Lent Course Living as Disciples Leaders notes Introduction

Transcription

1 Lent Course Living as Disciples Leaders notes Introduction Overall aim and rationale We hope that this course will: - Help participants grow in their understanding of discipleship - Increase their desire to live as disciples of Christ - Connect with their real lives - Influence their understanding, but also their practices, and their disposition (on which, see more below) - Be a positive experience of a church course, leaving participants keen for more In five sessions it is not possible to cover every aspect of discipleship. Within the course, five different angles on discipleship have been selected. The hope is that each of these proves illuminating, shedding fresh light on what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ in the 21 st century. The five sessions are entitled: 1 Disciples as learners 2 Disciples as followers 3 Disciples as friends 4 Disciples as those who serve 5 Gathering it together in the light of the resurrection I have done my best to design and pitch the material in a way that will be accessible to most people. But local course leaders are very welcome to adjust and adapt the material to suit their people and circumstances. The course pays attention to three areas: understanding, practices, and dispositions. It pays attention to understanding: helping to explain and explore some of the concepts and rationale of Christian living today. It pays attention to our practices: how our following of Christ influences what we do, and how what we do impacts on our discipleship. It pays attention to our disposition: following Christ is not solely about what we do, but also about the manner or the attitude with which we do it. How does our following of Christ influence our posture towards the world? The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 1

2 Components of the sessions Sessions will normally include: Opening and closing worship, in a similar style each week Focus on a particular passage of Scripture A reflection on the theme of the session Plenty of opportunity to discuss, question, and make connections The shape of the sessions has some overlap with the shape of the Pilgrim course sessions. This is partly because it seems a good design in and of itself, and partly so that moving on to the Pilgrim course after this Lent Course could be a straightforward transition. Timing of the course The course is primarily about Christian discipleship. Many churches have a particular tradition of running courses in Lent, and this course was first put together to be run during Lent It is, however, perfectly possible to use it at other times of the year. If you are thinking of using it during Lent, it s worth mentioning that the final session focuses on the Emmaus Road story, from the first Easter Day. A good case can be made for bringing the light of the resurrection into consideration in this way, even during Lent. Indeed, not to focus on the resurrection during a course on discipleship would seem rather remiss. Nevertheless, there may be those who would rather shape an alternative approach. One would be to save the final session of the course until after Easter. An alternative, or additional, option, would be to produce your own material for the fifth session. Practicalities Within these leaders notes, you will find the text of a 3 to 6 minute reflection for each session. Video and audio versions of these reflections will be available on the Diocese of Worcester website details should be in an accompanying , or search on the website for Living as Disciples. Each leader will need to decide whether to read the text to the group themselves, show the video or audio, or prepare their own reflection on the theme of that session. Each of these options is valid. Also available on the website will be a course booklet for participants, and a separate worship booklet. The participants course booklet includes all of the questions offered for discussion, but not the text of the reflections, and not the leader s comments and hints! If you d really like participants to have the full text of the reflections either in advance, or to take away after the session, please feel free to distribute it accordingly, taking it from this document. The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 2

3 Leading Well Many of those leading this course will already be experienced in facilitating learning in small groups. Nevertheless, here are a couple of hints and tips, in case they are helpful. - Clear publicity about when and where the group is taking place is always helpful - Think through what will make your venue as comfortable and conducive to discussion and learning as possible - Will it be possible to offer refreshments, at the beginning or end of the session or indeed both? - If possible, it is often helpful to have at least two leaders for any given session at least one primarily responsible for the content, and one free to concentrate on helping people feel welcome. - Some of the benefit of the course will come from the content of the material. But a lot of the benefit will arise from the interaction and sharing between participants. So do pay careful attention to how you can best facilitate that. - If you will be using the video or audio options, do your best to have your equipment set up and tested in good time, especially before the first session. - It may well be helpful to make explicit some simple groundrules at the beginning of the course. Examples to consider include: please come on time for meetings (and leaders make sure the meeting finishes on time); please send apologies if you can come; please be courteous if there is disagreement with someone; encourage people to ask questions honestly and openly. - One of the key skills of a good leader is enabling good discussion. Some people really enjoy contributing to plenary discussion, with the whole group together, whereas others are much less likely to contribute in that setting. It is, therefore, often helpful to include a mixture of styles of discussion within each session. For some questions, get people to buzz in groups of two or three. For some of the more reflective questions, it will be helpful to give people a few minutes on their own first, to think through or write down their own response in the first instance. For other questions, plenary discussion will be best. You will need to use your judgement on this, and perhaps learn as you go along with this particular group of people. - In at least some cases, it may be helpful to have a flipchart or equivalent on which to record some of the main points made during discussion, as a visual reminder. Decisions you will need to make - For most of the sessions, for a typically chatty group, you will need to select which of the discussion questions you want to use. (Otherwise, you ll be there for quite some time.) - For the main input for each session, you ll need to choose whether to read the text in this document, prepare your own alternative input, or use the video or audio we are providing. - Each session, near the end, makes a connection to a Christian discipline. There are some brief notes on that discipline, along with some questions, in each case. You ll need to decide whether you want to prepare any further input, or whether what is provided is sufficient. The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 3

