Troy explains some of the history behind the Advent candle of Joy as a way of encountering the prophet's vision in chapter 11.
Isaiah 11:1-10
Questions to consider—
Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?
Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?
Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?
To kick off Advent [after a snow-day Sunday the previous week], Troy invites us into the season by concentrating on the hopefulness of the prophet's vision.
Isaiah 2:1-5
Questions to consider—
Backward [Roots]: What personal stories, Biblical narratives, or church traditions are being drawn to my mind in this Gathering?
Outward [Service]: Who or where might God be calling me to care about more deeply and tangibly?
The 'fruits of the Spirit,' goodness and faithfulness work together over time! God creates what is good, that which reflects God's character - faithfulness puts that on display over the long haul.
Mark 10: 17-18, Lamentations 3: 22-23
Questions to consider—
Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?
Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?
Outward [Service]: Who or where might God be calling me to care about more deeply and tangibly?
The fruit of the Spirit, Kindness, is tender and strong. A call to selflessly love while also being loved by God and allowing the profound kindness of the Lord to lead us into life.
Micah 6:8
Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?
Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?
Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?
Simplicity is a "hidden" posture throughout Proverbs. There is a consistent call to "declutter" life so that one can pursue wise living and the well-orderedness of creation and relationships.
Proverbs 30:7-9
Questions to consider—
Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?
Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?
Wisdom calls out, desiring that no one miss what is really important. Listening is one of the ways we catch a glimpse of the well-ordered world and relationships God intended.
Proverbs 8:1-8
Questions to consider—
Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?
Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?
In the final Teaching of this summer series, we consider Judas as a relatable character in the Bible. Exercising some empathy and compassion, seeing Judas afresh invites us to think about how we treat and think about one another as we all continue to stumble forward together.
Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16
Questions to consider—
Withward [Community]: How is my understanding of and engagement with the church being formed during this Gathering?
Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?
Naaman is a complicated character, both sympathetic and cautionary. He serves as an example of someone stumbling forward, challenging us to consider the ways we have decided how God is going to move in our lives.
2 Kings 5:1-6 [7-15a]
Questions to consider—
Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?
Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?
The Shunammite woman’s story reminded us to find our identity, hope, and purpose in God alone, bringing our wounds, wanderings, and desperation to Jesus with confidence, even when the future feels unknown.
2 Kings 4: 8-37
Questions to consider—
Upward [Celebration]: Which attributes of God am I noticing and delighting in throughout the Gathering?
Forward [Journey]: What is a practical next step I can take in my journey of following the way of Jesus?
Inward: [Wholeness]: How might the Holy Spirit be encouraging transformation in me?