13th Disciple

What are we about?

13th Disciple is a men’s Bible study for Christian men who want to grow in faith, brotherhood, and authenticity. We meet weekly at local bars and restaurants around town to share food, drinks,  Scripture, and real conversation about what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life.

Rooted in ELCA Lutheran theology, our discussions focus on grace, community, and living out faith through courage and service. Each study is designed for men of all ages and backgrounds—whether you’re new to the Bible or a lifelong believer.

Expect honest talk, laughter, prayer, and encouragement to live boldly as Christian men in today’s world. 

Join us for fellowship, good conversation, and a faith that meets real life.

  Readings for Thursday May 7th 2026

Sixth Sunday of Easter - Good Shepherd Sunday

13th Disciple

Theme: God Is Closer Than We Think

Texts: Acts 17:22–31 and John 14:15–21

This week’s readings explore how God meets people right where they are — in confusion, searching, fear, and longing. In Acts, Paul speaks to philosophers in Athens using their own culture as a bridge to the Gospel. In John, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, assuring the disciples they will not be abandoned. Together, these texts remind us that God is not distant or hidden, but active, near, and present in everyday life. For Christian men, this study challenges us to live faithfully in a culture full of competing voices while trusting that Christ remains with us through the Spirit.

Warm-up Question: What’s something — serious or silly — that you’ve recently realized you were completely wrong about?

1. 🕰️Historical & Literary Context: What do we need to know about the original setting?

Acts 17:22–31

The Book of Acts was written by Luke, and continues the story of Jesus’ mission through the early church after the resurrection and ascension.

This scene takes place in Athens, one of the intellectual and philosophical centers of the ancient world. Although Athens was no longer the political superpower it once had been, it still carried enormous cultural influence. Philosophers, teachers, and public debaters gathered in places like the Areopagus (Mars Hill) to discuss religion, ethics, and new ideas.

The city was filled with temples and idols dedicated to many gods. Religion in Athens was deeply connected to civic identity, economics, and social status. Temples supported local trade, political influence, and tourism. Paul notices an altar dedicated “To an Unknown God,” likely built as spiritual insurance in case the Athenians had overlooked a deity.

Rather than immediately condemning the Athenians, Paul begins with curiosity and connection. He quotes Greek poets and uses their cultural framework to introduce the Gospel. This is an important missional moment: Paul demonstrates that faithful witness sometimes begins with listening and understanding before speaking truth.

This passage follows Paul’s distress over the city’s idols earlier in Acts 17 and comes before mixed reactions from the crowd — some mock him, others want to hear more, and a few become believers. The resurrection becomes the dividing line.

John 14:15–21

John 14 takes place during Jesus’ Farewell Discourse on the night before his crucifixion. Jesus is preparing the disciples for his departure, and the emotional tone is heavy. The disciples are anxious, confused, and fearful about what is coming.

The Gospel of John was likely written near the end of the first century to Christian communities wrestling with persecution, division, and questions about identity after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD. John emphasizes Jesus as the eternal Word made flesh and repeatedly highlights themes of love, abiding, truth, and relationship.

In this section, Jesus promises the “Advocate” (Greek: Paraclete), commonly understood as the Holy Spirit — comforter, helper, counselor, and guide. Jesus assures the disciples that even though he will no longer physically walk beside them, God’s presence will remain with them.

“I will not leave you orphaned” would have carried powerful emotional weight in the ancient world. Orphans were among the most vulnerable people socially and economically. Jesus promises that his followers will not be abandoned or forgotten.

From an ELCA perspective, this passage strongly reflects God’s grace and initiative. The Spirit is not earned through perfect obedience; rather, the Spirit is God’s gift that empowers believers to live in loving response to Christ.

2. 📖Read the Passage Aloud 

• Acts 17:22–31    John 9:1-4

3. 👀Observation: What words or phrases stand out?

4. ⚖️ Law and Gospel — What challenge is here? What comfort?

• Law: These readings challenge the tendency to chase meaning, identity, or security in things other than God. Athens was full of idols, but modern idols can be success, politics, entertainment, control, pride, comfort, or even the pressure to appear strong all the time.

• Gospel: The good news is that God comes near to us before we fully understand Him. Paul says God is “not far from each one of us.” Jesus promises we are not abandoned. Even in doubt, failure, grief, or confusion, Christ remains present through the Holy Spirit.

• God’s grace does not depend on our ability to “have it all together.” The Spirit is given as gift, not reward. Jesus’ words also challenge shallow faith. Loving Christ is not just intellectual agreement; it affects how we live, love, and treat others.

