Faithelement Conversations

For the session to be discussed on July 21, 2024

David Cassady

In this episode, the team discusses the theme of rest as explored in today’s text. They emphasize the importance of rest, sharing personal anecdotes about moments of stillness and silence, and discuss the societal pressures against pausing for rest. The episode delves into the need for intentional prayer and rest as a form of subversive action against a productivity-focused world. The hosts also touch upon the NAP ministry by Tricia Hershey, which promotes rest as resistance and justice.

Learn more about our team.

For the session to be discussed on July 14, 2024

David Cassady

Today’s episode focuses on a little-used text. During Herod’s birthday feast, a daughter dances, pleasing Herod. He promises her anything she wants. Prompted by her mother, the girl asks for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. Reluctantly, Herod orders John’s execution to keep his oath. John is beheaded, and his head is brought to the girl, who gives it to her mother.

We discuss dynamics in the narrative, including the use of the daughter and the use of power. We also contrast this passage with the feeding of the 5000, which immediately follows it.

Learn more about our team.

For the session to be discussed on July 7, 2024

David Cassady

Jesus has been traveling with his disciples all over Galilee, teaching and healing and gaining a following. In this passage, we see that Jesus returns to Nazareth, his childhood home. But his hometown cannot see who he has become. We discuss the “can’t go home” dynamic in this passage and our own lives. What makes it so difficult for us to accept growth and change in one another?

Learn more about our team.

For the session to be discussed on June 30, 2024

David Cassady

We discuss those moments in life when we feel truly alive… all in the context of a passage where a suffering woman touches the hem of Jesus’ garment and is healed. Where do we find newness of life even as we face our own pain and need?

Learn more about our team.

For the session to be discussed on June 23, 2024

David Cassady

In this episode we discuss a passage where in fear of the waves, the disciples awaken Jesus from a nap. We discuss the humanity of Jesus shown in how he responds, as well as our similarity to the disciples in their actions and feelings. What might we learn from this passage about facing the storms that emerge in our lives?

Learn more about our team.

For the session to be discussed on June 16, 2024

David Cassady

In this episode we discuss the power of parables, and in particular, the interesting parable of the mustard seed. How does Jesus use parables to lead us to rethink life and values? What ideas does Jesus turn upside down in this parable? How might parables remind us of how little we really understand?

Learn more about our team.

For the session to be discussed on June 9, 2024

David Cassady

In the ancient world, family was the most basic and fundamental social organization. And in this passage Jesus seems to reject them in favor of caring for lepers, welcoming prostitutes, making his family the poor, the blind, bleeding women, even Gentiles. But Jesus says they are his family… “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother. Whoever does God’s will is my family.” We discuss the ways this difficult passage calls us and the church to welcome others into our family.

Learn more about our team.

For the session to be discussed on June 2, 2024

David Cassady

Jesus and the disciples run afoul of Sabbath laws as they care for others, including healing a man. We discuss the need for and meaning of sabbath for each of us, but also of the call to also free others to find peace and sabbath.

Learn more about our team.

For the session to be discussed on May 26, 2024

David Cassady

For this Trinity Sunday session, we discuss a passage from Romans. What does the Trinity show us about God’s nature? If we are heirs of God, what do we learn about our own nature?

Learn more about our team.

For the session to be discussed on May 19, 2024

David Cassady

For this Pentecost Sunday session, we discuss a passage from Romans. Paul was trying to help people cope with the suffering they were experiencing in the world. But that is a micro view, and Paul had a macro, albeit cosmic view. Paul is telling the church in Rome that while they’ve experienced the first fruits of the Spirit, at some point there will be a harvest. He was likening it to the Feast of Pentecost, where the first fruits of the field were offered to God in anticipation of the full harvest at the Feast of the Tabernacles. What they were experiencing now, through the Holy Spirit, was just a taste of what was to come.

Learn more about our team.