Merry Christmas!
Enjoy your family, friends and whatever holiday traditions you celebrate.
Club 52 will be on a break until January 2, 2012.
New reading calendars will soon be available in the Narthex and the blog will be updated on Monday January 2nd.
Peace & Love!
The Club 52 Team
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Week 11: The Transfiguration
Monday December 12, 2011
Week 11: The Transfiguration - Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36
Bible Text: Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36
Key Verse: Luke 9:34-35
Matthew 17:1-8 led them up a high mountain: the story is a conversation between God and the disciples. Jesus appears in glory. He speaks with Moses and Elijah who represent the law and the prophets. Peter wants to honor the three. But God identifies Jesus as God's Son. The disciples are to listen to him. Then they see only Jesus, who speaks of his death and resurrection.
Mark 9:2 a high mountain: it is not clear what mountain this is, but God is revealed here. In the book of Exodus, God is also revealed on a mountain.
Mark 9:7 this is my Son: details in this scene match up with Jeusu' baptism and crucifixion (see 1:9-11)
Luke 9:30-31 departure: this word could also be translated as "exodus". Jesus, Moses, and Elijah discuss Jesus' approaching "exodus", which will take place in Jerusalem.
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Monday: Devotional Reading – Time for prayer & adoration:
Read through the scripture several times, just listening to the words.
Tuesday: Literary Reading – Listen for literary content:
Focus on the text, itself.
Wednesday: Lutheran Theological Reading – Read from a Lutheran perspective:
Reflect on the convictions, insights and expectations that rise particularly from our Lutheran Heritage.
Thursday: Historical Reading – Read with an ear for History:
Reflect on the historical situation.
Friday: Catch up on missed reading time
Saturday & Sunday: Day of Rest
For More Detailed Reflection Questions please check-out the link "Daily Reflection Questions" link.
Scripture descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Week 10 December 5 - 11: Feeding of the 5,000
Week 10 – Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14
Bible
Text: Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14
Key Verse: Luke
9:16-17
Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus withdrew: the
crowd followed Jesus into the desert. In compassion, Jesus healed them and feeds them in a feast that anticipates God's salvation, in contrast with Herod's birthday feast (14:6). Where Jesus is, there is plenty, even in the desert.
Mark 6:31 to a deserted place: the disciples imitate the actions of Jesus listed in 1:35.
Mark 6:37 two hundred denarii: a laborer at the time would be paid about one denarius a day.
Mark 6:43 twelve baskets: these leftovers are symbolically important, suggesting that Jesus provided enough for all twelve tribes of Israel.
John 6:1-14 they sat down: this event, the feeding of the 5,000, is recorded in all four Gospels. Only in John does Jesus, not the disciples distribute the bread and fish to the crowd.
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Monday: Devotional Reading – Time for prayer
& adoration:
Read
through the scripture several times, just listening to the words.
Tuesday: Literary Reading – Listen for literary
content:
Focus
on the text, itself.
Wednesday: Lutheran Theological Reading – Read from a
Lutheran perspective:
Reflect
on the convictions, insights and expectations that rise particularly from our
Lutheran Heritage.
Thursday: Historical Reading – Read with an ear for
History:
Reflect
on the historical situation.
Friday: Catch
up on missed reading time
Saturday
& Sunday: Day
of Rest
For
More Detailed Reflection Questions please check-out the link "Daily Reflection
Questions" link.
Scripture
descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study
Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Week 9 – Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-10, Luke 8:26-39
NEW!
This is also the Week 10 readings so enjoy some further study on the demonics for November 27-December 4.
This is also the Week 10 readings so enjoy some further study on the demonics for November 27-December 4.
Bible Text: Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-10, Luke 8:26-39
Key Verse: Luke 8:39
Matthew 8:28-34 Gadarenes, two demoniacs: the exact location is in question. Jesus sends the demons into a herd of pigs. They perish in the sea. The man is healed; the owner of the pigs pays a high price. It is no surprise that these people want Jesus to leave.
Matthew 8:34 pleaded with him to leave: They were probably more concerned about their financial loss than about the deliverance of the miserable demon-possessed man.
Mark 5:1 across the lake: The East side of the Lake, a territory largely inhabited by Gentiles, as indicated by the large herd of pigs.
Mark 5:7 what do you want with me: A way of saying “What do we have in common?” Similar expressions are found in the Old Testament where they mean “Mind your own business!” The demon is speaking, using the voice of the possessed man.
Mark 5:9 legion: This was also the term for a Roman military unit about six thousand soldiers.
Luke 8:26 country of Gerasenes: The people, architecture, and lifestyle in the area east of the Hordan River were mainly Greek.
Luke 8:28 Son of the Most High God: The “Most High God” was commonly used by Gentiles, its use here perhaps indicates that this man was not a Jew.
Luke 8:30 what is your name: Jesus asked the man his name, but it was the demons who replied, thus showing they were in control.
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Monday: Devotional Reading – Time for prayer & adoration:
Read through the scripture several times, just listening to the words.
Tuesday: Literary Reading – Listen for literary content:
Focus on the text, itself.
