Bible Study Recap - October 22

Bible Study Recap — October 22

Theme: “Worship from the Heart”

📖 Scripture Focus: Isaiah 29:13

“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.’”

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Icebreaker: Writing Our Own Acrostic

We began the study with a creative and reflective icebreaker! Everyone was invited to write their own acrostic using the word GRACE. Each letter represented a personal expression of faith or a quality of God’s character.

After sharing some of our acrostics, Pastor Marvel explained that several Psalms in the Bible were written in acrostic form — where each verse or section begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This poetic style was a way to express completeness and devotion — praising God from A to Z.

Some examples of acrostic Psalms include:

• 🕮 Psalm 25 — a prayer for forgiveness and guidance.

• 🕮 Psalm 34 — a song of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance.

• 🕮 Psalm 37 — wisdom about trusting the Lord and doing good.

• 🕮 Psalm 111 & 112 — twin psalms celebrating God’s works and the blessings of the faithful.

• 🕮 Psalm 119 — the longest and most famous acrostic, celebrating God’s Word with 22 sections (one for each Hebrew letter).

• 🕮 Psalm 145 — a hymn of praise to God’s greatness and compassion.

This exercise reminded us that worship can be both creative and intentional — a way to engage our hearts fully in expressing love to God.

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Summary

Our study focused on authentic worship — worship that flows from the heart rather than empty routine. Isaiah’s message challenges us to examine whether our expressions of faith truly come from within.

Pastor Marvel reminded us that worship is not just something we do; it’s a reflection of who we are in relationship with God. Real worship comes from gratitude, not obligation — it’s about connection, not performance.

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The Image of the Four Creatures

Pastor Marvel also shared an image of four symbolic creatures — a man, a lion, a bull, and an eagle — each representing one of the four Gospels:

• 🧍‍♂️ Man (Matthew) — Jesus as the Son of Man, emphasizing His humanity.

• 🦁 Lion (Mark) — Jesus as the Son of David, the King with power and authority.

• 🐂 Bull (Luke) — Jesus as the Priest, who offers Himself in sacrifice for all.

• 🦅 Eagle (John) — Jesus as the Son of God, the divine Word who came from heaven.

These images remind us that Jesus’ life and ministry reveal the fullness of God’s glory — human and divine — and that our worship should reflect this wholeness.

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Main Insights

• God desires heartfelt worship, not empty ritual.

• Worship is a relationship built on love and gratitude.

• True worship can happen anywhere — alone or in community.

• The four Gospel symbols remind us that Christ is complete — fully human, fully divine, King, Priest, and Savior.

• Worship should engage both mind and heart.

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Reflection Questions

1. What helps you move from routine worship to genuine connection with God?

2. Which Gospel image (Man, Lion, Bull, Eagle) speaks most to your heart today?

3. How can you make your daily life an act of worship?

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Conclusion

This week’s study reminded us that worship is not something we do once a week — it’s the way we live in God’s presence every day. When our worship flows from love, gratitude, and authenticity, it transforms not only our hearts but the world around us.

Let us strive to be people who honor God not just with our lips, but with lives that reflect His grace, mercy, and truth.

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📖 Final Bible Study of the Year – The Gospel of Matthew

Friends,
Join us for our last Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew before we take a short break for the holidays. It’s been a beautiful journey exploring the life and teachings of Jesus together, and we’ll gather one more time to reflect, share, and celebrate all that we’ve learned.

🗓 Date: Wednesday, October 29
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Jason Lee Memorial UMC — Disciple Room

After this session, our Bible Study will pause until January, when we’ll begin a new series to start the year refreshed and renewed in God’s Word.

Come ready to learn, share, and give thanks for this season of study together!

✝️ “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105

Bible Study Recap — October 15

Expressions of Grace (Matthew 16–20)

Bible Study Recap – “Journey of Grace” (Matthew 16–20)
By Rev. Marvel Souza

Our Bible Study this week was a beautiful time of learning, reflection, and spiritual growth. We began with an icebreaker reviewing the key religious groups that shaped the world Jesus lived in—Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots, and others. Understanding their beliefs and influence helps us read the Gospels with deeper insight, recognizing how radical and compassionate Jesus’ message truly was.

