Resources for Adult Study and Spiritual Growth
Current Adult Studies
These meet in the church sanctuary. Childcare is provided. Come join us!
Otherly-Abledness
Begins June 1 on Sundays at 9:30 a
Our deacon, Rev. Nellie Greene will lead us in a program on the “otherly-abled.” This study and conversation will help us be more conscious about issues facing those among us with ‘disabilities’ and is open to everyone - otherly-abled, disabled and temporarily able-bodied!
Previous Adult Studies include:
An Introduction to Reading the Bible
Meets April 27 through May 18 on Sundays at 9:30 am
The buzz in this country is that people should read the Bible. But it is not at all that easy. Many people try to read the Bible, but find it confusing, obscure, or frightening. Others read it with mixed results. This adult study aims to provide several strategies for reading the Bible, either occasionally or regularly. It takes account of different goals in reading the Bible, for inspiration or information. The study gives a plain-spoken introduction to what kind of book the Bible is, maps out models for reading strategies, and provides some historical background information.
The Ethics and Spirituality of Food
Meets May 11 and May 18 on Sundays after church
This is a repeat of a popular study last fall, but at a different time for those who cannot make the 9:30 a.m. adult study or who missed last fall’s study. The study looks at how what we eat affects our own selves and the larger world. It examines several models for changing one’s eating habits. It provides information about the way food is produced in consumer society, and some simple alternatives.
Praying with new images of God
Images and Names for God in Scripture.
You are invited to consider new images for God and pray with them. One way is simply to pray, “The Lord is my ____”, or “God is my ___”,
inserting names and images for God in the blank.
This compilation is by Anne Shore, Assumption University
PERSONAL – FEMALE
Birthing God – womb
• Gen 7:1 use of breasts as female image of God
• Deut. 32: 18 You forget the rock who begot you, unmindful of the God who gave you birth
• Job 38:8 who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?
• Job 38: 28 – 29 God’s fathering of rain and giving birth to ice from her womb
• Isaiah 42: 14 I groan like a woman in labour, I will gasp and pant
• Isaiah 46: 3 – 4 You who have been carried since birth, whom I have carried since time you were born
– image of womb
• John 1:12 Those who believe in God born of God
• John 4:7 everyone who loves is born of God
• John 16:21 implies suffering to bring forth new humanity – could be compared to pangs of woman in
labour, in sorrow because her hour has come
• Acts 17 In God we live and move and have our being
• Gal 4:19 God’s womb pain
• Romans 8:22 From the beginning to now the entire creation has been groaning in one great act of
giving birth ( creation)
Creator God of Israel is also imaged as the shaper, maker and mother God who formed Israel in the womb
and birthed Israel with labour pains.
• (Deut. 32:18; Psalm 90:2; Proverbs 8:24 – 25; Isaiah 43:1,7,15; 44:2, 24; 45:9, 11; 51:13; 54:5
From the word “womb” (rehem) comes the verb “to have compassion” (raham), and the phrase
“Yahweh’s compassionate (rahum) and gracious” repeatedly appears in the Hebrew scripture to
describe the merciful and saving acts of God in history. (Deut. 4:31; 2 Chr 30:9; Neh9:17; Ps
78:38; 86:16; 103:8; 111:4; 112:4; 145:8; John 4:7 These verses show images of God who
demonstrates “womb – like compassion” for her child Israel.
• God creator is sometimes depicted as woman giving birth and sometimes a reproductive image of
God as both male and female: Deut 32:18; Job 38:28 – 29; Is 42:14; Acts 17; John 16:21; Gal
4:19; Rom 8:22; John 1:12;
Nursing mother
• Isaiah 49:15 does a woman forget her baby at the breast, or fail to cherish the son (daughter) of her
womb
• Numbers 11:12 was it I who conceived all this people, was it I who gave them birth that you should
say to me, carry them in your bosom like a nurse with a baby at the breast
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• Psalm 131:2 – 3 But I have clamed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul
within me is like a weaned child.
