Lesson Nine: People Encounter Jesus Through the Work of the Disciples Scripture: Acts 9:36–43 The community of faith relies on the power of Jesus Christ in times of crisis. The following text is adapted from Fontaine’s article, “Faith in times of crisis.” The citation and link to the article are below. No matter how devastating, irreversible, or hopeless things seem when you are facing a major setback or a life-threatening situation, people of faith can choose to actively trust in the loving and saving grace of Jesus, and refuse to let go of that abiding trust. Faith is not the absence of f ..read more

Lesson Eight: Lydia Encounters Jesus in Worship Scripture: Acts 16:11–15 Baptism connects us to God and the community of faith. The following text is adapted from “How Remembering Your Baptism Can Get You Back on Track,” written by Caitlan Ranger. The citation and link to the article are below. When was the last time you thought about your baptism? If you were baptized, it is likely that this rite was celebrated when you were an infant, so you have no memory of the event. Baptism is not an aspect of our identities that we hold up very often—for most of us, it’s a background fact, like the p ..read more

Lesson Seven: An Ethiopian Eunuch Encounters the Good News of Jesus Christ Scripture: Acts 8:26–40 The Word of God is an essential tool for expanding the reign of God. “We all know the history of the Jews in Egypt and that Joseph and Mary fled there to avoid the wrath of Herod. Most of us also know about the “Ethiopian Eunuch” in Acts 8:27 who was “a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians,” and baptized by Philip on his way back to Africa,” writes Rowland Van Es, Jr., educator at St Paul’s University in Limuru, Kenya. The following text is adapted from Van Es’s article, “Afric ..read more

Lesson Six: A Person with a Physical Disability Encounters Jesus Scripture: Acts 3:1–10 “God calls us to affirm that each person is a child of God who should be treated with dignity and equity.” The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990, and, for many, served as an introduction to understanding the challenges persons with disabilities encounter when society fails to see them or to take their needs into account. Over thirty years later, many communities of faith still have much to learn about creating sacred spaces for all. When we are teaching, preaching, and leading, our w ..read more

Lesson Five:A Person with Leprosy Encounters Jesus Scripture: Luke 17:11–21 “Jesus challenges us to overcome our prejudices, embrace others, and invite them into the community of faith.” The Samaritans have lived in the Land of Israel for 3,600 years. Some of us may be familiar with references to the Samaritans in the New Testament, but few of us know who they really are. A new multi-faceted project by the Yeshiva University Center for Israel Studies introduces the Samaritans to a wide and varied audience and explores how they have managed to survive for millennia despite efforts by conquerin ..read more

Lesson Four: Mary and Martha Encounter Jesus Scripture: Luke 10:38–42 “Jesus calls us to value the role of each person in the community of faith” Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675) was a Dutch artist known mainly for his paintings of people in their homes. You may know of his paintings Girl with the Pearl Earring and Young Woman with a Water Pitcher. Vermeer’s genius lay in his ability to capture the soul and inner life of his subjects. He could transfix images in suspended silence, and transform ordinary, everyday images into eternal reflections of feeling and passion. The people in Vermeer’s pain ..read more

Lesson Three: A Bleeding Woman Encounters Christ Scripture: Luke 8:43–48 “Jesus calls us out of the shadows and claims us as his own” Miriam was bleeding. Her wounds, however, were invisible. They were wounds of heartache, fear, and emotional torment. Miriam is a refugee who fled Iraq to the relative safety of Jordan, where her troubles followed her. Miriam’s husband drank. He hit her. Once, in a rage, he tried to stab her to death. Her husband’s family controlled what she ate. Sometimes, she resorted to stealing bread or tomatoes to survive. When she got pregnant, her thin frame could hardly ..read more

Lesson One:The Exorcism in Gerasa Scripture: Luke 8:26–36 “Jesus’ presence and human vulnerability can result in a personal and communal transformation” In the Suggestions for Leaders for this lesson, Wilma Angélica Quiñonez Cubero points out that although we cannot understand a demonic possession or distinguish it from neurological or psychological conditions, we can empathize with the pain of people who feel they are not in control of their minds (see the Examine the Characters section). Even when an affliction we have escapes our understanding, nothing can separate us from the love of God ..read more

Lesson One: Elizabeth’s Sacred Encounter Scripture: Luke 1:1–24; 39–45 “Available for God’s Purpose” As you read this first blog in a series of nine, I hope you have your copy of the new PW/Horizons Bible study Sacred Encounters: The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke-Acts close-at-hand or on-order. I am sure you are excited to delve into each lesson with your circles, and I hope that you find great meaning as you study together. As the author of the study, I was challenged and inspired to research and write each lesson. While Luke-Acts appears as two separate books in our New Testame ..read more

Lesson Nine: Sabbath and Community Primary Scripture: Acts 2:42–47 “We’re All in This Together” Congratulations on reaching the end of the Celebrating Sabbath study! I hope this is not the end of your sabbath celebrations, however. On the contrary—I hope it’s only the beginning of a life-long celebration. Are you wondering how or whether you are going to sustain your new Sabbath practices? Part of what will make Sabbath a “habit of your heart” will be community. Maybe you’ve found sabbath companions along the way as part of this study. Or maybe you’ve had to get creative about finding Sabbath ..read more