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("Adventure Movie Intro" music by Serge Quadrado, used under Creative Commons license for non-profit use)
The Gospel message for today is about a coming time of judgement, when those who have lived lives of service are separated from those who've lived lives of selfishness. The warning is a good one and worth heeding, but God is more than just judgement. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Christ the King A – 29-November-20”
There were a lot of people who hung around Jesus. In our story for today, Jesus was getting a little tired of the ones who were around just because they wanted to see the great things he would do.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for Thanksgiving C – 20-Nov-22”
This study helps participants to understand the purposes of the Book of Revelation in its setting in the ancient world and to think about how the message of this Book can be of practical help to Christians today. Many contemporary people are mystified—and even afraid of—the Book of Revelation. Yet, a careful look at the images in the Book reveals that the over-arching message is one of encouragement and hope in a time of anxiety. Book of Revelation intends to strengthen the congregations to trust in the purposes of God and to witness faithfully even in the face of threat and conflict. Along the way, of course, this Book does picture some actions of God that trouble many Christians today, and the study opens this for consideration and discussion.
The study comes in five sessions, with each divided into two parts of about 10-12 minutes each. Groups can watch the whole video and discuss or can divide the video into two parts and have a discussion after each part. (The break is marked in the video by a banner at the bottom.)
The video study is also accompanied by a guide. Click here to view/download the guide.
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01-Introduction: Allen explains the elements of interpretation, what to expect in this series and unpacks the image of Christ the King.
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02-the Throne Room of Heaven: Allen unpacks the image of the scene in heaven as things are put in place for the ending of the age.
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03-Opening the Scroll: Allen explains the meanings of the first 6 seals that are opened and the events that transpire as a result.
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04-the Beasts: Allen explains the Dragon and the Beast in their 2nd century meaning and what that message can mean for us today.
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05-New Jerusalem: Allen unpacks the city of New Jerusalem and it's message of hope for John's readers. This video also includes the Afterword that concludes the series.
The Speaker: Ronald J. Allen is the Professor of Preaching and Gospels and Letters, Emeritus, at Christian Theological Seminary. He is the author or editor of forty books. He is also one of the editors of the 3-volume Preaching God's Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary.
DisciplesNet is grateful to Ron for allowing us to present this material in video form. The content is copyright Ronald J. Allen 2020, all rights reserved. Permission is granted to for congregations to present this material as part of Faith Formation (Christian Education) classes.
Click here for Table Meditations for other dates.
Today's gospel reading tells the story of Jesus' family fleeing for their safety into Egypt. It's not a hard story to understand. We have plenty of examples in our world today of people displaced by violence and the desire of people in power to stay in power.… Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for 29-Dec-19”
Sometimes really bad things happen. Sometimes it's a flood or a hurricane. Sometimes, even worse, it's because someone who has power does things that hurt people. In the story for today, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled their home country and went to Egypt to avoid King Herod, who thought that Jesus was a threat to him and wanted to kill him.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment for 29-Dec-19”
The prophets were preachers and usually not writers so, though the book bears his name and contains his words, it is not written by Jeremiah. The actual author is unknown, but Jeremiah stands at the time when prophecy changed from quotations passed down through oral tradition to written works that could be referenced.… Read the rest “Introduction to Jeremiah”
Historically, the book has been attributed to Moses, but current scholarship does not, leaving the author of this book unknown. It is likely to be a compilation of several authors. (Comparing chapter 1 with chapter 2 and 3, we see a different emphasis and order to creation which could well come from different authors.).… Read the rest “Introduction to Genesis”
This gospel is generally considered the work of Luke. Specifically, Luke the Gentile by birth, well educated in Greek culture, physician by profession, a companion of Paul at various times from his second missionary journey to his final imprisonment in Rome, and, according to the letter to Timothy, a loyal friend who remained with the apostle after others had deserted him.… Read the rest “Introduction to Luke”
Some suggest Paul as the author, but the author does not name himself, which is not typical for Paul. The Eastern Church lists it among Paul's writings. Tertullian suggests Barnabas as the author. Several early letters and works quote it, which shows it was considered part of the authoritative Christian writings by the second century.… Read the rest “Introduction to Hebrews”