Upcoming Studies

All texts drawn from the Revised Common Lectionary.

2012

January 2012

Theme: Jesus’s emergence brings something new to God’s dealings with humankind.

Jan. 1 -  Luke 2:22-40 - “Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!”
The infant Jesus is circumcised and blessed by Simeon and Anna

Jan. 8 – Mark 1:4-11 - “Taking the Plunge”
Jesus is baptized by John and blessed by a sign from the heavens.

Jan. 15 -  John 1:43-51 - “Come and See”
Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel, who is surprised.

Jan. 22 – Mark 1:14-20 - “Come with Me”
Jesus preaches and four men sign up for the program.

Jan. 29 – Mark 1:21-28 - “Listen To Me”
In Capernaum, Jesus teaches with authority and amazes his hearers.

February

Theme: God’s blessings often come in unexpected ways.

Feb. 5 – Isaiah 40:21-31 - “Finding God in Every Gear”
God promises strength for those who fly, run, or walk.

Feb. 12 – 2 Kings 5:1-14 - “A Muddy Water Miracle”
Elisha teaches Namaan the power of obedience.

Feb. 19 – 2 Kings 2:1-12 - “Give Me a Double!”
As Elijah flies away, Elisha seeks a double portion of his spirit.

Feb. 26 – Genesis 9:8-17 - “Always and Never”
God’s covenant with Noah has something old, something new, and something never.

March

Theme: Old stories that smell new – making deals with God.

Mar. 4 – Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 - “Yes, I Did Promise …”
God reiterates the promises to Abraham, who is bound to be wondering …

Mar. 11 – Exodus 20:1-17 - “Here’s the Deal …”
The covenant at Sinai: what God expects the Israelites to do.

Mar. 18 – Num. 21:4-9 - “A Bump in the Road”
Rebellion in the wilderness calls forth snakes to fear and to admire.

Mar. 25 – Jer. 31:31-34 - “A New Deal”
The prophet Jeremiah promises broken Israel a new deal and a new heart.

April

Theme: Texts reaching from the resurrection to the first church reveal the heart of the gospel.

April 1 – Mark 11:1-11 - “Triumph and Tears”
The crowds cried “Hosanna,” but Jesus had other thoughts.

April 8 – Mark 16:1-8 – “Scary Good News”
Getting what you want isn’t always what you want.

April 15 – Acts 4:32-35 - “One Heart, One Mind, One Pocketbook?”
The first church offers a lesson in sharing vs. materialism.

April 22 – Acts 3:12-19 (1-11, 20-21) - “The Last Piece of the Puzzle”
Peter explains how Jesus’ work connects to God’s ongoing work.

April 29 – Acts 4:5-12 (1-12) - “No Other Way”
John and Peter testify to the Sanhedrin, speak of Jesus as the only way to salvation.

May

Theme:  A series of stories from Acts emphasize the truth that God’s love, Christ’s work, and the Spirit’s blessing are for all people.

May 6 – Acts 8:26-40 - “What Hinders Me?”
Phillip and the Ethiopian official learn from each other.

May 13 – Acts 10:44-48 - “Could It Be?”
At Joppa, Peter learns a lesson for the world.

May 20 – Acts 1:1-11 - “Life Is Different Now”
As Jesus ascends to heaven, the disciples learn that life will be different.

May 27 – Acts 2:1-21 - “Well, Blow Me Down!”
A mighty rushing wind ushers in a new era at Pentecost.

June

Theme: Israel turns from a heavenly king to an earthly one, with consequences.

June 3 – Psalm 29 - “O Worship the King”
A powerful psalm testifies that God reigns eternally, and humans should remember.

June 10 – 1 Sam. 8:4-11 (12-15), 16-20 (11:14-15) - “A King To Fight Our Battles”
The elders of Israel ask for a king they can see, one who will lead them into battle.

June 17 – 15:34-16:13 - “A King in Waiting”
When Saul turns out to be a disaster, David is designated as king-in-waiting.

June 24 – 1 Sam. 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16 - “Actions Speak Louder Than Names”
Saul held the title, but David acted like a king.

July

Theme: The texts trace David’s promising rise to the top – and his precipitous fall.

July 1 – 2 Sam. 1:1, 17-27 - “How the Mighty Have Fallen”
David laments the old king and prepares to become the new one.

