The Advent season gave way to the reorienting presence of God With Us who shows us the way, in the midst of a complex world. This year we focus on renewal, beginning with our identity as followers of Jesus. In this two part series, through the lens of queer theology, we’ll walk through the book of John, getting outside of ourselves and the ways in which colonialism/modernity have shaped us. Part one will focus on paying attention to the fluidity of our identities and how Jesus embodied love, declaring that all belong. Part two will focus on lament and composting the trauma encountered as Jesus approaches the cross and is crucified. As we walk through the gospel of John, we’ll consider how our practices are seen in the life of Jesus and his followers as we get into the particulars of living out our faith. But we’ll also consider new practices of resting and receiving, leading us to the next season as we press into who we are in community.
Please note that we’ll be utilizing the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament throughout this series.
*s indicate weeks we will be working with our culture building consultant (as a part of our renewal activities). Additional details are provided via email with access to the renewal page. If you don’t receive those emails, please contact us.
Week by Week:
QUEERING IDENTITY
January 1: Brunch Gathering
January 8: Intro and Chapter 1.1-18 - Queering Identity
January 15: Chapter 2.1-12 - Water to Wine
January 22: Chapter 3 & 4 - Living Water & Woman at the Well
January 29: Chapter 6.30-59 - The Bread of Life
*February 5: Chapter 7.14-24 - Where does the wisdom come from?
February 12: Chapter 8.1-18 - Light of the World
February 19: Chapter 11.28-45 - Weeping
— The Season of Lent —
(Ash Wednesday February 22)
COMPOSTING
February 26: Chapter 13 - Intro to Composting + Foot Washing and Servanthood
*March 5 : Chapter 14 - I’m Going to Die
March 12: Chapter 15.18-25 - The World Will Hate You. It Hated Me First.
*March 19 : Chapter 16 - It is Better if I Go Away
March 26: Chapter 17 - Returning to You
April 2 (Palm Sunday): Chapter 12 - Worthy
(Good Friday April 7: Chapter 18-19)
April 9 (Easter): Chapter 20 - You Must Let Me Go
Discussion Prompts:
-As you explore the book of John, what is capturing your attention? What have you noticed as new?
-Wonder together. What is the Spirit revealing to you about identifying as a follower of Jesus? How does all of fluid you belong?
-What pieces of faith and identity have you shed? What pieces do you sense need to be picked back up?
-What spiritual practices allow you to regularly remain connected in prayer to God? Experiment. Choose just one practice and commit to consistently engaging in it for one month. If the experiment fails, try something else. Listen, learn, grow, be gracious with yourself and those around you.
-Discuss Trinity’s practices. Where do you sense God inviting you to lean in? How might you practice resting and receiving?
-As you journey with Jesus toward the cross, in what ways might you need to engage in composting work?
-What patterns do you notice emerging in your faith journey? What do you need from God and/or those around you right now?
Resources:
Queer Theology (resource paper)
This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley
Outside the Lines: How Embracing Queerness will Transform Your Faith by Mihee Kim Kort
Queer Theology by Linn Marie Tonstad (*a more academic read)
Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology by Patrick S. Cheng (*a bit academic)
Rest is Resistance a Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
How to Sit and How to Relax by Thich Nhat Hanh
Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah
All ages:
First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament
Seasonal Small Groups start late January/early February:
This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley
(photo credit: Dan Christian Padure)