Scriptures

Psalm 66:8–20, John 14:15–21, Acts 17:22–31

Preparation

Bring a ball of colorful yarn for the Call to Worship.

Prelude

Centering Hymn

“Come Away from Rush and Hurry” CCS 83

OR “Come and Find the Quiet Center” CCS 151

Welcome, Joys, and Concerns

Call to Worship

Leader: I have a ball of yarn. I’m going to throw it out to you. After you catch it, grab hold and throw it away from you to somebody else. Keep holding onto the yarn. Soon, we’ll have a web of yarn connecting us together.

You might need somebody to help facilitate this. It’ll be chaotic but fun. Once the web is formed read the scripture.

Scripture Reading

Doctrine and Covenants 161:3a

If possible, continue holding the web through the hymn and prayer before collecting the yarn.

Hymn of Community

“Weave” CCS 327

OR “Help Us Accept Each Other” CCS 333

Invocation

Response

Scripture Reading

1 Peter 3:13–22

Ministry of Music or Community Hymn

“Restless Weaver” CCS 145

OR “We Wait in Hope for the Lord” CCS 267

Sharing in the Spoken Word

Based on 1 Peter 3:13–22

Hymn of Reflection

“Alleluia! Hear God’s Story” CCS 271

OR “God Is Calling” CCS 172

Reflection: “All Tied Up”

One summer I needed to do some work in the dog yard, potentially dangerous to my dogs. To keep them safe, I tied them to different apple trees in my orchard. They do NOT like to be tied up! However, they handled the situation quite differently.

Frodo whined a lot and became rather frustrated. Near the end of my project, I noticed that she had wrapped herself tighter and tighter around the tree and was absolutely miserable. She ended up not being able to move hardly at all. Pippin, on the other hand, didn’t cry. He played for a while with an apple and branches that were hanging down. It was fun watching him cat-like bat a branch and then try to bite a bobbing apple! Then he lay in the sun and slept.

When I let them loose, Frodo was tired and unhappy. Pippin was rested and ready to go, go, go!

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations we don’t like. How we handle it, though, makes all the difference! We can be unhappy and frustrated and whine a lot. We can wrap ourselves in our own unhappiness to the point that we can’t do anything at all. Or we can play within the boundaries of the unpleasant situation. We can find something positive to help us see it through. Then when it’s over, we can go, go, go!

It seems that when we whine too loudly during unhappy situations, we can’t hear God trying to help us.

Listen! God’s probably telling us to chew through the rope!

–Debra Bruch, Used with permission.

Disciples’ Generous Response

Hymn of Generosity

“Bear Each Other’s Burdens” CCS 374

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Can We Calculate Our Giving” CCS 617

Video: “Be Generous of Spirit”

Rick Sarre offers easy to remember, straightforward advice for living a generous life in this Disciples’ Generous Response moment from the “Witness the Word” available on YouTube.

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle

Prayer

O Lord,

We bend our hands in prayer

Hands that tend

The Earth,

The dove,

The living stream

Hands that mend

The cloth,

The heart,

The broken dream

Hands that fend

For truth,

For grace,

For cause unseen

Make strong our hands

that blend

the task

with peace. Amen

–Valerie Sooter Kirkwood

Closing Hymn

“Creator of the Intertwined” CCS 344

OR “Go Now Forth into the World” CCS 646

Sending Forth

Leader: God is the Great Weaver of Life.

People: Jesus is our hope.

Leader: The Holy Spirit moves among us.

People: We are here for each other.

ALL: Be with us, God, as we declare hope to a world in need.

Postlude

Gathering

Welcome

Today is the sixth Sunday of the Easter Season. The Easter Season lasts fifty days and concludes with the Day of Pentecost.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.

Holy One, we thank you for the gift of peace that you left us as you promised so long ago. But Lord, we struggle with maintaining the peace within.

The media of today bombard us with so much negativity that it is hard to not worry about our world. At this moment, on this day, we want to set aside our worries and rely on you for internal peace.

We want to strive for peace in our relationships, peace in our communities, and peace in this world. Help us, Lord. Help us stay in tune with your presence, your peace. Our prayer, Lord, is for your peace to remain within and spread afar. This we pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Centering Prayer

Centering prayer is a method of meditation used by Christians to sit in silence with God. This prayer helps us experience God’s presence within us.

This Easter Day we will focus on the word rejoice.

Slowly read the following instructions:

Sit with relaxed posture and close your eyes. We will spend three minutes in centering prayer.

Breathe in a regular, natural rhythm.

As you breathe in and out, say the word rejoice in your mind.

Breathe in and out, focusing only on your word.

When we are done, we will sit for two minutes in silence, eyes closed, listening to the silence.

When time is up, share these closing instructions:

Offer a brief word of thanks to God, take a deep breath, and open your eyes when you are ready.