• John 7: 38 From his breast shall flow the fountains of living water
• 1 Peter 2:2 – 3 You are newborn and like babies you should be hungry for nothing but milk – now that
you have tasted the goodness of Christ
Nurturing God – mother
• Gen 1 :2 nesting mother
• Deut 32 : 11 – 12 mother eagle
• Hosea 11:34 I myself taught Ephram to walk, I took them in my arms
• Hosea 13: 8 I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs
• Psalm 131 image of repose – like a child in its mother’s arms as content as a child that has been
weaned
• Ps 17:8 guard me in the shadow of your wings
• Ps 36:7 all people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings
• Ps 57:1 in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge
• Ps 61:4 find refuge under the shelter of your wings
• Isaiah 31:5 like birds hovering overhead, so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem
• Isaiah 46:3 - 4 who have been borne by me from your birth carried from the womb... even when you
turn gray, I will carry you. I have made and I will bear, I will carry and will save
• Isaiah 66: 10 –13 comforting mother...... as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you
• Luke 15:8 woman tirelessly sweeping for her lost coin, for what is important to her
• Luke 13: 34 (Matt 23:37), how often I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her
brood under her wings
Other images
• Ruah – Gen 2:7, Ps 104: 29; Jn 3:8 presence gives life; feminine Hebrew word meaning breath, wind,
inspiration or spirit.
• Rahamin Hebrew word for compassion – root word, rahan, means womb.
• El Shaddai – God of the mountains or God of the breasts
• Seamstress – Gen 3:21
• Washerwoman Isaiah 4:4, Psalm 51:7
• Midwife Psalm 22:9 – 11, Psalm 71:6; Isaiah 66:9
• Woman baking bread Matt 13:33
• Seeks justice Proverbs 8:18
PERSONAL – MALE
Father
• Deut. 32:6 Is he not your father, who created you, who made you and established you?
• Psalm 89: 26 – 27 You are my Father, my God
• Jeremiah 31:9, 3:14, 22; Mal 1:6 I have become a father to Israel
• Isaiah 64:8 O Lord you are our Father, we are the clay, and you are the potter; we are the work of your
hands
• 2 Samuel 14 I will be a father to him and he shall be a son to me
• Hosea 11:1, Jeremiah 31:20 God stands as father in relation to his people because he has chosen
them
• Mark 6:9, Luke 11:2 teaches Our father
• Mark 14:36 Abba, father, for all you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I
want, but what you want.
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• John 20:17 I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.
• Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect
• Matthew 28:19 baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
• Romans 8: 15 when we cry, “Abba Father!”
• Matthew 6:32 your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things
• Luke 15 compassionate father who welcomes son back
• Adoptive father Romans 8:15, Gal 4:4 – 6
• Comforting father 2 Thess 2:16 – 17
• Everlasting Father Isaiah 9:6
• Heavenly father Matt 6:26
Personal names & images - masculine
• Abba Mk 14:36; Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6
• Bridegroom Song of Sol 2:3,4, 10 –14; Is 62:4,5; Zeph 3:17; Ps 45:10, 11
• King Psalm 24:7, Psalm 47:7, Dan 4:37
• King of kings 1 Tim 6:15, Rev. 19:16
• Lord Num 3:44, Ps 24:10, Lk 9:54
• Lord of hosts – Jer 32:18
• Lord of Lords 1 Tim 6:15, Rev 19:16
• Lord of Peace 2 thess 3:16
• Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6
• Sovereign Lord Rev. 6:10
• Husband Is 45:5, Hos 2:16, 19 – 20, Rom 7:4
• Shepherd Gen49:24, Luke 15: 3- 7; Peter 2:28, Ps 23
• Beloved bridegroom Song of Sol 2:3, 4, 10 – 14, Is 62:4, 5
Hebrew scriptures
• Yahweh – I am the one who is always present and active. I am who I am. I will be who I will be
• El Elyon – the God most high Gen. 14:18 – 19
• El Oman – the eternal God Gen. 21:33
• El Berith – the God of the covenant Judges 9:46
I AM STATEMENTS
• I am who I am Exodus 3:14
• I am the bread of life John 6: 25 – 35 48
• I am the good shepherd John 10:11 - 18
• I am the resurrection and the life John 11:17 - 27
• I am the light of the world John 8:12 – 16
• I am the gate for the sheep John 10: 1 - 10
• I am the way and the truth and the life John 14:1 – 14
• I am the vine John 15:1 - 11
PARABLES
Mt 13 sower who sows good seed
Lk 14 gracious host who invites all to banquet
Mt 20 vineyard owner who pays workers very generously
Lk 15 compassionate father who welcomes son back
John 15 vinedresser who carefully prunes vines so they bear more fruit
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SOPHIA
First nine chapters of Proverbs focus on Wisdom
Proverbs 4:13 she is your life, giver of life
Proverbs 8:35 whoever finds me finds life
Proverbs 8:15 decrees what is right
Proverbs 8: 22 – 31 like Wisdom herself, before the foundation of the earth I was there. Wisdom comes
from God, was created by God
Wisdom 7:22 – 8:1 fashioner of all things; 21 attributes which is the product of two perfect numbers 3 & 7.
