Faithelement Conversations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s The Point?

For the session to be discussed on October 3, 2021

Job 1:1-2:10

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

Crystal Shepherd

The book of Job offers us a chance to explore a bit of “wisdom literature” from the Old Testament. In the process, we are confronted with the reality of suffering. We discuss how the book of Job destroys any transactional notions of serving God — because righteous Job suffers deeply. What is our motivation for keeping faith?

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Notes

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

“Rumblin’, Bumblin’, Stumblin’”

For the session to be discussed on September 26, 2021

Mark 9:38-50

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

David Adams

Laura Edgar

Jesus warns the disciples about being “stumbling blocks” in the work of faith in others. We discuss the many ways we have, and can be, sources of stumbling for others. How does our need to control the work of the church and expressions of faith often serve as blocks for the growth of others and ourselves?

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Notes

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

A Child’s Way

For the session to be discussed on September 19, 2021

Mark 9:30-37

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

David Adams

Laura Edgar

Jesus overhears the disciples arguing over who among them is the greatest. In response, Jesus explains that the first shall be last, and offers a child as a model for how we should be. What was Jesus saying with this action? What does it mean to truly welcome the child?

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Notes

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

What Do YOU Say?

For the session to be discussed on September 12, 2021

Mark 8:27-38

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Daniel Glaze

Jesus asks, “who do you say that I am,” which turns out to be a fundamental question for each of us, and together. We share our responses to the question, and wonder about the ways the privatization of our faith makes it harder to answer.

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Notes

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