I'm Upset | Started from the Bottom pt. 4

In the biblical narrative, we often see God use the unexpected and unimportant to bring about change in the world. The story of Jesus, his birth, life, death, and resurrection, is no different. Our new conversation, Started from the Bottom, is an exploration of the good news according to Matthew. Over the next few weeks, we will look at snapshots from the book of Matthew that exemplify the good news found in the story of Jesus.

This week we explore how the stories we carry with us shape the kind of world we can inhabit. Yet, their ability to shape us is not overly determined. Our ability to listen to different stories helps our own story remain malleable, which allows new voices to affect how they are understood and lived out. Walking through the last days of Jesus, we will reveal how Matthew's Jesus reshaped their ancient hope to reveal a better way forward.

Formational Learning:

As we explored this scene from Matthew’s telling of the Jesus story, what stood out to you?

Were there any points of curiosity, clarity, confusion, or conflict that emerged as you walked through this passage today?

(Head)

Jesus challenged the widely believed story that fighting culture, be it Jerusalem or Rome, was inevitable. Jesus did this while celebrating the parts of their shared stories that recognized their common humanity. What stories do we need to rethink or stop carrying with us, to free us to follow Jesus' way forward?

John Caputo says that we must learn to own our tradition so that it no longer owns us, what parts of our tradition can we celebrate?

(Heart)

Have you experienced a moment like Peter, where you sacrificed so much, only to discover that you were chasing Barabbas and not Christ? How did you respond to this discovery?

(Hands)

Jesus never left his tradition. He stayed connected in vulnerability to show a better ending. How can we stay connected while honoring the call to vulnerability and our need for healthy relationships/systems?

God's Plan | Started from the Bottom pt. 3

In the biblical narrative, we often see God use the unexpected and unimportant to bring about change in the world. The story of Jesus, his birth, life, death, and resurrection, is no different. Our new conversation, Started from the Bottom, is an exploration of the good news according to Matthew. Over the next few weeks, we will look at snapshots from the book of Matthew that exemplify the good news found in the story of Jesus.

This week we join in on an ancient conversation about the kingdom of heaven. In the book of Matthew, the good news is that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, as seen in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. What is the kingdom of heaven, and how do we participate in it? 

Formational Learning:

As we explored wisdom today, what stood out to you?

Were there any points of curiosity, clarity, confusion, or conflict that emerged as you walked through this passage today?

(Head)

John, Jesus, and the disciples all proclaimed that the kingdom of heaven is near, how do we wrestle with the reality that it is easy to miss? 

(Heart)

Where have you experienced or seen the kingdom of heaven around you?

How has this influenced the way you understood faith or live?

(Hands)

How can we proclaim and participate in the kingdom of heaven here and now? 

Doing It Wrong | Started from the Bottom pt. 2

In the biblical narrative, we often see God use the unexpected and unimportant to bring about change in the world. The story of Jesus, his birth, life, death, and resurrection, is no different. Our new conversation, Started from the Bottom, is an exploration of the good news according to Matthew. Over the next few weeks, we will look at snapshots from the book of Matthew that exemplify the good news found in the story of Jesus.

This week we join Christ between two armies. When Jesus comes into the world joining the people of Israel, there was already a story that needed an ending. Like many underdog stories, this one could only imagine an end that makes all enemies pay for their injustices. With Rome, that would be an incomprehensible sum. However, Jesus wanted to change the script by exposing the “needed” enemy and bringing both parties to a table between two mountains, between the empires of Rome and Jerusalem. Jesus couldn’t be the violent warrior they wanted because he created uncomfortable space for all people to be present at the same table while exposing injustice. It is in this uncomfortable space that the kingdom becomes tangible. 

Jesus couldn’t be the conquer the Romans could recognize, and Israel desired. He offered a more revolutionary idea by claiming Roman and Jewish people would be at the feast of Abraham. 

Formational Learning:

(Head)

What kind of messiah, savior, are we, or our traditions, looking for? 

How does sitting at a table between Rome and Jerusalem challenge or change that image?

(Heart)

What idea of Jesus did you first say yes to?

How has this influenced the way you understood faith or lives? 

(Hands)

What steps can we take to invite people into a better and more expansive story?

What Would Drake Say About the Birth of Jesus | Started from the Bottom pt. 1 | A Sunday Liturgy

In the biblical narrative, we often see God use the unexpected and unimportant to bring about change in the world. The story of Jesus, his birth, life, death, and resurrection, is no different. Our new conversation, Started from the Bottom, is an exploration of the good news according to Matthew. Over the next few weeks, we will look at snapshots from the book of Matthew that exemplify the good news found in the story of Jesus.

This week we are exploring the women found in Jesus’ genealogy. What do these women have to say about how God works? What lessons can we learn from looking at their lives in the context of Jesus’ birth? 

Formational Learning:

(Head)

The fact that Matthew includes these five women in the history of Jesus’ ancestors tells us that God often works through the unexpected and the powerless in society. In what ways is this goods news?

(Heart)

Who are the unexpected and powerless in your world? In what ways could the story of Jesus possibly find a voice through them? 

(Hands)

How can we begin to let go of our notions of power and start to participate in the possibility of new life in light of Jesus?