Wednesday: Lutheran Theological Reading – Read from a Lutheran perspective:
Reflect on the convictions, insights and expectations that rise particularly from our Lutheran Heritage.
Thursday: Historical Reading – Read with an ear for History:
Reflect on the historical situation.
Friday: Catch up on missed reading time
Saturday & Sunday: Day of Rest
For More Detailed Reflection Questions please check-out the link "Daily Reflection Questions" link.
Scripture descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Week 8 – Matthew 5:3-12 “Beatitudes”
Week 8: November 14th – 20th
Bible Text: Matthew 5:3-12
Key Verse: Luke 6:20-26
Matthew 5:3-12 Blessed are: This section is known as the Beatitudes. The word “blessed” also can be translated as “happy”. So Jesus now declares people blessed in light of God’s coming rule. The Beatitudes create what they declare. Jesus makes the new world of God’s rule actual now in this broken world. Yet it also remains a promised future. Notice that they do not depend on faith or even on knowing Jesus. This is one way God creates salvation.
Matthew 5:1 – 7:29 The Sermon on the Mount: is the first of five great discourses in Matthew. It contains three types of material: 1) beatitudes, 2) ethical admonitions and 3) contrasts between Jesus’ ethical teaching and Jewish legalistic traditions.
Matthew 5:3-12: “How does Luther understand God’s spoken Word?” Luther understands God’s spoken word as creative power, not information. When God speaks, God’s word creates what it declares. God’s word called the universe and everything in it existence. The Beatitudes create reality.
Luke 6:20-26 Luke’s Sermon on the Plain: apparently parallel to Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. Although this sermon is much shorter than the one in Matthew, they both begin with the Beatitudes and end with the lesson of the builders.
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Monday: Devotional Reading – Time for prayer & adoration:
Read through the scripture several times, just listening to the words.
Tuesday: Literary Reading – Listen for literary content:
Focus on the text, itself.
Wednesday: Lutheran Theological Reading – Read from a Lutheran perspective:
Reflect on the convictions, insights and expectations that rise particularly from our Lutheran Heritage.
Thursday: Historical Reading – Read with an ear for History:
Reflect on the historical situation.
Friday: Catch up on missed reading time
Saturday & Sunday: Day of Rest
For More Detailed Reflection Questions please check-out the link "Daily Reflection Questions" link.
Scripture descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Week 7 – Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11 “Jesus Calls the First Disciples”
Week 7: November 7th – 13th
Bible Text: Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11
Key Verse: Luke 5:1-11
Matthew 4:18-22 by the Sea of Galilee: Jesus sees two pairs of brothers, Peter (formally known as Simon) and Andrew and James and John. They are fishers. He calls them to follow. His call is the only reason they follow.
Mark 1:16-20 come follow me: the call to discipleship is definite and demands a response of total commitment. This was not Jesus’ first encounter with Simon and Andrew, see John 1:35-42.
Luke 5:3 sat down: the usual position for teaching. The boat provided an ideal arrangement, removed from the press of the crowd but near enough to be seen and heard.
Luke 5:11 left everything and followed him: This was not the first time these men had been with Jesus.
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Monday: Devotional Reading – Time for prayer & adoration:
Read through the scripture several times, just listening to the words.
Tuesday: Literary Reading – Listen for literary content:
Focus on the text, itself.
Wednesday: Lutheran Theological Reading – Read from a Lutheran perspective:
Reflect on the convictions, insights and expectations that rise particularly from our Lutheran Heritage.
Thursday: Historical Reading – Read with an ear for History:
Reflect on the historical situation.
Friday: Catch up on missed reading time
Saturday & Sunday: Day of Rest
For More Detailed Reflection Questions please check-out the link "Daily Reflection Questions" link.
Scripture descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Week 6 – Matthew 13:54-58, Mark 6:1-6, Luke 4:16-30 “Jesus’ Nazareth Sermon”
Week 6: October 31st to November 6th
Bible Text: Matthew 13:54-58, Mark 6:1-6, Luke 4:16-30
Key Verse: Luke 4:18-19 & 21
Matthew 13:54-58 his hometown…took offense at him: Opposition to Jesus includes his own hometown. Jesus’ brothers named Joseph and Simon are not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. Judas is mentioned in Jude 1. James likely is the same person who becomes a leaders in the early church (Acts 2:17, 21:18).
Mark 6:3 the son of Mary: it is unusual and perhaps even insulting that Jesus is identified as “the son of Mary” rather than as the son of his father. They [his brothers] took offense as they saw no reason to believe that he was different from them, much less that he was specially anointed by God.
Luke 4:19 the year of the Lord’s favor: this refers to the Year of Jubilee. Any land that had been sold was to be returned. Any person held as a slave was to be freed.
Luke 4:22-30 all spoke well of him: the people gathered in the synagogue approve of what Jesus has said. The question (is not Joseph’s son?) does no t imply rejection, only amazement. This makes Jesus’ words in 4:24 puzzling.
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Monday: Devotional Reading – Time for prayer & adoration:
Read through the scripture several times, just listening to the words.
Tuesday: Literary Reading – Listen for literary content:
Focus on the text, itself.
