do you know about Jewish food laws? (see Leviticus 11) What was the purpose of these laws?
What sort of “purity laws” do we practice (consciously or unconsciously) in our culture?
DO: Talk to somebody you wouldn’t ordinarily talk to (or better yet, whom you would ordinarily avoid). Show kindness and hospitality to this person (Acts 10:23).
Friday, May 15, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Call of Saul / Paul (Acts 9:1-31; 21:37-22:21; 26:1-23; Gal 1:11-2:10; 1 Cor 15:3-11; Phil 3:3-9)
PRAY: Paul’s prayer for the Philippians (Phil 1:9-11). Pray for yourself, your faith community, and those in your life for whom you give thanks because of their sharing in the Gospel.
PONDER:
Many people title this story the “Conversion” of Saul / Paul. Paul never refers to this experience in his life as a conversion, instead, he uses the word “Call”. Why do you think this is? What is the difference between the two words?
Acts 9 is the narrative of Paul’s call. In all of the other passages above, Paul is recounting this experience for a particular purpose. Under what circumstances (for what reasons) does Paul tell his call story?
Paul tells his story a little different (with a different focus) each time. What are the common (core) elements in each telling?
Why do you suppose Paul tailors the way he tells his call story for his various audiences? Is one more accurate or true than another? Why or why not?
Whether or not we’ve seen a “bright light,” we all experience a call from God. Paul is able to narrate his call by looking back on his life and identifying formative experiences in his faith, leading up to his life changing call. Where have you experienced God forming you in your faith life?
Is there one moment (or moments) you can point to as your call to follow Jesus? How (in what ways) is God calling you to serve Christ? How (in what ways) did God call Paul to serve?
DO: Tell your call story to someone else this week. (Talking about it might help you compose your call story and identify God’s calling for you more clearly).
PONDER:
Many people title this story the “Conversion” of Saul / Paul. Paul never refers to this experience in his life as a conversion, instead, he uses the word “Call”. Why do you think this is? What is the difference between the two words?
Acts 9 is the narrative of Paul’s call. In all of the other passages above, Paul is recounting this experience for a particular purpose. Under what circumstances (for what reasons) does Paul tell his call story?
Paul tells his story a little different (with a different focus) each time. What are the common (core) elements in each telling?
Why do you suppose Paul tailors the way he tells his call story for his various audiences? Is one more accurate or true than another? Why or why not?
Whether or not we’ve seen a “bright light,” we all experience a call from God. Paul is able to narrate his call by looking back on his life and identifying formative experiences in his faith, leading up to his life changing call. Where have you experienced God forming you in your faith life?
Is there one moment (or moments) you can point to as your call to follow Jesus? How (in what ways) is God calling you to serve Christ? How (in what ways) did God call Paul to serve?
DO: Tell your call story to someone else this week. (Talking about it might help you compose your call story and identify God’s calling for you more clearly).
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)
For Next Week: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
READ: Acts 8:26-40
PRAY: The Spirit sent Philip to the man from Ethiopia on his way home from worship, while reading the Scriptures. Find ways in your week to let worship and Scriptures guide your prayer.
PONDER:
The Ethiopian eunuch responds that he cannot understand the scriptures “unless someone guides me” (Acts 8:31). How has guided you in your understanding of God’s Word?
How and for whom have you or can you also be a guide in this way?
In what ways has your faith been nourished/enriched when you let someone else guide you?
The Spirit leads Philip to the Ethiopian. How does God’s Spirit also lead you to witness? Do you follow? What happens when you do (or don’t) follow this call?
Philip interprets the Word of God for the Ethiopian. How does the Ethiopian interpret the Word of God for Philip?
How can all proclamation / ministry also be about mutuality (sharing God’s Word with one another)?
How is your baptism the same and different from the Ethiopian man’s baptism?
DO: The Christian Church is growing rapidly in the Southern hemisphere (in places such as Ethiopia), while churches lament lack of attendance and waning biblical knowledge / faith in the Northern hemisphere where the Gospel has dominated for so long. Learn more about the Church in the Southern Hemisphere. What lessons can we learn from these brothers and sisters?
READ: Acts 8:26-40
PRAY: The Spirit sent Philip to the man from Ethiopia on his way home from worship, while reading the Scriptures. Find ways in your week to let worship and Scriptures guide your prayer.
