Faithelement Conversations

Telling Stories

For the session to be discussed on September 20, 2020

Psalm 78;1-7, 34-38

David Cassady

Crystal Shepherd

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

Today’s psalm reminds us of the call to pass along our faith through telling the stories of faith. We discuss the challenge of sharing both the good parts as well as the hard parts of our stories — and of biblical stories. What harm is done when we avoid the darker parts of our very human stories?

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Notes

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Strength for Today

For the session to be discussed on September 13, 2020

Psalm 103:1-13

David Cassady

Crystal Shepherd

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

We discuss the gift of gratitude expressed by this psalm, but also talk about how difficult it can sometimes be to show thankfulness. In times when we see others suffer, how can we be grateful? In seasons where we face challenge or hardship, how can we give thanks?

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Notes

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That Torah Life

For the session to be discussed on September 6, 2020

Psalm 119:33-40

David Cassady

Daniel Glaze

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

How might we come at the laws of God not as dos and don’ts, but as ways of living well? This psalm is a prayer exercise of getting to the Spirit of God — the instruction of God. How does living according to the laws of God offer us identity?

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Notes

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Weeping Prophet

For the session to be discussed on August 30, 2020

Jeremiah 15:15-21

David Cassady

Crystal Shepherd

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

In this episode we discuss a prophet with mood swings between joy and despair — perhaps the way many of us feel these days. Jeremiah, however, is attacked and maligned for speaking the truth. What was the cost of his truth-telling? How hard is it for truth to be told in our day? What truth is God calling us to share today?

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Notes

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

Children of Promise

For the session to be discussed on August 23, 2020

Isaiah 51:1-6

David Cassady

Crystal Shepherd

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

Today’s episode looks at the Israelite people in exile. Interestingly, we find that the situation of our land and the church to share many similarities with a people in exile. How do we cope with the stress; how do we rethink those dynamics that led to the exile; where can we find hope moving forward?

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Notes

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

Deep and Wide

For the session to be discussed on August 16, 2020

Isaiah 56:1-8

David Cassady

Daniel Glaze

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

In this passage, we are reminded of our own sense of exile due to the coronavirus. Yet, we hear God’s call to welcome all people — all people — into our houses of worship. How do we practice this sort of welcome and love? We discuss how the church might look if we better followed this desire of God.

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Notes

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Tender Encounters

For the session to be discussed on August 9, 2020

1 Kings 19:9-18

Daniel Glaze

Nikki Hardeman

Bert Montgomery

Crystal Shepherd

How do we weather the storms of life? How do we find God’s voice in the midst of stormy seasons? We discuss the contrast of Elijah’s experience — the incredible experience he had, followed by isolation and loneliness. His storm found him in a cave, but he discovered God was there with him.

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Notes

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Fighting and Striving

For the session to be discussed on August 2, 2020

Genesis 32:22-32

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

David Adams

Bert Montgomery

In today’s passage, Jacob is standing at the riverbank of the Jabbok preparing to meet his twin brother, Esau who he has not seen in over 20 years. At the riverbank on the eve of reuniting with Esau, just before daybreak Jacob finds himself wrestling with an unknown assailant. We discuss the importance of this struggle in Jacob’s journey and wonder about the ways our own struggles affect our growth.

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Notes

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Agitation and Dedication

For the session to be discussed on July 26, 2020

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

David Adams

Bert Montgomery

In this episode we discuss a set of short parables where Jesus is using everyday things to point toward aspects of the Kingdom of God. We take turns trying to use the same approach, and wonder about how Jesus made the Gospel so accessible to all, and why that agitated so many.

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Notes

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

Good with the Bad

For the session to be discussed on July 19, 2020

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

David Cassady

Nikki Hardeman

Daniel Glaze

David Adams

In this episode we discuss another parable — this one has a farmer asking for the weeds to not be pulled up, but left to grow among the wheat. What might this strange advice mean? Could the parable call us to think differently about our ability to tell weeds from wheat, or to rush to remove those we consider to be “weeds?”

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Notes

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