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Together in Community
Check in with one another.
If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.
- If there is a new person, welcome them and introduce group members.
- (High) Share something good or eventful that you give thanks and praise for?
Open in Prayer
We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen.
5 Minutes with God—Spiritual Practice
(Optional)
INTRODUCTION: When you hear the word ALIEN, what comes to mind? UFOs full of extraterrestrials taking over our world? How about the word STRANGER? We often talk to children (and ourselves) about stranger danger. We seem to have an instinctual caution around and aversion for anyone who is “different.” But when have YOU been the alien, the stranger, the one who makes others uncomfortable? That’s what the writer of Leviticus wants God’s people to consider: “You shall love the alien as yourself, for YOU were aliens in the land of Egypt.” This is an encouragement to have empathy. Do you remember what it was like for YOU to be the alien? Do you remember the love and acceptance you longed for and maybe didn’t receive?
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Spend time with God reflecting on the times you were the one making others uncomfortable. Reflect on what you needed at that time. How did others reach out in love? If they didn’t, what was that like for you? Let this time with God grow your empathy for others who may be experiencing what you did. Where and who can you reach out to with Jesus’ love and acceptance?
Discover Scripture and Life
Introduction: Jesus sends the church into a world of strangers. We are not meant to stay comfortable, but to share with others the hope that is in us. This sense of welcome to the stranger, to one uncomfortable to us is found in the earliest codes of holiness from Leviticus.
Bible
Leviticus 19:33-36
33When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. 34The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 35You shall not cheat in measuring length, weight, or quantity. 36You shall have honest balances and honest weights; I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
1 Peter 3:13-17
13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;
16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.
Matthew 10:1, 5-8
1Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,
6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.
Questions:
Opening Discovery
1. When have you stretched yourself to do something uncomfortable or challenging?
2. Who was one of the more unusual house guests you have ever entertained?
More about the Scripture
3. In the Gospel, the uncomfortable neighbor is someone we don’t know, or don’t know as well, and we are asked to share something of our personal faith. Why do you think Jesus sent out the disciples to do this? What is at stake for Jesus? Or rather, what would have happened to the church if no one said anything to anyone?
4. Why did Jesus tell them to take nothing more than the clothes they wore? Why no props nor external supports?
5. What did they have inside to bring along? What did ask them to say or do?
6. Peter talks about uncomfortable situations, where giving an account of your faith can put you into a situation of danger or threat. For early Christians, these uncomfortable or dangerous situations happened often. Peter is saying, “Keep a cool head in a tough spot.” Look again at 1 Peter, what makes for keeping a cool head?
7. Leviticus, chapter 19, is in the middle of what is called the “holiness code,” what is most essential about following God’s way. Alien is a term for immigrant, non-citizen, someone who is different. How does that make for an uncomfortable neighbor? Why would Moses talk about kindness to aliens? What is at stake? What does cheating with weights and measures say about treating the alien?
8. Another way of looking at each of the readings is to ask—Who has the power? The answers may be the same or different for spiritual vs physical/social power. How does language of power change how you see the uncomfortable neighbor?
More about Life
1. If Jesus called you to participate in a ministry, what would he say to you in light of your own personality? How would Jesus stretch you?
2. What are examples of sharing faith that is not coercive or manipulative?
3. Who is the uncomfortable neighbor Jesus is calling you to serve?
Together in Prayer
1. As you look to the coming week, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.
2. Do you have any prayer concern that you would like to share? What is it?
Closing Prayer
Pray for the concerns shared in the group. Close in the Lord’s Prayer.
You may also use this prayer.
O God, we thank you for this time we have shared. We bring before you the joys and concerns of our heart. We pray especially for….. Grant us your healing and peace, in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.