One of Trinity’s Core Spiritual Practices is: Study and reflection on scripture and religious writings.  At Trinity, we strive to learn and grow throughout our lives through group study of scripture and other religious writings.  In conversation together, we share our faith journeys and seek to apply what we learn in our daily lives.   All are welcome!  If you are interested in a mid-week study or monthly small group, email tracey@trinitylafayette.org  

Learn more about discipleship at Trinity here. 

Learn More about John's Gospel 

The writing of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin referenced near the opening of the sermon can be found in its entirety and downloaded as a PDF at https://www.chausa.org/prayers/cha-prayer-library/prayer/patient-trust-by-pierre-teilhard-de-chardin

·    Remember that all of the art featured in this sermon series – and more – will be exhibited and auctioned at Trinity’s Lenten Concert on Sunday afternoon, March 26, at 3pm. 

·    To read the account of Jesus cleansing the Temple in John’s gospel, go to John 2:13-22.  Notice in particular verse 21, where our narrator tells the gospel audience that Jesus “was speaking of the temple of his body.”  This commentary is unique to John’s gospel.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the Temple in Jerusalem was viewed as the place of God’s presence.  God lived within the Temple in the Holy of Holies. His feet dangled through the heavens and rested on the mercy seat. NRS Psalm 132:13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation: 14 "This is my resting place forever; here I will reside, for I have desired it.”  Jerusalem is the residence of the one who keeps (to watch over, protect, preserve, guard, even celebrate) Israel (see Psalm121.3-4).

·    The reference to the soldier’s sword that pierces Jesus’ side can be found in John 19:33-34.

·    If you would like to compare and contrast the accounts of Jesus’ baptism among the four gospels, there locations are below:
o   Matthew 3:13-17
o   Mark 1:9-11
o   Luke 3:21-22
o   John 1:29-34
Notice that, in John’s account, it is not the narrator that describes the baptism of Jesus.  Rather, his baptism is relayed to the audience via the character of John the Baptist who give his witness or testimony to this event, concluding “I myself have seen and have testified…”

·    In Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic, one word in each language can be translated wind, breath, or spirit.  In Hebrew, the word is ruach.  In Greek, the word is pneuma (think of our English word pneumonia).  Try reading through this Bible passage from John 3, as well as some other key Bible texts (Genesis 1:1-2; Exekiel 37:7-14), and notice how you might hear these passages differently if you used each of these three words: wind, breath, spirit.