With Ash Wednesday looming up on l7th February, my choice for February is called, Message For The Millennium, 'Forty Days at the feet of Jesus the Teacher' by David Winter.
The introduction looks at Jesus the Teacher and considers his 'style' noting that the first phase of his teaching was completed in Peter's confession, 'You Are The Messiah'. Further, that from then on there was a sombre note to the teaching of Jesus. The disciples had to learn that Jesus' messiahship was to be on the model of Isaiah's suffering servant.
The book is divided into the beginning of Lent, the five full weeks and Holy Week. There is a separate heading for each day and the scripture reading is printed out in full. There follows an explanation together with an appropriate reflection plus suggestions for further scripture reading.
The beginning of Lent (from Ash Wednesday to Saturday) considers such subjects as 'Anxiety' and 'Children'. Others include 'Fasting and Abstinence', 'Health', 'Justice' and 'Marriage, Sex and Self-control'. Holy week looks at 'Worship' and then goes on to consider Jesus himself, in particular, his identity, 'Son Of Man' and 'Son of God'.
Each Sunday gives a 'Pause For Prayer', offering a prayer instead of a reflection at the end of the explanation.
Material for group discussion can be found at the back of the book, enabling it to be used as a group resource.
David Winter is a Priest in the Diocese of Oxford. He will also be known to those of you who take the Bible Reading Fellowship Notes as he is the Editor of New Daylight. (In the current notes, he will guide us from Palm Sunday to Saturday in Easter Week). This Book is the Bible Reading Fellowship's Lent Book for 1999, the last Lent in the Second Millennium. The aim of the Book is to present the readings in an accessible and relevant way to the modern reader. It is my belief that this aim has been met. I like Mr. Winter's (no relation by the way!) style of writing and find him clear and concise. 'Message For the Millennium' is very readable and well formulated.
'Message For The Millennium' by David Winter (Bible Reading Fellowship)
£5.99
Lynn Winter
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