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Bible Study for the Second Sunday of Advent - December 5th |
Read Luke 3:1-6
Each Advent season, regardless of which of the four gospels is being read and studied, we see the person of John the Baptist.
John is often known for his radical lifestyle, rugged dress, and stark diet. But the significance of John the Baptist is found in his message.
The writer of Luke carefully gives the political context into which John (and later Jesus) comes into the story. (We see a similar contextual grounding in Luke’s account of the Christmas story in Luke 2:1). The political and religious leaders are named (Luke 3:1-2) and are significant, for they indicate the various forces in place at the time. (Many of them will be heard from again at Jesus’ trial and crucifixion.) Israel is a vassal state, forced to live under Roman occupancy. The high priesthood is also largely under Roman control. Anyone proclaiming the message of the coming kingdom of God would have to deal with the political realities of the day.
It is in this time of political oppression and foreign rule that “the word of God came to John” (vs. 2). This is a common phrase in the call of a prophet. (See Jeremiah 1:1-2.) The prophet is confronted with God’s message and compelled to share that message with God’s people.
John is a messenger; and like the prophets before him, his message is one of preparation and repentance. His words echo the prophet Isaiah – “prepare the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight” (Isaiah 40:3). This is challenging news – changes are called for. But it is also good news, for “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:6 NRSV)
The Greek word repentance can be literally translated “to turn one’s mind around.” It has less to do with confession and more to do with change in life and perspective. John Westerhoff, in his book A Pilgrim People (p. 46) writes:
To repent is to change our perception, to recognize that the reign of God is at hand, that life in the world to come has already begun. To repent is not to lament our sins or be sorry for the evil we’ve done; it is to have faith, to perceive life and our lives in a new way.
Something great is about to happen. Someone great is coming. Repent.! Prepare! Get ready!
Prayer
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Cleanse our hearts that we might prepare for your coming among us. Amen
Each Advent season, regardless of which of the four gospels is being read and studied, we see the person of John the Baptist.
- What do you know about John the Baptist?
- If you have time, look over the descriptions of John the Baptist found in Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, and John 1:19-28. Note similarities and differences in the readings.
John is often known for his radical lifestyle, rugged dress, and stark diet. But the significance of John the Baptist is found in his message.
The writer of Luke carefully gives the political context into which John (and later Jesus) comes into the story. (We see a similar contextual grounding in Luke’s account of the Christmas story in Luke 2:1). The political and religious leaders are named (Luke 3:1-2) and are significant, for they indicate the various forces in place at the time. (Many of them will be heard from again at Jesus’ trial and crucifixion.) Israel is a vassal state, forced to live under Roman occupancy. The high priesthood is also largely under Roman control. Anyone proclaiming the message of the coming kingdom of God would have to deal with the political realities of the day.
- How does the context impact the message?
- What political or religious forces are present today as we strive to share the Good News of the coming of the kingdom of God?
It is in this time of political oppression and foreign rule that “the word of God came to John” (vs. 2). This is a common phrase in the call of a prophet. (See Jeremiah 1:1-2.) The prophet is confronted with God’s message and compelled to share that message with God’s people.
- In what ways does the “word of God come to us” today?
John is a messenger; and like the prophets before him, his message is one of preparation and repentance. His words echo the prophet Isaiah – “prepare the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight” (Isaiah 40:3). This is challenging news – changes are called for. But it is also good news, for “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:6 NRSV)
The Greek word repentance can be literally translated “to turn one’s mind around.” It has less to do with confession and more to do with change in life and perspective. John Westerhoff, in his book A Pilgrim People (p. 46) writes:
To repent is to change our perception, to recognize that the reign of God is at hand, that life in the world to come has already begun. To repent is not to lament our sins or be sorry for the evil we’ve done; it is to have faith, to perceive life and our lives in a new way.
Something great is about to happen. Someone great is coming. Repent.! Prepare! Get ready!
