Lectionary Q Questions: May 12, 2024

Seventh Sunday of Easter/Ascension

Ascension, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54351 [retrieved May 8, 2024]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/skip/111045024/.

Here are the questions for the following texts on the Seventh Sunday of Easter/Ascension, May 12, 2024.

Questions for Luke 24:44-53

1. Read Acts 1:1-11.  Are the two stories of the Ascension the same or different?

2. Look at verse 45. What does it mean that Jesus opened the disciples’ minds to the Scriptures?  Does God open our minds to the Scripture today?

3. In verse 49, Jesus tells the disciples to wait in Jerusalem “until you are clothed from on high.”  Why did Jesus tell the disciples to wait?  Is there something to be said about Christians waiting for God?

4. The Apostles Creed says that Jesus ascended into heaven and we see that in this passage. What is the meaning of the Ascension? Does it mean something more than Jesus just going to heaven? What does it mean for the church?

Questions for Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

1. Peter gives a speech where he talks about the betrayal and fate of Judas.  Do you think he was aware of his own bout of disloyalty when he spoke?  Did he have to talk about Judas?

2. In his speech, Peter talks about how Judas went to his “own place” in verse 25.  What do you think this means?

3. The number 12 is important in Jewish theology, think of the 12 tribes of Israel.  What was so important to have 12 apostles instead of 11?

4. The apostles prayed and also drew lots in choosing Mathias. It’s a combination of relying on God and some human response as well.  What lessons can the modern church learn from this passage?