Bible Studies, Inspired by Faith and Science

(81) How Clearly do we See? Jesus is heading from Ephraim to Jerusalem, approaching his final Festival there. He’s just reminded his disciples that he will die, though they probably haven’t understood ( Read Luke 18:31-34 ), and now he reaches the city of Jericho. Read Luke 18:35-43, Mark 10:46-52, Matthew 20:29-34. 1.        What is the same in these three versions, and what is different? 2.        What proves the blind man (or men) knew (and believed) who Jesus was? 3.        Why might people have wanted them to keep quiet? a.        Is it ever right to keep quiet? b.       How can we tell when we should keep quiet about who Jesus is, and when we should speak out? What made it clear the blind man was meant to speak? 4.        Why would Jesus ask what the blind man wants? a.        What else might be the blind man’s reason for shouting, besides getting healed? b.       What else might the blind man want, besides healing? c.        What does the blind man prove whe

I'd thought it was kind of odd that we're studying Jesus' final approach to Jerusalem after Easter instead of before. But on second thoughts, it seems to work quite well as a lock-down study. Here we are, facing an uncertain and not always hopeful future, and there the disciples were, trying to imagine a glorious future while their leader death... and resurrection of course. And it's the resurrection that reminds us we can always be hopeful. (80) A Question of Priorities Jesus has returned to Jerusalem, or at least to Bethany, just outside the town. Passover is approaching. Pilgrims (and tourists) fill the streets. And a dead man has just been brought back to life. 1.        Read John 11:45-48 Do you suppose the Jews who went to talk with the Pharisees didn’t believe, or just didn’t know what to believe? a.        Read Matthew 12:30, Luke 9:50; Mark 9:40 Does questioning always mean not believing? 2.        Were the Pharisees, chief priests and Sanhedrin natural

Our Bible studies are still trailing the liturgical year. While churches wait in the Easter Season between Passover and Pentecost, we're still following Jesus as he takes that last trip to Jerusalem... and arrives too late. Arriving too late, and not arriving at all, might be a familiar theme at the moment. But we'll find there is no too late  with Jesus after all. It will be a Bring Your Own Coffee, Coffee Break meeting of course. But enjoy! (79) Lazarus Bound Jesus’ wanderings between Jerusalem and the edge of Galilee, between Hanukkah and Passover, are finally coming to an end. He’s told his disciples that he’s going to die. Do you think they believe it? Read Mark 8:31-35, 9:30-32 How easily do we believe that bad things are under God’s control? 1.        Read John 11:1-4   Does “not unto death” mean Lazarus won’t die, won’t die of this sickness, or that death isn’t the final consequence of this sickness? What do you think the disciples believed? 2.        Do you remem

In the present day world, we've just celebrated a somewhat strange Easter, and we're looking forward to Pentecost when the mystery all comes clear. But in our Bible study group, we're finally coming up to Jesus' last visit to Jerusalem, admitting we often need to be numbered among the dazed and confused. Did the disciples understand? Did the rich landowners; the migrant laborers; the church leaders? And how well do we understand it all today? (78) Do you want to be a Migrant Worker in Heaven? Jerusalem is preparing for the Feast, and Jesus is preparing to die. One of the most immediate results of Jesus’ death, for those about to celebrate the feast, will be the welcome of Gentiles into the Jewish promise of salvation. Matthew, writing for the Jews, retells a parable where Jesus illustrates this. Read Matthew 20:1-16 1.        Did you remember that Matthew’s the only one who writes this parable? a.        Is it okay to tailor the stories we tell about Jesus so they