Light on the Lessons s6

Light on the Lessons

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46

Christ the King (Last Sunday after Pentecost) [Lectionary 34, Proper 29]; Cycle A; November 26, 2017

Participant Guide

I Getting Started

1. What thoughts and images does the phrase “Good Shepherd” bring to your mind?

2. How do you experience the “greatness of Jesus’ power” in your life?

3. “Real Christianity consists of doing good things for people in need. It is the ‘walk’ and not the ‘talk’ that counts.” What do you think of that statement?

II Check the Texts

1. Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

This part of Ezekiel reflects encouragement to the returning exiles as they face the challenge of rebuilding Jerusalem.

A. Who are the shepherds in this passage? (Clue: Check verse 24) Who are the sheep?

B. Another famous passage on the shepherd theme in Psalm 23. Read that Psalm to look for connections with this passage. What are some differences? (For example, who is the “I” in Ezekiel and who in the Psalm?)

C. When the Exiles returned to rebuild Jerusalem, they hoped for the return not only of those in exile but other scattered Jews of the Diaspora as well. What verses reflect that hope?

D. Who is the “I” who will be shepherd in verse 15? Who is mentioned in verse 23 as shepherd? What is the connection between these two shepherds?

E. The imagery in this lesson is that of sheep, but people are really meant. Summarize in your own words what benefits will come to the people according to the imagery in verses 13-16. What phrase in these verses do you think best summarizes the whole?

F. What in verses 20-22 suggests that not all the people were culpable?

G. In verses 22-24, do you think the reference to David is literal? (Clue: Remember the chronology) Read 2 Samuel 7:4-17. How does that passage explain the reference to David? (Clue: Focus on verses 12-14)

2. Ephesians 1:15-23

A. What is the theme of verses 15-16? In what sense are “faith” and “love” in verse 15 two sides of the same coin? Who do you identify as the “saints”?

B. How would you describe in your own words the content of the author’s prayer, described in verses 17-19?

C. What is the object of the verb “to know,” in verse 17? The term “heart,” in verse 18, is used metaphorically. For what does it stand? What do you think the phrase “eyes of your heart enlightened” means? Verses 18b-19 list what an enlightened heart will bring the believer. What are these blessings? Which of these would you want to claim first of all?

D. To what does “this power” refer back to, in verse 20? What two events in Jesus’ experience does the author treat as one in verse 20? Do verses 20-22 try to locate Jesus in space, or do they say something else about Jesus? What do you think words like “rule,” “dominion,” and “power” meant to those who first read this letter?

E. How do verses 22-23 describe the relationship of Jesus and the church? How is the church described in verse 23? Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-28. What are some differences in that description compared with Ephesians 1:22-23?

3. Matthew 25:31-46

A. When does this scene take place? What titles are given to the judge, verses 31 and 34? Who are those being judged?

B. What are the needs and actions to fulfill those needs in verses 35-36? Recall some incidents when Jesus himself filled these needs. Read Luke 4:16-21, where Jesus announces his messianic program. How do these needs fit that program?

C. Were the righteous aware they were helping the king? What do you think is the significance of this? With whom does the king, then, identify himself? What is the significance of that?

D. How do you interpret the phrase in verse 40, “who are members of my family”?

E. Why are those on the left hand condemned? Verse 46 announces the judgment. Do you think that this implies that good deeds done for those in need are sufficient for salvation? Where do you see faith coming into this picture?

III What Does It All Mean?

1. How have you experienced God’s activity in your life this week?

2. Talk about how you think each lessons applies to the theme of Christ the King.

3. In Ezekiel 34:16, God states what the ideal ruler should do. How well would that program apply today?

4. Reflect on your faith over, say, the past five years. Where have you experienced enlightenment? What wisdom have you gained?

5. For what purpose do you think God has granted us “the immeasurable greatness of his power”?

6. Evaluate this statement: “The church is more than an institution organized to do Christ’s work. The church is Christ’s mystical body. Christ is not present in the world apart from the church.”

7. Most church-related social ministry organizations receive the majority of their funds from governmental sources. How do you think that affects the value of their feeding the hungry and clothing the naked?

8. If your congregation could address but one social need in your community, what would you choose and why?

IV Into the Week

1. You go home and someone asks, “What did you learn today?” How do you reply?

2. Know someone facing spiritual struggles? Pray that he or she will receive the spirit of wisdom and enlightenment.

3. Do an action this week in the spirit of Matthew 25:35-36.