-------
Questions in this GPS marked with Ø are particularly recommended for group discussion. Group leaders may add other discussion questions, or substitute other questions for the marked ones, at their discretion.
-------Questions in this GPS marked with Ø are particularly recommended for group discussion. Group leaders may add other discussion questions, or substitute other questions for the marked ones, at their discretion.
"Peter: 'Please explain'”
Wednesday, 30 August 2017
Matthew 15:10 Then he called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand this! 11 What makes a person unclean is not what goes into his mouth; rather, what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean!”
12 The talmidim came to him and said, “Do you know that the P’rushim were offended by what you said?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my Father in heaven has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Let them be. They are blind guides. When a blind man guides another blind man, both will fall in a pit.”
15 Kefa said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 So he said, “Don’t you understand even now?
12 The talmidim came to him and said, “Do you know that the P’rushim were offended by what you said?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my Father in heaven has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Let them be. They are blind guides. When a blind man guides another blind man, both will fall in a pit.”
15 Kefa said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 So he said, “Don’t you understand even now?
-------
“Jesus, the Pharisees, and the legal experts all sought to answer the same question: What does it mean to be faithful to God? They also answered in terms of living pure lives. But they understood in different ways what this entails…. [Jesus taught that] what contaminates people in terms of their relationship with God isn’t what they eat but their moral character.” * It doesn’t always involve what we eat, but people today still often define purity in terms of external acts, not inner character.
• Jesus often introduced teaching with phrases like the “Listen and understand” he used in this reading. What people, publications or practices have helped you most in gaining greater understanding of Jesus’ teaching and how to apply it in your faith life? In what ways would you like to increase your understanding? (If you haven’t taken them, two resources Resurrection offers to increase your understanding of the Bible are “Meet Your Bible” (go to cor.org/leawood/grownight for more information) and Disciple 1 Bible Study (go to cor.org/leawood/disciple).
Ø Peter’s request was typical of many times Jesus spent with his disciples: “Explain.” And Jesus’ reply was also relatively frequent: “Don’t you understand yet?” Do you believe the disciples’ struggles to understand reflected that they were an unusually stupid group? Or did it reflect the depth and counter-cultural impact of Jesus’ teaching? Do we as followers of Jesus always need to be ready to stretch to fully grasp the implications of his teachings?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being patient with me when I say, “Explain.” Thank you for graciously giving me room to keep learning and understanding more all through my life. Amen.
* Eugene Eung-Chun Park and Joel B. Green, study note on Matthew 15:10-11 in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p. 34 NT.
-------
Jennifer Creagar
Jennifer Creagar is the Financial Care Program Director in Congregational Care at Resurrection Leawood. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.
Sometimes, I think God must feel like the parent of a toddler, constantly hearing questions like, “Why?” and “What is that?” and “Are we there yet?” No matter how much we want to be God’s people, want to follow his Word and the path Jesus set out for us, we still have an awful lot of questions. Jesus’ disciples were such good representatives of the rest of us – none of them perfect, all of them seeking truth and an explanation of the world. They asked questions constantly, to the point where Jesus sometimes stopped to say, “Don’t you understand yet?” I will confess, it’s a bit comforting to me that the disciples, who could hear Jesus’ actual voice, watch him in ministry, eat and drink and walk with him, still had lots of questions and didn’t always “get it” the first time.
In today’s GPS, we see Peter ask Jesus to “explain this riddle” (Matthew 15:15). Jesus responds, “Don’t you understand yet?” (Matthew 15:16) Then Jesus offers other examples and plain words to explain (Matthew 15:17-20). Jesus knew he was bringing them ideas completely different than they had been taught all their lives. This time, he was telling them that the dietary laws they had always lived with would not make them pure. What they ate or didn't eat would not protect them from the evil intentions originating in their hearts and entering the world through how they spoke and acted. That was a pretty radical thought that took some explanation, and I imagine some time to think about and accept.
It takes us a good long time sometimes to think about and accept what God is teaching us, and we can’t be afraid to ask questions. God has provided us with resources and ways to find the answers. Some of those resources, with links, are in the GPS guide today. The GPS itself is a wonderful place to start getting answers to ”Why?”and “What is that?” and “Are we there yet?” If you are struggling with a question about Scripture, or what God might be telling you, the Congregational Care pastors are available to talk about it.
