Scripture passage:1 Corinthians 1:10-18Translation: Common English Bible (CEB)

3 Questions:
What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text? 
Toward what is God calling you in this text? 
How do you define belonging? 

Additional texts:
Isaiah 9:1-4 (Restoration for the nations)
Psalm 27:1, 4-9 (The LORD is shelter and salvation)
Matthew 4:12-23 (Jesus calls his disciples)

John 1:29-42.   Translation: Common English Bible

What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text?  
Toward what is God calling you in this text?  
What are you looking for? 

Additional texts:
Isaiah 49:1-7 (A prophet for all nations)
Psalm 40:1-11 (Psalm of deliverance)
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (Paul’s greeting to the church in Corinth)

Scripture passage:Psalm 29             Translation: Alter

3 Questions:
What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text? 
Toward what is God calling you in this text? 
How does God get your attention?  

Additional texts:
Isaiah 42:1-9 (God’s Spirit on God’s servant)
Acts 10:34-43 (Peter’s revelation in Cornelius’ household)
Matthew 3:13-17 (Baptism of Jesus by John)

Scripture passage:Isaiah 63:7-9Translation: NRSV

3 Questions:
What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text? 
Toward what is God calling you in this text? 
How will you recount the gracious deeds of the LORD?  

Additional texts:
Psalm 148 (hymn of praise)
Hebrews 2:10-18 (Jesus shares flesh and blood and suffering with us)
Matthew 2:13-23 (slaughter of the innocents)

Scripture passage:Titus 3:4-7Translation: NRSVUE

3 Questions:

What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text? 
Toward what is God calling you in this text?
How do you receive–or resist–mercy?  

Additional texts (Christmas Day readings)

Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97
Luke 2:1-20
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-12
John 1:1-14

Luke 2:1-20 Translation: The Message (Eugene Peterson's paraphrase)

What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text?     

Toward what is God calling you in this text?  

What God-given treasures do you hold deep within yourself?

Additional texts:
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14

Matthew 1:18-25Translation: NRSV

3 Questions:

What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text?  

Toward what is God calling you in this text?  

How has God shown up for you in a difficult situation? 

Additional texts

Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7

What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text?    

Toward what is God calling you in this text?  

What good news do you want people to hear? 


Additional texts:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10
Luke 1:46-55
James 5:7-10

Romans 15:4-13 from The Message paraphrase by Rev. Eugene Peterson

3 Questions for this week:
1. What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text?
2. Toward what is God calling you in this text?
3. How have you been welcomed by people different from you?

Text for Advent 1 from the Revised Common Lectionary.