May 13, 2018, Lectionary
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- Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 May 2018 18:08
- Published: Wednesday, 16 May 2018 18:08
- Written by Wilma Zalabak
How to decide when the choices appear equal? The disciples believed God's will was present even in what looked like chance. Acts 1:15-17, 21-25
Will robots and artificial intelligence make our idols actually have mouths that speak, eyes that see, ears that hear, noses that smell, hands that feel, and feet that walk? These are still only the work of human hands. Psalm 115
John's purpose in writing was that we might know we have eternal life. This is a confidence far beyond any that could have been given by our parents, fans, accomplishments, or "lucky breaks." 1 John 5:9-13
Nowdays Pilate's question is relevant, "What is truth." Jesus said that through the truth we will be set apart and made holy. Jesus also said he himself is the truth. John 17:6-19
Thoughts about Listening
Sometimes, with all research and all wisdom, you just don't know the best choice. Don't stall. Make a decision and move on. Acts 1:15-17, 21-25
Talking is not one of the five senses; listening is. Psalm 115
Listening well can increase a person's confidence. 1 John 5:9-13
In an era of fake news and spin and the expansion of (fake? controlled?) information, I wonder if anyone knows how to speak a naked, unspun truth. John 17:6-19
Bible Reading Group Homework
1. What do you do when you don’t know something you think you need to know? Tell someone and listen to their response.
2. Read or listen to Acts 1:15-17, 21-25. When they didn’t know whom to choose, they turned to chance believing God could control the roll of the dice. Where do you depend on chance?
3. Read or listen to Psalm 115. Information availability and artificial intelligence are on the rise. In what decisions do you rely on these? Do you think that one day humans will remove all puzzle from decision making?
4. Read or listen to 1 John 5:9-13. John wrote so that we could know certain things. Scan the entire letter for the words “we know” or “you know” to discover what things we can know and how. How might these “knowings” influence your decisions?
5. Read or listen to John 17:6-19. There seems to be no question in Jesus’ mind but that truth is knowable and powerful. Read also John 8:32 and list the things that the truth will do for a person. Ponder and discuss how a person can know the true facts, the best choice, the right action, in some of the tough decisions that await us as a society.
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1. ¿Qué es lo que hace cuando no sabe algo que cree que necesita saber? Dígaselo a alguien y escuche su respuesta.
2. Leer o escuchar Hechos 1: 15-17, 21-25. Cuando ellos no sabían a quién elegir, recurrieron a la posibilidad de creer que Dios podía controlar el lanzamiento de los dados. ¿De dónde está dependiendo?
3. Leer o escuchar el Salmo 115. La disponibilidad de información y la inteligencia artificial van en aumento. ¿En qué decisiones confía? ¿Cree que algún día los humanos eliminarán todos los rompecabezas al momento de tomar decisiones?
4. Leer o escuchar 1 Juan 5: 9-13. Juan escribió para que pudiéramos saber ciertas cosas. Explore la carta completa buscando las palabras "sabemos" o "usted sabe" para descubrir qué cosas podemos saber y cómo. ¿Cómo podrían estos "conocimientos" influir en sus decisiones?
5. Leer o escuchar Juan 17: 6-19. Parece que no hay dudas en la mente de Jesús, pero que la verdad es conocible y poderosa. Lea también Juan 8:32 y enumere las cosas que la verdad hará por una persona. Meditar y analizar cómo una persona puede conocer los hechos reales, la mejor opción, la acción correcta, en algunas de las decisiones difíciles que nos esperan como sociedad.