Duration 4 Weeks
Triggers. We all have them. Those triggers that set us off and illicit a response in us that is almost visceral. Could be that employee at work who is always late. Could be the socks that never make it to the hamper. Could be all those pop-up ads on my feeds. What are your triggers? In the church, there are triggers for people that are often unfounded, a misreading of the biblical texts. Let’s reduce the triggers!
Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 43-44, 48 (NIV); James 2:14-20, 24 (NIV)
Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You must be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” That’s a trigger, because I am not perfect. So what hope is there for me if perfection is the bar? On this Reformation Sunday, we come longing for a word of Grace!
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (NIV); Luke 23:32-43 (NIV)
On this All Saints Sunday, we remember those who have died with love and affection. But where are they now? Some talk about Grandma up in heaven, looking over us, reunited with her family. Others talk about the general resurrection of all the dead at the second coming. So, where is Grandma?
Romans 13:1-7 (NRSV); Mark 12:12-17 (NRSV)
We’ll have just gone through another election in our country on November 7. Nothing triggers us like the animosity we hear surrounding politics. What does the Bible say about government and God’s divine providence in our leaders? Romans 13 is definitely a trigger.
Ephesians 5:22-33 (NRSV); John 13:1-17 (NRSV)
Another trigger in our lives is sexism. We do not live in the patriarchal past where wives are to obey their husbands. However, the Bible does talk about this relationship in a way that triggers many. Are they understanding this text correctly?