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

This week we begin our new series on theories of Atonement.

Our first week we will be looking at an overview of this important and controversial topic.

Most importantly we will be talking about how we as a community deal learn and live together when wrestling with different beliefs and understanding, and how we live out our vision and values together.

This week, we’re taking some time to explore some of the contemplative prayer practices that we have talked about during our recent series around prayer.

We’ll be walking through practices together as a community, as well as providing a space to explore some prayer practices on our own.

Additional resources can be found on out website at https://elevationwaterloo.org/contemplative-prayer-practices/

Holy Week began this past Sunday with our Palm Sunday celebration—a time that marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Today, as we continue this sacred journey together, we invite you to join us in reflecting on Christ’s path to the cross and rejoicing in the hope of the resurrection.

We’re wrapping up our Reimagining Prayer series this week by taking some time to consider the beauty of reflecting on the words of prayers that have been written by others, and the gift of borrowing language to express words that may resonate with our own hearts and minds.

From contemplative prayer practices to sharing in Prayers of the People, from more ancient liturgy to modern litanies – we’ll be exploring the ways that these practices can invite us into a deeper expression as a community, as well as noticing the ways that God is communing with us in all things.