Candace’s Comments (group member since Feb 20, 2016)

Candace’s comments from the SUMC Reading Program group.

The group read chapters 8-10 for week 4.
We discussed our reaction to the Ethiopian man in the story who did not want to be relieved of the suffering in his country for being a Christian.

Also, can the church be a "ligament" today for the world when there are so many different religions.

Is it easier to be a nominal Christian rather than a nominal pagan?

For week 3, the group read chapters 5-7.
Some of the discussion questions were:
The difference between work and toil as defined in the book. Work - to be like God. Toil - the curse of sin. We discussed if parts of our lives or even ministry is like work or toil.
The book noted how followers of Jesus began to resist serving in the Roman military. The church father Origen responded to one critic by saying it would be better for Christians to pray as an “army of piety” for the safety of the emperor and the well-being of the people than to serve in the military.
We discussed if we thought if that was actually possible. Could prayer make such a dramatic change.

This week the group discussed Chapters 3 and 4.
Some of the ideas discussed were how today do we have seats of honor like they did in Jesus' time in the Biblical story. When people were invited to dinner, they would be seated by statue and sometimes people were invited for the purpose of being someone to look down on.

We also discussed how it is human nature to sum people up by certain shallow characteristics. But is it possible for God to change us so that we can look with love at all people.

Hello. Although this isn't a book on the UMW reading list, I am reading with a group at Annandale UMC.
I thought I'd try posting short discussions about the book to see if we like this format for the book club for SUMC. I can delete this discussion once we get going.
The first week, the group discussed Chapters 1 and 2. Some of the ideas that came out of the discussion are:
* Jesus turned the whole concept of "king" on its head.
The idea that children, the disadvantaged, disabled, etc., are all equally entitled to share in the kingdom of God was a radical idea in that time.
*Jesus didn't do anything He was expected to do. Jesus having a way of showing up illustrates that it's not all random happenstance. There's a plan.
*He was confusing to folks at the time but his example has stood the test of time . . . We are still trying to live up to his example.

The study guide has some of the revolutionary teachings of Jesus.

Embraced by God: Celebrating Who and Whose You Are
This book was on the UMW 2014 Reading List for Spiritual Growth.

I am suggesting it as a possible book to read.