Fresh Perspectives
British painter and poet William Blake said, “Both read the Bible day and night; but you read black where I read white.” A long time ago I took a class from a United Methodist pastor. He titled the class “Bible 101.” The very first thing he said on the first day of class was, “There are three ways you can interpret the Bible—literally, figuratively and somewhere in between.” Fresh Perspectives is about looking into the Bible deeply with eyes wide open.
- Stan Abell, Pastor, The Garden at Oak Hill
Fresh Perspectives is...
A place to come for thought and conversation about the Bible passage used in Sunday's service. What you will find is the Bible passage, a Podcast (recorded audio conversation), and questions for reflection and conversation. Read the Bible passage, listen to the Podcast, and then discuss the questions.
Bible Passage:
II Corinthians 5:17 (The Message)
“Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!”
Video Podcast:
Watch this week's video Podcast conversation for II Corinthians 5:17.
Questions:
To gain a better context of II Corinthians 5:17, read all of II Corinthians 5, but pay particularly close attention to verses 14-21.
1. When it says one man died for everyone, what is your understanding of that concept?
2. In the context of this Bible passage, what does it mean to have “new life?”
3. The last few sentences of verses 16-20 seem to be relevant for us today as being partners with God in creating new life. What are ways you can imagine yourself being a friend of God in this regard? How can you be a creator of new life?
Share:
Please share you thoughts with with me at abells@stlukesumc.com.