Before diving into Scripture, we explored the different Bible translation styles:

• Formal Equivalence (word-for-word): strives to remain close to the original wording and structure (like ESV or NASB).

• Dynamic Equivalence (thought-for-thought): focuses on communicating the original message in a clear, modern way (like NIV or NLT).

Both translation types help us experience God’s Word with renewed understanding and appreciation for its depth and beauty.

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The Context: Religious Groups at the Time of Jesus

Group	Description	Bible References
Pharisees	Lay leaders devoted to observing and interpreting the Law and oral traditions. They emphasized purity, fasting, tithing, and external righteousness. Jesus often challenged them to match their outward obedience with inner humility.	Matthew 23:1–7; Luke 18:9–14
Sadducees	A wealthy, priestly class connected to the Temple. They rejected the idea of resurrection, angels, or spirits and accepted only the Torah as authoritative. They sought peace with Roman rule.	Matthew 22:23–33; Acts 23:6–8
Essenes	A separatist Jewish community, likely linked to the Dead Sea Scrolls. They withdrew from society to pursue ritual purity, simplicity, and readiness for the coming of God’s kingdom.	Not directly named, but reflected in John the Baptist’s lifestyle (Luke 1:80; Mark 1:4–6)
Zealots	A revolutionary movement that sought to free Israel from Roman occupation through resistance and, at times, violence. Some believed the Messiah would come as a military liberator.	Luke 6:15; Acts 21:38
Herodians	Political supporters of the Herodian dynasty and collaborators with Rome. Though their interests differed from the Pharisees, they sometimes united against Jesus.	Matthew 22:16; Mark 3:6
Scribes	Scholars and interpreters of the Law, often serving as teachers and advisors. Many were Pharisees and held positions of authority in religious life.	Matthew 23:2–3; Mark 12:28–34
Chief Priests	Leaders of the Temple priesthood who oversaw sacrifices and maintained religious order. Many belonged to the Sadducees and wielded significant political influence.	Matthew 26:3–4; John 11:47–53
Samaritans	A people living in Samaria, descended from mixed Israelite and foreign ancestry. They worshiped on Mount Gerizim instead of Jerusalem. Though despised by Jews, Jesus highlighted their compassion and faith.	Luke 10:33; John 4:9–42

This background gave us a deeper understanding of the spiritual and political tensions surrounding Jesus’ ministry—and how His message of mercy, humility, and grace stood in contrast to the religious systems of His day.

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Walking Through Matthew 16–20: The Expressions of Grace

As we journeyed through these chapters, we discovered how Jesus’ grace takes many forms, shaping discipleship from within:

1. Grace that reveals truth – Matthew 16:13–20
   Jesus reveals His true identity as the Messiah, showing that knowing Him personally transforms our understanding of God.

2. Grace that corrects with love – Matthew 16:21–28
   Jesus lovingly rebukes Peter, teaching that following Him means surrendering pride and embracing God’s will.

3. Grace that heals and restores – Matthew 17:14–21
   When the disciples could not heal a boy, Jesus reminds them that faith grows through trust and prayer.

4. Grace that builds community through forgiveness – Matthew 18
   Jesus defines true greatness in humility and calls us to forgive endlessly, just as God forgives us.

5. Grace that welcomes and challenges – Matthew 19:13–30
   From blessing children to confronting the rich, Jesus shows that grace comforts and challenges in equal measure.

6. Grace that gives generously and freely – Matthew 20:1–16
   The parable of the workers in the vineyard reminds us that God’s generosity is rooted in mercy, not merit.

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Reflection Question

Which expression of grace speaks most deeply to your life right now—and why?
How is God calling you to embody that grace toward others this week?

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Conclusion

Grace is not a single event—it is the ongoing language of God’s Kingdom.
In every word, miracle, and moment of forgiveness, Jesus reveals the same truth:
We are loved not because of what we do, but because of who God is.

May we continue to live and express that same grace in our relationships, words, and daily walk with Christ.

