Active Faith: Co-Creating Justice and Community
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of "Afterparty Theology," a mindset that reduces our faith to merely waiting for the afterlife, neglecting the significance of our current lives and the world around us. This theology is flawed because it dismisses the beauty and purpose of the life God has given us, leading to apathy and inaction. Instead, we are called to be active participants in God's ongoing work of justice, love, and community.
We delved into the Book of Acts, which continues the story of Jesus through the early church, emphasizing that God's kingdom is not a geographical location but a community built on justice, love, and inclusivity. The disciples initially misunderstood Jesus' mission, expecting a restoration of Israel's past glory. However, Jesus introduced a new kind of kingdom, one that transcends borders and is inclusive of all people.
We are reminded that prayer is not a last resort but the first step in our actions. It guides us and aligns our hearts with God's will. The early church's inclusivity, welcoming marginalized voices, and constant devotion to prayer serve as a model for us today. We are called to collaborate, dream, and implement a world that works for more people, moving beyond our privileges and focusing on community and justice.
Our faith is not about waiting for God to act but about accepting the invitation to co-create with God. This involves listening to marginalized voices, engaging in community, and being bold in our actions. The world needs transformation, and we are called to be part of that change, shaping a future filled with justice, love, and community.
### Key Takeaways
1. Active Participation in God's Work: We are not called to passively wait for the afterlife but to actively participate in God's work here and now. This involves engaging in justice, love, and community, making our lives meaningful and impactful. [31:00]
2. Prayer as the First Step: Prayer is not a last resort but the first step in our actions. It aligns our hearts with God's will and guides us in our endeavors. The early church's devotion to prayer serves as a model for us to follow. [41:00]
3. Inclusivity and Marginalized Voices: The early church immediately became more inclusive, welcoming marginalized voices and creating equality. We are called to do the same, ensuring that our communities are welcoming and just for all people. [40:16]
4. Collaboration and Visioning: Creating a world that works for more people requires collaboration, dreaming, and visioning. We must move beyond our privileges and focus on community and justice, working together to implement God's vision for the world. [43:20]
5. Co-Creating with God: Our faith involves co-creating with God, accepting the invitation to be part of the transformation of the world. This requires boldness, prayer, and action, as we work towards a future filled with justice, love, and community. [49:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:56] - Introduction and Prayer
[27:00] - The Afterparty Experience
[30:36] - Expectations vs. Reality
[31:00] - Afterparty Theology
[32:00] - United Methodist Beliefs
[33:01] - The Myth of Redemptive Violence
[34:05] - The Book of Acts
[35:04] - Death to Resurrection
[36:03] - Jesus' Different Kind of Kingdom
[38:02] - The Kingdom of God
[39:01] - The Holy Spirit's Fire
[40:01] - Inclusivity in the Early Church
[41:00] - The Role of Prayer
[43:20] - Collaboration and Visioning
[45:03] - UBC's Inclusive History
[46:13] - Organizing as Science Fiction
[49:00] - Action Items and Prayer
[51:00] - Co-Creating with God
[52:02] - Closing Prayer
[53:15] - Offering and Communion
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:6-8 (NIV)
> Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2. Acts 1:14 (NIV)
> They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
3. Acts 2:42 (NIV)
> They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
### Observation Questions
1. What did the disciples initially expect Jesus to do after His resurrection? ([35:14])
2. How did Jesus respond to the disciples' question about restoring the kingdom to Israel? ([35:25])
3. What were the early believers devoted to according to Acts 2:42?
4. How did the early church demonstrate inclusivity and equality? ([40:16])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the disciples were focused on the restoration of Israel's kingdom? How does this reflect their understanding of Jesus' mission? ([35:14])
2. What does Jesus' response in Acts 1:7-8 suggest about the nature of God's kingdom?
3. How does the early church's devotion to prayer and inclusivity serve as a model for us today? ([40:16])
4. What does it mean to co-create with God in the context of our daily lives and communities? ([49:00])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you have been passively waiting for God to act instead of actively participating in His work? How can you change this mindset? ([31:00])
2. How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine, not as a last resort but as the first step in your actions? ([41:00])
3. Think about your community. Are there marginalized voices that need to be heard and included? How can you help create a more inclusive environment? ([40:16])
4. Collaboration and visioning are essential for creating a world that works for more people. What steps can you take to collaborate with others in your community to bring about justice and love? ([43:20])
5. Identify one specific way you can co-create with God this week. This could be through a small act of kindness, volunteering, or simply listening to someone who feels unheard. ([49:00])
6. How can you move beyond your privileges to focus more on community and justice? What practical steps can you take to make this shift? ([43:20])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt apathetic or inactive in your faith. What motivated you to change, and how can you maintain that motivation moving forward? ([31:00])
Devotional
### Day 1: Active Participation in God's Work
God calls us to be active participants in His work, not passive observers. This means engaging in justice, love, and community, making our lives meaningful and impactful. The early church, as described in the Book of Acts, exemplifies this active participation. They did not wait for the afterlife to experience God's kingdom but worked to bring it to life in their communities. They engaged in acts of justice, love, and inclusivity, showing us that our faith is not just about personal salvation but about transforming the world around us. We are invited to join in this ongoing work, making a difference in our communities and beyond. [31:00]
Bible Passage: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." (James 1:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Think of one specific way you can actively participate in God's work today. How can you engage in an act of justice, love, or community in your daily life?
