The Prime Timers Adult Bible Fellowship Web Page welcomes you!

Mark in June; Matthew in July; Luke in August.  You guessed it we are exploring the gospels. You are invited to join us for fellowship, coffee and enlightenment every Sunday in the Payne Education Center, Rooms 210-212, 10:00 to 10:45am.

Jackie Rose is one of our leaders, and this week's speaker.

The Prime Timers Good News!

At the beginning of class you can bring us news of your family, or whatever is on your mind, for $1!

Lynda Thompson gave thanks for her son's birthday.

Jackie Rose asks for our prayers as her husband, Robert, comes to grips with the need for a knee replacement.

The Rev. Rusty Goldsmith gave thanks that his middle son was invited to be assistant director at the church camp that has been an important part of his family's tradition for many years.

Learning to Listen 

This week's lesson dealt with why Jesus taught in parables. Jackie Rose, our speaker, began by pointing out that this was a tradition of the Rabbis of the time. Teaching in parables allows for dealing with themes on a multi-level basis, and making "holy mysteries" easier to grasp.

Where the Rabbis used parables for religious instruction and teaching moral lessons, Jesus turned the world around, using parables to instruct and impart His reason for being here. The newness and uniqueness of his place in the world required a new and unique way of communicating.

Both Mark and Matthew refer to Jesus' parables. With Mark written around 70 AD and Matthew around 85-90 AD, a whole generation has passed. The concerns of the time are different, Jesus actual life is further in the past, and you could say that Matthew is redacting or amplifying and editing the work of Mark.

The reading, Matthew 13:9-17, contains a five fold answer to the question of "why parables?" This starts with understanding being a gift from God. Some will have the gift; others perhaps aren't ready to understand.  Jesus fulfills the prophesy of Isaiah where some will listen but not understand, while others will open their eyes and see. It ends with Jesus telling the disciples how fortunate they are and how many prophets and other of God's people want to be in the place they find themselves.

The discussion started out with George recalling the TV series Kung Fu, where the main character Caine would often recall stories from his master, parables, that would apply to the situation Caine found himself in. The Rev. Bob Brown felt parables are a way of humanizing the heavenly father. The prodigal son or good Samaritan is a way of describing Godlike behavior in an accessible situation. Skip added that parables are helpful in applying Biblical teachings to today's situations and stories where you have to think about them or work them out yourself are more likely to be remembered. And finally Bobbie brought up the right and left brain, the analytical left brain can only see so far, while the more romantic right brain can appreciate the poetry and mystery much better.

Prime Timers Contact names and numbers

Mentor

The Rev. Maurice L. "Rusty" Goldsmith. D.D.
713/985-3831
rgoldsmith@stmartinsepiscopal.org

Co-Leaders

Our class Mentor, the Rev. Rusty Goldsmith, hands out materials before class. Assisting is the Rev. Bob Brown.

A map of the area we are currently studying.

More detail from the magnificent St. Martins Stained Glass windows.

 The Lesson for Sunday, July 24th is titled "Free to Forgive"

Key Verse:  Matthew 18:27

Focus of the Lesson:  Most of us desire forgiveness when we have wronged another, but we often find it difficult to forgive others when they have wronged us. Can we afford the consequences of living with such inconsistencies? The parable of the unforgiving slave goes beyond a limited view of forgiveness; it calls for a spirit of unconditional forgiveness toward others.

The reading is Matthew 18:21-35. This text is from the New Revised Standard Version.

   21 Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ 22 Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
   23 ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him;  and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.”
   27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’