Faithelement Conversations

The Chase

For the session to be discussed on April 3, 2022

Philippians 3:4-14

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

David Adams

What do we chase after in this life? In this episode we take a look at a passage where Paul challenges us to think about that which we strive for, that which we seek. We also consider those aspects of our lives that have changed over the years. How has your focus and striving changed focus? To what work is God calling us today?

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Notes

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Two Parables

For the session to be discussed on March 27, 2022

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

We take a creative look at one of the most familiar passages in scripture: the parable of the prodigal son. Daniel offers a modern-day version to get us started, and we discuss ways to engage the parable that can open up fresh meaning and relevance.

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Notes

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Life’s Fragility

For the session to be discussed on March 20, 2022

Luke 13:1-9

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

We have lots of questions to ask as we read today’s text: Why do bad things happen? Why does God allow evil to exist? How ought we respond to senseless evil? And as we read about the grace given to the fig tree that’s not producing fruit, we may get a clue about the path forward.

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Notes

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Foxy Herod

For the session to be discussed on March 13, 2022

Luke 13:31-35

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

Today’s passage leads us into a conversation where we watch the contrast between the way Herod lives – the use of power, wealth, position, even violence — with the way Jesus lives, through love, healing, peace and joy. We discuss the ways this passage feels particularly relevant for our time.

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Notes

* David mentions Lenten questions posed by Frederick Buechner.

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Wilderness People

For the session to be discussed on March 6, 2022

Luke 4:1-13

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

Today’s text, for the first Sunday of Lent, is from the temptation of Jesus. “These temptations are about how Jesus will bring about God’s kingdom on earth,” says Bert Montgomery. Satan does not argue with Jesus’ path, but instead offers solutions that rely on the power and values of this world. How can we — and our churches — be alert to the same sorts of temptations? “The whole temptation is discerning the voice of evil from the voice of God.”

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Notes

* David mentions the blog post “Into the Wild” by Debie Thomas.

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

Thinly Veiled

For the session to be discussed on February 27, 2022

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

We live in days that so often feel like “in between” times — we know how things used to be, and we have hopes for things to be better in the future, but the here and now can be tough. Paul’s writing in this text leads us into a discussion of the ways our faith moves us along, helping us grow through the in between times into the future toward which God is calling us and the church.

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Notes

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Foolish Questions

For the session to be discussed on February 20, 2022

1 Corinthians 15:35-50

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

Continuing in 1 Corinthians, we find Paul again trying to both emphasize the importance of the resurrection while also urging the Corinthians to accept the fact that it’s pretty much a big mystery. But they still have questions. We do too. And yet, Paul encourages us to move on from questions that cannot be answered to a life of faith and action. What are your unanswerable questions?

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Notes

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Like Him We Rise

For the session to be discussed on February 13, 2022

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

“Paul takes the gloves off today,” says Daniel Glaze. Responding to some who were doubting the resurrection, Paul insists that the reality of both Christ’s resurrection — and our own — are central to our faith. We discuss the ways it is often easier to believe in Christ’s resurrection than in our own. What does it mean for us to experience resurrection in the midst of our own struggles and lives?

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Notes

* David reads a bit of a poem by Wendell Berry that calls us to practice resurrection.

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God’s, Kings and Enemies

For the session to be discussed on February 6, 2022

Psalm 138

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

Having a thankful attitude is difficult during hard times, including a pandemic. The psalm we discuss today is a psalm of thanksgiving — reminding us that God is with us even as we travel through difficult days — especially as we walk through dark times. We have choices to make about how we live and grapple with the challenges before us!

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Notes

* The version of the Serenity Prayer that David read can be found here.

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Revolutionary Love

For the session to be discussed on January 30, 2022

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

David Adams

We discuss one of the most famous and well-loved portions of scripture — 1 Corinthians 13 — which focuses on love. However, we wonder if the sense of “love” that is so often associated with this passage is actually what Paul was lifting up. “The love that is spoken of here is not a Hallmark-y, sentimentalized, Valentine’s Day, puppy dog love” (Glaze). Join us as we explore a deeper sense of the call to love.

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Notes

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