PONDER:
The Ethiopian eunuch responds that he cannot understand the scriptures “unless someone guides me” (Acts 8:31). How has guided you in your understanding of God’s Word?
How and for whom have you or can you also be a guide in this way?
In what ways has your faith been nourished/enriched when you let someone else guide you?
The Spirit leads Philip to the Ethiopian. How does God’s Spirit also lead you to witness? Do you follow? What happens when you do (or don’t) follow this call?
Philip interprets the Word of God for the Ethiopian. How does the Ethiopian interpret the Word of God for Philip?
How can all proclamation / ministry also be about mutuality (sharing God’s Word with one another)?
How is your baptism the same and different from the Ethiopian man’s baptism?
DO: The Christian Church is growing rapidly in the Southern hemisphere (in places such as Ethiopia), while churches lament lack of attendance and waning biblical knowledge / faith in the Northern hemisphere where the Gospel has dominated for so long. Learn more about the Church in the Southern Hemisphere. What lessons can we learn from these brothers and sisters?
Peter Heals a Man Who is Crippled (Acts 3:1-4:31)
PRAY: Pray that God grant you boldness (See Acts 4:24-30).
PONDER:
What cripples or disables you? What are you afraid of? What in your life needs to experience Christ’s healing?
What does it mean to pray for boldness? How does God call us to be bold in our faith and proclamation? When might you offer such a prayer?
How does God answer such prayers? How did God answer the prayers of the early Christians in Acts?
Describe the “Holy Spirit”. Can you identify the Holy Spirit’s activity in your life?
Do you pray for God’s healing? What does such a prayer look like for you?
Why do we sometimes hesitate to invoke God’s name for the healing?
The name of Jesus is incredibly powerful in Acts. Remember the second commandment. How do you use (or fail to use) this name in your life? In your witness?
DO: Learn about Archbishop Oscar Romero and his boldness in faith. Search the internet for his name, watch the 1989 movie, Romero, read one (or more) of his books such as Voice of the Voiceless, or a biography (see authors James Brockman, Irene Hodgson, Marie Dennis, etc.).
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21)
PRAY: When you were confirmed this (or a similar) prayer was said over you. As an affirmation of your baptismal relationship with God, this is a prayer that can be said many times in a person’s life. Pray this for yourself (and your loved ones) this week:
Stir up in name the gift of your Holy Spirit:the spirit of wisdom and understanding,the spirit of counsel and might,the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,the spirit of joy in your presence,both now and forever.Amen.
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Affirmation of Baptism)
PONDER:
Recall a time you felt worried or alone, but had a sense God was still with you. What gave you this assurance? How do you think the Holy Spirit was at work in this experience?
How do you see the Holy Spirit at work in your life?
In what ways have you been a witness for Jesus Christ?
If you were going to tell someone the good news about Jesus Christ, what would you say?
Who does the Holy Spirit work through? Who, in your life, has shared the good news about Jesus Christ with you?
DO: Remember your baptism and confirmation as experiences of the Holy Spirit. Dig up any old photographs, certificates, or other mementos. Talk to friends or family members who remember the event. Remember also meaningful baptism and confirmation experiences of
others close to you. Share your memories with them as you are able.
Stir up in name the gift of your Holy Spirit:the spirit of wisdom and understanding,the spirit of counsel and might,the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,the spirit of joy in your presence,both now and forever.Amen.
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Affirmation of Baptism)
PONDER:
Recall a time you felt worried or alone, but had a sense God was still with you. What gave you this assurance? How do you think the Holy Spirit was at work in this experience?
How do you see the Holy Spirit at work in your life?
In what ways have you been a witness for Jesus Christ?
If you were going to tell someone the good news about Jesus Christ, what would you say?
Who does the Holy Spirit work through? Who, in your life, has shared the good news about Jesus Christ with you?
DO: Remember your baptism and confirmation as experiences of the Holy Spirit. Dig up any old photographs, certificates, or other mementos. Talk to friends or family members who remember the event. Remember also meaningful baptism and confirmation experiences of
others close to you. Share your memories with them as you are able.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Road to Emmaus (Luke 24)
For Next Week: Go to Church!! (Maundy Thursday Worship 7:00PM)
For the Week after: Road to Emmaus
READ: Luke 24
PRAY: In this week’s story, Christ appears in the breaking of the bread. Pray for Christ to be present and reveal himself whenever you eat this week. If you aren’t in the habit of regular table grace, now is a good time to start!
