Parking Lot from last Sunday

Keith Rogers introduced a questions that had, in fact, occurred to me as I was studying for Sunday's lesson: "Why mention "inclusive language? What's the point?" The more I tried to explain, the clearer the "point" became. Our author (and, indeed, Willimon in his Lord, Teach Us to Pray) was not pointing at the essence of who God is, but rather at the familial relationship--a very intimate relationship--between God and Jesus. God is Father because Jesus is Son; and because of Jesus, we are adopted into the family. Now that's good news! What a fun idea!

At another point we talked about the boundaries present in our relationships; and after the comments of the astronauts were read, I mentioned that I was reminded of Bette Midler's song "From a Distance", which touches on similar themes. See those words at http://www.bettelyrics.com/lyrics/fad.htm. Kent Grimes mentioned disagreeing with the refrain, which puts God at a distance watching; and I certainly would agree that our concept of God is not "from a distance." (....unless in using that terminology we are referring to the God's perspective. [i.e. God's vision is so big, so widely angled, that the walls between "us" and "them," "you" and "me" are not visible. In fact, they are non-existent so far as God's love and hope for "us" and "them" are concerned.

Judith

Class notes for Sunday, April 10

INTRO TO A DIFFERENT KIND OF HERO: An Exploration of
Five Peacemaking Themes in the Gospel of John


4/10/05

TRANSITION

1. Review
a. What sorts of things about the Gospel of John stand out to you?
b. Was there anything during our study that you feel nurtured your faith journey?
2. Intro
a. WHY PEACEMAKING?

i. John “understood Jesus himself, his life, his teaching, his death, and resurrection to be the peace of God.”


ii. Peace mentioned 5 times:
1. 3 times “Shalom” (Hebrew/corporate), Wholeness, balance, right relations
2. 2 times “Eirene” (Greek), a gift of Jesus (That which passes all understanding?)

iii. Primary focus is on Christology with occasional insights into matters of discipleship (personal) and community (corporate) life.


b. INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE

i. Language we use reflects beliefs about selves and others. Inclusive language expands “our understanding of God and humanity.” God is called Father more times in John than in any other book in the New Testament.
ii. Is my understanding limited when I think “Father?” Am I including concepts of Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer?
iii. John’s Father language is essentially relational. (Willimon)

The Peace Of Christ Disturbs The Status Quo And Dares To Challenge Barriers (John 4:7-10, 27)


MAIN IDEA: In the Gospel of John we find that by His example, Christ calls us to dare to cross boundaries that culture imposes when they keep us from embracing those different than we.

· What do you remember from our previous study of this passage?
· Why do you think the disciples did not ask Jesus to explain his conversation with the Samaritan woman?
· With whom do you identify, the disciples or the Samaritan woman? Why?
· Why do you think Jesus broke the social & religious rules to speak to her and drink from her cup?
· What does the passage have to do with peace?
· What message(s) do we draw from it?
a. “He saw the searching for God that was deep within her & helped her discover God’s Spirit within herself.”
· How might that affect what we do/how we live as disciples? (radical)

· Recall first awareness of someone being put down, left out, hurt. What impact did it have on you?

· Describe someone special to you who has dared to challenge the status quo, transcending barriers that divide & hurt.

a. Pope John Paul II!

CLOSING
Readings: Astronaut’s quotes as they looked back home-p. 11
Dr. King’s quote….p.10



In Jesus Christ, Power Is Redefined..The Prince of Peace Stands With, Not Over (John 12:12-16; Zech 9:9-10)

MAIN IDEA: By His example, Jesus calls us to stand with, not over
others; that is how peace happens.

INTRO
1. Revisit Triumphal Entry
a. Different power than expected
b. Quote p. 14

“The Prince of Peace rode into town on a farm animal, not at the helm of a military chariot. His path to peace was traveled in solidarity with the most vulnerable. The authority of his reign was based on his power to give, rather than take life; this power was expressed in standing with, not over or above.”

SCRIPTURE STUDY
· Listen for phrases that stand out or resonate.
a. Zech 9:9-10
b. John 12:9-15

Group –
Ø What phrases stood out for you?
Ø Any new insights?
Ø Can you think of any contemporary leaders who chose the donkey instead of the war horse? How were those leaders received?

In Search of a Roundtable – p. 19

- What lines or images stand out or especially speak to you?
- Where/how do you personally struggle w/living out round-tabling?

CLOSING
Antiphonal Prayer – p. 20

Class Notes from Sunday, March 27

The resurrection appearances of Jesus, John 20-21

Tom led the class. We got through Chapter 20 and will complete Chapter 21 on 4/3.

The gospel writer views Jesus death very much as a victory. At the time the disciples did not understand that victory until after Jesus death when He had resurrected. Further, the Holy Spirit, while foretold, was not present until after Jesus resurrection.

The Empty Tomb, John 20:1-10

Mary arrives while still dark, during the last watch of the night, proi (3 AM to 6 AM). Here we sees John's emphasis of darkness as un-belief.

The beloved disciple is first back to tomb. Stops but Peter charges in. They find the burial clothes rolled up and folded neatly. There is no mention of the stone having been moved. The beloved disciple sees the folded clothes and that is when he believes that Jesus has resurrected. When Lazarus raised from the dead, he came from the tomb still wrapped in the burial clothes. Here we see Jesus burial clothes are neatly folded. If grave robbers or "the Jews" had stolen the body, they would have likely done it in haste and not have neatly folded the clothes. This observation is presumably revealed to the beloved disciple, purportedly John the gospel writer, that Jesus was now resurrected in body.

Reason for detail here about observations is that Jesus knew that everyone would come to believe the resurrection through different means.

Mary in the Garden, John 20:11-18

We see Mary weeping and crying suggesting she has no concept of the resurrection. Two angels appear, which is similar to the account in Luke. Jesus also appears but Mary does not recognize him at first. There has been much discussion between theologians that either Jesus appearance is altered. However, most assumed that Mary is so wrapped up in grief and crying she does not recognize.

A difficult package here is when Jesus tells Mary not to hold onto him for he has not ascended to the Father. Meanings are varied. One which we discussed in class is that Jesus is telling Mary that is is a new day, do not cling to the past. The Greek words used here are "me aptou" which means don't touch me. Very similar to this is "me ptoou" which means don't be afraid. It is possible that the Greek was mis-translated.

Closed room appearances, John 20:19-29In the first appearance, Thomas was not there. Also, in the early church the impression was that Jesus there in spirit only. This is the doctrine of docetism. However, John the gospel writer makes clear that Jesus there in bodily form and that this is a physical resurrection.

Jesus breathes on the disciples and they receive the Holy Spirit. Some say this is when the disciples became apostles. See our previous posts on this here.

Key passage from Jesus which is transitional in nature.

²⁹Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Here we see Jesus making the transition to evangelism and gaining believers through faith even though they have not seen.