Acts 1:15-17,21-6

1) Peter emerges as a leader, although he does not appear much after the first half of Acts. With the selection of Matthias, we have an opportunity to talk about leadership in the church. We could focus on leadership selection in the church. Here the criterion is random selection after being in a pool. This takes us back to similar decisions I Sam. 14 for instance.

2) I’m going to a conference on discernment at George Fox in Oregon at the end of the month. The selection procedure could be used as a blanket to cover other forms of decision-making in the church., or in general.

3) The 12 are a unit here, possibly representing Israel. What are your thoughts about collective leadership?

4) this is a good place to see that our roles are replaceable, but is a person really replaceable?

5) Imagine how Joseph/Justus reacted to not being chosen.

6) what conflicting feelings and thoughts swirled through Matthias?

7) This issue of being chosen is at the heart of Reformed thought. What is different about being chosen than to choose?

I John 5:9-13-

1. 
   

   this concludes the lectionary on this letter. If you are not slavish toward it, you may go all the way to the end, of course.

   
   
2. 
   

   I’m not sure about interpreting/testimony/confession/witness here at v. 9 I tend toward the idea that Jesus embodies the testimony of God, a living, breathing witness to the truth of God.

   
   
3. 
   

   Here heart means in the inmost being, not merely emotional preference.

   
   
4. 
   

   In John’s dualism here, it is one side or the other. Look at the content life. It is a commentary, if you will, all the way back to Moses, two paths I give you life and death.

   
   
5. 
   

   5) It is important here to see that eternal life is a present reality, not a waystation into heaven.