Wedesday, Ordinary 17/Proper 12-- July 30
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Meditation
Wednesday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12 restated what the Kingdom of God was like. The impact of the small mustard seed growing into one of the largest trees/bushes in a garden must have been an immediate visual impression on the local group. They would have recognized how small the mustard see was.
When I was small, I had a glass magnifying ball on a necklace that encased a mustard seed. It was several hundred times bigger in magnification than it was without. Even as magnified so much, the seed was a small seed. Very small.
My mother explained it was because of the magnification that we could see what the mustard seed was like. But understanding the growth depended on seeing the sprawling branches of a mustard tree.
The New Testament lesson continued to elaborate that Jesus spoke in parables so people would have an instant visual on the subject. Explaining things by telling stories works in all training lessons. Often the children’s sermon in a Sunday service is more helpful in people understanding the lesson than the elaborate explanation of the regular sermon. Because childdren’s sermons center on an easy to understand visual picture, the story conveys the meaning in the image created.
Jesus used the telling of parables to teach about the Kingdom of God. When preaching to people who were not already followers, he always taught using stories. Perhaps churches would grow more, if they used the concept. Pastors could use the Sunday message to convey a story which would hide or reveal the meaning of the lesson. For non-believers in the church, they would hear it and respond by wanting to learn more, or they might say, “Nice story, but it means nothing to me,” and then walk away.
Jesus never forced the Word of God down anyone’s throat. On the contrary, he taught by telling beautiful stories. Some of his followers understand the parable and what it ‘meant.’ Other times, the followers would have to search Jesus out and ask him to explain it further.
That would be the equivalent of a Bible Study at another time than the service. Using our ‘preaching’ time to tell stories might give people a chance to learn while be entertained. Walt Disney explained his success “I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.”1
Pastors might be able to learn something from Walt Disney. My father was a minister who was discussing with an actor why his shows were packed out and yet churches struggled with their sanctuaries being filled. The actor replied, “I portray fiction as if it were the truth. You take truth and make it sound like fiction.”
Let’s take our truth, and make sure the stories we tell sing of the wonderful nature of God in ways that are memorable and easy to understand (for kids of all ages).
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.
Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for Ordinary 17, Proper 12 .
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 65:8-13;Genesis 46:2—47:12;Mark 4:30-34&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Wednesday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Psalm 65:8-13
Genesis 46:2-47:12
Mark 4:30-34
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Ephesians 6:10-18
King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Mark 4:30-34
King James Version (KJV)
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, thank you for teaching us in parables. Help us to be thoughtful in our witness of the Good News of Jesus Christ in all we say and do. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Wednesday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12 witnessed that Jesus taught by telling stories so people could “get it” right away. Further understanding might be needed to elaborate on the specifics, but the overall picture was clear from the story.
Jesus wasn’t heavy handed with teaching. He gave everyone a chance to discover the meaning along the way. Some glommed onto the meaning. Others took a while, but that was not as important as the person’s desire to know more. That separated out believer from the unbeliever.
When Jesus would do miracles, signs and teach in parables, the crowds wanted more—of Jesus. For the Pharisees, who didn’t want to follow Jesus, they would demand Jesus do a miracle, like I would put my coins in a candy machine and push the button expecting the choice to drop at my feet. Jesus is not a candy machine. The seeker and the authenticity of the search is part and parcel of the plan to spread the Gospel.
The Old Testament lesson in Genesis revealed how the progeny of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob became a small group of seventy and were well on their way to becoming the innumerable family of God—greater than the sands of the sea.
We can be confident that when we do our small part either in searching out the truths of the Word of God or by sharing them with others, it can become a part of the amazing expansion of the family of God.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. . God bless you.
____________________
1http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/waltdisney158912.html#u00k8eylfmsv9um4.99
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Wednesday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12 restated what the Kingdom of God was like. The impact of the small mustard seed growing into one of the largest trees/bushes in a garden must have been an immediate visual impression on the local group. They would have recognized how small the mustard see was.
When I was small, I had a glass magnifying ball on a necklace that encased a mustard seed. It was several hundred times bigger in magnification than it was without. Even as magnified so much, the seed was a small seed. Very small.
My mother explained it was because of the magnification that we could see what the mustard seed was like. But understanding the growth depended on seeing the sprawling branches of a mustard tree.
The New Testament lesson continued to elaborate that Jesus spoke in parables so people would have an instant visual on the subject. Explaining things by telling stories works in all training lessons. Often the children’s sermon in a Sunday service is more helpful in people understanding the lesson than the elaborate explanation of the regular sermon. Because childdren’s sermons center on an easy to understand visual picture, the story conveys the meaning in the image created.
Jesus used the telling of parables to teach about the Kingdom of God. When preaching to people who were not already followers, he always taught using stories. Perhaps churches would grow more, if they used the concept. Pastors could use the Sunday message to convey a story which would hide or reveal the meaning of the lesson. For non-believers in the church, they would hear it and respond by wanting to learn more, or they might say, “Nice story, but it means nothing to me,” and then walk away.
Jesus never forced the Word of God down anyone’s throat. On the contrary, he taught by telling beautiful stories. Some of his followers understand the parable and what it ‘meant.’ Other times, the followers would have to search Jesus out and ask him to explain it further.
That would be the equivalent of a Bible Study at another time than the service. Using our ‘preaching’ time to tell stories might give people a chance to learn while be entertained. Walt Disney explained his success “I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.”1
Pastors might be able to learn something from Walt Disney. My father was a minister who was discussing with an actor why his shows were packed out and yet churches struggled with their sanctuaries being filled. The actor replied, “I portray fiction as if it were the truth. You take truth and make it sound like fiction.”
Let’s take our truth, and make sure the stories we tell sing of the wonderful nature of God in ways that are memorable and easy to understand (for kids of all ages).
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.
Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for Ordinary 17, Proper 12 .
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 65:8-13;Genesis 46:2—47:12;Mark 4:30-34&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Wednesday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12
Psalm 65:8-13
Genesis 46:2-47:12
Mark 4:30-34
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Ephesians 6:10-18
King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Mark 4:30-34
King James Version (KJV)
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, thank you for teaching us in parables. Help us to be thoughtful in our witness of the Good News of Jesus Christ in all we say and do. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Wednesday, Ordinary 17, Proper 12 witnessed that Jesus taught by telling stories so people could “get it” right away. Further understanding might be needed to elaborate on the specifics, but the overall picture was clear from the story.
Jesus wasn’t heavy handed with teaching. He gave everyone a chance to discover the meaning along the way. Some glommed onto the meaning. Others took a while, but that was not as important as the person’s desire to know more. That separated out believer from the unbeliever.
When Jesus would do miracles, signs and teach in parables, the crowds wanted more—of Jesus. For the Pharisees, who didn’t want to follow Jesus, they would demand Jesus do a miracle, like I would put my coins in a candy machine and push the button expecting the choice to drop at my feet. Jesus is not a candy machine. The seeker and the authenticity of the search is part and parcel of the plan to spread the Gospel.
The Old Testament lesson in Genesis revealed how the progeny of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob became a small group of seventy and were well on their way to becoming the innumerable family of God—greater than the sands of the sea.
We can be confident that when we do our small part either in searching out the truths of the Word of God or by sharing them with others, it can become a part of the amazing expansion of the family of God.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. . God bless you.
____________________
1http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/waltdisney158912.html#u00k8eylfmsv9um4.99
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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