Reclaiming the
"L"Word--by Kelly Fryor
As you prepare for this study and
discussion, what do you think of when we hear "Lutheran." What does it mean?
In your own words, how would you
define dogma?
What do you think we hold as dogma
in our Church? Lutheran and specifically
Ascension? As you review the definition
of Dogma, would you still define these principles as dogma?
I would guess many of us would
have similar issues with the example the writer uses when she describes the
"welcome place" scenario. If
we define ourselves one way, do we assume that everyone knows the
exceptions? Are there exceptions? Are their exceptions to the "Boldly Make
Christ Known?"
Are there things you are
uncomfortable with that you believe "Lutherans" hold as true?
Looking at the end of chapter one,
how do you make decisions? What factors
do you consider? How do you determine
the most important factor? Who do you
talk to? Do you talk only to those you
think will agree with you?
How likely is it for a group of people
to make a decision or agree on something?
How do we make those decisions?
What difference does it make or could it make if we held or any group
held together a set of beliefs?
Is it important to think first
before acting or act first? What do you tend
to do? What situation might cause you to act first?
Read Nehemiah 1:1-4. Nehemiah was a cup bearer for a king, far from
home as he hears about what is going on with his people. They are in trouble, in exile and the wall has
not been rebuilt. He knows he needs to DO
something, but he does something first. What
is it he does? What difference do you think it made?
What difference would it make if we
did the same?
Jesus knew what was about to happen.
He asks his disciples a question. Read Mark
16:13-16. What is Peter's answer? How does
this question and our answer impact our church today? How could it impact us?
Prayer, yes.
ReplyDeleteConversation has been great this week.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think when they go past our sign that says Ascension LUTHERAN Church? Some answers were old, traditional, bad singers, conservative, Martin Luther. Are there others? Do you think these are accurate words to describe us?
As a life long Lutheran, I generally think of welcoming of all people, grace-filled, good singing (often harmony), a mix of "conservative" and "liberal" but generally those labels don't apply well, liturgical, open communion--a welcome table!
Peter responded, "You are the Messiah!" As Christians who follow Christ, what does it mean that Jesus is the Messiah? How does the identity of the Messiah, and what that means affect who we are as followers?