{"id":5823,"date":"2016-04-12T08:27:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-12T13:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=5823"},"modified":"2016-04-06T13:49:00","modified_gmt":"2016-04-06T18:49:00","slug":"april-17-2016-believing-belonging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/april-17-2016-believing-belonging\/","title":{"rendered":"April 17, 2016  Believing and Belonging"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Warm-up Question<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What do you value about your best friend which makes you consider them as your best friend?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Believing and Belonging<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Once a year, usually near the end of the year, we play a game at our mid-week gathering of college students.\u00a0 They call it the \u201cBFF Bowl.\u201d\u00a0 It is sort of a mix between the old <em>Newlywed Game<\/em> and a college bowl game.\u00a0 Best Friends Forever (BFF\u2019s) answer questions which show how well they know the other.\u00a0 Last year, Alexa refused to answer the final question.\u00a0 Looking back, it was a rather insensitive question, asking whether the other\u2019s BFF had ever had a crush on another student in the group.\u00a0 Alexa immediately shook her head; \u201cThere is no way I am going to tell you that about my best friend!\u201d\u00a0 Without a doubt, Jenna and Alexa were crowned \u201cBFF\u2019s.\u201d\u00a0 The integrity of their relationship was more important than winning some silly game.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_192165875.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5830\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5830\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_192165875-300x207.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_192165875\" width=\"300\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_192165875-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_192165875-768x531.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_192165875-250x173.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_192165875-507x350.jpg 507w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_192165875.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\u00a0Perhaps you have a BFF.\u00a0 Maybe you are a BFF for someone else in your small group.\u00a0 Being a best friend means understanding what is of value to them and knowing what it is that they consider to be important. \u00a0\u00a0It means knowing the other person and being known by them.<\/p>\n<p>I have a BFF.\u00a0 We don\u2019t get to see each other all that often any more.\u00a0 There are many things happening in his life that we never get around to talking about.\u00a0 There are a lot of things that happen in my life which I don\u2019t bother telling him.\u00a0 When we talk, there are more important things for us to say.\u00a0 Important things like affirming how grateful we are to have each other; and we thank each other for this precious relationship in which we are able to look past all the things happening and see each other as we truly are.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Having a \u201cbest friend forever\u201d isn\u2019t simple. What are some of the reasons many of us don\u2019t have a BFF?<\/li>\n<li>How would to describe the difference between knowing something about another person and knowing that person?<\/li>\n<li>How do we learn to trust another person enough to let them see us for who we truly are?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Fourth Sunday of Easter<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=326953151\" target=\"_blank\">Acts 9:36-43<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=326953186\" target=\"_blank\">Revelation 7:9-17<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=326953217\" target=\"_blank\">John 10:22-30<\/a><\/p>\n<p>(Text links are to <a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/\">Oremus Bible Browser<\/a>. 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 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.elca.org\/Our-Work\/Congregations-and-Synods\/Worship\/Lectionary\/YearB\">Lectionary Readings<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic <a href=\"http:\/\/www.agnusday.org\/\">Agnus Day.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gospel Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Jesus has been in Jerusalem for some two and a half months.\u00a0 He has taught in the Temple, intervened to prevent an angry crowd from murdering a woman, and healed a man who was blind from birth.\u00a0 All of this has happened openly and among the very persons who come to Jesus and demand \u201ctell us plainly\u201d whether you are Messiah.<\/p>\n<p>In the eighth chapter, verses 21ff, Jesus tells them, \u201cWhen you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he.\u201d\u00a0 (Note: Some versions omit that final pronoun.\u00a0 Thus, Jesus says \u201cyou will realize that I am.\u201d\u00a0 For the significance of that, look back to the call of Moses, when Moses asks \u201cWho shall I say has sent me?\u201d\u00a0 God says \u201cI am.\u201d \u2013 Exodus 3:14)<\/p>\n<p>Jesus\u2019 actions were a very clear statement of who he is and what he came to teach.\u00a0 What more could he say?<\/p>\n<p>In considering this passage, make sure not to overlook the possibility that those asking him to speak plainly may not have been looking for an answer.\u00a0 They may have been looking for an opportunity to entrap him.\u00a0 If Jesus were to commit blasphemy by claiming to be God, that would be to their advantage.\u00a0 They may have come to Jesus looking for a way to condemn him, rather than looking for clearly stated information.<\/p>\n<p>Of those who are unable to \u201chear\u201d what Jesus has said so plainly, the gospel writer says they \u201cdo not believe.\u201d\u00a0 Jesus says, \u201cYou do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.\u201d They do not believe; they also don\u2019t seem to belong.\u00a0 Believing and belonging are yoked.\u00a0 One seems not to be possible without the other.\u00a0 There are some things about Jesus we can only hear when we listen with believing ears.\u00a0 There are some beliefs we can only hold when we understand ourselves as belonging.