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Bible Study for the Second Sunday of Advent - December 4th |
Read Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist is a well-known personality of the New Testament. He passionately and clearly urges people to prepare for the coming of the Lord. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (John 3:2 NRSV) These are the same words used by Jesus to begin his own ministry. (Matthew 4:17)
After spending time in the wilderness, John enters the scene as one who has just left the rugged life of the wilderness to begin his preaching. People from Jerusalem, Judea, and the whole region come to the Jordan River to hear him and to be baptized by him.
John offers a baptism of repentance. Repent means to change one’s mind and direction in life. People confess their sin and make a commitment to live differently. To reflect this change, John uses water to cleanse the outer body and symbolically cleanse the inner spirit. A person coming out of the water could begin a new pattern of living, wet and clean.
John is not trying to get glory or increase his own status. He does not pamper nor manipulate anyone into being baptized. Instead, John preaches with vigor and force, especially when he sees the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized. John proclaims, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 NRSV) John knows he is not worthy to carry the sandals of Jesus, the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
John is concerned about rituals which have no meaning behind them. He calls for repentance – changed behavior. Each person is to turn and face God in new ways, not relying on family connections of the past. That family connection includes Abraham. John’s words are strong, but he believes the ax is already at the tree. It is almost too late. He knows the tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
John understands the urgency of people preparing for the coming of the Lord. Be prepared!
Prayer
Lord, help me to see those barriers which block me from you and remove them. Help me to prepare for your coming. Amen
John the Baptist is a well-known personality of the New Testament. He passionately and clearly urges people to prepare for the coming of the Lord. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (John 3:2 NRSV) These are the same words used by Jesus to begin his own ministry. (Matthew 4:17)
After spending time in the wilderness, John enters the scene as one who has just left the rugged life of the wilderness to begin his preaching. People from Jerusalem, Judea, and the whole region come to the Jordan River to hear him and to be baptized by him.
- Describe the physical appearance of John the Baptist.
- What might be the first impression of John the Baptist?
John offers a baptism of repentance. Repent means to change one’s mind and direction in life. People confess their sin and make a commitment to live differently. To reflect this change, John uses water to cleanse the outer body and symbolically cleanse the inner spirit. A person coming out of the water could begin a new pattern of living, wet and clean.
- How can water help you feel clean on the inside?
- How is the baptism by John the Baptist and by Jesus different from each other?
- What was attractive about John’s message?
John is not trying to get glory or increase his own status. He does not pamper nor manipulate anyone into being baptized. Instead, John preaches with vigor and force, especially when he sees the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized. John proclaims, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 NRSV) John knows he is not worthy to carry the sandals of Jesus, the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
- What might have been the reaction of the Pharisees and Sadducees?
- Why is John angry?
- Why could not John have looked the other way and said nothing?
John is concerned about rituals which have no meaning behind them. He calls for repentance – changed behavior. Each person is to turn and face God in new ways, not relying on family connections of the past. That family connection includes Abraham. John’s words are strong, but he believes the ax is already at the tree. It is almost too late. He knows the tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
- What is John warning the people about?
- Rephrase Matthew 3:7-10 and put these verses in your own words.
John understands the urgency of people preparing for the coming of the Lord. Be prepared!
Prayer
Lord, help me to see those barriers which block me from you and remove them. Help me to prepare for your coming. 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.
-Give thanks for the diverse work of the 28 ELCA missionaries accompanying 18 church bodies and 18 companion organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ask God to bless and guide our ministry together so that we might respond to the needs of our neighbors in need who are most vulnerable and might spread the good news of Jesus Christ, far and wide.
-Pray that the Spirit will deepen our generosity in sharing our resources and financial assets for the sake of our neighbors and the well-being of the world.
-Pray that we will be generous and respectful in responding to and caring for those who cannot find secure shelter, pay for food or medical care, or support the children or older adults dependent on them.
-We join our neighbors, siblings in Christ and companion churches around the world in remembering all who have been and continue to be affected by HIV and AIDS. Give thanks for the progress we have made in effective prevention, treatment and care and in discouraging discrimination against those who are HIV-positive; pray that we will not grow complacent but continue to make progress; and give thanks for the ongoing work of the ELCA’s HIV and AIDS ministry.
-Give thanks for our faith, which embodies hope and anticipation as well as confidence and joy in God’s promises and grace, which were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
-Pray for our neighbors here and around the world who live with disabilities, that they might be welcomed, respected, valued and fully included in every aspect of the church and society. Give thanks for the wide-ranging work of ELCA Disability Ministry, Lutheran Services in America–Disability Network and other ministry partners.
-Pray that, like John the Baptist, we will share the good news of Jesus and the love of God with boldness and humility and will invite all people to believe and be baptized into a new life in Christ, free from the confines of sin, despair and death.
-Give thanks for the diverse work of the 28 ELCA missionaries accompanying 18 church bodies and 18 companion organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ask God to bless and guide our ministry together so that we might respond to the needs of our neighbors in need who are most vulnerable and might spread the good news of Jesus Christ, far and wide.
-Pray that the Spirit will deepen our generosity in sharing our resources and financial assets for the sake of our neighbors and the well-being of the world.
-Pray that we will be generous and respectful in responding to and caring for those who cannot find secure shelter, pay for food or medical care, or support the children or older adults dependent on them.
-We join our neighbors, siblings in Christ and companion churches around the world in remembering all who have been and continue to be affected by HIV and AIDS. Give thanks for the progress we have made in effective prevention, treatment and care and in discouraging discrimination against those who are HIV-positive; pray that we will not grow complacent but continue to make progress; and give thanks for the ongoing work of the ELCA’s HIV and AIDS ministry.
-Give thanks for our faith, which embodies hope and anticipation as well as confidence and joy in God’s promises and grace, which were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
-Pray for our neighbors here and around the world who live with disabilities, that they might be welcomed, respected, valued and fully included in every aspect of the church and society. Give thanks for the wide-ranging work of ELCA Disability Ministry, Lutheran Services in America–Disability Network and other ministry partners.
-Pray that, like John the Baptist, we will share the good news of Jesus and the love of God with boldness and humility and will invite all people to believe and be baptized into a new life in Christ, free from the confines of sin, despair and death.
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 |
