Dave Dodson, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Warm-up Question

How is punishment decided in your household?  Does the punishment fit the crime?

The Weakness of God

After the 2018 Olympics ended with the Closing Ceremony, one country was given a reason to celebrate.  On February 28^th, the International Olympic Committee ( IOC), reinstated Russia as a country permitted to compete in Olympic competition.  In the 2018 Winter Games, Russia had been prohibited from competition due to a doping scandal uncovered after the last Olympic Games.  It came to light that widespread doping was promoted by coaches and officials in the Russian Olympic organization.  As a result, no athletes were permitted to represent Russia or show the Russian flag or colors during the 2018 Winter Olympics.

On the day that Russia was reinstated, the Russian Olympic Committee breathed a sigh of relief.  ROC president Alexander Zhukov called the period of the ban one of the “most challenging ones in Russian sports history” and congratulated Russian athletes and fans for Russia’s return as a “full-fledged member of the Olympic family.”

The 2018 Olympics were not without some drama from Russian athletes, however.  Two Russian athletes (competing independently from Russia) tested positive for banned substances.  One of the two was even forced to return a bronze medal due to the doping.  The IOC, however, ruled that these two doping incidents were done by the individuals on their own.  The Russian Olympic Committee was considered innocent.

Not everyone was happy with this decision.  US lawyer Jim Walden complained that the IOC was “[treating] Russia and its glaring acts of aggression with cowardice and appeasement.”  Furthermore, Walden predicted that the IOC’s reinstatement of Russia would cause Russia to resort to doping again.  As Walden claimed, “Weakness in the face of evil results in no good outcomes.”

Discussion Questions

• Do you think that Walden is correct in his claim about weakness?
• Consider the example of world leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Ghandi, and Nelson Mandela. These men practiced nonviolent techniques that many considered weak.  Why did they result in such positive outcomes?

Fifth Sunday in Lent

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Today’s Gospel reading sets us up for Good Friday.  We know that as Lent progresses we grow closer and closer to the day on which we remember Jesus’ death.  In today’s reading, Jesus foreshadows his death on the cross.  Jesus knows that the time ahead will be hard.  He alludes to his death in verse 24, and then admits his own inner turmoil in verse 27.  “My soul is troubled,” Jesus says, before he resolves to stand strong, for “it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.”

It is passages like these in the gospels that lead  some theologians to write about an astonishing interpretation of Scripture called “the weakness of God”.  As theologian and profession John Caputo notes, in The Weakness of God: A Theology of the Event, it is in passages like these that Jesus, God on earth, chooses to act in weakness.

How could God be weak?  The answer comes when we consider all of the power that God (and Jesus) has.  Jesus was not intrinsically powerless to prevent his arrest and crucifixion.  As we know well from Jesus’ many miracles, he had power from God that he surely could have used to escape this fate.  However, Jesus actively chose to be powerless in the situation.  He allowed himself to be taken and killed.  Jesus submitted, and chose to be weak.

It cannot be true, then, that “weakness in the face of evil results in no good outcomes”.  Jesus embraced weakness as the method by which he defeated evil once and for all.  Weakness isn’t worthlessness; it is the way in which you and I are saved!

Caputo pointed this out in his theological works.  “The powerless power of the kingdom prevails whenever the one is preferred to the ninety-nine,” Caputo passionately writes, “whenever one loves one’s enemies and hates one’s father and mother while the world, which believes in power, counsels us to fend off our enemies and keep the circle of kin and kind, of family and friends, fortified and tightly drawn.”

Notice that Caputo’s words put us at odds with what popular society considers admirable.  The world tells us to be strong; Jesus tells us to make ourselves weak.  The world says we should gather and use power; Jesus tells us that power comes from powerlessness.  The world tells us to surround ourselves by those who can make us stronger; Jesus teaches us to value to the weak.

In the coming weeks, as we see Jesus’ inexorable march to the cross and his death on Good Friday, we do well to remember that Christians celebrate weakness – and that, indeed, we are saved by it.

Discussion Questions

• What attributes do we generally consider to be “weak”? Are there any of those that Christians should actually show?
• How does embracing weakness change how Christians act in society and politics?

