Faithelement Conversations

One Body

For the session to be discussed on January 23, 2022

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

David Adams

We continue considering gifts and how they affect the way we grow together as congregations and communities. How do we bless others when we share our experiences, gifts and abilities? What can we learn from a community potluck about sharing our gifts?

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Notes

* David mentions Kate Campbell’s song, Funeral Food, written by Kate Campbell and Johnny Pierce.

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Gifts for the Common Good

For the session to be discussed on January 16, 2022

1 Corinthians 12:1-12

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

Today’s passage leads us into a surprising conversation around the notion of giftedness. We discuss our own gifts (and lack thereof) and talk about the maturity that comes as we embrace our gifts and use them in service to others. How comfortable are you in recognizing your own gifts, as well as those around you?

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Notes

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Signs and Wonders

For the session to be discussed on January 9, 2022

Acts 8:4-17

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Bert Montgomery

Philip’s encounter with Simon, a not-to-be-associated-with person (a Samaritan), reminds us that the Spirit is not constrained by our labels and categories or doctrines. Philip performs miracles that wow even Simon (a local magician). Where do we find the Spirit at work? How do we hold careful skepticism for our ability to be manipulated with the need to be open to unexpected ways the Spirit is at work in us and around us?

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Notes

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The Weary World Rejoices

For the session to be discussed on January 2, 2022

Psalm 147:12-20

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

David Adams

Today’s text is a congregational hymn of praise for the work of God in this world. As we notice the beauty, grandeur and power of creation, can it remind us of the ways God is also at work in our lives and world? Even as the world these days feels especially weary, this text calls us to see God at work toward a new day.

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Notes

* Crystal refers to this documentary about the Gullah Geechee in her intro.

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The Wonder Years

For the session to be discussed on December 26, 2021

Luke 2:41-52

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

David Adams

What was Jesus’ childhood like? We have only glimpses of it in the scriptures, but in those it seems Jesus was a normal Jewish boy. How we think about Jesus’ childhood may reflect how we understand the humanity of Jesus — was he fully human, including all the playfulness and wonder and exploration of childhood?

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Notes

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

Subversive Love

For the session to be discussed on December 19, 2021

Luke 1:39-55

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

Advent is a season of waiting. But just because we are waiting, it does not mean we are sitting still. Today’s text offers the famous “song of Mary” or the Magnificat. This song both expresses Mary’s praise and also points to the subversive power of a love that brings down the powerful and sends the rich away empty. We discuss the need for love in our world — where love itself is disruptive and revolutionary.

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Notes

* Daniel references research into the Magnificat’s usage in churches (or lack thereof), from an article in the Washington Post.

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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

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

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

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

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

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