Spark Cast

Spark Cast

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Spark Cast episodes

  • John | I Have Seen The Lord [Omair Akhtar]

    The climax of the gospel according to John are when women who followed Jesus find his tomb empty just days after the government oversaw his execution. What follows is a series of bizarre and unprecedented encounters with Jesus. Then the way Jesus' followers try to make sense of these encounters offers us ways to make sense of Jesus' resurrection too.

    GROUP QUESTIONS


    1. Imagine yourself going to "anoint" the body and finding it empty. What would be YOUR immediate reactions?

    2. Why would the gospel accounts put women at the center of the story? Why is that important?

    3. What DOES it mean that "Jesus is alive?"

    46 min
  • John | "We Have No King But Caesar" [Danielle Parish]

    The theme of kingship runs throughout our Scriptures. Every Sunday, we pray the words Jesus taught us, "Your kingdom come, your will be done." Who is our King? And where is this Kingdom? In whom do we place our trust and hope? Here we

    GROUP QUESTIONS


    1. How do we translate ancient monarchies into modern democracies? How shall we think about "royal rule" in today's language and concepts?

    2. In many ways this is also a question of allegiance. What demands does the Gospel of Jesus make upon our allegiances?

    3. How can we know when we've compromised our allegiances? What signs should we look for that indicate we've lost our "Way?"

    30 min
  • John | What Is Truth? [Kevin Neuner]

    In John 18, the trials and interrogations of Jesus intensify, and they culminate in a dialogue with Pontius Pilate, the governor of the Roman Province of Judea. But this trial, as it is told, is not simply about Jesus' violations against the Roman Empire. This is much more about a clash of kingdoms, of authorities, and of worldviews. At its most profound, this is an epistemological inquisition. In other words, this is a question of "truth."

    GROUP QUESTIONS:


    1. What do the words "emet" and "aleithia" mean to you, in your own words?

    2. Share some other examples of how one was emphasized over the other, and what it would look like to ensure both are equally expressed and valued.

    3. Do you have a tendency to emphasize one over the other? (Perhaps in one area of your life you emphasize "emet" over aleithia," and in another area of your life it's the opposite?)

    4. How can Jesus followers advanced this understanding of "truth" more into the world?

    43 min
  • John | Judge, Lest Ye Not Be Judged [Mark Arevalo]
    In John 17, Jesus prays that his followers will be united, but it doesn't take much to recognize that the Church is very much divided along social, political, and theological lines. Why are we divided, and how can Jesus's teachings on the Kingdom of God provide insights into how we might find common ground once again?
    45 min
  • John | Advocacy Is Comfort [Kevin Neuner]

    When Jesus speaks of sending the spirit when he departs, in addition to being a comfort, this spirit of truth is an Advocate, someone who will not just stand with you, but for you. Comfort, in this view is not mere sentimentality, but results from God's advocacy.

    GROUP QUESTIONS:


    1. What kind of meaning does this teaching give to the "Trinity" in Christian understanding?

    2. If God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an Advocate, then what does that mean for those of us who are followers of this Way?

    3. Why does this word "Advocate" (Greek: "paraklete") features so prominently in the writings of John?

    4. Can you think of other stories in the Bible where advocacy changes the meaning and interpretation of the story?

    29 min
  • John | He Is The Vine [Danielle Parish]

    Vines are a symbol of God's blessing and provision. What happens when vines do not grow or bear fruit? What about when they do bear fruit? In it all, the vinedresser works to ensure that the vine remains connected.

    GROUP QUESTIONS:


    1. What is the difference between being "cut off" versus being "lifted up?"

    2. How does this understanding change our Christian identity and life?

    3. Can we see this kind of interpretation in other passages that seem to "condemn?"

    4. What is our responsibility to others through this understanding of the vinedresser?

    30 min
  • John | In My Father's House [Danielle Parish]

    Jesus promises to prepare a place for us, for in his "Father's house are many rooms," a phrase to describe the expansive inclusivity of Jesus' call and welcome.

    GROUP QUESTIONS:


    1. "The way," "the truth" and "the life" are abstract concepts. What does it mean that Jesus points to himself, as a human person who IS those things? What radical shifts in thinking is Jesus calling us toward?

    2. Could it be that the "theological principle" is really more about belonging, and relational intimacy with God? How does that change the way we read and understand the Jesus story?

    3. If Jesus IS the way, truth, and life, how does that address our very present concerns and troubles, be they personal, philosophical, or national?

    34 min
  • John | Love One Another [Danielle Parish]

    Jesus is all about the love. Jesus loves us and calls us to love one another.

    GROUP QUESTIONS:


    1. Pastor Danielle talked about "experiencing" vs. "knowing" love. What truly is the difference and does it matter?

    2. In philosophy this is called a "phenomenology"; that is, an "experience." Do you think this kind of "experience" is central to being a Christian / Follower of Jesus or not?

    3. Apply this kind of love to your circumstance and talk about what real outcomes might occur if you loved the way God loves us?

    4. How do you live this kind of love when someone has experienced broken relationships that were supposed to be loving (parents, family, etc.)? [This question is connected to Pastor Danielle's reference to "Attached To God"]

    35 min
  • John | Betrayal and Reconciliation From One Young Dreamer to Another [Tom Arrington]

    We live in a world that seems to be full of hate, greed and jealousy. We see lies and betrayal and it hurts. Something is messed up and broken. In fact, in many cases it is shattered and reconciliation can seem impossible. We want to set it right, but we can’t seem to get it right. With God, there is a hope of reconciliation that is bigger than human wisdom.

    GROUP QUESTIONS:


    1. Is reconciliation a "moral" or an "ethic?" Does it matter? What difference does that make?

    2. What are the elements necessary for reconciliation to happen?

    3. Pastor Tom mentioned our hesitancy to reconciliation because we might ask if someone "deserves" to be included. Is reconciliation dependent upon someone "deserving it?"

    4. What is the difference between "forgiveness" and "reconciliation?"

    35 min

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