Preparing for Discussion - Salvation: Abundant Life Now

Shane Hipps challenges us in session 4 of Animate: Faith to think of salvation as something that happens in the here and now as we're living life in this world, rather than something that we are looking forward to when this life is over. How have you understood the meaning of "salvation?"

A large portion of the discussion guide for this week is devoted to an exploration of the word "salvation," where it is used in scripture, and what it means. Let's start by just taking a look at several Old and New Testament verses regarding salvation (note: 2/3 of the references to salvation in the Bible come from the Old Testament):

Exodus 15:2
2 Chronicles 6:41
Psalm 27:1
Psalm 62:5-6
Luke 1:77
Acts 13:47
Romans 1:16

What is salvation in these scriptures? Does it differ from Old Testament to New Testament? 

If salvation is something happening in our lives now and something that we can see in specific moments in our lives, what does it mean to "be saved?" The jailor asked Paul & Silas this question in Acts 16:16-40.

What does this understanding of salvation mean about "tent revivals" and televangelists, about groups of people coming forward to "be saved" at an event? How does this understanding of salvation apply to the question of whether or not a person can lose their salvation?

How does James 2:14-26 inform this discussion? What do these verses say about salvation?

In our previous discussion we read the story of Zacchaeus, as a radical, risky act of Jesus. Now read it with this conversation about salvation in mind. (Luke 19:1-11) Verses 9-10 say:

⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

What does THAT mean? Is salvation a one time event here? Was Zacchaeus saved from then on? Or is salvation something that is unfolding throughout the story? Is "salvation" what is meant my Zacchaeus' response to Jesus? As in, "Today you are experiencing salvation," versus, "Salvation has come to you today once and for all."

In Luke 4:16-21 Jesus quotes the words of the prophet Isaiah and declares that he is the fulfillment of these words:

¹⁶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ¹⁷ And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

²⁰ And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹ And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus describes in this passage the work he has come to do, his "saving work," the salvation he brings. These things are very present, not future, oriented. Do you think these verses describe what is meant by salvation? Are these verses literal or figurative? (Fun fact: The "year of the Lord's favor" is in reference to the Year of Jubilee, described in Leviticus 25, which adds another layer of meaning to the words of Jesus.)

Hipps tells a story of a moment of salvation in his own life when his father laid hands on him and prayed silently for him. Take a look at these moments in scripture, which may also be described as "salvation moments" or "God moments:"

John 4:29
John 8:10-11
John 3:1-10
John 21:15-19

Do you think these moments describe salvation? Is this what salvation is? Why or why not?

Have their been moments of salvation in your own life like those described above?

Shane Hipps also links up the idea of time and salvation, speaking of the time we have hear on earth as a valuable opportunity to experience salvation and to share salvation experiences with others. Take a look at these verses and think about how they might apply to this time/salvation concept:

Romans 13:11-12
2 Corinthians 6:1-3
Ephesians 5:15-16
1 Peter 4:7-11
1 John 2:15-17

Lastly, read Ephesian 4:26-5:2. What is the Day of Redemption? And what does it mean to be "sealed" for it? Is it possible that the time is BOTH now AND later?

Fruit of the Spirit song

Here's a great kids song that goes really well with the scriptures and discussion we had during Week 3: Spirituality is Not Enough. Go Fish now does kids music, but I find myself singing this song throughout the day, too!

5 Uncomfortable Issues the Church Needs to Start Talking About

A girlfriend of mine posted a link to this article on facebook from Relevant Magazine. I thought it was pretty relevant to the conversations we've been having:

5 Uncomfortable Issues the Church Needs to Start Talking About

Who is Shane Hipps?

Shane Hipps is the presenter of the 4th session of Animate: Faith, entitled "Salvation: Abundant Life Now."

Shane is a sought-after speaker and former teaching pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also served as the lead pastor of a small Mennonite church in Arizona. He came to ministry from the world of high-end advertising, so it’s not surprising that he has a knack for unpacking the deeper layers of the gospel message. He has written three books, is featured in three films, and has hosted hundreds of podcasts.

Five fast facts

1. Lives with his family in Grand Rapids, Michigan
2. Worked on a multimillion-dollar communications plan for Porsche
3. Went to seminary as a Calvinist and is now a Mennonite
4. Wears Vibram Five Fingers when he runs
5. Has a BA from Texas Christian University and an MDiv from Fuller Theological

(bio from: http://wearesparkhouse.org/adults/animate/faith/voices/shane/)


Visit Shane Hipps' website here: http://shanehipps.com/

Preparing for Discussion - Jesus: The Revolution of Love

Mark Scandrette challenges us in session 3 of Animate: Faith to put actions to our faith, to live out what we say we believe. Take a look at 1 Timothy 4:4-16. What actions do these verses suggest that believers should take?

