Tag: vocation

Categories
Five

The Community of Disciples

Week 51 | Section 60


This week our scripture passage is very brief –  only two sentences that comprise three verses.  Still their significance and the dialog that your small group will have will surely spark all sorts of activity and a greater sense of community.

The passage is exemplifies Jesus’ missional ministry, and includes two significant aspects – He was joined by “the twelve” (the apostles whom he had appointed (section 53) and a few women who’s lives had also been transformed by his ministry and who now offered significance financial assistance to the mission.

The focus of your small group dialog should focus on stewardship of our gifts and the way in which a community lovingly provides for one another. This is an imperative of believers in the Christian community. What will you do to further the Gospel and offer aid to those in your community?

Luke 8:1-3

Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them from their possessions.

Study Notes:

  • Gundry and Thomas place this transition of ministry in the winter of AD 29, just 3 months or so since he appointed them as apostles (Sec 53).
  • This marks a turning point in Phase 5 – Jesus’ missional phase of ministry. He went out and traveled from town to town in which he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of  God. This is not an earthly empire, but the Gospel of grace and truth provided by the promised messiah who sets people free from the law. This happens by the inward transformation of our souls, our minds and lifestyle. Not more obedience but an expression of love and gratitude. Not civic obedience or an institution but a movement  that begins in our very souls.
  • Its important to see how these women are both honored for their support of Jesus’ ministry but also for their testimony. Today its imperative to honor all members of the church, and equally important to help every member prepare and share their testimony – not just serve or give to support the ministry.
  • The real Mary Magdelene
  • Winter time around the Sea of Galilee was a pleasant time of the year. The temperatures don’t dip too low. Winter rains reinvigorate the region. (climate information)
  • This week is ideal for your group to obtain a better understanding about the stewardship of our lives. Consider downloading our Field Guide for Ministry Discernment and Discipleship and encouraging one another to create a life of ministry springing forth from the life of Christ within them.

Small Group Dialog:

  1. To what ministry are you called?
    You might want to have your group complete the surveys within the Field Guide for Ministry Discernment and Discipleship.

  2. Take a moment to offer thanksgiving and prayers for those who have most recently supported you in ministry or helped you mature in the faith.

  3. What needs do you have this week?

  4. What are the needs of others? What will you offer your community, friends and family this week?

Categories
Five

Heartfelt Sorrows

Week 49 | Section 58 in the Harmony of the Gospels

Jesus’ prophetic voice sounds clear warning in today’s passage from Matthew 11:20-30. The sorrow he expresses towards the cities of Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum is heartfelt and the silver lining for those communities despised by the faithful and pious are offers a glimmer of hope to those who would hear what the spirit has to say. Its easy to get off track and even easier to never see the truth when its in plain sight. This is a good week to talk with your small group members about how we might ourselves be blinded by our traditions, worldview and perspective or perhaps even block “the light” while thinking ourselves wise and learned. Another topic is our own sense of sorrow for those who have not yet grasped the grace of God and those disciples who still struggle due to their world view and limited understanding of the Gospel – the good news.

Categories
Three Two

Fishers of Men

Fishers of Men

Week 27 | Sections 40,41

Fishers of MenIn this week’s study we’re transitioning from phase two to phase three of Jesus’ ministry. Though this is week 26 for us, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist about a year before. In today’s study the five men who had been following Jesus choose to become his disciples. This is a major transition in their lives, and in the life of every disciple who since believed because of the ministry they embraced – to become fishers of men.

Scripture:

Section 40 | Matthew 4:13-16
13 Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum,1 which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,2 14 that it might be fulfilled3 which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”4

Section 415

[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 4:18-22
18 Walking by the sea of Galilee,6 he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 1:16-20
16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.7¯8 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.9   19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 5:1-11
1 Now while the multitude10 pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.11 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.”12  6 When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.”13 9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”14 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.[/one_third]

Group Dialog:

  1. What is the difference between being a follower and being a disciple? 
  2. What were these men risking, leaving, and gaining in becoming Jesus’ disciples?
  3. What might you say are the primary lessons you’ve learned thus far in your journey of faith?
  4. Are there people you know who have chosen not to respond to God’s grace? How many chances does God give to become his disciple?
  5. If you’ve made the decision to be a disciple what would you say you are learning now? To what mission are you compelled?
  6. What choices have you recently made to become more proficient as a disciple, and fisher of men?
  7. What can we learn about humility, worth,membership, and stewardship from Peter’s response and that of the other disciples?
  8. What preparation and relationships ought to exist before enlisting people into leadership roles of the local church?