4 - It s probably worth deciding on at least an approximate time line in your preparation for each session, to help you judge how much time to allow for each section of discussion. - For the second and subsequent sessions, choose whether or not to allow brief space near the beginning (as indicated) for people to refer back to the previous week either to ask any burning questions, or to register particular aspects that have struck them since. - In the third session, uniquely, a second Bible passage is also offered. You may want to give some time to this alongside the main one, or even to use it instead of the first option. Thanks Thank you very much for engaging with this course, and being prepared to lead a group (or at least consider doing so). I hope and trust not only that those who participate will find it a beneficial and enlightening experience, but also that you will be enriched and blessed as you serve in this way. Thanks as well are due to Stephen Agnew, for the invitation to lead a Lent course on discipleship, which invitation led to this material. Particular thanks go to my colleague Doug Chaplin. Doug has written and drawn together the worship material for the course, formatted the participants booklets, and been really helpful in the late stages of production. Thanks also go to another colleague, John Fitzmaurice. Some rich and full discussions with both John and Doug, when the course concepts were in their infancy, contributed to the course taking its final shape for which I am to be held responsible. There are many angles of discipleship left untouched by the course as it stands. But my hope and prayer is that, through focusing on these angles in some depth, our call to live as disciples of Christ, and our encounter with God, may be revitalised and renewed. Jonathan Kimber Director of Ministry and Discipleship January 2016 The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 4

5 Session 1 Disciples as learners Welcome Welcome all the members to the group. Give an overview of the plan for the session, so people know roughly what to expect. General introduction to the course Use some material from preamble, adapted appropriately. If members of the group don t already know each other (and do check this if necessary), make sure there is a chance for introductions. For instance, give people a minute to buzz with each other in pairs, then go round the group asking each person to introduce their neighbour to the group at large. Brief introduction to the theme of today s session E.g. In this first session we will be reflecting together about disciples as learners. Being a learner forms one important strand of being a disciple. Opening worship Discussion openers select from: Come up with 8 or 10 things that you have learned so far in life. Make it as varied as possible. What strikes you about the range of ways in which the learning came about? Thinking of life in general, can you think of a learning experience you really enjoyed? And one that you didn t enjoy? What were the reasons in each case? Some input on learning being one important strand of discipleship: In this first session, we re thinking of being a learner as one important strand of being a disciple. Why is that what is it that learning has to do with discipleship? There are several connections to make: Let s start by registering that the origins of the word disciple are probably linked to a Latin word discere, meaning to learn. So we should at least have our antennae tuned to what role learning might have in discipleship. Put it this way, if I was fiercely determined never to learn anything, I wouldn t make a good disciple. If I thought I already knew everything that is worth knowing, I wouldn t make a good disciple. Rather, disciples are well aware that they haven t yet learned all there is to know about God, about themselves, about the universe. What s more, disciples want to keep learning. They are thirsty to grow not least in their knowledge of God. So what sort of learning is involved in discipleship? The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 5

