One of the hardest things about life in 2020 is getting perspective. Everyone and everything seem to have been holding its breath as we’ve experienced and ongoing series of “unprecedented” events: bushfires, pandemics, global tension around racism and violence, and the underlying questions of the climate crisis. For each of us this has been exacerbated by the need for physical distancing, making it harder to be with family and friends when we need them the most. On top of this, we haven’t worshiped together in church for six months.
It all feels topsy turvy.
In this situation we’re going back to the basics, the roots of our faith – Jesus. During October and November, we’ll be spending time listening some of the most familiar and foundational stories of the man from Nazareth. Recalling what it was that first captured out attention. Remembering what it was about Jesus that sparked questions and a desire to find out more. So as you read, perhaps you’ll feel the familiar contours of the stories and take some comfort. We can all use some familiarity and comfort right now. But more than that I hope that you might hear the call of Jesus in a new way. To trust in him again that there is enough (bread, love, hope) for all; that there is calm even in the middle of the storms; that God’s grace comes to us regardless of our track record.
In this pack, you find each of the readings from the gospels for the next 6 weeks accompanied by a short reflection and some questions. Every Sunday morning there will be a short video reflection (on the Hope Facebook and YouTube pages).
Sunday October 4th
Jesus walks on water – Matthew 14:22-33
Sunday October 11th
Jesus and Zaccheus – Luke 19:1-10
Sunday October 18th
Jesus Feeds the 5000 – John 6:1-15
Sunday October 25th
The Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32
Sunday November 1st
Jesus heals a blind man – Mark 10:46-52
Sunday November 8th
The Parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37
Sunday October 4th
Jesus walks on water – Matthew 14:22-33
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Questions:
- Read the passage a few times, and once aloud. What words or phrases stay with you? Write them down.
- Often the gospels use these lake crossings “to the other side” as a metaphor for going to a foreign land or different places to normal. When have you felt sent “on ahead” to new or strange places in your life? What was that like?
- The storms of this journey threaten to overwhelm the boat. Notice that when Jesus appears to the disciples, he does not immediately make the storm disappear but instead encourages them to remember that he is with them. When have you felt Jesus with you in times of difficulty? How do you feel God’s presence with you?
- Peter attempts to act in faith, but still sinks in the waves. Even then, Jesus is with him. Sometimes we are too afraid of failure to try stepping out in faith. What is your experience of risking and failing? What did you learn from these moments?
- In your opinion, what was it that prompted the disciples to proclaim “Truly you are the Son of God.” When are you moved to praise?
Sunday October 11th
Jesus and Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10
19 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Questions:
- Read the passage a few times, and once aloud. What words or phrases stay with you? Write them down.
- Tax Collectors were often considered traitors by the Jewish people, as they had sold out to the Roman invaders to make money for themselves. Who do you think are considered the most untrustworthy and hated people in your community today? Can you imagine Jesus asking to come to their home?
- What did Zacchaeus do to earn salvation?
- It’s sometimes easy to fall for the idea that Jesus is only with us when we are worthy – and yet the gospels consistently tell us of Jesus choosing to be with people who are in a mess. When do you feel most connected to Jesus – and why?
Sunday October 18th
Jesus Feeds the 5000 – John 6:1-15
6 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Questions:
- Read the passage a few times, and once aloud. What words or phrases stay with you? Write them down.
- John says that the festival of Passover was near (v4) – what do you remember about this story from Exodus chapters 12-13? The festival was supposed to remind people that God had not only rescued them from slavery, but also provided for them in the wilderness. The biblical story reminds us that there is enough for all (if we choose to act together).
- When all had eaten the disciples gathered up twelve baskets extra – to symbolise the twelve tribes of Israel (the people of God). There is enough for us all, when we trust in Jesus’ commands. Think over the last week and the media you have watched, read, and listened to. Who has tried to make you feel that there is not enough, and who has said that we should share and be grateful?
- It’s easy to feel like we don’t have much to offer to our neighbour or to God, but remember that the boy only had five loaves and two fish. In the face of all the need we see around us, what is one thing (however small )you can do this we to share with other?
Sunday October 25th
The Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32
11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
Questions:
- Read the passage a few times, and once aloud. What words or phrases stay with you? Write them down.
- What has this story meant to you in the past?
- When have you felt like the older son? When have you felt like the younger son?
- What was the last unexpected celebration that you had?
- When has your faith most surprised you?
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