Adult Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) 1 Reformation Day (Yrs A, B, C) the Focus for Adults

Reformation Day (Yrs A, B, C) Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) On Reformation Day the church honours Martin Luther and other reformers of the six- teenth century, and reformers of every age. Luther’s teachings focused on the promises of scripture, emphasizing that the Spirit works in our hearts to speak God’s word to us and that we receive God’s grace through our faith in Christ. This is the truth that makes Focus Scripture us free. Our life in the Body of Christ is shaped by this gift of freedom. John 8:31–36

Focus Scripture: John 8:31–36 Additional Scriptures Most scholars believe that the gospel of John Through Jesus, the Son, we are given a Jeremiah 31:31–34 was written around 85–90 CE. Jesus’ identity permanent place in the house of God. True Psalm 46 and teachings are the priorities in this gospel. freedom comes through Jesus the Christ, not Romans 3:19–28 John draws us into the new life and under- any human ancestor. True freedom comes not standing of God’s purpose that Jesus makes from one’s heritage, but as a gift from God. possible. Truth for the Jews involved their identity in Gracious God, Reflected in the focus reading today Abraham; Jesus’ truth involves identity in God. is the struggle within the early church The leaders of the Reformation empha- write your law on between Jews who accepted Jesus as Messiah sized the gospel teaching that true freedom our hearts and and those who did not. This division was is not related to ethnic distinctions or social let your word of probably not as sharp in Jesus’ time as the class. Only Jesus the Christ can free us from grace dwell in us words in John might lead us to believe. When slavery to sin, and does so through the truth so that no matter the gospel of John refers to “Jews,” it usually of the gospel. where we are, we is speaking of Jewish religious leaders. It may Martin Luther felt that the heart of gospel may know we are be helpful to think of the dialogue in John truth is summed up in Romans 3:19–28. All forgiven and free. between Jesus and the Jews as a challenging people fall short in their relationship with Amen. discussion among “family members” who are God, but God offers forgiveness of sins experiencing a strained relationship. through Christ. We are justified – put right Verse 30 is a springboard into the focus with God – by the gift of God’s grace, through verses. Jesus has been teaching, and verse 30 faith in Christ. reports: “As he was saying these things, many The Hebrew exiles in Babylon blamed the believed in him.” Jesus’ words to these new slavery of exile on their ancestors who had believers begin in verse 31. disregarded God’s law. In Jeremiah 31:31–34, Living in Jesus’ way leads to truth, which the prophet envisions a future time when the in turn leads to freedom. The Jews are puzzled ability to know God and God’s truth will be a by Jesus’ teaching and claim that because they gift from God, written on each heart. are descendants of Abraham, they are already Psalm 46 is the inspiration behind Luther’s free. They claim they have never been slaves, classic Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress neglecting to recall the time of slavery in Is Our God.” The words of the psalmist, and Egypt or the Babylonian exile. the words of Luther, call disciples to place their In John, the writer uses the phrase “very hope in God alone. truly I tell you” (v. 34) to signal that a new • • • • • teaching is to follow. In verses 34–36, Jesus Scripture calls us to live with God’s law on addresses the group’s misunderstanding of our hearts, to let our faith determine how freedom with the new teaching that everyone we act. Jesus invites us to open our hearts to who sins is not free and is a slave to sin. receive God’s gifts of grace and salvation – Jesus teaches that slavery is not limited to an to claim our freedom in Christ. What in the economic reality, but also is an inward state of church today needs to be reformed by God’s being. Even those who claim freedom through grace? What might you and your church do Abraham are not as free as they think. differently through the reforming, restoring power of the Holy Spirit?

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dults have experience with people standing the ways that God’s word is at work who aren’t quite “integrated”– in your lives each day. Athey behave one way at work and The focus text today speaks of freedom. another at home, or they say one thing and Expect a wide range of opinions about the do another. Sometimes the world seems to meaning of this word. For some, freedom is encourage adults to play different roles: nur- wrapped up with national politics, and the turing mother at home, tough manager at struggles and sacrifices made to secure na- work, get-out-of-my-way driver on the road. tional independence or political freedom. On Reformation Day, the church celebrates Others will perceive freedom as a sense of per- the legacy of Martin Luther and the reforms sonal liberty – being able to do whatever one begun nearly 500 years ago. Luther called chooses to do. Others will think of freedom as church leaders to account for the ways that a sense of material security – freedom from their actions were not integrated with God’s want. Allow plenty of time for group mem- word. As you prepare to lead, pray for group bers to wrestle with the meaning of this im- members, that all might grow in under- portant concept in Christian life.

