Who is Jesus? A bible study through the season after Epiphany during which you use the See-Judge-Act methodology. Aida Irizarry-Fernandez describes this way of bible study as an "action/reflection process rooted in liberation theology and thinking." (Engaging the Bible: Critical Readings from Contemporary Women chapter III "A Communal Reading" page 17) You'll need an open heart, a willing spirit, and a creative imagination to explore the text in this way. When you finish your study, discover your own breath prayer. The breath prayer is an ancient form of repetitive prayer which will emerge from your engagement with the biblical text.
Study Suggestion: Why not consider asking a few people to join you in a "communal" reading using this See-Judge-Act method!
Study Suggestion: Why not consider asking a few people to join you in a "communal" reading using this See-Judge-Act method!
Matthew 4: 12-23 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
Movement 1/See (Read the Text closely/Examination:) We pay attention to the story, the characters, and their original context. Re-create the scene in your mind’s eye. Consider time, place, and people. Consider what you learn from your five senses. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch? Visualize what Jesus was doing as he engaged other people … family, friends, strangers and enemies.
Today we read an important turning point on the journey of Jesus to the Cross. When John the Baptist is arrested, Jesus picks up the message and makes it his own: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." His ministry grows from there!
Read the text slowly with a heightened awareness of your senses … what do you see as you are traveling the countryside in your mind’s eye? Who do you hear? What do you smell as you walk along the Sea of Galilee? Can you taste the salty air? Is there anything that you want to reach out and touch? How does it feel?
Today we read an important turning point on the journey of Jesus to the Cross. When John the Baptist is arrested, Jesus picks up the message and makes it his own: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." His ministry grows from there!
Read the text slowly with a heightened awareness of your senses … what do you see as you are traveling the countryside in your mind’s eye? Who do you hear? What do you smell as you walk along the Sea of Galilee? Can you taste the salty air? Is there anything that you want to reach out and touch? How does it feel?
Now read the text as if you were Jesus. How do you feel hearing that your cousin, John, has been arrested? Why did you leave Nazareth and your family to be with your mom and your aunt in their distress? How does it feel to walk beside the sea? What is it about these fishermen? Are you surprised at their reactions? What gives you the strength to be a preacher, a teacher, and a healer?
Read the text again as if you were one of the brothers, Simon or Andrew, James or John. Have you heard this message of repentance before? Had you ever heard John the Baptist preaching? Did you know him? How was Jesus different from John? Why did you follow Jesus? What did you think when he told you that you would fish for “people?” What prepared you to leave your father immediately? Describe your feelings on the edge of this new adventure? What did you think about the ministry of Jesus?
What do you think Matthew is trying to communicate about responding to God? Is this message clear or do you need further explanation? What does Jesus want to say to you about your life as a Christ-follower?
Movement 2/Judge (Look at your Life/Spiritual Discernment:) We seek to examine our own lives as we live in community ... search the text as you keep it in its original context and bring it into the "now" through the act of cross-cultural reading. Consider why Jesus acted as he did and said the things that needed to be said. Concentrate your attention on Jesus as you seek to be formed in his image and live as he lived.
Keep the context of the passage and your examination of the text in your mind and enter into a time of meditation. In what ways does God speak to you and your community today through this passage? What would repentance look like in your life? What would repentance look like in the life of the community? What would God’s healing presence look like in the life of your community? What is the good news we need to hear? How is your community inviting others to hear the good news and follow Jesus? Where are you following Jesus to? How do you feel about following Jesus? Which image of Jesus invites you most strongly: teacher, preacher, healer?
Movement 2/Judge (Look at your Life/Spiritual Discernment:) We seek to examine our own lives as we live in community ... search the text as you keep it in its original context and bring it into the "now" through the act of cross-cultural reading. Consider why Jesus acted as he did and said the things that needed to be said. Concentrate your attention on Jesus as you seek to be formed in his image and live as he lived.
Keep the context of the passage and your examination of the text in your mind and enter into a time of meditation. In what ways does God speak to you and your community today through this passage? What would repentance look like in your life? What would repentance look like in the life of the community? What would God’s healing presence look like in the life of your community? What is the good news we need to hear? How is your community inviting others to hear the good news and follow Jesus? Where are you following Jesus to? How do you feel about following Jesus? Which image of Jesus invites you most strongly: teacher, preacher, healer?
What is God’s purpose for a community that takes this passage seriously? How does this passage challenge our way of "being" the church. How can we embody and encourage the flourishing of the kingdom of God … right where we are?
How does this passage challenge the way I see myself as a follower of Christ? What changes do I need to make in ... my behavior, my perspective, my way of thinking or my way of praying in light of what I have learned through this text? What invitation do I hear the Spirit whispering in my soul?
Movement 3/Act (Take action in Light of your Faith/Transformation:) We are called to work so that the reign of God can be realized in the world today. Work with creativity and compassion, follow the Spirit, meditate on the Word and expect that God will show you how to take action as you apply what you have learned.
What steps does my community or do I need to take in order to respond to the invitation God gives us to follow Jesus? Who needs to be involved in my efforts to follow Jesus? How will we grow into disciples that invite others to follow Jesus? How can I make this world a better place for people to live? What would my life look like if the reign of God were realized in my heart? in my community?
Prayer: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.” (Luke 12:48b NRSV) As we are called to act, we sincerely seek the empowerment of Spirit and we are changed. We become more like Christ.
Movement 3/Act (Take action in Light of your Faith/Transformation:) We are called to work so that the reign of God can be realized in the world today. Work with creativity and compassion, follow the Spirit, meditate on the Word and expect that God will show you how to take action as you apply what you have learned.
What steps does my community or do I need to take in order to respond to the invitation God gives us to follow Jesus? Who needs to be involved in my efforts to follow Jesus? How will we grow into disciples that invite others to follow Jesus? How can I make this world a better place for people to live? What would my life look like if the reign of God were realized in my heart? in my community?
Prayer: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.” (Luke 12:48b NRSV) As we are called to act, we sincerely seek the empowerment of Spirit and we are changed. We become more like Christ.
I invite you to discover your breath prayer
- Take time to quiet yourself within. Acknowledge and then let go of all your busy thoughts.
- Allow a “new” name for God to emerge or simply use the name you usually use when you pray to God
- Consider the invitation to follow Jesus that emerged during your time of study
- Work with your words until you have about 6-8 syllables which is the most comfortable to breathe … or pray this one:
(breath in) Jesus, I want … (breath out) to follow you …
As you continue to pray your prayer as you breathe throughout the day, you may find that God’s invitation seeps into you and that God’s love begins to flow in to you and out from you into a world that hurts.
If Music is a Pathway to God's Presence for you, Listen to Third Day singing I have decided to follow Jesus
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