Bible Study Wednesday at 6:30

Hi everyone,

In the readings for this Sunday, we find ourselves in  Christ's community with the baptized jailers and each Sunday through the word and sacrament we have access to the tree of life!

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Pastor Tim

"God has led you to the desert, and spoken to your Heart."

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church

3546 E. Thomas Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-956-1620 office

Bible Study for June 1, 2025

Opening Prayer:

Creator of all, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in study. Open our minds and hearts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, unite us in faith, hope, and love. Help us to be faithful to the gospel and to walk humbly with you. Grant us your peace as we grow in wisdom and understanding. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 17:20-26 How might the reminder that Jesus is praying for the protection, unity, and mission of the faith community change the way we conduct ourselves in the church today?

Ancient farewell speeches of dying persons usually concluded with prayer. However, this is not a typical farewell prayer. Jesus’ whole farewell discourse had been not only about his death but also about His resurrection and ascension (his “hour”). Thus this is a prayer of one who is about to give His life away willingly out of love for His followers, bringing His work to completion. Several themes may be discerned in John’s recording of this prayer: Jesus intercedes with God on behalf of the faith community; Jesus is on intimate, loving terms with God; and believers are promised a future, eternal life with God. 

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21  John’s revelation emphasized reward for the faithful and judgment for the unfaithful when God’s plan for the world is finally implemented. Why was this an important message for a persecuted Christian minority to hear?

One of the major conclusions of the vision of John is that when the new age arrives, some will be rewarded, and the others judged. People’s actions and commitments will have a price. Those who “wash their robes” will be blessed; that is, those who have remained faithful and kept witnessing to the Gospel despite persecution from the “beast” (the power of the devil) will be rewarded. They will have the right to the tree of life and will be welcomed into the new Jerusalem. On the other hand, those who follow the ways of evil will be rejected and denied entry into the heavenly city. For John, the beast was Rome, but for us, it might be the “ways of the world,” such as individualism, materialism, greed, corporate crime, violence, racism, ageism, sexism, and destruction of the environment. Above all that is presented in this passage, Jesus identifies Himself—emphasizing His messianic status and universal sovereignty. 

Closing Prayer

God of boundless grace, you call us to drink freely of the well of life and to share the love of your holy being.

May the glory of your love, made known in the victory of Jesus Christ, our Savior, transform our lives and the world he lived and died to save. We ask this in his name and for his sake. Amen.