Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Deuteronomy stands as a repetition of Moses’ teachings in a new setting – before Israel enters the land. Moses is not often called a prophet in Exodus through Numbers, so this passage comes as a bit of surprise. Part of what we must do is look back to these texts to understand how it is that Moses fulfills the role of a prophet. First, look through Exod 3:13-22. What does it mean for Moses to be a prophet? Read Exodus 19:1-6 and 16-24. What does this mean to be a prophet like Moses?

Mark 1:21-28

The Mark passage follows immediately upon the call of the four disciples. Capernaum is on the north end of the Sea of Galilee. What is the setting for the passage? Why might this be significant? There are basically three sets of characters in the passage that might help to unpack the passage: Jesus, “they” (the members of the synagogue), and the “man with an unclean spirit” – the disciples don’t play a role. In one way Jesus is the center around which everything operates. He is highlighted through the responses of the other two, the man with the unclean spirit in the middle of two responses by “them.” How does “their” response change as a result of the interaction between Jesus and the man? How is Jesus like Moses here?

1 Corinthians 8:1b-13

Here is a concrete implication of Jesus and his “new teaching.” At issue was the unity of the congregation, already a minority in a pagan society. Read v. 1b-3 and vv. 5-6 first. What is the basic principles and teaching that Paul give? Now read v. 4 and vv. 7-13. How does Paul see this case as a particular instance that lives out what he has said already? Why does this teaching have “authority”? How does one not end up walking on egg shells as a result of this teaching? What is Paul’s underlying goal for the Corinthians? How does this shape our lives?
How does the teaching and freeing of Jesus in the Gospel set the background to understand Paul’s teaching in Corinthians? Why is Jesus’ authority so important for our lives and witness?

Have a wonderful evening!