6 Well, one important strand is growing in our understanding of the Christian faith. Learning from the Bible and about the Bible. Learning what Christians believe, and why. That s a really important type of learning included discipleship, but it s certainly not the only type of learning. A second type of discipleship learning is about our actions, about our practices. Think of it a bit like an apprenticeship, if you like. For following Jesus Christ as a disciple will certainly reshape what we do. A third type of discipleship learning is about not just what we do, but how we do it the manner in which we live our lives. We can use the word disposition to encapsulate this. Are we selfcentred and grudging, for instance, or is our disposition more open, engaged and life-giving? So discipleship learning includes learning concepts, learning practices and ways of living, learning Godly disposition. It s a rich, interconnected mixture, in which our minds and our hearts, our desires and our character are shaped over time. Discipleship learning is a process of being formed. Even more importantly, however, discipleship learning means learning about God. And that s not just learning facts about God, but coming to know God ever more deeply for ourselves. The facts, and the concepts, and the practices can be really very helpful. But their purpose is to enable the personal encounter with God that is made possible by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How does discipleship learning happen? What shape does it take? Much learning happens slowly, with the gradual accumulation of insight and habit until it s second nature. One writer uses the word sedimentation to describe this type of learning. It s the slow steady embedding, hopefully of good lessons, over extended periods of time. Just like the slow accumulation of sediment at the bottom of a lake, until eventually it is formed into rock. But some learning is different. It s much more disruptive. It s often linked to a new experience and not necessarily one that we ve chosen. It shakes up our previous understanding or practice. And sometimes that s necessary. The sedimentary learning we ve accumulated often has many good things in it, but it s unlikely to be perfect. Once what we ve learned is essentially set in stone, it needs something powerful to reshape it. So, having reflected on some of the dimensions of discipleship learning, and how it might be shaped, what have we discovered? I think learning is still a reasonable word to summarise what we re talking about. But we actually have to stretch substantially our concept of learning in order to do justice to its role in discipleship. Discipleship learning includes reshaping our concepts how we think about things; our practices what we do, and how we do it; and our dispositions our posture or attitude towards others, towards God, and towards ourselves. Discipleship learning sometimes happens slowly and gradually, but sometimes happens much more disruptively and intensely. Being open to discipleship learning means being open to being reshaped by God, being open to being changed and transformed. It can be challenging but it s worth it. Because, above all, discipleship learning means coming to know God ever more deeply. The reading from the Bible on which we will focus today includes a disruptive, transformative, positively life-changing episode in the life of one man. Luke 19 the story of Zacchaeus The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 6

7 Brief introduction: The episode we read focuses on a man named Zacchaeus, who was tax collector. As you may know, tax collectors were very unpopular in the society of Jesus day, not least as they often became wealthy by extracting more tax than was strictly required. But let s listen carefully to what happens to Zacchaeus when Jesus passes by Listen (again) to Luke Choose whether you ask one person to read this, or share it around the group. Check whether there are any questions of clarification that need addressing. Choose some of the questions that follow for discussion in the group 1 During the course of the story, what had been learned, and by whom? 2 The input earlier talked about learning involving concepts, involving practices (what we do), involving our disposition or character, and involving knowing God better. Which of these forms of learning do you think were involved in this episode? [Perhaps all of them? For instance: it was very probably a new concept to Zacchaeus and to the crowd that Jesus might want to visit his house; Zacchaeus s financial generosity is presented as a transformation of his practice; this generosity reflects changing his disposition towards his customers/clients, and towards the poor; he certainly seems to have had a profound encounter with Jesus, and to have learnt much about God that day.] 3 What different factors made that learning possible? [For instance, Zacchaeus s curiosity in the first place; was there an existing spiritual hunger in him that made him ready for such dramatic change? There certainly seems to have been an openness to learn, and to let go of his previous ways.] 4 Do you think that the crowd had learnt anything? What lesson(s) could they have done with learning? If they didn t learn it, what do you think stopped them? More generally: 5 What are some of the factors that can hinder our learning? Why can it be so hard? Refer back to the different types of learning noted above. 6 Do you want to learn as a disciple? How important is it to you how strong is your desire? What in particular would you like to learn? For further reflection (there probably won t be time within the session): 7 How would you describe the dispositions of Zacchaeus, of Jesus, and of the crowd? 8 What can we learn from this episode from Jesus, from Zacchaeus, from the crowd? 9 Do you tend to be more like Zacchaeus, or more like the crowd? In what ways? 10 What (and who) has been helpful in your own learning as a disciple? Christian disciplines/practices general intro The word disciple is linked to the word discipline. A Christian discipline, in this context, can be described as a holy habit. One strand we will revisit regularly throughout the course is to The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 7

8 explore disciplines, or holy habits, that can help with each aspect of discipleship. We will explore some of the regular practices that can help shape our hearts and minds and lives to be in tune with God. Christian disciplines for learning In fact, most Christian disciplines lead to our learning, if we think of learning in a broad sense, as we have been doing. But the practice of reflective Bible reading stands out as particularly important. Choose whether to prepare some brief input or to lead a short discussion on some or all of the following: 11 What are some of the different ways in which we can read the Bible reflectively? 12 What sort of attitudes or dispositions can we best bring to Scripture if we want to learn as disciples? 13 How would you describe the way in which reflective Bible reading shapes us and helps us learn as disciples? Pause to reflect Encourage participants to take a moment to reflect on what has most struck them during the session what seemed most important. It may be helpful to write this down. Closing worship Taking it further - To reflect on during the week Thinking back over your own life, what are some of the good things that have become second nature for you thanks to sedimentary learning? Can you think of any disruptive learning? With hindsight, are you grateful for it? At the end of each day: what have you learned today? Is there anything you could do with learning, following today s experiences? What do you think God might want you to learn? The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 8

