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Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

None of us are out here on our own

Despite troubles and persecution, in faith we are not alone.
(Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Psalm 82)

 

Context

 

Reflection and ideas for sermons or interactive talks

You know together we’re glowing

  • “We’re goin’ up, up, up / It’s our moment / You know together we’re glowing / Gonna be, gonna be golden,” sing HUNTR/X, the girl band with a sideline in demon hunting, in their hit song ‘Golden’. And it is their moment – the PG-rated film’s catchy tunes, fast-paced action, colourful styling and contemporary humour have won it huge attention. Some might find aspects of the film problematic. There are some scary scenes and others that illustrate the seductive appeal of giving in to darkness – and it isn’t an entirely binary tale of good versus evil. But it's worth looking beyond the film’s name and bearing in mind that the demons inspired by Korean cultural heritage and depicted here are not the same as those in Christian theology. Ultimately, this is a story with much to recommend in its message of finding strength through openness and solidarity with others, so that “none of us are out here on our own” (‘What It Sounds Like’ by HUNTR/X). It offers just a glimmer of the encouragement we can find in knowing that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) – that our brothers and sisters in faith have gone before us and stand beside us in our troubles.
  • In today’s passage from Hebrews we first read of a succession of triumphs of faith (Hebrews 11:29-35), from the escape through the Red Sea to shutting the mouths of lions. Popstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey start out strong too, with slick, synchronised dance steps and high-hitting harmonies, seemingly in tune with their mission to protect the world. But when a dark and mysterious demon boy-band arrives on the scene, challenging the girls to musical and supernatural combat, they begin to give in to doubts, divisions, secrets and insecurities, which threaten to tear them apart. Eventually they find their way through, persevering and learning to be open and true, accepting themselves and each other, and finding strength in their connection. As they embrace and sing “I’ll be right here by your side” they gain faith once more in their purpose and in each other, and, obviously, together they triumph over the demon realm. For us, too, there are troubles and challenges along the way – just look at the suffering of the faithful who have not yet been rewarded, described in Hebrews 11:35-40. But we are not alone and victory will come, through “Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). We have not only our fellow Christians, but also our Lord, by our side.

 

None of us are out here on our own

  • If we want to claim our place surrounded by that great cloud of witnesses, we need to bear witness ourselves to the difficulties facing our Christian family and to God’s power and love that will one day triumph. Many Christians today don’t need to imagine what it is like to be “stoned… killed by the sword… destitute, persecuted, tormented…” (Hebrews 11:37), as it is happening to them or their loved ones right now. There are ways to pray with and for them in the Roots magazine material and in other resources available online from organisations like Open Doors, Release International, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide. And we can pray to God with the psalmist:

“Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
Deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4)

  • And if we are daunted by the challenge ahead? Then we can remember that we are not expected to do things perfectly, we can lay aside that weight. That is Jesus’ place. Instead, we are called to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

 

Questions for discussion

  • Have you heard of drafting in running and cycling? Or slipstreaming in motor racing? It’s a technique where you align yourself behind others in the race in order to ease your progress. How can ‘drafting’ behind the men and women of faith we read about in the Bible, history, or today’s news and culture – or that we meet in our own daily lives – help us in our own race with Christ?
  • It’s impossible to sing a harmony alone (at least without some technological help!) and the k-pop dance style is best characterised by the group routine. What other things are better together, or impossible alone? What about being a Christian? Is that easier with the help of others?

 

Rebecca Froley was the launch editor for the Roots website and worked in digital publishing for 20+ years. She is currently volunteering for two charities while job seeking following redundancy. She worships at a Baptist church in the London Borough of Sutton where she helps with the young people and mission group.

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

The passage for today reminds us that we come from a long line of individuals who have endured suffering because of what their faith means to them. These are people for whom being called by God challenged them to act in ways that exposed them to the risk of suffering.

Although the passage names only those from the Old Testament (obviously!) we could add more recent heroes to the list. Examples might include William Wilberforce, Sojourner Truth, Corrie ten Boom, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The young people may have others they wish to add, not just famous people, but teachers, carers, youth workers and members of the church who they admire for the ways in which they live out their faith.

Conversely, there may be people both in the public eye and closer to home that the young people do not admire. You will need to be careful here - encourage the group to focus on characteristics and behaviours rather than names.

Give the group paper and pens. Encourage them to draw or write their cloud of witnesses around themselves. Who do they want to have cheering them over the finishing line?

 

Questions for discussion

  • Who have they chosen and why?
  • Do these heroes of faith have to be Christian?
  • What does it mean to admire someone of another faith for their convictions?
    e.g. Mahatma Ghandi
  • What makes these people different?

Victoria Etherington is University and Young Adult Chaplain in the York Methodist Circuit.

 

 

Views expressed are the authors' own. Hypertext links to other websites are for the convenience of users only and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by Roots for Churches Ltd.

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