Activity Suggestions

Create a poster advertisement for a gym.  Instead of promoting physical strength, however, try to promote the sort of weakness that we have discussed today.  What sort of “activities” would go on in a facility that promoted this sort of weakness?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we proceed through this Lenten season, we continue to humble ourselves as we strive to follow the footsteps of Jesus.  Teach us, God, to be weak, so that we may stand with those who are marginalized in our world.  Help us to learn every day to value the real strength that comes from walking with Jesus.  In His name we pray, Amen.

Sylvia Alloway, Granada Hills, CA

Warm-up Question

If you were asked to give a message that would be heard around world, what would you say? Why would you say that?

The Message That Made a Man

If you were asked to give a message that would be heard around world, what would you say? Why would you say that?

Billy Graham, the Man with the Message

Christians argue over a lot of issues which they consider important. How much water should be used in baptism? What kind of music is truly worshipful? Would Jesus approve of current political causes?

For Billy Graham there was only one important issue: Jesus Christ. He loves you. He died for you. He forgives you. His single-minded focus on Christ’s saving work and his simple, intense presentation of the Gospel were so impressive his audiences numbered in the hundreds of millions world-wide. Known as “America’s pastor,” he was arguably the most famous Christian of the 20^th century. On February 21^st William Franklin Graham passed into the presence of his Lord at the age of ninety-nine.

So what was so special about this guy? How did he manage to make the “Ten Most Admired Men” list 61 times? When other evangelists were brought down by scandal, how did Billy stay on top? Was he superhuman or something?

(The teacher may play this clip https://billygraham.org/video/happiness-lexington-4-28-71/ as an example of Billy Graham at his height.)

No, he was not superhuman. He was super-faithful. His focus was on faithfulness to his message – the truth of salvation through Christ. Fame didn’t tempt him to put his public image ahead of his message. Money did not distract him from his message. For social and political missteps (and he made a few) he almost always admitted his fault, apologized, and continued to preach his message. As his audience increased, he grew in humility, not pride. Giving people God’s truth was a responsibility he took seriously.

“I have been asked, ‘What is the secret?’” Graham once said. “Is it showmanship, organization or what? The secret of my work is God. I would be nothing without him.”

In summing up his attitude towards death he revised a quote from D.L. Moody, an earlier evangelist whom he admired:

Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.

Discussion Questions

• Has the class heard of Billy Graham? What have they heard about him?
• Name some people you admire and tell why. What qualities do you admire most? Why?
• Go back to your answers for the warm-up question. Are there any of these messages worth focusing your whole life on? If not what kind of message would be worth it?

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Numbers 21:4-9

Ephesians 2:1-10

John 3:14-21

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Today’s Gospel lesson contains one of the most famous verses in scripture – a favorite of Billy Graham and many other Christians. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” It is said that this verse states the entire message of the Gospel. So what about all those other verses?

Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee who sincerely wants to know more about who Jesus is. He has come to visit Jesus at night so that no one will know he has been talking to the man his fellow Pharisees oppose.

Nicodemus gets the message simply and directly. Jesus is God’s Son sent by his loving Father to offer eternal life to the world. Moses lifted up a bronze serpent so that the Israelites could look at it and be healed of snakebite (Number 9:8-9). When we look to Jesus on the cross, we will be healed of sin. No more condemnation, no more darkness – just believe.

It sounds simple – but there’s a problem. People don’t want to step into God’s light and be healed. They’d rather hide in the darkness clutching their sins to their hearts, thinking no one will see them. By refusing God’s salvation and hiding from his light, they have already condemned themselves.

Only in the light of Christ can we see the truth. Only by seeing his truth can we do what is true for all to see. This was the message to which Billy Graham devoted his life, the message that lit up his sermons and gave him the power to do what is true.

Eventually Nicodemus understood the message and openly declared himself a follower of Christ (John 19:38-42). Do we understand the message? Do we live it in our lives

Discussion Questions

• Look carefully at John 3:16 one phrase at a time. What part of the Gospel does each phrase describe? How do all the phrases work together to declare the Gospel message?
• Verse 21 talks about doing what is true. What does that mean? What are some examples of true actions in real life?
• That are some examples of spiritual darkness you see around you? What are some examples of spiritual light?
• What can you personally do to get the message of Christ’s light across to those around you?

