God’s Promises: Past, Present and Future. An Advent Bible Study via Zoom Wednesdays Nov 30-Dec 21 6:30-8:00 PM. In Advent we traditionally look forward, but this season we’re going to take a look back to some of the passages in the Hebrew Bible that Luke references in the opening chapters of the gospel. For each passage, we’ll ask what it meant in the original context and how Luke uses the passage to reveal the meaning of Jesus’ birth. We’ll go on to share how these passages speak to us today.

In addition to Bible study, we’ll have time for community sharing and prayer. Each session will be self-contained, so you can attend whichever ones work for you. The Zoom link and materials outlining the passages for discussion will be available before the first session in the newsletter. Please let JoAnn know if you plan to attend at joann@sutton-consulting.com

December 14: God’s promise of—and to!—shepherds

Passages: Jeremiah 23: 1-8 & Luke 2: 8-20

· Throughout the Hebrew Bible, kings are described as shepherds. But there is an fundamental tension about the Israelites having a shepherd/king: God should be their shepherd (see Psalm 23). Yet a great king/shepherd like David is also part of God’s promise of salvation. How do we understand that tension?

· How does Luke use shepherd imagery?

· Do we need/want a shepherd? Are we like sheep?

· How do we today understand the “Kingdom of God” relative to our governmental structures?