The Sunday Bible readings in the Revised Common Lectionary

These links are to Year A, Year B and Year C will take you to the PowerPoint lesson for the Bible readings for each Sunday in the three-year lectionary cycle. Click on the link Year A B or C, then locate the lesson. The PowerPoint decks are numbered and titled with Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and the Proper also known as Ordinary time. These are linked to a OneDrive Cloud location and may be viewed online or downloaded.  

USE

These may be used to facilitate an adult education group discussion for an Episcopal Church. On the other hand, you may use these as a personal study about the readings for each Sunday. Each power point deck deals with the designated scripture readings for that Sunday, the collect from the BCP for that Sunday, and related artwork chosen for readings or the Collect.

Why these were Created

These were developed for a Sunday morning discussion group that meets for about one hour. The slides can be projected on a screen or shown on a television set placed so that the entire group can easily see the slides. The leader should have a general knowledge of theology and scriptures. The leader may be a member of the clergy or a layman who is qualified by for example completion of the four-year EFM (Education for Ministry) program or an equivalent. 

Sources

The scripture commentary is taken largely from the introductions, footnotes, and reference materials in the New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocryphal / Deuterocanonical Books, from the New Revised Standard Version, Edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Roland E. Murphy, 1989 Edition, Oxford University Press. The collects are drawn from the Book of Common Prayer 1979 using the modern language. There are other sources used which are indicated in the materials. The Notes page feature of the PowerPoint decks will often have more information than the slide. The group leader will need minimal skills with PowerPoint as each deck is complete with maps and animations. 

Scope and Time Available

A presenter can download and edit the decks as needed for the circumstances. The decks are long as they cover the readings and alternative readings and the collect. If there is limited time, then a class might cover only some of the readings. A facilitator may wish to cover only the Collect and one of the reading selections such as the day’s Gospel. 

Discussion

The class works best as a group discussion using the PowerPoint for the basic information about the reading. Some members may want to participate by reading the scripture aloud to the others and exchanging comments. Others may not want to speak at all but may wish only to listen or read the PowerPoint slides. Very often one of the readings on a given Sunday may spark a spirited discussion that uses up class time. When this happens let the discussion go and if needed skip to the end. When this happens that’s a good day. Even when there is ample time for formation a lively discussion will make the time seem short.

Questions

If you have questions about the use of these PowerPoint decks or glitches you can contact me by email at jbcross@cei.net