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Invitation

You are warmly invited to join us for our next Wednesday Bible Study
📖 Topic: Continuing our journey through the Gospel of Matthew
🕕 Time: Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
🏠 Location: Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church
Disciple Room – 168 S. University Ave, Blackfoot, Idaho

Bible Study Recap - October 1

📖 Bible Study Recap – October 1

Matthew 14–15: Grace that Provides, Heals, and Transforms

On October 1, our Bible Study at Jason Lee Memorial UMC focused on Matthew chapters 14 and 15, continuing our journey through the Gospels with a lens of grace.

Key Highlights:

• Grace that Provides: In the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000, Jesus took what seemed insufficient and turned it into abundance, showing us that in His hands, “not enough” becomes more than enough.
• Grace in Weakness: When Peter faltered while walking on water, Jesus reached out and lifted him up—reminding us that grace rescues us when our faith is shaky.
• Grace over Tradition: Jesus taught that true purity comes from the heart, not just external rituals, emphasizing transformation from within.
• Grace without Borders: In healing the Canaanite woman’s daughter and feeding the multitudes in Gentile territory, Jesus revealed that God’s table is wide, with room for everyone.

Activities:

• We had a Bible Quiz to review what we’ve been learning together.
• We played an online interactive game filling in the gaps with the correct words from Jesus’s parables—it was a fun way to engage Scripture while learning together!

Teaching Moment: Means of Grace

Pastor Marvel shared a teaching on the Means of Grace in the Wesleyan tradition:

• Works of Piety – prayer, searching the Scriptures, worship, fasting, and celebrating the sacraments.
• Works of Mercy – serving the poor, visiting the sick and imprisoned, seeking justice, and practicing compassion.

Through these practices, God’s grace is not earned but freely given and experienced in tangible ways. The Means of Grace are ways we open ourselves to God’s transforming love, both personally and in community.

Living It Out at Jason Lee Memorial UMC

Our church has been embodying these Means of Grace in everyday ministry:

• Holy Communion as a sacrament of God’s love.
• Serving the community with food, clothing, and care.
• Providing a safe space of worship for all people.
• Offering free language courses (English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese) as a bridge of grace.
• Fellowship and inclusive practices where everyone is welcomed.
• Bible Studies that nurture our faith and understanding.

Discussion Reflections:

• Where in our lives do we need to trust God with our “not enough”?
• How have we experienced Jesus’ grace when our faith faltered?
• In what ways are we called to extend God’s abundant grace across boundaries?

Closing Thought:

God’s grace meets us in our fear, weakness, and hunger—and extends far beyond the boundaries we create. We are called not only to receive this grace but also to share it generously with others.

Rev. Marvel Souza 

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Bible Study Recap, September 24, 2025

 

Bible Study Recap: Matthew 12–13 – Expressions of Grace

Last Wednesday at Jason Lee Memorial UMC, we had another beautiful time together in God’s Word. Our study focused on Matthew chapters 12 and 13, two chapters that highlight both the growing opposition Jesus faced and the powerful ways He revealed God’s Kingdom.

What stood out most was how grace shines through every story. In a world full of criticism, accusations, and misunderstandings, Jesus chose to respond with compassion, healing, and invitation. That is the heart of grace - God’s love meeting us in our weakness and transforming us from the inside out.

We reflected on several powerful expressions of grace:

• Grace Restores. In Matthew 12:13, Jesus told the man with the withered hand to stretch it out -and what was broken was completely healed. This reminded us that grace doesn’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect conditions. Grace comes now, restoring us fully and making us whole.

• Grace Liberates. Later in chapter 12, Jesus set a man free from spiritual bondage. While critics accused Him of working with evil, Jesus showed that His power comes from God’s Spirit. Grace always breaks chains - whether of fear, sin, or lies.

• Grace Welcomes. We also noticed how Jesus impacted the very idea of family. First, in His own life, He was born into a family arrangement that was not considered “normal” for His time - Mary, Joseph, and a story marked by divine intervention and questions from the community. Second, in Matthew 12:46–50, when told His mother and brothers were waiting outside, He pointed to His disciples and said, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus was reshaping the definition of family at a time when traditional family structures were considered central to identity and honor. Grace redefines belonging - not by bloodlines or appearances, but by our relationship with God and our willingness to walk in His will.

