Throughout our foundations series the focus of the GPS will be to dig deeper into scripture about the part of the creed we discussed the previous week in worship.
Further there is an open invitation to join us for conversation at Foster’s Grille Thursdays beginning at 6:30 for deeper conversation. Come for as long as you can for good food and great conversation.
Finally you can visit https://faithpointum.org/foundations-series/ for other weekly resources and a printable version of the creed worksheet so that you can create your own creed by the end of the series.
Monday Read: Matthew 16:13-20
“Who do you say that I am?” This is the question that Simon gets right. Simon the son of Jonah (remember that other Jonah who had a hard time with God’s authority), is the one that Jesus will build the church upon.
- Would you have picked Simon Peter to lead the church?
- Simon Peter didn’t get it right all of the time, he was rough around the edges and impulsive. What made him stand out to Jesus?
Tuesday Read: 1 Peter 2:1-12
Peter talks about the church as aliens and strangers in the world. This is some powerful language that brings up interesting imagery. Stanley Hauerwas writes, “Saints cannot exist without a community,as they require, like all of us, nurturance by a people who, whole often unfaithful, preserve the habits necessary to learn the story of God.” (check out more from his book “resident aliens”)
- What is the role of the church as a community of resident aliens?
- How should the church balance being relevant in the world while remaining faithful to the gospel? (share your thoughts with Chris@faithpointum.org)
Wednesday Read Acts 15:22-35
The church was gathered and sent out to the ends of the earth. Some went far, some stayed at home, and all were faithful to the spirit. If we were all the same all the churches would be ministering to the same people. However because of unique “flavors” of church more people can be reached with the gospel.
- As we see the creed’s language of “catholic” church we are reminded of the universal nature of the church. How is diversity in the body a critical part of reaching out to the ends of the earth?
- What do you think FaithPoint’s unique flavor is? (I would love your thoughts on this: Chris@faithpointum.org)
Thursday Read Galatians 3:26-29; Colossians 3:5-11
One of the first arguments in the church was how to deal with those strange gentiles (or those who were not Jews). Should they have to conform toJewish law to be considered disciples of Jesus or should they be the beginning of something new because Jesus ushered in a new understanding of what it is to relate with God?
- In what ways do you draw lines around “us” and “them” in your life? How might you begin to understand the story of a single person in the “them” category?
- Is FaithPoint a community of faith primarily called to the insiders or outsiders? How can we reach wider as a faith community?
Friday Read Revelation 7:9-12
- This is a powerful image of the unity of the body. I am willing to bet that there are going to be some surprising people living in eternity with God. How are you preparing for the diversity of Heaven here on earth right now?
- What does your mental image of heaven look like? This? Mine doesn’t, it is very different in fact.
Saturday Hebrews 12:1-3; 18-24
As part of a faith community you become a citizen of the Kingdom. You have a role to play and with that comes the understanding that you are connected throughout time with the church universal. This also means that others are depending on you to run the race that is set before you.
- When do you stop being part of the church? Who does the church entail? How does Hebrews expand our understanding of what the church is?
- How might you run with more perseverance?