January 3, 2016 Second Sunday after Christmas Day Jer. 31:7 14 or Sir. 24:1 12 Ps. 147:12 20 or Wis. 10:15 21 Eph. 1:3 14 John 1:(1 9,) 10 18 Goal for the Session Acknowledging our identity as the people of God, adults will ponder ways to live a faithful life of praise. PREPARING FOR THE SESSION Focus on Ephesians 1:3 14 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective, Rollin A. Ramsaran We are made for praise and worship of the creator God. It is both destiny and gift, the very order of things. We come to understand ourselves and our place in God s plan and purpose through the very knowledge of it. God openly reveals wisdom and things that previously have been hidden. Our destiny is marked by the seal of the promised Holy Spirit (v. 13) such that we have a pledge of our inheritance (v. 14) we will be God s people. This passage reminds us of God s goodness and faithfulness, motivating our hearts to return gratitude, praise, loyalty, and obedience for the cosmic plan of God in Christ. WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective, John W. Coakley For Calvin, the fact of God s own good pleasure (v. 5) alone as the efficient cause of our salvation, implies specifically that the Lord expressly sets aside all merit, does not look at what we are, and is not reconciled to us by any personal worth. The repeated references to grace make this text a great expression of the doctrine of salvation as absolutely free, rather than in any sense conditional. The author of Ephesians also says, however, that God made the choice in order for us to be holy and blameless, which clearly implies the importance of human action, and attempts to make sense of God s otherwise mysterious action. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective, Kenneth L. Sehested This prologue testifies that a new order is unfolding; that the very foundations of creation are inscribed with our names; that our mistakes do not make us a mistake in God s eyes, for indeed we have been adopted out of the penurious life of the conquered and into the inheritance of the Beloved s. Ground is being laid here with details to follow: that the disordered life of fleshliness results in creating children of wrath (2:3), whereas grace and peace characterize Christ s ekklēsia; that the dividing wall of hostility (2:14) is destined for collapse, resulting in the welcome of all, whether far off or near (2:17), turning strangers and aliens into citizens (2:19) in the empire of God. NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective, David L. Bartlett Ephesians gives us one strophe on election, one on redemption, and one on eschatological fulfillment three stanzas on what God is doing in Jesus Christ. Then in the fourth strophe the author turns to the believers, the church, us. What does life look like in the light of election, redemption, and final hope? First, believers are incorporated into Christ s own life through adoption. Second, believers live for the praise of Christ s glory. Ephesians enjoins what it displays: faithful life is the life of praise. Third, believers live by the word of truth, believing in the Gospel. Fourth, believers are marked by the Holy Spirit. 1
FOCUS SCRIPTURE Ephesians 1:3 14 Focus on Your Teaching Mention the word praise and there will likely be a variety of responses. For many, the word immediately brings to mind praise services, with worshipers, hands raised in the air, singing repetitive praise refrains. For some, this is a way to tap more deeply into the Spirit s power. Others dismiss it as shallow, appealing only to emotion. Both responses miss the mark with respect to a more comprehensive understanding of the kind of praise for which we were created and to which we should aspire. Adults may appreciate exploring a life of praise that truly glorifies God. By your Spirit, O God, shape my preparation, that I may guide others to truly glorify you. Amen. YOU WILL NEED Bibles copies of Resource Sheet 1 copies of Resource Sheet 2 newsprint or board marker copies of Resource Sheet 1 for January 10, 2016 For Responding option 1: Bibles option 2: two newsprint sheets, colored markers, self-stick notes in two colors, pens, writing paper option 3: hymnals with the hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness LEADING THE SESSION GATHERING Before the session, for option 2 in Responding, print one of the following on each of two newsprint sheets: Why Praise? Praise to What Purpose? Welcome participants. Encourage those who were present for the last session to report on whether they incorporated Psalm 148 into their time of devotion, and if so, how. In the light of reflections from the past week, invite volunteers to fill in the blanks of this sentence from the closing: Today, I am praising God for, and I will help to make its voice of praise heard by. Tell the group that in this session, they will consider the questions of why and to what purpose we are moved to praise God. Say this prayer or one of your choosing: Gracious God, we offer thanks and praise for the gift of Jesus Christ your son. Guide our reflections today, that we may discern ever more clearly how you would have us live. Amen. EXPLORING Point out that after last week s consideration of a psalm of praise, this session continues an exploration of the role of praise. But it moves to the New Testament, to the letter to the Ephesians. Invite adults to open their Bibles to the beginning of the letter. Note that though the letter is ascribed to Paul and may indeed have been written by him, it may also have been written, as was the custom of the time, in the name of Paul and consistent with his theology, as a gesture of respect. 2
