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The People of God

Called, Chosen, Empowered

A Bible Study written for the Transformation Program of the West Michigan Conference

By Susan Gray

2004

of 30C:\Documents and Settings\Russell\Desktop\BIBLE

Content

Why study the Bible……………………………………p. 1- 5

Abraham and Sarah Called……………………………p. 6-9

Chosen by God…….…………………………………...p. 10-14

The Body of Christ…………………………………….p. 15-20

The Empowerment of the Holy Spirit……………..…p. 20-23

Final Reflection…………………….…………………..p. 24-25

Bibliography……………………………………………p. 26


IntroductionThis Bible study’s purpose is two-fold. First, my hope is that people will experience authentic Christian community in their time together. Authentic Christian community is an experience of wholeness and deep relationship within a group. It is an experience where the Holy Spirit is present and nurturing true sharing. When reflecting on such an experience, people may say they felt the Spirit truly present or they felt a deep connection and acceptance in the group. They may say they feel closer to God and each other through their time together.

In order for participants to do this, the atmosphere of the gathering must be safe and it must build trust. No one should be made to feel that they have to share or respond if they feel uncomfortable sharing. All should feel respected and listened to when they share beliefs similar or dissimilar to the majority of the group. This study’s potential will be lessened tremendously if people to feel cannot not share how they really feel.

Secondly, this study’s purpose is to explore the Bible to discover new insights into God and God’s relationship with God’s people. The scripture are filled with stories, description of laws and prayers. You will be reading from the Old Testament and New Testament. The focus of this study will be on God’s faithfulness to God’s people throughout our history. I invite you to open yourself as one of God’s people today to how God is speaking to you, through this scripture exploration.

I suggest people read the booklet in preparation for meeting together. When doing so, I suggest you read the written material in this booklet and then read the scripture indicated. Read the questions and then re-read the scripture to look for responses to the questions. This is a scripture study. Study the scripture. Read the scripture slowly and carefully, you will find insights to share in response to the questions.

When you meet as a full group I suggest you also read the written material in the booklet and scripture references out loud together. Then go through and share your responses to the questions. Let your responses be the basis for a conversation about the scriptures – not just a sharing of answers around the table. Ask each other questions, “What do you mean by that,” or “Your comment make me think of ”… Let the conversation evolve and bring the whole group to a deeper understanding.

For many, this will be the first or only the second or third opportunity for Bible study. Some will feel awkward and shy about speaking. This study is not about showing what you know about the Bible. This study is for sharing your own faith or beliefs and learning about others- those in the group and those in scripture. No one in the group will have the right answer- for there is none. Read the scriptures as if looking to discover a secret, “How have people been called by God and how has God been faithful to God’s people?”

Enjoy your discovering!Susan Gray


Why study the Bible?

Lesson 1Learning Objectives:

• To explore the role and purpose of the church • To explore the role and purpose of the Bible• To clarify the environment needed to build trust and community

IntroductionIn this first session you will want to take some time to greet each other and visit. Allow about 15 minutes. Even if you think you know everyone and everyone knows you, share your name and one thing interesting about your week, or one thing that few people know about you.

Remember, you have come to study the Bible and to build community, to feel comfortable enough to share ideas, questions and doubts. Pay attention to how people are participating. Try to keep individuals and yourself from monopolizing the conversation. Remember that you may not feel comfortable with all that is said. That’s OK. People in the group will not be in the same place about all things all the time. God made each unique. Listen to what is discomforting to you. Listen to understand the others’ perspectives and beliefs. Remember you do not have to agree with what’s said. The goal of the group is to grow together in faith. This means giving and receiving wisdom from each other. It means treating and being treated with respect and trust so that a safe and accepting environment is created.

Please bring prayer into your time together. Start with prayer. At points in the conversation you may stop for prayer. At the conclusion, pray together. In a conversation where someone has lifted up pain or sadness or a joy, it is OK to pause for a quick word of prayer. This intertwining of prayer with conversation models that prayer is meant to be a natural part of life.

