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? Seasons of the Spirit © 2012 Wood Lake Publishing Seasons of the Spirit™ Adult Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) 1 www.seasonsonline.ca; www.woodlakebooks.com Reformation Day (Yrs A, B, C) The Focus for Adults 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 mate- rial 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. 2 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 Reformation Day (Yrs A, B, C) Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) 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.