Second Quarter Queries (We Make the Road by Walking)

If you feel comfortable doing it, compose honest and heartfelt replies to one or more of these queries and share your thoughts with us.

1.  Here is the meaning I find in the stories of John the Baptist, the virgin birth, Herod's slaughter of innocent children, the ancestor lists, the coming of the Magi, and Jesus in the Temple at age twelve.
2.  Here is why Jesus' parables, miracles, and teaching about hell are important to me.
3.  Here is how I respond to Jesus' care for the multitudes and Jesus' attitudes toward Caesar.
4.  Here is my understanding of "the kingdom of God."
5.  Here is what it means to me to say, "I believe in Jesus.  I have confidence in Jesus."
6.  If you have been baptized, what does that baptism mean to you?  If you have not been baptized, what would it mean for you to choose to be baptized now?
7.  What do you appreciate most about this learning circle?

26. Making It Real (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 one of your biggest decisions — how you reached it, how it felt before and after making the choice.

3.  How do you respond to the idea that faith makes it real?

4.  Who is someone you want to be like?

Activate

5.  Consider beginning each day with the words "I believe."  If you would like, add the words, "Help my unbelief."  Echo them throughout the day when they arise in your heart.

Meditate

6.  Sit in silence with Jesus' words:  "Your faith has made you well."  What in you feels like it is being made well?  End the silence with a simple prayer.

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

25. Jesus, Violence, and Power (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 completely certain about something, and then you realized you were completely (or at least partly) wrong.

3.  How do you respond to this interpretation of the Caesar-ville field trip?

4.  What's one of the nicest compliments you have ever received?  Why did that mean a lot to you?

Activate

5.  Look for situations this week when your initial reaction should be questioned, especially in relation to power dynamics.

Meditate

6.  Imagine you are Peter after he hears the words, "Get behind me, Satan!"  In silence, listen for ways your thinking is out of sync with God's ways.  Imagine what you would want to say to Jesus in reply.

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

24. Jesus and Hell (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 someone confronted you with a mistake or fault and you didn't respond well.

3.  How do you respond to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus?

4.  What are some of the ways that people try to keep children from doing harmful or dangerous things?  What ways do you think work the best?

Activate

5.  Look for people like Lazarus in the parable and refuse to imitate the rich man in your response to them.

Meditate

6.  Imagine the rich man walking by Lazarus in the gutter.  In silence, ask God if you are stepping over anyone in your life.

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

23. Jesus and the Multitudes (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 felt like one of the multitude, or when you behaved like one of the Pharisees.

3.  How do you respond to the stories of Jesus engaging with "the multitudes" and the Pharisees in this chapter?

4.  Think of someone who is not popular or who seems to have few friends.  What do you think that person would want others to do for him or her?

Activate

5.  Make an opportunity to spend time with some member of "the multitude."

Meditate

6.  Think of some group of people you normally turn away from.  Imagine them, in silence, and repeat these words:  "They are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."  Notice what happens to your heart as you do so.

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

22. Jesus the Teacher (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 one of the most important teachers in your life and what made him or her so significant.

3.  How do you respond to the explanation of the term kingdom of God?  How would you translate it into words or images that make sense today?

4.  What makes a good teacher so good?  Who is one of your favorite teachers?

Activate

5.  This week, notice where you seek and find aliveness.  Relate that thirst for aliveness to the kingdom of God.

Meditate

6.  Choose one of the synonyms for kingdom of God from this chapter and simply hold it in silence for a few moments.  Conclude the silence with these words:  "Let it come."

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

21. Significant and Wonderful (We Make the Road by Walking)

King David and the prophet Nathan

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 felt you experienced a miracle, or when you prayed for a miracle that never came.

3.  How do you respond to the literary approach that looks for meaning in miracle stories?  Can you apply it to some other miracle stories?

4.  If you could have a magical power, what would it be, and why?

Activate

5.  Keep these two miracle stories in mind throughout this week, and see if they bring new insights to situations you face.

Meditate

6.  Hold in silence the image of an empty ceremonial stone container being filled with water that is transformed to wine.  Hear the sound of water filling to the brim.  See the water change in color, and taste the change in flavor as it becomes wine.  Hear the sound of people celebrating in the background.  Sit with the words empty, full, and transformed.  See what prayer takes shape in your heart.