9 Session 2 Disciples as followers Welcome Welcome all the members to the group. Give an overview of the plan for the session, so people know roughly what to expect. Brief introduction to the theme of today s session E.g. In the last session we focused on disciples as people who are open to learning. In the session we explore a different angle: disciples as those who follow. Opening worship [Optional brief reflection on previous session: Decide whether or not to give some space for any further comments or questions on the last session s material for instance, ways in which it has illuminated things in a new way, or things about it that have puzzled people, that they didn t realise at the time.] Discussion openers select from - If you met a new acquaintance, and they described themselves as a bit of a follower, what would you think of them? - In general terms, what does it mean to follow something or someone? Some examples might include following the football results, following Strictly Come Dancing, following a number of people or organisations on Twitter. What other examples of following can you think of? Does following necessarily imply commitment? - Is it possible to go through life without being a follower of anyone else? What would be the pros and cons? Some input on disciple as follower In the first session of this course our focus was on disciples as people who are open to learn, open to be reshaped, open to be transformed by God. In fact, a good disciple is not only open to learning, but also committed to learning. Our thinking about learning last week was largely couched in general terms. This week we move on to focus on the nature and source of that learning. For you can t just be a disciple in general. You have to be a disciple of someone. A disciple is a pupil, and a pupil who is committed to learning from a particular teacher. To be a Christian disciple is to be committed to learning from Jesus Christ. We reflected in the last session about the sort of learning that discipleship involves; the range of learning in which Jesus wants us to engage. This includes the learning of facts and concepts, but it s much broader than that. It goes on to include the shaping of our hearts and minds, our deepest desires and motivations. The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 9

10 This is where the idea of a disciple being a follower of Jesus Christ can helpfully illuminate what we re talking about. Being a follower tends not to be highly regarded in our culture. It can easily conjure up images of blind obedience, or a very passive approach to life, happening to latch onto some guru, and taking the path of least resistance. There can be some truth in that. It s possible to be a follower in a unhelpful way. So three responses are important: First, let s be candid about the fact that most of us, in most of what we do, are indeed following somebody else s example or lead for instance, in what we eat and drink and wear, in how our opinions are formed, in how we shape our days and weeks and years, for instance. Being a follower per se is pretty well unavoidable, and not necessarily bad. Second, therefore, it really matters who we follow. And third, how we follow is also important. Even if we do seek to follow Christ, do we do so thoughtfully and wholeheartedly, or much more passively, hoping that we will be absolved of responsibility, or relieved of any need for thought or effort? So what might it mean for us to follow Jesus Christ? We will spend some time on this question later in the session it s clearly an important one. In the meantime, here are two ideas for starters. First, a disciple as follower supremely wants to be guided by God, in Christ, through the Holy Spirit. Their desire is to go where God leads, to do as God leads, whatever that involves. Second, a disciple as follower wants to imitate the life which Christ lived to be shaped by his example in how we relate to God and to others. A disciple as follower will be guided by God in what they do, and will imitate Christ in how they do it, and in the sort of person they are becoming. In summary, then, a Christian disciple is someone committed not just to learning in general, but to following Jesus Christ being guided by him, and increasingly imitating him in what we do and who we are. Being a follower can easily be seen as a weak option in life. However, we can t help being a follower. The wise choice is to choose to follow Jesus Christ, and to do so thoughtfully and wholeheartedly, with the help and grace of God. Biblical input The calling of Matthew: Matthew Our Bible reading for this session again features a tax collector not known for their general popularity in the society of the day. Listen (again) to Matthew Choose whether you ask one person to read this, or share it around the group. Check whether there are any questions of clarification that need addressing. Choose some of the questions that follow for discussion in the group. It s often helpful to discuss at least some of the questions in twos or threes, either instead of a whole group description, or before opening out into that. 1 Comparing what it meant for Matthew to follow Jesus, and what it means for us to follow Jesus, list what you think are the similarities, and list what might be any differences? 2 What do each of the following passages indicate about what it might mean for us to follow Jesus? The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 10