There are 3 parts to this study: 1. Exploring the role and purpose of the church 2. Exploring the role and purpose of the Bible 3. Sharing guidelines for the Bible study

It will be helpful for you to have newsprint to record thoughts on the church’s purpose so that all can see them.


Section I. Exploring the purpose of the church

In groups of 4-6 share your responses to the following questions in conversation,

1. What is the earliest memory (or one of the earliest memories) you have of being in church?

2. What is the purpose of the church from your perspective?(Have someone write the responses to this last question on newsprint)

In the full group, look over these following statements plus the ones you’ve listed. 1. The church’s life and purpose is not its own.2. The church is not simply another social institution.3. The church has a divine calling, a purpose that transcends its own worldly status, function or accomplishment.4. The church is present in the world on behalf of God by whose love and grace it has been called into existence.5. The church is here to meet the needs of its members.6. The church is here to serve the poor.

How do you feel about the statements? Do you agree with them, all, none, or some? Which if any do you feel are inaccurate or are incomplete? Discuss this as a group.

In a group with 2 others, identify which statement from the 6 listed or from the groups list is most compelling to you as a group of three? Answer the following question recording your thoughts here.

“If this statement was true, what difference would it make in the way we here at _______________ church make decisions, take action, and treat one another as we seek to be Christ’s church?

After each smaller group has shared responses with the full group, take a moment to record what you feel is important for you to remember out of this discussion.


Section II. Exploring the Bible

In groups of 4-6 answer the following questions in conversation.

1. Have your ever received a Bible as a gift or an heirloom? Share when and from whom?

2. What is the purpose of the Bible from your perspective?(Have someone write the responses to the last questions on newsprint)

In groups of three, discuss • which of these statements about the Bible’s purpose reflect your understanding.

• which of these are new to you.

The BibleThe Bible is a book that describes historical occurrences. It describes the journey of God with God’s people. It describes how God’s people were faithful and faithless. It gives us a mirror in which to see our own faithfulness and faithlessness. It gives us an idea of our own spiritual path.

Many use it as a straight forward answer book. For some very specific questions you can find specific answers. But that is not the richest way to read the Bible. The Bible can give you answers that deepen and fulfill your life if you read it to grow in understanding of God and in your relationship to God.

Think of a book that has had impact on your life. Perhaps a book you read as a young person or one you just finished. What was the impact? Did it let you see the world, or an aspect of the world, in a different way? Did it let you see yourself in relationship with others in a different way? If you answer yes to these then that book changed your life. This is what the Bible is meant to do. The Bible is meant to let you see God in a new way and see yourself in relationship to God and others, in a new way. It is meant to transform you, inside out.

Bible study is always challenging. Individual persons come to the study of Scripture from different backgrounds and experiences with the church. They also come with different expectations of the Bible, different understanding of God, different approaches to reading scripture, and different ways of interacting with others. This will become evident in your study. People will see things differently. They will draw different meaning from the same text. These differences will not mean you are doing something wrong. They simply reflect the multiple ways God reveals Godself to people. If you can hear differences as opportunities to see and hear new things, not as a requirement to


change, then the differences will be enriching. They will contribute to the building up of the whole community. Remember, community is not defined by unison and agreement but by acceptance, love and trust.

During this study be ready to:• learn, study and grow personally,• develop deeper and more supportive relationships with other team members, • be confused and frustrated and confront unfamiliar words or concepts,• be surprised by new ways of understanding old stories,• share passionately and listen with respect and love,• see how these ancient stories and text speak powerfully to our experience today,• be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit and to the transformation of our

minds and spirits by the word of God.

The Quadrilateral: A Methodist Tool for Knowing“What do I believe? What is a faithful attitude about this issue before our church?” Faithful people wrestle with these questions frequently. John Wesley, father of our present denomination, utilized a tool to help him in discerning his faith beliefs. Wesley used four elements when discerning a “right” theology or faith.