Scripture offers us proof that the disciples' questions, and their continuous focus on Jesus, produced results. Peter did, eventually, understand. In 1 Peter 1:22, he wrote, “Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.”
Jennifer CreagarJennifer Creagar is the Financial Care Program Director in Congregational Care at Resurrection Leawood. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.
Sometimes, I think God must feel like the parent of a toddler, constantly hearing questions like, “Why?” and “What is that?” and “Are we there yet?” No matter how much we want to be God’s people, want to follow his Word and the path Jesus set out for us, we still have an awful lot of questions. Jesus’ disciples were such good representatives of the rest of us – none of them perfect, all of them seeking truth and an explanation of the world. They asked questions constantly, to the point where Jesus sometimes stopped to say, “Don’t you understand yet?” I will confess, it’s a bit comforting to me that the disciples, who could hear Jesus’ actual voice, watch him in ministry, eat and drink and walk with him, still had lots of questions and didn’t always “get it” the first time.
In today’s GPS, we see Peter ask Jesus to “explain this riddle” (Matthew 15:15). Jesus responds, “Don’t you understand yet?” (Matthew 15:16) Then Jesus offers other examples and plain words to explain (Matthew 15:17-20). Jesus knew he was bringing them ideas completely different than they had been taught all their lives. This time, he was telling them that the dietary laws they had always lived with would not make them pure. What they ate or didn't eat would not protect them from the evil intentions originating in their hearts and entering the world through how they spoke and acted. That was a pretty radical thought that took some explanation, and I imagine some time to think about and accept.
It takes us a good long time sometimes to think about and accept what God is teaching us, and we can’t be afraid to ask questions. God has provided us with resources and ways to find the answers. Some of those resources, with links, are in the GPS guide today. The GPS itself is a wonderful place to start getting answers to ”Why?”and “What is that?” and “Are we there yet?” If you are struggling with a question about Scripture, or what God might be telling you, the Congregational Care pastors are available to talk about it.
Scripture offers us proof that the disciples' questions, and their continuous focus on Jesus, produced results. Peter did, eventually, understand. In 1 Peter 1:22, he wrote, “Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.”
-------
"Jesus’ power brought a psalm to life"
Thursday, 31 August 2017
Psalm 107:23-31, Mark 4:35-41
-------
Psalm 107 held four poetic pictures of God’s saving power. Verses 23-31, the picture of God quieting a storm on the sea, had particular power for the Hebrew people, for whom the sea’s tumult was a symbol of fearful chaos only God could tame (cf. Psalm 74:13-17, Psalm 89:9-12). Jesus’ followers who’d fished Galilee for a living had a healthy respect for the strong storms that could blow up on that landlocked lake. To see Jesus act out that divine power before their eyes was indeed awe-inspiring.
• Only God, the Hebrews believed, could restrain the sea’s stormy chaos (cf. Jeremiah 5:22). Our world still faces many “storms” (e.g. recent terrorist attacks in Charlottesville and Barcelona). Have you seen God in any way bring peace during such storms and their aftermath? If so, list ways you’ve seen or still see God at work for good in these tragic situations. Ø Think of one big personal life “storm” you’ve had to live through. How did you make your way in that stormy season of life? Did you have a sense Jesus was “in the boat” with you? Scott Krippayne sang, “Sometimes He calms the storm, And other times He calms His child.” * In which of those ways has Jesus most supported you in life’s storms? How has that impacted your relationship with God, and shaped the person you are today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I’d always prefer that you calm the storms that blow into my life. But thank you, not only for making things outside me better, for but for supporting and calming me no matter what I’m facing. Amen.
* Lyric from “Sometimes He Calms the Storm.” Songwriters: Benton Kevin Stokes, Tony W. Wood © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group.
-------
-------
"After one wonder, disciples terrified by another"
Friday, 1 September 2017
Matthew 14:21-26
-------
Herod had just executed John the Baptizer, and Jesus sought solitude as he dealt with his grief over John’s death (cf. Matthew 14:13). The crowds followed him, though, and he ended up miraculously feeding over 5,000 people. He again went to be alone, while the disciples sailed to the other side of the lake. Due to another storm, he went to rescue the disciples—but seeing a figure walking toward them on the water completely unnerved them.
