Apr 23 – 2 Easter Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Peter Addresses the Crowd Background: The Acts of the Apostles is the second portion of Luke’s account of Jesus’ life and ministry and details the formation and growth of Christianity. This account begins immediately following Jesus’ resurrection and ends with Paul’s demise in Rome. The beginning portion […]
Apr 9 – Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9a The Servant’s Humiliation and Vindication Background: The book of Isaiah is a composite book, probably written over a long period of time and most likely not by an individual. This passage is taken from a section that was most likely written in the 6th century during the Babylonian […]
Apr 2 – 5 Lent Ezekiel 37:1-14 The Valley of Dry Bones Background: The prophet Ezekiel is a major prophet in Israel’s existence. He is a member of the priestly line who was active in the span from 593-571 BCE – the years around Jerusalem’s fall to the Babylonians. Ezekiel offered words of judgment and […]
Mar 12 – 2 Lent Genesis 12:1-4a The Call of Abram Background: The first 11 chapters of Genesis set the stage for creation and provide a broad-brush picture of the state of humanity; beginning in the Garden of Eden, traversing the Flood, and finally with the Tower of Babel. Chapter 12 begins the Abraham Cycle […]
Mar 5 – 1 Lent Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 In the Garden The First Sin and Its Punishment Background: Genesis is held by Jew and Christian alike as a book that was dictated by God to Moses; although there is little information in the Hebrew Bible to support this claim. Genesis is a rich book unique […]