December 4, 2016, Lectionary

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Poor people, meek people, and non-Jewish people, receive inclusion and justice in the kingdom ruled by the righteous descendant of Jesse. Isaiah 11:1-10

Atlanta's had 42 days without rain, like Jesus' fasting in the wilderness. Now comes the relief of the sweet, soft wetness, cleaning the air and the streets, sizzling out wildfires, and developing nutrition from dry leaves, like Jesus coming as righteous King. Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Paul's conclusion is that Jews and non-Jews are inextricably bound together in Jesus, and blessed together, so receive one another. Romans 15:4-13

John preached that the kingdom is here, preached it to Jews with suggestion that God could include non-Jews, too. Matthew 3:1-12

Thoughts about Listening

An esteemed society is where intentional hurt and destruction are never acceptable means of communication. Isaiah 11:1-10

We can be like soft, steady rain after drought to someone today, by bringing the life-nourishing gift of listening. Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Racism is sibling abuse. Romans 15:4-13

Let us listen with gentleness, lest we become a generation of trolls, like snakes in the grass, with a lurk-strike-smirk rule. Matthew 3:1-12

Bible Reading Group Homework

1.    Remember the last time you felt shut out, and tell someone about it. Remember also a time you excluded someone else.

2.    Read or listen to Isaiah 11:1-10. Describe your favorite picture from this reading. Who is included with whom?

3.    Read or listen to Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19. If every person is both oppressed in some ways and oppressor in some ways, how can the righteous king break in pieces the oppressor and save the oppressed? Discuss.

4.    Read or listen to Romans 15:4-13. How many citations of something from the Old Testament can you identify in this segment from Paul? Discover the one from Isaiah 11. This is Paul’s answer, his conclusion to his persuasive writing. What do you think was the question? Summarize the conclusion.

5.    Read or listen to Matthew 3:1-12. Can you find something inclusive in this reading? Have you ever been hurt by someone who used your willingness to include others in order to get close to you and say or do something mean and then laugh about it? What was John’s approach to people attempting this? What repentance would John call for from you today?

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1. Recuerde la última vez que se sintió excluido, y compartirlo con alguien más. También recuerde alguna vez que usted excluyó a alguien más.

2. Leer o escuchar Isaías 11:1-10. Describe tu escena favorita de esta lectura.¿Quién está incluído y con quién?

3. Leer o escuchar el Salmo 72:1-7; 18-19. Si cada persona es oprimida y opresora en alguna forma. ¿Cómo es que el rey justo puede despedazar al opresor y salvar a los oprimidos? Discutir.

4. Leer o escuchar Romanos 15:4-13.  ¿En este segmento de Pablo cuántas citas de el Antiguo Testamento puede identificar? Descubre el de Isaías 11. Esta es la respuesta de Pablo, su conclusión a su escritura persuasiva. ¿Cuál cree que era la pregunta? Resumir la conclusión.

5. Leer o escuchar Mateo 3:1-12. ¿Puedes encontrar algo inclusivo en ésta lectura? ¿Alguna vez ha sido herido por alguien que utilizó su voluntad de incluir a otros para acercarse a usted, para después decir o hacer algo malo y luego reírse de ello? ¿Cómo era el acercamiento de Juan con la gente que intentaba hacer esto? ¿Juan, de qué le pediría a usted que se arrepintiera hoy?