Bible Study of the Month

At Tierra Nueva, the 'sermons' in our worshipping community center around the Revised Common Lectionary, and are dialogical in nature. As part of our commitment to seeing the body of Christ empowered, we encourage people to hear the voice of God in many different ways and find their voice to express it.

We often affirm in our gatherings that each of us is made in God 's image and likeness (Gen 1:26-27). God's Spirit is upon all flesh (Acts 2:17). Each one is called to pursue prophetic ministry, which means speaking on behalf of God.

Paul writes: "Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy." (I Cor. 14:1) We're committed to nurturing the prophetic calling in every believer by inviting everyone to enter into dialogue with one or two of each Sunday's lectionary texts.

We have chosen the Revised Common Lectionary for several reasons:

First, we choose to intentionally step into solidarity with the global body of Christ. People from all over the world are reading these same Scriptures.

Second, many of the people we serve are Roman Catholics, and we desire to minimize the distance between what they hear at Tierra Nueva and what they hear at the Catholic Mass.

Third, following the lectionary is a beautiful way to remain connected to the observations of the church calendar, such as advent, epiphany, lent, easter, and pentecost.

Finally, we enjoy the discipline of responding to a wide sampling of Scripture, finding good news in whatever text is chosen for the day.

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Click here to read more about dialogical Bible studies, from "Facilitating Dialogue in a Monologue World," by Bob Ekblad. Just Preaching, Edited by André Resner Jr., Chalice Press, 2002

We also invite your voice into the circle! Below are some representations of dialogical Bible studies we've enjoyed at Tierra Nueva. Read them, ponder them, and feel free to email us with your observations! Please be aware that many of the discussion comments are from visitors and members of our community as well as the facilitator for the discussion, and not all comments reflect the views of Tierra Nueva.

Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission

16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.

17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Q: How did the disciples respond to the risen Jesus?

Some worshipped, but some doubted. But it's interesting to see that all were sent, even the doubters.

Q: What kinds of things cause us to doubt?

Our logical mind, unanswered prayers, the variety of experiences of people we know, different historical accounts.

Q: How did Jesus respond to the doubters? What does it say in verses 18-20?

Jesus doesn't separate in groups according to whether they were doubters or worshippers. He treats them all the same. All are sent out. Jesus reassures them of his authority--they go on his authority. And he also reassures them: I am with you.

Q: Why do you think Jesus sends them all out, making no distinction between worshipper and doubter?

Maybe Jesus isn't threatened by their doubting; maybe revelation to conquer doubt comes in the actual going--maybe growth and faith have to happen by stepping out and risking.

Q: Jesus tells them to go out and make disciples. How did Jesus make disciples? What pattern would the disciples be following?

Jesus made disciples among the tax collectors and sinners--maybe this is where we should start, too. He also reminded them to teach others to observe everything he had commanded them.

Q: What were the things Jesus commanded them to do?

Drive out disease and sicknesses, heal the sick, drive out demons. In Luke's gospel (chapter 10), Jesus sent them out to increase their faith; they needed to step out and be empowered to heal the sick and proclaim the good news. Jesus' teaching was good news! The result was that the disciples were able to do all the same things that Jesus did! They were joyful and amazed. And when they responded, went out, and began to do the works of Jesus, Satan fell like lightning (Luke 10:18).

Q: Who is this commissioning word addressed to?

It's addressed to the disciples, and then they go and make more disciples, who receive the same promise, commissioning, and power. This is a different model than people all being dependent on pastors, priests, and spiritual authorities. Everyone is ordained and commisssioned. Faith is built by risking, by going out, by being sent by Jesus with is authority, regardless of the level of doubt.

Psalm 23 and Luke 15:1-7

The Good Shepherd

by Bob Ekblad

Recently, 75 Skagit County Jail inmates in five groups participated in a study on Psalm 23 and Luke 15:1-7. I often begin by asking if people are hearing voices of accusation. Men always nod and tell of voices that call them losers, saying there’s no forgiveness for them and they’ll never change. Maybe at times you also hear these voices. I silence the voice of the accuser in Jesus’ name, declaring the jail (and this Bible study) an accuser-free zone, asking the Spirit to come as defender and comforter.