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

20. Join the Adventure! (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 you went through some hardship or temptation that prepared you for a later opportunity, or a time when you missed an opportunity because you were unprepared.

3.  How do you respond to the idea that you can be captivated by the expectations of your loyal fans and intimidated by the threats of your hostile critics?  Which is a greater danger for you?

4.  What's something you can't do right now that you hope you will be able to do someday?  What will you have to learn in order to do that thing?

Activate

5.  This week, write the word disciple in prominent places to remind yourself of Jesus' invitation to you.

Meditate

6.  In silence, imagine Jesus calling your name and saying two words:  Follow me.  Allow that invitation to stir a response in you at the deepest part of your being.

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

19. Jesus Coming of Age (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 the story of your baptism or some other initiation experience you've had.

3.  How do you respond to this explanation of John the Baptist and baptism?  In breaking with tradition, what kind of challenges do you think he encountered?

4.  When you think of a dove and a lamb, what do you think of?

Activate

5.  This week, look for every chance to "grow in wisdom" by listening, learning, and asking questions.

Meditate

6.  Imagine God asking you, "What one thing would you like me to do for you?"  As Solomon asked for wisdom, hold one request up to God in silence.  Then, receive God's message to Jesus as a message to you by saying these words, silently or aloud, one time or several times:  "[Your name], you are my child, whom I dearly love.  In you I find pleasure."  Finally, make these words your own:  "I am [my name], your child, whom you dearly love.  In me you find pleasure."

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

18. Sharing Gifts (We Make the Road by Walking)

Posted on January 6 (Epiphany), represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12).

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 of a meaningful encounter you've had with a member of another religion.  Who might be today's Magi — people from other religions (or no religion) who honor Jesus without wanting to leave the religion into which they were born?

3.  How do you respond to the idea that members of different religions can see one another as neighbors with whom to exchange gifts rather than as enemies or competitors?

4.  What was one of your favorite Christmas presents that you received or that you gave?  Why was it your favorite?

Activate

5.  This week, look for someone of another faith to spend some time with.  Get to know them.  Learn about their tradition.  Ask them what they value in their heritage, and answer any questions they ask about yours.  Perhaps tell them the story of the Magi.

Meditate

6.  In silence, think of the different religions in today's world.  Hold in your heart the idea that each has gifts to give and each can receive gifts, too.  Conclude your meditation with a prayer.

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

17A. The Light Has Come (We Make the Road by Walking)

Engage

This chapter is different, as McLaren suggests having a candle-lighting ceremony.  If you are doing this alone, maybe you could light one or several candles, sing or hum or listen to some appropriate music, and think of words that remind you of light, peace, life, vitality, and aliveness.  Words I (Bonnie) thought of are relatedness, enlightenment, reconciliation, service, grace, and radiance.  Let there be light!

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

Edited to add this video for our face-to-face discussion of this chapter on December 15th.



If this video quits working, view it on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEH38evSbME

Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together,
Bind us together with love.

Our candles will be lit in memory of Lowell Uda, a retired United Methodist pastor, who died December 9, 2014.  Lowell loved music and had us singing with him in the hospital.  His wife is a member of our small study buddies group.  Singing "Bind us together with love" will remind us we are all one — and cords of love "cannot be broken."

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

14. Promised Land, Promised Time (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 kept hope or lost hope.

3.  How do you respond to the imagery of Isaiah, and how would you translate some of that imagery from the ancient Middle East into imagery from today's world?

4.  When you were a child, what did you hope to be or do when you grew up?

Activate

5.  Look for discouragement or cynicism in your own thinking.  Challenge yourself to become cynical about your cynicism, and challenge yourself toward prophetic hope.

Meditate

6.  Light a candle and choose one image from the prophets mentioned in this chapter.  Simply hold that image in your heart, in God's presence.  Let it inspire a simple prayer that you may wish to speak aloud.

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

First Quarter Queries (We Make the Road by Walking)

If you feel comfortable doing it, compose honest and heartfelt replies to one or more of these queries and share your thoughts with us.

1.  What does it mean to you to live within the story of creation?
2.  What does it mean to you to live within the story of crisis?
3.  What does it mean to you to live within the story of calling?
4.  What does it mean to you to live in a world of captivity and conquest?
5.  What does it mean to you to be part of the great conversation?  What do you learn from the priests, prophets, sages, poets, and storytellers?
6.  In what ways are you integrating into your daily life your identity in God's unfolding story?
7.  What are some significant changes you've experienced from being part of this learning circle?

