8. Rivalry or Reconciliation? (We Make the Road by Walking)

Cain killed his brother Abel

Engage

1.  What one thought or idea from today's lesson especially intrigued, provoked, disturbed, challenged, encouraged, warmed, warned, helped, or surprised you?

2.  Share a story about how a conflict or rivalry with a family member, friend, or colleague challenged you to face yourself...and God.

3.  Respond to the idea that in revenge, we seek to imitate the person who has wronged us, and that in reconciliation, we imitate and reflect God.

4.  Tell us about someone you had a chance to forgive.

Activate

5.  Look for opportunities for others to "see the face of God" in your face, and seek the face of God in their faces, too — especially those you may see as rivals or outcasts.

Meditate

6.  In silence, ponder forgiveness, and thank God for the joy of being forgiven — and for the release of forgiving others.

We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation ~ by Brian D. McLaren, 2014

7. It's Not Too Late (We Make the Road by Walking)

Engage

1.  What one thought or idea from today's lesson especially intrigued, provoked, disturbed, challenged, encouraged, warmed, warned, helped, or surprised you?

2.  Share a story about a time when you almost gave up, but are glad you didn't.

3.  What are some critical issues in today's world — or in our personal lives — when we might say "It's too late" or "It's impossible"?

4.  What makes you laugh?  Why do you think Sarah laughed in this story?

Activate

5. Try saying "It's not too late" when you're tempted to be cynical or give up.  Or practice the art of "the second laugh."  The first laugh comes as a reflex when we think something is impossible.  The second laugh comes as a choice when we laugh at our lack of faith.

Meditate

6.  After a few moments of silence, complete this sentence as your prayer:  "Living God, it's not too late to change my mind about . . . "

We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation ~ by Brian D. McLaren, 2014

The Eighth Step ~ How Should We Speak to One Another?

Questions

1.  "Plato described dialogue as a communal meditation ... [and believed] each participant should make a place for the other" (p. 132).  How does this view of dialogue fit with current social discourse?  How do we move toward this ideal?

2.  "Confucius always developed his insights in conversation with other people because in his view we needed this friendly interaction to achieve maturity" (pp. 132-133).  What do you think he means by this?

3.  What habits do you bring to personal and professional discussions or arguments?  Do you make a "place for the other" or simply try to advance your argument?

Actions

1.  Read through Armstrong's questions on pages 141-142 to help you analyze and be more mindful of the way you approach discussions and arguments.

2.  Observe how you speak to others.  Observe how those around you speak to each other and to you.  Notice when your own emotions and reactions arise in each situation and how they affect your interactions.

Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life ~ by Karen Armstrong, 2010

6. Plotting Goodness (We Make the Road by Walking)

Engage

1.  What one thought or idea from today's lesson especially intrigued, provoked, disturbed, challenged, encouraged, warmed, warned, helped, or surprised you?

2.  Share a story about a time when you observed or participated in a group that saw itself as blessed to the exclusion of others rather than for the blessing of others.

3.  Where in today's world do you see people practicing the kind of "otherly" identity to which God called Abram — "us for the sake of others"?

4.  How does helping someone make you feel?  (Better, according to my face-to-face group's discussion, is this question:  Tell us about a time when someone helped YOU.)

Activate

5.  Look for opportunities to "be a blessing" to others this week.  Share a story about what you did.

Meditate

6.  In silence, hold this truth in God's presence:  I am blessed to be a blessing.

We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation ~ by Brian D. McLaren, 2014