Repent…with Hope

For the session to be discussed on December 12, 2021

Luke 3:7-18

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

We continue in our study in Luke, with John the Baptist acting as a jarring, loud watchdog who keeps us from following Jesus unaware of what we are getting into. “If we can’t handle John, we won’t be able to handle the one who comes after him.” (Daniel). John invites us to clean up our lives, because Jesus is coming. Rather than as a threat, John challenges us to hear the word “repent” in a new light, challenging us to “bear fruits worthy of repentance.”

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Notes

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Preparing the Way

For the session to be discussed on December 5, 2021

Luke 3:1-6

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

Advent is a season of preparation, and today’s passage is all about preparing the way of the Lord. It is notable that the word of the Lord comes to John the Baptist, a rather strange character living in the desert, rather than the religious leaders of the day. What does “preparing the way” look like? How do we best prepare? We have some ideas…

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Notes

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Hope for God’s Faithfulness

For the session to be discussed on November 28, 2021

Jeremiah 33:14-16

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

For this first Sunday of Advent, we are in Jeremiah, hearing words to a people in exile, a people in pain feeling abandoned…wondering if they will ever see home again. It is to that suffering people that Jeremiah brings a word of hope. We are reminded that Advent happens in between our lives as they are, and as they will be. Jeremiah gives hope to a people in darkness by pointing to a God who will be faithful.

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Notes

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Unlikely King

For the session to be discussed on November 21, 2021

John 18:33-37

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

We’re focused on a text for Christ the King Sunday. But Jesus ends up appearing as an unlikely king. Rather than using power, control and judgment, which is how many become kings, Jesus offers a very different notion of kingship. What is Jesus teaching us about the nature of his kingdom even as he approaches death?

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Notes

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This Too Shall Pass

For the session to be discussed on November 14, 2021

Mark 13:1-8

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

Today’s passage is sometimes referred to as the “mini-apocalypse.” It sometimes feels like we are living in an apocalypse with the pandemic, polarization and climate change all at play. Perhaps we have the same kinds of questions as the disciples as we face these days.

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Notes

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The Widow’s Might

For the session to be discussed on November 7, 2021

Mark 12:38-44

David Adams

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

We discuss the story of the poor widow who Jesus noticed giving her last two coins. Rather than focusing on the widow’s “mite,” we cannot help but see the widow’s “might” in the courage it took to give so deeply and freely. What motivates us to give? How can we share in the sort of might that drew Jesus’ attention and praise?

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Notes

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Lifelong Praise

For the session to be discussed on October 31, 2021

Psalm 146

David Adams

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

This week we look at Psalm 146, a theologically rich text that some have called “God’s resume.” The psalm lists the many ways God acts in our midst and evokes our praise in response. God is described in ways that show God’s place alongside the oppressed and excluded, the outcast and rejected. How does this resume affect the way we are to follow God?

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Notes

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Holy Presence

For the session to be discussed on October 24, 2021

Job 42:1-7

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

In this last episode in the book of Job, we discuss a portion of the text where God reminds Job who God is. This changes Job, who recognizes the limits of his knowledge, particularly about God. Job rejects his former notions of who God is and how God acts, and in the process grows. Where do we need to revisit our understanding of God?

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Notes

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God’s Questions

For the session to be discussed on October 17, 2021

Job 38:1-7, 34-41

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

Job has questions for God, and is direct in taking his complaints and suffering before God. While God does not answer the “why me” questions, God does respond. How comfortable are we expressing our suffering and questions to God?

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Notes

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Honest Prayer

For the session to be discussed on October 10, 2021

Job 23:1-17

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

“I think part of what Job does so beautifully and what we can do is to keep the lines of communication open by being willing to question and to struggle. We can also realize that a relationship with the Most High is not transactional. It is not about being good enough or perfect, but about walking along the road knowing there is nothing that can separate us from our God.” — Crystal Shepherd, from her introduction for this episode.

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Notes

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