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Praying Their Way: A Back-to-School Online Retreat with Roger Owens
How do we help children develop a meaningful and lasting prayer life? Join author L. Roger Read More
Donna Giver-Johnston | Read Genesis 29:15-28
The Bible is often described as the book of family values, with teachings of how we are to treat one another. And yet some stories, like this one in Genesis, stand in stark contrast to what we would consider “family values.” It is the story of Laban’s deception, Jacob’s polygamy,...
God, in the messy midst of life, help us to believe that we are each of value to you, even beloved. Amen.
The apostle Paul’s question, “What then are we to say about these things?” shapes our theme for this week’s scripture lessons as we read of things that are hard to comprehend. In Genesis, we wonder what to say about deception and the giving and taking of women. In the psalm, as we wonder what to say about God’s covenantal promises, we are called to respond with thanks and praise. In Matthew, we wonder what to say about Jesus’ parables used to explain what the kingdom of heaven is like. In Romans, as we wonder about what to say in the midst of our groanings and grief, Paul reassures us of the power of the Spirit’s intercessions and the promise of God’s abiding and eternal presence.
Read Genesis 29:15-28. When have you deceived someone? When have you been deceived by someone? In the messiness of life, where have you found God?
Read Psalm 105:1-11, 45b. Recall some of the wonderful works God has done. What does God’s covenant mean to you? How do you respond?
Read Romans 8:26-39. When have you not known what to say—to a person, in a troubling situation, in prayer? What things made you feel separated or close to God?
Read Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. Which of Jesus’ parables do you relate to? How would you describe the kingdom of heaven in contemporary language?
Respond by posting a prayer.