• “On a popular level, many Gentiles and probably a number of Jews believed in ghosts, although such a belief technically contradicted mainstream Jewish views of the afterlife (heaven or hell and future resurrection).” * What fears, if any, do you deal with based on popular culture, even though they may not fit into your more careful understanding of Jesus’ teachings?
• The story began with a sense of urgency: “Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat” (verse 22). John’s gospel said that after he fed 5,000 people, Jesus had to avoid a move to forcibly declare him a military leader and king (see John 6:15). Have you ever had to take urgent action to stay in tune with God’s purposes for your life? Are you facing any pressures like that today?
Prayer: O God, keep me open to your presence in my world and my life. If you show yourself in an unexpected way, help me to welcome you with joy rather than with fear. Amen.
* HarperCollins Christian Publishing. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Kindle Locations 220067-220068). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
-------
-------
"Peter’s great faith, and his wavering trust"
Saturday, 2 September 2016
Matthew 14:27-33
-------
“Literally, Jesus says, “I am”; although this can mean, “It is I,” the activity in the context supports an allusion to Jesus’ deity (cf. Ex 3: 14).” Then Peter spoke up. He showed that mix of faith and doubt most of us wrestle with at times: “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” Next thing he knew, he was striding across the water! It worked until he lost his focus on Jesus. The strong wind distracted him and his fear took over. “As he began to sink, he shouted, ‘Lord, rescue me!’” And Jesus did.
Ø Scholar Myron Augsberger wrote, “We might ask, ‘Peter, how did you do it? Had you practiced, had you studied yoga, had you studied surface tension?’ And Peter might have answered, ‘It was when I thought of surface tension that I began to sink!’ Faith rivets its attention solely on the Master who says ‘Come’…. The primary meaning is that Jesus as Lord of creation can be present in the lives of people in this material world.” ** In what perhaps stormy parts of your life do you need Christ’s comforting, calming presence today? What gives you confidence that he can and will be with you?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, at times I’m riding high, walking toward you in faith! At times my fears distract me and take my eyes off you. Remind me that your love and salvation are always in reach, even when I feel as though I’m sinking. Amen.
* HarperCollins Christian Publishing. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Kindle Locations 220070-220071). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
** Myron Augsburger, The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 24: Matthew. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982, comment on Matthew 14:28-31.
Family Activity: Ask each person to share one or two of his or her personal struggles, fears or worries. Ask everyone else to simply listen—not to try and take the worries or fears away. Read Isaiah 41:10. Choose to spend some quiet time together with your family inviting God to help you overcome your fear and bring each of you peace. Maybe you want to take a brief walk. You might each want to spend some time reading. Maybe you prefer listening to music. Encourage everyone to ask God to calm their hearts and to fill them with peace during their quiet time. Also ask each person to find a word or an item during the quiet time that will help him or her carry that peace every day. Share your experiences as a family and pray God’s peace for one another. Ask God to help you persevere through your challenges.
-------
-------
Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Family and friends of Wendy Mataya on her death, 8/19
• Ben Stephenson, Jr, and family on the death of his father Ben Stephenson, Sr., 8/17
• Howard Janzen and family on the death of his wife Cherine Janzen, 8/17
• Gwen Gepford and family on the death of her father Robert Hughes, 8/16
• Janie Stepp and family on the death of her father Sherman Calvin Cassady, 8/4
• Dave Aldrich and family on the death of his father Vernon James “Bus” Aldrich, 7/26
• Arika Ledom and Ashley Elston and families on the death of their grandfather Vernon James “Bus” Aldrich, 7/26
-------
You might also like
God trusted Peter (and us) to speak of his wonderful acts
“You are…a people who are God’s own possession”
“He appointed twelve and called them apostles”
“When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees”
“They left their nets”
Or download this week's printable GPS.-------
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
-------
You might also like
God trusted Peter (and us) to speak of his wonderful acts
“You are…a people who are God’s own possession”
“He appointed twelve and called them apostles”
“When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees”
“They left their nets”
Or download this week's printable GPS.-------
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment