Hi everyone,

This Sunday we stand in confusion with the Apostles: Thomas knows neither the way nor where Jesus is going and Philip wants to see God.  But Jesus is the way, the truth , and the life!

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“God has led you to the desert, and spoken to your Heart.”

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church

3546 E. Thomas Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-956-1620 office

Mount of Olives ​​Pastor Tim Perlick

​​480-729-0115

Bible Study for May 2, 2026

Opening Prayer:

Creator of all, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in study. Open our minds and hearts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, unite us in faith, hope, and love. Help us to be faithful to the gospel and to walk humbly with you. Grant us your peace as we grow in wisdom and understanding. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 14:1-14 Do you believe Jesus promised to take his believers to himself in a special place?

These words are part of the “farewell discourse,” the winding up of Jesus’ life with his disciples. They begin with the comforting words we often hear at funerals. Here, Jesus is urging the disciples to stand firm in the face of his death. Jesus’ words about going and preparing remind us that, in John’s gospel, it is only Jesus’ return to God that makes it possible for the disciples in enter into relationship with both Son and Father. “You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas misunderstands this and asks for clarification. The “way” here is not a destination or even a route for which we need a road map, but Jesus’ reference to himself. 

1 Peter 2:2-10 If the Christian life is about faithful living, what does the image of the stone suggest about the way we relate to Christ?

Peter reminds his readers that Christ is the foundation stone on which to build a life. His argument cites a series of passages from the Hebrew Bible, almost as if there were a common list circulating in the church. This is one of the greatest passages in Scripture. Imagine a community of converted slaves, Jews who had been cast out of the synagogue, a few merchants or traders, so free artisans. None of them had any power, status, or religious standing. Yet Peter says to them, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.” He says that God chose as valuable a “living stone” that the world rejected. The world may not see them as of much value, but look what God thinks of them! And, these persons are not chosen just for glory, but for witness. They are all those things so they can witness to all God has done in, for, and through them for the world. 

Acts 7:55-60 Is God’s love closed to anyone?

The context of these verses is the trial of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen was chosen for service as a deacon along with seven other men who were commissioned to “wait on tables.” (The Greek word diakonia, from which our word deacon comes, is translated as both “ministry” and “service.”) Of that group, Stephen was singled out as “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” More than just a waiter serving windows, he did “great wonders and signs among the people.” Members of the synagogue argued with Stephen—they charged him falsely with blasphemy and brought him before the council. Of all the charges, one was particularly important: Stephen dared to say that God’s love was open to all people. This proclamation was a threat to those who wanted to keep the circle of God’s love closed and to determine just who would be allowed in or who would be kept out. Acts 7 is Stephen’s speech in his own defense. After rehearsing the long speech, the “heavens opened” and Jesus was standing at the right hand of God. When they saw this, the members of the court rushed on him. The Greek literally means they savaged him like a pack of