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Click here to see the schedule of readings we follow from the Revised Common Lectionary. 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. |
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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. ____________________________ 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. Mark 6:14-32 The Death of John the Baptist 14 And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him." 15 But others were saying, "He is Elijah " And others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, "John, whom I beheaded, has risen!" 17 For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.
19 Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so; 20 for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him. 21 A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee; 22 and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you." 23 And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom." 24 And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist." 25 Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb. 30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. Q: This text begins, ‘When King Herod heard of it.” What would “it”refer to? The previous text, verses 7-13, concerned the sending out of the twelve and the miraculous works done by these ordinary ones. Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits—they went out and preached, cast out demons, anointed sick people with oil, and many were healed. Jesus’ name had become known. Herod himself had heard of John the Baptist and tried to surpress the movement, because many people were coming to him. According to Josephus, John the Baptist was arrested because he was implementing a type of resistance movement. So this story follows the disciples doing many miracles, and ends with the disciples being called away to a lonely place to rest. Q: Why do you think the text of John the Baptist is placed between the narratives of the sending out of the disciples, and the calling away to rest? Right behind the disciples and their works of liberation are the powers and principalities, ready to swallow them up. These texts show the three elements of ministry: healing/deliverance, speaking to the powers (social prophetic), and rest (intimacy with Jesus, filling, and subsequent empowerment). It’s interesting to note that even though one man is beheaded, many other “heads” pop up, embodied in the many followers who were attracted and sent. John the Baptist is a forerunner to Jesus, who spoke to the powers and was later executed. But the death of both men doesn’t stop the movement—if anything, it grows. The disciples moved from ministry to rest and intimacy with Jesus, which is a way to avoid the powers and principalities. But the disciples were still pursued (see the text which follows, Mark 6:33-44). The people saw them leaving with Jesus, and they chased them and gathered. The next thing that happens is the feeding of the 5,000. The crowds continued to press in, but even this interruption didn’t stop the movement. Q: Does this idea mobilize us? Is anyone feeling empowered? The enemy gets stirred up by our activities of bearing the good news, and we need to seek God’s rest and protection. But this shouldn’t demoblize us—the disciples kept moving ahead. We can expect the gossip, opposition, and the powers to threaten us and try and stop the move of God, but these Scriptures affirm that nothing can stop it! 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. ____________________________________ 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. Join us for our weekly Bible study at 1:30 pm on Fridays, at our Burlington office, 701 East Fairhaven, Burlington, WA 98233. You'll find us upstairs.
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