by Steve Thomason | Nov 13, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for November 19, 2023. The RCL jumps to Judges and the story of Deborah for the first reading. The second reading is Zephaniah 1. The third reading marks the fifth week in 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 25:14-30. This is the parable of the talents that is part of the Eschatological Discourse. The NL jumps to the words of Isaiah 5 and 11 where Israel is compared to a vineyard that must be severely pruned. The Gospel reading is Mark 12:1-3 where Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants. I titled this Servants of the Vineyard because both lectionaries are dealing with the reckoning that must come when leaders misuse the gifts God has given them.
by Steve Thomason | Nov 6, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for November 12, 2023. The RCL jumps to the end of Joshua for the first reading. The second reading is Amos 5. The third reading marks the fourth week in 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 25:1-13. This is the parable of the ten bridesmaids that is part of the Eschatological Discourse. The NL jumps to the words of Hosea 11:1-9. The Gospel reading is Mark 10:13-14 where Jesus welcomes the children to him. All of these passages are tough to read because they bring the balance of the suffering that comes when we don’t live in the love of God with the grace and forgiveness of the heart of God.
by Steve Thomason | Nov 3, 2023 | Bible
The digital version of A Cartoonist’s Guide to Acts (2023 version) is now FINISHED!!! This page includes:
An interactive outline that links to all 43 pages of the online graphic novel.
An 8-part video series in which I walk through every panel of the graphic novel and tell the story of Acts with commentary.
A digital reader version of the graphic novel so you can flip through pages in a more book-like manner.
A preview of the PowerPoint that contains 597 slides with every panel of the graphic novel is a step-by-step storyboard style.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 30, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for November 5, 2023. The RCL begins the story of Joshua with the crossing of the Jordan River. The second reading is Micah 3. The third reading marks the third week in 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 23:1-12 where Jesus speaks boldly to the crowd against the hypocrisy and failure of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. The NL explores the story of Elijah and his confrontation with the corrupt leaders of Israel and the prophets of Baal. The Gospel reading is Mark 9:2-4, the Transfiguration. I titled this post “When Leaders Lose Their Way” because both lectionaries have strong prophets speaking truth to corrupt power.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 27, 2023 | postfoundational
This post explores the process of how to navigate the difficult transition when your faith system/worldview is deconstructed and leaves you feeling like you are in a freefall. Be encouraged. It is a natural process and there is hope in the journey.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 23, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for October 29, 2023. The RCL jumps to the end of Deuteronomy and the death of Moses. The second reading is Leviticus 19 where Jesus gets his “and the second is like it.” The third reading marks the second week in 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 22:34-46 where Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment. The NL explores the story Rehoboam and Jeroboam in 1 Kings. The Gospel reading in Mark 10:42-45, the Transfiguration. I titled this post “A Divided Kingdom” primarily because of the NL reading. However, Jesus’ naming of the greatest commandments, centered on Love, is what divides loyalties.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 16, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for October 22, 2023. The RCL continues with Exodus where Moses encounters the presence of God. It also takes us to Isaiah 45 and 1 Thessalonians. The Gospel is Matthew 22:15-22 where Jesus is asked about paying taxes to Caesar. The NL explores the story when David unified the tribes into one kingdom in 2 Samuel. The Gospel reading in Mark 11:8-10, the Triumphal Entry. I see a unifying theme in these texts that explores God’s expectations for a king or a political authority.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 9, 2023 | Bible
This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for October 15, 2023. The RCL continues with Exodus and takes us to the story of the Godlen Calf. It also concludes the series on Philippians and looks at the Parable of the King’s Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. The NL explores the story of Ruth this week with the Gospel reading in Mark 3:33-35.
by Steve Thomason | Oct 7, 2023 | Bible
How should we interpret the parable of the King’s banquet in Matthew 22? This post offers two options. Which is more aligned with good news?
by Steve Thomason | Oct 6, 2023 | Art, Bible
These images help tell the story from the burning bush in Exodus 3 to the preaching of the Shema in Deuteronomy 6. A big task for the Narrative Lectionary preacher this week is the fill in the narrative gap to set up the Shema. These images will help.