• Grace Scatters. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3–9), Jesus taught that the Word of God is scattered generously. Some falls on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil. What amazed us is how abundant grace is—God sows His Word everywhere, even in places that seem unlikely to produce fruit.

• Grace Transforms. The mustard seed and yeast remind us that small things can bring about extraordinary change (13:31–33). Grace takes what seems ordinary and turns it into something life-changing.

• Grace Values. In the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, we discovered that the Kingdom is worth everything. Grace teaches us to treasure God’s gift above all else.

Throughout our discussion, we shared how these truths connect to our own journeys. Some of us feel like the man with the withered hand, longing for restoration. Others see God’s Word taking root in places we never expected. Together, we were reminded that God’s grace is personal, generous, and transformative.

We ended with a sense of gratitude: that in the midst of life’s struggles, misunderstandings, and challenges, grace is still at work.

Hearts that learn. 

That’s our calling as a church - to keep growing, keep learning, and keep opening ourselves to the surprising ways God’s grace shows up.

Rev. Marvel Souza

We’d love for you to be part of this journey. Join us next Wednesday at 6:00 PM for our next Bible study. Bring a friend, bring your questions, and bring an open heart. Together, we’ll continue exploring the treasures of God’s Word and what it means to live as people shaped by grace.

ALL means ALL

This past Saturday, Jason Lee Memorial UMC was filled with joy, laughter, and connection as some of our young adults and adults organized a special event: a brunch for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Around 30 people gathered in our fellowship hall to share a meal, make new friends, and experience the gift of community in a safe and affirming space. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming - a true reflection of who we are as a church.

Alongside the brunch, our Queer Closet also received and shared clothing donations, providing a practical way to support and care for one another. This exchange of generosity and kindness highlighted the spirit of community we seek to nurture at Jason Lee Memorial UMC.

At Jason Lee Memorial UMC, we believe that everyone is a beloved child of God. We celebrate diversity, honor the sacred worth of all people, and welcome every person without exception. Saturday’s brunch was another beautiful reminder that when we come together in love, walls come down and friendships are built.

We are grateful for the creativity and dedication of our young adults and adults who helped make this gathering possible, and we look forward to many more opportunities to open our doors wide to our neighbors.

Jason Lee Memorial UMC is - and will continue to be - a welcoming congregation where all are invited, valued, and loved.

Rev. Marvel Souza 

Bible Study Recap – September 17, 2025

Exploring Expressions of Grace in Matthew 10 & 11

One of the beautiful things about gathering for Bible study is how God’s Word continues to meet us exactly where we are. Last night was no exception. As we explored Matthew 10 and 11, we were reminded that grace is not an abstract concept—it’s something Jesus gives us in our sending, in our struggles, in our questions, and even in our deepest need for rest. These chapters gave us fresh eyes to see how God’s grace works in everyday life.

Warm-Up

We began by sharing moments when we felt “sent” by someone—whether to represent a friend, family member, or even God Himself. That simple question opened us to reflect on what it feels like to be trusted and empowered, and how often grace comes to us before we feel ready.

Highlights from Matthew 10–11

1. Grace that Sends
   Jesus sent out the disciples with power and authority, even though they were still ordinary, flawed people. We noticed how grace equips before we prove ourselves.
2. Grace that Sustains
   In Matthew 10, Jesus told them not to take extra supplies. Their mission was to depend on God’s provision—a reminder that grace meets us as we walk in trust, not as we stockpile for control.
3. Grace that Welcomes Questions
   In Matthew 11, even John the Baptist doubted if Jesus was truly the Messiah. We saw how Jesus answered with evidence of grace: healing, restoration, and good news for the poor. Grace doesn’t condemn our questions; it meets them with compassion.
4. Grace that Brings Rest
   We ended with one of Jesus’ most famous invitations: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” His yoke is gentle, His burden light. True grace isn’t about doing more—it’s about finding rest in Him.

💬 Group Reflections

• Some of us shared how challenging it is to “travel light” in faith, and how easy it is to rely on our own preparation instead of God’s provision.
• We connected deeply with John’s doubt—realizing that grace allows room for our questions and doesn’t shut us down.
• Many of us confessed that Jesus’ invitation to rest is exactly what our souls are longing for in this busy season.

