Becoming Something Really New

For June 3, 2012


All scriptures are from The Message Version

What difference does being a person of faith make to that person, to the person’s behavior, priorities, and endeavors? The scripture for today points to faith being transformational, that through faith we become something different – born from above. Take a look, what do you think?

This post is intended to help the reader personalize the words and thoughts in the scriptures. It works well if shared between two or more people as a conversation but there is much to be gained by just considering the questions for yourself. Commentaries for the lectionary scripture can be found on Textweek through this link http://www.textweek.com/mkjnacts/jn3a.htm

John 3: 1-2 There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it." 3Jesus said, "You're absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to—to God's kingdom."

• What can we infer about Nicodemus from this scripture? Who might he be and what brought him to Jesus? John’s gospel mentions Nicodemus again in 7:46-52 and 19:39. What do these scriptures add to our picture of him?

• What does John want us to learn from Nicodemus? Is he locked into some rigid set of theological “truths” or is he open to explore and question?

• How does Jesus feel about Nicodemus being drawn to him because of “signs”? Were Jesus’ miracles important to you at any point in your faith life?

• How he deal with Nicodemus’ questions? Do you feel that they were answered in a way in which Nicodemus could understand? When have faith questions come up in your life and how have you dealt with them? Should we expect faith questions to stop coming up at some point or not?

• There are at least three ways to translate Jesus’ teaching about seeing the Kingdom of God. The first is “born again, a second is “born anew” and the third is “born from above”. How does each speak to you about faith (if at all) and to what extent does each speak to your own experience?

• All of these translations infer that we will leave something behind if we are reborn. What might some of those things be based on your understanding of the gospels? What might be some of the things we find in the world of the reborn?

Jesus continues:
John 3: 4"How can anyone," said Nicodemus, "be born who has already been born and grown up? You can't re-enter your mother's womb and be born again. What are you saying with this 'born-from-above' talk?" 5-6Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. 7"So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above'—out of this world, so to speak.

• Is Nicodemus asking a foolish question? Should we feel any constraints in asking questions and seeking answers about our understanding of faith issues?

• How is the rebirth described? What has to be done to be reborn? What forms the person who ‘submits to this original creation’? How does this description fit with your faith journey? What got you started, have you changed with time, what caused these changes? Do you feel that your spirituality has impacted the kind of person that you are now? Can you see these events in terms of being reborn or not?

• Jesus speaks of being born ‘out of this world’. Does this have any meaning for you? How is living a life of faith different than living a life as part of the popular culture of today?

• What are some things that are different when we are reborn? How are lives changed when this happens? See:

Galatians 5 :22-23 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.


I Corinthians 12:4-6 4-11God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!


Romans 12:2 Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

• How do these scriptures speak to you about living a life of faith? To what degree are they either a reality for you in your life or things you have seen in other faithful believers? Do they speak to something that come immediately in a faith journey or something that comes with “being formed by something we cannot see or touch” (the Spirit)?

Jesus continues his teaching to Nicodemus:


John 3:8"So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above'—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone 'born from above' by the wind of God, the Spirit of God." 9Nicodemus asked, "What do you mean by this? How does this happen?"

• The Greek word for wind, spirit and breath is the same which can contribute to confusion in interpretation and understanding. What point is made about the wind? What do you think that Jesus is teaching about being led by the Spirit?

• Has your faith life ever taken you in unexpected directions? Have you ever gotten involved in something, changed perceptions of people, changed priorities for the use of your time, or contributed financially because of a faith conviction? Are you more open to leading a life inspired by your prayer life, bible study, or other people of faith in your life?

• After all of this Nicodemus still has questions, do you? Is he afraid to ask them? Where should we go with our questions? What spiritual tools are available to us? What resources do you have for searching faith questions? How important is a faith community in our search and in our growth as we are “formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit”.

Closing Prayer

Holy One, grace us with your presence. You who create, fashion faith from our questions. You who redeem, bring life through our wonderings. You who breathe life’s breath, inspire our spirits to follow yours. Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: 1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) or Genesis 3:8-15, Psalm 138 or 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, Mark 3:20-35



How To Treat Others

For 9/28/2011
All scriptures are from The Message Version

Today we look at three scriptures that deal with and give guidance on living in community with one another. This is a theme that runs throughout the bible, both the formal rules of the Old Testament Law and the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. First we will look at a teaching by Jesus that sets the stage for understanding the foundation for living together as a faith community. The context is Jesus telling his followers that he is going to Jerusalem and that he would be crucified and what would be required if they were to follow him but there might be a wider application:

Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

· Jesus reminds his disciples (us) that we are followers; what is the essence of that reminder? This is easy to hear in concept but how should we apply it in practical terms to our daily lives? How do we relinquish being in the driver’s seat as we face the issues and decisions of daily life?
· How do you react to his words on suffering and self-sacrifice? How is our true self revealed thru accepting these things; have you had experiences that gave you insight on your true self (for better or worse).
· Can you relate any of this to what is needed to live successfully as a faith community and also with those whom we come across each day?

Next we look at specific advice Paul gives for living faithfully with others. Read the entire scripture and then come back and reflect on each section. As you read this are you reminded of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7?

Romans 12: 9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

· What do you relate to in these verses? What is called for as the scripture begins? Can you relate this to Jesus’ many, many teachings – This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you (John 15:12)
· What is Paul’s bottom line and how much practice does it take to play second fiddle?

11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

· How do we avoid burn out? Is that a problem with our church leadership pool today? What are some ways in which we can recharge our spiritual batteries as individuals and as a faith community?
· What practical advice does he give for hard times and how might they fit into the life of your congregation today?
· Should we only help needy Christians?

14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

· Do you relate to the thought that you might have enemies in the congregation?
· How do you feel about your congregation's expression of Paul’s encouragement for relationships with one another? Can you think of specific examples?
· Have you had the experience of discovering beauty in someone you didn’t like? Was it helpful?

20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

· There are lots of stories about taking positive steps to mend a relationships between two people who did not like one another, do you have one?
· Might there be a difference in applying this to believers as opposed to non-believers? Should we be selective in with whom we seek to repair a broken relationship?

Lastly Paul speaks to the understanding and reality that we need to embrace in order to be an effective person of faith, to incorporate the good we have been discussing into our lives.

Romans 12:3 I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

· What is the key to understanding ourselves and motivating us to be proactive in living ou our faith in everyday life? Does it give you any new insight?
· What will you take away from this discussion today? What would you like to know more about?

Closing Litany
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
The Lord's Prayer - The Message Version

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Matthew 18:15-20, Romans 13:8-14, Psalm 149or Psalm 119:33-40, Exodus 12:1-14 or Ezekiel 33:7-11