BACKGROUND
A quick run through those famous foundational “Beatitudes,” which Jesus used to kick off his teaching on life in God’s kingdom—now—leaves little questioning of why we need others along this journey home! It seems the path leads us through poverty—of spirit at a minimum—loss, longing, submission, neediness, entanglements, conflict, maltreatment, censure, and insult.
Blessed are the poor in spirit...Blessed are those who mourn...Blessed are the meek...Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...Blessed are the merciful...Blessed are the pure in heart...Blessed are the peacemakers...Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness...Blessed are you when others revile you...on Jesus' account.
(Matthew 5:1-11)
Of course, Jesus says, no need to fret over the trials and tribulations because, in the end, we get what God desires when we stick to the path. We know our destination is “Blessed,” happy (complete), a place where “our whole nature and capacities are fulfilled”[1] in contact with the One who formed and knows us most truly. But here is what makes Jesus’ opening sermon so profound and practical. He says that while the path has its rough spots, “already happy,” “Bless-ed,” are we along the way. What we seek and find in Jesus isn’t only a good end, but a blessed middle.
And here is the fun part(!), we discover that becoming like Jesus together, whole and holy in the presence of the Father, is both an end in itself and a means to other ends. Eugene Peterson put it this way,
“Blessing is the end of the road. And that which is at the end of the road influences everything that takes place along the road. The end shapes the means.”[2]
Blessing is where we’re going, Bless-ed is who we are, and Blessing is what we do. Or, as God said it to Abram,
I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing…and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
(Genesis 12:2-3)
What we discover, like the rest of the journey, is that being a blessing is a together thing also!
Jesus describes the blessing of “our life” collectively—“You,” in the verses below is plural like our Texan equivalent, “Y’all”(!)—coming through our witness to living life with him.
Let me tell you [all together] why you are here. You’re [togther] here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here’s another way to put it: You’re [together] here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you [all together] light-bears, you don’t think I’m going to hide you[r life together] under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you[r life together] on a light stand.
Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5:13-16, The Message)
When people (individuals, families, communities) are open to God, they’ll know what we have already received…Blessing.
The following together practice is designed to help you all discover and discern the particularities of what being “generous with your life together…opening up to others” looks like. While this practice may lead to a specific collective focus (a people group, a place, an injustice, a need, etc.), it will undoubtedly start with hospitality—opening up your life together to be a witness to life with God.[3]
PREPARATION
IMPORTANT: Depending on group size, you’ll need about 60 minutes for this practice. While you’ll undoubtedly want to talk about what you discover in your collective journey with Jesus over a meal, you’ll need to set aside a specific time to discern first!
Each participant will need a pen, paper, and bible.
Appoint a facilitator to assign readings, make sure you stick to the time frames of each movement, and that everyone has the opportunity to share. Don’t be afraid to set a timer and kindly ask people to wrap things up if they are taking too much time; both are truly helpful.
PRACTICE
QUIET YOUR SOUL
Have everyone close their eyes and take three deep breaths. As they breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as they breathe out, pray, “…Let Us, Witness.” Focus on each breath and envision breathing in God’s presence at this moment. Ask God to allow you and your fellow apprentices to see you all’s saltiness and light.
Encourage participants to repeat the centering prayer if and when (!) their thoughts begin to wander in the stillness and reflections.
CONSIDERING MY JOURNEY
When we follow Jesus, we become like him, and not just by listening to him, but by doing what he leads us to do. That’s how apprenticeship works. We observe the Master, but the Master also gives us responsibilities so that we can learn the craft. He’s been doing this all along your journey with him. Leading you to people and putting you in places to be a blessing, opportunities to be generous with your life and open to others so they might be open to God. Sometimes it seems that these opportunities find us. Regardless, when we follow our Master’s lead in these moments, our own maturation is catalysized or deepened.
Have participants consider their journeys up to now, asking them to think about:
To what people and places do Jesus repeatedly lead you to be a blessing?
In what ways has blessing and witnessing deepened or catalyzed your own maturing?
Give your group 3-4 minutes to consider their individual journey.