What are some beliefs of the Christian faith that are especially important to you? In what ways have you already put those beliefs into action? How would you challenge yourself to more fully live out your faith?

Scandrette mentions how putting our beliefs into practice can be a risk. We risk an honest look at our own lives, and we risk doing things that are difficult and unpopular, that may not necessarily have immediate positive outcomes for ourselves. Jesus took many risks to live out the Kingdom of God here on earth:

John 4:1-42
Luke 19:1-10
John 11
John 9

How might the risks Jesus took in those passages look in our current times? What would be a "modern" version of these stories? How were Jesus' actions revolutionary? And what do/would you find most challenging about living your life in the "way of Jesus."

John 17:14-18 is part of  the prayer that Jesus prays for those who follow him. Clearly, it isn't expected to be a comfortable life. If you have time, read the whole chapter. I find this prayer both troubling and comforting.

The following scriptures are yet another set of challenges for those who endeavor to follow Jesus:

Matthew 18:21-35
Matthew 5:43-48
Luke 10:25-37
Matthew 25:31-40

This calling is scary, difficult, and risky. And it holds the additional risk of leading believers to become focused on works and motivated by guilt, driven to do the "right" thing but always falling short. Jesus intended us to be motivated by love (John 13:34-35) and carried by the indwelling of the Spirit (John 14:15-17).  Have you seen this tension play out in your own life? What feelings come up for you when we begin talking about being "doers of the Word and not hearers only?"  Do you feel guilty? Worried? Do you begin making a plan for how you're going to start doing the right thing? How do we rely on our connection to Jesus and the strength of the Holy Spirit as we live out a calling to be like Jesus?

Who is Mark Scandrette?

 Mark Scandrette is the presenter of the 3rd session of Animate: Faith, entitled "Jesus: The Revolution of Love."

Mark is the founding director of ReIMAGINE, a center for integral Christian practice, where he leads an annual series of retreats, learning labs, conversations, and projects designed to help participants integrate the teachings of Jesus into every aspect of life.
A sought-after voice for creative, radical, and embodied Christian practice, he speaks nationally and internationally at conferences, universities, and churches, offering training and coaching to leaders and organizations.
He is the author of FREE: Spending Your Time and Money on What Matters Most, Practicing the Way of Jesus, and Soul Graffiti.

Five fast facts

1. Lives with his wife in the Mission District of San Francisco
2. Has three young adult children
3. Enjoys running, biking, cooking, and home coffee roasting
4. Was a child evangelist
5. Has a BA in applied psychology from Bemidji State University and studied towards an MDiv at Bethel Theological Seminary

(bio from: http://wearesparkhouse.org/adults/animate/faith/voices/mark/)

See Mark Scandrette's website here: http://markscandrette.com/

Preparing for Discussion - Religion: Spirituality is not Enough - Part 3

For a recap of Lillian Daniel's thoughts on religion and spirituality, visit her blog post here: Spiritual But Not Religious? Please Stop Boring Me. It's pretty short. Go ahead. Look it up.

Now consider these passages of scripture as you continue to sift through your ideas of religion and/or/vs spirituality:

-> Matthew 13: 1-43 This is the parable of the sower and the seeds. What does this passage mean about putting down roots? How does one put down roots and grow into a flourishing, fruit-producing plant?

-> Hosea 14 This is a passage about God renewing Israel, causing them to "bloom" again. The facilitator guide asks: Where is God in this passage? What is God doing? What are the qualities of God? And what insights does this text offer with regard to God's role in our blooming and growth?

-> 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 

-> Romans 12:3-8

These last two passages deal with "the body of Christ," the community of believers that make up the church. What does it mean that the we are all members of one body? Does this mean that we cannot possibly practice faith on our own? What about people, who find themselves unable to be part of a community of believers?

The facilitator guide also asks some questions for more personal reflection: What is your part in the body of Christ? What gifts do you bring? How do/could you contribute to the strength of the community? How challenging would it be to try to create a community with only your own personal gifts and strengths?

One final question that I continue to find myself asking: Why does the church community consider the early New Testament church to be the beginning of our religious and spiritual tradition? Is it not true that our tradition goes all the way back to Genesis? Why doesn't the church (as a general whole) celebrate Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, etc..., but we readily embrace Advent, Christmas, and Easter? When and why did this shift happen?

I thought it might also be fun and interesting to include this article on the role of traditions in families: Direction: Rituals and Family Strength. The role of traditions and rituals are much the same in the church "family," as they are in each of our individual families. Food for thought...

Peace!

Racial Identity in the Emerging Church and the World

I found this podcast just tonight. I haven't listened to it yet, but it seems pertinent to many of our recent discussions. The interview features Vincent Harding and Phyllis Tickle:

Racial Identity in the Emerging Church and the World