The Ten Commandments
by the Rev. Christa von Zychlin
Join Gather magazine and revive your soul in 2023 with a four-session study of the 10 commandments. ELCA pastor and Bible study author Christa von Zychlin will help us see how these commandments are more than they may appear at first glance. For example, Martin Luther taught that the commandment, “Do not kill,” means not only refraining from murder, but actively promoting the health and life of others. Get ready to explore old and new interpretations of God’s laws, using Luther’s Small and Large Catechism and more!
(January 2023) Session one: Dancing the Decalogue (Commandments 1 & 2)
Psalm 19 claims, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” Joy and romance may not be the first images that come to mind when we think of the Ten Commandments. However, a close reading of the first several commandments opens us to a fresh encounter with the God of fierce, freeing love.
(February 2023) Session two: Rhythms and respect (Commandments 3 & 4)
Some might say the Old Testament commands Remember the Sabbath and Honor Your Folks seem outdated and quaint. After all, didn’t Jesus routinely break the Sabbath? Didn’t Jesus (on occasion) talk back to his mother? Yet these commandments are far from outdated. Find out how these commands offer a source of peace and inspiration in today’s often hectic and generationally segregated society and church.
(March 2023) Session three: Sanctity of life and love (Commandments 5 & 6)
In our third session, we will review some of the major murders of the Bible. We’ll also delve into the scriptural witness to the spirituality of sex and the covenant of marriage.
(April 2023) Session four: Guardrails for love of God and neighbor (Commandments 7,8,9 & 10)
In this fourth and final session, we will consider sayings from Proverbs and other biblical wisdom related to minding our tongues, integrity in the marketplace, and practical ways to serve our neighbors.
Photo by jsp via Shutterstock.com. Used with permission.
Elizabeth Hunter did a good job of explaining this dilemma at the Faithful Friends Gathering on zoom a few weeks ago. Much of it is temporarily out of Gather’s control as a result of changes in the publishing industry during Covid like staff cuts and paper shortage . I live in Central NY and mine arrived. Please hang in there.
I am leading our Bible study in March, I haven’t received a magazine yet. Are you going to make it available to print on here? I love to spend several weeks getting ready. Thank you so much for your time and help.
Thanks so much for the wonderful videos for the January and February Bible studies.I loved how well they are done and plan to use them with my circle. I learned a lot of new things. Thanks for the food for thought. I’m so glad that we are able to connect visually this way!
That’s wonderful to hear! Thanks for sharing, Susan.
Thank you for the encouraging words, Gloria! I love the divine synergy when women gather to wonder and grapple and be sculpted by the Word. Blessings to you!
I have just led the February Bible study on the third and fourth commandments. The video I had forwarded to the women really added to our discussion. It is also interesting to feel that we are acquainted with the author. Thank you very much.
I put together a brief synopsis of the bible study for our group.
It’s difficult to do without the magazine.
I write a brief synopsis for each months bible study. I have not received the March 2023 magazine.
Can you give me a brief idea of what it will be? Or are we continuing the 10 commandments?
Thank you for your comment, Nancy. The March/April issue will continue with the study of the 10 Commandments.
(March 2023) Session three: Sanctity of life and love (Commandments 5 & 6)
In our third session, we will review some of the major murders of the Bible. We’ll also delve into the scriptural witness to the spirituality of sex and the covenant of marriage.
Thank you for adding a 2nd staff person to Gather. As a long time member of the WELCA, local officer, Conference officer, and 8 years on the SWMN synod WELCA board and a Woman who has been a voting member at Conventions I want to THANK YOU of adding another staff to Gather. I know that there have been many cuts in programming and staff I still follow what is Happening. I feel however also so passionately about our organization that let the women in my Bible Study circle know the needs of the WELCA organization. I led the Jan. lesson and will be continuing in Feb. I intend to bring up the lack of offering in our faith community due to lack of leadership and encourge our group to send a donation to either WELCA or Katie’s Fund. We will be celebrating BOLD WOMEN’S DAY on March 5th!!! I look forward to Triennial Event this coming fall. Deacon of Spiritual Care Jennelle Cunning, Grace Lutheran, Fairmont, MN.
I have a question: Who is eligible to attend the 2023 Leadership Event this month.? I received a notice but didn’t understand who could attend on line.
Hello, Deacon Jenelle! Thank you so much for your kind words and for your faithful readership. We also appreciate the ways that you are promoting Gather and Women of the ELCA resources, etc.!
All are welcome to attend the the leadership event, Living faithful: Called and Thriving. I encourage you to register at the link provided. I look forward to seeing you! Blessings, Beth
https://www.womenoftheelca.org/living-faithful
Thank you
The youtube referenced in the study about Dr. Collins is no longer available.
