Faithelement Conversations

Letting the Spirit Flow

For the session to be discussed on May 28, 2023

John 7:37-39

David Cassady

David Adams

Crystal Shepherd

In today’s text, not only does Jesus promise the coming of the Spirit, but he demonstrates how it works. If this is a foreshadowing of Pentecost, it is one that demonstrates the spirit at work, or at least how it seems to work for us now. We discuss questions such as: Are we afraid of what the Spirit might lead us to do? How does our need for control limit our ability to sense the unpredictable leadership of the Spirit?

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Time to Do Something

For the session to be discussed on May 21, 2023

Acts 1:1-14

David Cassady

David Adams

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

(Apologies for the poor sound quality for some of the audio. Two of us were on location for a conference and without our usual podcasting gear. Next week returns to normal!).

We discuss the text for Ascension Sunday, recalling when Jesus ascended into heaven after completing his earthly ministry. Just as the disciples were tempted to stand and gaze upward, we are instead challenged to look around and find where we can get busy and do something. When we look around, we immediately begin to see the places where we can begin making a difference in Christ’s name, continuing the ministry he began.

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Turning the World Upside Down

For the session to be discussed on May 14, 2023

Acts 17:1-30

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

In today’s text we find Paul and Silas traveling. The responses to their preaching were varied, from hostility in Thessalinica, to curiosity in Athens. In our day, how do we hear one another? How often do we seek to make idols of our own ideas about who God is?

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Going to the Stoning?

For the session to be discussed on May 7, 2023

Acts 7:55-60

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

As we discuss the passage detailing the stoning of Stephen, we find ourselves wondering about the violence around us, even among those who profess faith. How often do we find ourselves “in the crowd” that picks up stones to hurl at others, even if those stones are words or other harmful deeds?

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Forgetful Churches

For the session to be discussed on April 30, 2023

Acts 2:42-47

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

We discuss the ways our churches could benefit from remembering how this movement began, returning to passages like this one in Acts. If the church is called to be a place of care for one another, how might that shape how we move into an uncertain future?

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Cut to the Heart

For the session to be discussed on April 23, 2023

Acts 2:14, 36-41

David Cassady

Crystal Shepherd

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

We discuss having “ah-ha moments” even as the text offers its own ah-ha moment. While it is good to ask “what should I do,” we must realize that salvation and the granting of God’s spirit is not anything that we accomplish. It’s not our work. It’s God’s work. How does God’s pouring out of God’s Spirit on everyone lead us to respond?

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Spirit Connection

For the session to be discussed on April 16, 2023

Acts 2:14-36

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Bert Montgomery

God is in charge of where God’s Spirit flows… where God’s Spirit is poured out. That is a hopeful word in a world, and sometimes in our churches, where it seems hard for us to change. How does an awareness of God’s Spirit give us hope when so often we feel powerless and hopeless?

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

The Dance of the Merrymakers

For the session to be discussed on April 9, 2023

Jeremiah 31:1-6

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Bert Montgomery

Today’s text is for Easter Sunday, and it may seem unusual that our text is from Jeremiah.

This story in Jeremiah reminds us that the resurrection found in Jesus — the renewal of the covenant with Israel — is available to us as well. What makes you feel dead this Easter? Where do you feel broken or abandoned? Maybe it’s the loss of a relationship or a job, or maybe it’s just the trauma of the last three years that has set the life out of you. We discuss and give thanks for the places in our lives where we have experienced resurrection. How about you?

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Making An Entrance

For the session to be discussed on April 2, 2023

Matthew 21:1-11

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Bert Montgomery

Today’s text is for Palm Sunday, so of course we are discussing Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The text is Matthew chapter 21 verses one through 11. It was a great moment of religious fervor and religious zealotry.

People had lined up on both sides of the road to see their hero heading in for a big show. Cheers, screams, clapping, stomping hands, reaching out desperately to touch, trying to reach the hero as he passed by.

The triumphal entry leading up to the crucifixion raises questions about our motives, our faith, and what and who we want Jesus to be compared to.

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!

Spirit is Life

For the session to be discussed on March 26, 2023

Romans 8:1-11

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

In this episode we discuss what it means to live or not “in the flesh.” As Daniel Glaze explains, “It seems to me that living in the flesh is about always putting yourself first. It’s about focusing upon what your body needs to the exclusion of bodies around you. It’s about believing your body matters more than other bodies. It’s about taking more than your share.”

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Notes

* Try our small group curriculum! New subscribers can enjoy a completely free month of the premium edition of FaithElement!