Bible Study for August 25th
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The earth is the place we live. It is holy, created by a loving God. It has kept us safe for countless generations. As God’s people, we are tasked with caring for God’s creation. We now find, however, that our planet is in crisis. Reports of climate crisis, rising temperatures, failing ecosystems, fills the news daily. How do we, God’s beloved people, respond?
Worship throughout the month of August will surround God’s grace shared with us through the gift of creation, and our call to be stewards, caretakers, of that gift. God’s people have shared stories of God’s loving presence lived out in creation for thousands of years. Join us as we sing, pray, and proclaim that presence as we respond to God’s grace and work to care for the earth God has created. |
Read Luke 12:13-21
A crowd including his disciples gathers around Jesus to hear him teach. He uses clear statements and parables to warn and prepare his followers for when he would no longer be with them. (See Luke 12:1-12) Jesus is facing his own death in Jerusalem and the intensity of his words reflects his limited time with them.
His teaching is interrupted by someone from the crowd who asks a specific question about his family’s inheritance. It appears this man has conflicts with his own brother and wants Jesus to intervene. The man is bold enough to tell Jesus precisely how he wants Jesus to settle the dispute, but Jesus does not want any part of it. He does not get baited into the disagreement.
Jesus understands the real issue is greed and issues a timeless warning against its power. This man’s dilemma over inheritance is only one illustration among many kinds of greed.
Jesus tells a parable about a rich man who had an abundance of crops. He leveled his barns to build bigger and bigger ones. His wealth was quite a comfort to him as he made plans to relax and enjoy the fruit of his labor. But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you.” (Luke 12:20 NRSV)
Apparently, the man in the parable lived only for himself and without regard for others who might be in need. He had plenty, but rather than share with anyone, he hoarded his wealth. He had more crops than he could ever hope to use.
The theme of the reversal of the rich and poor is interwoven throughout Luke’s gospel, beginning with the Magnificat sung by Mary (Luke 1:46-56) “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” (Luke 1:52-53 NRSV) A person’s wealth does not reflect that person’s relationship with God. Jesus’ warning extends to this and every time and place.
Prayer
Mighty One, you are so generous in your gifts to us. Help us to freely share our bounty with others. Create in us generous and loving hearts. Amen.
A crowd including his disciples gathers around Jesus to hear him teach. He uses clear statements and parables to warn and prepare his followers for when he would no longer be with them. (See Luke 12:1-12) Jesus is facing his own death in Jerusalem and the intensity of his words reflects his limited time with them.
His teaching is interrupted by someone from the crowd who asks a specific question about his family’s inheritance. It appears this man has conflicts with his own brother and wants Jesus to intervene. The man is bold enough to tell Jesus precisely how he wants Jesus to settle the dispute, but Jesus does not want any part of it. He does not get baited into the disagreement.
- What do you think the dispute is really about?
- Why won’t Jesus get involved?
Jesus understands the real issue is greed and issues a timeless warning against its power. This man’s dilemma over inheritance is only one illustration among many kinds of greed.
- What are some other kinds of greed?
- How is this a timely warning for today?
Jesus tells a parable about a rich man who had an abundance of crops. He leveled his barns to build bigger and bigger ones. His wealth was quite a comfort to him as he made plans to relax and enjoy the fruit of his labor. But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you.” (Luke 12:20 NRSV)
- Does it seem fair to you for the man to die?
- Why did God call him a fool?
- Are all rich people fools? Why or why not?
Apparently, the man in the parable lived only for himself and without regard for others who might be in need. He had plenty, but rather than share with anyone, he hoarded his wealth. He had more crops than he could ever hope to use.
- How is possible to be poor on this earth, but rich with God?
- How is possible to be rich on this earth, but poor with God?
The theme of the reversal of the rich and poor is interwoven throughout Luke’s gospel, beginning with the Magnificat sung by Mary (Luke 1:46-56) “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” (Luke 1:52-53 NRSV) A person’s wealth does not reflect that person’s relationship with God. Jesus’ warning extends to this and every time and place.
- What is the message of this passage for today?
Prayer
Mighty One, you are so generous in your gifts to us. Help us to freely share our bounty with others. Create in us generous and loving hearts. Amen.
Prayer Petitions for this week
These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Gail, Alaine, Barb, Derek, and the grieving family and friends of Bob.
-Give thanks to God for our church and for our ecumenical and interreligious partners as they work for the humane treatment of all who present themselves at our borders seeking asylum. Give thanks for our agencies and faith communities that have welcomed, engaged and served migrant families. And pray for those migrants, who have arrived in the United States seeking safety, justice, reconnection with families and relatives, and the opportunity to build new lives without fear.
