Third Sunday of Advent
December 13, 2009
Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
The theme of the Third Sunday of Advent is Joy. On this Sunday we will light the pink or rose candle as a sign that our joy is almost here. As you read these lessons, keep the theme of joy in mind and try to answer this question, “How do these words increase my joy today?”
(Zephaniah) – The book of Zephaniah was written during the early years of the reforms of King Josiah in the years 630-620 B.C. Zephaniah wrote during a time after the defeat of the Assyrians but before the rise a Babylon. It was during this time that King Josiah (inspired by the newly re-discovered book of Deuteronomy) began a series of religious reforms.
In verse 17, the prophet declares that the Lord is in our midst. Is this good news (because we are cared for and protected) or bad news (because God has come to judge us)? How does Zephaniah answer this question? As you read over this passage, what gives you the greatest joy?
(Isaiah) – These words from Isaiah speak of a time when God’s promise of salvation is fulfilled. How does the hope of salvation impact how we live each day? In verse 2, Isaiah uses the phrase, “I will trust, and will not be afraid.” What allows us to trust and not be afraid?
In the second part of the passage, Isaiah talks about the joy that will be felt when the Holy One of Israel is in our midst. How do these words apply to the coming of Christ?
What difference does the coming of Christ make for how we live our daily lives?
(Philippians) – In verse 5, Paul says “The Lord is near.” This could mean that the Lord is close to you (i.e. Jesus is present in our midst) or that the day of Jesus’ return is near. How does the fact that “the Lord is near” effect you actions? How does this fact effect how you live every day?
Paul urges us to abandon our worries and give everything to God in prayer. How does this work in practice in your life? What peace comes from conversation with God?
(Luke) – This passage represents an extended sampling of the preaching of John the Baptist. In this passage are three distinct sections.
The first (v. 7-9) is a warning to all who depend on the ancestry for salvation. John calls all people to “bear fruits worthy of repentance.” As you think of your own heritage and ancestry, what “good” have you inherited from your ancestors? How might your heritage tempt you to rely on it for benefits today (including salvation)? Today, Americans might think we have some advantages based on our citizenship. How would John respond to this feeling?
The second section (v. 10-14) offers John’s answers to practical questions people brought to him about how to live while expecting the coming of the Messiah. How would his teaching be carried out today? How do you think John would answer these questions today?
The final section (v. 15-17) is about the coming of the Messiah. Many people were expecting the Messiah to come soon and John met many messianic hopes. How did John respond to these hopes? How does John characterize his own ministry? How does he characterize the ministry of the messiah yet to be revealed? (Remember that John preached before Jesus himself was made known to the people of Judea.) How does Jesus ministry compare to John’s expectations?
Next Week’s Lectionary
Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 20, 2009
Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
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Bible Study Classes
Archive of Wednesday Morning Bible Studies at Providence - Fort Washington UMC
Lectionary for October 25, 2009 – Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost ................................................
Sunday between October 23 and October 29 inclusive
Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22); Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 10:46-52
Lectionary for October 18, 2009 - Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost .....................................................
Sunday between October 16 and October 22 inclusive
Job 38:1-7, 34-41; Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c; Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45
Lectionary for October 11, 2009 - Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost ...................................................
Sunday between October 9 and October 15 inclusive
Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Psalm 22:1-15; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31
Lectionary for October 4, 2009 - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost ......................................................
World Communion Sunday
Sunday between October 2 and October 8 inclusive
Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16
Lectionary for September 27, 2009 - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost ............................................
Sunday between September 25 and October 1 inclusive
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Psalm 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50
Lectionary for September 20, 2009 - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost .................................................
Sunday between September 18 and 24 inclusive
Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1; James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37
Lectionary for September 13, 2009 - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost ..................................................
Sunday between September 11 and 17 inclusive
Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38
Lectionary for September 6, 2009 - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost .................................................
Sunday between September 4 and 10 inclusive
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125; James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17; Mark 7:24-37
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................
Archive of Past Classes - HERE
Lectionary for November 1, 2009 - All Saints Day ...................................................................................
Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44
Lectionary for Sunday between November 6 and 12 - Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost .................
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
Lectionary for Sunday between November 13 and 19 - Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost ............
1 Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10 or Psalm 113; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8
Lectionary for Sunday November 29, 2009 - First Sunday in Advent .....................................................
Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
Lectionary for Sunday December 6, 2009 - Second Sunday in Advent ...................................................
Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
Lectionary for Sunday December 13, 2009 - Third Sunday in Advent ....................................................
Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
