Sunday 5 July - (5th Sunday after Trinity - Continuous)
Genesis 24.34-38,42-49-58
Following the family custom of the time, Abraham sends his servant back to his own country to find a wife for his son, Isaac. The servant is successful in his mission.
Romans 7.15-25
Before he visits the Christian community in Rome, Paul writes to them to offer advice on the problems they may face as they seek to follow the Christian way of life.
Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30
Teaching in parables (the word is connected to parallel) was a common method of teaching among Hebrew rabbis. A story, often based on everyday life, then left the listeners to ponder for themselves what it might mean.
Sunday 12 July - (6th Sunday after Trinity - Continuous)
Genesis 25.19-34
After their difficult birth, as they grow up, the two boys, Esau and Jacob become rivals. Jacob cheats his brother of his rightful inheritance.
Romans 8.1-11
Paul contrasts the life of the Christian who lives in the freedom of God’s Hoy Spirit, with that of one whose life is bound to earthly pleasures.
Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23
Matthew continued to recount other parables of Jesus based on the working experience of many of his listeners, who would have understood their meaning.
Sunday 19 July - (7th Sunday after Trinity - Continuous)
Genesis 28.10-19a
In his travels, Jacob falls asleep one night and has a dream. God makes a covenant with him as he did with his grandfather Abraham. Jacob set up an altar and named the place, ‘Bethel’ which means in Hebrew, ‘House of God’.
Romans 8.12-25
Paul reminds the Christians that by the Spirit of God they are God’s children and have been made free.
Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43
Once again, Jesus told a parable, and his listeners would have understood the setting. It was fairly unusual for Jesus to offer an explanation but on this occasion, he was drawing parallels with what wold happen at the end of ‘human time’ , when God would proclaim judgement on the world.
Sunday 26 July - (8th Sunday after Trinity - Continuous)
Genesis 29.15-28
Jacob falls in love with Rachel, the younger daughter of his uncle Laban, but it is the custom for an elder sister to marry first, so Jacob has to work for another seven years.
Romans 8.26-39
Paul reassures the Christians in Rome that God’s Spirit will intercede on theirmbehalf. nothing will separate them from the love of Christ.
Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52
Jesus continued his farming based parables, and concluded with with more comments on the end of times, when God will reveal what will take place at the end of time. Scribes were well versed in the writings of the Hebrew Scriptures, so will be well prepared for this end.