Explain that there is general agreement among scholars that the letter was probably not addressed to the church at Ephesus. Rather, it seems to be addressed to a specifically Gentile audience and is designed to instruct them as to what it means to be a Christian. So, unlike many epistles (letters), such as Corinthians, which are addressed to a particular group, we could consider this letter to be addressed to contemporary readers. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term strophe, used in the Now What? excerpt, is a structural division of a poem containing stanzas of varying linelength, especially an ode or free verse poem. Try to resist debating the concept of election. The earliest Christians were not concerned with arguing the tension between determinism and free will. They affirmed both that God is sovereign of all and that we receive God s goodness through faith. EASY PREP Invite the group to turn to the focus scripture, Ephesians 1:3 14. Ask someone to read aloud the first part of verse 3a. Point out that the words with which this passage begins are a Jewish blessing formula. Distribute Resource Sheet 1 (Focus on Ephesians 1:3 14) and Resource Sheet 2 (A Benediction of Praise). Form three small groups or pairs and assign each group one of the following: verses 3 6; verses 7 8; verses 8 10. Ask each group to read their assigned verses and the What? and Where? excerpts and discuss the question on Resource Sheet 2 relevant to their verses. Return to the total group and invite each group or pair to read their verses aloud and briefly report on their verses and their responses to the questions posed on the resource sheet. Ask them to name one or two ideas that particularly struck them or about which they have questions. Read the entire focus scripture aloud, with each person reading one verse. To transition to Responding, have a volunteer read verses 11 14 aloud. Then invite the group to read the Now What? excerpt silently. Ask: P In the light of election, redemption, and final hope, what are the four marks of the Christian life? RESPONDING Choose one or more of these activities depending on the length of your session. 1. A Poetic Reading In reading this benediction from Ephesians as a poem, adults can experience its power and affirm its role in the faithful life in evoking gratitude for God s grace. Assign to volunteer readers the following verses: verses 3 6; verses 7 8; verses 8 10; verses 11 14. Begin by reading the blessing (3a) in unison. Then have volunteers read their assigned verses, with the group responding together with the affirmation, Praise God! after each volunteer reads. Encourage adults to use this passage in their devotional time this week. They can read each portion of the Scripture, then reflect on its implications for living a faithful life of praise and finally say aloud the words, Praise God! 3
2. The Why and Purpose of Praise By revisiting the questions from the opening activity why and to what purpose are we moved to praise God? adults can gain a deeper understanding of the role of praise in living a faithful life. Distribute self-stick notes in two colors to participants. On one color, invite them to print a reason they praise God. On the other, ask them to print to what purpose they offer praise: what is their place in God s plan? Invite them to come forward one at a time to attach their responses to the sheet labeled Why?, reading aloud their response. When everyone has added their response, invite the group to say together, Praise God! Repeat with their responses to the other sheet s question. Ask adults to jot down the words Praise: Why and to What Purpose? on sheets of paper, and take it home for reflection. As they go about the tasks of daily living, encourage them to think about how and in what ways those tasks might contribute to God s plan. 3. Hymn of Praise In singing a hymn that expresses praise for God s faithfulness, mercy, and grace, adults are reminded of why they are called to praise. Distribute hymnals with the hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness and ask adults to first read over the stanzas and refrain silently. Then ask them to name words or phrases that have special significance for them. Note that stanza 2 expresses the understanding they explored in the last session that the whole of creation joins in praise. Sing the hymn