PREACHING IN THE MIDST OF ... Introduction to Wesley Chapel Fall Bible Study and Book Guide

This is a companion Bible Study that goes along with the Book Preaching in the Midst Of ... : How Black Preaching Has Changed in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Currently, the Black preacher in America finds him or herself caught in the middle of a moment: in the middle of having to preach the Word of God with power and liberation, while being thrown off America’s colossal granite-face Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills in Keystone, South Dakota, without a mask.  Out Line Opening Praying Open our eyes, dear God, so that we may see that the fields are white to harvest, even in this time of rancor and hatred in our world. Use me, use us your people, to be your tools of grace to break down barriers that divide races, cultures, people, and nations so that when we worship you together in heaven, it will not be the first time we have worshiped in joyous diversity and multi-cultural praise. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. In some church cultures, after a message is given, an invitation is offered for people to respond to that message. Well, Jesus got a response to his message in the synagogue, that's for sure. The people were furious. Their response is a reminder to us that not all truth will be well received. Sometimes the truth of God provokes deep anger, especially among those whose faith is couched in prejudice and a false sense of ethnic or religious superiority. When prejudice is displayed by those claiming to be God's people, the presence of Jesus leaves those people and moves to people who will share his grace. We must eradicate from our midst all racial and cultural hatred and any sense of ethnic or religious superiority. God's people must realize that it is by grace that we are saved. That grace should move us to share God's love with others with gentleness and respect, regardless of how similar to us or different from us they may appear to be. Part 1: (16-17) Jesus comes to His own synagogue in Nazareth. So, He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: Since this was early in the ministry of Jesus, it was not long from the time when He lived and worked in Nazareth. The people of that village knew Him, and He had probably done work as a carpenter or builder for many of them. Q1. How does your home environment and upbringing effect your understanding of preaching, ministry, and evangelism? Full bible study handout https://1drv.ms/w/s!Alj4UNXUR9-ki9pQ-ynkUXBy2nCUgw?e=cqBx31