Activity Suggestions

In groups or as a class have students work out a scenario in which a person can get the message of Christ’s light across to another person through words and actions. Have them act out the scenario for the class.

Closing Prayer

Loving Father in Heaven, thank you for sending your Son to save us and bring us into your marvelous light. May we spread this good news about Jesus in our words and actions that bring light to the people in our world.

Ginger Litman-Koon, Isle of Palms, SC

Warm-up Question

If you were to qualify for the Winter Olympics, what event would you want to compete in?

Be Nice…Always?

In February, the 23rd Winter Olympic Games were held in PyeongChang, South Korea. Although tickets to the 2018 Games did not sell out, like they have in some years, nearly 1 million visitors, athletes, and support teams traveled to South Korea to participate. Visitors included guests from the 92 nations competing in the games, as well as spectators from non-competing countries. South Korea spent years preparing to host these Winter Games, including participating in high-stakes international talks with delegates from the hostile regime of North Korea, which resulted in the participation of ten athletes and 220 cheerleaders from the North. (Read more about the cheerleaders here http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42616982)

While South Korea was preparing to receive its horde of international visitors, travelers were preparing as well for the particularities of Korean customs. While the South Korean hosts are a gracious and welcoming people, attention to local etiquette goes a long way to help tourist-host relations. When planning a visit to South Korea, here are some things you might want to know:

Last names first. Traditional Korean names list family name first. So if you meet
someone named “Kim” or “Lee,” you should use a Mr. or Ms. in front of it.

Hands to yourself. Unless you have been invited to do so, do not touch your South
Korean hosts. Personal space is highly valued.

Please be seated. In some Korean restaurants, it is not uncommon to be seated on the
floor. But don’t worry – the floor may be heated!

No tipping, please. If you see a “No tipping” sign, don’t tip. Doing so could be
considered offensive.

Four no more. Similar to American unease about the number 13, it is considered unlucky
to mention the number four. Some Korean elevators skip the fourth floor.

Make a joyful noise! Often, after a traditional Korean meal, guests are invited to sing
Karaoke. Refusing to do so may be considered rude.

In addition to learning some traditional South Korean customs, some Olympic Games staff members received training on how not to offend delegates from North Korea. First and foremost, do not mention their leader, Kim Jong Un. And second, don’t bring up nukes! The presence of delegates from the North, including Leader Kim’s sister, Yo Jong, is such a highly sensitive topic, extreme precautions were taken on both sides to avoid adding fuel to the fire of nuclear-armed tensions.

Discussion Questions

• Did any of these Korean customs surprise you? Are there any you think you’d like to adopt here at home?
• Have you ever traveled somewhere with different customs? What were they?
• How important do you think being “polite” is? Why or why not?

Third Sunday in Lent

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

A preacher once said in a sermon, “The Good News is not about being ‘nice’.” In a culture, where we teach children to get along, have good manners, be polite, and “be nice,” this may be a challenge. Certainly, putting the needs of others before our own is a Christian virtue, and adopting a servant-heart can very well result in being a “nice” person, there is much more to it than that. Being an active participant in God’s kingdom-work calls us to respond passionately to the needs and the injustices in the world, and sometimes being passionate does not equate to being polite.

In today’s gospel reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus does not exhibit good manners. Today we encounter an angry Jesus. Jesus comes to the holy city of Jerusalem, to the Temple of God on Mount Zion, and there he meets injustice face to face. Instead of serving the poor pilgrims of Israel who have come to celebrate the Passover, the religious authorities are exploiting them by selling high-priced animals to the pilgrims for their Temple sacrifices. And Jesus gets angry. He gets so angry that he weaves cords together to make a whip and drives the livestock out of the Temple court. He then upends the tables and pours out all the money that had been collected by the vendors and those charging a markup to exchange local currency. Jesus is so passionate for the sanctity of God’s house, seeing it turned into a money-making marketplace makes him seething mad.

