{"id":875078,"date":"2022-09-25T17:20:17","date_gmt":"2022-09-25T21:20:17","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2026-06-23T19:55:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T23:55:32","slug":"bible-study-pentecost-20-c-october-23-2022","status":"publish","type":"bible_study","link":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/bible_study\/bible-study-pentecost-20-c-october-23-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Bible Study: Proper 25 (C) \u2013 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/lectionary\/proper-25c\/\">[RCL] Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Luke 18:9-14<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Pr25-2022-Bible-Study-Graphic-1024x536.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-275082\" width=\"512\" height=\"268\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Joel 2:23-32<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This passage of apocalyptic poetry in Joel provides the hope and affirmation that the people of Israel need after their time of deprivation and suffering. In this case, the people had fallen prey to a devastating plague of locusts; that same sense of marginalization and loss is easily transferred to our own lives, whether at the personal level or on a larger or global scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We can all relate to some experience of suffering, and what we need to do with this passage is use Joel\u2019s prophecy to find a way through the darkness in our own lives. The salvation that he promises is available to \u201ceveryone who calls on the name of the Lord.\u201d True darkness, permanent darkness, will only come if we fail in our hope, in our belief, that God loves us and that his ability to restore is limitless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Try to think of a time in your life when things turned around after a long period of trouble or suffering. Looking back, can you see God\u2019s hand in that restoration?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What part, large or small, can you play in helping to bring light to the darkness in someone else\u2019s life, or that of your community?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Psalm 65<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just as in the passage from Joel, Psalm 65 proclaims the power of God to forgive and restore. It is important to read carefully, however, and note that this is not a case of God as a vending machine, where he answers prayers and grants wishes at our command. Almost every line of the psalm reveals the power and strength wielded by the Lord. He provides, establishes, silences, crowns, waters, and blesses; but all of this comes in response to our penitence and hinges upon his forgiveness of our transgressions. His wondrous acts are reserved for those of true faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once we commit ourselves, we can indeed rejoice, for even \u201cthose who live at the ends of the earth will tremble at [God\u2019s] marvelous signs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Where can you see a sign of God\u2019s hand in your life today?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What unlikely place might you look for and appreciate his power and strength in your life tomorrow?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This portion of Paul\u2019s letter to Timothy gives us a sense of a one-two punch to the gut. First, he gives the sense that he is nearing the end of his life. He has \u201cfought the good fight\u201d and \u201cthe time of [his] departure has come.\u201d Before we can even wrap our minds around the idea of Paul\u2019s impending death, he deals a second blow as he reminds the reader that no one came to his defense when he was first accused, and that \u201call deserted [him].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is not Paul\u2019s intention, however, to send us on a guilt trip. Instead, we can look to his words for inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout this long and arduous race, his faith has never flagged. He has fought the good fight. He has nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to be afraid of\u2026 and the even better news is that we can also aspire to \u201cthe crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, [gave him] on that day.\u201d We don\u2019t have to be exactly like Paul, but if we stay true to the teachings of Christ, then God will rescue us in the same way he rescued Paul \u201cfrom every evil attack.\u201d We don\u2019t have to rely on earthly human support during our most difficult days, because God will be with us, no matter what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can you think of a time when you were tired or frustrated and God\u2019s presence helped you complete the task at hand?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How can you encourage others to look for God\u2019s support and love in their lives?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Luke 18:9-14<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the other passages this week point to the need for faith in somewhat ephemeral terms, these verses from Luke provide some clearly detailed requirements about the type of faith that God is seeking. He is not looking for perfection in our acts of faith. We are not saved by our actions, at least not when they are performed with the notion that we will receive some sort of \u201cgold star\u201d as a reward for our noble efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quite the contrary; what God seeks is our trust, not in our own actions, but in his. His mercy is what will save us, and the way to that mercy is through true humility and the recognition that we are all sinners who need to repent instead of boast and serve instead of demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humility is a difficult concept for many of us. It runs counter to much of what society teaches and demands of us each day, but that doesn\u2019t make it any less important. This Gospel lesson spells that out in no uncertain terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is one way that you might practice humility this week?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can you think of a time when you acted as the Pharisee in this parable? How might you turn that scenario around?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-cf964891-2d7b-4de9-80ec-e70f1408e069\" href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bible-Study-Proper-25C-English.docx\">Word \u2013 Proper 25 (C) Bible Study<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bible-Study-Proper-25C-English.docx\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-cf964891-2d7b-4de9-80ec-e70f1408e069\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-dcb52f32-6219-48e4-a61f-833454ed9007\" href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bible-Study-Proper-25C-English.pdf\">PDF \u2013 Proper 25 (C) Bible Study<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Bible-Study-Proper-25C-English.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-dcb52f32-6219-48e4-a61f-833454ed9007\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[RCL] Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Luke 18:9-14 Joel 2:23-32 This passage of apocalyptic poetry in Joel provides the hope and affirmation that the people of Israel need after their time of deprivation and suffering. In this case, the people had fallen prey to a devastating plague of locusts; that same sense of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":201221,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[23,52,33,3],"tags":[359],"class_list":["post-875078","bible_study","type-bible_study","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-studies","category-sermons-that-work","category-the-season-after-pentecost","category-worship-and-prayer-menu","tag-proper-25c"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":23,"label":"Bible Studies"},{"value":52,"label":"Sermons That Work"},{"value":33,"label":"The Season After Pentecost"},{"value":3,"label":"worship_and_prayer_menu"}],"post_tag":[{"value":359,"label":"Proper 25C"}]},"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":[],"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bible_study\/875078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bible_study"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bible_study"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bible_study\/875078\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":952270,"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bible_study\/875078\/revisions\/952270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=875078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=875078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.episcopalchurch.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=875078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}