Reading Scripture in Community

Reading scripture in community is an important part of our formation. We read with one another, and we read with the historic church in order to shape the way we see and interact in the world. Our desire to be a different community, a community who listens with curiosity, loves with grace, and shares the peace of Christ with all who need it is shaped by scripture, and how we put this into practice should be guided by what we read in scripture.

This kingdom practice comes from our gathering on 9.18.22, and we are inviting you to read with us in community. We will read with the global, historic community as we submit to the daily lectionary readings, and we will read with one another. Our invitation is twofold. 

1. Would you commit to reading the lectionary readings at least once each day this week, and 
2. Would you gather with at least one other person twice this week to read in personal community?

The daily lectionary readings are included below along with some brief context  for your reading. When you read on your own each day, make time to read and reflect. Recognize God is with you as you read and listen for how the Spirit is stirring. After you have read, pause and reflect on the questions below.

When you gather with another (this could be on the phone, Zoom, or even in person), read the texts aloud together. As you read, remember God is with you. Pause for a moment after the reading to listen to God, and then take some time to share your responses to the questions or however you find the Spirit stirring in the reading. If you don’t have someone who you can connect and read with, we would love for you to join us on Zoom Tuesday, September 20 and Thursday, September 22 at 6pm central time.

If you would like a digital copy of this guide you can find that here.

Questions for reflection

• What do you wonder about or what stands out to you? 
• If you were the original audience, how would you receive these words?
• What seems hard or how are you challenged in what we read?

Lectionary Readings

Monday, September 19, 2022
Psalm 106:40-48; Jeremiah 9:12-26; Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 106 is a part of the fourth collection of scrolls in the Psalms. It acknowledges the realities of Israel’s exile and looks forward to the day God will once again rule over all the world.
Jeremiah was a priest who lived in the final years of the kingdom of Judah before it was defeated by Babylon and its people carried into exile. He was called to be a prophet and warn the people of the coming consequences of their idolatry and injustice.
Acts 4 comes after Pentecost. The followers of Jesus have received the gift of the Holy Spirit and have begun to preach about Jesus. In Acts 3, Peter and John caused a stir at the temple when they healed a man who had been lame from birth.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Psalm 106:40-48; Jeremiah 10:1-16; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Psalm 106 is a part of the fourth collection of scrolls in the Psalms. It acknowledges the realities of Israel’s exile and looks forward to the day God will once again rule over all the world.
Jeremiah was a priest who lived in the final years of the kingdom of Judah before it was defeated by Babylon and its people carried into exile. He was called to be a prophet and warn the people of the coming consequences of their idolatry and injustice.
1 Corinthians is a letter to the church of Corinth. Paul is writing to correct problems that have cropped up in the church. In every case, he is trying to help them see every area of life through the lens of the good news of God’s kingdom.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Psalm 106:40-48; Jeremiah 10:17-25; Luke 20:45-21:4
Psalm 106 is a part of the fourth collection of scrolls in the Psalms. It acknowledges the realities of Israel’s exile and looks forward to the day God will once again rule over all the world.
Jeremiah was a priest who lived in the final years of the kingdom of Judah before it was defeated by Babylon and its people carried into exile. He was called to be a prophet and warn the people of the coming consequences of their idolatry and injustice.
Luke 20 comes near shortly before the arrest and death of Jesus. This passage comes in the midst of a series of events pitting Jesus against the leaders in the temple.

Thursday, September 22, 2022
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; Jeremiah 23:9-22; 2 Corinthians 8:8-15
Psalm 91 is a part of the third collection of scrolls in the Psalms. This collection looks forward to the coming kingdom of God in light of the reality of Israel’s exile. This collection holds the tension of justice and grace, asking God to remember the promise to never forget David’s people.
Jeremiah was a priest who lived in the final years of the kingdom of Judah before it was defeated by Babylon and its people carried into exile. He was called to be a prophet and warn the people of the coming consequences of their idolatry and injustice.
2 Corinthians is a letter to the church of Corinth that comes sometime after the first letter to the church. Paul continues to encourage them to see the world through the upside-down way of the cross and God’s kingdom.

Friday, September 23, 2022
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; Jeremiah 23:23-32; Ephesians 2:1-10
Psalm 91 is a part of the third collection of scrolls in the Psalms. This collection looks forward to the coming kingdom of God in light of the reality of Israel’s exile. This collection holds the tension of justice and grace, asking God to remember the promise to never forget David’s people.
Jeremiah was a priest who lived in the final years of the kingdom of Judah before it was defeated by Babylon and its people carried into exile. He was called to be a prophet and warn the people of the coming consequences of their idolatry and injustice.
Ephesians is a letter to the church of Ephesus from Paul. In this letter, Paul is outlining God’s desire to bring all people, including Gentiles, into the family of God through forgiveness and grace.

Saturday, September 24, 2022
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; Jeremiah 24:1-10; Luke 9:43b-48
Psalm 91 is a part of the third collection of scrolls in the Psalms. This collection looks forward to the coming kingdom of God in light of the reality of Israel’s exile. This collection holds the tension of justice and grace, asking God to remember the promise to never forget David’s people.
Jeremiah was a priest who lived in the final years of the kingdom of Judah before it was defeated by Babylon and its people carried into exile. He was called to be a prophet and warn the people of the coming consequences of their idolatry and injustice.
Luke 9 is a section of Luke’s Gospel in which we see the upside-down nature of Jesus’s messianic mission. Peter declares Jesus is the Messiah, and we see the truth of this demonstrated in miracles and the transfiguration, but Jesus makes it clear his rule will come by way of the cross.