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Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues
An understanding mind
Many leaders seek power or riches. Solomon asks God for ‘an understanding mind’ so that he can govern the people wisely. (1 Kings 3:9).
Context
Justin Welby has commented that ‘we need to learn how to live together well’ in spite of our divisions.
The Education Secretary intends to arm children against ‘putrid conspiracy theories’ by introducing critical thinking into the curriculum.
Shocking figures emerge of deaths from heat aggravated carbon pollution as the continent of Europe continues to suffer climate change impacts.
Fears grow of retaliation by Iran against Israel and a widening of the Israel-Gaza conflict and the Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region enters its second week.
Ideas for sermons or interactive talks
Today’s Old Testament reading shows Solomon all too aware of his own inadequacy for what lies ahead, saying: ‘I am only a little child’. Many of the great leaders in the Bible have begun their leadership responsibilities with this same mindset and have looked towards God, who prioritises the small and the overlooked, and who meets our inadequacies with the necessary gifts, if we are able to trust Him. Jesus placed a child in the midst of disciples who were quarrelling about leadership and invited them to consider alternative understandings of power (Matthew 18:1-3). In his own life and ministry, Jesus showed us what true power looks like.
On Tuesday’s Woman’s Hour, Nuala McGovern reflected on the story of a courageous rescue of a drowning woman by two 12-year-old girls. She then asked listeners this question: "Have you ever been shocked by a youngster’s ability to do something remarkable and surprising…(where) you were just wowed by how they managed?" How might we as church answer this question and reflect on examples of the courage and resilience of young people in the Bible but also in our midst? Young people face particular challenges in today’s world and the impacts of adult choices fall disproportionally on the young. How can we learn to listen better to their needs and anxieties, support them and develop an understanding mind together on some of the knottiest issues of today?
After the conflict….what next? History tells us that we often invest less in the making of peace than in the waging of war. Solomon asks for an understanding mind - not only an ability to make good judgements based on experience or age but on an ability to discern between good and evil; between what is presented and what is at the root of motivations and desires; between the surface and what is beneath it. After the disturbing violence of the past week, wisdom will reside in how we understand and then address the causes. Wisdom, not judgement. The activity of discernment is perhaps at the heart of how we live wisely in the world ‘because the days are evil’ (Ephesians 5: 15-16). Many voices compete for our attention and we can be taken in by superficial answers without doing the hard work of acquiring wisdom. In a world where conspiracies and lies often flourish, what could help us to develop the practice of discernment in our spiritual lives?
Rebuilding and reconciling after times of war, conflict or division always demands reflection on the deep roots of the problem and avoids cheap solutions. God praises Solomon for seeking an understanding mind rather than the death of his enemies (1 Kings 3:11). Wisdom resides in the acceptance that creating community, understanding difference and transcending divisions comes at a cost. Humility in leadership is necessary to begin to address root causes of the recent riots and to consider how the culture was created in which extremism flourishes. In church, part of our discipleship will need to build resilience among our communities so that conflict is handled well and seemingly intractable issues are dealt with in humility and wisdom. Beyond that, there are huge needs in our world asking for wise responses: inequality; climate change; extremism; wars… What is needed as we seek to live together well?
Solomon’s wisdom begins with humility. His recognition of his own youth and inexperience point him towards God. As we will discover, Solomon also drew wisdom from nature - he studied trees and plants; reptiles, birds and insects. Can we learn to listen to the cries of all God’s creation and, as Solomon did, learn humility as we properly understand our part in the great scheme of things?
Questions for discussion
- Are we equipping our congregations to be wise in speech and action at a time when social media has a dominant influence over public debate and leaders do not always set a good example?
- How can we learn to view situations and people through the lens of wisdom rather than reaching for easy answers?
- How can the voice of the child and the cries of our planet help us to learn true wisdom?
- How can we build community cohesion where we are and participate in addressing the root causes of conflict?
Diane Craven is an Education and Spirituality Consultant and worked for many years as a Diocesan Youth and Children’s Work Adviser. She is a Reader (Licensed Lay Minister) in the Church of England.
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
This week we read about David’s death and Solomon’s ascension to the throne. This must have been challenging for Solomon, as he balances his grief at the death of his father with his new responsibilities as king.
The reading does not specify Solomon’s age at the time he takes the throne. Biblical scholars suggest somewhere between 12 and 20 years old, whilst Solomon describes himself as ‘a little child.’ It seems safe to assume that he is very young for such a level of responsibility. The obvious route for Solomon would have been to follow his father’s instructions; however Solomon looks to God for guidance, asking for wisdom.
Over the next week, as many young people face their exam results, where do they look for guidance as they too make crucial decisions about their future? This summer has been one of conflicting examples: on the negative side we have the Southport stabbings, carried out by a 17-year-old, with many teenagers being convicted following the subsequent riots; on the positive side, Toby Roberts achieved gold in the men’s lead climbing and bouldering at the age of 19, and Sky Brown gained bronze in the skateboarding at the age of 16!
At a time when they may feel inadequate, or superior, depending on their results, how do we encourage young people to follow Solomon’s example and turn to God?
How do we reassure them that wisdom is worth more than wealth or long life?
Victoria Etherington is children’s, youth and family’s ministry leader for the Yorkshire North and East Methodist District.
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