St. James Lectionary Bible Study for 06 28 2026

St. James Presbyterian Church Bible Study Companion Guide
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A
June 28, 2026
Scripture Focus: Psalm 13:1–6 · Genesis 22:1–14 · Romans 6:12–23 · Matthew 10:40–42
WHY THESE TEXTS FOR THIS SUNDAY
This week’s readings bring us into lament, testing, obedience, freedom, and welcome.
We begin with Psalm 13, a prayer from someone who feels forgotten and is honest enough to ask God, “How long?” The psalm gives us language for waiting, grief, trust, and praise.
In Genesis 22, Abraham is tested in a difficult and troubling story. He is asked to offer Isaac, the child of promise, yet God provides a ram and the place is remembered as “The Lord will provide.”
In Romans 6, Paul speaks to the church about freedom from sin and life offered to God. Grace does not call us into careless living. Grace calls us into a new way of life.
In Matthew 10, Jesus teaches that even small acts of welcome matter. Receiving the messenger, welcoming the righteous, and offering a cup of cold water are all held in the sight of God.
Together, these texts ask us to bring our honest cries to God, trust God’s provision, offer ourselves to life, and practice welcome in ways that honor Christ.
 
OPENING THOUGHTS FOR THE TEXTS
Psalm 13:1–6
The psalm begins with the repeated question, “How long?” This is not polite or distant prayer. It is prayer from the depth of distress. Yet the psalm moves toward trust: “I trusted in your steadfast love.” The pain is real, and so is the turning toward God.
Genesis 22:1–14
This is one of the most difficult stories in scripture. Abraham is tested with Isaac, the child through whom God’s promise was to continue. At the decisive moment, God stops Abraham, and a ram is provided. Abraham names the place as a witness to God’s provision.
Romans 6:12–23
Paul continues teaching about life after baptism. The church is not to let sin rule over the body. Instead, believers are invited to present themselves to God as people brought from death to life. The movement is from slavery to sin toward freedom in God.
Matthew 10:40–42
Jesus reminds the disciples that welcome is holy. To receive those sent by Christ is to receive Christ. Even a cup of cold water given to one of the little ones matters. Discipleship is not only found in dramatic acts; it is also found in faithful care.
 
FOR REFLECTION
• What phrase from Psalm 13 feels closest to your prayer this week?
• What makes Genesis 22 difficult to hear, and what do you notice about God’s provision?
• Where do you need to trust that God sees what you cannot yet see?
• What might it mean to offer yourself to God “as one brought from death to life”?
• What small act of welcome might become holy this week?
 
A PRACTICE FOR THE WEEK
Each day, pray one line from the readings:
“How long, O Lord?”
“I trusted in your steadfast love.”
“The Lord will provide.”
“Present yourselves to God.”
“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water…”
Then ask:
Where do I need to be honest with God?
Where do I need to trust God’s provision?
Where am I being called into life?
Who needs welcome, kindness, or refreshment from me?
 
CLOSING PRAYER
Providing God, hear us when we cry, hold us when we wait, and meet us in places we do not yet understand. Teach us to trust your steadfast love, to offer ourselves to life, and to welcome others with the care of Christ. Amen.