July 23, 2017, Lectionary

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Last Updated: Sunday, 23 July 2017 01:14
Published: Saturday, 22 July 2017 17:50
Written by Wilma Zalabak

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What do you think? When Jacob left home was he gloating or grieving, smug or smarting, arrogant or afraid, brash or calculating? Genesis 28:10-19

No matter what I do or where I go, God will always be there working for good for me and all. I believe this is true about everyone. Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24

Since suffering with Jesus brings us to glorious liberty with Jesus, suffering turns us not to fear but to God as Father and to hope. Romans 8:12-25

In one parable, the seed is the Word of God. In the next parable, the seed is people. Both are planted not by ourselves. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Thoughts about Listening

Someone's apparent arrogance, smugness, gloating, or brashness may be a cover for needing a trustworthy listener. Genesis 28:10-19

Listen to them tell their deepest desires, and choose to love them no matter what you may hear them say. Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24

Many people are groaning in their deepest, honest places. If we could respectfully hear each other's groans, we could heal together. Romans 8:12-25

In the practice of listening, there is no assurance that I will never listen to someone determined to undermine life rather than heal it. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Bible Reading Group Homework

1.    Tell a recent sleeping dream, or one you remember from the past. Listen to others in your group tell their sleeping dreams.

2.    Read or listen to Genesis 28:10-19. Draw, paint, or sculpt, and sing or dance your reactions to the story of Jacob’s dream of seeing into heaven. Tell what you think were Jacob’s feelings  and how they changed along the story line.

3.    Read or listen to Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24. Where was God when Jacob lied and stole? Where was God when Jacob lost his home and family? Some may fault God for being in their business without invitation. Discuss the pros and cons of being searched and known by God.

4.    Read or listen to Romans 8:12-25. Paul says suffering turns us not to fear, but to God as Father and to hope. How have you or one of your networks suffered recently. Will you try today to let that experience turn you to God and hope?

5.    Read or listen to Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. Compare and contrast this parable with the one for last week, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. Especially consider what is the seed and the field in each parable (Mark 4:14; Luke 8:11). Let your imagination grasp what it would feel like to be mistaken for a weed or to be pulled up along with a weed, then notice how God stops that from happening. Do some praise and worship.

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1. Cuente sobre un sueño que haya tenido recientemente o alguno que recuerde del pasado. Escuche a otros en su grupo contar sus sueños.

2. Leer o escuchar Génesis 28:10-19. Dibuje, pinte o esculpa, cante o baile sus reacciones ante la historia  en la que Jacob sueña que veía el cielo. Diga cuáles  cree que eran los sentimientos de Jacob y cómo  fueron  cambiando a lo largo de la trama  de la historia.

3. Leer o escuchar el Salmo 139:1-12, 23-24. ¿Dónde estaba Dios cuando Jacob mintió y robó? ¿Dónde estaba Dios cuando Jacob perdió su hogar y su familia? Algunos pueden culpar a Dios por estar en sus asuntos sin invitación.  Discuta los pros y los contras de ser buscado y conocido por Dios.

4. Leer o escuchar Romanos 8:12-25. Pablo dice que el sufrimiento no nos obliga a temer, sino a volvernos hacia Dios como Padre y a la esperanza. ¿Recientemente cómo han sufrido usted o alguna de sus conocidos? ¿Intentará hoy, que esas experiencias lo lleven a Dios y a la esperanza?

5.  Leer o escuchar Mateo 13:24-30, 36-43. Compare y contraste esta parábola con la de la semana pasada, Mateo   13:1-9, 18-23. Considerar especialmente en cada parábola,  cuál es la semilla y  cuál  es el campo (Marcos 4:14, Lucas 8:11). Deje que su imaginación capte lo que sentiría al  ser confundido con una mala hierba o el ser arrancado  junto a una mala hierba, a continuación observe como Dios impide que suceda esto. Haga algunas alabanzas y adoración.