Boys with Kite
Estelle Ishigo
Estelle Ishigo
The artist of this painting and its subjects, the two little boys were all interned in the Japanese-American internment camps set up by the United States government during World War II. The boys seem unconcerned about the barbed wire barrier between them and freedom; they find a way over and through it to fly their kite, a traditional symbol of freedom.
Imaging the Word An Arts and Lectionary Resource, Volume 3
Spiritual Practices: Keyword Listing
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
- Christ - Explore Christ Jesus' work on our behalf
- You - Discover some of our blessings in Christ Jesus
Exploring the Text: Part of the kingdom
Over the past week I have been studying my family's ancestry. Both of my grandparents on one side of the family were immigrants. I cannot imagine the thoughts and feelings that they felt as they came through Ellis Island. As they exited that area, they were considered American citizens. They had all the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities of every other American.
As I grew up, I remember hearing about their former way of life. My Grandmother told me about the customs and ways of the old country. She even handed down some recipes. Even though they had links to another country, they were now Americans. Their past was as Germans, but their future was as Americans.
This passage speaks about us in the same way. As Gentiles, we were lost in this world. We had no connection with God and we had no way to be connected to Him. Verse 12 says that we were alienated from the commonwealth.
But, (I always love the word “but” in Scripture) when Jesus died on the cross all of that changed. We, the Gentiles, now have all the rights and privileges just as the Jews have, once we accept Christ as our Savior. There is no longer a division between Jew and Gentile. All of us who have accepted Christ are now God’s children. Our past was as Gentiles, but our future is as believers.
As Americans, my family members had new responsibilities. They had to pay taxes, sign up for selective service, and vote. They were expected to become productive members of the American society. As Christians, we have responsibilities as well. These verses tell us that we are being built together as a dwelling place for God. Spiritually speaking, the body of believers make up the sanctuary where God dwells, every part of a building is important. Beams of steel or wood provide support, while nails and screws hold the whole thing together.
Where do you fit into this passage? If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, you're still alienated from God. You can accept Him today and be part of God’s kingdom. If you have been born again, you are a blessed citizen of God’s kingdom. Your duty is to be a functional member of the body. The kingdom is in need of prayer warriors, soul winners, and encouragers as well as a host of other hands-on workers. Whatever your part is, do it as unto God knowing that you are a new citizen in a new kingdom.
Rick Heinrich
Over the past week I have been studying my family's ancestry. Both of my grandparents on one side of the family were immigrants. I cannot imagine the thoughts and feelings that they felt as they came through Ellis Island. As they exited that area, they were considered American citizens. They had all the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities of every other American.
As I grew up, I remember hearing about their former way of life. My Grandmother told me about the customs and ways of the old country. She even handed down some recipes. Even though they had links to another country, they were now Americans. Their past was as Germans, but their future was as Americans.
This passage speaks about us in the same way. As Gentiles, we were lost in this world. We had no connection with God and we had no way to be connected to Him. Verse 12 says that we were alienated from the commonwealth.
But, (I always love the word “but” in Scripture) when Jesus died on the cross all of that changed. We, the Gentiles, now have all the rights and privileges just as the Jews have, once we accept Christ as our Savior. There is no longer a division between Jew and Gentile. All of us who have accepted Christ are now God’s children. Our past was as Gentiles, but our future is as believers.
As Americans, my family members had new responsibilities. They had to pay taxes, sign up for selective service, and vote. They were expected to become productive members of the American society. As Christians, we have responsibilities as well. These verses tell us that we are being built together as a dwelling place for God. Spiritually speaking, the body of believers make up the sanctuary where God dwells, every part of a building is important. Beams of steel or wood provide support, while nails and screws hold the whole thing together.
Where do you fit into this passage? If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, you're still alienated from God. You can accept Him today and be part of God’s kingdom. If you have been born again, you are a blessed citizen of God’s kingdom. Your duty is to be a functional member of the body. The kingdom is in need of prayer warriors, soul winners, and encouragers as well as a host of other hands-on workers. Whatever your part is, do it as unto God knowing that you are a new citizen in a new kingdom.
Rick Heinrich