11 a) Matthew b) Matthew c) Matthew d) Matthew e) Matthew Are there other passages that have been particularly significant in shaping your following of Christ? 3 Why do you think that Jesus wanted even a tax collector like Matthew to follow him? 4 Why do you think Matthew chose to follow Jesus? 5 What sort of people does Jesus want to have as his followers? Are there any people that he doesn't want to have as his followers? 6 How easy or hard do you find it to be guided by God? What can help? Is there any particular area in which you are seeking God s guidance or could do with seeking it? 7 How easy or hard do you find it to imitate Jesus? What can help? Are there one or two aspects in particular in which you would like to grow in your imitation of Christ? A Christian discipline for following: The Examen In the last session we introduced the idea of Christian disciplines, and focused on reflective Bible reading as particularly relevant to learning. In this session, we look at a different Christian discipline, ancient but less well-known, known as The Examen. It is a discipline of prayerful reflection on each day, looking back to see where we did follow God's leading, and where we might have failed to do so. It is designed to be followed individually and prayerfully. Many people find that writing in a private personal journal can help to crystallise their thoughts in response. Make sure that each participant has a copy of the following description of the Examen. Talk them through it, clarify any questions as best you can, and encourage participants to try using this discipline at least for the week ahead. The Examen - a Discipline for Disciples as Followers 1. Thanksgiving. Do not choose what you think you should be thankful for; rather, by merely looking over the day, see what emerges, what you notice, even slightly. How do you feel towards what is shown to you? Do you see the giftedness of your life? Do you sense your own poverty? Allow gratitude to take hold of you, and express this to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 2. Ask for Light. That the Holy Spirit would show you what he wants you to see. 3. Finding God in all things. Again look over the events of the day. Ask God to show where he has been present, either in you or in others, and what he has been asking of you. Look over your interior moods, feelings, urges and movements and see what stands out, even slightly. Look for such things as joy, pain, turmoil, increase of love, anger, harmony, anxiety, freedom, enchainment, presence of God, isolation. In what general direction do you think you are being drawn by the Lord? How have you been responding to these experiences or situations, that draw you towards the Lord and invite you to be more like Him? The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 11

12 More particularly, what attitudes are manifest in these experiences? Is there any one place in your heart or any one area you are being asked to focus your attention on, to pray more seriously over, to take action on? This is where your energy needs to focus instead of the many other things you think are important. 4. The gifts of sorrow, forgiveness and gratitude. Do not be afraid to ask for the gift of an everdeepening sorrow for not co-operating with Him who loves you. 5. Help and guidance for tomorrow. Ask, look for, trust and co-operate with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit living within you. To reflect on during the week Find a time and place in which you can engage with the practice of the Examen. How does living with it for a week affect your following of Jesus Christ? In what part of your life is it hardest to follow Christ? Why is it hard? Is there anything that might help? Might there be ways in which we can help each other to live as followers of Jesus? What motivated us in the first place to follow Christ? The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 12

13 Session 3 Disciples as Friends Welcome Welcome all the members to the group. Give an overview of the plan for the session, so people know roughly what to expect. Brief introduction to the theme of today s session E.g. After our sessions on disciples as learners and followers, this week we focus on the role of friendship in discipleship: disciples as friends. Opening worship [Optional brief reflection on previous session: Decide whether or not to give some space for any further comments or questions on the last session s material for instance, ways in which it has illuminated things in a new way, or things about it that have puzzled people, that they didn t realise at the time.] Discussion Openers select from: Think of a few of the people who have been your most significant friends at different points in your life. What characteristics have you particularly appreciated? Can you think of any defining moments when the true nature of their friendship has come to the fore? Thinking of yourself as a friend, what is it that you try to offer in your friendship? - Does being someone s friend imply any responsibility or obligation towards them? - What are some of the ways in which it can be hard or challenging to be a good friend? Can anyone present remember a time of loneliness, where the befriending offered by someone else made a real difference? How important is friendship in life? Why? The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 13

