Control Alt Delete (Reset) | The SOAP Sessions

Rhythms are the grooves in the record that allow the music of our lives to find expression. The record begins to skip when the rhythm is disrupted, but we can find ways to fix the vinyl. We are in a season where society as a collective has found their well-worn grooves skipping. Sometimes the disruption is a good thing; it creates space for us to make grooves and to rediscover old ones. One of the rhythms that we have at FōS is SOAP, a daily plan for reading the Bible and journaling our reflections. SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. If you want to join us in our rhythm of SOAP, you can find more information here (fos.church/soapdaily-readings). Our series over the next few weeks is called "The SOAP Sessions," and will consist of messages pulled from our daily reflections. 

This week Glenn leads us through a conversation about learning to let go of our need for control and learn to lead from trust and vulnerability.

Formational Learning:

(Head)

• Paul leads from a place of weakness and vulnerability as he addresses the people in Corinth, what does leading from weakness and vulnerability look like for Paul?

(Heart)

• Can you name a time you needed to address conflict?

• What is different when I invest myself into community starting with vulnerability rather than control or defense?

(Hands)

• How do you empower yourself or others to face uncomfortable conversations from a place of vulnerability?

EMPTY | The Possibility of Empty Temples & Empty Tombs

We take a break this week from our current conversation series, “The SOAP Sessions, to focus on Resurrection Sunday, also referred to commonly as Easter. As we move through our Sunday Liturgy, you will notice that it is poly-centric finding anchorage in three themes. Disruption/death, disorientation, and new possibility/resurrection are the three themes that help us along our journey. In the death of Jesus, we see the loss of expectations and hope, and in the mystery of the empty tomb we find new possibility and new hope. 

Before the cross, the hope of God’s people lays in the belief that God was present in the Temple. In this way, the Temple served to remind the people that one could draw near to God. But in the shadow of the cross and the reality of an occupied tomb, the Temple is laid bare; God is no longer there. It is this revelation that sees the story shift. On the third day, the tomb is empty; Jesus is no longer there. So it is in the reality of the empty Temple and the empty tomb that we find the possibility of God present with us

Formational Learning:

(Head)

Jesus dying on the cross represents the failed dreams of his followers. What do we do with the moments of disruption and disappointment in our hope and dreams for God?

(Heart)

We all find ourselves standing in front of the empty tomb, pondering the possibility of new life. What are your stories of encountering the risen Jesus? 

(Hands)

How do we allow our experience of the risen Jesus to help us point others towards the new possibility and hope of the risen Jesus? 

Everybody Eventually Dies | The SOAP Sessions

Rhythms are the grooves in the record that allow the music of our lives to find expression. The record begins to skip when the rhythm is disrupted, but we can find ways to fix the vinyl. We are in a season where society as a collective has found their well-worn grooves skipping. Sometimes the disruption is a good thing; it creates space for us to make grooves and to rediscover old ones. One of the rhythms that we have at FōS is SOAP, a daily plan for reading the Bible and journaling our reflections. SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. If you want to join us in our rhythm of SOAP, you can find more information here (fos.church/soapdaily-readings). Our series over the next few weeks is called "The SOAP Sessions," and will consist of messages pulled from our daily reflections. 

This week Glenn leads us through a conversation about finding new meaning in the Scriptures as we explore 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

Scripture:

For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures...51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed...54 ...then the saying that is written will happen, "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 51, & 54

Observation:

The author of First Corinthians, Paul, spends a few chapters discussing the tensions present within the community. He lists the obstacles they must overcome as they learn to become a new community reduced to love. Paul reminds them why we entered into the struggle in the first place. “According to scripture” is repeated in chapter 15 to call the people back to their shared story, Jesus. The story of Jesus is the catalyst that changes everything and restores the broken systems that threaten to disrupt the unity of those gathered around the table of Christ. The followers of Jesus anticipate this transformation by gathering around the Eucharist (ch 11), becoming love (ch 13), and learning to hear the new ending of the story that was written: “according to scripture.”

Application:

The Jesus story is constantly causing us to have to reimagine our faith as we try to find a way forward, and as we take up the work of restoration with Christ. FōS Church as a community seeks to engage the story of Jesus in such a way that everyone is able to find hope, beauty, and purpose within it.

Prayer:

Lord, help us create space for people at your table. Help us to imagine our faith in ways that cultivates hope for others. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen …

Formational Learning:

(Head)

• How do we find new meaning in the Bible in a way that is life-giving and healthy? 

(Heart)

• As we reimagine our faith together, what changes do you see coming that cause you to be hopeful for our future?

(Hands)

• What practice could we try this week to help us learn to lean into a responsive reading of the Bible?