Isolating together

 

Luke 1 describes two miraculous pregnancies that unite two very different women, Elizabeth, an older woman with a highly-regarded social status and her young cousin, Mary, an obvious target for the social elite's dismissal and disdain. The two women isolate themselves during this time, but still find joy and strength in their connection. What connections do you have that bring you joy?

God makes the religious leader voiceless

After 400 years of silence, Israel was promised a prophet of God would be coming through the priest Zacharias. When Zacharias asked for a sign that this would happen, he became silent until the naming of his son, the prophet, John (Luke 1). God made the religious/social leaders voiceless and promised to hear those who had been voiceless. Who do you think our current religious and social leaders make voiceless?

Kings gonna King

 God makes it clear that Solomon's unrepentant idolatry led to the transfer of power from Solomon's family line to another. The transfer of power would also cause the nation to divide into two kingdoms weakening both. The promise to Israel was this was not forever, and that one day David's heir would govern a united Israel again. (1 Kings 11)What judgements do you look forward to ending?

Personal Echo Chamber

Breaking with old testament law and the religious norms of the day, gentiles with no ties to Jewish tradition were invited into the most holy spaces of worship that the Church could provide (Eph 2:14). Both Jewish and non-Jewish were given authority and a voice in the way churches operated. What can we learn from the early Church's radical acceptance and willingness to engage with those around them?

Who do you use?

 While King David's life is full of good and heroic moments, like all lives, it is also marred by sin and selfishness. Adonijah's struggle with Solomon for the throne illustrates one of the key failures of David's character as it seems to affect his family. Every player in the story views Abishag, a poor Shunamite woman, as a pawn that can be used to further an agenda, rather than as a person worthy of love and care. 1 Kings 2.

A Place in the Church

The apostle Paul urged the early church to receive both Jewish and non-Jewish believers (Rom 15:7), excluding neither group. Today the Church seems to exclude others based on cultural norms and political ideology. Who do you find yourself excluding from the life of the church?

Send in the Clowns - literally

 2 Corinthians 9:6-9, encourages us to give cheerfully. We may give out of guilt, fear of God's wrath, or in hopes of gaining more material blessings from God, or from some other motive that fails to truly be 'cheerful.' Perhaps cheerful giving is rooted in understanding that no matter who we give to or what we give is less important than the God who lets us connect with others through giving.

Rizpah's Care

 To keep Saul's heirs from recreating their father's legacy of genocidal acts, the Gibeonites convinced David to send all of Saul's heirs to the Gibeonites who would then kill them. By spotlighting one of Saul's wives, the story highlights the utter despair that comes from embracing war and retribution. Rizpah's selfless act demonstrates the care and respect lacking in the Gibeonites and in David. How can you care for others?

Protecting Jesus from...THEM

 Jesus seemed to make time specifically to care for those who lacked cultural, political, or economic power, like the children of his day (Mark 10). Jesus didn't consider the marginalized of His day to be a distraction or a mission, He treated them as real people with real needs. Who do mistake for a distraction?

Pastor Awesome almost loves children

On one occasion, the disciples attempted to stop people from bringing children to Jesus so that He could bless them. Jesus famously denounced those who stood in the way and declared that being like children was the way to enter the Kingdom of God (Mark 10). Our Lord Jesus was known for associating with those who were culturally and politically powerless, including children. Who do you associate with?

David just takes what he wants...do we?

 

King David's lack of consideration for Bathsheba after he forced her into sin betrays how he had lost his regard for humanity and began to see people as objects for his amusement. Bathsheba was simply sent home and ignored after David was done with her. It's not until David's reputation might be hurt that he has anymore communication with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). Who have you de-humanized this week?

The way through sorrow

In John 16 Jesus warns His disciples that He will leave them and they will feel the sorrow of his absence. The sorrow is not minimized or explained away. Jesus presents the hard truth that they will feel sad, and mourn their loss. Knowing that sorrow is universal, Jesus offered His disciples hope by letting them know that He will return to them. How have you seen the power hope get you through your trials?

Big Guy did it

 Our need to explain why bad things happen, can lead us to place blame on others. David felt the pain of being the 'scapegoat' when his army's city was destroyed and the people taken hostage (1 Sam 30). Who do you blame when you experience 'bad' things? Do you blame those closest to you, or maybe someone who looks different from you? What would it be like if we accepted that we don't have the answers?

How did THAT come out of my mouth?

 Jesus famously exposed the hypocrisy of dietary restrictions placed by those who took little thought to how their words undermined the love of God and hurt the hearers (Matt 15:11). When considering how our words show a lack of love for God and neighbor, we might wonder how we even came to have such thoughts. Which of your thoughts fail to show love? Where did those thoughts come from?

Jesus knows Zacchaeus

 

When reading the story of Zacchaeus, we can't help but notice his obvious fruits of repentance (Luke 19), but we might also wonder why Jesus would bother to stop and spend time with Zacchaeus in the first place. Are we Christians so busy fighting culture wars that we fail to see people as those God loves and cares for? Who are not willing to commune with, who would you withhold God's love from?

Take my daughter. Please!

 

One way King Saul demonstrated his shortcomings was by trying to use his daughter to 'snare' his political and military rival, David (1 Sam 18). Sadly, we might see ourselves in Saul's willingness to use people, even his own children, to advance his personal power and agenda. Can you think of ways you might be using others, instead of loving them?

Jesus and way the world works

Jesus often taught ideas that are contrary to our typical way of doing business. One example might be found in  Matthew 5:33-37, where Jesus undermined His community's method of doing business by pointing out the fallacy and illogical nature of their oaths. Jesus knew that promises are empty if the soul is untrustworthy. What business practices do you think Jesus would stand against today?

Obey and Sacrifice

 1 Samuel 15, is often misquoted and removed from its context to give us the idea that absolute, unquestioning, blind obedience is the greatest act we can perform. While obedience to God is important, we should remember the commendation of the Bereans (Acts 17) for their questioning and searching. Are you curious and willing to seek truth, or do you accept what you hear from newscasters, preachers, and others?

I was gonna sacrifice them...

Christians often repeat that to "obey is better than sacrifice." The context of the saying is actually 1 Samuel 15, where Saul has decided to keep some of the spoils of war in order to hold a sacrifice to God, which would actually result in a large victory party with huge platters of meat for Saul's soldiers. The 'sacrifice' was really benefitting from someone else's loss. How do you benefit from what other's fail to receive?

The Church made me (maybe)

When Christians seem proud of their label, or identity as Christians or as members of a particular church or denomination, they are not living out the values of Christ. The Apostle Paul refers the need for humility and for not being proud of one's affiliations in 1 Corinthians 4. Are you proud of your identity or are you grateful for a God who loves everyone and gave His only Son to redeem you?