Prayer
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Cleanse our hearts that we might prepare for your coming among us. 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 ELCA Justice for Women and give thanks for its work in helping us honor the integrity of women. Pray that we might work together to understand and eliminate violence, injustice and sexism against women, girls and people of diverse gender identities and expressions.
-Give thanks for the church’s Mission Support network, through which our 65 synods and 8,900 congregations pool resources to love and serve the neighbor as no individual or congregation could alone.
-Give thanks and praise to God for knitting us together as siblings in Christ, so that we might encourage and strengthen each other’s faith, exchange care and support in times of need, and share our gifts, passions and wisdom to do God’s good work in the world.
-Join in prayer with our siblings around the world to remember all in our communities who have been and continue to be affected by HIV and AIDS. Pledge to God that we will work together to raise awareness and recommit ourselves and the church to a faithful and dedicated response.
-Give thanks for Advent wreaths and other faith traditions that remember and celebrate God’s dwelling among us in Jesus, God’s gift of eternal life, and Jesus’ enduring presence and light in the world and within us.
-Pray that we will grow stronger and more aware in our church’s commitment to seek full inclusion and equitable participation of all people within the life of society and the church, embracing the whole person — abilities, questions, life experiences, complexities and all.
-“Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation” (Psalm 25:5). Pray that God will be patient with us as we strive to be faithful followers and students of Christ; ask the Spirit to stir our hunger for understanding the word of God and reveal its implications for our daily lives.
-Pray that we will be eager to share the gospel and will welcome the Spirit to use our gifts, abilities, insights and life experiences to prepare the way for others to believe in Christ.
-Pray for ELCA Justice for Women and give thanks for its work in helping us honor the integrity of women. Pray that we might work together to understand and eliminate violence, injustice and sexism against women, girls and people of diverse gender identities and expressions.
-Give thanks for the church’s Mission Support network, through which our 65 synods and 8,900 congregations pool resources to love and serve the neighbor as no individual or congregation could alone.
-Give thanks and praise to God for knitting us together as siblings in Christ, so that we might encourage and strengthen each other’s faith, exchange care and support in times of need, and share our gifts, passions and wisdom to do God’s good work in the world.
-Join in prayer with our siblings around the world to remember all in our communities who have been and continue to be affected by HIV and AIDS. Pledge to God that we will work together to raise awareness and recommit ourselves and the church to a faithful and dedicated response.
-Give thanks for Advent wreaths and other faith traditions that remember and celebrate God’s dwelling among us in Jesus, God’s gift of eternal life, and Jesus’ enduring presence and light in the world and within us.
-Pray that we will grow stronger and more aware in our church’s commitment to seek full inclusion and equitable participation of all people within the life of society and the church, embracing the whole person — abilities, questions, life experiences, complexities and all.
-“Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation” (Psalm 25:5). Pray that God will be patient with us as we strive to be faithful followers and students of Christ; ask the Spirit to stir our hunger for understanding the word of God and reveal its implications for our daily lives.
-Pray that we will be eager to share the gospel and will welcome the Spirit to use our gifts, abilities, insights and life experiences to prepare the way for others to believe in Christ.
Lent 2020 -
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In Jesus’ day, women were generally silent, and rarely if ever seen, and are generally nameless. We hear about the Canaanite woman, or the Samaritan woman, or they are identified by their relationship to a man such as Jairus’s daughter or Simon’s mother-in-law. So the very inclusion of women in the gospel texts is remarkable. Yet these women are a part of our history and a part of Jesus’ story. This Lenten season, we will explore a different woman’s story each week.
Introduction to Lent 2020 and Women's Encounters with Jesus Week 1 - The Canaanite Woman: Matthew 15:21-28 Week 2 - Martha and Mary: Luke 10:38-42 Week 3 - A Bent Woman, Daughter of Abraham: Luke 13:10-17 Week 4 - A Woman Accused of Adultery: John 7:53-8:11 Week 5 - A Woman anoints Jesus for Burial - Matthew 26:6-13 |
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 |
