TEN FOOT POLE

Tamar is our first “un-ladylike” Matriarch.  She takes matters into her own hands in a scandalous sex story.  She subverts the societal norms that keep her in her place.  Join Pastor Tuhina and Pastor A.J. in this deep conversation about one of our Biblical Matriarchs and her story of scandal, betrayal, and redemption.  Find downloadable materials for your Advent study group on our website! www.tenfootpolepodcast.com/unladylike

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to be “ladylike”?

2. How is this image of women oppressive?

3. How does Tamar break this mold?

4. What systems and structures are in play that cause Tamar’s situation?

5.  Pastor Tuhina says “the most vulnerable some can be is in a place a space of non-existence”, what are examples of this in our society?

6. What does it mean to fulfill what God calls us to be beyond our gender?

7. What does it mean for us to have the story of God’s people so explicit?

8. “What is often one of the biggest yearnings for people who wander?”

Christ the King Sunday seems like a long standing tradition, right? Well, it was instituted not nearly as far back in history than you may think.  In a world that is overrun with leaders who put themselves first and highest of all, here’s your quick reminder: Christ is above all.  This Sunday and it’s meaning is an invitation into God’s coming empire.  Join Pastor Jason and Pastor A.J. in this conversation about what God’s kingdom is, what is our expectation, and who is invited into this empire. We look at Matthew 25:31-46 for Sunday, November 26, 2023. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your experiences with Christ the King Sunday?

2. What does the word “empire” make you feel? “Kingdom”? “Commonwealth”?

3. How do you interpret what Jesus asks us to do for this kingdom/empire?

4. How do you read and interpret the Bible in your life?

5. Where is the good news?

Remember: next week starts out Advent Matriarch Study!  Look for materials online at www.tenfootpolepodcast.com/unladylike

In this episode we dive into a deep conversation around complacency fueled by the prophet, Zephaniah.  When are we complacent in the church? In our lives? How is this prophet drawing us out into the world and challenging this complacency?  We chat about Zephaniah 1:7-18 for Sunday, November 19, 2023. 

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is complacency bad?

2. Do you think Zephaniah’s heritage matters here? 

3. What is the opposite of complacency? 

4. What are we being drawn out to do?

5. How does Zephaniah teach the broadening of the family of God?

6. What does it mean to you to be “called, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world”?

7. When are we complacent in church?

Join Pastor Elise and Pastor A.J. as we read some of Paul’s mail.  1st Thessalonians is one of the earliest letters of Paul and it’s very pastoral.  The big question from this community is “what if we die before Jesus comes back? Do we still get to go to Heaven?”  Seems like a weird questions to us now, but it was a very scary reality they were living with.  Let us dive into what is our theology around death, the afterlife, and the second coming of Jesus.  This episode talks about 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 for Sunday, November 12, 2023.

Discussion Questions:

1. What aspects of our faith do we struggle with and wish we had someone like Paul to write a letter to?

2. When and how did you develop your working theology around the afterlife?

3. What was the most uncomfortable part of the afterlife conversation for you?

4. How often do you talk about death in your study of the Bible?

5. What do you want to look back on your life and see? How do you get there?

6. What is the good news?

Looking for a Bible study for Advent? Well look no further... the TFP has got you covered! This Advent we will bring in four amazing female theologians to talk about the four Matriarchs that are called out in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew and the scandal around their stories. Look for materials on our website: tenfootpolepodcast.com/unladylike and look for the first episode starting November 28th at 7AM EST!

This is an introspective one.  When we look in the mirror, what are our big phylacteries and long fringes?  What do we need to take a moment to examine in ourselves as a church that Jesus may be calling out?  If Jesus were to walk in your church, what would he be upset about?  Pastor Ray and Pastor A.J. dig deep into what Jesus might be calling us out on and calling us into as people of God.  This episode is about Matthew 23:1-12 for Sunday, November 5, 2023.

Discussion Questions:

1.  Do you ever suffer from “Princess Syndrome” in the church?

2.  Where do we get caught up in “teams” in our faith?

3. What are things about your church that you think Jesus would be upset about?

4. What do you think are Jesus’ expectations of us?

Get your hammers out folks, it’s reformation time!  Pastor Ralen Robinson joins us to discuss some history and theology around the Protestant Reformation and it’s roots.  We name some historical roots to the Reformation other than Martin Luther and we dive into what it means to be a continually reforming church.  This episode discusses Romans 3:19-28 for Reformation Sunday 2023.

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you recall about how you have been taught about the Reformation?

2. What does Pastor Ralen’s stained glass imagery draw to mind for you?

3. What does it mean to be a “reformation church”?

4. How do you see justice and righteousness tied together?

5. What are the gifts of the Reformation that you see in the church?  

Additional Notes:

Interview with Dr. David Daniels discussing the African roots of the Reformation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62X8xc3nbIs

Render unto Cesar what is Cesar's.... How many times have we heard this? Well what does it really mean? What does it not mean? How has this shaped how we view the separation (or not) of church and state in the United States? Join Pastor Brad and Pastor A.J. in this conversation about the Gospel Lesson, Matthew 22:15-22, for Sunday, October 22, 2023.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your theology around paying taxes?

2. Give to Cesar what is Cesar’s… How have you heard this used before?

3. And give to God what is God’s… How have you heard this used before?

4. How does it change the meaning to hear “Cesar’s likeness” and “God’s likeness”?

5. How do you view our relation of “church and state”?

6. What does it mean to render what is God’s to God mean to you after this conversation?

7. What is the Good News?

Jesus is hot and hangry, strong-arming his way into the temple again. The church leaders are not having it today, a verbal scuffle breaks out and so, like he does, Jesus argues with another parable. Join Fr. Will Berry and Pastor A.J. as they discuss this brazen argument, the violent parable, and ultimately, the care God shows to even the "wicked" ones. This episode discusses Matthew 21:33-46 for Sunday, October 8th, 2023.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on supersessionism?

2. How do you explain your faith? Is it at the expense of others?

3.  What do you think Jesus is calling us (and the audience) to do in caring for God’s vineyard?

4. What does it mean to you how the vineyard owner takes care of the tenants?

5. Why is the radical welcome of Jesus so dangerous?

6. Where is the Good News?

We meet up with Jesus again arguing with the authorities.  Who gives authority? What is good authority?  Jesus seemingly has an 8th grade argument and tells them to get at the back of the line for recess.  Deacon Julie and I dive into a tough conversation around authority, sacrifice, and atonement for the gospel lesson, Matthew 21:23-32, for Sunday, October 1st, 2023.

Discussion Questions

1. Where have you struggled with institutional authority in your life?

2. What does Jesus say about authority? (here or other places too)

3. “We often sacrifice the most vulnerable people on the altar of unity” - Bp. Bill Gohl.  Discuss Bp. Gohl’s words, who do we sacrifice for “Christian Unity”?

4. What do you think it means to be a “Good Christian”?

5. What does it mean to you that we are simultaneously saint and sinner?

6. Have you spent a lot of time thinking about: did Jesus have to die? What atonement theories do you understand best?

7. What is the Good News?