Wesley explained that what you believe has to be consistent with scripture, with the tradition of the Church, with personal experience and with reason. These four elements of scripture, tradition, experience and reason are the filter through which beliefs are run in order to ensure they are faithful. The phrase “consistent with scripture” does not mean the words must be printed in the text. “Consistent with scripture” means consistent with the stories of faith and the life of Christ represented in the scripture and understood through the context of the times. The tradition of the Church means the traditions, practices, rituals, belief statements and creeds over the ages, past to the present, that define us and give us identity as the people of God. Experience is your experience. How have you personally experienced this issue? How does that influence your heart and spirit? Finally, is what you believe reasonable, does it make sense in life and against the other three elements?

This way of discerning honors the whole person God created you to be. Your mind, experience and heart. It honors the community of faith through valuing its tradition. In a world where the latest spiritual fads flitter in and out of popularity, this quadrilateral gives you a sound and faithful way to build your belief.


Section III. Guidelines for the overall studyIt is important for a group to have guidelines agreed to by each group member. This lets all participants know what behavior to expect. It builds trust and a feeling of safety. The following are basic guidelines for a group. Read them over and discuss what they mean. Be specific with examples of language and behavior as you are exploring what these mean. For example when discussing “show respect for people’s ideas” talk about what it means, “listen without judgment” and what it does not mean, for example not saying, “that’s a foolish idea” or “ Christians don’t believe that”. It does not mean you can roll your eyes or shake your head “no,” while another speaks. Explore each guideline thoroughly and hold each other accountable to them.

1. We will show respect for people’s ideas.2. We can disagree about things without acting disagreeably. 3. We will listen, not interrupting each other, knowing we too will have our opportunity to share.4. We will share our understandings as opinion not facts.5. We will support each other to test ideas, images, beliefs and experiences in this group.6. We will make a safe place for people to share doubts. 7. We will listen so as to learn and grow.8. We will question anyone’s ideas and assumptions- especially our own.

Add your own to this list. 9.1011.

Now that you have explored these guidelines are you willing to accept them for yourself? Share your response with the full group by going around the room and getting a yes or no from each person.

Summary NotesWhat insights or images do you take away from this section of the study? Make notes here.


The Call of Abraham and Sarah


• To recognize that the church, the community of faith, is “a people called by God;”

• To explore God’s call to Abraham and Sarah as a call to the church• To explore God’s call to Adam and Eve and its relationship to Abraham’s and

Sarah’s call.

Review the guidelines for your group’s participation. Do this at the beginning of each gathering.1. We will show respect for people’s ideas.2. We can disagree about things without acting disagreeably. 3. We will listen, not interrupting each other.4. We will share our understandings as opinion not facts5. We will support each other to test ideas, images, beliefs and experiences in this group.6. We will make a safe place for people to share doubts. 7. We will listen so as to learn and grow.8. We will question anyone’s ideas and assumptions- especially our own9.1011.

The Call to a Community We begin with the recognition that the church, the community of faith, is a people called by God. The church is God’s church. God has called the church to participate in God’s own redemptive activity in the world. Part of our work as church leaders and members is to explore the biblical understanding of community in order to discern the call and mission of our own congregations.

The experience of Abraham and Sarah is a guide to understanding our own calling as Christians. Abraham and Sarah heard and responded to God’s call with radical trust and obedience. God called and they responded by embracing that call.

The story of Abraham and Sarah should not be interpreted as simply a story of two isolated individuals but as a story of the beginning of a people, the people of God. Starting with Abraham and Sarah, God brought into being a special community to be God’s witness, an alternative community in a creation gone astray. Through this new family, God desires to bring the whole creation into unity and harmony-shalom-with God.

God’s creative word is spoken into a situation of barrenness and hopelessness. God’s word does not depend on the potentiality of the persons addressed but holds within itself all that is necessary to begin a new people in history. God calls into being, things that do not exist.


God does not abandon his people but journeys with them. As with Abraham and Sarah, God’s presence and purpose provide the church today with the motivation and direction for our journey. We too are called to base our lives upon total reliance upon God.

The spiritual journey of the church, of your own congregation, is not an aimless wandering but an existence-towards. It involves discerning the call and being set on the road to a future full of promise. It involves faithful trust in God’s promises and active participation in God’s mission.

