TEN FOOT POLE

Is Judas a bad guy? Why or why not?  Pastor Kyle and Pastor A.J. dive into all the possibilities and offer some grace for our faith’s biggest villain. Judas Iscariot is the guy who sells out Jesus, but he also was included as a chosen disciple.  What does it mean that Jesus chose him? Is it a mistake? Or is he just a part of the story because we need a villain? Let’s talk about it.  Pastor Kyle and Pastor A.J. dive into Acts 1:15-26 for Sunday, May 12, 2024. 

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think Judas is bad? Why or Why Not?

2. Is there a need to have a bad guy in the story of Jesus?

3. Who do we scapegoat in our faith?

4. The super hard question: who deserves grace?

5. Is there anyone outside of God’s grace?

6. What does it mean to “cloak them in our own honor” to you?

7. What does it mean that God chooses to partner with us? Even as flawed people that we are?

8. How does it reframe the story of Judas reco

Other Notes:

The Nonviolent Atonement - J. Denny Weaver https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Atonement-J-Denny-Weaver/dp/0802849083

Down the rabbit hole we go!  We finally found a topic that makes Pastor A.J. uncomfortable! What if Jesus’ last commandment to the disciples is not what it seems? What does that mean for us? Is there a Johannine "messianic secret commandment" that we missed? Does it mean anything to us a couple thousand years later? Join Pastor A.J. and Brother Ryan as we venture down the rabbit hole where things may not be what they seem, but maybe we still come out beloved and renewed on the other side.  This episode talks about John 15:9-17 for Sunday, May 5th, 2024.

Discussion Questions:

1. “I give you a new commandment that you love one another” or “I give you a new commandment in order that you love one another.”  Do you think this translation difference changes the meaning?

2. If it does change the meaning, what does that mean to you?

3. What does it mean to love as Jesus asks?

4. What does this commandment mean in light of Jesus fulfilling God’s commandments on our behalf?

5. How are we to live knowing that we cannot be perfect and that God will make up the difference no matter what?

6. What is the good news?

Other notes:

Happy *almost* Mental Health Awareness Month! To kick off Mental Health Awareness month, Pastor A.J. shares part of the story of the prophet, Elijah.  Elijah experiences some trauma, burnout, depression, and some suicidal ideation.  It’s uncomfortable stuff. Frequently, the response to mental health from Christianity has been less than helpful.  Sometimes pastors act like psychiatrists and sometimes the “Christian” approach is just to pray more. This is not the divine response that Elijah receives.  Elijah is treated in mind, body, and spirit in his time of need.  Let’s dive into 1st Kings 19:1-18 and talk about what God may want for us to be happy and healthy.

Discussion Questions:

1. What have you been taught about mental health from your family?

2. What are your experiences of mental health conversations and the church?

3. What things would you like to learn more about during Mental Health Awareness Month?

4. What in the story of Elijah do you resonate with?

5. How do you feel God’s response to Elijah is helpful?

6. What does this tell us about God and God’s relationship with us?

Archivist and historians, Melinda and Andy, share a dark secret from St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charleston, South Carolina: St. Matthew's was an enslaver. Melinda and Andy dive into what we know and don't know about Alexander, his life, and work here. We talk about the implications of a church-owned slave. What does this mean for us today? Why is this important for us to talk about? Tune in for this 20-Foot-Pole episode of German church folk in the 1800s in the south.

(*acknowledgement: we are three white people talking about slavery and racism in an attempt to learn from our past to inform our future)

Discussion:

1. Does it suprise you that a Lutheran church (or church in general) owned a slave?

2. What are the implications of this kind of history?

3. What does it mean for us to be church in the wake of this revelation?

4. What do we do now?

Let us pray,

Gracious and merciful God, we repent of our sins of the institution of slavery, hatred, racism, and continued negligence to work for justice and peace for all of your children. We humbly ask your forgiveness and ask for courage and guidance to work towards this justice in our church, nation, and world today. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Recommended reading from Melinda and Andy:

My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem

This week Pastor Kelsey and Pastor A.J. dive into 1st John again.  We will discuss sin, who sins, who gets forgiveness, and what it all means.  We will look at different perspectives on sin and grace, and ultimately, find the good news in Jesus.  This episode talks about 1st John 3:1-7 for Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are experiences that you have had that have made you more compassionate towards others?