We often hear about the “wrath of God,” or God’s “righteous anger.” And here, in this story, we see it in Jesus. Other times in the gospel story, he confronts the religious authorities with strong or harsh language, calling them a “brood of vipers,” “hypocrites,” etc.  It can be difficult for us to think of God’s anger, because anger in humans often originates from sin and also leads to sin. For humans, anger often stems from pride or jealousy, and it often leads to grudges, gossip, or a desire for revenge. But in Jesus’ case, his anger did not stem from sin, instead it is directed towards sin. Because Jesus cares so much about God’s children he cannot stand to see sin hurt them. God’s anger is often called righteous, because it stems solely from the seat of righteousness, not from petty or misdirected desires.

Even though it can be difficult for us to accept, Jesus’ anger can bring us comfort. It’s reassuring to know that our Lord cares enough about us to get angry when we are harmed, abused, or taken advantage of. Given the rampant sin in the world today, it’s probably safe to assume that God does get angry – at school shootings, at child and domestic abuse, at war, at world hunger. It’s ok if we feel angry too, as long as that anger comes from the righteousness of God, and as long as it directs us to positive action, not revenge. Today, it may feel hard to stay nice and quiet and polite. Instead, our passion for justice may call us to stand up, to speak out, and dig in our heels for God’s kingdom-work.

Discussion Questions

• What do you think it was like to be there when Jesus “cleansed” the Temple?
• Is it hard for you to think about Jesus getting angry? Why or why not?
• Do you ever feel “righteous anger” about things going on in your life? in the news?
• Can you think of positive ways to direct your passion? How can you turn anger into kingdom-work?

Activity Suggestions

Take a look at the illustrated emotions chart. Find the illustration that describes how you feel right now. Find an illustration that may have described how Jesus felt at the Temple. Which one illustrates how the money-changers felt? Pick one that shows how you feel when you read the news. How about when you finish a service project? Keep the chart to help you identify your emotions.

Closing Prayer

God of justice, ignite our hearts to burn with passion for the work of your kingdom. When we feel angry at others or at the world, ease our minds and hearts, and turn us again to you. When we feel angry at the hurt experienced by your beloved children, direct our energy toward serving, healing, and making a difference in our world for your glory. Amen.

Scott Mims, Virginia Beach, VA

Warm-up Questions

• (Activity) Give each person some Play-Doh or similar material and have them create a sculpture or a symbol that represents or relates to their faith. After a few minutes, have everyone share their creation and what it symbolizes.  Take note of how many people incorporate a cross in their sculpture.
• Who do you say that Jesus is? If you use words like “Lord,” “Savior,” “Messiah,” or “Son of God,” what do these titles mean to you?

Faster. Higher. Stronger.

On February 9, the XXIII Olympic Winter Games officially opened in PyeongChang, South Korea.  By the time the closing ceremony is held on February 25, some 2,920 athletes from 92 countries will have competed in 102 events. Along the way, there are sure to be many amazing, dramatic moments as some of the very best athletes in the world go for the gold.

Yet, even though those who compete come from many different countries, they all share in the drive and discipline it takes to become an Olympian.  What these athletes often make look so graceful and easy is the result of years of training, often for hours each day.  Their whole lives are oriented around the goals they pursue. Doubtless there is much that those who compete at this level give up in order to focus on their chosen sport.  And, even if they do not get to stand on the podium, their quest to compete has greatly shaped who they are.

Discussion Questions

• Have you been keeping up with the Winter Olympics? If so, what have been some of your favorite events or moments of the games?
• What sports or other activities do you enjoy doing? Have you ever been part of a team or group competition? What did you learn from the experience?
• Which do you think shapes who we are more, what we do – that is, where we spend our time, energy and attention – or what we claim to believe?

Second Sunday in Lent

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Romans 4:13-25

Mark 8:31-38

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

“Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

We come this week to what is often called the fulcrum or “hinge” of Mark’s gospel account.  Not only is it the midpoint of the book, it also marks several important turning points in the story.  Geographically, Jesus has been working mostly in the region of Galilee, but now his ministry will lead him steadily onward toward Jerusalem and the cross.  Theologically several shifts also occur.  Up to this point, Mark has focused on who Jesus is as shown by his words and his works of power.  The conclusion he hopes that we, the readers of the gospel, will reach is the same one that Peter voices in Mark 8:29, namely that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ.  But what does that mean?  From here on out the gospel will focus more and more on this question.  What does it mean that Jesus is the Christ, and, subsequently, how does that shape the lives of those who call themselves Christians?  The invitation that was extended to Peter and the other disciples when Jesus first called to them, “Follow me,” will, going forward, be furthered refined. At the same time, it will also be opened up by Jesus to “any who want to become my followers.”

