Weekly Lectionary Texts
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21
Monday, July 20. Among the gospel writers only John includes the story of the boy who shared his lunch with Jesus and the crowds (Read John 6:1-21). Imagine you are the boy standing at the edge of the crowd with your sack lunch. What would you do? How are you like the boy? What are the small gifts you sometimes think are too small to give?
Tuesday, July 21. As you reread the familiar story we called the “Feeding of the 5000” in John 6, remember that after the meal the disciples collected leftovers from the bread and fish given by the boy. What is leftover from God’s gifts to you? What leftovers can you pass onto someone else?
Wednesday, July 22. Read 2 Samuel 11:1-15. After reading several stories of the greatness of David, we come to this story of David’s sin. Not only does he lust after his neighbor’s wife but he sends his neighbor to his death. What does this story tell you about David? What does it tell you about yourself? What does it tell you about God?
Thursday, July 23. Psalm 14 tells us that God looks down from heaven and sees that there is no person who is without sin; they have all gone astray. Imagine you are God. What would you want to do to these humans you have created when they have failed so completely? Reflect on what God did do in the midst of our sinfulness by sending Jesus. What kind of God is this?
Friday, July 24. Read “Imagining ‘Christianly’” (page 34). Think of the ways in which God has called you to imagine the signposts of God’s love and grace. Write a paragraph that defines, or draw an image that illustrates, one of these signposts.
Saturday, July 25. Paul writes to the church in Ephesus telling them that they are “rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:14-21). Imagine yourself as a plant that is rooted and grounded in love. What kind of fruit do you produce? What are the other results of being rooted and grounded in love?
Sunday, July 26. Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Read “Faith and Imagination” (page 49). What do you think of the idea that God desires or expects you to use your imagination? What does that tell you about the importance of using your imagination?
Prayer
God of the flower and the whale, open my eyes to you as the Creator and giver of all I can imagine. Amen.
Nancy Ferguson is a Presbyterian minister and certified church educator. Her ministry experiences range from seminary instructor to pastor to curriculum developer to camp director to outdoor ministries consultant. She is the author of six books and a frequent workshop leader. Nancy is an articulate advocate for experiential faith formation and experiences beyond the walls of the church. She lives in Accomac County, Virginia near Chincoteague Island where she focuses her attention on creation of educational and spiritual resources for congregational members, church leaders, and camps.
You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org