### Day 2: Prayer as the First Step
Prayer is not a last resort but the first step in our actions. It aligns our hearts with God's will and guides us in our endeavors. The early church's devotion to prayer serves as a model for us to follow. They prayed constantly, seeking God's guidance and strength in all they did. This practice of prayer helped them stay connected to God's mission and empowered them to act boldly. We, too, are called to make prayer a priority, seeking God's direction and aligning our hearts with His purposes. [41:00]
Bible Passage: "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine? What specific time or activity can you dedicate to prayer today?
### Day 3: Inclusivity and Marginalized Voices
The early church immediately became more inclusive, welcoming marginalized voices and creating equality. This inclusivity was a radical departure from the societal norms of the time and demonstrated the transformative power of the Gospel. We are called to do the same, ensuring that our communities are welcoming and just for all people. This means listening to and amplifying the voices of those who are often overlooked or marginalized. By doing so, we reflect the inclusive nature of God's kingdom and work towards a more just and equitable world. [40:16]
Bible Passage: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community or circle might feel marginalized or overlooked? How can you reach out to them and make them feel included and valued today?
### Day 4: Collaboration and Visioning
Creating a world that works for more people requires collaboration, dreaming, and visioning. We must move beyond our privileges and focus on community and justice, working together to implement God's vision for the world. This involves dreaming big and envisioning a future where justice and love prevail. It also requires practical steps and collaboration with others to bring these dreams to life. By working together, we can create a more just and loving world that reflects God's kingdom. [43:20]
Bible Passage: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one dream or vision you have for a more just and loving community? Who can you collaborate with to start making this vision a reality?
### Day 5: Co-Creating with God
Our faith involves co-creating with God, accepting the invitation to be part of the transformation of the world. This requires boldness, prayer, and action, as we work towards a future filled with justice, love, and community. We are not merely waiting for God to act but are invited to join Him in His work. This means being proactive, listening to God's guidance, and taking bold steps to bring about change. By co-creating with God, we become active participants in His mission, shaping a future that reflects His kingdom. [49:00]
Bible Passage: "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building." (1 Corinthians 3:9, ESV)
Reflection: What bold step can you take today to co-create with God? How can you actively participate in His mission of justice, love, and community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Isn't it true that sometimes our expectations don't match reality? That's true of our lives and that's true of our faith. And sometimes folks, we have what I like to call the afterparty theology. The afterparty version of our faith. And what I mean by that is this idea the whole point of life, the whole point of this existence that God has given us is to get saved, right? Get saved, pray this little prayer, come to the altar, do whatever, and as long as you're saved, you're going into heaven and that's the whole point just to get to heaven." [30:36] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We believe that God cares deeply about this world, that God is active in this world, and that God is inviting us to be a part of shaping this world. I'm going to tell you folks, the way things are, a vision of community and justice. If we're going to be apathetic and just wait for whatever comes next, well, there are people in this world who are going to act, who are going to be a part of shaping this world." [32:00] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Love is more difficult than hate. To create is a lot harder than to destroy. It's easy to destroy. I couldn't make a window. That's what God called us to do, to be in that community, to be a part of co-creating the world with God, that active God, that active faith." [47:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God doesn't send people to bring God to others or to bring light to the heathens. Again, that colonialist dominating mentality. God to love and serve each other. Love and serve and love each other." [48:31] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Your prayer matters. Your wisdom matters. Your voice matters. The work of God in your life is what the church, what your communities, what your world needs. Don't ever let someone tell you're too young or to silence you. Speak out boldly. I believe y'all are going to be inclusive and I know y'all are going to be relevant. And please, the world needs you. Your church and communities need you." [50:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I hate that theology for a number of reasons. For one, it means this beautiful world, this beautiful life that God has given us becomes just a series of waiting for the next thing. What a waste that is. It also puts all the work on God to do whatever God wants with God's world. We're just here to sit around and it dismisses us from action, from taking part in this beautiful world that God has given us and being part of the changes this world needs to make." [31:24] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We see that constantly, don't we? That people with power use their power to maintain it or to grow it, to grow their wealth. We see it every time someone decides to start a new war, to drop another bomb, or send another drone to blow people up. We saw it recently in the assassin's bullet. We have this constant thought that we can shape the world, make the world better through violence, and we can't. We call it the myth of redemptive violence, and it is not true. It makes the world worse." [32:36] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus says no, we're not going to restore a kingdom. It's a kingdom. It's this welcoming in, this gathering in, this world crafted, replaced by sacrifice and love, this world where justice and community, that's the kingdom of God. It's not bound by location. It is welcoming of all people. That's what God is going to do. And it's not God that's just doing it because we would love to sit back and wait in line for the next great thing that's happening, that afterparty theology." [38:02] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Prayer is not the last thing we do. Prayer is the first thing we do because prayer guides our actions. We get overwhelmed by the brokenness and the sins and the horrors of the world and we don't know what to do. We go to God, Lord, this is how I'm feeling, this is what's going on, and I know you're here. I have no answers. What would you have?" [41:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The first thing God calls us to do is to shift our focus from ourselves. When decide to take part in your community, it opens up a part of your soul that maybe was lying dormant, that you find there's beauty in the world, beauty in collaboration, beauty in bringing that dreaming and visioning and implementing to life." [44:33] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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