14 Some Input on Disciples As Friends It may seem strange in this course to have the word 'friend' in such a prominent place in describing what it is to be a disciple. So why has it been chosen? A much more common word for Christians to use is 'love'. Clearly, love is of central importance: it's a vital part of God's nature; it features in the two greatest Commandments; life without it is a life deprived. However, sometimes talk of 'love' can leave it as a fairly abstract or distant concept. Ironically, this can be especially true when we think of God s love we can be most aware of how much beyond our own loving God s love is. 'Friendship' isn't as big a word as 'love', but it's been chosen to try and bring a fresh angle, to try and keep us earthed and real. If we can start by grasping more fully God s generous befriending of us, then maybe that can lead to a deeper and richer appreciation of the reality of his love. So how would it seem to talk of God not just loving us, but befriending us offering us friendship? Have you ever observed young children in a playground, where talk of friendship is often blunt and explicit. Will you be my friend? She s my best friend. I don t want to be your friend anymore. Perhaps you can even remember yourself how that feels. If the words of friendship aren t backed up by action, young children quickly see through what s going on and move to saying You re not really my friend (or perhaps I don t like you anymore! ). Let s be clear: the friendship that God offers to us is not a friendship between equals. What s more, his befriending of us, his offer of friendship, comes first, before any response on our part. And it s not an offer of friendship born of neediness on God s part. Nevertheless, in God s generosity, he invites and calls us to be his friends. One aspect of thinking of disciples as friends, then, is us receiving the friendship that God offers, and responding with our own friendship towards him. This is a central dynamic of the Christian life, and an ongoing strand in our lifetime s pilgrimage. It s a precious gift, and a crucial part of our calling. Receiving God s friendship, and responding in kind, is vital, but not the end of the story. By becoming God s friend, we inevitably find ourselves joining in his life of abundant friendship. The friendship we receive from God is made for sharing. It can t help overflowing. So for the German theologian Jürgen Moltmann, the phrase 'open friendship' describes what should be the church s way of relating. Friendship is for him the right word to describe Jesus relationship with us, because it is so unpretentious. "Friend" is not a functional title, nor a designation of office, nor a role one is expected to play in society If friendship is not these things, what is it? It is a personal relation ' 1 Of course, we can never force anyone to be our friend. And most human friendships evolve and develop gradually over time. Nevertheless, in each situation in which we find ourselves, what is our disposition like? How often is it one of offering open friendship? That can be hard and it is worth thinking through the reasons for that, and some of the situations where it can be particularly difficult. But we can say this: as we seek to be followers of Jesus Christ, imitators of him, we do so both by receiving the friendship of God the Father, and by increasingly sharing and offering that generous friendship with others. What s more, learning to live in this way is a process. A process of being befriended by God, of being shaped by the richness and depth of that friendship. A process of learning, in which how we see ourselves and others changes, in which our practices change, in which 1 (Cited in Paul Bayes: "Making Friends" (page 18), from Developing Faithful Ministers, Edited by Tim Ling and Lesley Bentley, SCM press, 2012) The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 14

15 the disposition of our hearts and minds is moulded by the befriending of God, demonstrated in Jesus Christ. Slightly unusually, we ve chosen to focus on the story of Zacchaeus for a second time, but coming at it from the angle of friendship on this occasion. Another key passage on this theme is John , on which you will also find some discussion questions below. You will need to choose whether to focus solely on Luke 19, or to give some attention to each passage. Biblical Input Luke 19 and Zacchaeus, from a different angle Listen (again) to Luke Choose whether you ask one person to read this, or share it around the group. Check whether there are any questions of clarification that need addressing. Choose some of the questions that follow for discussion in the group 1 Where is friendship offered in the story? And what was the motivation? 2 Would friendship have been withdrawn had Zacchaeus not responded so promptly and decisively? 3 Where in the narrative is friendship conspicuous by its absence? What do you think were the reasons for that? Why was friendship not forthcoming? 4 Thinking more broadly, were there any people to whom Jesus did not offer friendship? If not, why not? If so, why do we think that, and what might have been the reasons? 5 To whom do you find it hard to offer friendship? Why might that be? 6 Are there people from whom you find it hard to receive friendship? Can you think of any reasons for this? 7 Looking to the week ahead, are there any situations you can anticipate where giving or receiving friendship may be difficult? What is your prayer regarding these? [Optional section see above. If you don t include it in this session, do encourage participants to read and reflect on it during the week ahead.] John Chapter 15 forms part of Jesus final discourse to his disciples, on the night before he died. In verses 12-17, he talks of friendship. Choose whether you ask one person to read John , or share it around the group. Choose some of the questions that follow for discussion in the group 1 How does it feel to hear Jesus describe his closest disciples as friends? 2 How would it seem for Jesus to describe you as one of his friends? 3 Does Jesus offer friendship to everyone? What do verses 13 and 14 suggest? [Some thoughts in case they help: These two verses can seem to pull in opposite directions to some extent. But it seems possible to reconcile them. If Jesus laid down his The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 15

