23 des 2018

Light on the Lessons Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] Fourth Sunday in Advent; Cycle C; December 23, 2018 Leader Guidance Materials Needed + Bibles for everyone (variety of translations often useful) + Lectionary sheets (very convenient if you use them in worship) + Chalkboard, newsprint, overhead, or another means for displaying information and recording thoughts + Basic reference books for use as needed: Bible dictionary, Bible atlas, concordance, a one-volume Bible commentary I Getting Started Read the lessons aloud before discussing them, either in advance or as they are studied. Ask participants to share prayer concerns. Then turn to the questions in “Getting Started.” 1. Responses will vary. 2. Responses will vary. The response, of course, intends to connect Sunday with Monday, to relate worship to our witness in the world. 3. Responses will vary. II Check the Texts 1. Micah 5:2-5a A. Bethlehem was the home of the famous King David and the place where he was consecrated. B. To strike one upon the cheek was a humiliating, contemptuous insult. This suggests that this oracle occurred during a time when enemies threatened the city. One guess is the way Hezekiah shamefully folded before Sennacherib’s threat, 2 Kings 18:13-18. C. The contrast is between the smallness of Bethlehem and the greatness of the one who will come forth from it. This person will be the ideal shepherd-king of the Davidic dynasty. “Of old” may hearken back to David’s reign. Matthew and John read this passage as a prophecy of Christ. Since the Davidic line ended with the Exile, early Christians viewed Christ as fulfilling that role. D. Interpretations may vary. Most likely, the people of Judah may be given up to a time of troubles (the “labor,” as in childbirth) but one day they will be united as one Israel with the scattered, defeated folks of the vanquished Northern Kingdom. (Micah uses the term Israel for Judah, to suggest a unified nation.) E. Verses 4-5a pictures the ideal shepherd-king who will rule the united Israel and whose influence, at least, will extend to the ends of the earth. He will bring the people security. The shepherd imagery here is often applied to Israel’s kings, and is the source of the image of Jesus as Good Shepherd (John 10:7-18). 2. Hebrews 10:5-10 A. Verses 5:1-4 claim the sacrificial system of the Temple is a mere shadow of reality, verse 1, and the “good things to come” would be Christ. The ineffectual repeated sacrifices only remind the people of the persistence of sin. B. In verses 5-7, Jesus is the speaker, while in the Psalm David (or another king) speaks. Early Christians, equating Jesus with the heir to David’s throne, saw no problem in putting the king’s words into Jesus’ mouth. Doing the will of God replaces the offerings. The translation used in Hebrews (the Septuagint) uses “body” which refers back to “Christ came into the world.” Spend a few moments comparing the two translations. Find as many differences as you can. But the meaning of both is the same. Mention that the New Testament writers quote the Septuagint, which explains why their references do not always parallel the passages in our Bible, translated directly from the Hebrew. C. Micah 6:8 is a famous passage that also underscores the importance of ethical behavior. God’s people must walk the talk. Jesus’ single sacrifice will emphasize the call to behaviors responsive to God’s will by eliminating the “escape hatch” of repeated offerings. 3. Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] A. Elizabeth was carrying John (the Baptist) and was six months along when Mary conceived. B. We can understand the fetal John leaping in the womb as his first announcement of or pointing the way to, Jesus. The reference to the Holy Spirit gives prophetic validity to what Elizabeth says. Mary is blessed for her womanhood, verse 42, and her faithful trust in God’s promises, verse 45. C. The “Song of Hannah” in 1 Samuel strongly echoes the Magnificat. (You might explore other biblical songs sung in response to God’s actions. In Exodus 15:1-18, Moses sings for deliverance from Pharaoh’s army; in verse 20-21, Miriam sings. In Judges 5:1-31, Deborah and Barak sing a duet in thanks for a victory.) In verses 46-49, Mary talks about herself; her theme is thanksgiving. In verses 50-55, she addresses God and rehearses God’s intentions. D. “God the warrior” might fit verses 51-52. “God the merciful” might apply to verses 50 and 54. Verse 53 might be read either way. Which way does your group prefer? E. Verses 52-53 speak of God turning things upside down. In many parts of the world, Christians read these verses as a promise of revolution, quite unlike the way we deal with the Magnificat. III What Does It All Mean? 1. Responses will vary. 2. Responses will vary. Exile could be a metaphor for our alienation, our lack of moorings, our meaninglessness. We are Exiled by pressures of the world from our true Home with God. 3. Responses will vary. If a ruler truly followed the way of God (rather than giving God a pious nod), we might expect great things. But our “nods to God” often fail to deal with God’s justice. We love divine protection; we are far less enthusiastic about divine demands for justice and security for all. 4. Responses will vary. Worship should charge us up for a week of witness. It cleanses us from the past week and strengthens us for the coming week. 5. Responses will vary. The confession aspect comes from facing up to our failure to do what God intends us to be a part of (verses 51-55) in response to what he has done for us (verses 46-50). 6. Responses will vary. God’s promises, taken as a whole, offer an alternative view of the world. Our call is to pursue that vision rather than the vision given us by our culture. 7. Responses will vary. Mary’s deep, trusting faith is an example for all Christians, as is her acceptance of the mission God gave her. 8. Responses will vary. Do any suggest world peace, in the season of the Prince of Peace? 9. Responses will vary. This is a stressful season for many. Use this to share ideas and to give support. 10. Responses will vary. You might highlight a special project undertaken by your congregation, or the group might work on a project of their own. IV Into the Week Talk about last week’s suggestion.. Encourage the group to undertake #2.