Wisdom is perfection multiplied by perfection. Intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile,
clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving good, keen, irresistible, beneficent, humane,
steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all powerful. Overseeing all, penetrating through all other
intelligent spirits
Wisdom 8:1 orders all things
Wisdom 7: 24 pervades and penetrates all things
Wisdom 7:27 renews all things – renewable energy
Wisdom 9:10 shares the throne of God
Wisdom 7:10 – 14 source of all things new
Sirach 1:1 – 8 It is God who knows wisdom and pours her forth upon the world
Sirach 24: 1 – 27 Hymn of self praise sung by Wisdom in which she describes herself, her origins, her
relationship to God and the good things she does for human beings. Her origins: she came from
the mouth of God, she is God’s word, breath, Spirit; as the spirit/wind that hovered over the waters
of creation and as mist / steam that covered the earth at the beginning; she is universal,
everywhere. Her image as a tree echoes Proverbs 8 – she strikes root among God’s people. She
feeds all who long for her. Her food is sweeter than honey. Her food is herself. All who eat of her
will hunger still, who drink of her will thirst for more. One will never be able to get enough of what
she offers. What she offers is life. Concludes her song with promise similar to Proverbs 8:35 – 34 –
those who obey her will not be shamed. Those who serve her will not fall short.
Personification of God’s wisdom as woman. Wisdom Woman is image of God. In speaking of her, speak of
God. Biblical portrait of Wisdom consistently female.
GENDER FREE AND IMPERSONAL
Able to 1 Tim 1:12; Rom 4:21
All powerful God Ps 147:5
Almighty God Job 5:17
Anchor Heb 6:19
Author of life Acts 3:15
Awesome God Deut 7:21; Neh 1:5;
Beauty, Fragrance Song of Sol 5:16; PS 45:2; Is 33:17; Ps 27:4
Binder of wounds Ezek 34:16; Hos 6:1; Ps 147:3
Bird Ex 19:4; Deut 32:11 – 12; Lk 3:22
Bread John 6
Breath of God Job 27:3; 33:4; Is 30: 33; 40:7
Burden lifting God Ps 55:22; 81:6; Mt 11:28 - 30
Builder Psalm 127:1; Hebrews 3:4; 11:10
Ceaseless working Lam 3:22; Is 40:28
Champion Ps 41; 63: 1,2; Ps 45:3 – 5
Comfort of sufferers Ps 119:50; Is 51:12; 2 Thess 2:16
Comforter John 14:16 – 18; Is 66:13
Companion Is 41:10, 13; Micah 6:8
Compassion Lam 3:22, 23; Jer 31:20
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Counselor Jn14:26; 15:26
Creator Gen 1, 2; Is 40:28; Rom 1:25; rev 4:11
Eagle Deut 32:11 eagle stirring up its nest
Enabler Phil 2:13
Eternal Ps 90:1,2
Eternal One Deut 33:27; Rom 16:26
Eternal Judge Gen 18:25; Is 33:22; Heb 12:23
Ever living God Ps 9:7
Ever loving God Ps 136
Exalted Eph 1:19 - 23
Fashioner Job 31:15; Ps119:73
Faithful 2 Thess 3:3
Faithful God 1 Cor 1:9; 10:13
Fire Hebrews 12; Acts 2:1 – 3; Ex3:1 - 12
First and Last Is 44:6; Rev 22:13
Fountain, water of life Jer 17”13; Rev 21:6
Forgiveness Eph 1:7, 1
Friend John 15:14 – 15; Num 12:7; James 2:23
Generous Provider of all good gifts 1 Cor 2:12
Gentle Breeze I Kings 19
Gentleness Is 40:11
Giver of life Job 33:4
God of the covenant Gen 9: 17; Ezek 16:62; Lk 22:20
God of Israel Ex 5:1; 2 Sam 23:3; 2 Kings 10:31
God of peace Rom 15:33; 16:20; Phil 4:9
Good plan for my life Jer 29:11
Gracious giver of knowledge Prov 2:6; eccles 2:26; James 1:5
Gracious God Jonah 4:2
Great God of power Deut 7:1, 9:29,; Ps 66:3
Great God our hope Jer 12:8; Ps 71:5
Guardian 1 Peter 2:25
Guide Ps 73:23
Habitation, home, hiding place Psalm 90
Healer of sick Jer 30:17; Hos 11:3
Heart’s delight Is 58:14; Ps 37:4
Helper of fatherless Ps 10:14
Helper of helpless Ps10:14
