Northridge Presbyterian: The Podcast

Holy Curiosity: Resistance as Imagination

July 17: Resistance Stories - Revelation 13: 1-10 - The first beast of the Apocalypse
Reflect 
What is your initial reaction to this scripture from Revelation?
Some scholars consider Revelation as writing to encourage frightened and persecuted Christians that as powerful as evil might be, in the end it will not prevail.  Other scholars see it as a caution to these same Christians to not give in and join the powers of the empire.  Which reason resonates more to you?  Why?
Connect
If this dragon-beast were alive today, what would conquering and waging war against God’s chosen people look like?  What would be the cause(s) of this war today?
Have you felt a connection between wonder and God’s astounding love? If so, how?
Act
Think about someone in one of your communities who is in need/suffering.  Visit them and get to know them and their story.  Then, together, using your imaginations, your sense of wonder, and your connection with one another, brainstorm ways that you both can be reminded of God’s love, even when you feel alone, hopeless, or scared (E.g. nature walks, calls with loved ones, meditation, praying (alone or with others), writing, creating art etc.).  
Factoid
Revelation is an apocalypse, that is an unveiling or disclosing.  It peels back layers of pomp, pretense, fear, and uncertainty to expose true forces at work in the world.  It uses highly symbolic and theologically charged language to offer hope to those suffering under the weight of empire.  It reminded early Christians, and continues to remind us today that goodness is ultimately stronger than empire.  In the end, God wins!
 
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Holy Curiosity: Resistance as Truth

July 10: Resistance Stories - Amos 5:21-25 - Let justice roll…. 
Reflect
 Amos identifies himself as a shepherd and cultivator of sycamore-fig trees.  He warns of coming judgment on the people of Israel and Judah.  Using dates of the kings he mentions, we know he delivered his message between 760-755 BCE.  Amos calls the nation to repentance for the ways the rich take advantage of the poor, saying the judgment will take the shape of extended drought and famine.
How does this background affect your understanding of his image of justice rolling down like water and righteousness like an ever flowing steam?  How does this metaphor speak to you about justice and righteousness?
Connect
If Amos were alive today, what do you think his observations about life in our city/state/country might be?
Who are some people you consider to be modern-day prophets—men and women willing to challenge the powerful and speak up for the marginalized? 
Act
Think about a specific issue that angers and/or confuses you  (E.g. racism and discrimination, unequal treatment/opportunities/pay based on one’s identities, poverty, manipulation, war, hunger, etc.).
Then, narrow down your issue or issues using these guiding questions:
Specifically, what makes you feel angry and/or confused about this issue?
Think about a specific context and/or population that is directly affected.
Reflect on how you and/or your community are affected by this issue.  What is your and/or your community’s personal experience regarding this issue?  What are some similarities and/or differences? (through journaling, a contemplative walk, a conversation with a friend, etc.)
Finally, research specific organizations and resources and think of tangible and direct actions that your community could engage in today that would help educate and raise awareness.  Share with your community and make an action plan together.  
Factoid
Biblical prophets were not fortune tellers, but were individuals who spoke on behalf of God, typically calling the nation to repentance.  They spoke truth to power. Frequently they began their message with warnings, but ended with a word of hope for restoration.  Sixteen prophets lend their names to books of the Bible.  Amos was one of the so-called minor prophets.  This designation was not a reflection on the importance of their messages, but the relative brevity of the books.
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Holy Curiosity: Wisdom Stories

July 3: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For Everything There is a Season
 Reflect: Ecclesiastes is described by many as pragmatic advice, yet this is a beautiful and poetic description of life. What strikes you as realistic about how life unfolds? This passage is frequently read at funeral services. How does this description of life give you hope?
Connect 
Think about the seasons of life mentioned (birth, death, sowing, reaping). Identify times in your life when each of these seasons seemed to dominate your experience.  How did you experience the presence of God differently in these different seasons?  How did your experience of God remain the same?
Act
Who comes to mind when you think of a person of wisdom? Set up a phone call or get together to share with them about why you think they are wise and ask them about the experiences that led to that. 
Digging Deeper
Context matters when we read scripture.  It can be helpful to consider the historical/cultural context of how the original audience might have heard the passage.  It is also helpful to pay attention to the literary context… how does this passage fit into the larger message of the book? Watch this 7 minute animated video (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/wisdom-ecclesiastes/) to learn more.  How does this help you better understand the passage?
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Holy Curiosity: War Stories

June 26: War Stories - Joshua 6
Reflect:  What do you consider to be Joshua’s strengths as a leader? What do you find disturbing about this story?  How do you balance the good news and bad news in this story?
Connect:. Have a conversation with someone about these questions: What are some hard questions you have about the Bible that perhaps you’ve been afraid to confront? What does it look like for you to “face these questions head-on, mind and heart fully engaged, willing to risk the loss of faith if that’s where the search leads”? And what might it mean to continue in your faith, even if your questions and doubts are not fully resolved?
Act:  Choose a scripture that has brought you doubts or has been the source of your hard questions. Read it everyday this week and see if you can approach it with curiosity, so that when you have doubts about scripture you can more fully engage it instead of turning away from it.
Digging deeper
The book of Joshua is a remembered history, written centuries after the event when Israel was a world power in its day.  What might have been the actual story before storytelling embellishments became part of the story?  After careful reading of the text, what evidence might you cite that this is an embellished story?
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Holy Curiosity: Deliverance Stories

June 19: Deliverance stories - Genesis 16
Reflect:
We hear much in contemporary media and culture about the importance of being seen.  What do you think it meant to Hagar to be seen and called by name? What conclusions might you make about God’s character based on this story?
Connect:
Share about a time in your life, or the life of a loved one, when God has “made a way where there seems to be no way.
Act: 
Who are the unseen people in your community? What is one thing you can do this week to help those unseen people around you feel seen?
Digging deeper:
Read the rest of the story of Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 21::8-21.  What might explain the formal inclusion of the messy  story of Hagar and Ishmael in this family story?
Factoid: Hagar is the only person in the Bible who names God. Only once in Bible does someone name God. She names Him “God Sees”
 
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Holy Curiosity: Origin Stories

June 12: Origin stories - Genesis 1 
Reflect:
Biblical scholars would tell us we need to pay attention when words repeat in a segment of scripture.  What do you think is the purpose/power of the repetition of the phrase ‘God said it was good’? What does this passage suggest to you about the purpose and character of God?
Connect:
We each bring our own viewpoint to this story based on life experiences, relationships, and beliefs. What relationships have been important in informing your viewpoints to this text? How has your set of eyes changed over time? We encourage you to read and discuss this text with someone who has a different viewpoint than you. How does their understanding of this text expand your understanding?
Act: 
Before God could call anything good, God had to see. Our youth are serving an often unseen group of people, the refugee population, in Fort Worth on their Mission Trip. Their act of service is an embodiment of seeing and reciting God’s refrain that they too are “good”. You are invited to pray for them this week, and if you would like to get involved in refugee work we encourage you to participate in Northridge Without Borders. 
 
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