So, what does discipleship look like?  What does it mean to follow Jesus? Another important feature of this passage is that it contains the first of three instances, three “passion predictions,” in which Jesus foretells what lies at the end of his journey to Jerusalem (verse 31).  Here, as in the other two instances (Mk. 9:30, 10:32-34), those closest to Jesus fail to understand what he is talking about.  Peter rather famously pulls Jesus aside, as if Jesus is the candidate and Peter the campaign manager, and he begins to rebuke Jesus for saying such things.  Jesus just as famously puts Peter in his place.  “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”  And here is the essence of the matter, it is not the disciple’s place to define what “Messiah” or “Christ” mean, for it is Jesus alone who gets to define these things.  The disciple’s place is simply to get behind Jesus, to take up her or his cross, and to follow.

Finally, what does it mean to take up one’s cross?  Is it simply to deal with the problems or troubles that come your way with as much patience, determination, and faith as possible?  We often hear of “bearing our cross” in terms of just such perseverance.  Yet Jesus has something else, something deeper in mind than getting through life as best as we can.  After all, the cross that awaits Jesus in Jerusalem is not an accidental event or circumstance for him to “get through,” it is a direct result of his own work to confront the powers of sin, evil, and death.

As many of us prepare for this summer’s ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, I am reminded this week of the Gathering’s cross shaped logo and the theme: “This Changes Everything.”  The life-changing grace that flows from what Jesus has done in taking up his cross beckons us to follow, and, in following him, to discover who we truly are.  Jesus defined Messiah in terms of his identification with the outcasts, the forgotten, and the oppressed, bringing to them in word and deed the promise of God’s coming kingdom.  This has important implications for all who would be disciples.  “Taking up the cross means being at work where God is at work in the world to relieve suffering and injustice, to rescue the weak, and to bring peace and justice to bear in the human community.” ^[1]   Because God has gifted each of us with a unique set of gifts, talents, abilities, and experiences, each of us has a unique opportunity to take up our cross and participate in God’s redemptive work in the world.

[1] R. Alan Culpepper, Mark (Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc. 2007), 288.

Discussion Questions

• One often hears that all you need to do to be a Christian is to “believe in Jesus.” How does such a statement compare with the things that Jesus says in this passage?  Can a person follow Jesus apart from believing in him?  Can a person believe in him without following?
• If you were either to paint a picture or to make a list of what it means to take up your cross and follow Jesus, what are some of the things that you would include? How do such activities shape who we are?
• We are currently in the season of Lent, traditionally a time for self-reflection and repentance. Yet Lent can also be a time for spiritual growth. What things in your life right now might you be willing to give up, change, or take on in order to grow as a follower of Jesus?

Activity Suggestions

• Lent is also an important time to reflect upon the meaning of Baptism. Examine together the Affirmation of Baptism service, and especially the description of our baptismal covenant (ELW pg. 236; LBW pg. 201). How is this a description of what it means to be a disciple?  Check out the ELCA website for some great resources that help connect faith practices and the gifts of discipleship.  Two helpful links:

http://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Congregations-and-Synods/Faith-Practices?_ga=2.15329526.198197125.1518492296-749132665.1442867431

http://www.elca.org/Resources/Faith-Practices?_ga=2.11143284.198197125.1518492296-749132665.1442867431

Closing Prayer

Gracious and loving God, in the waters of baptism you name us and claim us and make us your own.  Thank you for the gift of new life and for the invitation to experience that life in the community of your church.  Fill us with your Spirit, call deeply to our hearts, and lead us to more fully and faithfully follow Jesus.  Guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions, that we may be your hands and voice in a world so hungry to experience good news.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Herb Wounded Head, Brookings, SD

Warm-up Question

When was the last time you looked up at the stars or the moon? What sort of feelings do you experience when you did?

