The Table Church DC

Sunday, March 20, 2022. Preacher Erin Byrne. This week we’re continuing our series on the story of the Exodus, digging into what it means to think of God as a deliverer. Last week, Pastor Tonetta gave us the context that at the time of today’s story, the Israelites are living as slaves in Egypt. Many of them are brickmakers, building homes and temples and pyramids for the Egyptians, their oppressors. For a few chapters now, our Israelite heroes Moses and his brother Aaron have been going back and forth to the Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler, asking him, famously, to “Let my people go.” Pharaoh responds, “Who is this God, that I should heed them and let Israel go? I do not know your God, and I will not let Israel go. .

• Resource: 50 Ways to Pray

Lectio Divina is one of the great treasures of the Christian tradition of prayer. It means Divine Reading, which is reading the book we believe to be divinely inspired. This tradition of prayer flows out of a Hebrew method of studying the Scriptures which was an interactive interpretation of the Scriptures by means of the free use of the text to explore its inner meaning. It was part of the devotional practice of the Jews in the days of Jesus.

Lectio Divina is the most traditional way of cultivating friendship with Christ. It is a way of listening to the texts of scripture as if we were in conversation with Christ and He was suggesting the topics of conversation. It is listening with the “ear” of the heart. The daily encounter with Christ and reflection on His Word leads beyond mere acquaintanceship to an attitude of friendship, trust and love.

Bible Study is the reading of the scriptures for information and an understanding of the context of the passage. It provides a solid conceptual background for the practice of Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina is a reflective reading of scripture. It is a method of prayer that leads us into the deeper meaning of scripture and the transformation of our lives. A contemplative reading of the Scriptures is compatible with well-grounded interpretation of the Bible.

Moment One: Lectio. Read the Scripture

Read passage as slowly as you can. Listen with the “ear of your heart.” What phrase, sentence or even single word stands out to you? Begin to repeat that phrase, sentence or one word over and over, allowing it to settle deeply in your heart. And then read the passage slowly at least two more times, stopping to consider certain phrases or words or questions that may arise.

Pause to write down that word or phrase, and any reflections you may have at this point.

Moment Two: Meditatio. Reflect.

Read the passage yet again, but now attempt to place yourself into the story or passage. Place yourself as one the characters within the story. Or simply imagine that the words on the page are words that you yourself are speaking to God. Use your senses. If you were a character, would you be seeing, touching, tasting, hearing, smelling? What emotions would be rising up within you? Reflect on and relish the words, thoughts, and feelings. Let them resound in your heart. Let an attitude of quiet receptiveness permeate the prayer time. Be attentive to what speaks to your heart.

Again, pause to write down what you may be thinking or feeling at this point.

Moment Three: Oratio. Pray.

Speak to God as you continue to listen to a phrase, sentence or word. A prayer of praise, thanksgiving or petition may arise. It may arise out of the emotions or feeling you’re having as you consider the passage.

Once again, it may be appropriate to write down a prayer.

Moment Four: Contemplatio. Rest in God.

Simply “be with” God’s presence as you open yourself to a deeper hearing of the Word of God. Sit in silence, allowing the choppy waves of your soul to come to place of stillness and rest. If you feel drawn back to the scriptures, follow the lead of the Spirit.

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https://pray-as-you-go.org/

https://www.harrypottersacredtext.com/resources

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• The Message

• John 3:16 "The Great Spirit loves this world of human beings so deeply he gave us his Son―the only Son who fully represents him.** All who trust in him and his way will not come to a bad end, but will have the life of the world to come that never fades―full of beauty and harmony. Creator did not send his Son to decide against the people of this world, but to set them free from the worthless ways of the world."

• Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

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• Study Bibles from Someone's Name or Face on Them

$40 / year

• Best Tools on Bible Gateway

• NIV or NRSV Cultural Background Study Bible

• A Survey of the Old Testament (Hill & Walton)

If you want to understand a verse you need to understand it's

• Genre

https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Bible-Commentary-Third-Revised/dp/066423707X

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https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Margin-Interpreting-Bible-World-ebook/dp/B00U7XTRT0/?pldnSite=1

How did Trauma affect the writing of Scripture?

• Probably a hint that a more nuanced conversation isn't in the cards at the moment

• Name the internal feelings and emotions; identify the strong response or trauma

Exodus 5 shows us two worlds with entirely opposed organizing ideas. Is there hope for the healthier one to prevail?

Sunday, March 6, 2022. We take a look at Moses' encounters with God and how God wants to free us from misconceptions about God.

Small actions, done with great love, can make all the difference. Sometimes, I’m convinced that those small actions, taken faithfully day after day, by each and every one of us, is the only thing that has ever managed to change the world, to bend the universe toward justice and righteousness. 

Sunday, February 20, 2022. Preacher: Anthony Parrott. Exodus is the origin story of all other stories of liberation, salvation, and freedom. In it we find ourselves and the possibility of the beautiful future that God is pulling us into.

In this session we put on two specific lens to read Scripture. The Cruciform lens and the Liberation lens. We then use these to take a look at two specific passages: Genesis 16 (the mistreatment of Hagar) and Mark 7 (the Syrophoenecian Woman). 

Sunday, February 13, 2022. Preacher: Tonetta Landis-Aina. As we begin a new series on the book of Exodus, thinking about salvation and liberation, Pastor Tonetta grounds us in the most important part of any sort of work that will matter: REST.