Lector's Guide & Commentary To the Revised Common Lectionary: Year B Yr B by J. Ted Blakley

The Guide provides a brief, reliable commentary for each lectionary reading, and then offers suggestions for how the text can be delivered so that the biblical Story might have its full impact on the Christian community gathered for worship. Pronunciations for biblical words and names are also included for each reading. The Guide is for use by any Christian tradition or congregation that follows the Revised Common Lectionary; it even includes the adaptations authorized for use in The Episcopal Church. Although designed first and foremost for lectors and lay readers, the Guide has also been developed with other groups and uses in mind. It can be used to trigger discussions in Sunday School or a small group Bible study. It can serve as a resource for personal study, reflection, and devotion. It also functions as a first stop for preachers and teachers. In short, A Lector’s Guide and Commentary is for anyone who wants to read the Bible with under­stand­ing. “Why is it that when we proclaim The Word of the Lord following a scripture reading in worship, it sounds so implausible? It is because the church—across denominations—has slipped into such bad habits for reading and presenting the scriptural text aloud, that it scarcely sounds like anything God would say. How could the Word of God be as boring as we make it out to be? What is needed are guides for reading that will help our lectors restore the life and meaning to the texts we read each Sunday. J. Ted Blakley has given us another of his helpful lector guides. Readers will find material to understand each text in the commentary section and performance suggestions for reading the texts with understanding. This is an indispensable resource for congregations who follow the lectionary and desire to let people hear and understand The Word of the Lord.” Paperback 452 pp