Engaged  
2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2  
It’s by God’s mercy we’re engaged in this mission 

Current Series:  
DF^2  
Our life together Developing Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus

Study & Share Insert
...#4 St. Paul contrasts how Moses reflected God’s glory (v13) while believers are transformed into that glory (v18; cf. 1 John 3:2). What’s more is that Moses had to veil the glory. Review in Small Catechism Holy Baptism & the Table of Duties. How do these show you that you are being transformed?   

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Embodied  
1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50  
Don’t worry, what God raises up cannot be destroyed 

Current Series:  
DF^2  
Our life together Developing Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus

Study & Share Insert
...#1 Compare & contrast St. Paul’s description with Jesus’ description & his resurrection appearances. Note: St. Paul is guarding against an understanding of the resurrection like zombies or Frankenstein’s monster; he isn’t promoting a spiritualized, metaphorical, bodiless understanding (Lutheran Study Bible note v53). Think about how a seed turns into a real plant, a caterpillar into a real butterfly. See Luke 24:13-43; John 12:23-26, 20:14-20, 21:1-14   

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In Fact  
1 Corinthians 15:12-20  
In fact, because Jesus is risen, we know these blessings 

Current Series:  
DF^2  
Our life together Developing Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus

Study & Share Insert
...#5 If Christianity brings hope solely to the circumstances of everyday life, what makes that a pity? How do vv3-4 properly identify how Jesus matters in our everyday lives as we introduce our pre-Christian friends to him? See Exodus 20:1-7; Acts 5:40-41, 7:54-58, 21:10-11; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28   

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First Importance  
1 Corinthians 15:1-11  
We’re all caught up in this together 

Current Series:  
DF^2  
Our life together Developing Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus

Study & Share Insert
...#1 How did Jesus appear to St. Paul (v8) if he wasn’t one of the original disciples (vv5-7)? See Acts 7:54--8:1, 9:1-22   

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St. Simeon  
Luke 2:22-40  
Lighting the way for others   

Current Series:  
Faith through Action  
5 men to guide us into the new eyar

Study & Share Insert
...#2 How do vv34-35 point to Jesus’ crucifixion? What about vv7-14? See also Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20, 26; Ephesians 1:7-10  

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Many & One  
1 Corinthians 12:1-12  
To melt our souls together, and out of many to make but one. -St Augustine 

Current Series:  
DF^2  
Our life together Developing Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus

Study & Share Insert
...#3 It’s easy to misunderstand 1 Corinthians ch12 as prescriptive for our day instead of descriptive of St. Paul’s day. Use your Bible’s study notes to understand each spiritual gift. Carefully consider vv4-6, 11, 29-31. Is any listed gift necessary for all believers of all times & places? See also en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_gift for a quick & easy overview.    

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St. John the Baptizer  
Luke 3:15-17, 21-11  
Initiated as one with whom God is well pleased  

Current Series:  
Faith through Action  
5 men to guide us into the new eyar

Study & Share Insert
...#1 Consider Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 42:1. For whose benefit is the voice from heaven (v22)? See Luke 9:28-36, 22:32-47; Mark 15:39   

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Wise Men  
Matthew 2:1-12  
Meeting a need 

Current Series:  
Faith through Action  
5 men to guide us into the new year

Study & Share Insert
...#2 Read the rest of Matthew 2. In addition to the symbolism of the gifts, how do they show God’s provision for the up coming journey to Egypt and back? Is Jesus a “trust fund baby” LOL?    

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2025-01-05_Epiphany  

Today is the fifth day of Christmas, just like the old song goes. Christmas is such good news that it takes 12 days to celebrate it fully. No sermon this week as we celebrate our annual Lessons & Carols service, hearing the story of our Savior's birth from its promise in the Old Testament to its fulfillment in the New Testament. 

Next Sunday we'll observe our celebration of the Festival of Our Lord's Epiphany, comemorating the historical day that the Wise Men, or Magi, brought the infant Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myhrr. During coffee time we'll have a king cake, and according to the south Texas tradition, whoever finds the baby in their piece of cake gets to bring tamales next week for coffee time. Good luck!
(Yes, we know Epiphany is properly January 6, 13 days after Christmas.)

Study & Share Insert
...#4 How did you become a child of God (vv12-13)? Who has helped you grow & how? Praise God right now for those people who showed & told you about Jesus’ birth. See Small Catechism: Apostles’ Creed II, Holy Baptism; available bookofconcord.org; John 3:1-8; Romans 6:1-11, 8:14-17, 9:8; 1 Corinthians, 4:14-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16b-18; Galatians 3:26, 4:4-7 Ephesians 1:5-14; 2 Timothy 1:5-7

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St. Joseph  
Luke 2:1-20  
Expecting action 

Current Series:  
Faith through Action  
5 men to guide us in the new year 
 

Study & Share Insert
...#3 The fulfillment of the Christmas promises points to the coming fulfillment of Jesus’ return (Titus 2:13). How can you be ready for action like St. Jospeh in body & spirit, heart & mind?    

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2024-12-24_ChristmasEve