PONDER:
The disciples on the roadside are wrestling with doubt. Remember a time in your faith life when you experienced doubt. How did you move from doubt to faith? Did this experience strengthen your faith? Why or why not?
How did Jesus reveal himself to the disciples? How does Jesus continue to reveal himself to you? To our world / community?
If you met Jesus walking along the road, how would you know that it was him? How would he be able to convince you? What would you say to Jesus / ask him once you knew it was him?
We experience Jesus weekly in the breaking of the bread at the Communion table. Remember a time you received communion that was particularly powerful for you. What made it different? Looking back, was there a way in which Jesus was revealing himself to you in that meal?
How do you encounter Jesus weekly through the Sacrament of Holy Communion? Why is this important to you?
DO: Jesus made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of the bread. Consider baking a loaf of bread to bring to communion. Or, better yet, bake a loaf of bread to give to or share with a friend or neighbor – make Jesus known to them through the breaking of the bread!
For the Week after: Road to Emmaus
READ: Luke 24
PRAY: In this week’s story, Christ appears in the breaking of the bread. Pray for Christ to be present and reveal himself whenever you eat this week. If you aren’t in the habit of regular table grace, now is a good time to start!
PONDER:
The disciples on the roadside are wrestling with doubt. Remember a time in your faith life when you experienced doubt. How did you move from doubt to faith? Did this experience strengthen your faith? Why or why not?
How did Jesus reveal himself to the disciples? How does Jesus continue to reveal himself to you? To our world / community?
If you met Jesus walking along the road, how would you know that it was him? How would he be able to convince you? What would you say to Jesus / ask him once you knew it was him?
We experience Jesus weekly in the breaking of the bread at the Communion table. Remember a time you received communion that was particularly powerful for you. What made it different? Looking back, was there a way in which Jesus was revealing himself to you in that meal?
How do you encounter Jesus weekly through the Sacrament of Holy Communion? Why is this important to you?
DO: Jesus made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of the bread. Consider baking a loaf of bread to bring to communion. Or, better yet, bake a loaf of bread to give to or share with a friend or neighbor – make Jesus known to them through the breaking of the bread!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)
PRAY:
In Luke 11:29, Jesus cites the “Sign of Jonah” as a prediction of his death and burial. Pray Jonah’s prayer (Jonah 2:2-9). Make these words your own.
PONDER:
Have you ever prayed to God in a time of great distress? What did you say? How did God answer you?
Do you think the disciples and Jesus’ other followers were praying while he was in the tomb? Why or why not? What might they have prayed?
What was Joseph of Arimathea risking by approaching Pilate for Jesus’ body? Why did he do this?
Matthew adds a description of the guard at the tomb. Why did he feel it was important to recount this? What questions might the early Christians have asked? What questions do we ask about Jesus’ burial?
Why is it important to know that Jesus was in the tomb for two days? (Recall the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in John’s Gospel).
DO: In the last couple years there has been growing media coverage of the possibility that a tomb for Jesus’ family might have been found. Research these findings – what is the archaeological evidence? What do you think?
In Luke 11:29, Jesus cites the “Sign of Jonah” as a prediction of his death and burial. Pray Jonah’s prayer (Jonah 2:2-9). Make these words your own.
PONDER:
Have you ever prayed to God in a time of great distress? What did you say? How did God answer you?
Do you think the disciples and Jesus’ other followers were praying while he was in the tomb? Why or why not? What might they have prayed?
What was Joseph of Arimathea risking by approaching Pilate for Jesus’ body? Why did he do this?
Matthew adds a description of the guard at the tomb. Why did he feel it was important to recount this? What questions might the early Christians have asked? What questions do we ask about Jesus’ burial?
Why is it important to know that Jesus was in the tomb for two days? (Recall the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in John’s Gospel).
DO: In the last couple years there has been growing media coverage of the possibility that a tomb for Jesus’ family might have been found. Research these findings – what is the archaeological evidence? What do you think?
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