Week 4 Lenten Guide - From Greater Saint Peter AME

The Lenten Guide

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Week 4: March 21 - March 27, 2022 Bible Study

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Commentaries & Bible Studies

by Marben Bland

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Lent is a significant season in the year for Christians. A time of solemnity and self-reflection. At Greater Saint Peter, we will celebrate Lent with these services and activities: March 2nd Ash Wednesday Virtual Service @ 10:00 AM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM on all GSP online platforms April 10th Palm Sunday In-person and online service 10:00 AM April 14th Maundy Thursday Virtual meal and service 6:00 PM on all GSP online platforms April 15th Good Friday Virtual Service @ 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM on all GSP online platforms April 17th Easter Sunday 10:00 AM In-person and on all GSP online platforms

Lenten Bible Study Week 4: Luke 13:1-9 7:00 PM ET Thursday, March 10, 2022

www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 695 669 5487 Zoom Conference Call 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 695 669 5487

Opening Thoughts: Lost & Found The words to the immensely popular hymn Amazing Grace were written by John Newton an English poet and clergyman. The song illustrates that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins that may have been committed.

The verse “I once was lost, but now I'm found” is echoed in the three parables Jesus told in Luke 15:1-32 about the experience of the lost being found.

In each of the parables: “The Parable of the Lost Sheep” “The Parable of the Lost Coin” and “The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother “Jesus speaks of the joy that takes place when the “lost” are found.

However, where there is joy, there is also confusion. Confusion in “The Parable of the Lost Sheep” as to why would the sheep owner would leave the ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness to go after the one sheep who is lost. Confusion in “The Parable of the Lost Coin” about wasting time rejoicing about finding lost money. Instead of using the time to “find” new money. Confusion in “The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother “because the son who was loyal is dismayed that his father kills the fatty calf, celebrating the return of the wayward brother instead of honoring his service.

These parables show us what is amazing about God’s grace is that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins that may have been committed. And that forgiveness and redemption bring joy to God. Regardless of our status as Christians, we all have been lost and perhaps, we will be lost again because sin is relentless. But Jesus is beyond relentless, Jesus is the sheep owner who will go after you deep in the wilderness, Jesus will rejoice with you in the smallest of victories over sin, and Jesus will honor your service while rejoicing the return of the wayward brother.

Amazing grace How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I'm found, and Jesus is so happy at what he can now see.

Luke 15 New Revised Standard Version The Dinner Companions’ Of Jesus 15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Questions: 1. Why were the Pharisees and scribes grumbling?

2. What can we learn about the decisions of Jesus about his dinner companions?

3. Who are the tax collectors and sinners of our day?

The Parable of the Lost Sheep 3

So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing

one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Questions: 1. Why did Jesus tell this parable? (Hit: look at Luke 15:1-2) 2. Why did the sheep owner risk the 99 sheep to go after the one that is lost? What meaning to you think Jesus was trying to convey?

3. Why did the sheep owner rejoice when he found the lost sheep? Why did he call his friends and neighbors to the celebration?

4. What was Jesus saying to the Pharisees and the scribes mentioned in verse 2 with his statement in verse 7 when he said: “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

The Parable of the Lost Coin 8

“Or what woman having ten silver coins,[a] if she loses one of them, does not light a

lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Questions: 1. Why does the woman search so carefully for the lost coin? What does it tell us about our “search” for the lost?

2. What is Jesus telling the Pharisees and the scribes mentioned in verse 2 with his statement in verse 10 when he said: Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

More Thoughts: Offended By God’s Grace Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a retch like me. Yes, God’s Grace, is amazing, yes God’s Grace is sweet and yes God’s Grace is powerful. But did you know that some of offended by God’s Grace? Jesus highlights how God’s Grace is misunderstood in the Parable of the Parodical Son. (Luke 15:11–32)

Two Sons one dutiful hard working and loyal to his father stays home tending to the land and growing the family’s wealth. The other son demands his inheritance takes off for the bright lights of the city and then loses his wealth with sinful behavior. Broke, hungry, and broken of sprit he comes home to fall on his father’s mercy.

The father welcomes the wayward son with open arms extending grace to his return. The dutiful son, who has been good and hard working all the years his brother has away been offended by his father’s grace wondering is there any reward for doing good.

God extends his grace not on a merit system based on doing good. God’s grace is extended because of his love for you and me.

If we remember that God’s amazing grace is given in love and if we remember when God’s grace was given to us despite our how retched, we are then we won’t be offended by the sweetness of God’s amazing grace.

The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother 11

Then Jesus[b] 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 traveled 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[c] 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.’[d] 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.

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“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[e] 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: 1. What were the sins committed or poor judgement used by the younger brother?

2. What did the younger brother do to earn his father’s grace?

3. What is the evidence from the text that the younger brother had repented? Did the extension of grace by his father have anything to do with him repenting?

4. How was the older brother justified in his anger about the actions of his father? Can grace be misunderstood? Can grace be rejected?

5. A careful reading of verse Luke 15: 31 reveals the reward that the older son received for being loyal to the father. What was the reward?

BIBLE STUDY VIDEO

Click on this link to watch an amazing exchange between Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

Thoughts & Question Senator Alex Padilla is the junior United States senator from California, appointed by Governor Gavin Newson to complete the term of Kamala Harris after her election as Vice-President.

A son of Mexican emigrants Senior Padilla, graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) one of the most difficult and highly selective universities in the world.

During the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Senator Padilla told his story about attending MIT and then ask Judge Jackson what advice she would give a young person of color who may want to follow her path.

A careful reading of Luke 15: 31 reveals the reward that the older son received for being loyal to the father. What was the reward? And what can we learn from Judge Jackson’s remarks that will allow us to experience God’s Amazing Grace