CHAPTER 1
Can Only One Religion Be True?
Planning the Session
Session Goals
Through the conversations and activities connected with this session, group members should begin to:
• Reflect on biblical passages that are related to the nature of faith and religion;
• Assess their personal faith stories in relation to Christianity;
• Explore teachings and experiences on the nature and function of religion.
• Prepare your own answer to this week's question: Can one religion be true?
Biblical Foundation
Ask, and you will receive. (Matthew 7:7)
You are one body and one spirit, just as God also called you in one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Dear friends, let's love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The person who doesn't love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)
Special Preparation
• If group members are not familiar with one another, make nametags available.
• If possible, in advance of the first session, ask participants to bring either a journal or an electronic means of journaling, such as a tablet. Provide writing paper and pens for those who may need them. Also have a variety of Bible versions available for those who do not bring one.
• Make sure all participants have a copy of the study book, Ask. Invite them to read the introduction and chapter 1 in advance of the first session. You also should read this material.
• On a large sheet of paper or a board, print "Religion is ..." and "Spirituality is ..." as the heads of two columns.
• Have available easel pads or whiteboard, blank paper or construction paper, and markers or crayons.
• In the box, have available a variety of index cards and pictures that echo the items used in the session video, such as: picture of a member of ISIS and a victim; text of 1 Corinthians 13:12; the word Evangelism; the question "Why am I a Christian?"
Remember that there are more activities than most groups will have time to complete. As leader, you'll want to go over the session in advance and select or adapt the activities you think will work best for your group in the time allotted. Consider your own responses to questions you will pose to the group.
Getting Started
Welcome
As participants arrive, welcome them to the study and invite them to make use of the available Bibles, if they did not bring one.
Opening Prayer
Gracious and loving God, as we begin this study, open us to your presence and fill us — our time, our conversations, our reflections, our doubts, and our fears — with the joy of exploration and the wisdom of your love. We gather in Jesus' name. Amen.
Opening Activity
When all participants have arrived, invite them to introduce themselves by name and to complete verbally one of the posted prompts: "Religion is ..." or "Spirituality is ..." Do not take notes during the introductions.
When everyone has responded to the prompts, post responses on the sheet (or whiteboard). Participants may repeat their original responses or add to them. Defining these two terms provides a foundation and starting place for the study.
Learning Together
Bible Study
Here are the Scriptures for this session:
• Ephesians 4:4-6 ("One Lord, one faith, one baptism")
• 1 John 4:7-8 ("God is love")
• 1 Corinthians 13:12 ("Now we see a reflection; then we will see face- to-face;" try to include the NRSV or KJV)
Use the following process to study these Scriptures:
Ask for volunteers who are willing to read aloud from a variety of Bible versions.
As each passage is read, invite the participants to engage in "active listening." Instruct them to
• Sit comfortably (with uncrossed legs, if possible);
• Breathe slowly and deeply (expanding the diaphragm, not raising the shoulders);
• Focus on the words in one of these ways: close eyes; focus on a candle, a cross, or another object; look directly at the person reading the passage;
• Pay attention to any words that strike a chord, either negative or positive.
If the passage is read more than once or from more than one translation, instruct the active listeners to shift their focus for the second reading. The second time the passage is read, they might consider doing the following:
• Note emotional responses to the passage;
• Imagine the sensory environment of the first hearers: What would the first hearers taste, smell, see, or feel as they listened? What would they be wearing?
• Note what the passage is asking. When we allow ourselves to be encountered by the biblical text, we may hear a call to action or prayer.
After each passage has been read and heard in this way, invite participants to share words that "jumped out at them," insights that were gained, information that was learned, and any call to action or prayer that was received.
Video Study and Discussion
After viewing the video, form groups of 3–4 and ask the groups to give reactions to these comments from the video:
• "It's not me trying to be right. It's me trying to be faithful."
• "Does this mean that my Jewish friend or Muslim friend is going to hell?"
• "This doesn't mean that Jesus isn't right ... what it means is that God is outside of whatever box we put him in."
• "While there are competing claims ... I would argue that there's much more that [religions] actually share in common."
• "Every religion has a piece of truth, because God has been working through everybody."
