Embracing Tradition and Transformation in Faith Community

Devotional

Day 1: What Does the Lord Require?—Justice, Kindness, and Humility

The call to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God is a central invitation for all who desire to live faithfully. This is not just a checklist, but a way of being that shapes how we relate to others and to God, especially in times of uncertainty or transition. No matter where you are on your journey, you are welcomed and called to embody these values, holding space for both your joys and your sorrows as you walk with God and with one another. [07:40]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection: Where in your life today do you sense God inviting you to act with justice, show kindness, or practice humility—especially in a situation that feels complex or unresolved?

Day 2: Receiving and Carrying the Mantle—Honoring Tradition and Embracing Change

The story of Elisha receiving Elijah’s mantle is a powerful image of honoring those who have gone before us while also stepping into new roles and responsibilities. Elisha’s devotion and willingness to follow Elijah to the end, and his request for a double portion of the spirit, remind us that inheriting tradition is both a gift and a challenge. We are called to carry forward what is life-giving, even as we grieve, and to be open to the new ways God’s Spirit may be at work in us and through us. [24:20]

2 Kings 2:9-14 (ESV)
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

Reflection: What is one tradition, story, or practice you have inherited that you feel called to carry forward or reinterpret in your own life today?

Day 3: The Cost and Call of Discipleship—Letting Go and Following Jesus

Jesus’ words about letting the dead bury their own dead and having nowhere to lay his head are challenging and even unsettling. They remind us that following Jesus sometimes means letting go of what is comfortable or expected, and being willing to step into the unknown. This call is not about abandoning love or care, but about being open to the fierce and sometimes disruptive invitation of God to move forward, even when it means leaving behind what feels most familiar. [25:51]

Luke 9:57-62 (ESV)
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Reflection: Is there something or someone you sense God asking you to release or leave behind in order to more fully follow where Jesus is leading you right now?

Day 4: Wrestling with Tradition—Holding On and Letting Go

There is sacred work in wrestling with the traditions, stories, and teachings we have received—honoring what is life-giving while also seeking liberation from what is not. This process is not easy; it can be disruptive, raw, and even painful, but it is also where blessing and transformation are found. Like Jacob wrestling the angel or Elisha witnessing the chariot of fire, we are invited to engage deeply with our faith, trusting that God meets us in the struggle and gives us vision for what is possible. [33:54]

Genesis 32:24-30 (ESV)
And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

Reflection: What part of your faith or tradition are you currently wrestling with, and how might you invite God to bless you in the midst of that struggle?

Day 5: Community in the Journey—Sharing, Listening, and Growing Together

Faith is not meant to be lived in isolation; we are called to wrestle, question, and grow together as a community. There will be times for solitude and personal reflection, but we are also invited to share our stories, our questions, and our discoveries with one another. In doing so, we create a space where all are welcome, where gifts are recognized, and where the Spirit leads us into new life—together. [39:44]

Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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.

Reflection: Who in your community could you reach out to today to share honestly about your faith journey—or to listen to theirs—so that you both might be encouraged?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was an invitation to bring our whole selves—our joys, our sorrows, our questions, and our hopes—into the presence of God and community. We began by affirming that everyone, no matter where they are on life’s journey, is welcome and beloved. Through sharing peace and presence, we recognized the sacredness of simply being together.

A special moment with the children centered on a piece of stained glass from our building’s history, a reminder that old things—stories, traditions, objects—can become new sources of light when we allow them to be illuminated in fresh ways. This became a metaphor for how we hold our faith and our past: not as relics to be preserved unchanged, but as living stories that can inspire and guide us if we are willing to see them in new light.

The stories of Elijah and Elisha, and Jesus’ challenging words about following him, were held in creative tension. Elisha’s devotion to Elijah, his request for a double portion of spirit, and his willingness to witness the chariot of fire, speak to the power of honoring tradition and seeking blessing from those who have gone before. Yet, Jesus’ call to leave even the most sacred duties behind—“let the dead bury the dead”—reminds us that sometimes faith requires letting go, stepping into the unknown, and trusting God’s call even when it disrupts our expectations.

Personal stories of loss, friendship, and wrestling with tradition were shared, especially the example of a beloved mentor who embodied both deep roots in faith and the courage to claim new, liberating identities. This is the sacred work of deconstruction and reconstruction: holding the wisdom of our traditions together with the reality of who we are and how God is calling us today. It is not easy work; it can be disruptive, raw, and even painful. But it is also the work that leads to blessing, transformation, and a faith that is both honest and alive.

We are not called to uncritically preserve tradition, nor to discard it entirely. Instead, we are invited to wrestle with it, to seek blessing even in the struggle, and to share what we learn with one another. In this way, we become a community that is both rooted and open, faithful and free, holding on and letting go as the Spirit leads.

