February 24, 2019, Lectionary

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The brothers came to Egypt and saw something that totally changed them, in personal identity and in their vision for the future. Genesis 45:3-22

Believe it! The meek will inherit the earth. Greed does not pay. Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40

The seed doesn't grow without dying first, but God looks after it that it come up the same kind of plant. 1 Corinthians 15:35-38

Jesus' instructions for life are the most thorough and genius picture of nonviolent resistance that I know. Resistance to personal inroads of the evil empire. Luke 6:27-38

Thoughts about Listening

I need to listen all the way through when the other person is telling about the impact on themselves of something I did. Genesis 45:3-22

Those who can listen without enrolling or controlling or any form of greed are the long-term winners. Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40

There's something to being willing to die in order to grow new. 1 Corinthians 15:35-38

Zero revenge. Zero advantage to the lender. Kindness and giving everywhere. Nonviolent resistance according to Jesus. Luke 6:27-38

Bible Reading Group Study Guide

1.    When did you last plant a garden or some seeds? What life lessons can you learn from the growth of plants?

2.    Read or listen to Genesis 45:3-22. Review the entire story of Joseph to know that revenge could have been the thing on his mind in this reading. Describe some kinds of revenge that you might have expected. What happened instead?

3.    Read or listen to Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40. Read it several times. Read it from various translations. Read it together as a group. Tell each other some of your favorite parts of it.

4.    Read or listen to 1 Corinthians 15:35-38. Lessons from the seed. 1) Seed must die to give new life. 2) You must wait for growth. 3) You harvest what you sow. 4) What else?

5.    Read or listen to Luke 6:27-38. This is a picture of the kingdom of God, as it must live in the midst of principles diametrically opposed to these. Pick one or two of these instructions to ponder and discuss how they work.

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1. ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que plantó un jardín o algunas semillas? ¿Qué lecciones de vida puede aprender del crecimiento de las plantas?

2. Leer o escuchar Génesis 45: 3-22. Revise toda la historia de José en esta lectura, para saber que la venganza podría haber sido lo que él tenía en mente. Describa algunos tipos de venganza que podría haber esperado. ¿Qué pasó en su lugar?

3. Leer o escuchar el Salmo 37: 1-11, 39-40. Léelo varias veces. Léalo en varias traducciones. Léanlo juntos como un grupo. Cuéntense entre ustedes algunas de las partes favoritas de este salmo.

4. Leer o escuchar 1 Corintios 15: 35-38. Lecciones de la semilla: 1) La semilla debe morir para dar nueva vida. 2) Debe esperar el crecimiento. 3) Cosecha lo que siembras. 4) ¿Qué más?

5. Leer o escuchar Lucas 6: 27-38. Esta es una imagen del reino de Dios, ya que debe vivir en medio de principios diametralmente opuestos a estos. Elija una o dos de estas instrucciones para reflexionar y discutir cómo funcionan.