A Little Behind

My sixth month reading plan is looking more like 7 to 8 month reading through the Bible now.  I confess that I have gotten a little off track over the past few weeks. However, my commitment remains and my journey continues.  Today, we move into the fourth gospel.

After reading the first couple chapters of John, here are a few things I’ve noticed:

• The Word became flesh and called his disciples!  John wastes no time.  We have this great philosophical beginning, the preaching of John the Baptist and then bam-John sees Jesus walk by and he starts calling his disciples.  All in the first chapter.  That makes me wonder what John’s real purpose is?
• Do you notice how John tells the end of the story while he’s going along?   John describes Jesus cleansing the temple and telling the Jews to destroy the temple and he will rebuild it in three days.  The Jews are perplexed because it took 46 years to build the temple. “But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this;” (2:21-22)  John tells his readers early on what is going to happen and how the disciples reacted.  This is something I don’t recall from other gospel writers.
• John shows Jesus’ ministry beginning immediately.  His miracles and teachings begin quickly in the gospel, without much set-up or background details.

What are the differences you have noticed in the book of John?

What do you like about John’s way of telling the story?

What do you prefer from the other gospels?

Keep up the good work!  Be consistent, don’t rush!  Encourage yourself through this process as you learn and notice new things.  Ohh—we’re almost half-way there!

 

If you missed Sunday’s Sermon:  Making Room; Psalm 4 (Pastor Jason)

 

Scripture Readings

Acts 4:5-12–“Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” (v.8-10, NRSV)

Psalm 23–“He leads me in the right paths for his name’s sake.” (v.3, KJV)

1 John 3:16-24–“My little children, let us not love in word or neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (v.18, NRSV)

John 10:11-18– “I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me.” (v.14, NRSV)

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This Week at Hood

Wednesday, April 18th, 6:00 pm – Choir
Wednesday, April 18th, 6:00 pm – “Young-ish” Small group
Thursday, April 19th, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pastor Jason at The Cellar for Drop-In Coffee & Conversation (108 N Wilson St)
Friday, April 20th-Saturday, April 21st – NC Disciples of Christ Regional Assembly, Greenville, NC
Sunday, April 22nd, 11:00 am – Worship; 12 noon – Fellowship Lunch (Fajita/Taco Bar)

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 28th, 10 am-12 noon – Community Garden Workday
Wednesday, May 16th, 7:00 pm – Board Meeting
Sunday, May 20th, 11:00 am – Installation Service for Revs. Jason & Joanie Williams