Before reading, I point out that this psalm is spoken by a sheep with an ideal shepherd, unlike my family’s llama shepherd who loses our sheep to coyotes that scatter them and nab the easiest prey. We start with verses 4-5, which are easiest for people in crisis to hear.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

The men assume the shepherd’s rod and staff are for correction, to hit or snag the straying sheep. Yet I know from experience that sheep only run farther away from blows. I point out that the rod and staff were weapons the shepherd used to fend off predators. “What forces prey on you?” I ask.

“The police,” one says, eliciting laughs from everyone. Others name emotions, drugs, addictions, obligations, the court system, jealousy, and anger. We might add pressure to perform, busyness, stress, resentment, and media bombardment. What are the forces preying on you this Advent?

The psalmist’s description of the shepherd who brings comfort through protection and sets a table in the presence of enemies is appealing. Everyone finds the images of the psalm highly desirable—lying down beside still waters, having your soul restored, being guided, not fearing evil, God’s continual presence, dwelling in the house of the Lord.

“If we’re not experiencing the Shepherd’s presence, how do we come into the sheep herd?” I ask.

“Praying and reading the Bible?” someone asks, assuming these to be right answers. I agree in part, but invite the men to check out the parable in Luke 15:1-7 to see how one lost sheep got connected.

First, I introduce the tax-gatherers in the passage as bottom feeders, disliked because of illicit gains at the people’s expense. The men identify some modern equivalents: loan sharks, undercover drug task force agents, and telephone solicitors. Finally they settle on meth-cooks. In place of sinners, we agree on felons. We switch religious people for Pharisees, and law-enforcers for scribes.

Then someone reads Luke 15:1-2 like this: Now all the meth-cooks and felons were coming near him to listen to him. And both the religious people and the law-enforcers began to grumble, saying, “This man receives felons and eats with them.”

“What did the lost sheep have to do to get connected to the shepherd?” I ask. “Wander off,” says one man, intrigued. “Get lost,” another says. “Nothing,” says someone else with a smile. I agree and ask what Jesus means when he says, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.” For most of us, repentance equals being sorry for your sin, requiring heartfelt contrition and change. I point out that repentance in Greek literally means having an after mind, or another mind—thinking differently.

We return to verses 1-2 and I ask what image of God is visible through the attitude of the Pharisees and scribes. People note that this god looks judgmental, grumbling, uncaring, exclusive, legalistic. Nobody feels attraction to this god. In contrast, God revealed through Jesus is compassionate, a friend of sinners, pursuing, finding, inclusive, loving.

“Are you attracted to Jesus?” I ask, and hear nothing but “yes” and “sí.”

“Then if you—like the tax-collectors and sinners—feel attracted right now, you are repenting. You are drawing near to Jesus to listen to him. Your mind is changing regarding who God really is. You like what you see and want more.” The men agree. We re-read the psalm and note that we can experience union with the Shepherd—receiving all the benefits—because this Shepherd is seeking and finding us and we are attracted. Jesus receives us at his table, even though we’re surrounded by enemies.

I end by pointing out that the Shepherd wants to anoint our heads with oil, which equals sharing his anointing as Messiah with us. When we receive his anointing, he gives us authority over God’s enemies, much as ancient Israelite kings were empowered to exercise dominion over the enemies of God’s kingdom. I offer to anoint with oil anyone desirous of being united and empowered by Jesus. Nobody refuses. We end the study with prayers for families, courts and physical ailments.

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Tierra Nueva is committed to seek after lost sheep until found. We welcome them to God’s banquet table and gather around Jesus as our teacher, healer and savior. Join us as we seek to respond to the growing number of people drawing near to the Shepherd through our Jail Ministry, Family Support Center, and faith communities.

Tierra Nueva • PO Box 161, Burlington, WA 98233 • 360-755-0768 • info@tierra-nueva.org