<\/p>\n<p>This is a good time for us to pull out our copy of \u00a0Martin Luther\u2019s <em>Small Catechism<\/em> and refresh our memory of the explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles\u2019 Creed.\u00a0 It is not our own understanding or strength which leads to our belonging.\u00a0 We are called, gathered, and enlightened by the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 Flip forward a few pages to the Third Petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\u00a0 Here, we are once again reminded that it is \u201cGod who strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in his word and in faith until the end of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This encounter between Jesus and those who want him to tell them plainly occurs at the time of the Festival of the Dedication.\u00a0 This festival (known more readily among us as Hanukkah) commemorated the re-dedication of the Temple in 164 BC.\u00a0 The Temple stood as a reminder of the relationship God has with God\u2019s people.\u00a0 Unlike too many of our modern-day gathering houses which look more like huge lecture halls where those with deep secrets share their wisdom, the Temple served to remind us that at Mount Sinai a covenant was established between God and God\u2019s people.\u00a0 That covenant meant the people belonged to God.\u00a0 They can hear and learn and understand and even believe because they belong.\u00a0 They belong in God\u2019s heart and their image is in God\u2019s family photo album.<\/p>\n<p>Amid the questions which ask whether Jesus is Messiah, John 10 encourages us to interject in the discussion our belonging to Jesus.\u00a0 There are things about Jesus we may never be able to believe, until after we have realized that we belong to him.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>One belongs in the symphony if you can play an instrument. One belongs in the chess club if you know the difference between a knight and a pawn.\u00a0 One belongs to Jesus because Jesus says you belong.\u00a0 Have you heard this affirmation from Jesus?\u00a0 Clearly? And powerfully enough that you have come to accept it?<\/li>\n<li>Why are there things which can only be known about Jesus by those who believe in him?<\/li>\n<li>Are there persons who continue to try trap Jesus? Or trap those who speak the words of Jesus?In some faith communities, there is a strong encouragement to \u201cmake a decision\u201d for Jesus. What comfort do you receive in the Catechism\u2019s insistence that Jesus is the one who has decided on us?<\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Activity Suggestions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Plan your own version of a BFF Bowl. Whether or not you actually have a \u201cBowl,\u201d arrive at the questions you would ask of the players.<\/li>\n<li>Make a list of all the places where you \u201cbelong.\u201d With differing colors of highlighters, note those which have requirements (like being on the math team) and those where you belong because someone says you are welcome (like the youth group at church).<\/li>\n<li>Are there ever informal, unspoken conditions for being part of a religious community?<\/li>\n<li>Have a look at a Jewish calendar. Most Christians remember that Hanukkah is in latter December, but do we know when the other festivals occur?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Closing Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gracious and loving God, we thank you for making it crystal clear that we belong to you.\u00a0 Our inclusion as your children makes it possible for us to trust in your promises and to believe.\u00a0 Send us forth into the world to share with others the good news of your love.\u00a0 Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC \u00a0 Warm-up Question What do you value about your best friend which makes you consider them as your best friend? Believing and Belonging Once a year, usually near the end of the year, we play a game at our mid-week gathering of college students.\u00a0 They call it the \u201cBFF Bowl.\u201d\u00a0 It [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1400],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>April 17, 2016 Believing and Belonging - Faith Lens<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/april-17-2016-believing-belonging\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"April 17, 2016 Believing and Belonging - Faith Lens\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC \u00a0 Warm-up Question What do you value about your best friend which makes you consider them as your best friend? Believing and Belonging Once a year, usually near the end of the year, we play a game at our mid-week gathering of college students.\u00a0 They call it the \u201cBFF Bowl.\u201d\u00a0 It [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/april-17-2016-believing-belonging\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Faith Lens\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2016-04-12T13:27:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_192165875.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"691\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"faithlens\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"faithlens\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/faithlens\\\/april-17-2016-believing-belonging\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/faithlens\\\/april-17-2016-believing-belonging\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"faithlens\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/faithlens\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b8300066980f72581b618e79dbe972e7\"},\"headline\":\"April 17, 2016 Believing and Belonging\",\"datePublished\":\"2016-04-12T13:27:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/faithlens\\\/april-17-2016-believing-belonging\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1322,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/faithlens\\\/april-17-2016-believing-belonging\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/15\\\/2016\\\/04\\\/shutterstock_192165875-300x207.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Post\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/faithlens\\\/april-17-2016-believing-belonging\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.elca.org\\\/faithlens\\\/april-17-2016-believing-belonging\\\/\",\"name\":\"April 17, 2016 Believing and Belonging - 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