Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1

Welcome
This week, we begin a new series called “Hold These Truths: Centering Jesus in a Divisive Political Season.” The series is timely as we head into the November election season. It is safe to say at this point that we are being totally inundated with mailings, emails, social media posts, commercials, and water cooler talks with friends, family, and coworkers. It may be hard to find gentle things to say when our emotions are running extremely intense. Hopefully, this guide and the guides provided in the coming weeks will help us have good conversations.

Disclaimer: We want to make room for each other in grace-filled ways during our time together. Please consider listening and pausing before responding to really think about your words. Our CoreGroups are safe spaces, and we are among friends in Christ. Please be gentle moving forward.


Opening Prayer
Oh God, thank you for your blessings today. Your presence among us is comforting. Please bless our conversations and fill our minds with hopeful insight. It is in your name we pray, amen.
 

Ice Breaker
What is your favorite way to calm yourself or to find inner peace? What does finding peace look like for you? For some it may be discovered through a good book, or maybe music is a better vehicle, while others might seek outdoor adventures? Discuss with the group.


The Head
Now, let’s light the fire. Jesus was sent to Earth to start a revolution! His goal was to change hearts, customs, and minds to show everyone a new way to God. It’s a weird notion to think about, but right from the beginning, starting with his birth in Bethlehem, public policy was altered by his presence and a lifetime of political change began.

Starting with Matthew 2:1-4...
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born.

• The arrival of the magi (or the people sometimes referred to as the three kings) was significant following the birth of Jesus. Kings normally would not travel to distant lands with gifts to honor a baby in a stable. What political things do you notice when thinking about this visit? 
• King Herod was appointed by Rome to rule over the region of Judea that included places such as Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The land was mostly populated with Jewish people, so Herod was effectively known as the king of the Jews. Why do you think this troubled Herod?
• In what ways did the birth of Jesus start a revolution?

At the other side of his ministry, John 18 describes a conversation Jesus had with Pontius Pilot at a time close to the crucifixion. Here are verses 33-38...
Pilate went back into the palace. He summoned Jesus and asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others spoken to you about me?”
Pilate responded, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your nation and its chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
Jesus replied, “My kingdom doesn’t originate from this world. If it did, my guards would fight so that I wouldn’t have been arrested by the Jewish leaders. My kingdom isn’t from here.”
“So you are a king?” Pilate said.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this reason: to testify to the truth. Whoever accepts the truth listens to my voice.”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked.

• In this exchange, Pontius Pilot speaks to Jesus one-on-one to attempt to understand why he was arrested. How does Jesus avoid earthly political titles in this conversation? 
• Pontius Pilot may have expected bombastic rhetoric from Jesus based on the accusations of leaders charging Jesus with crimes. How does Jesus disarm this expectation?
• Verse 38 is a classic question. “What is truth?” The bible does not describe the conversation following this question, but the subsequent verses say that Pontius Pilot went back to leaders and said he found no grounds for the charges against Jesus. How do you think Pontius Pilot would have felt at that moment? 

The Heart
In both readings this week, we see different examples of how Jesus impacted the political world around him at that time. In an expanded context though, we can also see how his presence, words, and deeds impacted the entire world forever.

• Even though Jesus inspired change, he was not partisan. Another way of saying this is that Jesus sought to inspire hearts and minds, but he did not take sides or adopt party platforms. What is the lesson here for us? In what ways could we follow this pattern?
• What is your truth? In what ways have you considered the importance of naming your political views? What benefit does naming your views have?
• When it comes to political conversations, sometimes it’s best to quietly listen and sometimes it’s better to speak up. What does that look like for you?

The Hands
Beyond naming our views, how we navigate these ideas in the world is also important. As believers, we can find value in the ways that Jesus stayed calm in most settings while delivering ideas that were challenging. It may take practice, but finding calm ways may serve us well.

• In the icebreaker, we discussed our favorite ways to calm ourselves. Now putting those ways into this context, how could you apply some of those techniques to tricky political topics?
• What are some other ways one might stay calm while delivering challenging ideas?
• There are times in our lives when we must choose between being right or being in relationship. The choice seems simple when you say it outloud, but it is often complex when your feelings are strong. Which of your relationships would this question be most applicable? How might this question help?

Closing Prayer
Hey God, thank you for a world filled with so many different ideas and people. We give thanks for diversity and for new opportunities to share your love. Please guide us in our efforts to seek just ways with others and help us to communicate effectively in the face of adversity. It is in your name we pray, amen.


Going Deeper - Further Reading
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer
I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening) by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers


From Pastor Charity
FAITH IN PRACTICE CLASSES: GROW IN GROUPS
Saturday, October 19 from 9:00am - 11:00am

This is the Year of the Practices and it's your opportunity to learn with your pastors and staff how to become even more like Jesus. The first Faith in Practice Class will deep dive into the history, theology, and biblical understandings of how community/groups functioned in faith development (There might even be MAPS!).

Pastor Matt and Pastor Martin Leather, student pastor, are leading up the first one to teach you about our practice Grow in Groups on Saturday, October 19, from 9:00am - 11:00am at the McCausland site. These classes are for EVERYONE (whether they are in a group or not!). Please bring your family and friends.

Sign up here.