Bible Study Summary - Upcoming Sunday's Scriptures

December 4 Sermon – “Christmas Around the World: Mexico”

2^nd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 40:3-5, 9-11

-         Isaiah was a prophet who lived in the 7^th century B.C. but this is probably a text of an unknown prophet during the time of Israel’s exile in the 6^th century.

-         Israel is questioning if God will deliver them. 

-         This passage has the main ingredients of a prophetic call: 1) commissioning 2) objection of the prophet 3) God reassures.

-         This is a text of hope for people who feel that they are unworthy to receive God’s salvation.

Mark 1:1-8

-         Mark begins abruptly and to the point like he is waking us up by splashing cold water on our face!  This was what John the Baptist was doing in his preaching, waking the people up. 

-         The good news of Jesus Christ.  According to Mark, it is the moment that all of history had been waiting for.  Wow!

-         What is the good news?  It is the story of Jesus being the fulfillment of the Israel/salvation story.

-         This leads us to think about what it means to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.  We need to understand the good news story, then know our own faith story within that bigger story, and then share our story with others.

James 2:14-17

-         Is James pointing out that works is more important than faith?  Is this proposing that our faith is works based rather than faith based?

-         This is a false dichotomy.  In the book of Genesis, we are told that we were created in the image of God.  Our lives are to reflect God’s image back to God and out into the world.  This includes faith and works.  We respond to what God has done in and through us by living out our faith.

-         Caring for others.  Read the Wesley Study Bible life application about working with the poor and not just for the poor.

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