‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.

‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Questions for Reflection:

What is valuable to you about your faith? What is unique to you about Jesus?

I wonder how much understanding we can on this passage from parenting. Parents know not to give everything to their children and spoil them. We also know not to neglect them. But, I don’t know if we can simply impose these categories on God. What does it mean that God knows how to give good things?

I wonder what Jesus meant by good things.

Jesus has already taught us how to pray in the Sermon on the Mount. I wonder what he means to add to prayer, if anything, with this teaching.

‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.

Questions For Reflection:

When Pastor Peter preached on “do not worry,” he suggested that Jesus meant “you do not have to worry” as opposed to “don’t you dare worry.” Wonder if Jesus means the same here. Do you read it as “don’t you dare judge?” Could it be “you don’t have to judge?”

The Hidden Brain did a podcast on “what we lose when we assume people are bad.” I wonder what we lose when we judge people.

What measure (i.e. rule or guide or scale) do you use to judge other people? Do you use the same for yourself?

How do you respond to your own irritation or pain? Do you lash out? Do you shut down?

You’re invited to attend worship at St. Croix Reformed Church tomorrow morning. We will be attempting to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in as sanitary a way as possible. If you plan to attend, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR MASK! Sorry to be so bold, but we want everyone to be safe. Thank you!

Also, you’re invited to arrange a time with Pastor Peter to pick up a new hymnbook. That way you can follow along at home and join in the songs if you want. Just give him a call!

If you’re on Facebook, don’t forget to join the conversation on the “St. Croix Reformed Church – Virtual Bible Study” page.

‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

‘Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
   hallowed be your name.
   Your kingdom come.
   Your will be done,
     on earth as it is in heaven.
   Give us this day our daily bread.
   And forgive us our debts,
     as we also have forgiven our debtors.
   And do not bring us to the time of trial,
     but rescue us from the evil one.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The doors will be open this Sunday for worship. It will be a bittersweet service as we say thank you and farewell to some who have led us in worship during these weeks of isolation. Come and express your gratitude, but please remember to bring your mask and keep your distance. The service will be full of special songs and Scripture that we’ve heard this summer. It’s going to be great!