July 30, 2017, Lectionary

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Apparently Rebekah and Laban, sister and brother, were skilled at conniving and manipulating. The children suffered. Genesis 29:15-28

Israel told and retold the heritage stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, as their national and generational testimony. Psalm 105:1-11

What a promise--to be held in God, for the good of me and all around me, and for the good of God's kingdom. I am struck with awe and gratitude. Romans 8:26-39

Seven parables of the kingdom of heaven (not including the sower, not so labeled). Can you find logic in their sequence? Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Thoughts about Listening

No conniving or manipulation allowed. No gotcha or gaslighting. Only the no-strings gift of presence and listening. Genesis 29:15-28

Ponder with me school spirit, community building, and national storytelling, in a world already globalized by finance and technology. Psalm 105:1-11

Give someone the gift of saying, "I'm here. I want to hear you. Nothing you can say will make me respect you any less." Romans 8:26-39

While you're listening to someone's stories strung in a row, be trying to figure out the logic of their sequencing and perhaps a theme. Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Bible Reading Group Homework

1.    Describe a time when you recognized a theme in the stories someone was telling you. Did you talk about that theme with the other person? Why or why not? What happened?

2.    Read or listen to Genesis 29:15-28. Uncle, nephew, daughters, and cousin, which do you think was more conniving, manipulating, or outright deceiving? Where was God?

3.    Read or listen to Psalm 105:1-11. Israel told and retold the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, as their national and generational testimony. Ponder together the appropriateness of national storytelling in a globalized society.

4.    Read or listen to Romans 8:26-39. How many phrases or maxims can you find here that you recognize as having been used in other settings? How do you feel about the sovereign power of God in your life and in the world?

5.    Read or listen to Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. Find seven parables of the “kingdom of heaven” in this chapter. Re-read them in a string. Discuss similarities and differences, possible reasons for the ordering of the sequence, and themes common to some or all of them. Describe your feelings about looking at these seven parables as an intentional grouping. How will you prioritize your life because of these?

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1. Describa un momento en el  que reconoció un tema en las historias que alguien le estaba contando.  ¿Habló de ese tema con la otra persona? ¿Por qué  sí  o Por qué  no? ¿Qué pasó?

2. Leer o escuchar Génesis 29:15-28. Tío,  sobrino, hijas y primo. ¿Cuál cree que era más conspirador, manipulador o engañoso? ¿Dónde estaba Dios?

3. Leer o escuchar el Salmo 105:1-11. Israel contó y volvió a contar las historias de Abraham, Isaac, Jacob y Moisés como su testimonio nacional y generacional. Juntos considerar la conveniencia de contar historias en una sociedad globalizada.

4. Leer o escuchar Romamos 8:26-39. ¿Cuántas frases o máximas puede encontrar aquí, y reconocer que han  sido utilizadas en otros escenarios? ¿Cómo se siente acerca del poder soberano de Dios en su vida y en el mundo?

5. Leer o escuchar Mateo 13:31-33, 44-52. Encuentre en este capítulo siete parábolas del "reino de los cielos". Discutir similitudes y diferencias, posibles razones para ordenar la secuencia,  y temas comunes a alguno o a todos ellos.  Describa sus sentimientos cuando observa estas siete parábolas como un conjunto intencional. ¿Cómo va a priorizar su vida a causa de éstos?