Helper of needy Ps 97:12
High and holy one Is 57:15
Holy Is 6:1 – 3; 57:15: Heb 7:26; 1Pet1:15 – 16
Holy One Lev 19:2; 1 Pet1:16
Holy Spirit John 16:13; Rom 8:2 – 17; Gal 5:16 – 25; Eph 4:30; 5:18; 1 Cor 6:19 - 20
Indwelling I Cor 6:19, 20
Intercessor Rom 8:34; Heb 2:17, 18, 4:14 –16, 7:25; I John 2:1
Just 2Chron 19:7; Is 11:3, 4
Keeper Ps 121:5; Is 27:3; Jude 14 2 Pet 1:3;
Keymaker Mt 16:19 giving keys; Rev 1:18 holding keys
Knitter Ps 139:13 who knit you together in your mother’s womb
Knowledge Ps 139:1 – 6; Job 23:10
Liberator Is 49:9, 61:1; Lk 4:18 – 19
Life-giver Job 33:4; Ps 119:154 – 156; 1 Tim 6:13
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Life John 11:25; 14:6
Light Ps 27:1; Is 60:20; John 1:5; 1 John 1:5; Ps 18:28 – 30; Luke 1:78 – 79; Is 9:2
Lion Rev 5:5
Logos John 1
Love Jer 31:3; John 17:23-26; Rom 5:5, 8; 1 John3:1 – 2; 4:7 – 21
Maker of heaven and earth Gen 14:19 - 22
Mercy Lam 3:22, 23; Heb 8:12; Deut 4:31; Neh 9:31
Mighty God Deut 10:17; Is 9:6; Jer 32:18
Mighty Rock Ps 62:2; Ps 89:26
Most High or Most High God Gen 14:18; Deut 32:8; and in most psalms
Moth Hos 5:12, 14
Mountain Ps 121
Nourishment John 6:51, 57, 58
One who bears Is 46:4; Ex 19:4; Deut 33:27; Ps 55:22
One who cares for me 1Pet 5:7; Is 27:3; Ps 23; Deut 11:10 – 15
Our beginning and our end Rev. 1:8; 21:6, 22:13
Our refuge and our strength Ps 46:1; Ps 62:8
Owner of all Ps 50:10
Parent Hos 11:3; I John 5:1
Potter Jer 18: 1 – 6; Is 64:8
Powerful Jer 32:17; Ps 66:3; Mark 10:27; Eph 1:19 – 21
Power that saves Ps 67:2; Ps 78:22
Proclaimer of Justice Is 42 Mt 12:18
Promise keeper Num 23:19; Heb 6:12 – 20
Protector Ps 34:7; Ps 68:5
Provider Matt 6:25 – 34; Hos 2:8; Gen 22:14; Ps 111:5
Radiant Glorious God Ps 76:4
Reconciler Col 1:20; 2 Cor 5:18
Redeemer Job 19:25; Ps 19:14 Is 47:4, 60:16
Refreshment, rest Acts 3:19; Jer 31:25
Refuge Deut 33:27; Sam 22:33; Ps 31:2Is 25:4; Ps 57:2Prov 14:26
Righteous God Ps 71:19; Ps 112:4; Dan 9:14; Is 45:21; 1 John 2:1
Rewarder I Cor 3:14
Rock Gen 49:24: Deut 32:15; 2 Sam 22:2 - 3
Ruler Is 33:22
Satisfier Ps 145:16, 19
Security Is 33:6
Searcher of hearts Ps139:1; 1Chron 28:9; Rom 8:27; Rev. 2:23
Shelter form the storm Is 25:4
Sheltering wings Ps 36
Shield Gen 15:1; 2 Sam 22:31; Ps 18:30; Ps 28:7
Song Ex 15:2
Sovereign, Sovereign God 1 Tim 6:15; Ps 115:3; Ps 135:5 – 6; Is 46:9 – 11; Dan 4:35 – 37; Eph 1:11; 1
Tim 6:15
Spirit Mk 1L10; John 4:24
Spirit of God Gen 1:2; Ex 31:3; Lk 4:18; Mt 3:16
Stability, security Is 33:6; Ps 125:1; Acts 20:24; Prov 1:33 Ps 112:6 – 8
Strength Is 49:5; Is 40:29 – 31; Is 45: 24; Ps 71:16; Dan 11:32, Eph 6:10
Suffering 2 Cor 3:5
Sufficiency 2 Cor 3:5; 9:8; 12:9
Sustainer Ps 55:2; I Cor 1:8
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Sympathy Is 63:9
Teacher Ps 25:8, 9; Is 30:
Thunder Ex 19
Unchangeable Heb 13:8; Ps 102:26 – 27; Job 23:13; Num 23:19
Victor Col 2:15
Water Ps 42 Is 32:15 - 18; Ez 36:25 – 26; Joel 2:28 – 29; John 4:7 - 15
Watchful and caring Gen 31:49 – 50; Jer 1:12
Way Jn 14:6
Wonderful Conselor Is9:6
Worthy Rev 5:12
Wise God Rom 16:2
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Readings for Adult Study
Previous study “Meanings of the Empty Tomb Stories”
For Sunday, April 13, it is recommended that people read Matthew 28 and Luke 24.
Matthew 28
The Resurrection of Jesus
28
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he* lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead,* and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
The Report of the Guard
11 While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12After the priests* had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” 14If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ 15So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.