Sharing Around the Table

1 Peter 3:13–22 NRSVue

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect. Maintain a good conscience so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight lives, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

This letter is written to people who are being persecuted for their beliefs. Not only do they not conform to the established culture, but they are a threat to the status quo and the power it brings to make the rules. This letter is a call to faith and hope as they live into their baptism and Christian discipleship. It calls all those who follow Jesus Christ to be prepared to speak of their faith and to bear witness of God’s love. Christ is our example, and it is to Christ that our lives point.

Even in today’s world, this is a tall order, for it is one thing to confess Jesus Christ as the One you follow; it is another to confess and live the teachings of Jesus Christ when it brings suffering on yourself and others.

The letter’s author is not sending the people out with the mandate to spread their beliefs regardless of whom they might offend. To the contrary, the author instructs the members of this newly forming community to do everything “with gentleness and reverence” and with a clear conscience. Likewise, Christ does not send us to offend, but to live in a way that brings honor to God.

Looking at the life of Christ and the stories in the scriptures of how Jesus treated people, we see an example of how to “do what is good.” Jesus interacted and spoke to people with intentional regard for their positions in society. He engaged leaders, rulers, teachers, fishers, farmers, merchants, water bearers, scribes, untouchables, and holy leaders. He spoke up for some. He questioned the teachings and behaviors of others, and he offered wholeness to all.

We, too, are encouraged to “always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you”…not just with our words, but with our lives.

Questions

1. How have you suffered or experienced persecution for “doing the right thing?” Who supported your voice or spoke for you?
2. How does your life (words and actions) share the “hope that is in you” with others?
3. Who are the persecuted in your area, city, town, circle of influence? How can you be a voice for them?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

–Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

This offering prayer for the Easter Season is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

God of rejoicing, we share our gifts joyfully and with thanksgiving in response to the generous gifts you have given us. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 188, “I Need Thee Every Hour”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture

Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

This Easter season let us experience the resurrected Christ. May we receive Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings 521, “Let Us Break Bread Together.”

Blessing and serving bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Today’s scripture reminds that we all will experience suffering at some point. Sometimes we suffer to show love, just as Jesus did. However, it is important to remember that unnecessary suffering is not God’s will. This means that when we see suffering in the world, we should not assume it was caused by God. We should know that it makes God sad.

I want to offer a prayer for the suffering in the world. But, before I do, I want us to hold our arms in front of us like we are holding a big beach ball. While I pray, I want you to keep your arms like this and pretend you are giving the world a hug. During the prayer, I will offer some silence. During that time, if you’d like, say a prayer in your head for the world you pretend to hold in your arms.

Offer a prayer for the suffering in the world, be sure to include some silent spaces throughout.

Exploring the Scripture

This letter is written to people who are being persecuted. We do not know the reasons for the persecution; ethnicity, nationality, religious beliefs, economic status, or all of them. Despite their circumstances, the letter is a call to faith and hope as they live into their baptism and Christian discipleship. The text tells readers to be prepared to speak of their faith.

The letter tells us that Christ sets the standards for acceptable suffering for doing God’s will. Christ is our example, and it is to Christ that our lives point. Even amid tragedies, we cannot be separated from the salvation God has given us in Christ. This text calls all those who follow Jesus Christ to bear witness of God’s love. Disciples do this even when one believes the words and actions may not be heard or accepted. They do this even when the person speaking words of hope may be ridiculed and cause a disruption in relationships.

It is one matter to confess Jesus Christ as the one you follow; it is another to confess the teachings of Jesus Christ when it brings suffering on yourself and others. “Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? (v. 14). But even if you do suffer doing what is right, you are blessed (v. 15). The author of the letter is not sending people with the mandate to offend. The author says, “Do not be fearful (silent), but in gentleness and humility, use your voice for the voiceless.

Looking at the life of Christ and the stories in the scriptures of how Jesus treated people, we see an example of how to “do what is good.” He interacted and spoke to people with intentional regard for their positions in society. He engaged leaders, rulers, teachers, fishers, farmers, merchants, water bearers, scribes, untouchables, and holy leaders. He spoke for the lives of some. He questioned the teachings and behaviors of others, and he offered wholeness to all.

The summons for today is, “Always be ready to make an accounting for the hope that is in you.”

Central Ideas

1. Speaking for those without a voice is our calling as disciples.
2. We respond faithfully, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to our best understanding of God’s call. (Enduring Principle, All Are Called)

Questions for the Speaker

1. When have you shared the “hope that is in you” with another person?
2. When have you experienced persecution? Who supported your voice or spoke for you?
3. Who are the persecuted in your (congregation) area (city, town, circle of influence)? How can you (the congregation) be a voice for them?

Focus Scripture Passage

1 Peter 3:13–22

Lesson Focus

Living Testament

Objectives 

The learners will…

• reflect on the Community of Christ Basic Belief of Discipleship.
• describe the nature of faith.
• consider the actions of new life in resurrection.

Supplies 

• Bible 
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for 1 Peter 3:13–22 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 73–74, available through Herald House.