16 life for all humanity (v 13), then does that suggest that he at least offers friendship to all? Then what of verse 14? Can any of us claim fully to do what Jesus commands us? Perhaps seeing befriending as a process helps: disciples are those who are learning to live as friends of Jesus, gradually learning to be true friends who follow where he guides, and do what he commands.] 4 What do you make of verse 16a You did not choose me, but I chose you? Who chooses the people who should be our friends? A Christian discipline regarding friendship the communal life of the church Sometimes it s easy to think of the church as simply a gathering of people who happen to be interested in the same sort of thing. It can be easy to (wrongly) think of it purely as a functional convenience, to help people be interested together. But the church is so much more than that the church in theory, and each local church in practice. God not only invites us to be his friend, but in so doing, includes us within what one might think of as his friendship circle. And part of that is to be found in each local church like it or not! As a consequence, the communal life of the church really matters. The church communally is called to model the open friendship of which we ve talked. That involves everyone. It can be a very great joy, with church friendships forming a very significant part of our lives. Just occasionally, it can also be a bit of a challenge Choose whether to prepare some brief input or to lead a short discussion on some or all of the following: In our shared liturgy, what are some of the ways in which the communal life of the church is highlighted and expressed? [For instance, sharing the peace, singing together, the prayer at the breaking of the bread Though we are many, we are one body etc.] In an imaginary church, that didn t take friendship seriously, what are some of the ways in which things could go wrong? What dispositions might be in evidence? What practices could get in the way friendship? What ways of thinking about each other or about ourselves might stop friendship in its tracks? In the light of that imaginary situation, are there any one or two things that you would like to do or see differently? Pause for reflection What has most struck you most during the session what has seemed most important.it may be helpful to write this down. Closing worship See the worship booklet Taking it further - To reflect on during the week Ponder the second excerpt from Scripture: John 15:12-17 The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 16

17 Session 4 Disciples as those who serve Welcome Welcome all the members to the group. Give an overview of the plan for the session, so people know roughly what to expect. Brief introduction to the theme of today s session E.g. After our sessions on disciples as learners, followers and friends, this week we focus on the role of service in discipleship: disciples as those who serve. Opening worship [Optional brief reflection on previous session: Decide whether or not to give some space for any further comments or questions on the last session s material for instance, ways in which it has illuminated things in a new way, or things about it that have puzzled people, that they didn t realise at the time.] Discussion Openers select from: Can you think of an instance in your life in which someone served you in an exemplary way? What was particularly special about this? How did it feel? List as many ways as you can in which different people serve your local community or your church. Which of those forms of service would you least like to be involved in yourself? Biblical Input John 13 Jesus washing the disciples feet Setting the scene: Jesus and his immediate followers lived in the days before tarmac, and the (relatively) clean streets we know today. The combination of dusty roads and sandals or bare feet led to quite an accumulation of dirt and grime. One customary part of contemporary hospitality was for a host to offer their guests to have their feet washed, refreshing and cleansing them. And who would do the washing? That was clearly a job for the lowest of menial servants. Peers did not wash one another s feet, except very rarely and as a mark of great love. 2 Listen (again) to John Choose whether you ask one person to read this, or share it around the group. Check whether there are any questions of clarification that need addressing. Choose some of the questions that follow for discussion in the group 1 What does this episode reveal about Jesus? 2 D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, p. 462, IVP, The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 17

18 2 How might what we are told in verse 3 relate to what happened next? 3 Why might Simon Peter have been reluctant to have Jesus wash his feet? 4 Which would you find harder, and why: doing the foot washing, or having your feet washed? 5 What do you think Jesus meant by verse 14: So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet.? 6 How does this episode relate to the rest of Jesus' life and ministry? What other ways can you identify in which he served those around him? Some Input on Disciples As Those Who Serve In thinking through the sequencing of this course, we ve deliberately kept the notion of service until this point. In saving service until later, we are not by any means reducing its importance. But we are trying to hold it in a proper context. The service that we offer as disciples is ideally something that arises from our desire to follow Christ. It s something that springs from our being befriended by God, and wanting to share and express that open friendship to others. It s a natural consequence of being so captivated by Jesus Christ and his selfless generosity, that it spills over into our service of others. What the service of disciples isn t, or shouldn t be, is an attempt to impress God, or placate God, or to try and win his favour. It shouldn t be, consciously or otherwise, about competitiveness between Christians, or establishing and clinging onto power or status, for instance within the church community. It s probably fair to say that, over recent decades, what is seen as normal in terms of how people serve has shifted considerably. For a whole host of reasons, many people struggle to have the time to serve in ways that were much more common a generation ago. Certainly, each one of us is finite. We can t serve in every way. And there may be periods of life, either where we have little capacity to serve, or where nearly all our serving is focused in one direction. What about the different ways in which disciples may serve Christ and others? There is a huge variety here and do please think as broadly as possible when considering your own service and that of others both the ways in which you already serve, and also possible outlets for service. The first session of the course focused on disciples as being open to learn. So this week we might want to ask ourselves: Are we open to keep learning a spirit of servanthood? And would we ever be prepared to go outside our comfort zones to learn new skills, to serve others in a new way? In the second session we reflected on disciples as followers or imitators of Christ. Jesus was so secure in his relationship with God, that he was free to serve others in the most humble of ways. Can we imitate that? In the third session we thought about the overflowing befriending that God offers. Can that be a hallmark of our own service? In the first session we reflected on discipleship as affecting our concepts, practices, and our disposition. That s certainly true as we seek to follow Christ s servant example. Coming to see ourselves as, essentially, a servant, may involve quite a conceptual shift. That s especially the case when the service to which we are called involves aspects that seem menial, or that others won t The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 18

