May 7, 2017, Lectionary

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They continued, steadfastly, daily, unitedly, gladly, purposefully; "continue" being a repeated key word for this piece of Scripture. Acts 2:42-47

Both Psalm 23 and Psalm 100 conjure the picture of a shepherd, for an individual sheep in 23, and for a community in 100.

Peter captured the thought of Isaiah 53:5-9 to show how to endure suffering and always to return to the Shepherd. 1 Peter 2:19-25

He was the sheep, enduring suffering. Now He is the Shepherd, the Lamb in capital letters. I can trust Him. Isaiah 53:5-9 in 1 Peter 2:19-25

Jesus gave two parables about sheep. In the first, thieves are excluded. In the second, they are shown a way in. John 10:1-10

Thoughts about Listening

In the first flame of new purpose, set up ground rules and rituals to ensure the continuance of respectful dialogue among all. Acts 2:42-47

I am running my race. You are running yours. We can run alongside each other. We can nurture presence without comparison. Psalm 23 &100

Someone said, "I don't like suffering," as if he would avoid it always. I heard someone else say, "No pain, no gain." 1 Peter 2:19-25

Sometimes those who have strong boundaries are the ones crying out against others having boundaries. John 10:1-10

Bible Reading Group Homework

1.    Tell about a time you had something that overflowed. Read Psalm 23 and try to picture the kind of cup that overflows in this reading. Tell your group how full is that cup for you.

2.    Read or listen to Acts 2:42-47. Imagine and tell where or who you are in the group described here. Tell what you do in the gatherings and what you like most about the group.

3.    Read or listen to Psalm 23 and Psalm 100. Can you see the Acts 2 group in the metaphor of the flock of sheep? How does the picture fit and how does it not fit?

4.    Read or listen to 1 Peter 2:19-25 and Isaiah 53:5-9. Notice Peter’s reference to the believers as sheep, and Isaiah’s reference to Jesus as a sheep. List and discuss the ways believers, and then Jesus, fit the picture of sheep. Discuss how these two lists are similar and different.

5.    Read or listen to John 10:1-10. Consider several issues: A) Who knows whose name? Who knows whose voice? B) What are the walls for? Why are there walls? C) Who is listening (check the context)? How had they treated some poor people in the previous chapter? Might they have felt that Jesus meant they were outside the walls? D) There are really two parables here. Where does the second parable start? How does Jesus change roles? What might Jesus be saying to those who knew they were on the outside?

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1. Cuente de alguna vez que tuvo algo que se desbordó.  Lea el Salmo 23 y trate de imaginar el tipo de copa que se desborda en esta lectura. Comente con su grupo lo llena que estaba esa taza según  usted.

2. Leer o escuchar Hechos 2:42-47. Imagine y diga dónde está o quién es usted en el grupo aquí descrito.  Diga lo que hace en las reuniones y lo que más le gusta del grupo.

3. Leer o escuchar el Salmo 23 y el Salmo 100. ¿Puede ver grupo de Hechos 2 en la metáfora del rebaño de las ovejas? ¿Cómo encaja o cómo no encaja la imágen?

4. Leer o escuchar 1 Pedro 2:19-25 e Isaías 53:5-9. Note la referencia que hizo Pedro de los creyentes como ovejas, y la referencia que hizo Isaías de Jesús como una oveja. Haga una lista y discuta las maneras en las que los creyentes, y después Jesús,  encajan en la visión de la oveja.  Analice cómo éstas dos listas son similares y diferentes.

5. Leer o escuchar Juan 10:1-10. Considere varias cuestiones: A) ¿Quién  sabe el nombre? ¿Quién sabe de quién es la voz? B) Para qué son las paredes? ¿Por qué hay paredes? C)¿Quién está escuchando (compruebe el contexto)? ¿Cómo habían sido tratados  algunos pobres en el capítulo anterior? ¿Podrían haber sentido que Jesús  quería decir que estaban fuera de las murallas? D) Realmente aquí  hay dos parábolas. ¿Dónde comienza la segunda parábola? ¿Cómo cambia Jesús los papeles? ¿Qué podría estar diciendo Jesús a aquellos que sabían  que estaban en el exterior?