Prayer: God, may we learn to stand, hand-in-hand, for what we believe in, and what you love. Unify us in your love and mercy. Amen.
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: What speaks to me most in this passage is its relevance. It is too easy to see the many divisions amongst God’s people, outside and inside the church. The header for this passage in my Bible says, “A Church Divided Over Leaders,” and if you replace the word “church” with just about anything else (country, school, workplace, etc.) I am sure you will find a correlation to divisions you’ve experienced in a community. Afterall, conflict is a natural part of community-building, but some will struggle to move past it. This passage calls for a unification of mind and thought, with a focus instead on what unifies us at our core, the cross of Christ. In that unity is where we find our strength. I have been a part of a lot of conversations recently that revolve around this unification on the basis of core values, in order to proceed through change without changing the heart of the community. This passage seemed to come up at just the right time (but is there ever a time when we don’t need this reminder?). This message gives strength to those willing to stand up and work for what they love and value. Take one more look at verse 18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” --Anne Harshbarger
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