Ezekiel 2:1-7

Nation in this text does not mean "nation-state." It means, a people grouping, a large kinship group. Who is the nation of rebels? What is the difference between that nation of rebels and their descendants? What is the prophets task? Is it guaranteed to work? Is the task dependent upon the reception? Why would the prophet fear these people? Who are the scorpions among whom they live?

Now reading this passage it makes a big difference if one identifies with the prophet or identifies with the people. Read it through identifying with the prophet. What does the passage say? Read it through identifying with the nation. What does the passage say? Which is more appropriate for us as a congregation?

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

I once had a professor who wrote his dissertation at the University of Chicago on this passage. It is a complicated passage -- probably a description of an "ascent vision" that Paul had. Given the gift of this vision, why does Paul have a thorn in the flesh? (the nature of which, btw, has been the subject of much, much speculation over the centuries!). Does God deliver Paul from this thorn? Does Paul therefore lack faith? What is God's concern for Paul? Why is weakness good? How can one be strong while weak? Is this a contradiction or a paradox? Why is God's power made perfect in weakness? Where do Christians see this? Why do we seek power rather than weakness? Why is Paul context with the list of events at the end of the passage? What does this say about our intent in the world? Do Christians live to control the world? How then should we live?

Mark 6:1-6

Where is the setting of the story? Look back through Mark and quickly list what Jesus has done up to this point. Are the questions the people ask positive or negative? Why do the people among whom Jesus grew up then take offense at him? Is Jesus surprised? Why or why not? Again, belief seems to me to mean "loyalty" in the NT. Why would loyalty to Jesus mean that he was not able to heal, except a few? What is Jesus' response to the rejection?

A third option in the Ezekiel passage is to see Ezekiel, "the son of Man" as a type of Jesus Christ as seen in Mark. How would these correspond? If so, where does that place us?

Why is it that familiarity breeds contempt? How does one keep from falling prey to such a familiarity -- kind of like Scotland has with Christianity that leads to rejection of the faith?

I hope you have a wonderful time together. I am looking forward to gathering with all again very soom.

Peace,
John