Prepare

Before the session Respond q Prayerfully reflect on this week’s scriptures q On our hearts: no additional materials — Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 46; Romans needed 3:19–28; John 8:31–36 — and biblical back- q A Mighty Fortress: copies of “A Mighty ground material. Fortress,” one of the resource sheets for this Gather session; hymnal or songbook your church uses q Prepare the worship space with red fabric q Reform: newsprint, markers and a candle. Bring matches or a lighter. Bless q Bring a variety of magazines to cut apart, at q Bring hymnal or songbook your church uses. least one per person, and scissors. Engage q Bring copies of the biblical background material for this session. q Bring a Seasons of the Spirit poster that sug- gests the theme of freedom. q Bring copies of “Free Indeed,” one of the resource sheets for this session.

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Scripture FOCUS To confess our reliance on God’s grace and mercy. John 8:31–36

Welcome group members by name. Moving into the theme Opening ritual Distribute magazines and invite group members Gather around the worship space and light the to cut out words or pictures that express the mean- candle. Note the red fabric used for Reformation ing of freedom for them. Form pairs to tell about Day, a commemoration of the legacy of Martin the images chosen, then place them in the wor- Luther and the church reforms begun nearly ship space. Invite pairs to share interesting points 500 years ago. Form two groups and read aloud from their conversation with the group. Allow a Psalm 46, alternating verses. moment for group members to ponder silently: n What kind of freedom are you longing for today?

Set the context Today’s focus text is from the gospel of John. n From what is Christ freeing us? How is Christ Jesus’ identity and teachings are the priorities able to do this? in this gospel written about 85–90 CE, after the Ask a volunteer to read aloud Romans 3:19–28, other gospels were written. Read aloud John commenting that Luther based many of his 8:30. Jesus has been teaching, and many believed theological teachings on Romans. Check other in him. Jesus’ words to these new believers begin Bible versions for translations of key words and in verse 31. Distribute copies of the biblical back- phrases as you discuss: ground material and invite group members to n What does Paul say about the notion of being refer to it as you dig into the texts. “a slave to sin”? Explore the texts n What is the role of God’s grace and mercy in the To introduce the readings for today, distribute freedom we have in Christ? copies of “Free Indeed” resource sheet and form n What words would you use to explain verse 28 three groups to read this choral reading. After to a group of young people preparing for Con- reading, note that the focus text – John 8:31–36 – firmation (Affirmation of Baptism)? is found in Group 1’s lines. Group 2’s line is Jere- miah 31:33, and Group 3’s is Romans 3:28. Spend a quiet moment viewing the Seasons of the n What does it mean to have God’s word written Spirit poster you have chosen. Then discuss: on one’s heart? n What does the artist who crafted this work sug- n What is the relationship between God’s word gest to you about the nature of freedom? and freedom in Christ? n What is involved in the process of attaining Focus first on John 8:31–36. Jesus speaks of a freedom? slavery that goes beyond being captive to the n What in this image seems to support Jesus’ powers and principalities of the day. teaching in John 8:31–36 and Paul’s teaching in n For you, what word or phrase best describes Romans 3:19–28? What in this image seems to the kind of slavery Jesus is describing? work against their words? n What is your understanding of verse 34?

The freedom Jesus speaks of is not necessarily the n How might Luther’s words be considered a com- freedom we might crave. It is not necessarily free- mentary on what he believed about God’s grace dom from oppression, suffering, or stress. and mercy? n How do you understand what it means to be free n What feelings do you experience when you con- in Christ? sider the mercy and grace you have received n Luther said that a Christian is the most free from God? person of all, subject to no one, and also the n For what are you and your church being freed? most dutiful servant of all, subject to everyone. In what ways might your neighbour be served Do you agree or disagree? Why? through this freedom? Make life connections Shortly before he died in 1546, Martin Luther wrote, “It’s true. We’re beggars.”

Choose one or two of the following options: q On our hearts We live at the mercy of God’s to learn more about the hymn that this psalm grace, which enables us to follow Christ and inspired Martin Luther to write. Refer to the live in the freedom Christ gives. In Jeremiah hymnal or songbook your church uses as you 31:31–34, the prophet reports God’s promise discuss the questions. If some are inspired to to place God’s law within us, writing it on our write a hymn to rally Christians today, find a hearts. In some churches, when the gospel text way to share it with the congregation. is read, the worshippers make the sign of the q Reform In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his “95 cross on their head, then on their lips, and then Theses” – points of discussion – to the door over their hearts. This gesture is a physical tes- of the church in Wittenberg, Germany. This timony to God’s word at work in their lives. list included church practices that Luther felt What gesture would remind you that God’s needed to be changed. The Spirit’s work of word is written on your heart? Form pairs to reformation is ongoing. What items might be create a gesture or sign to use in times of per- included on such a list today? Work as a group sonal prayer or public worship. Share these to create a list on newsprint of things in your during Bless. church or denomination that you think need to q A Mighty Fortress In Psalm 46, the psalmist be reformed. What might you do to prompt a sings of the God’s power and mercy. Distribute discussion of these items? copies of “A Mighty Fortress” resource sheet