Wednesday: Lutheran Theological Reading – Read from a Lutheran perspective:
Reflect on the convictions, insights and expectations that rise particularly from our Lutheran Heritage.
Thursday: Historical Reading – Read with an ear for History:
Reflect on the historical situation.
Friday: Catch up on missed reading time
Saturday & Sunday: Day of Rest
For More Detailed Reflection Questions please check-out the link "Daily Reflection Questions" link.
Scripture descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Week 5 – Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13 “Wilderness Temptations”
Week 5: October 24th to October 30th
Bible Text: Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13
Key Verse: Luke 4:12-13
Matthew 4:1-11 into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil: The Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted. The temptations drew on his identity: “If you are the Son of God”. Jesus answered with scripture, see Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16, 16:13.
Mark 1:12-13 in the wilderness forty days: This is a time of testing for Jesus, like the forty days of preparation for Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) and forty years in the wilderness for Israel (Deuteronomy 8:2-6).
Luke 4:3-12 bread…authority…throw yourself down: These tests echo the tests the first humans failed. Adam was offered food and ate it without question. Eve was offered a chance to be like God and took it. Jesus responds to each test with scripture.
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Monday: Devotional Reading – Time for prayer & adoration:
Read through the scripture several times, just listening to the words.
Tuesday: Literary Reading – Listen for literary content:
Focus on the text, itself.
Wednesday: Lutheran Theological Reading – Read from a Lutheran perspective:
Reflect on the convictions, insights and expectations that rise particularly from our Lutheran Heritage.
Thursday: Historical Reading – Read with an ear for History:
Reflect on the historical situation.
Friday: Catch up on missed reading time
Saturday & Sunday: Day of Rest
For More Detailed Reflection Questions please check-out the link "Daily Reflection Questions" link.
Scripture descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Week 4 - Luke 2:25-35 “Simeon”
Week 4: October 17th to October 23rd
Bible Text: Luke 2:25-35
Key Verse: Luke 2:30-32
This reading continues the story of Jesus in Jerusalem.
2:25 consolation of Israel…: The comfort the Messiah would bring to his people at his coming not in a common way. Simeon was given special insight so that he would recognize “Christ”.
2:29-32: The hymn of Simeon has been called the Nunic Dimittis meaning “[You] now dismiss”.
2:32 a light for revelation…: Jesus will reveal God’s glory not only to the Jews, but to non-Jews (Gentiles). Also see Isaiah 42:6, 52:10.
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Monday: Devotional Reading – Time for prayer & adoration:
Read through the scripture several times, just listening to the words.
Tuesday: Literary Reading – Listen for literary content:
Focus on the text, itself.
Wednesday: Lutheran Theological Reading – Read from a Lutheran perspective:
Reflect on the convictions, insights and expectations that rise particularly from our Lutheran Heritage.
Thursday: Historical Reading – Read with an ear for History:
Reflect on the historical situation.
Friday: Catch up on missed reading time
Saturday & Sunday: Day of Rest
For More Detailed Reflection Questions please check-out the link "Daily Reflection Questions link.
Please follow the Daily Reflection Questions this week to reflect on the above scripture.
Scripture descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Week 3 - Luke 2:1-20 “The Birth of Jesus”
Week 3: October 10th to October 16th
Bible Text: Luke 2:1-20
Key Verse: Luke 2:10-11
Please join us for face-to-face conversation and reflection this Saturday October 15th at 8:00 a.m.
2:1-2 In those days: Emperor Augustus, also called Caesar Augustus, was the Roman emperor at the time Jesus was born. The registration of listing was done so that the people could be taxed by the Roman government.
2:4 Bethlehem: This means “house of bread” in Hebrew. Bethlehem is located south of Jerusalem.
2:7 no place for them in the inn: The word translated as “in” is translated as “guest room” in 22:11. The exact meaning remains uncertain, but it may refer to a guest room in a house. Bethlehem was Joseph’s hometown, so family members may have lived there.
2:11 messiah: This Hebrew name means “anointed one”. Anointing involved pouring oil on someone’s head to set that person apart. In Greek the name is Christos, translated as Christ. Faithful Jews had waited centuries for the Messiah promised by God.
Please follow the Daily Reflection Questions this week to reflect on the above scripture.
Scripture descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Week 2 - Matthew 2:1-12
Week 2: October 3rd to October 9th
Bible Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Key Verse: Matthew 2:2-3
2:1 King Herod…wise men: Herod, king of Judea 37-4 B.C.E., was an ally of Rome. He rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem to restore its glory. The wise men (magi) were probably Zoroastrain priests from Parthia or Persia.
2:4 chief priests and scribes: The chief priests were leaders of the priests in the Jerusalem temple, where they were in charge of temple sacrifices and purification rights. The scribes were scholars whose work often involved writing. They tend to be connected with the Pharisees in Matthew’s Gospel.
2:5-6 Bethlehem: Like David, the Messiah was to come from Bethlehem, a town just south of Jerusalem.
Please follow the Daily Reflection Questions this week to reflect on the above scripture.
All scripture descriptions are taken either in full text or edited text from “Lutheran Study Bible” from Augsburg Fortress.
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