These questions are connected to the message, “Fan or Follower?” from Jan. 16, 2022. You can watch it here.
Dive In: Read this passage slowly in an unfamiliar translation of the Bible (e.g. N. T. Wright’s The New Testament for Everyone, Contemporary English Version, Amplified Bible, or The Message).
Reflect:
- What insights did you glean from either the text or the sermon on Sunday?
- What did you find perplexing or discomforting? Is the discomfort you feel a “good” discomfort — does it challenge you towards greater transformation?
- If you’re comfortable, share a time when you had a vision, image, or dream that you felt you should pay attention to. How did it strengthen or guide you? Was there anyone who helped you to discern it and if so, how?
- Discuss the concept of “ministry in relationship” (e.g. the disciples were told to share the good news of the Kingdom around tables and in proximity to people and their needs). How is the contemporary ministry of the church similar and different than this? What can we learn from this “model” of ministry?
- In our contemporary culture, what might it look like for us to minister in vulnerability, “de-equipping” ourselves of wealth and weapons? How do we faithfully translate Jesus’ instructions into our current reality?
- Does the idea of “judgement day” inspire hope or despair for you? Why or why not?
- In a society where we enjoy democracy and the right to vote, protest, and lobby, what does “Peace is the message; peace is the method” look like? Where/how has the church gotten this wrong? Can you give some examples of how the church has gotten it right?
- Discuss: what does Jesus’ vision (Luke 10:18) mean to you? How might it impact how we do ministry?
Digging Deeper: Before the “complete” text of the New Testament was established in the third and fourth centuries (there are still a number of “different Bibles” with more or fewer books than the one we currently use), there were a variety of manuscripts circulating that were different and all widely accepted. The differences in the texts didn’t perturb anyone in the early centuries and is a modern obsession. If this is a new piece of information for you, what impact does that have on how you view your Bible? What does it tell us about God?
Act on it: Try this exercise every day this week:
Before you get out of bed, pray: God how can I be an agent of your peace today? How can I live in the power and character of Jesus’ name?
Before you get out of bed, pray: God how can I be an agent of your peace today? How can I live in the power and character of Jesus’ name?