Slow Religion/Matthew
Class Description
Slow Religion/Matthew is a lay person-led, adult education weekly series for Christians and seekers. The class is a slow and careful reading of the Gospel, it considers a range of commentaries, tries to understand the cultural, historical, and religious contexts and how to apply them today.
21st Century readers recognize Matthew as the source of many of the best-known stories and sayings of Jesus as well as a social philosophy that many non-Christians believe in. Famous for its Sermon on the Mount, The Beatitudes, and other teachings, Matthew is often called the most Jewish of the Gospels, while also contributing to antisemitism.
Why Matthew and why now?
Three reasons:
Matthew is the lectionary Gospel for the upcoming church year;
Matthew is a foundation of the church; and,
Matthew wrestles with how to maintain your traditions, while embracing the new, in a basically hostile world.
What to expect
Each week’s attendees are provided an outline and overview readings for a chapter or section of a chapter. (See links below under Classes and Materials.) Reading the chapter is sufficient, reading the overview provides a deeper context for the class.
Class Structure
Each class is one hour and consists of:
Opening Prayer
Read the appointed scripture
Brief discussion: What stands out to you?
Joe’s overview (20 Minutes)
Moderated Discussion (20 minutes)
Closing prayer
Classes and Materials
Introduction, Week of Sept. 18, 2022
Play Video
Chapters 1-2 Genealogy, Birth, Gentiles, Week of Sept. 25,, 2022
Play Video
Play Video
Chapters 3-4, JohnBap, Baptism, Temptations, Ministry, Week of Oct. 2,, 2022
Slow Religion.Gospel of Matthew.Chapter 3-4
Chapters 3-4 Video SR.Matt.C3-4
Play Video
Chapter 5, Part 1, First Discourse, Sermon on the Mount, The Beatitudes, Week of Oct. 9, 2022
Play Video