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 21: God’s promise of redemption

Passages: Exodus 34:19-20, Leviticus 12 & Luke 2: 22-28

Questions to provoke thought:

· The religious practices described in the Torah are hard for us! In these passages, there are 2 different themes intertwined: The use of blood as a sign for God to redeem (pass over) the first born, and the way to become clean from ritual impurity due to a body emission such as semen & blood. Hard stuff! Reactions?

· I find it amazing that God would specify a sacrifice and then provide an alternative if the people cannot afford that sacrifice! Reactions?

· What does offering 2 doves signify about Joseph & Mary? (Cards on the table: This is one of my favorite passages!)

· We don’t usually think in terms of ritual impurity – or even redemption. And we usually associate “sacrifice” with something hard to do/unfun. What rituals do we have that enact our understanding of God’s salvation? Are they fun? Community based? Family oriented?