Here
are some simple steps to follow:
- Locate your Bible. Determine which readings
your congregation will use. Read the texts for the coming Sunday.
Lectionary texts can be found at
http://www.elca.org/worship/church_year/calendars.html . A great resource for researching the Bible can be found at oremus on-line Bible Browser
(http://bible.oremus.org/)
- Read the newspaper, Internet news sources, or
listen and watch
broadcast news, especially with the texts in mind. Look for a current event that has
connections. This is an opportunity to use something local, or something happening
in your state. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes the news story
your fascinated with and the scripture texts just don't fit--it's a struggle and a stretch. But you do it
anyway, because that's the
kind of person you are. Oh beware. It's a slippery slope on a
steep mountain with a cliff or two, that being the practice of
massaging and contorting Scripture to fit where and what you want it
to. Or forcing a topic or world event into particular passage. The
healing of the leper probably doesn't have a lot to do with frying
french fries in vegetable oil.
Some sources for news stories and current world issues:
- Formulate some questions that spring from the story. Open-ended
ones are best. You know, those that can't be answered yes or no. Do you understand? (That
was closed-ended.) How does this make you feel? (That was open-ended.)
- Then, read the Bible texts for the coming week again, particularly
the Gospel.
- If you'd like, choose one of these options:
- write your own
Gospel reflection
- find an already-published devotional or reflection on that
text
- have group members write or draw their own response to the Gospel;
or
- go right into questions, which you have yet to write.
- If those aren't enough options, use the ELCA Help Sheet "Sitting with God" to
lead you through your study.
- Write some discussion questions that jump out from the text. Add an
activity, if the spirit moves you.
- You're ready to go through your usual routine with the group, or
mix it all up. Snack, pray, sing, cry, laugh, be together. After all, it's
Create
Your Own Faith Lens. And where you are gathered, God's spirit blows. Let it blow.
Program Resources
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