Weekly Lectionary Scripture
Each week we explore a scripture passage based on the lectionary.
- Exploring the Scripture Hebrews 4 introduces a primary theme: Christ, the High Priest of God. For the next four Sundays, the lectionary focus will develop this idea. We will explore different facets of High Priest ministry and how Christ transforms…
- Exploring the Scripture Although Hebrews ends as if it were a letter, it opens as an essay. The writer affirms God speaks to humankind throughout the ages, a belief central to Community of Christ. God spoke through prophets in the past, but around…
- Exploring the Scripture Jesus and his first followers were Jewish. Christianity began as a sect of Judaism. Thus, early practices in the Christian church reflected Jewish worship forms, such as prayer and song. Prayer is the common denominator in…
- Exploring the Scripture Today’s scripture passage explores two kinds of wisdom. “[E]arthly, unspiritual, devilish” wisdom leads to “bitter envy, selfish ambition…disorder, and wickedness of every kind” (vv. 15–16). Gentle understanding “wisdom from…
- Exploring the Scripture The third conversation in the book of James focuses on temptations to use our words to control, manipulate, and denigrate others. Verse 1 warns Christians the honor of teaching the gospel to others carries with it a burden of…
- Exploring the Scripture James 2:1–13 is the first of three passionate discourses about problems in the Christian community. James highlights discrimination against the poor and favoritism toward the wealthy in this text. Most early Christians were…
- Exploring the Scripture James begins with a letter’s greeting, but the writing more closely resembles a sermon built on wisdom and pithy sayings parallel to the sayings of Jesus. Designed to help Christians live in the community, James strongly…
- Exploring the Scripture Today’s lectionary text urges disciples to “put on the whole armor of God” (v. 11). Sunday school classes delight in creating cardboard armor labeled “truth,” “righteousness,” “peace,” “faith,” and “salvation” while they wave…
- Exploring the Scripture The simplicity of today’s lectionary passage can lull the preacher into a superficial, feel-good message about song and thanksgiving. Looking deeper, one discovers layers of meaning intended to enrich life as a disciple and…
- Exploring the Scripture Today, our scripture text focuses on the practicalities of living as one within the Body of Christ by addressing specific behaviors that divide people. The author urges Christians to put away the former way of life before…