Sacred Space – Small Group Resources

Year A Letters

Ordinary Time, Proper 21

Philippians 2:1–13 NRSV

Gathering

Welcome

Ordinary Time is the Christian calendar period from Pentecost to Advent. This part of the Christian calendar is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on our discipleship as individuals and as a faith community.

Prayer for Peace

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

Today’s Prayer for Peace is inspired by Community of Christ Sings 504, “In This New Moment,” by Ernesto Barros Cardoso, Darlene Schützer, Paulo R. Salles Garcia, Tércio Junker, Dea C. Affini, and Eder Soares

In this life there is pain, destruction, and fear.

Let this be the moment to strengthen our ties.

Spirit of the moment, we confess our thoughts are a conductor’s baton, hopping, swaying, and jumping. Rarely do we dwell in the moment without great effort. But peace is there in that moment, when we are in tune with the life around us.

Strengthen our ability to be fully present in each moment of pain, of destruction, and of fear. May we fully see our ties to each of your beloved. May pain draw us closer to one another. For in that space and in that moment, we find and share peace.

Tension strengthens the knot where two ropes join. Empower us to embrace this power-giving tension. From our strength together, may we move toward justice.

In the name of Jesus, who is with us in each moment. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Praying for Peace

The Enduring Principle we are focusing on is Pursuit of Peace, or Shalom. Shalom for Community of Christ is defined as “Led by the Holy Spirit, we work with God and others to restore shalom to creation.” We might describe it as the presence of God’s wholeness and healing peace in the world.

By praying for peace for loved ones, the nations of the world, and even those with whom we disagree, we are focusing our hearts on healthy relationships and the ministry of reconciliation.

A Prayer for Peace is offered each day in the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri. Prayers for Peace are included in worship services, small groups, family camps, and retreats. Praying for peace also can be a spiritual practice. Today we will pray for peace using the prayer of Saint Francis. Read aloud:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Amen

This time, have the group repeat each line after me:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Amen

Invite the group members to discuss what hope they have for peace and reconciliation in their lives. Close with the following prayer:

Peace be to this house, peace be to all relationships, peace be to all the world. Amen.

Sharing Around the Table

Philippians 2:1–13 NRSV

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

This passage was written to strengthen, comfort, and encourage those who were being persecuted for their faith.

Paul has just told the Philippians that, given a choice between life or martyrdom, they should choose life and continue the gospel’s work. If they build unity of heart, then Christ himself will encourage them. The Spirit will unite them in compassion for one another. Paul’s joy will be complete if they face persecution with unity of faith, love, purpose, and thought.

Paul hinted at status-seeking among them when he encouraged them to turn away from selfish motives and pride and to take on the mind of Christ. Paul reminds them and us that Christ, who was given equality with God, rejected it to become humble and refused to advance his status or avoid suffering.

In first-century Roman provinces, people were required to offer sacrifices to the Roman emperor and declare, “Caesar is Lord!” Refusal to do so was considered seditious, punishable by imprisonment and death. Christians countered the Roman practice by declaring publicly, “Jesus is Lord.”

A person’s name was his or her character, identity, personality, and intent. Therefore the “name of Christ” embodied all that Christ represented, divine and human. All Christians revered Christ’s name. Their first loyalty was to Christ, often paid for by persecution and martyrdom. Today’s passage ends with Paul’s directive to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” He was not suggesting the Philippians could save themselves, but rather assuring them they had the strength and experience to live Christ-like lives. God was with them, working God’s purposes (salvation) within their hearts. The same is true for us.

Questions

1. When have you tried to increase your importance, status, or authority at the expense of someone else? What would you do differently now?

2. Is taking on the mind of Christ something we achieve on our own, or something God does within us?

3. How has God captured your primary loyalty? How do your lifestyle, economics, recreation, and service bear this out?

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 is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

Discipling God, as we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us to save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In this way may we prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 169, “Let This Mind Be in You”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Thoughts for Children

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NRSV

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.

We share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings (select one):

• 515, “In these Moments We Remember”

• 516, “Coming Together for Wine and for Bread”

• 521, “Let Us Break Bread Together”

• 525, “Small Is the Table”

• 528, “Eat this Bread”

Thoughts for Children

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we read, “Be of the same mind, having the same love as Christ, of one mind with each other.” What is the mind of Jesus like?

Jesus and God are one. Jesus rightfully should have been treated like a ruler, but he was willing to be our servant to share God’s love. The rest of the scripture tells us how to be like Jesus: “Do nothing from selfishness or boastfulness, but be humble; think of others as better than yourself. Look out for the good of others” (Philippians 2:1–5 NRSV, adapted)

Ask participants to tell you what they think the mind of Jesus is like. Write these on a flipchart or posterboard. Phrases might include: shares God’s love, is not selfish, thinks of others, takes care of others, etc. Ask how we can be like-minded with Christ (think and do the same things).

Taken from: Scripture Based Focus Moments

(https://www.heraldhouse.org/products/scripture-based-focus-moments-pdf-download)