Sources

• Boring, M. Eugene, 1 Peter, Nashville: Abington Press, 1999
• Craddock, Fred B., First and Second Peter and Jude, Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Below is the description of Community of Christ’s Basic Belief of Discipleship from Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, p. 37. Have someone read it to the group. Discuss: What word or phrase from this explanation sticks out to you? Why do you think it catches your attention?

Discipleship 

Being a Christian is more than holding a list of right ideas; it is about radical obedience to Jesus in every part of life. God’s boundless love sets us free for lives of responsible stewardship in which we generously offer our lives in service to God’s reign. Discipleship is both an inward and outward journey. Jesus calls us to follow him and to invite others to experience the transforming power of his grace.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Have someone read 1 Peter 3:13–22 aloud.

The original readers of First Peter are told to expect resistance from those outside the new Christian community. The actions and beliefs of the community are unique and cross multiple societal boundaries. Verses 13–16 discuss unjust suffering, courage, and preparedness. In his commentary on First Peter, Eugene M. Boring explains that the author of the letter had a realistic understanding of the reader’s experience: doing good provokes dangerous responses. They should not let this discourage them. They are to remain courageously on course knowing they are not alone. This is not a time to put your head down and blend in, but a time to stand up and stand out for your beliefs. Boring says the call to the readers was to be prepared to answer about their lifestyle. He writes:

Christianity is not to be mistaken for a mystery cult with secrets to conceal from the uninitiated. Its ordinary members, all of them, are to be prepared to explain who they are and why they live as they do.” (Boring, 131) “[T]his context refers to the broad spectrum of settings in which Christians are likely to be misunderstood and need to present a coherent explanation of what they are about, and what is the nature and basis of their hope. All Christians, not only teachers and leaders, have this responsibility…they are not to wait until the situation is upon them and depend upon charismatic help for an answer, but are to think through the meaning of their faith and its relation to public life, and be prepared to respond intelligently when asked.” (Boring, 132)

Putting yourself in this situation, answer these questions:

• What is the nature of your faith?
• Why are you an engaged member of the Christian community?
• How do you feel drawn to engage more deeply?

Verses 16 and 17 address the responsibility Christians have when it comes to the way they respond to these inquiries. Gentleness and reverence are the two words we see in this translation. Merriam-Webster defines gentleness as, “mildness of manners or disposition” and reverence as, “honor or respect felt or shown.”

Imagine the first-century context. Neighbors and business owners felt threatened by those in the Christian community. Christians were ostracized and harassed. It’s likely there were times where suspicions led to accusations and them standing before a court of unfriendly people. It’s not hard, then, to picture the kind of questioning mentioned above being less than genuine. Have you been in a conversation with someone who either didn’t seem interested to hear your answer, or seemed driven by a condescending ulterior motive? Have there been times you were the one bringing this energy into a conversation?

Eugene Boring claims that these verses are calling Christians to be aware of individualistic and self-righteous behavior and to respond in good conscience. He states, “The world is not to be responded to on its own terms, but in terms of the God revealed in Christ” (Boring, 132). Another commentary explains it this way, “…when you do witness, do so with gentleness and respect. Nothing is so alienating and obnoxious as a Christian witnessing with arrogance and condescension, with rudeness and intrusion” (Craddock, 59).

• What keeps us from engaging in conversations that challenge us?
• What can we do to approach conversations from a genuine perspective more often?

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Verses 18–22 are a hymn or poem confessing the faith of the new Christian community. First-century Christians often placed their faith in the words of poems and hymns and this section of scripture is exactly that. Craddock notes these verses contain “in brief the whole of the church’s affirmation about Christ.” He goes on to explain that this fact “guards against the reduction of Christology to the need of the moment.” Christ is seen through the lens of the needs of people. Some may see Christ as a teacher, others a friend to the poor, and still others as a liberator of women. “All these images and others contain truth about Christ, but to claim for any one of them the whole truth would be reductionistic.” (Craddock, 61)

• In what ways have you experienced Christ during your life?

Today’s lectionary passage offers a lot for readers to consider. As we seek to understand the original context and interpret how the text affects us today, we cannot ignore the call to new life. The call to look critically at our beliefs, our words, and our actions. New Testament Professor Shively Smith writes,

What are the activities of new life this resurrection season demands of our communities, locally and globally? And hopefully we do not stop there; but we embrace the invitation to ponder other questions, such as: What are the new practices, even in the throes of social distancing, that we can do to build connection, relationship, and belonging that supports and extends life? What are the opportunities to accompany each other in ways that are visibly instructive to a world that prefers separation and “everyone for themselves”? In what ways does this passage offer us an opportunity to … ascend into new life that is impactful, lasting, glorious, and generative for all[?] In this way, we can announce renewal, revitalization, and hope in this season.

–workingprecher.org

• What are the activities of new life this resurrection season demands from us as individuals, as congregations, and as Community of Christ?

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Read or sing “There’s a Church within Us” CCS 278.

• What is something you have learned from the class discussions during the Easter season?
• What ideas or themes do you feel led to integrate into your daily life?

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

End class by asking a volunteer to pray or by having a “popcorn style” prayer.