Faithelement Conversations

Wait Well

For the session to be discussed on November 29, 2020

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Bert Montgomery

Advent is a season of waiting. Why is it that many of us have difficulty waiting and are filled instead with impatience? What does our impatience say about our trust in God’s time and work?

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Notes

* David mentions a quote from Henri Nouwen to close the podcast. https://henrinouwen.org/meditation/waiting-with-patience/

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Good God

For the session to be discussed on November 22, 2020

Psalm 100

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

David Adams

Psalm 100 is well-known as the “make a joyful noise” psalm. We discuss the kinds of “noises” God finds pleasant and contrast them with our more limited palate. How comfortable are we at expressing our emotions toward God?

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Notes

* David Cassady quoted this during closing: “Music is pleasing not only because of the sound but because of the silence that is in it: without the alternation of sound and silence there would be no rhythm.” ― Thomas Merton, No Man Is an Island

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Suffering for Good

For the session to be discussed on November 15, 2020

Matthew 25:14-30

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Daniel Glaze

The parable of the talents is our topic for this session. We take issue with the traditional interpretation that assumes the owner is a figure for God. Instead, we wonder if the servant who is cast out is the real hero of the parable for refusing to join in the owner’s unethical behavior.

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Notes

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

Ready or Not!

For the session to be discussed on November 8, 2020

Matthew 25:1-13P

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

David Adams

The parable of the bridesmaids is offered as another clue as to the nature of the Kingdom of God… but what does it mean? We discuss the limitations of the traditional interpretation of the passage and wonder what might have happened had the bridesmaids helped one another? What if we have missed the point of the preparedness?

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Notes

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

Do As I Say

For the session to be discussed on November 1, 2020

Matthew 23:1-12

David Cassady

Daniel Glaze

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

The Scribes and Pharisees drew Jesus’ ire as they used their status to impose legalistic structures to faith. How might we do the same? How do we follow Jesus’ example of a faith lived out in how we show love and grace to others?

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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 Greatest

For the session to be discussed on October 25, 2020

Matthew 22:34-46

David Cassady

Daniel Glaze

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Jesus summarizes the law into two statements: Love your God and love your neighbor. What makes these so difficult? Which is harder? Do we show our love for God by how well we love our neighbor?

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Notes

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

Live As If You Belong

For the session to be discussed on October 18, 2020

Psalm 96

David Cassady

Daniel Glaze

Nikki Hardeman

Crystal Shepherd

Our discussion around this psalm leads to questions: How do we share hope with one another, especially in difficult times? Can we find strength in God’s goodness and beauty? Can we allow ourselves to stop and rest in God’s presence in the midst of our journey?

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Notes

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

Fear No Evil

For the session to be discussed on October 11, 2020

Psalm 23

David Cassady

Daniel Glaze

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

Today’s focus is the famous Psalm 23. Have we read this so often that our familiarity prevents us from truly hearing it fresh? In the midst of a world in turmoil, can we find the presence of God celebrated by this psalm, and even be “steeled” for the road ahead because of it?

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Notes

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

Punishment or Prodding?

For the session to be discussed on October 4, 2020

Psalm 80:7-15

David Cassady

Daniel Glaze

Nikki Hardeman

David Adams

Today’s psalm finds the psalmist calling for God to return the people to better times and to again bring blessings. Yet, unlike so many other psalms, we neither hear repentance for wrongdoing nor a call for God to be exalted. What do we make of this psalm and the questions it raises?

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Notes

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

Finding our Humility

For the session to be discussed on September 27, 2020

Psalm 25:1-9

David Cassady

Daniel Glaze

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

Today’s psalm highlights the value of humility in how we mature and practice our faith. How do we practice humility? Is humility a “virtue” and what does that mean? What does it mean to realize the humility of Christ?

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Notes

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