SHARE & AFFIRM
Encourage each participant to briefly share (1-2 minutes) their response to one of the above questions. Allow the group to affirm where they have witnessed God leading and/or maturing the person who just shared.
After everyone has shared, begin the next movement.
CONSIDERING THEIR JOURNEY
Now let’s consider how other’s openness has impacted ours. Encourage participants to only consider those in the group (whether the group is a Gospel Community, a DNA Group, several close friends, roommates, spouses, or family).
Have participants consider how witnessing those in the group blessing others has impacted their lives and faith. Asking,
How have those you are following Jesus with inspired, challenged, encouraged, or even brought you into blessing and witnessing?
Give your group 3-4 minutes to consider each other’s journey.
SHARE & AFFIRM
Encourage each participant to briefly share and affirm (1-2 minutes) how someone’s witness in the group has impacted their journey with Jesus.
After everyone has had an opportunity to share, begin the next movement.
CONSIDERING OUR JOURNEY
Now it is time to consider our life together. Have the group repeat the centering prayer and enter into 1 minute of silence.
After the silence, invite the group to consider why Jesus has brought you into each other's lives. Contemplating what it looks like for “our life together” to be salt and light. Invite participants to:
Ask Jesus: “Why have you brought us together?”
Then wait, listen and write what you hear.
Give your group 3-4 minutes to consider “our” journey, then ask the following clarifying questions with pauses:
What would “keeping an open house and being generous with our life together” look like for our community, network of relationships, and neighborhood(s)? Describe what you see.
Pause for 2 minutes.
Do you hear Jesus inviting us to open our lives to specific people or peoples or place?
Pause for 2 minutes.
Do you sense God calling us uniquely to be or do something in Jesus’ name?
Pause for 2 minutes.
SHARE-DISCUSS-WITNESS TO BLESS
Now it’s time to be vulnerable…with one another. Allow each person 2-3 minutes to share what they heard, saw, or sensed. Let each person articulate what (if any) vision, invitation, or call for “our life together.” Encourage those not sharing to not interrupt or add commentary even if they are doing so as affirmation.
When everyone has shared, discuss.
Was there any overlap in what was shared? If so, talk about where those visions/invitations/callings come together and what that could mean for your group. Commit to praying for clarity and unity and following up.
Did anything shared feel disconnected or just not settle? If so, talk about why that might be. Commit to submitting these to the Lord for further clarity and following up if the Lord provides it.
Is there anything we agree to do to keep an open house to be generous with our lives? If so, name it and do it! Don’t let the details distract or discourage you; just take the next step in the journey!
Give the group about 20-25 minutes to discuss. It would be helpful to set a time limit before you start discussing; that way, you can encourage people to be thoughtful, considerate, and succinct in the discussion. Remember, you can keep the convo going over dinner!
CONCLUSION
Conclude your group time by sharing in a collective prayer[4]. Have the facilitator pray the italicized portions and the group pray together the emboldened parts.
As Abraham left his home and the security of all he had known to follow God,
So we lay down what is past and look to the future, to where Jesus is leading.
As Mary washed Jesus’ feet with oil and hair,
So we recognize that hope and healing come through death and resurrection.
As the disciples on the Emmaus road returned to Jerusalem to tell what had happened when Jesus walked with them, as John built up communities to hold fast to Jesus, and Paul traveled ever on,
So we open our lives, to share the lives of others and bless a wider world.
As Esther stepped out in faith for such a time as this,
So we take courage to do what Jesus leads us to do.
And as Jesus taught us, so we pray today and every day along the way:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, and help us not fear that we’ll be lacking tomorrow.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
Now and forever.
Through Jesus.
Amen.
__________
[1] Thomas Merton, Bread In The Wilderness, 13.
[2] Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience In The Same Direction: discipleship in an instant society, 197.
[3] For a more in-depth discussion on being “salt and light” together, listen to “Being a Witness to Blessing” and “Salt & Light.”
[4] Adapted from a prayer in Ruth Haley Barton’s, Life Together In Christ: experiencing transformation in community, 158.