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Bible Study for the Third Sunday after Epiphany - January 26th
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Read Matthew 4:12-23
The storm knocked out all the electricity. This was not the first time for this to happen, but each time it was unsettling. Slowly, the family moved through the familiar dark house and found a flashlight. Click! Light shone in the room and overflowed down the hallway. They looked at each other with some relief. It was going to be all right. There was light.
Next, they found the candles and matches. They placed their candles in strategic places to cast out all darkness. Then, they relaxed and waited for the repair trucks. They could not work on their computers, watch television, or do much of anything. And so they talked with each and shared stories. They stayed up late, laughing and being silly. On that night, light cast out all darkness.
Jesus is the light of the world. He is the one to cast out darkness. In his ministry, he cast out darkness as he preached, taught, and healed. His light was not kept for a few, such as the Jews. The light of Jesus could not be restrained or contained, but overflowed to the Gentiles and world.
Some people do not want light to be cast upon them because they are comfortable in their own ways. Others are so lost that they are aching and searching for someone to show them the way. They are tired of stumbling and falling in the darkness.
This passage also includes the description of Jesus calling his first disciples. First he calls the brothers of Peter and Andrew followed by the brothers of James and John. All of them respond to Jesus by immediately leaving their nets to follow him. Note how the word ‘immediately’ is used in Matthew 4:20 and 4:22 to describe the response to Jesus. Their radical obedience to Jesus’ invitation is striking.
Prayer
Light of the world, shed your light upon us. Show us your ways and keep us on the right path. We pray this in the name of Christ. Amen
The storm knocked out all the electricity. This was not the first time for this to happen, but each time it was unsettling. Slowly, the family moved through the familiar dark house and found a flashlight. Click! Light shone in the room and overflowed down the hallway. They looked at each other with some relief. It was going to be all right. There was light.
Next, they found the candles and matches. They placed their candles in strategic places to cast out all darkness. Then, they relaxed and waited for the repair trucks. They could not work on their computers, watch television, or do much of anything. And so they talked with each and shared stories. They stayed up late, laughing and being silly. On that night, light cast out all darkness.
- Recall a time when you were in a dark place.
- How was light brought into that place?
Jesus is the light of the world. He is the one to cast out darkness. In his ministry, he cast out darkness as he preached, taught, and healed. His light was not kept for a few, such as the Jews. The light of Jesus could not be restrained or contained, but overflowed to the Gentiles and world.
- What does it mean for Jesus to be the Light of the World?
- How have you experienced Jesus as the Light of the World?
Some people do not want light to be cast upon them because they are comfortable in their own ways. Others are so lost that they are aching and searching for someone to show them the way. They are tired of stumbling and falling in the darkness.
- Where do you find yourself today – in light or in darkness?
- Can you relate to sitting in darkness? Explain.
This passage also includes the description of Jesus calling his first disciples. First he calls the brothers of Peter and Andrew followed by the brothers of James and John. All of them respond to Jesus by immediately leaving their nets to follow him. Note how the word ‘immediately’ is used in Matthew 4:20 and 4:22 to describe the response to Jesus. Their radical obedience to Jesus’ invitation is striking.
- What kind of person leaves their livelihood to follow a teacher?
- Do you think Jesus would get the same response from people today? Explain.
- Who in your life models the life of an obedient servant of God?
- What might you learn from that person?
- How do you show your obedience to God?
Prayer
Light of the world, shed your light upon us. Show us your ways and keep us on the right path. We pray this in the name of Christ. 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 Dan, Nick, Dominic, Beth, Gail, Barb, Vanmany, Jon and Erna.
-Lift up in prayer the names of staff — paid and volunteer — whose vocation and faithful, generous service enhance and support the daily ministry and mission of our congregations and synods, including administrative assistants, business managers, custodians and people responsible for digital communications.
-Pray for the leaders of every nation, including our own, that they will heal long-standing and recent rifts, pursue just and peaceful agreements and solutions for the well-being of the people they serve, and share resources to relieve hunger and poverty everywhere, without concern for profit or gain for any single nation.
-Ask God to help us actively mend the suspicion and hatred in our nation and around the world that divide us, frustrate compassion and generosity, and undermine our understanding of how to live in community. Pray that where we are broken or in conflict, God will show us how to be whole.
-Pray that we will find joy in following the will of God as it is written in our hearts and revealed in Scripture.
-Thank God for our special relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a full communion partner with the ELCA since 1997; pray for the church, its diverse ministries and its members and leaders; and pray that together we will find mutual support, new partnerships and new resources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor.
-Reflect on how God has transformed you. Give thanks and praise to God for stirring our lives and calling us to be witnesses and servants doing God’s work in the world. And give thanks for our faith, our unique personal histories, our strengths and weaknesses, and our gifts and skills, even when we are uncertain of their usefulness and relevance in the body of Christ.
-Praise God for Jesus’ life, teachings, ministry and personal example, which instruct us today as modern-day disciples called to follow Christ, share the gospel, serve our neighbor and grow the church in an ever-changing world.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Dan, Nick, Dominic, Beth, Gail, Barb, Vanmany, Jon and Erna.
-Lift up in prayer the names of staff — paid and volunteer — whose vocation and faithful, generous service enhance and support the daily ministry and mission of our congregations and synods, including administrative assistants, business managers, custodians and people responsible for digital communications.
-Pray for the leaders of every nation, including our own, that they will heal long-standing and recent rifts, pursue just and peaceful agreements and solutions for the well-being of the people they serve, and share resources to relieve hunger and poverty everywhere, without concern for profit or gain for any single nation.
-Ask God to help us actively mend the suspicion and hatred in our nation and around the world that divide us, frustrate compassion and generosity, and undermine our understanding of how to live in community. Pray that where we are broken or in conflict, God will show us how to be whole.
-Pray that we will find joy in following the will of God as it is written in our hearts and revealed in Scripture.
-Thank God for our special relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a full communion partner with the ELCA since 1997; pray for the church, its diverse ministries and its members and leaders; and pray that together we will find mutual support, new partnerships and new resources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor.
-Reflect on how God has transformed you. Give thanks and praise to God for stirring our lives and calling us to be witnesses and servants doing God’s work in the world. And give thanks for our faith, our unique personal histories, our strengths and weaknesses, and our gifts and skills, even when we are uncertain of their usefulness and relevance in the body of Christ.
-Praise God for Jesus’ life, teachings, ministry and personal example, which instruct us today as modern-day disciples called to follow Christ, share the gospel, serve our neighbor and grow the church in an ever-changing world.
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 |