• Discussion Question: Where do you think men in our culture are most tempted to look for meaning or identity apart from God, and how does the Gospel challenge that search?

5. ✝️ Christ Connection — How does this text connect to Jesus?

• Jesus is the fulfillment of what the Athenians were searching for without fully knowing it. Paul points toward the risen Christ as the One through whom God will judge and restore the world.

• In John’s Gospel, Jesus promises that his death will not be the end of the relationship with his followers. Through the resurrection and the Holy Spirit, Christ remains alive and active among his people.

• Jesus reveals a God who draws near rather than remaining distant. In Christ, God enters human suffering, fear, and mortality — and overcomes them through resurrection.

• Discussion Question: How does the promise that Christ is still present with us change the way we face fear, loneliness, or uncertainty?

6. ⛪ Today’s Church — How does this shape us as a community?

• These readings remind the church to engage the world with both truth and humility. Paul does not begin by insulting the Athenians; he begins by understanding them. The church today is called to witness faithfully without arrogance.

• The church is also called to be a community where people experience the presence of Christ through love, mercy, forgiveness, and mutual support. We are not meant to follow Jesus alone.

• For a group like 13th Disciple, meeting in bars and restaurants reflects this same missional spirit: bringing honest conversations about faith into everyday spaces where people already gather.

• Discussion Question: What would it look like for Christian men to be both deeply grounded in faith and genuinely engaged with the people around them who may think very differently?

7. 💬Real Life for Christian Men: What’s one step you can take this week to live out your faith more boldly or authentically as a Christian man? 

• Challenge for the week: Pay attention to moments where God may already be at work in ordinary places — work, home, the gym, the garage, the ball field, or the barstool next to you.

8. 🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus, you promise that you do not leave us alone, and for that we give you thanks. In a world full of noise, distractions, and competing loyalties, draw our hearts back to you. Send your Holy Spirit to guide us in truth, strengthen us in weakness, and help us live with courage, humility, and love. Open our eyes to see where you are already at work in the people and places around us. Make us faithful witnesses to your grace in our homes, workplaces, friendships, and community. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

13th Disciple Weekly Bible Lesson Archive

• Week of Sunday June 15th 2025 (1st Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

• Week of Sunday June 22nd 2025 (2nd Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

• Week of Sunday June 29th 2025 (3rd Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

• Week of Sunday July 6th 2025 (4th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

• Week of Sunday July 13th 2025 (5th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday July 20th 2025 (6th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday July 27th 2025 (7th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday August 3rd 2025 (8th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday August 10th 2025 (9th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday August 17th 2025 (10th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday August 24th 2025 (11th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday September 7th 2025 (13th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday September 14th 2025 (14th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday September 21st 2025 (15th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday September 28 2025 (16th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday October 5th 2025 (17th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Sunday October 12th 2025 (17th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Thursday October 16th 2025 (18th Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Thursday October 26th 2025 (Reformation Sunday) NO STUDY

•  Week of Thursday October 30th 2025 (All Saints Sunday) PDF Version

•  Week of Thursday November 6th 2025 (22nd Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Thursday November 13th 2025 (23rd Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Thursday November 20th 2025 (23rd Sunday After Pentecost) PDF Version

•  Week of Thursday November 27th 2025 (First Sunday in Advent) NO STUDY

•  Week of Thursday December 4th 2025 (Second Sunday in Advent) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday December 11th 2025 (Third Sunday in Advent) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday December 11th 2025 (Fourth Sunday in Advent) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday January 8th 2026 (First Sunday after Epiphany) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday January 15th 2026 (Second Sunday after Epiphany) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday January 22nd 2026 (Third Sunday after Epiphany) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday January 29th 2026 (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday February 5th 2026 (Fifth Sunday after Epiphany) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday February 12th 2026 (Transfiguration Sunday) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday February 19th 2026 (1st Sunday in Lent) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday February 26th 2026 (2nd Sunday in Lent) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday March 5th 2026 (3rd Sunday in Lent) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday March 12th 2026 (4th Sunday in Lent) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday March 19th 2026 (5th Sunday in Lent) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday April 9th 2026 (2nd Sunday in Easter) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday April 16th 2026 (3rd Sunday in Easter) PDF Version 

•  Week of Thursday April 23rd 2026 (4th Sunday in Easter) PDF Version 

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2025-2026 Season Meeting Dates and Locations (UPDATED)