When the small groups have had some time to share, bring the entire group together and invite someone from each group to share highlights of the conversation.
Book Study and Discussion
What Is Religion?
In Chapter 1, the authors invite us to explore the fundamental nature and function of religion. Ask participants to review their responses to the opening questions you posted: "Religion is ..." and "Spirituality is ..." and to share with the group which of the definitions seems most correct or helpful and why.
What Is Religion For?
The section of the book called "The Functions of Religion" offers a variety of responses to the question of religion's purpose in our lives, including providing answers to fundamental questions, building common culture, and giving an account of ultimate reality. List these functions on newsprint, and invite participants to share other functions of religion in their lives.
Four Approaches
The authors explore four approaches to the truth of religion. Learning to appreciate and respect views that differ from ours helps us to strengthen our views and beliefs. Form four small groups and ask each group to prepare a defense of one of the approaches:
1. Relativism
2. Agnosticism
3. Atheism
4. Religion
Each group should choose a spokesperson for its assigned approach and report to the large group.
Invite the spokespersons for relativism and agnosticism to role-play a four-minute debate. The rest of the participants will decide which approach wins. The winner will then engage in a four-minute debate with the spokesperson for atheism. The winner of that round will engage in a four- minute debate with the spokesperson for religion.
How to View Other Religions
In this section of the book, the authors invite us to approach other religions with "love, respect, and curiosity." Ask participants to describe what that looks like in their own lives.
Ask for a volunteer to read the second paragraph of this section: "In our faith tradition, we start with belief in the prevenient grace ... openness and curiosity." The authors suggest that we consider this question when dealing with people of other religions: "How is God's grace at work in this person's life and practice?" Invite participants to share ways they agree or disagree with this suggestion.
Ask for a volunteer to read the paragraphs of this section beginning: "C. S. Lewis, in the last book of the Chronicles of Narnia ... common areas of interest and concern where we can work together." Invite participants to share how this story relates to their understanding of other faiths, Islam in particular.
Wrapping Up
Practice
Ask participants to reflect on the session question: "Can only one religion be true?"
In pairs, have each participant, in turn, pose/answer the session question. Prompt pairs to switch roles when half the allotted time has passed. Those posing the question should engage in active listening, so they will be prepared to share what they have heard when the group gathers again.
After all participants have had an opportunity to ask and answer the question, gather the group and invite people to share what they heard.
Preparation
Remind participants to read the next chapter and record questions and insights in their journals.
Closing Prayer
God of truth and grace, thank you for this time to reflect and learn about your truth. As we leave this place of learning and sharing, open our hearts and minds, that we might share your truth with the world. Amen.
CHAPTER 2
Why Is There Suffering and Evil?
Planning the Session
Session Goals
Through the conversations and activities connected with this session, group members should begin to:
• Reflect on biblical passages related to suffering and evil;
• Assess the role of suffering in their personal faith stories;
• Explore teachings and experiences on the nature and role of suffering and evil in the life of faith.
• Prepare an answer to the question: Why is there suffering and evil?
Biblical Foundation
God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good.... On the sixth day God completed all the work that he had done, and on the seventh day God rested from all the work that he had done. (Genesis 1:31, 2:2)
Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Special Preparation
• Invite the participants to read book Chapter 2 in advance of the session.
• In the box, have available a variety of index cards and pictures that echo the items used in the session video, such as: the word Money; the words Natural disaster (volcanic eruption, flood, earthquake); the quotation "We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now" (Romans 8:22); the words of the Wesley Covenant Prayer; the phrase Free will;
Getting Started
Welcome
As participants arrive, welcome them to the study and invite them to make use of the available Bibles, if they did not bring one.
Opening Prayer
Gracious God, we have all suffered. Help us to share with love and learn of your grace through our experiences and our sharing. Amen.
Opening Activity
When all participants have arrived, invite them to introduce themselves to each other by name and to share a time of suffering that caused them to wrestle with faith. This may be something in their lives or the lives of others. Be prepared for a variety of responses, including no response.
Do not take notes during the introductions. When participants have finished, ask them how it felt to share their struggles with faith.
• Encourage the participants to discuss one new insight from their journals.
