October 21, 2018, Lectionary

When feeling overwhelmed by trouble, take a moment to let yourself be overwhelmed with thoughts and imaginations of God at work in creation and in nature. Job 38:1-7, 34-41

Psalm 104 has many similar word pictures to those in Job 38, and the point and sum is in the first verse. God is "very great, . . . clothed with splendor and majesty." Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c (NASB)

No one takes the priesthood on her or himself, but God calls that person. Jesus took no glory on himself, but was called by God. He prayed in reverence, and learned in suffering. Hebrews 5:1-10

Authority in the system is not mine to give, but solidarity in suffering, walking with you, refusing the attitude of, or belief in, any human's superiority to another. Mark 10:35-45

Thoughts about Listening

Letting myself feel how small I am in comparison to the marvels and vastnesses of the universe, can help ease my performance anxiety in my small sphere. Job 38:1-7, 34-41

Spend a bit of time today spinning stories about the origin of something in nature, not theories, not persuasions, but intimate stories. It will calm you. Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c

Most people know right away when someone takes on her or himself more authority or credit than is right for their place. I wonder how we learned to do that. Hebrews 5:1-10

There are some similarities between my filing system (folders and sub-folders) and how I view the authorities in my life. One similarity is that I do create hierarchical systems. Mark 10:35-45

Bible Reading Group Study Guide

1.    Think of the various hats you wear, the various arenas in which you operate. Now decide who is above you and who is below you in each arena. Share what you learn with your group.

2.    Read or listen to Job 38:1-7, 34-41. Sit with the questions and the images. Who was above Job? How far above and beyond?

3.    Read or listen to Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c. Sit with these word pictures and let the glory and splendor of God overflow you. Read together, aloud, some of the verses here.

4.    Read or listen to Hebrews 5:1-10. Jesus, on earth, took no glory on himself, but was called by God. He prayed in reverence, and learned in suffering. On earth Jesus appeared to be subservient to the Father (John 5:19, 30; 8:28; 9:4; 14:10). How would you describe this relationship now that Jesus is in heaven (Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:3)?

5.    Read or listen to Mark 10:35-45. What did James and John ask? When have you wanted to ask something similar? Dramatize, draw, or dance this story. Include what the other disciples thought of the request of the two. Find some creative way to express Jesus’ answer. How can you put Jesus’ answer to work in your life?

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1.    Piense en los diversos sombreros que usa, las diversos campos en los que opera. Ahora decida quién está encima de usted y quién está debajo de usted en cada campo. Comparta lo que aprende con su grupo.

2.    Leer o escuchar  Job 38: 1-7, 34-41. Medite  las preguntas y las imágenes. ¿Quién estaba por encima de Job? ¿Qué tan lejos y más allá?

3.    Leer o escuchar el Salmo 104: 1-9, 24, 35c. Medite en estas imágenes de palabras y deje que la gloria y el esplendor de Dios lo desborden. Lean juntos, en voz alta, algunos de los versículos.

4.    Leer o escuchar  Hebreos 5: 1-10. Jesús, en la tierra, no se glorió en sí mismo, sino que fue llamado por Dios. Él oró en reverencia, y aprendió en sufrimiento. En la tierra, Jesús parecía estar subordinado al Padre (Juan 5:19, 30; 8:28; 9: 4; 14:10). ¿Cómo describiría esta relación, ahora que Jesús está en el cielo (Filipenses 2: 5-11; Hebreos 1: 3)?

5.    Leer o escuchar Marcos 10: 35-45. ¿Qué preguntaron Santiago y Juan? ¿Cuándo ha querido preguntar algo similar? Dramatize, dibuje o baile esta historia. Incluya lo que los otros discípulos pensaron de la petición de los dos. Encuentra alguna forma creativa de expresar la respuesta de Jesús. ¿Cómo puede poner la respuesta de Jesús al trabajo en su vida?