D & C 163  | |
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Section 163:2a-b
Share the Peace of Jesus
Discernment Process
In his commentary on Section 163:2, President Schaal calls us to embody
divine peace and reconciliation using Jesus Christ as our guide. He
acknowledges both the deeply personal nature of this call and the necessity
of sacred community to give full expression to God’s shalom. He asks us to
examine whether our ministerial efforts are resulting in fruits of healing
and reconciliation.
The discernment process this month takes us a bit deeper into
self-examination. Each individual comes to a readiness for such reflection
in his or her own time. This is far less about self-condemnation than it is
about noticing. Any process of self-examination needs to take place in the
spirit of generosity and kindness.
Over the past few months a variety of spiritual practices have been offered
to help us prayerfully reflect on Section 163. These practices can be
revisited as we continue to deepen our engagement with this scripture. Let
your own need and awareness guide your reflections each month.
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Find a quiet space in which you can be alone for fifteen to
thirty minutes (an hour would not be too long if you have the time.) After
reading the scripture and commentary, simply breathe in divine peace and
love. Let yourself be Discernment Process
surrounded by the light of Christ, shining in and through you. Know yourself
as loved and held in grace.
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Reflect on what is most needed in your life right now to embody
shalom—a sense of peace in yourself, with God, and between people. Recognize the
way you already embody shalom. Imagine yourself living from that place of divine
peace. What would be different? What would stay the same?
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Look back over the past six months of your life and ministry.
What fruits do you see that have offered healing and reconciliation in the
world? Where do you recognize opportunities missed or ignored?
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Reflect on the past year of congregational life. How is your
congregation developing itself as sacred community? In what specific ways can
you see fruits of healing and reconciliation? How have you contributed to those
ministries?
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Listen now for any sense of invitation for the next few weeks.
To what specific ministry is Christ calling you? How do you envision living it
out?
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Take a few moments to jot down key insights from your reflection
and the sense of invitation you have received.
For Further Reflections and Discussion
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How do you interpret the idea that paragraph 2 provides us
with a lens through which we can look at the guidance given throughout
Section 163, rather than presenting us with another idea or program?
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Look up multiple definitions of the Hebrew word “shalom,” which
Dave Schaal says is “much more than the absence of conflict” and suggests
“wholeness or completeness…integrated with the principles of peace.” Discuss the
value and drawbacks of such a complex definition.
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What is your idea of salvation? How does it compare with that of
other people and religious denominations? What do we need salvation from and
for?
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How alive is the spirit of invitation in your congregation—and
in your personal life? Why does that matter? What is the proper motivation for
inviting people to be part of our faith community?
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Section 163 continues one theme of recent revelation to focus on
the sacraments. What kinds of blessing, healing, and joy have you witnessed in
your own sharing of the sacraments?
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Although belief is certainly important, once more we hear that
our primary call is to follow Jesus Christ. What effect has that had on your
daily life and your relationships with other people?
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