Learning Together
Bible Study
Here are the Scriptures for this session:
• Genesis 1:31, 2:2 (Creation is very good; God rests)
• Romans 8:22 (Whole creation groaning in labor)
• Psalm 51 (Petition for forgiveness; be sure to include NRSV, KJV, NIV)
• John 9:1-7 (Jesus' response to the man blind from birth)
Use the same process as before to study these Scriptures:
Ask for volunteers to read aloud from a variety of Bible versions.
As each passage is read, invite the participants to engage in "active listening." Instruct them to
• Sit comfortably (with uncrossed legs, if possible);
• Breathe slowly and deeply (expanding the diaphragm, not raising the shoulders);
• Focus on the words in one of these ways: close eyes; focus on a candle, a cross, or another object; look directly at the reader;
• Note any words that strike a chord, negative or positive.
If the passage is read more than once or from more than one translation, instruct the active listeners to shift their focus for the second reading. They might
• Note emotional responses to the passage;
• Imagine the sensory environment of the first hearers: What would the first hearers taste, smell, see, or feel as they listened? What would they be wearing?
• Note what the passage asks. When we allow ourselves to be encountered by biblical text, we may hear a call to action or prayer.
After each passage has been read and heard in this way, invite participants to share words that "jumped out at them," insights gained, information learned, and any call to action or prayer received.
Video Study and Discussion
After viewing the video, form groups of 3–4 and ask the groups to give reactions to these comments from the video:
• "Whenever we offer simple answers to complicated questions, we do a disservice to people's faith."
• "There is nothing broken that God can't redeem."
• "God self-limits in order to allow us self-expression."
• "Whenever we try and speak on behalf of God, we begin to get outside of our pay grade."
• "'I don't know' is one of the best things we can say when we walk with people through what feels like hell on earth."
• "There's a really powerful thing that happens when we respond to evil with love."
When the small groups have had some time to share, bring the entire group together and invite someone from each group to share highlights of the conversation.
Book Study and Discussion
Ask participants to review the stories at the beginning of Chapter 2, where the authors share a variety of stories and events — war, terrorism, illness, natural disaster, human weakness, and sheer evil — that have led people to ask why God allows these things to happen.
The authors offer several responses to this question as it relates to natural disasters, disease, and human evil:
• The disobedience of Adam and Eve (original sin)
• The complexity of creation
• Free will
Form three small groups and assign one of the above explanations to each group to explore in more detail. Provide newsprint and markers to each group and ask them to review the chapter and their notes and to prepare a presentation that answers this question: In what ways and to what degree does this explanation account for the existence of natural disasters, disease, and human evil? Assure the groups that it is fine to conclude that the explanation is inadequate to account for these things. In that case, the group should present its process for reaching that conclusion.
When the small groups have had time to work, invite them to offer their presentations to the group.
Suffering Redeemed
Remind the group that sometimes, in an effort to offer comfort, people make statements about God's role in human suffering. The statements might include:
• God causes suffering as a means to test our faith.
• It is God's will that some people will suffer.
• Some people are not healed because they didn't pray hard enough.
Ask participants if they have heard or made statements such as these in times of suffering. Now read the authors' statements:
• "Suffering provides an opportunity for God's grace to be at work."
• "The Christian perspective is to help people experience the presence and love of Christ, even in the most difficult situations."
Facilitate a discussion of the way the authors' statements agree or disagree with the "words of comfort" sometimes offered. Invite participants to share new insights about the role of God's grace in framing a Christian response to suffering.
Wrapping Up
Practice
Ask participants to reflect on the session question: "Why is there suffering and evil?"
In pairs, have each participant, in turn, pose/answer the session question. Prompt pairs to switch roles when half the allotted time has passed. Those posing the question should engage in active listening, to be prepared to share what they have heard when the group regathers.
After all participants have had an opportunity to ask and answer the question, gather the group and invite people to share what they heard.
Preparation
Remind participants to read the next chapter and record questions and insights in their journals.
Closing Prayer
Great and good God, thank you for time to consider the ways that suffering and evil influence our life of faith. Continue to be with us as we journey together, to help us remember and praise your unconditional love and grace at work in the world. Amen.