The Collect Proper 6 Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Collect Proper 6 The important request is that “through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion;” The readings for the three years offer a variety of examples of bold proclamation for the Lord. The Collect Proper 6 In the OT through the prophets in RCL C in Elijah and his condemnation of Ahab for the unjust seizure of Naboth’s vineyard and Nathan’s condemnation of David’s seizure of Bathsheba. In RCL B Samuel despite his fear of Saul seeks out David. Finally in the RCL A Gospel selection from Matthew where the disciples are sent on a ‘tryout’ trip with instructions to proclaim the word and heal the sick. God’s rescue and fulfillment of His people Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) Part 1 The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on-- since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.  Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) Part 1 They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?" The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, `Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. He said, "Oh yes, you did laugh.” Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) Part 1  [The LORD dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." And she said, "Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."]  Italian Mosaic Artist,
Nave, center aisle, south wall (detail)
1180s
Mosaic
Cathedral, Monreale Gerbrand van den
Eeckhout, Abraham and the Three Angels
1656
Oil on canvas,
71 x 82 cm
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg Rembrandt
van Rijn,
Abraham entertaining the Lord and two angels
1656
Etching and drypoint, only state, 159 x 131 mm
Teylers Museum, Haarlem Giovanni Battista Tiepolo,
The Three Angels Appearing to Abraham
1724-29
Fresco, 4000 x 2000 cm
Palazzo Patriarcale, Udine Context The Abraham Saga continues. This week we have skipped a number of episodes. The separation of Lot and Abram, the rescue of Lot and encounter with Melchizedek, and the birth of Ishmael. The omitted materials deal with the coming destruction of the cities of the plain. The reading concerns the promised son. The Lord's visit to Abraham and Sarah Mamre was an ancient sacred place, slightly north of Hebron, with which Abraham was associated. Abram was guided to this spot after the separation with Lot. The visitors appeared at the noon siesta and Abraham initially did not recognize them as divine beings. The relation of the three visitors to God is difficult. All three angels may represent the LORD or the LORD is one of the three, the other two being attendants. Incredibility Of God's Promise The story as told stresses the incredibility of God's promise.  Abram is 99 years old, Sarah is aged as well, the promise was no longer possible in human terms. Even Sarah laughs at the absurd disproportion between the divine promise and the human possibilities.  Yet, Abram had been faithful, and God fulfilled the promise. Psalm 116:1, 10-17 Dilexi, quoniam 1 I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, * because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.  10 How shall I repay the LORD * for all the good things he has done for me?  11 I will lift up the cup of salvation * and call upon the Name of the LORD.  12 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD * in the presence of all his people.  Psalm 116:1, 10-17 Dilexi, quoniam 13 Precious in the sight of the LORD * is the death of his servants.  14 O LORD, I am your servant; * I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.  15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving * and call upon the Name of the LORD.  16 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD * in the presence of all his people,  17 In the courts of the LORD'S house, * in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!  Thanksgiving for Healing The psalm is characterized as a thanksgiving for recovery from illness. Illness is serious thus the reference to Sheol.  The psalmist has trusted in God rather than human beings and been rescued.  Notice that the psalmist is healed and then fulfills his vow, rather than the reverse.   Exodus 19:2-8a  The Israelites had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.  Exodus 19:2-8a Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. The people all answered as one: "Everything that the LORD has spoken we will do."  Context Israel had emerged from Egypt, crossed the Red Sea and been given manna. Israel has just reached the place where the story of the delivery of the 10 Commandments starts. Notice that God has fulfilled some pretty tall promises at this point and the people respond with a promise of fealty. The Theophany at Sinai The story assumes that heaven is above from which God "descended" to the mountain top for a meeting. The "eagles' wings" passage is formulated in liturgical style and employs the metaphor of an eagle carrying its young on its powerful wings . The covenant is conditioned upon obedience to the laws to be given.  The God to whom all the earth belongs chose Israel for a special role as "the people of God”.  This tradition stresses Moses' role as the covenant mediator who represents God to the people and the people before God Psalm 100 Jubilate Deo 1 Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; *
serve the LORD with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.  2 Know this: The LORD himself is God; *
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.  3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; * give thanks to him and call upon his Name.  4 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; *
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.   All Lands Summoned to Praise God
 This psalm does not refer specifically to God as king. Starting with Psalm 93 this is the final of a series known as the "kingship" psalms.  This Psalm may be taken as a doxology for the collection. Doxology  - Words of glory (from the Greek doxa logos) or praise to God, usually in a Trinitarian form. Romans 5:1-8 Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.  And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not disappoint us,  Romans 5:1-8 because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-- though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.  But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.  Introduction to Romans.
 This is the first of Paul's letters in the canonical collection. It is also the longest, the weightiest, and subsequently the most influential of all his correspondence.  The theme of Romans is God's saving righteousness, or justification by faith for all. Context This week the series continues to develop God’s plan of salvation, from Adam through Abraham and Moses to Christ. Paul by examples covered in the last weeks has shown through time that justification is by faith and not works. Since works would include the ‘obedience’ which is made a central part of the OT selections, the two concepts seem at odds. Articles of Religion 1. The Articles of Religion are found at Page 867 of the Book of Common Prayer. 2. In 1558 Elizabethan Settlement these 39 matters of doctrine were discussed but never adopted until much later. 3. At the formation of the Episcopal Church these were accepted as modified. These represent solutions to issues in the past and cast light on the core tenets but are no longer ‘required.’ 4. The BCP: “As established by the Bishops, the Clergy, and the Laity of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, in Convention, on the twelfth day of September, in the Year of our Lord, 1801. The 39 Articles XI. Of the Justification of Man. We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.   XII. Of Good Works. Albeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith; insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.  XIII. Of Works before Justification. Works done before the grace of Christ, and the Inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ; neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the School-authors say) deserve grace of congruity: yea rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin. The Collect Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23) Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23) Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23) These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, `The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. [Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23)  Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23)  "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time;  Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23)  for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.]  Context The reading is from early in the ministry of Jesus. He has been tempted and we are in a series of episodes where healings are intertwined in various moral teachings. Starting with the cleansing of a leper, then last week He was called by an official to heal his daughter. Jesus now names and then sends out his deputies. Commissioning and instruction of the Twelve The 12 are commissioned and sent out to help minister to the crowds. In Luke first the 12 are sent then the 70. Here the scene reminds us of the advice of Jethro to Moses, about the appointment of deputies to care for the people. Mark A Marvel Of Brevity Mark 6:6-13 The Mission of the Twelve Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.  8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.  11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”  12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Timing The timing for this seems wrong, the 12 are named and then sent out on their own. The event foreshadows the events after Pentecost to start the Church The episode, gives Matthew a chance to relate the proper rules and etiquette for itinerant evangelists. They are told that they were given these gifts for free and that they should not charge for them in turn.  Proper 6 The Gospel lists the 12 apostles. The twelve apostles, Ethiopian Bible, c. 1700
British Library Add. MS 59874 Unknown Master, Catalan, Christ and the Twelve Apostles, c. 1100 Wood, 103 x 130 cm
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona  Panels such as this were intended for the decoration of altars and the choice of theme was confined to the symbolic representation of figures from the New Testament. The centrally placed figure of Christ is surrounded by an oval halo. Around the central figure is a hieratic arrangement of the apostles.