The Commissioning of the Disciples
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’*
Luke 24
The Resurrection of Jesus
24
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in, they did not find the body.* 4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5The women* were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men* said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.* 6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ 8Then they remembered his words, 9and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.*
The Walk to Emmaus
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles* from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad.* 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ 19He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth,* who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.* Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ 25Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah* should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us* while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’* 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.* 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah* is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses* of these things. 49And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’
The Ascension of Jesus
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.* 52And they worshipped him, and* returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God.*
For Sunday, April 6, it is recommended that people read Mark 16:1-8.
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices with which to go and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They had been saying to one another, 'Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?' 4 But when they looked they saw that the stone-which was very big-had already been rolled back. 5 On entering the tomb they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right-hand side, and they were struck with amazement.
6 But he said to them, 'There is no need to be so amazed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he has risen, he is not here. See, here is the place where they laid him. 7 But you must go and tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee; that is where you will see him, just as he told you." '
8 And the women came out and ran away from the tomb because they were frightened out of their wits; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
In addition, the group will be studying the Gospel of Peter 9 and 10. The Gospel of Peter 9 and 10 reads as follows:
And in the night in which the Lord's day was drawing on,
as the soldiers kept guard two by two in a watch, there was a
great voice in the heaven; and they saw the heavens opened, and
two men descend with a great light and approach the tomb. And
the stone that was put at the door rolled of itself and made way
in part; and the tomb was opened, and both the young men entered
in.
10. When therefore those soldiers saw it, they awakened the
centurion and the elders, for they too were close by keeping
guard. And as they declared what things they had seen, again
they saw three men come forth from the tomb, and two of them
supporting one, and a cross following them. And the heads of the
two reached to heaven, but the head of him who was led by them
overpassed the heavens. And they heard a voice from the heavens,
saying, You have preached to them that sleep. And a response was
heard from the cross, Yes.