Learning Objectives:

evangelism, become disciples – not just followers, vocation, trust, choice, divine abandon,  spiritual growth, humility, purpose, lifestyle, worth, value, unworthy, stewardship

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me

Week 26 | Section 39

The Spirit of the Lord is on MeThough Jesus had already shown sufficient evidence and declared himself to be the Messiah, when Jesus reads from the scroll the prophetic words “The spirit of the Lord is upon me…” from the scroll of Isaiah – we catch another glimpse of God’s eternal purpose and his plan to see it accomplished.

Scripture:

Luke 4:16-31a
16 He came to Nazareth,1 where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom,2¯3 into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.4¯5 17 The book6 of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, 18  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news7 to the poor.8 and He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release9 to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver10 those who are crushed, 19  and to proclaim the acceptable year11 of the Lord.” 20 He closed the book,12 gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.13  21 He began to tell them,14 “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”15 22 All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”16 23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will tell me this parable, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.’ ”24 He said, “Most certainly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.17 25  But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land. 26 Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27  There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian.”18 28 They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things. 29 They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff. 30 But he, passing through the middle of them, went his way. 31 He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee.19¯20 

Group Dialog:

  1. What habits have you
  2. What is holding you back, what besets you?
  3. With which group do you identify most often (doubt, disdain or awe)?
  4. How and where are we to minister among unbelievers today?

Learning Objectives:

God’s eternal purpose, divine foreknowledge, Jesus’ mission, Fulfillment of prophesy, spiritual authority, spiritual disciplines, freedom, healing, wholeness, the value of traditions and customs, evangelism, witnessing, homily, sharing the good news, God’s plan of salvation for Gentiles and Jews.

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

Ripe for Harvest

Ripe for Harvest

Week 24 | Section 35b,c

Ripe for HarvestNo bones about it, Jesus was certain of his identity and word of his deeds were spreading as quickly as the sun was ripening the grain fields.  The air was being filled with the sweet aroma of a promise – a harvest of souls and the hope of Israel.

Scripture:

Section 35b | John 4:27-38
27 At this, his disciples came.1 They marveled that he was speaking with a woman;2 yet no one said, “What are you looking for?” or, “Why do you speak with her?”3  28 So the woman left her water pot,4 went away into the city, and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man5 who told me everything that I did.6 Can this be the Christ?”7 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to him. 31 In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.” 33 The disciples therefore said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.8 35 Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months until the harvest?’ Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already. 36 He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”9

Section 35c | John 4:39-42
39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman, who testified, “He told me everything that I did.”10  40 So when the Samaritans came to him,11 they begged him to stay with them. He stayed there two days.12 41 Many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”13

Group Dialog:

  1. Have you ever felt as though you were fully welcome and accepted by another even though you had been feeling and treated as a social outcast by others? What was that moment like?
  2. What might have happened within the heart and mind of the Samaritan woman during this interaction? (review section 35a | John 4:5-38)
  3. What has been your response in the past when you have heard/understood Jesus’ words to you? What was the effect?
  4. What repercussions might there be to sharing or not sharing the good news with others?

Learning Objectives:

Our testimony, conviction, witness, work of God, vocation,  healing, serving others, foreknowledge, law and grace, cross-cultural ministry

Photo: Native wheat growing on the highlands of the pacific coast in Big Sur.

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

Humble Service

Humble Service

Week 22 | Sections 33, 34

Humble ServiceIn these two sections we read once again the witness of John the Baptist who personifies the humility we ought all embrace with the understanding that “He must become greater; I must become less”. We also read of the first account of Jesus’ disciples “doing ministry” – the baptizing of many – more than whom John had baptized thus far.

Scripture:

Section 33
John 3:22-36
22 After these things,1 Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them, and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim,2 because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet thrown into prison.3 25 There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.4¯5   26 They came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”6 27 John answered, “A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’7 but, ‘I have been sent before him.’8 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice.9 This, my joy, therefore is made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.10 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.11  32 What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. 33 He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true.12 34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.13 36 One who believes14 in the Son has eternal life,15 but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”16

Section 34
John 4:1-4
1 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself didn’t baptize, but his disciples),17   3 he left Judea, and departed into Galilee. 4 He needed to pass through Samaria.

