17. Surprising People (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 shady or colorful character from your family history.

3.  How do you respond to this approach to the meaning of "son of God"?

4.  Imagine you are a shepherd in the time of Jesus.  What do you think your life would be like?

Activate

5.  This week, look for surprising people to whom you can show uncommon respect and unexpected kindness.

Meditate

6.  After lighting a candle, hold the words "good news of great joy for all people" in your heart in God's presence for a few moments of silence.  Break the silence with a short prayer.

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

16. Keep Herod in Christmas (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 were a child and an adult other than a parent showed you great respect or kindness.

3.  How do you respond to Matthew's decision to include this story that none of the other gospels recount?

4.  What one thing would you ask grown-ups to do to help kids?

Activate

5.  This week, try to look at personal and political situations from the vantage point of how they will affect children and their mothers.

Meditate

6.  Light a candle, and hold in your mind both the image of Herod, ruthless and power-hungry, and the image of Jesus, a vulnerable baby.  Observe what happens in your heart and express a prayer in response.

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

15. Women on the Edge (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 woman in your life who had a powerful influence.

3.  How do you respond to these reflections on the meaning of the virgin birth?

4.  Tell us about a time you were surprised in a good and happy way.

Activate

5.  Start each day this week putting Mary's prayer of commitment and surrender, "Let it be to me according to your will," into your own words.  Let this be a week of presenting your life to God so that "holy aliveness" grows in you.

Meditate

6.  After lightinga candle, hold the words, "Here I am, the Lord's servant," in your heart for a few minutes in silence.  Try to return to those words many times in the week ahead.

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