-Ask God to dispel the fear, anxiety and hopelessness that children and youth internalize as a result of gun violence and threats in our communities, schools and public gathering places. Pray that we might become bearers of hope and concern for them, and fearless agents of change and peace in our nation and the world.
-Pray that students, parents and teachers will be renewed for the coming academic year and that students in need of school supplies or tuition assistance will be provided with what they need to ease their concerns and further their educations.
-Pray that our hearts will be filled with the biblical stories of people of faith, that we will recognize and give thanks for the “cloud of witnesses” surrounding us today, and that we will look to Jesus’ teachings and example to guide and encourage our faith.
-Pray that the new ELCA resource “A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence” will invite readers to face the painful truth of gun violence and to work for its prevention as people of God who strive for justice and peace.
-Pray for coaches and student athletes of all abilities as they train for upcoming sports seasons. Pray that they will be safe from injury, experience joy and confidence in their physical activities, and have positive, caring people in their lives to help them cope with the challenges they might face — personal, family, spiritual, social, academic and athletic.
-Ask God to grant us the wisdom, boldness and compassion to care for our neighbors in need, even when doing so is inconvenient, interrupts our routines or forces us to reconsider traditions, laws, rules and practices of society and the church.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Gail, Alaine, Barb, Derek, and the grieving family and friends of Bob.
-Give thanks to God for our church and for our ecumenical and interreligious partners as they work for the humane treatment of all who present themselves at our borders seeking asylum. Give thanks for our agencies and faith communities that have welcomed, engaged and served migrant families. And pray for those migrants, who have arrived in the United States seeking safety, justice, reconnection with families and relatives, and the opportunity to build new lives without fear.
-Ask God to dispel the fear, anxiety and hopelessness that children and youth internalize as a result of gun violence and threats in our communities, schools and public gathering places. Pray that we might become bearers of hope and concern for them, and fearless agents of change and peace in our nation and the world.
-Pray that students, parents and teachers will be renewed for the coming academic year and that students in need of school supplies or tuition assistance will be provided with what they need to ease their concerns and further their educations.
-Pray that our hearts will be filled with the biblical stories of people of faith, that we will recognize and give thanks for the “cloud of witnesses” surrounding us today, and that we will look to Jesus’ teachings and example to guide and encourage our faith.
-Pray that the new ELCA resource “A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence” will invite readers to face the painful truth of gun violence and to work for its prevention as people of God who strive for justice and peace.
-Pray for coaches and student athletes of all abilities as they train for upcoming sports seasons. Pray that they will be safe from injury, experience joy and confidence in their physical activities, and have positive, caring people in their lives to help them cope with the challenges they might face — personal, family, spiritual, social, academic and athletic.
-Ask God to grant us the wisdom, boldness and compassion to care for our neighbors in need, even when doing so is inconvenient, interrupts our routines or forces us to reconsider traditions, laws, rules and practices of society and the church.
Reflections on the Resurrection Stories in John's Gospel |
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Lent 2019 -
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Jesus often taught the crowds through powerful stories that feel just as contemporary today as they did 2000 years ago. These wonderful stories allow us to see the world of the first century through the eyes of first century followers of Jesus. Join us on this journey through 5 parables from the Gospel of Luke as we peel back the layers to discover how these parables simultaneously comfort and challenge us. Dig into the culture of the original hearers of these stories that challenge our assumptions about God, the world, our neighbors, and ourselves.
Once Upon a Time: The Beauty and Challenge of Story Week 1 - Are All Samaritans Good? Week 2 - Lost Things Week 3 - A Lost Son Week 4 - A Lost Brother Week 5 - A Feast for the Ones the World Forgot Reflections on Holy Week |
Lent 2018 |
The gospel of John tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in a poignant, dramatic, and unique voice. In this Lenten Bible study, you are invited to enter into John’s world and encounter those who were a part of Jesus’ final days.
Introduction to the Gospel of John Week 1 – Nicodemus: Journey from Darkness to Light Week 2 – Judas: Journey to the Dark Side Week 3 – Peter: Journey to Understanding Week 4 – Mary Magdalene: Journey to Life Week 5 – The Beloved Disciple: Our Journey to Faithfulness |
Advent 2017 |
Pastor Joanne made a series of videos with a message for each week of the Advent season. Please follow this link to see those messages
Advent videos 2017 |
