Scripture Seekers Resumes: New Study!

Hello, everyone! Scripture Seekers Bible Study has resumed and now meets on Thursday evenings at 5:30 PM Pacific (except 3rd Thursdays). We’re starting an exciting new study, Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven. Dr. Amy-Jill Levine will lead us on a six-week deep dive into Matthew 5–7 that will take us through mid-Advent.

You can find the book online here.

You can also order it from your local independent bookstore (like Books on B in Hayward), and it’s available as an e-book and an audiobook (on Audible). The format of this study will be similar to our last one. We’ll study the scripture together, discuss chapters of the book, and watch and discuss short video reflections from Dr. Levine.

Here is the promo video and an outline of our sessions.

Session 1: The Beatitudes (October 22)

Examines the opening “blessed are” statements, looking at concepts like being poor in spirit, meekness, and peacemaking.

Session 2: The Extensions (October 29)

Analyzes Matthew 5:17–48 and how Jesus’s “You have heard it said… but I say to you” statements function as deep extensions or intensifications of the Torah rather than rejections of it.

Session 3: Practicing Piety (November 5)

Explores traditional Jewish expressions of devotion: charity, prayer, and fasting.

Session 4: Our Father/Lord’s Prayer (November 12)

Unpacks the historical and cultural significance of the Lord’s Prayer for Jesus’s first-century Jewish audience.

Session 5: Finding Your Treasure (December 3)

Looks at material wealth, anxiety, and the final passages of the sermon.

Session 6: Living into the Kingdom (December 10)

Concludes with practical applications for daily living and the Golden Rule.

I’m looking forward to getting back into scripture seeking with y’all as we begin this new conversation. Here is the Zoom info for convenience:

To join ALL UCH Zoom meetings:

Meeting ID: 424 325 0026
Passcode: weloveUCH