📝 Homework for the Week

1. Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel “sent” by God. Pray daily for His provision and courage there.
2. Memory Verse: Matthew 11:28–30. Begin your mornings by speaking it out loud as a prayer of rest.
3. Act of Grace: Offer encouragement or practical help to someone who is weary—become an extension of Christ’s rest.

As we closed, it was clear: grace in Matthew 10 and 11 isn’t just a theological idea. It’s practical, personal, and powerful. Grace sends us, sustains us, meets us in our doubts, and finally, gives us rest.

Rev. Marvel Souza

🗓 When: Wednesday, September 24

⏰ Time: 6:00 PM

📍 Where: Jason Lee Memorial UMC – Discipleship Room

Bible Study Recap, September 10, 2025

As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew, exploring expressions of grace, our September 10 Bible study focused on chapters 8 and 9.

We began with an icebreaker: five participants each picked a slip of paper with everyday life scenarios written on it. The rest of the group worked together to connect each scenario with a definition of grace. This opened the door to a great discussion about what grace looks like in real life.

During the conversation, one participant asked:

“Does the Bible really say we have to forgive people who commit atrocities? Where is that in Scripture?”

Others in the group responded thoughtfully. While there isn’t a single verse that spells it out, Scripture consistently teaches us to be people of mercy because we ourselves are in need of mercy: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

From there, we reflected on how grace flows through Matthew 8 and 9. These chapters reveal Jesus’ compassion and power in many forms—healing the sick, calming storms, casting out demons, forgiving sins, and calling unlikely followers. His actions show us that God’s grace has no boundaries.

Expressions of Grace in Matthew 8–9

• Grace to the outcast (8:1–4) – Jesus touches the untouchable.
• Grace across barriers (8:5–13) – Jesus honors the faith of a foreigner.
• Grace in suffering (8:14–17) – Jesus heals sickness.
• Grace over fear (8:23–27) – Jesus calms the storm.
• Grace to the oppressed (8:28–34) – Jesus sets captives free.
• Grace that forgives (9:1–8) – Jesus heals body and soul.
• Grace that calls (9:9–13) – Jesus welcomes sinners into discipleship.
• Grace of new life (9:18–34) – Jesus raises, restores, renews.
• Grace of compassion (9:35–38) – Jesus sees, feels, and acts.

Reflection Question: Which of these expressions of grace do you need most today?

Life Application: Where can you extend grace like Jesus—at work, at home, in your neighborhood?

Curiosities from Matthew 8–9

• Ten Miracles in Two Chapters – A showcase of Jesus’ authority over sickness, nature, demons, and even death.
• The Leper’s Touch (8:3) – Jesus breaks purity laws by touching a leper, restoring him physically, socially, and spiritually.
• The Roman Centurion (8:5–13) – A Gentile soldier’s faith is praised above Israel’s own people.
• Storm on the Lake (8:23–27) – The Sea of Galilee’s sudden storms reveal Jesus’ divine authority when He calms them.
• Demons into Pigs (8:28–34) – Evil destroys what it inhabits; the townspeople value economics over freedom.
• Forgiveness before Healing (9:1–8) – Jesus first forgives the paralytic, showing His authority reaches the soul.
• Calling Matthew (9:9–13) – A despised tax collector is chosen, revealing radical inclusion.
• The Bleeding Woman (9:20–22) – After 12 years of exclusion, she is healed and restored as “Daughter.”
• “Harassed and Helpless, Like Sheep” (9:36) – Echoes Old Testament imagery, highlighting Jesus’ compassion and mission.
• Structure: Authority + Compassion – Following the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus not only teaches but also demonstrates His authority.

At-Home Practice

1. Which expression of grace in Matthew 8–9 do I most need in my life right now? (healing, forgiveness, courage, compassion, etc.)
2. What word or phrase from these chapters speaks to me today?
3. Is there someone in my life to whom God is calling me to extend grace this week?

✨ May this study remind us that grace is not just something we receive, but something we are called to share.

Rev. Marvel Souza