Section 163:7d
The Way of the Living Christ

For Further Reflection and Discussion

1. Don Compier states that many people today proclaim that “the Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it.” Under what circumstances have you heard that or similar statements made? How do you respond to this commonly stated approach? What do you think is behind such a statement?

2. How do you deal with passages of scripture that appear to endorse troubling points of view (the author cited the examples of genocide in Joshua and the inferiority of women in I Timothy 2)?

3. Cite some Old Testament stories of prophets who, in response to a powerful call to act as God’s spokesperson, denounced social injustice and spoke up for the marginalized. What were those prophets seeking in addition to judgment? How valid were their words for twenty-first century Christians?

4. Luke’s Gospel, in particular, reminds us that Jesus shared a strong sense of prophetic mission. When did he do that? To whom was he speaking? What was his purpose, both in the particular situation and as it related to his entire life’s ministry?

5. Read Doctrine and Covenants 85:36a, which ties study and faith together as the way to seek knowledge. Also read the words of the familiar hymn “We Limit Not the Truth of God” (Hymns of the Saints, No. 309). What are the points of connection between the scripture and hymn text? Why do you think members of Community of Christ value both so much?

6. What is your definition of “discernment”? How does it compare to the author’s? How does discernment relate to the idea of common consent?

7. What does it mean to be “spiritually mature” as we “walk in the difficult path marked out by Jesus”? Why can we not forget that Jesus’ path led to the Cross?

8. How has this commentary, along with the two previous ones in the Herald by David Brock (October) and Tony Chvala-Smith (September), challenged your thinking in regard to the use of scripture in Community of Christ?

Discernment Activity

The practice of guided imagery invites you to use your imagination to put yourself in a situation where the words and images will help you to move into the presence of the Living Christ. If at all possible, go someplace for fifteen to twenty minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time. Take a few moments to imagine a way to characterize your life right now. for example, trapped in the middle of a crowd clamoring for your attention, up to your neck in projects and to-do lists, stuck in thick mud unable to move, etc. Don’t force a scenario with your mind; just try to let something emerge from your inner self. Remember, it is symbolic, so it doesn’t have to be realistic.

Begin by bringing your symbolic life to mind as fully as possible with all its sights, sounds, and emotions. Now, invoke stillness and freeze your image. Anything in motion, threatening, distracting, or pressuring you—it all stops. Take slow, deep breaths, and with every breath all the elements of your image move away from you. Breathe in this intentional way until you have pushed everything away and you are peaceful
and open.

Remaining in this peaceful state, imagine an unlit lamp in your hand. Now think about the role of scripture in your life. Your lamp begins to glow, a little or a lot, depending on how you feel scripture illuminates life for you. Next, think about knowledge. First there is the knowledge acquired by study. Your lamp grows brighter. Next is the knowledge acquired through faith. Your lamp grows brighter still. Now imagine you are joined in this quiet place by those who have helped you on your way. They come, each with a lighted lamp of their own. You are all bathed in light. Turn and look beyond the group, until you see the light of the Living Christ, the source of the light of your lamps and all prophetic guidance. See how Christ is beckoning you along the path to him. What steps do you feel he is inviting you to take? What part of your life does the desire to draw closer to himself?

When you have completed the meditation, take a few minutes to make notes and capture in writing whatever loving invitation the Master offered you. Consider making this invitation a subject of personal prayer and of conversation with someone in your faith community.

—Discernment activity by Kathy Shockley