This week we conclude our series Parables: Then and Now with Jesus' stories about two people who go all-in on discovered treasure. We'll explore our objections to such foolhardy behaviour and invite Jesus to guide us toward unrestrained love.

This week we continue our series Parables: Then and Now with a look at the parables of watching and waiting. What does it mean to watch and wait for Jesus? What questions sparked these parables? Together we will delve into how Jesus runs against the grain of the very question he’s asked, redirecting us towards something new.

We are in the third week of our summer series on Parables, and this week we will spend some time with a familiar parable found in Luke 15 describing a lost sheep and a shepherd who notices, cares and takes action for the sake of the sheep. As we consider the values that Jesus is inviting us to ponder within this story, in what ways might this communal listening and conversation inspire us towards even greater inclusion and belonging as a community?

Luke 15:1-7 (First Nations Version)

The Worth of the Lost Ones

Tribal tax collectors and other outcasts would often gather around Creator Sets Free (Jesus) to listen to him tell his stories. But the Separated Ones (Pharisees) and the scroll keepers would complain about this. They would say things like, “This man welcomes outcasts to join him at the table and eat with him.” On one of those occasions Creator Sets Free (Jesus) answered them with a story.

“Who among you, if you were caring for one hundred sheep and one of the lambs wandered away, would not leave the ninety-nine and search for that lost lamb until you found it?

Would you not put that lamb on your shoulders, hurry home, and invite your friends to a celebration, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost lamb!’?

In the same way, the spirit-world above will celebrate even more over one outcast who finds the way back home than for ninety-nine who are already safely there.

Discussion Questions:

1. In reading this scripture above, what words or phrases stand out to you? Is there language used in this version that causes you to pause, think or wonder? Where do you most naturally see yourself in the story (the shepherd, the flock of sheep, the outcast or lost sheep, an observer/listener)?
2. We talked about a few Kin-dom principles or values that might be expressed through this parable. Do you resonate with any of those? Do you see any other Kin-dom values shown through this story?
3. When you hear the phrase “Jesus takes a side” what thoughts or feelings rise up for you? In what ways might that idea be comforting? Challenging? Dangerous?
4. If we lived out some of these values as a community, what might that look like? (where and how we go, our pace, how we spend our resources, our policies/practices.

Drawing from Indigenous teachings, and Jesus’ words in this parable and Matthew 17:20, we’ll explore how the tiny mustard seed mirrors the sacred interdependence of the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) — plants that thrive only when woven together in reciprocity. Just as they depend on one another for strength, nourishment, and growth, so too are we invited to root our faith in shared flourishing that grows the Kingdom.

Does Jesus endorse Workplace Embezzlement? A quick read of The Parable of the Dishonest Manager sure makes it seem like it does! Join us as we kick off this summer series Parables: Then and Now as we sit with one of the most challenging parables and discuss how we read difficult passages of scripture as a community and what this passage might have to teach us today.

Discussion Questions

1. What parts of the parable of the Dishonest Manager stood out to you when it was first read? Was it a passage you were familiar with? What were your first impressions?
2. This is often cited as one of the most confusing stories among the parables. How do you generally deal with difficult passages in the Bible?
3. Why do you think Jesus might have picked such a weird story? Why do you think the author of the book of Luke might have included it when none of the other gospel writers did?
4. The parable and the teaching after it in Luke 16 seem to focus on how Christians should relate to money. If you have spent time in churches before Elevation how did they handle the topic of money. What was positive and what was negative?
5. What do you think the Spirit might be telling us through this parable today?

For our teaching time this week, we will be studying a part of  Paul's letter to the Colossians. Interestingly, Paul wrote this letter to a group of people he had never met, but he invited them to embrace their identity and live fully as dearly loved followers of Jesus.  We are hoping that this week's teaching time will be a time of encouragement for everyone.

We're excited to welcome TK and Nikki from Future of Africa to come and share with us this Sunday! Future of Africa has been one of our partners for many years, and are continuing as our Global Partner as part of our Peace in Action Team.

TK, Nikki and their family live and work in Ghana, but are here in Waterloo visiting during the month of June.

We hope you enjoy watching and hearing more about their passion and vision for the work of Future of Africa, as well as ways that we can continue to pray for and support them, both as a family and as an organization.

This Sunday we will wrap up our atonement series as we explore one more theory together: Christus Victor. Although this is one of the oldest recorded theories around the atonement, it may offer us new or fresh ways to approach this mystery of at-one-ment. We’ll also spend some time thinking about the impact of these atonement theories on the evolution of the Church over time, as well as our own faith formation. How do these theories and approaches inform the songs we may sing and our view of God, humanity and the world? Join us as we bring this series to a close, and have a chance to discuss some of our learning from the last few weeks around discussion tables as well.

This Sunday we continue our exploration of the different atonement theories that have been presented through history. This week we look at Penal Substitutionary, Satisfaction, and Last Scapegoat atonement theories. Devon asks us to explore the themes of violence inherent to these theories, and asks us to consider atonement not simply as something Jesus did on the cross, but something consistent with and exemplified through his incarnation, life, ministry, teachings, death and resurrection.

Atonement, Part II:  Moral Influence & Ransom Theories

This Sunday, we’re diving into two theories of the cross: the Moral Influence Theory and the Ransom Theory. Does Jesus’ life and death primarily inspire us to live compassionately, as a divine model of love? Or did Christ’s sacrifice act as a cosmic transaction, “paying a debt” to liberate humanity from Satan’s grip?
We’ll unpack the historical roots of these ideas, their contrasts, and their implications for how we understand God’s character. Does a God who bargains with Satan align with radical grace? Can a focus on moral example empower - or burden -our pursuit of justice and mercy? Together, we’ll explore how each theory nurtures - or undermines human flourishing, justice, and our capacity to trust a God who is love.
Join us as we re-examine ancient ideas for a modern world, seeking a faith that deepens our love for others and our awe of a God who meets us in struggle and solidarity. All voices, doubts, and curiosity welcome! 

Discussion Questions

HEAD

HEART

HANDS