Wednesday, June 20
The Circle of the Church
Morning Office:
| Scripture: | A Song to the Lamb (Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13); Acts 2:1-11; |
| Hymns: | Common Praise # 457 Alleluia! Glory to God and #418 Draw the Circle wide |
Bible Study: Acts 2:1-11
Background
Pentecost (in Hebrew Shavuoth) was a pilgrim festival at the temple in Jerusalem, which may help to explain the international crowd. Shavuoth celebrates both the conclusion of the grain harvest and the anniversary of the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai; both these aspects can be seen in Luke’s version of the Pentecost events. The disciples have waited through the seven weeks of the harvest season which began at Passover (Easter), and they now experience God’s spiritual bounty in its fullness. The “miracle of hearing”, on the other hand, recalls the rabbinic belief that God spoke the Law in all the languages of the world. It also suggests a reversal of the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11.
Discussion questions
- In what languages does the church speak where you live? (Literally and figuratively.)
- In your community, who hears and who doesn’t hear the good news of God in Christ spoken in their own language? (Literally and figuratively.)
- How does the Holy Spirit empower you to communicate “God’s deeds of power” to others? How do you feel about this?
- What do you see as the signs of the Spirit’s activity in the church today?
Noon Prayers:
Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6
Choral Evensong (Book of Common Prayer)
| Scripture: | Psalm 98; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Romans 15:1-7 |
| Hymns: | #17 Christ, Mighty Saviour #29 The day thou gavest # 32 Be our light in the darkness |