19 appreciate, or that are particularly costly. But maybe knowing that we re seeking to follow Jesus example can help with that conceptual shift. Growing in our service will certainly affect our practices, affect what we do. Moreover, it s not just whether we serve that matters, but the manner in which we serve is really important. What we want is for our disposition, our attitude, to be increasingly shaped by Jesus. And as that happens, then our service will be marked by overflowing generosity, kindness, and a genuine desire for the well-being and the blessing of others. The learning involved in discipleship culminates in our deepening personal knowledge of God. It s easy to assume that that happens most when we re worshipping, or praying, or studying the Bible. These are indeed crucial practices in knowing God better. But the experience of many over the centuries is that the activity of Christian service is also frequently form for deeper encounter, with God, with others and with ourselves. Thinking Further about Disciples As Those Who Serve 1 List a broad range of areas of life in which disciples of Christ can serve. 2 What factors can tend to stop us from serving as we might? List a broad range including good reasons and not so good. Which are most relevant to you? 3 If disciples are open to learning, how might we go about learning to serve? 4 Are there any ways in which all Christians should be expected to serve? 5 What about areas in which not all Christians should be expected to serve? 6 How can we best discern which service is for us, and how much is appropriate? 7 How would it be good to treat those who serve us? A Christian discipline of service a disposition of generosity Choose whether to prepare some brief input or to lead a short discussion on some or all of the following: In our focus on a Christian discipline in this session, the focus is on a disposition, a way of being, rather than one specific practice. That disposition is one of generosity, of open-handedness, of open-heartedness. Such a view of life depends on having a basic security and trust in God. Such a disposition affects many aspects of life how we see and treat people, possessions, time, money. Generosity of spirit doesn t, however, mean being a doormat, or never being able to say No. But it does mean a basic stance in life that values the well-being of others, and not just our own. 1 How many areas of life can you think of in which a basic generosity of spirit might make a difference? 2 What are the factors that can dampen or eliminate our desire for generosity of spirit? Which do you find most relevant? 3 Can you think of one area in which you would like to exhibit more generosity? The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 19

20 Pause for reflection What has most struck you most during the session what has seemed most important.it may be helpful to write this down. Closing worship See the worship booklet Taking it further - To reflect on during the week What opportunities come your way to serve others? What opportunities come your way to be served by others? The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 20

21 Session 5 Gathering it together in the light of the resurrection Welcome Welcome all the members to the group. Give an overview of the plan for the session, so people know roughly what to expect. Brief introduction to the theme of today s session E.g. Today s session includes some recapping of the themes of the course, and does so in the light of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Opening worship [Optional brief reflection on previous session: Decide whether or not to give some space for any further comments or questions on the last session s material for instance, ways in which it has illuminated things in a new way, or things about it that have puzzled people, that they didn t realise at the time.] Introduction There are two main strands to this week. The first is a chance to revisit, at least in brief, the themes of the previous weeks, to help embed them in our lives. We will do this via a focus on the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, in Luke chapter 24. Even though this is (primarily conceived as) a Lent Course, this story occurs after the resurrection of Jesus, on the first Easter Sunday. The second strand this week is to touch on what it might mean to live in the light of the resurrection. Biblical Input Luke The road to Emmaus Today s reading is set on the very first Easter Sunday, two days after Jesus died on the cross. Some of Jesus followers had been to visit his tomb early that morning. They found it empty, and met with angels to them that Jesus had risen from death. The passage that we will engage with focuses on two other followers of Jesus, who were walking away from Jerusalem, perhaps back to their home, still deep in grief. Listen (again) to Luke Choose whether you ask one person to read this, or share it around the group. Check whether there are any questions of clarification that need addressing. Choose some of the questions that follow for discussion in the group The Diocese of Worcester Lent Course 2016 Living as Disciples Page 21