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Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues
Hopeful beginnings
Looking for signs of God’s coming kingdom. (Luke 21.25-36 )
Context
A ceasefire has been announced in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah forces
New measures have come into force to support victims of domestic abuse. The Metro newspaper has made the reduction of violence against women and girls its year-long campaign.
Revd Richard Coles has entered the jungle in Australia for ”I’m a Celebrity” and made an immediate impact.
Ideas for sermons or interactive talks
The war in the Holy Land has been absolutely devastating to so many and peace is still such a long way off. This week’s ceasefire in Lebanon has been greeted with sheer relief by those who live there but optimism over the current long-term outlook for peace is in short supply. As Christians, we have hope that Jesus is coming again, that God will bring his rule and reign to all of the Earth. While we wait for that, it is important to call out and celebrate any signs of peace, love and hope that we see. Some in the world around us are tempted to give up all hope and to say the Earth is doomed and God-forsaken. Our faith is that God is at work in the world and cares deeply about all who live there. As a result we praise God for any and all green shoots we see and pray for more - even (or especially) in the face of such pain and despair.
Domestic abuse has historically been something hidden, something that isn’t talked about. The church has sometimes made it harder for those being abused to leave their situations by emphasising Christian concepts of forgiveness and transformation in relationships where one side used such ideas to keep their partner under their control. The change in the law this week is a first step towards a stated goal of halving violence against women and girls within a decade. There are legal changes happening but equally a need to educate and inform men and women about what has been happening and what still happens to far too many women. This is a dark situation, a topic that we often avoid discussing in church, but Jesus treated women as equals when his culture considered them objects. The church should be at the forefront of campaigning for protection for those at risk of harm and can, at the least, celebrate those steps being taken which should lead to fewer women being hurt or killed.
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here always takes up many many column inches in our newspapers each year with gossip about the celebrities taking part and rumours of arguments and spats off-camera. We should be delighted, therefore, that a Christian has taken a place in the jungle and is modelling compassion, care and a down-to-Earth faith. Revd Richard Coles might not be to everyone’s tastes but he is speaking about his faith openly and in a way which his fellow celebrities have connected with. Perhaps his openness will create opportunities for us in the coming weeks to share with our colleagues and friends how Jesus has been with us through dark times? Possibly the green shoots in the jungle will lead to the opening of conversations about faith with people who have previously seemed closed off to talking about faith? Let’s be on the lookout for signs that God is at work in those we meet this week.
Questions for discussion
- When have you been tempted to despair and give up on a particular situation?
- When have you seen signs of God’s work in an unexpected place?
- Have you ever been surprised by someone unexpected showing an interest in your faith?
- What helps you to notice signs of God working in your day to day life?
Steve Taylor shares the job of joint-vicar of St Paul’s CofE Church, Harrow with his wife, Ali. They share their home with their youngest child, two cats and numerous fish.
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
There’s a storm brewing
Focus
Think about the arrival of a king described in Luke 21:25-36 being like a storm arriving and changing everything.
Thought and references
There’s a couple of storms brewing. Hot on the heels of Storm Bert last weekend we have Storm Conall on the way causing chaos across the UK.
Trains are being cancelled, the Met Office is issuing yellow warnings and some people are wearily moving their furniture as they anticipate their houses once again being filled with water.
Of course, the other storm brewing is not across the UK but very specifically located in Manchester, the Etihad Stadium to be precise, where for the first time since 2006, Manchester City have lost 5 games in a row. Even the Champions League draw was a shock to the system, or rather a storm in the stadium.
Whilst other teams in the league will be enjoying this blip in form, for City supporters the change is troubling. For the people with flooded homes the feeling of hopelessness, of being at the mercy of the changing weather must be very difficult. Storms on earth of all types are hard. They change things.
But, the storm that starts in heaven has the exact opposite effect.
When Jesus was born in the stable a storm started. His life on earth changed things. For some it was a shock to the system, for others his words and behaviour were troubling, but for the people who followed him and listened to him this storm brought life. God changed the world when he sent his son and unlike the change an earthly storm brings, this change is the source of hope for everyone.
Questions
- What storms are you facing?
- How do you feel when things change?
- How has Jesus changed your life?
Resource
Use the Pentatonix song ‘Mary did you know” as a reflection on the hope Jesus brings
Activity: Snow ball prayers
You will need: white paper and pens
Invite everyone to write a few prayers they’d be happy to share with others reflecting whatever they have learned in the session. Once they have finished screw up all of the prayers into ‘snow’ balls and pile up the prayers as if they are a pile of snowballs and throw them around the room. After a couple of minutes ask everyone to pick up a couple and pray the prayers in each snowball.
Fiona Dorman is a freelance training, coaching and mediation consultant.
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