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Bible Study for the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost - October 21st |
Read Mark 10:35-45
HELP WANTED!
Need leaders who will serve. No experience necessary.
Must be good at washing feet. Apply at your local church.
Imagine running that advertisement in your local newspaper or in your own church newsletter. Imagine the conversation such an ad might spark.
James and John wanted to have a good seat at God’s banquet feast and a front row to enjoy the glory of Jesus. Their boldness is quite striking when they ask Jesus, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” (Mark 10:35 NRSV)
Seminars teach people how to be leaders, but not many include a session on leading by becoming a servant. Yet, Jesus promotes a new type of leader. Before his death, he demonstrated this leadership style by getting on his knees and washing the feet of his disciples. (John 13) That night, he commands them to love one other as he loved them. That love includes the extreme action of dying for them.
Jesus will ask his disciples, “What is it you want me to do for you?” That is a wonderful question to ponder in our prayer. Take a few moments for silence. Allow God’s presence to descend upon you. Imagine Jesus coming to you and calling you by name. Imagine Jesus asking you, “What is it you want me to do for you?” Try to be clear as to your request.
Now take a few more minutes in prayer. Again, imagine Jesus coming to you and calling you by name. This time, imagine you asking Jesus, “What is it you want me to do for you?” Be still and listen.
Prayer
Jesus, you came to us and lived among us as one of us. Teach us follow your example and willingly serve. Amen
HELP WANTED!
Need leaders who will serve. No experience necessary.
Must be good at washing feet. Apply at your local church.
Imagine running that advertisement in your local newspaper or in your own church newsletter. Imagine the conversation such an ad might spark.
- What else might be included in the advertisement?
- What might be a television commercial for a servant-leader?
James and John wanted to have a good seat at God’s banquet feast and a front row to enjoy the glory of Jesus. Their boldness is quite striking when they ask Jesus, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” (Mark 10:35 NRSV)
- Have you ever approached God with a similar attitude? Why or why not?
- Is their request reasonable?
- How do we learn to say to Jesus, “We want to do whatever you ask of us?”
- What if Jesus asks us to do something too difficult? What options do we have?
Seminars teach people how to be leaders, but not many include a session on leading by becoming a servant. Yet, Jesus promotes a new type of leader. Before his death, he demonstrated this leadership style by getting on his knees and washing the feet of his disciples. (John 13) That night, he commands them to love one other as he loved them. That love includes the extreme action of dying for them.
- Define a leader.
- How does that definition match the teaching of Jesus?
- How does one learn to be a servant-leader?
- Whom do you know who is a servant-leader?
- Reflect on any current roles of leaders. What changes might you need to make in your approach to leadership roles to more fully reflect the teaching of Jesus?
Jesus will ask his disciples, “What is it you want me to do for you?” That is a wonderful question to ponder in our prayer. Take a few moments for silence. Allow God’s presence to descend upon you. Imagine Jesus coming to you and calling you by name. Imagine Jesus asking you, “What is it you want me to do for you?” Try to be clear as to your request.
Now take a few more minutes in prayer. Again, imagine Jesus coming to you and calling you by name. This time, imagine you asking Jesus, “What is it you want me to do for you?” Be still and listen.
- What did you learn from this lesson?
Prayer
Jesus, you came to us and lived among us as one of us. Teach us follow your example and willingly serve. 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 Su, Lori, Tyler, Lyn, Joan and Saundra.
-Ask God to bless the numerous ways in which our congregations, ministries, members, synods, churchwide programs, organizations and ecumenical partners work together to care for our neighbors and spread the good news and hope of Jesus Christ.
-Discouraged by life’s challenges, the state of the world, the presence of evil and injustice? Finding it difficult to wake up in the morning and face life? Pray for reassurance of God’s compassion, presence and power, and for the Holy Spirit to refresh our faith and hope.
-Give thanks to God for the concern and generosity of youth, individuals and congregations in achieving the $515,000 goal of the Global Farm Challenge – the youth-driven fundraising challenge to help end hunger and poverty by supporting ELCA World Hunger’s agricultural programs and equipping communities around the world with livestock, seeds, tools, training and more.
-Pray for leaders, volunteers and resource people serving on the staffs of our 65 synods; give thanks for their service and gifts, and pray the Holy Spirit will guide, inspire and sustain them for ministry in diverse and unique contexts.
-With our every human thought and intention laid bare before God, pray for God’s mercy and grace promised through the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
-Remember in prayer ELCA missionaries and those in the Young Adults in Global Mission program accompanying and serving in a variety of roles alongside our companions in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.
-The ELCA and The Episcopal Church are committed to prayer, fasting and advocacy addressing cuts to public programs that are vital to hungry people who are living in poverty. Remember to pray for these concerns, our leaders and people in need on the 21st of each month through December 2018.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Su, Lori, Tyler, Lyn, Joan and Saundra.
-Ask God to bless the numerous ways in which our congregations, ministries, members, synods, churchwide programs, organizations and ecumenical partners work together to care for our neighbors and spread the good news and hope of Jesus Christ.
-Discouraged by life’s challenges, the state of the world, the presence of evil and injustice? Finding it difficult to wake up in the morning and face life? Pray for reassurance of God’s compassion, presence and power, and for the Holy Spirit to refresh our faith and hope.
-Give thanks to God for the concern and generosity of youth, individuals and congregations in achieving the $515,000 goal of the Global Farm Challenge – the youth-driven fundraising challenge to help end hunger and poverty by supporting ELCA World Hunger’s agricultural programs and equipping communities around the world with livestock, seeds, tools, training and more.
-Pray for leaders, volunteers and resource people serving on the staffs of our 65 synods; give thanks for their service and gifts, and pray the Holy Spirit will guide, inspire and sustain them for ministry in diverse and unique contexts.
-With our every human thought and intention laid bare before God, pray for God’s mercy and grace promised through the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
-Remember in prayer ELCA missionaries and those in the Young Adults in Global Mission program accompanying and serving in a variety of roles alongside our companions in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.
-The ELCA and The Episcopal Church are committed to prayer, fasting and advocacy addressing cuts to public programs that are vital to hungry people who are living in poverty. Remember to pray for these concerns, our leaders and people in need on the 21st of each month through December 2018.
Advent 2017
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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 |
Lent 2018
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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 |
