INTRODUCTION If a Bible with study notes such as the NIV Study Bible or The Lutheran Study Bible is available, it will prove an invaluable tool during these studies. In his popular (brief) commentary on the book of Psalms, Australian Lutheran theologian, the late Dr JTE (Erich) Renner wrote: “Of all the many books of the Old Testament, it can be safely asserted the Psalter has been the most treasured in the history of the …
How Great Thou Art! – The Wonder of Salvation What is Salvation? How would you briefly explain or describe Salvation to someone with whom you came into contact? Have a think about that and then write out an “Elevator Pitch” to share with people in the group. An elevator pitch is about 20–30 seconds long. Usually three or four sentences. See how you go. (about five minutes to do this) When you have finished, share …
How Great Thou Art! The Wonder of (God’s Love in His) Creation An opening prayer: Loving Father, bless this time of gathering around your Word. Thank you for the gift of the Word, your Word of life and love. Open our hearts and minds to the wonder of your love in your amazing creation. My God, how great Thou art! Amen. If you were to pick two Scripture verses that you think just about everybody …
Conversations: Jesus and … Mary and Martha with love (John 11:17–44) There are so many natural disasters that befall different parts of the world. Then there are road accidents or situations that maybe you have witnessed or unfortunately have been a part of. I hear stories from people who have been so close to being in an accident, but also sad stories of those who seem to be in the “wrong place at the wrong …
Conversations: Jesus and … Jairus (Matthew 9:18,19, 23–26; Mark 5:21–24, 35–43; Luke 8:40–42, 49–56) In 2011, St Peter’s Lutheran Church in Loxton staged an Easter play called “Anna’s Hope”, a Little Town Production. Some of you may have even been fortunate to see it! The play was based on the meeting of Jairus and Jesus leading to the healing of Jairus’ daughter whom the writer named Anna. It was exceptionally poignant and left one with …
Conversations: Jesus and … The paralysed man (Mark 2:1–12) A good Sunday school favourite is the healing of a paralysed man. Something remarkable happened that day: The conversation of Jesus with the teachers of the law, and then with the paralysed man. This story is also recorded in Matthew 9:2–8 and Luke 5:17–26. In our study, we will focus on the account in Mark 2:1–12. Read Mark 2:1,2 Throughout Mark’s gospel, we get a growing …
Conversations: Jesus and … the rich young man (Matthew 19:16–26; Mark 10:17–31; Luke 18:18–30) A rich man approaches Jesus. What is this conversation teaching us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God for our own lives? For this study, I recommend you elect three Bible readers from your group, one for each gospel version. Read Matthew 19:13–15; Mark 10:13–16; Luke 18:15–17 Does the same story precede the story of the rich young man in each …
Imagine yourself in your local town. For a long time, there has been a person with a disability sitting outside but near the entrance to the local supermarket. The person has a container in front of them to receive donations, plus a note about their situation. The person may or may not be receiving any NDIS support; you don’t know. You are used to seeing this person sitting there. Perhaps they simply want to be near other people?
While I was out walking today (the day of writing this), I heard women’s voices coming closer from behind me. I turned to see two younger women walking quickly while speaking in a language I did not recognise. They were totally engrossed in conversation as they then walked past me, perhaps oblivious to their surroundings. Has that happened to you – totally engrossed in conversation with a friend, oblivious to anyone else nearby? Totally focused on what is being shared. I can identify with that!
Extending hospitality today is likely to be much more casual than it was in biblical times, although that, too, can depend on how strong the traditions are in the culture of our personal context. For example, Asian and Indian customs may be quite different from our laid-back Aussie customs.
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Whenever you want to share something with another person, a friendship, a discussion item, information – it begins with a conversation. We don’t get very far without having conversations with others. When God came to earth by becoming a human being in Jesus, his whole life was full of conversations, too. From the cradle where he cooed at Mary and Joseph; to interacting with much older, studied teachers of the law in the temple as a boy; and then calling his disciples and teaching his followers, conversations took place throughout Jesus’ life and ministry. The many conversations between Jesus and people that have been recorded have become a hallmark of how we see Jesus, how we relate to him and find deeper connection to God. Throughout the year, we will explore conversations Jesus had with different people and listen to what our Saviour has to say to us through them. Read the full Bible Study from Maria…
Conversations: Jesus and … the woman at the well (John 4:5–42) Whenever you want to share something with another person, a friendship, a discussion item, information – it begins with a conversation. We don’t get very far without having conversations with others. When God came to earth by becoming a human being in Jesus, his whole life was full of conversations, too. From the cradle where he cooed at Mary and Joseph, to interacting with …