Purpose: Explore ways that can help us overcome the unseen, unexamined forces that divide us. Read: Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart Chapter 9: Creating Positive Cross-Cultural Interactions Chapter 10: The Preeminence of (Identity in) Christ Watch: Achieving Unity Cultivating Sociological Imagination Embodying Mutuality Write: Answer the following …
Purpose: Consider unseen, unexamined dynamics that tend to separate us. Read: Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart Chapters 3-8 Write: Chapter 3: Divisions Erected Out of Thin Air Choose a question from pages 64-65 that you want to talk more about with your group. Outline what you think about it. …
Purpose: Reflect on why the “…blueprint of the household of God looks nothing like the blueprints of our own cultural and social cliques,” (Disunity in Christ, page 37). Read: Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart Chapter 1: Right Christian, Wrong Christian Chapter 2: How Divisions Are Killing Us and Why …
Purpose: Consider dualistic thinking, the impact it makes on our decisions and our faith, and the way it causes conflict and distrust. Read: Beginning with Yes Watch: Dualism and Identity Discussion Prep: Jot down or outline answers to the questions below. Be prepared to share your thoughts with your RIOM Covenant Group (3-5 minutes). Richard …
Purpose: What does it mean to be perfectly positioned for Christian ministry? Read: This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers Chapter 7: “I’m With the Band” How The Church Lost Sight of the Priesthood of All Believers Building a Culture of Equipping Lay People Discussion Prep: Jot down or …
Purpose: What motivates laity and clergy for faithful ministry? Read: Lighting a Fire in the Church’s Britches Watch: The Puzzle of Motivation with Dan Pink Write: What is your main take-away from the article and the video? What is functional fixedness? How have you seen it in your ministry setting? What is a contingent motivator? …
Purpose: Think about what it means for all people to see their lives as the mirror of God’s work in the world. Read: The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016 Part IV – The Ministry of All Christians, pages 97-103 Watch: Eliminate Laity with Mike Frost Discussion Prep: Write a short reflection …
Consider Stephanie Speller’s thoughts on God’s love and Love’s work on the cross. Watch: More to the Story Discussion Prep: Jot down or outline answers to the questions below. Be prepared to share your thoughts with your RIOM Covenant Group (3-5 minutes). What line, thought or quote in the video is staying with you and …
Reflect on the idea of heaven and who gets saved through the lens of Will Willimon video and your readings for the day. Write: Finish these sentence stems: When most of my church members talk about or think about the eternal life they seem to think it means … Their thoughts are formed by … …
Explore the Kingdom of God in your own ministry context using the Wesleyan quadrilateral. Read: Methodist Doctrine, The Essentials 2nd Edition (2011) by Ted Campbell Chapter 6, Doctrines About Judgement, Eternal Life and the Reign of God Responsible Grace by Randy Maddox Chapter 9, The Triumph of Responsible Grace Write: Write a 4-5 paragraph reflection …