Life on Mars

Perhaps you’ve heard of billionaire Elon Musk. He’s an inventor and entrepreneur who founded the electric car company Tesla, as well as the solar energy company, SolarCity and the company SpaceX. Most recently he has been in the news for launching one of his own cars into earth’s orbit on the rocket, Falcon Heavy. Inside of the car is a mannequin wearing one of SpaceX’s spacesuits with the cars sound system playing David Bowie’s song, Life on Mars. The car is hopefully on its way out of earth’s orbit and on its way to Mars.

Elon Musk has big ideas and big dreams. He has a dream to deal with earth’s overcrowding by making it possible for people to live in space, and perhaps even on Mars. He addresses the issue of climate change by creating safe, solar energy that one day may become affordable for all people. Musk is unafraid to challenge the status quo and do things that no one else would dream of doing because of all of the roadblocks and naysayers who say that the things that he dreams up are just too impossible to happen. He has the resources and the wherewithal to do what he can to make the world a better place through technological advancements such as these.

But he also does some pretty silly things. There is literally a car in space, making its way to Mars! That’s just incredible and amazing and kind of silly. He also recently created a flamethrower which generated $10 million dollars for another one of his companies, The Boring Company. Again, this is kind of silly and more than a bit dangerous. In the above article, Musk is quoted as saying about his Tesla flying into space, “It’s kind of silly and fun, but silly and fun things are important.”

Discussion Questions

• What do you think of Elon Musk’s achievements? Are they silly? Are they important?
• What sort of silly things do you do to keep yourself grounded?
• What dreams to you have that may seem impossible?

First Sunday in Lent

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

In our Gospel lesson, Jesus is baptized, claimed by God, driven out into the wilderness by the Spirit, tempted by Satan.  Then he begins his ministry. That’s a lot to have happen in a few short verses. Other Gospels go into more detail about Jesus’ baptism and temptation, but the Gospel of Mark gets right to the point of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus has important work to do, mainly letting people know that the kingdom of God is present and real in the world and that the kingdom has come to being with Jesus’ work among us.

But the first thing to happen before Jesus begins any of this is that he is baptized and claimed by God. Our ministry in the world begins with our own baptism. Indeed we are all called to be witnesses to God’s kingdom in the world, so we too have important work to do. In the Affirmation of Baptism in the Lutheran church, we make promises in our covenant with covenant God made with us in our baptism including, “to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”

The season of Lent is a good time to be reminded of those promises as it’s an ideal time to take stock of our lives and to return to serving God’s kingdom in this manner.

To strive for justice and peace in all the earth means a lot of things. It can be serving the poor and the homeless. It can be working at your local bank and doing good and honest business with others. It can be as a student treating your classmates and teachers as people who are important and blessed by God.

It can even be sending a car into space with the hopes of helping humanity in some way. In the Lutheran church, we call this vocation, living out your calling in the world to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. Sometimes it’s grandiose dreams and ideas. Most of the time, it’s in the way we go about our day to day lives as God’s people who respond to the world’s greatest needs by simply being true to ourselves. God has claimed us as His own in our baptisms, and we are truly loved so we can continue Jesus’ ministry to love and care for the world God made.

Discussion Questions

• How do you live out your baptism? What sort of things do you do to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
• What experiences remind you of God’s presence with you?

Activity Suggestions

Now is a good time to make some affirmations of each other in your group. Make sure everyone has a writing utensil and a piece of paper. Have everyone write their names on the top of their piece of paper. Have them pass their paper to their neighbor to the right of them and instruct the group to write one positive thing on the piece of paper about the person whose name is at the top of the paper. This activity works best if you remind the group to look beyond just their physical characteristics, such as, “You have nice hair,” or “I like your shoes.” Help them to look at their personality and other gifts that they might have. If your group knows each other fairly well, have them share the positive statements. Keep these positive statements in your Bibles as reminders of the gifts that they have.

Closing Prayer

God of the heavens, you reach out to us in Your Son and call us Your own. Empower us to dream big dreams and to also do the little things that make Your love known throughout Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.