“You can learn more about Dr. Collins with
this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
FYvi8qwp7Og.”
How do I access the video to the study – we meet at 10:30 this morning, January 16.
Thanks so much!
Franny
Hi Frances. The video is available here: https://www.gathermagazine.org/january-2023-video-supplement-to-the-ten-commandments/
Blessings, Beth
We are so very frustrated and disappointed in not getting our magazine with the Bible Study delivered in a timely manner. What has happened? For so very many years we could trust in receiving our Study in time for our Circle meetings, but sadly not true since last fall. What has changed? Will it be corrected?
Thanks for your message, Linda. We understand your concerns. As we have stated previously, supply chain issues and various issues with COVID have caused some delays. In addition, Gather staff was limited to one staff member. The good news is that an additional staff member will be joining the team soon. We are thankful for your faithful readership and look forward to hopefully resolving some delays, but unfortunately, there are only some things within our control. We welcome your prayers as we navigate this ever-changing situation. Blessings, Beth
So glad the digital cope of the study is available. I can start getting my lessons ready. Looking forward to the videos that go along with the study.
We like to use Gather Magazine for our monthly bible study – however – magazine doesn’t arrive in time. We meet, as do many others, the first Wednesday of each month. This is Jan. 10 today – no magazine has arrived. This is a complaint of many churches. Arrival time just keeps getting later. Please correct this availability issue.
Thanks, Charlotte. We apologize for the difficulties readers have had in receiving the magazine. The PDFs provided for the Jan/Feb Bible study sessions are for you to use and share until your issue arrives. Unfortunately, production and mailing times have increased, and these times were further delayed over the holidays. We’ve been told it should arrive in homes Jan. 7-15.
The good news is that we are about to add another magazine staff person– back to pre-pandemic magazine staffing levels—so that we will be able to return to having the magazine arrive for most subscribers by the middle of the previous month.
We changed our date to meet from first Tuesday to second Tuesday because books weren’t reaching us in time, and now you say they won’t arrive until next week! You should at least warn people. We pay for something that rarely arrives on time!
Thank you, Barbara. We appreciate your patience and are working to resolve the issue. Blessings, Beth
We apologize for the difficulties readers have had in receiving the magazine. The PDFs provided for the Jan/Feb Bible study sessions are for you to use and share until your issue arrives. Unfortunately, production and mailing times have increased, and these times were further delayed over the holidays. We’ve been told it should arrive in homes Jan. 7-15.
The good news is that we are about to add another magazine staff person– back to pre-pandemic magazine staffing levels—so that we will be able to return to having the magazine arrive for most subscribers by the middle of the previous month.
We haven’t received our gather magazine yet either. We had to postpone our study date. Why is this happening? We meet the 1st Tuesday of the month and it is already Tuesday again and no gather yet! Very frustrating for us.
Will there be any video by the Bible study author, like we had with the previous study? We’re anxious to see Pastor Christa talk about this stidy!
Yes! The video will be up later this week. Stay tuned. Blessings, Beth
Is there a video for the January lesson?
Thanks, Elaine. The video will be available later this week. Blessings, Beth
When will the April study be available?
When will the January 2023 Bible
study be available?
Hi Cindy. Thanks for your question. You can get the Session 1 PDF here: https://www.gathermagazine.org/winter-spring-2023-bible-study-the-ten-commandments-by-the-rev-christa-von-zychlin/
I clicked on the session 1 PDF link and got nothing???
Here is a direct link: https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/JanFeb2023_10Commandments_Session_One.pdf
Sorry. I finally found the article. Thanks for posting.
We meet this week and members have not received our gather magazine…..not even one for our leader???
Hi Gloria. I’m sorry to hear that. You can access the Digital Issue here: https://www.gathermagazine.org/digital-edition/
January/February 2023: https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/login.php?i=778220&m=&l=&sub=1
Where is my magazine? I paid for two years, yet I had to use my printer, my ink, and my time to print out the lesson for January! That’s only one article, also! I think now YOU OWE ME MONEY!
Thanks Susan for your message. We apologize for the difficulties readers have had in receiving the magazine. The PDFs provided for the Jan/Feb Bible study sessions are for you to use and share until your issue arrives. Unfortunately, production and mailing times have increased, and these times were further delayed over the holidays. We’ve been told it should arrive in homes Jan. 7-15.
The good news is that we are about to add another magazine staff person– back to pre-pandemic magazine staffing levels—so that we will be able to return to having the magazine arrive for most subscribers by the middle of the previous month.
How will this study support those who want to take on a particular focus during Lent?
pure unconditional love that is eternal doesnt command or demand
You have a great point, Karen Wolfe! In the first session we’ll look at how the very phrase “The Ten Commandments” is parguably not a great translation of either the Hebrew language, nor the Divine Intent.
arguably!