together. Invite the group to use a phrase that resonates for them as a breath prayer during the week, repeating the first part of that phrase on the inhale and the last part on the exhale. They can use the prayer to frame their responses to actions they may take during the week as a reminder that their lives are meant to praise God and contribute to God s plan. CLOSING Recall for the group the sentence from last week s closing for which they supplied words to complete it. Ask them now to complete this sentence: Today, I am praising God for, and in response I will seek to live a faithful life of praise by to participate in the completion of God s intention for the world by. Pray the following: For your extravagant grace, revealed in the gift of your son Jesus Christ, O God, we give you thanks and praise. By the seal of your Holy Spirit, give us insight into how we fit into your plan for the world. Amen. Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 1 for January 10, 2016, or e-mail it to the participants during the week. Encourage participants to read the focus scripture and Resource Sheet 1 before the next session. 4
January 3, 2016 Adult Resource Sheet 1 Focus on Ephesians 1:3 14 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective, Rollin A. Ramsaran We are made for praise and worship of the creator God. It is both destiny and gift, the very order of things. We come to understand ourselves and our place in God s plan and purpose through the very knowledge of it. God openly reveals wisdom and things that previously have been hidden. Our destiny is marked by the seal of the promised Holy Spirit (v. 13) such that we have a pledge of our inheritance (v. 14) we will be God s people. This passage reminds us of God s goodness and faithfulness, motivating our hearts to return gratitude, praise, loyalty, and obedience for the cosmic plan of God in Christ. WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective, John W. Coakley For Calvin, the fact of God s own good pleasure (v. 5) alone as the efficient cause of our salvation, implies specifically that the Lord expressly sets aside all merit, does not look at what we are, and is not reconciled to us by any personal worth. The repeated references to grace make this text a great expression of the doctrine of salvation as absolutely free, rather than in any sense conditional. The author of Ephesians also says, however, that God made the choice in order for us to be holy and blameless, which clearly implies the importance of human action, and attempts to make sense of God s otherwise mysterious action. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective, Kenneth L. Sehested This prologue testifies that a new order is unfolding; that the very foundations of creation are inscribed with our names; that our mistakes do not make us a mistake in God s eyes, for indeed we have been adopted out of the penurious life of the conquered and into the inheritance of the Beloved s. Ground is being laid here with details to follow: that the disordered life of fleshliness results in creating children of wrath (2:3), whereas grace and peace characterize Christ s ekklēsia; that the dividing wall of hostility (2:14) is destined for collapse, resulting in the welcome of all, whether far off or near (2:17), turning strangers and aliens into citizens (2:19) in the empire of God. NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective, David L. Bartlett Ephesians gives us one strophe on election, one on redemption, and one on eschatological fulfillment three stanzas on what God is doing in Jesus Christ. Then in the fourth strophe the author turns to the believers, the church, us. What does life look like in the light of election, redemption, and final hope? First, believers are incorporated into Christ s own life through adoption. Second, believers live for the praise of Christ s glory. Ephesians enjoins what it displays: faithful life is the life of praise. Third, believers live by the word of truth, believing in the Gospel. Fourth, believers are marked by the Holy Spirit. 2015 Westminster John Knox Press
January 3, 2016 Adult Resource Sheet 2 A Benediction of Praise The book of Ephesians opens with this benediction. Following its beginning with the words Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1:3 14 moves through stanzas that drive the reader to praise God. Praising God for Election Read verses 3 6 and the What? and Where? excerpts. than in any way conditional. What is your response? How, in your opinion, should Christians live their lives in response to this free gift? Praising God for Redemption Read verses 7 8 and the What? and Where? excerpts. strengthen our identity? and extravagant grace? Praising Final Hope (Eschatological Fulfillment) Read verses 8 10 and the What? and Where? excerpts. Godself? the choice in order for us to be holy and blameless, implying the importance of human action. What do you think are the implications for the completion of God s plan? 2015 Westminster John Knox Press