2. Do you think God desires us to be perfect? Or do you think God is looking for something else from us?

3. What is the good news? WHy does the good news set us free?

4. What will you do with this good news?

We are back!  Our season 3 part 2 premiere’s with a podcast favorite guest, Pastor Allison.  She and Pastor A.J. discuss light and dark and the problem with some of this language in the Bible. Do you get uncomfortable with light and dark imagery in the Bible? No? Well let’s open ourselves up to other perspectives of why this language is harmful and who it harms. Pastor Allison and Pastor A.J. will explore other ways to express these images.  We will talk about 1 John 1:1--2:2 for Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Discussion Questions:

1. Where have you seen light and dark imagery used in church?

2. How have you felt about this imagery? Did you notice?

3. Why is it important to acknowledge and address how this has been used?

4. What does it mean for you to be in “abundant community”?

5. Where is the hope?

Thank you for patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for TFP to return for the rest of season 3! Well that wait is almost over! Look for Episode 3.15 on Tuesday, April 2, 2024!

Bathsheba is certainly another matriarch that makes lemonade out of lemons. Is it to protect her family and future children? She is a victim on a sexual power move and scandal that costs her husband his life. What is she to do in the midst of such horror and trauma? With God’s help, she becomes a queen and wise leader. Let’s talk about it.

Find downloadable materials for your Advent study group on our website! www.tenfootpolepodcast.com/unladylike

Discussion Questions:

1. Sit with the story of how Bathsheba becomes David’s wife. What sticks out to you as uncomfortable?

2. What power structures and disparities are in play in this story?

3. Does power hinder our ability to let God in?

4. What do you think of how David chooses to deal with his sin?

5. What do you think about how Bathsheba responds in her new circumstance?

6. How does this conversation between Pastor Carla and Pastor A.J. change your view of King David?

7. What parallels do you see between Bathsheba and Mary?

8. Where is God at work in this story through these very real and imperfect people?

9. What does this story tell us about people’s identity and how God works through each of us?

Ruth is one of only two women who have a book dedicated to them in our scriptures. Ruth’s story tells us a lot more about Naomi than Ruth. Naomi orchestrates a marriage proposal to secure a good life for her widowed daughter-in-law through deceit and indecency. Let’s talk about it.

Find downloadable materials for your Advent study group on our website! www.tenfootpolepodcast.com/unladylike

1. Dr. Wiseman says, “These women had little outside relationships, and use THEIR relationship to claim their place in the world.” Ruth and Naomi travel hundreds of miles to find security and a better life. Where else do we see this happening in scripture? In the world?

2. What risks do we take for our family?

3. Naomi acts with some indecency and puts Boaz in an awkward position. What does this tell us about her character? What do you think of how Naomi orchestrates this marriage proposal?

4. Does Naomi’s actions in the face of survival justify her actions?

5. Pastor A.J. says, “The foreigners, the sex workers, the deceptive women, and all literally included in the body of Christ.” What does their inclusion in this lineage tell us about the family and community of the body of Christ?

6. What do we take away from Ruth and Naomi’s story about what it means to be family?

It is unusual that Rahab be included in Jesus’ genealogy because she is not referenced in a genealogy anywhere else, in fact, Rabbinic tradition has her marrying Joshua, not Salmon. So what is the significance of Rahab being here? It could be because of her faith in God and covenant with the people of Israel. It could be because she is a foreigner in Jesus’ family uplifting this God and faith above just those who are ancestrally Israelites. Let’s talk about it.

Downloadable discussion guide at www.tenfootpolepodcast.com/unladylike

Discussion Questions:

1. Rahab is singled out as a prostitute, adding her un-ladylike quality. What is the significance of her occupation and beginning it up over and over?

2. How do you feel about the people of God committing genocide? And that it seems to be God ordained?

3. Does this justify glorifying violence in the name of our faith?

4. What are Rahab’s motivations to convert? Is it pure faith? Is it something else?

5. Martin Luther says (paraphrased), “O what a busy, mighty, active thing tis faith, it cannot help but to do good works.” Does Rahab’s actions come out of her faith? Or is it something else?

6. By including these women in the genealogy, what do you think the author of Matthew wants you to know about Jesus of Nazareth before he’s born?