July 8 – 2 Sam. 5:1-5, 9-10 - “Well, if You Insist …”
David becomes king over all Israel, and takes Jerusalem to be his own city.

July 15 – 2 Sam. 6:1-5, 12b-19 - “A Marriage of Church and State”
David makes Jerusalem the center of both church and state: why was it OK for Israel, but not for us?

July 22 – 2 Sam. 7:1-14a - “I Promise: Forever!”
God makes an amazing promise to David and his descendants: what will happen?

July 29 – 2 Sam. 11:1-15 - “How the Mighty Have Fallen – Again”
David grows slack and metaphorically falls on his own sword.

August

Theme: A series of texts from Ephesians challenges believers to move upward.

August 5 – Eph. 4:1-16 - “Grow Up!”
Paul calls believers to grow up in faith and maturity, expressing gifts within the body.

August 12 – Eph. 4:25-5:2 - “Build Up!”
Paul challenges church members to love and build up others for the sake of Christ.

August 19 – Eph. 5:15-20 - “Live Up!”
Paul charges us to live up to our potential by making wise decisions.

August 26 – Eph. 6:10-20 - “Armor Up!”
Paul gets metaphorical and calls believers to “put on the whole armor of God.”

September

Theme: A series of texts that portray wise women, or womanly wisdom.

Sept. 2  - Song of songs 2:8-15 - “A Woman Who Loves”
A maiden happily sings the praises of her beloved.

Sept. 9 – Prov. 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 - “A Word About Justice”
Three proverbs relating to economic justice, where women do better than men.

Sept. 16 – Prov. 1:20-33 - “A Shout in the Street”
Lady Wisdom issues a call to those who would be wise.

Sept. 23 – Prov. 31:10-31 - “A Woman Beyond Belief”
Could anyone really live up to the “ideal woman’s” reputation? Should they try?

Sept. 30 – Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 – “A Winning Woman”
Esther’s courage and cleverness save the Hebrews.

October

Theme: Sometimes we all feel like Job. Can we learn from him?

Oct. 7 – Job 1:1, 2:1-10 - “When God Takes a Bet”
Job suffers as the subject of a heavenly wager.

Oct. 14 – Job 23:1-9, 16-17 – “When Life Isn’t Fair”
Job wants God to answer his complaint – but is also afraid.

Oct. 21 – Job 38:1-7, (34-41) - “When God Takes the Stand”
When God spoke, Job got more of an answer than he wanted.

Oct. 28 – Job 42:1-6, 10-17 - “When God Settles Debts”
God restores Job’s fortunes, but not because he passed the test …

November

Theme: Texts in which Jesus expresses some strong opinions.

Nov. 4 – Mark 12:28-34 - “What Rules Matter Most?”
Jesus opines on the greatest commandment, or two.

Nov. 11 – Mark 12:38-44 - “What Really Pleases God?”
Jesus has a go at pride – and humility.

Nov. 18 – Mark 13:1-8 - “What About the Future?”
Jesus on the fate of Jerusalem, and other fates, too?

Nov. 25 – John 18:33-37 - “What Really Counts?”
Jesus takes the Kingdom of God over any earthly rule …

December

Theme: The transition from the old to the new covenant is no easy road: an appropriate lesson for the Advent season.

Dec. 2 – Jer. 33:14-16 - “New Things Coming”
Jeremiah prophesies the coming of a “righteous branch” that will change things.

Dec. 9 – Luke 3:1-6 - “People, Get Ready”
John the Baptist, an unlikely conductor, calls people to get on the train.

Dec. 16 – Luke 3:7-18 - “You’ve Got To Be Kidding”
John’s hard preaching seems designed to alienate, but still wins followers.

Dec. 23 – Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) - “Fetal Attraction”
Mary and Elizabeth, both pregnant, rejoice in imagining what their children will do.

Dec. 30 –  Luke 2:41-52 - “Questions and Answers”
Scribes, are you smarter than a twelve-year-old?

(Note, 53 Sundays in 2012; 26 OT texts, 27 NT texts)

Scope & sequence developed by Tony Cartledge for the Nurturing Faith curriculum. FaithElement is sharing this scope & sequence as part of our partnership with Nurturing Faith.