Make-Up:
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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Lesson Highlights
God Gives and Forgives
Bible Text:
Exodus 12, 16; Matthew18:23–34; Luke 6:35–36; 22:14–23
Lesson Focus:
God gives us gifts of daily bread and forgiveness.
Big Question:
I'm doing okay. What do I need God for?
Key Words:
MANNA, SIN, FORGIVENESS
Definition of Key Words
MANNA: breadlike food provided by God for the Israelites while they wandered in the wilderness.
SIN: not only what one person does wrong, but also all human limitations. Institutions, systems, societies, and governments can (and do) also sin.
FORGIVENESS: something that comes freely from God and that we are called to give freely to others.
Lesson Highlights
In the Small Catechism, Luther expands and deepens the definitions of daily bread and sin.
Daily bread includes whatever we need for daily existence, such as food, clothing, family, work, and so forth.
When we see those who do not have enough "daily bread," we may be tempted to think that God has withheld the necessities, but God desires all to have enough.
As God's hands in the world, this prayer calls us to be sure all can participate in God's abundance.
The petition on forgiveness invites us to a deeper level of understanding what sin is. We damage each other and the creation in ways we don't intend.
The popular idea of sin focuses on things we do wrong—it doesn't usually acknowledge the deeper level of sin that rises from our human limitedness.
We pray for what we need: daily necessities to sustain this life and necessary forgiveness for freedom in this life and the next.
As we are assured of God's forgiveness, God invites us to forgive others. As we are assured of our daily bread, God invites us to share our daily bread with others.
Click the Link Below to watch a music video from Chris August that emphasizes the lesson on forgiveness:
Chris August
I think that this lesson has a lot of truth in it. So many of us have all that we need or, our "daily bread." But most people rarely think about giving some of their "bread" to others that truly need it. Our society today could really benefit from learning to be more generous and giving.
ReplyDeleteJessica Lorenz.