February 19, 2017, Lectionary

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The words requiring love to neighbor are nearly identical to the words requiring love to stranger, citing God's holiness and Lordship. Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 33-37

Teach me, give me understanding, motivate me, incline my heart and affections, quicken and enliven me. Yes God can! Psalm 119:33-40

Can God make you wise to find out the power structures and designs of organizations and policies around you? Maybe He can. Psalm 119:33-40

A group of people can be a temple for God, let themselves be built into a compassionate community, resisting disrespect. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

Part of God's holiness is that God's world has abundance for all, those who are fair and those who are not fair. Matthew 5:38-48

Paul contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh. It is fruit, not works, not worthy of envy, prodding, or self-glory. Galatians 5:19-26

Thoughts about Listening

Love to neighbor and stranger includes both how we talk and think, no lying, disrespect, or gossip, no hate, revenge, or grudge. Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 33-37

This morning I pondered a certain situation and figured out yet another way some people manipulate others, another thing I reject. Psalm 119:33-40

It is possible to hurt the community of God by clever words of slander or contempt or joking "gotcha."  Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

Maxims, slogans, and sound bites cannot encompass the whole picture. Matthew 5:38-48

The simple, powerful ways of being often go unnoticed amidst the popular and noisy push and prod and climb and cleverness. Galatians 5:19-26

Bible Reading Group Homework

1.    Tell and listen to others about what you think motivates kindness in you and your children?

2.    Read or listen to Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 33-37. Discuss the similarities and differences between the words about loving the neighbor and the words about loving the stranger. Discover what is given as the motivator for this love.

3.    Read or listen to Matthew 5:38-48. Locate the two maxims, slogans, or sound bites to which Jesus was reacting here. Study Jesus’ reaction and tell anything that seems surprising or difficult to you. Discover and discuss what is given in the last verse as the motivator for Jesus’ recommended way of life.

4.    Read or listen to 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23. What would you say it takes to build a nurturing neighborhood? Ponder the efforts Paul had invested in the Corinthians as a small church. To what kind of building did he liken his work? And what did he say about anyone who would try to harm it?

5.    Read or listen to Psalm 119:33-40. List the things you can ask God to do for you after the pattern of this section of psalm, and know that God is willing and able to do them. Pray this piece of a psalm together.

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1. Comparta y escucha a los demás sobre lo que cree que motiva la bondad en usted y sus hijos.

2. Leer o escuchar Levítico 19:1-2, 9-18, 33-37. Discutir las similitudes y diferencias entre las palabras que hablan de amar al vecino y las que hablan de amar al extraño. Descubra  lo que se ha dado como motivador para este amor.

3. Leer o escuchar Mateo 5:38-48. Busque las dos máximas,  eslóganes o tonadas a las que Jesús estaba reaccionando en este pasaje.  Estudie la reacción de Jesús y diga cualquier cosa que le parezca sorprendente o difícil.  Descubra y discuta lo que se da en el último versículo como el motivador de la forma de vida recomendada por Jesús.

4. Leer o escuchar 1 Corintios 3:10-11, 16-23. ¿Qué diría que se necesita para construir un vecindario estimulante?  Considerar los esfuerzos que Pablo había invertido en los Corintios, como una iglesia pequeña.  ¿A qué tipo de edificio se parecía su trabajo? ¿Qué dijo acerca del que intentaría hacerle daño?

5. Leer o escuchar el Salmo 119:33-40. Hacer una lista de las cosas que puede pedirle a Dios que haga por usted, después  de leer el modelo de ésta sección del Salmo, y saber que Dios está dispuesto y es capaz de hacerlas. Oremos juntos ésta parte del salmo.