We can find in the Abraham narrative of Gen. 12: 1-4 qualities, which are central to the biblical understanding of community:1. God acts first by speaking a powerful and creative word into a concrete situation.2. The community not just the individual experiences salvation.3. The importance of God’s continual guidance and faithfulness.4. The trust and obedience required of the people5. God’s people play a key role in the fulfillment of God’s intent for all peoples.

(Excerpt from A People Called by God, Center for Parish Development 2002)

Divide into three groups and read the following – one for each group#1 Gen. 1:27 and 2:15 and 3:6-21#2 Gen. 6:11-8:5#3 Gen. 11:1-8

What was happening in this scripture? What was going on between God and God’s people? Look at the pattern over all these. How many times does God reach out punishing and ending –and then offer relationship once again?

Read Genesis12: 1-4 Have a participant read the scripture out loud while others follow along. Having a number of translations will make your reading richer.

Explore these questions together in small groups of 4 or in your full study group.1. What did Abraham know about where he was going and what he was to do when he left? What does this say about Abraham’s relationship to God?


2. Have you thought of God’s call to Abraham and Sarah as a call to all people of faith – how do you feel personally about you being called through Abraham and Sarah’s call?

3. Your congregation is a people called by God. Is this a new way of thinking about the congregation community for you? If yes, how is it different?

4. How do you feel about God when you think God creates new opportunity- new life- in barren situations? What does this say about God?

5. Do you or your congregation need to have anything – any gifts, money, resources, people to be reborn by God? What does this say about our need to do things just right or to have all things through before acting? Is this the faith and Abraham showed?

6. What do the insights & thoughts shared in this study say to you aboutyour personal faith journey?

the faith journey of this congregation?

The First Call


The original call came when humankind was created. Then God called on man and woman to “be fruitful and multiply” and to “fill the earth and subdue it.” Much environmental abuse has been justified by this scripture text. But our translation leaves out the true meaning of the words. The original word is more appropriately translated as tend or keep. The original call is not to have power over to oppress or subdue the earth but to tend it or keep it – to cultivate its ability to produce life. We are called from the very beginning to be part of nurturing the life creating force in the world. From the very beginning we are called to a specific task, set apart from other created life to support and nurture what God has created. This was the original call to be the people of God.

Read Genesis 1:26-28. Have a participant read the verses out loud. Explore these questions together in small groups of 4 or in your full study group.1. What does God tell Adam and Eve to do and promise to create with Abraham and Sarah? What does God tell Adam and Eve to do and promise to create with Abraham and Sarah?

2. How could a Christian today carry out the responsibility of to “till” and “keep” (as defined in your reading) in our non-agricultural society today?

3. Is this a call to the full community of humankind or just Adam and Eve, if so what does that mean to your congregation?



The Chosen People


• To learn about the continuity between the Old Testament and the church of the New Testament

• To explore being chosen not for superior treatment but for service to God by expressing God’s grace and love to others. Each is called to live in such a way that others come to know God through their actions.

• To understand that it is by God’s grace that we are chosen, not because of our good works or gifts, and that God’s grace is available to us before we are born (prevenient). God’s grace is what enables us to accept God’s love (justifying) and is what enables us to grow in our spiritual life (sanctifying).

The People of God Regaining Identity

God created a nation in God’s call to Abraham and Sarah. The nation grew and the people spread across what is now the Middle East. But when a severe famine struck the region, the Israelites came to Egypt for safety and food. Joseph, a Jewish man and advisor to the Pharaoh, kept them safe. The Jews literally moved into Egypt. Many, after time, adopted the ways of the Egyptians. Some did not. But their numbers grew. Eventually, Joseph died and the Jews support in the Pharaoh’s court lessened. They became so numerous that their growing numbers made the Egyptians anxious. It was then that the new Pharaoh had the Israelites enslaved (Exodus 1).

In Exodus the Israelites are living in slavery. They are crying out to God for their release. God responds, calling the people back into direct relationship with God. God has covenanted with their ancestors, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Noah. God has been with them throughout. So again, God intervenes on behalf of God’s people to release them from slavery. This begins once again, an intimacy between God and God’s people that defines the people. God reaches out, gathers them up and provides a leader to bring them close to God, faithful to God once more. They are truly God’s people for God has heard their cries and saved them.

Read Exodus 6:1-8. Have a participant read out loud as others read along.


Questions to ponder in groups of 4-6 or the full group 1. What is the situation of God’s people before the exodus – what defines them, what is their story?

2. Why is it important for God to them of their ancestors and how does that give them identity?

3. What type of liberation does God offer them and why?

4. Pretend God is speaking to your congregation. What would God remind you of so that you could re-member yourselves as the people called by God?

The People of God by God’s GraceDuring Jeremiah’s & Ezekiel’s time the people of God- the Jewish Kingdom split into two kingdoms with separate ruling families. The northern Kingdom of Israel had fallen and the southern kingdom of Judah was soon to fall. Each kingdom had lost their identity of being the people called by God. Ezekiel and Jeremiah spoke to a culture that had lost its spiritual core. It had politicized its faith and beliefs and had incorporated idols of other faiths and beliefs foreign to the one God of Israel (Jer.11). Jeremiah and Ezekiel were prophets clearly naming how the people had gone astray and what the consequences of such faithlessness would be.

Each speaks about God’s power over the creation, God’s action toward the faithless and God’s action toward the faithful. Both declare the grace of God. Both clearly place God in the center of the life of the people whether the people are faithful or not. God responds


to creation based on God’s choice not the people’s choice or action. God chooses how to act, how to call and how to redeem God’s people not based on the peoples’ actions or words -but based on God’s grace.

John Wesley, the founder of the early Methodist movement that evolved into the present United Methodist Church, was convinced that God’s grace was the source of our life, our ability to commit to Christ and our ability to grow in the Spirit. Wesley did not believe that good works brought salvation. Only God could bring salvation and would bring it by God’s grace. This grace was God’s in reaching into our lives without us deserving or doing anything to earn it or deserve it. This grace was unconditional and freely given by God and brought goodness and new life to us.

Wesley saw God’s grace present in people’s lives in three ways. Before our birth God’s grace is available for us. Without even needing to be born God is present to us, claiming us and seeking the best for our lives. This, Wesley called prevenient grace. As we came to know and experience Christ, we come to know his love. Christ’s love for us is limitless. Christ offers to heal us, teach us, live with us and sacrifice his life for us. This love is beyond our imagining and hard for us to comprehend. It is God’s grace that brings that love to us and makes our acceptance of it possible. This Wesley called justifying grace. Finally our life is a journey toward living and sharing the humility and acceptance that Christ offered. Our life is a journey in modeling our relationships after the model of Christ. God’s grace keeps our growth and movement forward possible. This Wesley called sanctifying grace. This grace, prevenient, justifying and sanctifying come to us out of God’s love- not out of our good works. We do not have to pass a test or do a certain amount of “good works” to earn it. God’s grace is a gift freely given by God’s love.

Read Jeremiah 1:4-8 & Ezekiel 36:22-28. Have a participant read out loud as others read along.Questions to consider in groups of 4-6 or in the full small group1. How do these passages speak of God’s grace?

2. What does prevenient grace say about God’s relationship to us, and what we bring to the relationship?

3. How does grace relate to the previous study of Abraham and Sarah and God bringing forth opportunity in the midst of barrenness?


4. How do you experience grace in this congregation?

The New People of God Jesus initiates the new community or new people of God. With Christ comes God’s intervention in the most intimate way possible with God’s creation. The people are called back into right relationship with God- a call that carried its own struggles and joys.

As a “counter cultural” sect in Judaism, the early Christians had to come together for education, support and accountability. Being one of the followers of Christ was not easy for Christ’s way was not easy. Jesus’ way turned what was accepted as power and privilege up side down. This was “nonsense” to the rational and “scandal” to the godly (1Cor. 1:23). It called people to a complete turn around- a reorienting towards the world as God chose it to be. It was a mystery to be understood. And only certain ones “had ears to hear” (Matthew). Leslie Newbegin writes, “The secret of the kingdom is given to those who have been chosen - chosen not for themselves but chosen to be the bearers of the secret for others.”

Being chosen for the benefit of others itself is an extraordinary concept. Set apart from others to reveal the distinctiveness of Christ’s message and its opposition to the social norm was notorious. This was a different way of being in the world. Because they had been called and received the salvation of God through the Messiah- they were part of the new community of God’s people. They were chosen – called again- to extend God’s love given through Christ to all. This brought a new energy and focus to an ancient call to be the people of God.

Read 1 Peter 2:1-12. Have a participant read out loud as others read along.Questions to consider in groups of 4-61. What was the situation of the people of God before the coming of Christ?

2. “The secret of the kingdom is given to those who have been chosen - chosen not for themselves but chosen to be the bearers of the secret for others.” Leslie Newbegin.God gives the people a purpose in this scripture. It relates to Newbegin’s quote. How do you feel about being chosen to make God real to another?


3. How do you deal with the exclusive nature of being a “chosen people and royal priesthood”? How is one excluded and through what, is one included?

4. How are we like/not like the people who are in this text?

5. What can we learn as we try to be the people of God from this text?



The Body of Christ


• To understand the how the Body is experienced through communion• To understand the physical & spiritual implications of being the Body of Christ• To understand the responsibility of individuals for the Body’s health as it is lived

out in a congregation

The Incarnate GodGod dwelt among us as Jesus. This is a powerful statement about who God is and how God cares for God’s creation. In Christianity, we believe that God has done more than reveal Godself to and through the prophets and teachers. We believe God lived among us through the being of Jesus Christ.

There is a saying in the Native American tradition, “to know another’s life you must walk a mile in their moccasins.” When you trade places with another, you learn more about his or her life. But you also reveal something about yourself. You show how much you are willing to do to learn about another. God showed how intimate God’s relationship to us is through this act of incarnation.

God’s incarnation in Jesus was filled with love, healing, teaching and sacrifice. Jesus’ life revealed very specific things about God- God’s preferential care for the marginalized and God’s blessing to those who also sacrifice for God’s sake (Matthew 5:1-10). Jesus’ life was lived in contrast to the norms of the times. He ate with tax collectors and befriended prostitutes and the poorest of the poor. He admonished the leaders of the Temple who required the poor to pay for sacrifices (Matthew 21:12-13) and he expected more from the rich than just practice of ritual. He asked people to turn away from, to sacrifice, their own beliefs about power and status, about priorities in life. He asked them to turn their lives over to God to help build God’s kingdom on earth. This meant a commitment of life, wealth, position and service to others, so that others would see Christ reflected in their lives (1 Cor. 1:18-25).

Read Luke 2:1-20. Have participants read out loud while others read along.Questions to ponder in groups of 4-6 or the full group:

What does God’s incarnation in Jesus say to you about God’s relationship to us and creation?


2. Why does God choose to come as an infant? What does it say about God’s trust of us?

3. What does the incarnation teach us of how to trust God?

The Body Built Up to MaturityA congregation is much like a family. It can be functional or dysfunctional. Congregations, like families, have specific ways of behaving, communicating, decision making, fighting and of loving each other. These can reflect God’s love or they can reflect little more than egos of the congregants.

As the early church was built, congregations found themselves dealing with many of the struggles that we live with today- a congregation fighting over who had control (Corinthians), or a congregation confused about what was the true teaching of Christ (Colossians). How a group of people deals with these issues is as important as the outcomes themselves. A church that resolves conflict by ignoring pain is no more faithful than a church that preaches Jesus was not really crucified. Both stab at the heart of the Gospel.

Congregations are not called to increase their membership and giving by 4% each year. Congregations are called to live the greatest commandment through how they treat people within their congregational community, their neighboring community and beyond. The Body of Christ is represented by a congregation that uses its gifts in service to building the kingdom of God, not the size of their church. Given the norms of our culture- bigger is better, more resources mean more stability, individual rights override communal rights- it is hard to keep steady in the values of the Gospel. Maturity is necessary to be able to stay steady doing the things that are faithful to the counter cultural view inherent in the Gospel. Maturity is necessary to keep the long view, to keep steady through the movement of God’s time.

Reflect together on this question. How are the norms of the Gospel different from the norms of the culture?


Read Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16, 25-32 and 5:1-2. Have participants read out loud while other follow along in their texts. Questions to ponder in groups of 4-6 or in the full group 1. How does one build up the body of Christ, how can it be – or is it being- done in your congregation? (Refer to verses 4:2-3 & 26-32).

2. How does one undermine the body of Christ? Is that being done in your congregation?

3. In what situations have you felt “tossed to and fro” or have you seen the congregation tossed to and fro? How does maturity keep one from being tossed to and fro?

5. Where is maturity acted out in your congregation?

The Body of Christ in CommunionThe Body of Christ is a phrase used to describe the congregation and the larger Christian Church. The people called by God are called to live in such a way as to make the Body of Christ real in this world. This can only be done when we are embedded in faithfulness to God-when we give our lives over to God in order to become part of the Body (John 15:1-8). Being the people of God enables us to become the Body of Christ.

In Jesus’ last meal with the disciples he said of the bread he broke, “Take and eat. This is my body broken for you” (Matthew 26:26-30). In traditional Catholicism there is a belief that the bread served at communion is literally transformed into the body of Christ at each communion. Roman Catholics believe that participants in communion actually take in the body of Christ and therefore become one with Christ. This belief,


transubstantiation, puts in physical form what Protestants believe figuratively. While we do not believe the bread we eat is the actual body of Christ, we do believe that the act of communion signals our sincere desire to be in full relationship with Christ so that we might authentically re-present him to the world.

The Last Supper of Christ that we celebrate as communion was actually the Jewish celebration of the Passover. This celebrated God’s sparing the Jews when the first born of Egypt were killed. It celebrated God’s commitment to God’s people and their being freed from slavery in Egypt. Through Christ, we see God chooses to reach out to God’s people once again. God recommits to God’s people through Jesus’ birth (God’s own incarnation) his life, death and resurrection. Through Jesus, we are brought into a new life with God. We receive a new richness in life that even death cannot steal away. We too die and rise with Christ as the new people of God.

We are celebrating the stark and powerful commitment that God gives to God’s people when we experience communion. We celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made to ensure our freedom from being enslaved to sins and we remember God’s ancient commitment to free God’s people from enslavement to Egypt. In communion, we bring together the passionate commitment of God to freeing God’s enslaved people and calling them to new life and new community through Him.

Read Matthew 26:17-30Questions to ponder in groups of 4-6 or the full group:

1. How does communion give us a distinct identity-different from the Old Testament, as the new people of God?

2. How is sacrifice done in the Old Testament? What is the sacrifice so central in the New Testament? Does this signal a new quality of relationship between God and God’s people?

3. The Last Supper and Passover carry symbolism of sacrifice and freedom. Both are ancient and basic sacred rituals meant to define us as God’s people. If communion is


meant to be one of the rituals that defines us and forms us as the Body of Christ, then what influence is it mean to have upon us. What are we to embody because of communion?



The Empowerment of the Holy Spirit

Lesson 5Learning objectives:

• To learn that the Holy Spirit does not exist to help the church fulfill its mission. Rather, the church exists to be of service to the Spirit.

• To understand that the Holy Spirit brings “divine gifts” or “graces” to individuals in the church, and that these are given to lead and guide the church in its service to God.

• To discover that the Holy Spirit transforms individuals and churches.• To learn that the presence of the fruits of the Spirit is the standard of success for

the church.

The Outpouring of the Holy SpiritPlace yourself in the disciples’ situation. Christ has died and been resurrected. He has visited the women then the disciples, the others. He shared that he would send the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). But he is gone now. Now it is just the disciples and other followers. What happens now? What happens to the disciples? They wait. They pray. They do not act except to choose two men as options to replace Judas. They cast lots and Matthias is selected. Then they wait.

Why did they wait? Why didn’t they act? What kept them back? As soon as the Holy Spirit comes, the church explodes. People come by the hundreds for baptism. People are added to their number by the hundreds. Miracles are performed. They share of their poverty and wealth so that all are fed. Without the Spirit, they wait. With the Spirit, they are alive.


ExerciseDivide into groups of 2-4 people. Try to get 4 groups. (If not, divide into 2 groups and each group will take 2 passages and produce two separate drawings.) Each group will take a portion of Acts 1 & 2 and represent it on newsprint. The newsprint will be brought together to create a timeline or “cartoon-strip” of the 2 chapters. Use lots of color and textures. Be creative and have fun. This is not a drawing contest. This is a fun and easy way for the group to review a large passage of scripture. Place a caption under the drawing or use word balloons (as in comic strips) to communicate the “gist” of the scripture. Take only take about 20 minutes for this.

Acts 1:1-8Acts 2:1-13Acts 2:14-36Acts 2:36-42 (this can be combined with the above)Acts 2:43-47

When you finish put your newsprint up in order of the lessons.

Questions for reflection in groups of 2-4 or the full group:1. What do the pictures tell you? What do you believe the Spirit brought to the group?

2. Read John 3:1-10. How does what you the Spirit enables in Acts relate to what Jesus told Nicodemus about the Spirit?

3. How is the power of the Holy Spirit moving through your congregation- or are you waiting? What are the signs? What blocks you, or keeps you waiting?


The Fruits of the Holy SpiritIn Paul’s time just like ours, people wanted to use outside markings or indications of whether people should be allowed in. Do they dress up on Sunday or just wear sloppy blue jeans? Do they live in the suburbs or on the street? Do they know not to applaud in the service? We all have marks that indicate if you’re in or not. In Paul’s time the mark was physical- circumcision. Uncircumcised men were not truly faithful. Paul knew that by giving this mark the power to include and exclude, the power to include or exclude- was taken away from Christ. Paul argued, “But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

We eagerly wait through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. The Spirit is what brings us the righteousness- the right relatedness to God. Paul is telling the Galatians that the Spirit is what makes it possible to have a right relationship to God. The fruits of the Spirit are ours as the Spirit fills our lives. The Spirit sanctifies us- brings us into being- the people of God.

Read Galatians 5:1-26Questions for reflection in groups of 2-4 or the full group 1. Paul tells the Galatians to not get circumcised because it was Christ who set them free? What does he mean by that?

2. What indications or marking does your congregation think are essential for inclusion in the Body of Christ?

3. List under the headings the qualities or characteristics that fit.“works of the flesh” “fruits of the Spirit”


4.What are the marks of success in our world?

5. Based on scripture, what do you believe are the marks of success for a congregation?

6. What would your congregation be doing if it were living by these marks of success?

7. Remember your previous studies… By what power are these good things done? What is their source?

What resources or skills must a congregation have in order to do these good things?



Final ReflectionReview your summaries of each session and respond to the following questions. Begin your reflection with 3-5 minutes of silence. Then give everyone time to write responses to the questions. Please take a minimum of 10 minutes for reflecting and writing responses. Then in small groups of 4 or in the full group, have everyone share answers to the questions as they feel comfortable sharing. 1. What have you discovered or learned about becoming a people called by God? Summarize your key learnings and insights.

2. What is the basis and purpose of a congregation of people called by God?

3. How has your relationship with God been touched by this study?

4. How has your relationship with others in this group been touched by this study?

5. How has your relationship with the Holy Spirit been touched by this study?

7. What does your congregation need, what barrier is in the way, for it to truly become the people called by God.


Bibliography

Brueggerman, Walter. A Commentary on Jeremiah - Exile and Homecoming William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1998.

Deitrich, Inagrace, A People Called By God, a Resource for Church Transformation, Center for Parish Development, Chicago, Illinois. 2002.

Newbegin, Leslie, Mission in Christ’s Way, a Gift, a Command, an Assurance Friendship Press, New York, NY. 1987.

Wilkinson, Loren. Ed. Earthkeeping, Christian Stewardship of Natural Resources William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1980.
