Exploring Scripture is an experiential class that invites attendees to engage scripture in new ways. We focus on formation that allows the text to form us (and hopefully, transform us). The weekly Thursday class will primarily practice lectio divina, an ancient spiritual practice that allows us to experience scripture as God’s living Word. Latin for “divine or sacred reading,” lectio divina helps us interact with scripture through quiet reflection and listening for God’s leading.
If you are not able to attend the class, you may practice on your own.
If you are new to lectio divina, click here for instructions.
Sign Up Information
To sign up for class or to receive the weekly Reflection by email, exploringscripture@foothillsumc.org
Exploring Scripture meets each Thursday at 1:00 pm.
The current session begins April 9th, 2026 and goes through May 21st, 2026.
Exploring Scripture Reflection Nov 5, 2026
Reminder: last class of this session will be November 19
Another Reminder: the Advent Study on “The Case for Christmas” begins this Thursday, 2:30 in the Small Group Meeting Room. If you’d like to join, contact Carol Conklin at carol.conklin@cox.net.
Exploring Scripture, November 5, 2026
Sermon Title: When Worship Leaves the Room
Scriptures: Amos 5:18-24, Matthew 25:1-13
Amos 5:18-24
The Day of the Lord a Dark Day
18 Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light,
19 as if someone fled from a lion
and was met by a bear
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall
and was bitten by a snake.
20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
21 I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them,
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
24 But let justice roll down like water
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten young women took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those young women got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 Later the other young women came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.