13. The Great Conversation (We Make the Road by Walking)

Beating a sword into a plowshare (the cutting edge)

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 an argument where both sides were partly right.

3.  How do you respond to this vision of the Bible as a library full of difference of opinion, yet carrying on an essential conversation about what it means to be alive?  Which set of voices do you identify with most — priests, prophets, poets, sages, or storytellers?

4.  What's one of your favorite stories — one that you like to hear again and again?  What's your favorite thing about that story?

Activate

5.  Listen for voices who fit in the tradition of the priests, prophets, poets, sages, and storytellers in today's culture.  See if you perceive points of agreement and disagreement with their counterparts in the biblical library.

Meditate

6.  In silence, imagine hearing a vigorous conversation going on.  Then, let the conversation gradually fade away so that silence envelops you.  In that silence, open your heart to God's wisdom.

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

12. Stories That Shape Us (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 "golden age" you learned about in your family, your school, or some other group you've been part of.

3.  How do you respond to the comparison between the story of Jesus' departure in Acts and the story of Elijah's departure in 2 Kings?

4.  Do you have a favorite superhero?  Tell us why you like him or her so much.

Activate

5.  Try to read the gruesome story of the Levite's concubine (Judges 19-21) and then the gentle story of Ruth and Naomi (Book of Ruth).  Do you see similar stories in this week's headlines?

Meditate

6.  In silence, hold the phrases "passive, pious complacency," "desperate, violent action," and "faithful, peaceful action" in your mind for a few minutes.  Ask God to make you an agent of faithful, peaceful action.

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

11. From Ugliness, a Beauty Emerges (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 movie you've seen or a book you've read that upheld violence as the way to prosperity and peace.  Can you share an alternative movie or story that pointed to a nonviolent way to peace?

3.  How do you respond to Matthew's story of the Canaanite woman in conversation with the Deuteronomy story of Canaanite slaughter?  Can you think of other paired stories like this?

4.  Who do you think is stronger — a person who can punch a bad guy and scare him away, or a person who can convince a bad guy to become good?

Activate

5.  Listen for situations when people use God (or some other "good reason") to justify violence or unkindness.  Try to understand why they would see God and violence this way.  Seek to see the world through their eyes and to imagine how hard it would be for them to see God differently.

Meditate

6.  Hold in silence the tension between a violent worldd and a God who calls us to reconciliation, mutual understanding and respect, and peace.

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

10. Getting Slavery Out of the 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 significant wilderness experience in your life — either literal or figurative.

3.  What do you think it means in today's world to "get the slavery out of the people"?  What kinds of slavery do you think we are still stuck in?

4.  What's the longest trip you've ever taken?  What was one of the best parts of the trip?  What was one of the worst parts?

Activate

5.  Each day this week, reread the Ten Commandments as worded in this chapter.  (Maybe send them to yourself and others via e-mail or social media.)  Look for ways this ancient moral code is relevant in today's world — and in your life.

(1)  Put the God of liberation first, not the gods of slavery.
(2)  Don't reduce God to the manageable size of an idol — certainly not one made of wood and stone by human hands, and not one made by human minds of rituals and words, either, and certainly not one in whose name people are enslaved, dehumanized, or killed!
(3)  Do not use God for your own agendas by throwing around God's holy name.  If you make a vow in God's name, keep it!
(4)  Honor the God of liberation by taking and giving everyone a day off.  Don't keep the old 24/7 slave economy going.
(5)  Turn from self-centeredness by honoring your parents.  (After all, honor is the basis of freedom.)
(6)  Don't kill people, and don't do the things that frequently incite violence, including:
(7)  Don't cheat with others' spouses,
(8)  Don't steal others' possessions, and
(9)  Don't lie about others' behaviors or characters.
(10)  In fact, if you really want to avoid the violence of the old slave economy, deal with its root source — in the drama of desire.  Don't let the competitive desire to acquire tempt you off the road of freedom.

Meditate

6.  Relax for a few moments in God's presence in silence.  Think of the Sabbath not as being deprived of activity, but as a day of liberation from the 24/7 workweek of a slave.  Breathe deep.  Let go.  Thank God for rest.

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