Consider Mary
Pastor Jason For Sunday Morning Small Group
Join us for Small Group Bible Study on Sunday Mornings at 10:00 am. Discussion Oriented. God Focused. Coffee available.
Scripture + Stories + Visual Art + Current Events
Bible Study Materials for Sunday, Dec 22:
Bible Study Materials from Sunday Dec 15:
Consider Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Reflecting on Mary’s Magnificat
Tradition has presented Mary as a passive and submissive “handmaiden of the Lord.” Today, women have largely rejected this interpretation. They understand her receptivity not as the passive acceptance of an imposed alien will, but as the free choice of a fully liberated human being.
Mary’s “yes” to God places her in a biblical succession of strong prophetic women: women who connect the history of Yahweh with the history of humanity’s liberation. She stands alongside Puah and Shiprah, the Hebrew midwives who defied Pharaoh’s cruel decree (Exodus 2) and won the deliverance of their people; with Miriam who, along with Moses and Aaron, led the people into freedom, and who sings the oldest liberation son in the Bible (Exodus 15:20ff).
The name Mary and Miriam come from the same Hebrew root marah, which denotes obstinacy, contrariness, rebelliousness, and revolt. It can also mean “plump” and strong, which at that time was equivalent to “beauty.” For 2,000 years interpreters have presented the “beautiful” Mary. Contemporary women are opting for an interpretation that can acknowledge the coexistence and complementary nature of “revolt” and “beauty.”
When Mary sings her Magnificat, she rejects and disobeys the imperial order of things. This song reveals her hope for radical transformations, for life restored, for a new era, and for a life lived in harmony with God’s will. Her song (Luke 1:45-55) echoes the song of Hannah in the Hebrew scriptures (1 Samuel 2:1-10). It bursts from the heartstrings of an oppressed people.
Questions For Reflection:
- Why do you think that a woman like Mary would be portrayed as meek and submissive, rather than courageous, bold, and heroic?
- Mary is traditionally depicted wearing white and blue silk. However, more authentic dress would be the tattered clothes of a poor peasant girl. How does this image of Mary change or inform the way you view her? Is there a character in a modern book or movie that might resemble Mary?
This Week:
Tuesday, December 17 – 8:00 am – 2:00 pm DUMA Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity – Holiday Food Box Distribution
Wednesday, December 18 – 1:30pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, December 18 – 6:30pm – Choir Practice
Thursday, December 19 – 3:00pm – Ladles of Love Meal Preparation & Delivery
Sunday, December 22 – 11:00 am – Advent Worship – “Love Can’t Wait”
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, December 24 – 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED DEC 23 – DEC 27
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