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April 18-25, 2007

Do you know “The Secret”?

Warm-up Question:

What is the secret to happiness?

 

The latest word in self-help guides is “The Secret.” That’s the title of a documentary film and New York Times bestselling book by Rhonda Byrne. According to Byrne, this ancient secret was known to such great minds as Plato, Shakespeare, Newton, Hugo, Beethoven, Lincoln, Emerson, Edison, and Einstein. The book and film record the thoughts and experiences of modern “practitioners” of the Secret.

So what is this Secret? In its simplest form, the Secret is what Byrne calls the law of attraction. Our thoughts, positive or negative, will attract similar outcomes. So, Byrne suggests you might lose weight by focusing on images of yourself as thin, instead of your present weight. It’s not the food that makes you overweight; it’s your negative thoughts about being overweight that packs on the pounds.

Some practitioners say they have brought on medical cures by thinking of themselves as being well. One woman describes offering prayers of thanks—in advance—as a method of curing her cancer. The Secret is that in her mind she was already cured.

The Secret’s supposed powers are not only physical. You can, for example, grow rich by thinking of your self as rich. You might give money away to attract more of it. Your positive thought being, “I’ve got plenty of money.”

If you are troubled by the ills of the world, you might follow the suggestion of one “The Secret” contributor and stop watching the news or reading the newspaper. Instead, imagine love, world peace, and similar thoughts. If you are opposed to war, your anti-war thoughts are attracting war! The Secret is to focus your mind on peace.

The Secret has so far spent 12 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Byrne has appeared on Oprah (two episodes) and a host of other talk shows. It appears the Secret isn’t much of a secret anymore.
 

[Leaders: The entire 90-minute film is available at www.thesecret.tv for $4.95. Watching the entire film is probably not a good use of your group’s time. However, you can watch the trailer for the film at no cost, which might give your group a sense of the mystical nature of “the Secret.”]

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Would you like to try the Secret? Why?
  2. Do you believe there is a secret to health, wealth, and happiness? What is it?
  3. Do you see an element of The Secret in Matthew 17:19-20 or in Matthew 9:20-22?
  4. How might the central concept of The Secret—focusing your mind positively on your goal—have a place in your faith life?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, April 22, 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 9:1-6 (7-20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection
In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to visit with some of his disciples, and to take care of some important business from before his crucifixion.

Peter had, as Jesus predicted he would, denied him three times on the night he was arrested. Of course, Jesus had already forgiven Peter, and Peter had to know that, but shame and guilt must have weighed on Peter’s heart. If you’ve ever harmed or slighted someone, and been unable to immediately apologize, you probably understand Peter’s agony.

Jesus, by asking three times, “Do you love me?” is giving Peter a chance to make up for his fearful betrayal that night. But the significance of their conversation goes a bit farther.

Perhaps you are familiar with the expression “Don’t say sorry; act sorry.” The idea is that a real apology, or atonement, is not just about the words you say; it also includes a commitment to act sorry by trying not to commit the same offense in the future.

Jesus also gives Peter the key to acting out his reconciled relationship with Christ. “Feed my lambs,” he says. “Tend my sheep.” His entire ministry can be boiled down to one of these three-word sentences. Be the proof of your relationship with me by having that same relationship with others. Until I come again, continue my work.

For all of us, there is a cost associated with our relationship with Christ. In verse 18, Jesus tells Peter the ultimate price he will pay. Elsewhere in the Gospels, (for example, Luke 12:51-52) Jesus makes more general statements about the acts that identify his followers. He also makes clear the cost (much of Matthew 10, for example) of discipleship.

The good news is that he is always with us when we face trials. And ultimately, his death and resurrection have won for us the gift of eternal life. And that’s no secret!

Discussion Questions

  1. The disciples caught no fish until Jesus made a suggestion that they go fishing again, and that they cast the net from a different side of the boat. What might this say about events in our own lives?
  2. How did Peter follow Jesus’ instruction to tend his sheep?
  3. How might you change your day-to-day life to better respond to this same instruction?
  4. Why is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus considered to be good news for the world?

Activity Suggestions
Make a documentary-style video entitled, “The Secret.” (This assumes your group has access to a video recorder. If not, you may wish to write, and possibly act out, a play of the same name.)

The secret in your film is the good news of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Not just the events themselves, but what it means for our lives.

In your film, you will want to include individuals from a variety of walks of life, corners of the globe, and periods in time. This will demonstrate the universal application of the Secret. You should include average individuals and celebrities. Those included in your film should discuss the effect of the Secret on their lives, and how those new to the Secret can benefit from it. Your film should convey to the viewer the truth of your message, and send him or her on the way to the same kinds of experiences.

Present your video or play to others, possibly a group of younger students, an adult group, or your entire congregation.
 

  Closing Prayer
Father, we thank you for all that you have given us. We are, like Abraham, blessed to be a blessing. Help us to seek opportunities to be your work in this world. We don’t want to keep your good news a secret from anyone. Strengthen and guide us; through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
 

Contributed by Jocelyn Breeland
Fairfax, VA
 

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