Luke 3:19-20
19 but Herod the tetrarch,18 being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done, 20 added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 4:12
12 Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.19[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 1:14a20
14 Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee,[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 4:14a21
14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit22  into Galilee,[/one_third]

Group Dialog:

  1. What rituals (especially baptism) have enriched your faith?
  2. What rituals fall short of satisfying the longing of your soul to be united and reconciled with God? Why? What danger are there in the rituals of the church today?
  3. How is the peace of God obtained? How are we purified from our sin today?
  4. In what ways do you struggle with jealousy? How have you overcome that sin?
  5. What way do pride, jealousy, and human allegiances often divide the body of Christ and the interrupt the work of God among us.
  6. What is your vocation? How have you needed to serve along side of others with a different vocation and spiritual gifts?
  7. If you have you ever experienced a commissioning, or passed on a ministry to another, how did you feel?

Learning Objectives:

disciples who make disciples, Jesus empowers and commissions the disciples to begin serving in ministry, humility of John, the bride belongs to the bridegroom,

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

Behold, the Lamb of God

Behold, the Lamb of God

Week 17 | Section 26, 27

Behold, the Lamb of GodWord of John the Baptist’s ministry reached Jerusalem and concerned enough of the Jews there that they sent the a cadre of priests and scholars to investigate. Was he Elijah? The Prophet? or the Messiah? Why was John baptizing folks? In humility, John replied, I am “a voice” and I my role is to “make straight the way of the Lord”. These were familiar words to such learned Jews that should have resounded as good news, but perhaps it was their self-interest for personal significance that prevented them from responding to the good news. Let those who have ears to hear, hear what the spirit has to say.

Scripture:

Section 26
John 1:19-28
19 This is John’s1¯2 testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem3¯4 to ask him, “Who are you?”¯5  20 He declared, and didn’t deny, but he declared, “I am not the Christ.”6 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”7 He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?”8 He answered, “No.” 22 They said therefore to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness,9 ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize in water,10 but among you stands one whom you don’t know.11 27 He is the one12 who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.” 28 These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.13

Section 27
John 1:29-34
29 The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold,the Lamb of God,14¯15 who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.’16  31 I didn’t know him,17 but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel.” 32 John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him. 33 I didn’t recognize him, but he18 who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending and remaining on him is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”19

Group Dialog:

  1. What anxieties have upset your life? Were they God-sent or spawn in fear, doubt, and uncertainty?
  2. What is your vocation in ministry?
  3. What experiences do you have of receiving foreknowledge?
  4. How do you discern the will of God, and the activity of God in your life?
  5. How does one go about testing to know whether what is begin preached is accurate, true, honoring God, and faithful to the Scriptures?
  6. What are the names of Jesus which offer you most comfort, courage and confidence?

Learning Objectives:

vocation, humility, commitment, disciple, servant-leadership, service, Messiah, prophesy, discernment, spiritual gifts, christian community, God’s perfect timing, responsibility of spiritual leaders

Study Notes:

 

 

 

Categories
One

Prepare the Way of the Lord

Prepare the way of the Lord

Week 13 | Sections 20, 21

Prepare the way of the LordAs we continue our chronological reading of the gospels, Jesus has now grown to be a man. This is when the Apostle Mark begins his Gospel record in which he aims to emphasize the activities and miraculous works of Jesus. John was already preparing the way, softening the hearts of his listeners away from self-righteousness and indifference with a message of repentance and baptism of those who desired release.

Scripture:
Section 20
[one_half last=”no”]Mark1¯2 1:1
1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.3[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Luke 3:1-2
1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea4, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.[/one_half]

Section 21
[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 3:1-6
1 In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.” 4 Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. 6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 1:2-6
2 As it is written in the prophets, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you: 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!’ ” 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. 5 All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. [/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 3:3-6
3 He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance5 for remission of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight. 5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth. 6 All flesh will see God’s salvation.’ ”[/one_third]

Group Dialog:

  1. How have you personally been transformed by the Gospel of Jesus?
  2. How might our church and community be transformed if we engaged in active dialog about the reality of our faith. asked and listened to the stories of others?
  3. How does daily repentance help prepare your heart and mind to be messengers of the Gospel, and a servant of God?
  4. As the ministry of John the Baptist is focused on repentance, give space at the close of today’s study for a silent confession, and perhaps shared affirmation of faith using the Nicene creed.
  5. Think back on your baptism (infant or adult) share a related lesson of faith and God’s faithfulness that you hold dear, that gives you strength as you continue in the faith.

Learning Objectives:

Repentance, record of your journey in faith, baptism, dedication, inward transformation, sacrament, sincerity, peace, right living, fulfillment of prophesy, vocation.

Study Notes: