CALLED TO BE THE CHURCH

Posted on by revfrankwulf

A Bible Study for Lent 2020 – Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

WEEK 2: BLESS YOU!

March 10, 2020

To join the Bible Study online, either click on the following link or copy and paste it into your online browser:

https://zoom.us/j/992058268?pwd=ZHVBNmRMc282MnRYd3dZaFB3WVFTZz09

Welcome

Introduction to Lenten Practices:

So what is a Lenten practice? A Lenten practice is anything we do during Lent that opens us up and brings us closer into God’s presence. A Lenten practice is like going to the gym for your faith. It may be awkward at first and difficult, but afterwards you feel good; and after doing it for a while, you notice changes and strengths, and it becomes so much a part of your routine that you can’t imagine life without it. Some common Lenten practices include prayer, fasting, generosity, confession, Bible study, hospitality, working for justice, and meditation.

The Lenten discipleship practices that we will explore are each tied to the Christian values of generosity, thankfulness, and stewardship. Each week, not only will we learn about a specific Lenten practice, but you will be given ideas about different ways that you can actually do it. Try it; play with it; see how it opens you up to God. By taking this opportunity and trying each practice, you will be making space in your life to actively live out the Way of Jesus.

Opening Litany:

As we travel this Lenten pathway, we journey together, a community of faith.

As we travel this Way of Jesus, we journey together, but also alone.

Practicing our faith:

living Christ’s call to love God with all that we are, to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Practicing our faith:

as stewards on the Way.

Prayer

Witness of the Stewards:

Last week, we were asked to practice saying ‘No’ and ‘Yes’ wisely like a follower of Jesus. How did this spiritual practice of giving conscious thought to our values in the decisions we make open us up to God?

One:    For the stories we have shared, for the lives we have lived, for the love you have given—

All:      Thank you, God!

One:    May the stories of our friends remind us all that we are on the Way together!

All:      Thank you, God! Amen!

Reading Scripture – Genesis 12:1-4a

Now God said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse: and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went as God had told him, and Lot went with him.

Discussion

  • Last week, we explored the Lenten practice of saying ‘No!’ to many things based on the values decisions we have made to say ‘Yes!’ to other things. The spiritual practice of consciously basing our Nos and our Yeses on our fundamental values is THE Stewardship and Discipleship question above all others.
  • As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to organize our lives around the belief that everything we are and have comes from God, who generously shares and gives to us out of God’s great love for us. And not just us… but every living being on this planet and beyond this planet. That’s how expansive God’s love is.
  • Now it’s our turn to decide how we are going to use whatever God has given us! However, we are not asked to do this in a vacuum. God has given us some guidelines, assistance, and even rules to help us make good decisions about how we are going to use all that God has given us.
  • Re-read Genesis 12:1-2b aloud: “Now God said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great.”
  • What are the blessings that God promises to give Abram?
    • ________________________________________________________
    • _________________________________________________________
    • _________________________________________________________
  • Now read Genesis 12:2c aloud: “… so that you will be a blessing.” In fact, this brief line has not been translated exactly correctly. The Hebrew text is actually written in the command form: “So, be a blessing!” What does it mean for God to command Abram to be a blessing? What are some ways that Abram can he use the blessings with which he is being blessed in such a way as to bless others?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

  • Google defines blessing as “a beneficial thing for which one is grateful; a person’s sanction or support.” Of course blessings can be both physical and non-physical. How have you been blessed in these ways:

Physical blessing:_______________________________________________

Non-physical blessing: ___________________________________________

  • Now think about a time when you were blessed in some way by someone else. How did it make you feel? How did you want to respond after being blessed in this way?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

  • Describe a time when you were a blessing to someone else. How did it make you feel to be in the position of blessing another?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

  • How has being a part of this congregation of God’s people helped you in your efforts to be a blessing?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

  • How has being a part of the larger United Methodist Church helped you in your efforts to be a blessing?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Prayers of the People and the Prayer that Jesus Taught Us

Today, for our prayers, we’re going to take some time to offer to God a few things. Before we begin, take a moment to look around the room. Take a look at the people who are here or online. You may know them really well, a little bit, or not at all. Think about them, and, through them, about all of the people whom you come into contact with in some way.

                  (Pause for a moment)

Now I’d like to ask you to take one of the colored slips of paper you were given; it doesn’t matter which color. I’d ask you to imagine writing the name of someone or something for which you are grateful—a person, a place, something from your past, something from now. Whatever it is for which you are thankful, imagine naming it, or drawing it, on that piece of paper.

                  (A few moments for reflection)

Now, let that name or image represent all for whom and for which you are thankful in your life.

                  (A moment for reflection)

Take the second slip of paper. Take a moment to reflect on the past week. Was there a time when, for whatever reason, you did something or failed to do something that got in the way of your loving God, or loving your neighbor, or loving yourself? Is there something broken that you want—or need—to tell God about?

                  (A few moments for reflection)

Imagine writing that down on the slip of paper.

                  (A moment for reflection)

Now, let that image represent all of the broken moments in your life.

Take the third slip of paper. Is there someone or some place that you know is in need of an extra measure of your love, and of God’s love? Perhaps it’s someone you know, or something you have heard about on the news.

                  (A few moments for reflection)

Imagine describing that person, place, or situation on the slip of paper.

                  (A moment for reflection)

Now, let that image represent all of the people and places around the world that are in need.

Let’s sit in silence, as the slips are gathered up.

(When the slips are gathered up, take them in your hands to a communion table or altar and let them fall from your fingers, fluttering down, as you say:)

Blessed and blessing, these are our prayers, God of all.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Announcements and Assignment for Next Week:

  • Read Psalm 95:1-7. Spend time praying about how God is calling you to be regular in entering into God’s presence, both alone and as part of a community of God’s people.
  • Practice being a blessing in stealth mode. At least once a day, use something you have been given and blessed with to secretly bless someone else.
  • Other announcements?

Benediction and Commissioning

As we travel this Lenten pathway, we journey together, a community of faith.

As we travel this Way of Jesus, we journey together but also alone.

Let us go into God’s world, practicing our faith,

living Christ’s call to love God with all that we are, to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Let us go into God’s world

knowing we are never alone. Christ’s peace, the Creator’s love, and the breath of the Holy Spirit go with us. Amen!

Based on “Called to Be the Church: Congregational Giving Program,” The United Church of Canada

https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/called_to_be_the_church_five_sundays_of_lent.pdf