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Discussion Questions
- What is your initial reaction to this new trend? Would you join a cyber
church, or participate in a virtual Seder meal? Why or why not? (Do you have
an avatar on Second Life? What’s it like? What do you do?)
- What might some of the spiritual benefits be of sharing a prayer meeting,
Bible study, or worship with people from all around the world?
- One Second Life user said, "My prayer in my room is valid, and my prayer
on-line is symbolic." Do you think it’s possible for someone to get so caught
up in these virtual interactions that they neglect their Christian
responsibilities and interactions in the real world? How can someone maintain
a healthy balance between on-line Christian fellowship and their real-world
spiritual life? What is the difference? Is that difference changing? (Remember
that at one time visiting the moon or the existence of computers was
considered to be wild fantasy, not part of the “real world.”)
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Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, April 15, 2007.
(Text links are to
oremus Bible
Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings
for Year C at
Lectionary Readings.)
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 118:14-29 or
Psalm 150
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31
For lectionary humor and insight, check
the weekly comic
Agnus
Day.
Gospel Reflection
The disciples were in a kind of holding pattern. Their Lord had been
declared to be resurrected from the dead. Several people had even reported
seeing him again. But most of the disciples had not, and he certainly had not
offered them any help on what to do next. They feared that the Jewish leaders
who were responsible for Jesus being crucified would come after them next. And
so, aimless, leaderless, and clueless, the disciples did the only thing they
could—they gathered together. They gathered for the strength of fellowship.
Alone, it was much easier to panic in light of their situation. But together,
they could rely on each other for strength and encouragement. John does not tell
us what they were doing as they sat there in that locked room. It's probably
reasonable to assume that they were deep in prayer and conversation together.
And then, all of a sudden, their prayers were answered.
Jesus was suddenly in the midst of them. He told them, "Peace be with you."
He said it twice, reassuring them that the Jewish leaders were not a reason to
panic because he still had work for them to do. And with that, he gave them the
Holy Spirit and gave them their assignment. "If you forgive the sins of any,
they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Their
assignment was to spread the word of salvation and hope to the world; to tell
everyone the good news that they had witnessed and were continuing to witness of
the resurrection of their Lord. In a few weeks, they would go out, speaking in
tongues, performing miracles, and spreading the gospel. But before they were
ready for any of that, they needed fellowship and strengthening with one
another.
Thomas, though, had not been with them, and so, as it turned out, was not
quite ready for taking on his assignment. He doubted them, and demanded to see
the evidence of the risen Christ for himself. And so he did! Perhaps it was
Jesus' wounds that convinced Thomas, or maybe it was just the mere sight of the
risen Lord that made him believe. But either way, it started with his finally
joining the other disciples in the room. It started with being present with
other people of faith.
And so it is with us. Spiritually, we need regular contact with other
believers, for encouragement and strength to help us face difficult times,
doubts, and questions. Life is filled with challenges and complexity, and no
matter what we may think, we can't face them alone. We need God's help, of
course, but we also need the help of other members of the body of Christ, to
keep us strong, to pray with us, encourage us, and help us lead our Christian
lives. When we are in regular communion with the body of Christ, God gives us
peace, healing, and hope. God breathes the Spirit into us and makes us stronger.
And God gives us our mission and assignments for everyday life.
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Discussion Questions
- Besides going to church every Sunday, what are some other ways we can have
fellowship with other members of the body of Christ? (What do we mean when we
talk about fellowship?)
- Some people have to work on Sundays and can't make it to church regularly.
What are some ways that they can continue to be involved in worship, learning,
prayer, service, and fellowship with other believers so that their faith can
remain strong? What can the congregation do to help?
- For a person unable to attend church regularly, do you think that
membership in a virtual church such as the ones in Second Life would be a
reasonable substitute? Why or why not?
- What are some things that you can do to encourage other followers of
Christ and help strengthen their lives? What are some things that Christians
can do together that can help strengthen each other’s faith and sense of
mission?
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Activity Suggestions
- Thomas' side of the story
Thomas has always gotten kind of a bad rap. He's called "Doubting Thomas" and
held up as a bad example for not believing when the disciples told him to. But
how many would really have fared any better in his position? Put yourself in
Thomas's shoes, and write a brief monologue from his point of view, about why
he might have been so reluctant to believe at first, and what it was that
finally changed his mind. Or create a TV interview role play
with Thomas as the featured guest. Ask him/her probing questions and offer the
opportunity to tell his side of the story.
- God works through us in spite of our flaws
Find some other people in the Bible who doubted God's plans or intentions at
first, and needed further proof. Take note of what God was able to accomplish
through them in spite of their doubt, questions, resistance, or disbelief?
Examples: Moses (Exodus 3-4:17), the starving woman (1 Kings 17:8-16), Jonah,
Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10), Mary (Luke 1:26-38), and Saul and Ananias (Acts
9:1-21).
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord, we all doubt sometimes. Help me not to be consumed by that doubt,
but instead to seek strength from your Word and other members of your body, and
with their help and yours, to keep my eyes on you through all the rough times.
Create in me a clear sense of what you want me to do with my life in this world.
Amen
Contributed by Steven Alloway
Granada Hills, CA
Permission
to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. ELCA Youth
Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens,
e-mail: rod.boriack@elca.org.
Program Resources
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