Lectionary Stories for Preaching and Teaching, Series III, Cycle B

“The thing is, people have this incredible capacity for getting hung up on what they don’t have, instead of being happy with what they do have. We seem to be wired that way—it’s part of the brokenness of the world, I think. In the time of Christ and even today, people are always coveting that which others have, instead of realizing how blessed they are for what they do have.”

Jesus endeavored to teach this lesson, and many others, to his disciples and followers. Yet it can be difficult to remember his teachings amid the struggles of everyday life.

In this collection, Keith Hewitt adapts Jesus’ journey through ministry in his own words, retelling conversations between Jesus, the disciples, and bystanders in a way that makes readers feel as though they are right there in the crowd, hearing words directly from the Messiah’s mouth.

Hewitt alternates these retellings with his own stories about a group of missionaries teaching the gospel to inhabitants of a Native American reserve while battling racist and unfair treatment from those who have not yet accepted the differences of others. Through this approach, readers can see clear parallels between the time of Jesus and the modern world, despite the fact that his words have been with us for centuries.

Hewitt’s unique style of storytelling encourages readers to pick up the Bible once more, read it carefully, and do their best to live the lessons that Jesus taught—and is still teaching today.

Stories Include

• “What Child Is This?” — Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20
• “The Gift” — Matthew 6:1–6; 16–21
• “Rich Man’s Privilege” — Mark 10:35–45

About the Author

Keith Hewitt has a wide variety of experiences. Prior to pastoring United Methodist congregations in Wisconsin, he was employed in various capacities at Underwriters Laboratories and several social service agencies.

Hewitt holds a degree from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and completed Local Pastor Licensing School through the Illinois Great Rivers Conference at Illinois Wesleyan University. He continues his theological studies at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

He is the author of three volumes of NaTiVity Dramas from CSS Publishing and Krasnodar Means Beautiful Gift from Kindle Direct Publishing. He has also contributed to StoryShare, a component of the online resource SermonSuite from CSS Publishing.

He is married to Rachel, an elementary teacher, and is the father of Cameron Lucille Hewitt and Andrew Courtland Alexandrovich Hewitt.