Gather again in the worship space. Invite group ground material: Gracious God, write your law on members to share any new insights they’ve gained our hearts and let your word of grace dwell in us so from your study and discussion, and to name any that no matter where we are, we may know we are questions that remain for them. Share any wor- forgiven and free. Amen. ship gestures or hymns created during Respond. Sing or read “A Mighty Fortress” or other hymn Pray together the prayer from the biblical back- that captures the theme of change or reformation.

What new understandings of Christian freedom ideas about what it means to live in freedom, extend- were lifted up by the group today? In what ways ing love and mercy to others? might the group follow through on some of their

4 Seasons of the Spirit™ Adult Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) Seasons of the Spirit © 2012 Wood Lake Publishing www.seasonsonline.ca; www.woodlakebooks.com Resource Sheet • Reformation Day (Yrs A, B, C) FreeFree IndeedIndeed (Based on John 8:31–36, Jeremiah 31:33, and Romans 3:28)

Group 1: Then Jesus said to the Jews who Group 3: For we hold that a person is had believed in him, “If you justified by faith apart from continue in my word, you are works prescribed by the law. truly my disciples”; Group 2: I will put my law within them, Group 1: Jesus answered them, “Very and I will write it on their hearts; truly, I tell you, everyone who and I will be their God, and they commits sin is a slave to sin. The shall be my people. slave does not have a permanent Group 3: For we hold that a person is place in the household; the son justified by faith apart from has a place there for ever.” works prescribed by the law. Group 2: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their Group 1: “and you will know the truth, hearts; and I will be their God, and the truth will make you and they shall be my people. free.” Group 3: Since all have sinned and fall Group 2: I will put my law within them, short of the glory of God, they and I will write it on their hearts; are now justified by his grace as and I will be their God, and they a gift, through the redemption shall be my people. that is in Christ Jesus. Group 3: For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from Group 1: “So if the Son makes you free, works prescribed by the law. you will be free indeed.” Group 2: I will put my law within them, Group 1: They answered him, “We are de- and I will write it on their scendants of Abraham and have hearts; and I will be their God, never been slaves to anyone. and they shall be my people. What do you mean by saying, Group 3: For we hold that a person is ‘You will be made free’?” justified by faith apart from Group 2: I will put my law within them, works prescribed by the law. and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Seasons of the Spirit © 2012 Wood Lake Publishing Seasons of the Spirit™ Adult Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) 5 www.seasonsonline.ca; www.woodlakebooks.com Resource Sheet • Reformation Day (Yrs A, B, C) A Mighty Fortress

Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is n If you were to compose a hymn to rally A probably the most well-known of the Christians today, what scripture would you hymns that Martin Luther wrote. The use as a foundation for your work? German title of this work is “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott.” Luther wrote the words between 1527 and 1529. While some 19th- There is a story about Luther, when he century scholars questioned if Luther was a student, earning money by singing wrote the music to the hymn, scholars now in the streets of Eisenach, in present-day believe that Luther did compose the tune Germany. Whether or not this is true, it is for this famous hymn. clear from Luther’s writings that singing was important to Luther, who also played This hymn has been translated into almost the lute. Luther wrote a fair amount about every known language. In English, there are music and its important role in Christian at least 70 translations. The first English trans- worship, education, and personal devotion. lation was done by Myles Coverdale in 1539 One of Luther’s well-known statements with the title, “Oure God is a defence and towre.” about music is “Music is an outstanding gift of God…I place music next to theology and give it the highest praise.” It is reported that, at times when the Reforma- tion movement was struggling, Luther would Luther wrote at least 35 hymns in addition say to Philip Melanchthon, “Let’s sing Psalm to “A Mighty Fortress.” Look for other 46.” Melanchthon was a leader in the Reforma- Luther hymns in the index for authors and tion with Luther, as well as a personal friend. composers in your hymnal. Choose a few “A Mighty Fortress” draws its inspiration from of Luther’s hymns to read or sing. Psalm 46. n What themes are prominent in these “A Mighty Fortress” has been called the hymns? “Battle Hymn of the Reformation.” Its n What words and phrases speak to you most words inspired the first followers of the powerfully? Reformation. When early Protestants were forced into exile, this often was the hymn they sang as their rallying call.