I have a great idea. How would you like to help with the sermon each week? I am going to try something new and see how it works.
I wanted to start a Bible Study group that would study the lectionary passages each week. Then I would preach on that passage. The Bible study would help me in preparation and help the listener pick up on some of the important issues that are not included in the sermon. We do this twice a month at American Village and everyone enjoys it.
So with the building construction about to begin I’m not sure where to hold it. With my schedule and yours, I am not sure what time to schedule it.
So I am going to BLOG the Bible. Each week I will put up the passage (s) on Monday. By Tuesday I will add some commentary. All week long I want you to react, comment, question, ponder, etc. Then on Thursday I generally try to write the sermon but it is never too late to comment.
So let’s get started. Here is this week’s lesson-
Acts 1:1-11
1In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”