TRAVIS PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Café Corazon Bible Study
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 18, 2010
Amos 8:1-12
Psalm 52
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-42
1. Why do you think God asked Amos about a basket of summer fruit? The Hebrew word for basket of summer fruit (gayitz) is a pun on the word for end (getz). So what does this pun mean in terms of God’s judgment on Israel? What has happened in Israel that was causing God to harshly judge Israel? What was God tired of in regard to worship?
2. How was God going to respond to Israel and how would the people of Israel respond? Are there still slaves in the world? How about in the United States, Texas, or in San Antonio? Reread verse 8:6 and describe what was at issue? How do we counter economic slavery?
3. Psalm 52 reinforces the message of Amos. Give some examples verses 1-4. Have you ever suffered because of the evil or greed of someone else or a system? Have you ever suffered because of your own mischief? Explain.
4. Why do we and others resort sometimes of mischief, arrogance, treachery, and deceit just to get our way? Do you think it is good for people who are in a right relationship to laugh at evildoers? Why or why not? What did Jesus call us to do in regard to those who harm us or are our enemies? Have you ever declared yourself to be the enemy? The how do you go about establishing a right relationship with yourself, others, and God?
5. The Book of Colossians addresses a dispute that has arisen whether what has been accomplished in Christ has actually liberated the believers from the powers of the universe and given them proper access to God. Opponents seem to be urging asceticism, observance of special holy times, and worship of celestial powers as means of gaining wisdom and access to God. What are the attributes given to Christ in verses 15-20? How do verses 21-23 differ from the condemnation of the passage from Amos and Psalm 52?
6. What is the mystery that Paul is attempting to reveal? Do you want to accept or reject this mystery? If you accept this mystery, what do you think you should do with it?
7. Explain the different actions of Martha and Mary? Take the characters of Martha and Mary and take them to the extremes—what do you get? What might be the consequences if you are always busy serving others and have no time for God? What are the consequences if you spend all you time meditating about God and serve no one? Where are you in the spectrum between Martha and Mary?
8. Do you attempt to escape reality by always being busy or always meditating? To what is Christ calling you? To what is the world calling you? How are you going to balance?
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 25, 2010
Hosea 1:2-10
Psalm 85
Colossians 2:6-19
Luke 11:1-13
TRAVIS PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Café Corazon Bible Study
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 25, 2010
Hosea 1:2-10
Psalm 85
Colossians 2:6-19
Luke 11:1-13
1. The Book of Hosea was set in the period from 750 to 722 BC when the Northern Kingdom, Israel, was in conflict with Assyria. Some of the people of Israel were beginning to worship the god, Baal, a Canaanite god. The first and third chapters of Hosea reflect a theme of marriage as a metaphor for God’s relation for his chosen people. What does God tell Hosea to do? What are the names given by God to the wife and children of Hosea? How do these names reflect the message of God?
2. Based on the reading of this passage from Hosea, do you believe God has given up on God’s chosen people? Why or why not? Today within the world we live in do people worship any god other than God? Do you think God has given up on us? Why or why not?
3. Psalm 85 is a song or prayer for deliverance by God. How does the psalmist begin the prayer—begging for help or calling the people to remember God’s forgiveness and pardon? Why do you think remembrance would be important for the listeners of the Psalm? Do you ever remember the good things other people or God have done for you? Why?
4. What does the word “salvation” appear to mean in Psalm 85? What does the word “righteousness” appear to mean in Psalm 85? How do you define these words?
5. The early church in Colossae and the church today were and are besieged by people telling believers what they must do if they are to be followers of Christ. In verses 8-15, what seems to be the main point of contention? Explain verses 12-14 in your own words.
6. About what does Paul warn the believers in Colossae in verses 16-19? Have you ever encountered challenges to whether you were a believer because you did not carry out some ritual or avoid certain actions? What is absolutely necessary for any believer in Christ? Read Romans 8:38-39. Do we all experience Christ in the same manner?
7. What do the words of the prayer Jesus taught mean? What does it mean to say “hallowed be your name”? What is meant by “your kingdom come?” Why not say give us everything we ask for and not just for today? Explain verse 4—God forgive our sins since we will forgive everyone indebted to us. And what does it mean not to be brought to the “time of trial?”
8. Reread Luke 11:9-13. What do you think Jesus is referring to about our searching and knocking? What does a loaf of bread symbolize for you as a believer? What good gift does God have for all of us? Why don’t we get everything we ask for from Christ? Read James 4:2-3? What are you searching for?
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 1, 2010
Hosea 11:1-11
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