Key Takeaways

1. The welcome of God is radical and unconditional, inviting each person to bring their full self—joys, wounds, doubts, and hopes—into the community. This kind of welcome is not just a gesture, but a spiritual practice that shapes how we see ourselves and one another as beloved. [06:09]
2. Tradition is a gift, but it is not static. Like the stained glass that shines most beautifully when light passes through it, our stories and rituals come alive when we allow them to be seen from new angles, illuminated by the Spirit and by our present realities. This requires both reverence for the past and openness to transformation. [15:18]
3. The stories of Elijah and Elisha, and Jesus’ call to radical discipleship, invite us to hold together devotion to what has come before and the courage to step into new, sometimes uncomfortable, callings. True faith is not about clinging to comfort, but about being willing to follow God even when it means letting go of what feels most secure. [25:51]
4. Wrestling with tradition is sacred work. There is power in our stories and scriptures—power to heal and power to harm. We are called to engage them honestly, to seek blessing even in the struggle, and to discern together how God is speaking to us now, not just in the past. [36:56]
5. Community is essential in this journey. While there are times for solitary wrestling and prayer, we are meant to return to one another, to share our questions, our growth, and our vision. In this sharing, we find courage, blessing, and the double portion of spirit needed for the road ahead. [37:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:09] - Words of Peace and Radical Welcome
[07:32] - Call to Worship: What Does the Lord Require?
[12:56] - Children’s Time: The Stained Glass Story
[15:18] - Shining Light on Our Traditions
[16:46] - Scripture Reading and Prayer
[21:44] - Elijah and Elisha: Devotion and Inheritance
[24:20] - The Double Portion and the Chariot of Fire
[25:51] - Jesus’ Call: Letting Go and Following
[27:34] - Remembering a Mentor: Wrestling with Tradition
[31:31] - Holding Tradition and Identity Together
[33:54] - The Sacred Work of Deconstruction
[36:56] - The Power and Danger of Scripture
[37:55] - Wrestling Together as Community
[39:44] - Blessing and Sending
[45:21] - Prayers for Healing and Community
[51:31] - Prayers for Peace and the World
[52:59] - The Lord’s Prayer and Closing Song

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Kings 2:1-14 (ESV) — The story of Elijah being taken up to heaven and Elisha receiving a double portion of his spirit.

Luke 9:57-62 (ESV) — Jesus’ call to radical discipleship, including the words, “Let the dead bury their own dead.”

Micah 6:6-8 (ESV) — A call to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

Observation Questions

In the story of Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-14), what does Elisha ask for before Elijah is taken up, and what is the sign that he receives it?
In Luke 9:57-62, what are some of the reasons people give for hesitating to follow Jesus, and how does Jesus respond?
According to Micah 6:8, what does the Lord require of us? How was this echoed in the call to worship? ([07:32])
The sermon used the image of stained glass. What was the significance of shining light through the old stained glass piece? ([15:18])

Interpretation Questions

What might Elisha’s request for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit mean for us today when we think about inheriting faith or tradition? ([22:50])
Jesus’ words, “Let the dead bury their own dead,” sound harsh. Why do you think Jesus would say something so challenging to someone who wanted to follow him? ([25:51])
The sermon talked about wrestling with tradition and not just preserving or discarding it. What does it look like to “wrestle” with faith or tradition in a healthy way? ([33:54])
The pastor shared about a mentor who held both deep roots in faith and the courage to claim a new identity. How can holding onto tradition and embracing change both be acts of faith? ([29:08])

Application Questions

The sermon began with a radical welcome, inviting everyone to bring their full selves—joys, wounds, doubts, and hopes—into the community. What part of yourself do you find hardest to bring into church or community? Why? ([06:09])
Think about a tradition, story, or ritual from your faith or family. Is there a way you could “shine new light” on it, like the stained glass, so it becomes meaningful in a fresh way? ([15:18])
Elisha was willing to follow Elijah all the way, even when told to stay behind. Is there someone in your life (a mentor, friend, or family member) whose example or blessing you seek? How might you honor their influence while also stepping into your own calling? ([22:50])
Jesus calls us to let go of even important things to follow him. Is there something you feel God might be asking you to let go of, even if it feels uncomfortable or disruptive? What would it look like to trust God in that area? ([25:51])
The sermon described the “sacred work of deconstruction”—holding onto the wisdom of tradition while also being honest about what needs to change. Is there a belief or practice you are currently wrestling with? How can you seek blessing in that struggle? ([33:54])
The pastor reminded us that scripture and tradition have the power to heal and the power to harm. How can you be more mindful in the way you read or share scripture with others? ([36:56])
Community was described as essential for this journey. Who are the people you can share your questions, growth, and vision with? How can you be more intentional about supporting each other in faith? ([37:55])

Sermon Clips

The work of deconstruction, you might call it. The work of holding your faith, your tradition, what you were raised with, what you got taught in, I don't know, college or youth group or Sunday school. Holding that wisdom together with the reality of who you are today and how God is calling you today. That is sacred work and it's not easy. [00:33:36] (32 seconds) #PowerToFreeAndHarm

Elisha doesn't act like it was easy to see the chariot. Maybe it was just the grief, but maybe there's something rending about seeing the divine in the way. About that kind of vision that has power behind it and power in front of it. And indeed, he rends his clothes and picks up Elijah's mantle. [00:34:12] (29 seconds) #FaithfulWrestlingTogether

Certainly, there is something disruptive, fierce, scary, certainly uncomfortable, and even, I don't know, raw. About the call that Jesus proclaims in this story from the gospel. Let the dead. You can come with me, but you'll have no place to lay your head. [00:34:41] (39 seconds) #DarkNightsAndCommunity

I don't think it's our work as a community to uncritically hold up the traditions, whether they're from scripture, or the people who taught us as children, or whatever I say from the pulpit. That's not our job as a church. I also think it's not our job as a church to step entirely away from those, to assume that that wisdom has no blessing for us, to be unwilling to wrestle like Jacob wrestling the angel, until we get a blessing, even if we come out wounded. [00:35:28] (44 seconds) #DoubleBlessedFaith

But it's at least important for me to remember, and so often I tell folks, that the institution of chattel slavery in North America was held up for hundreds of years by the Bible. Not just the Bible, plenty of racist institutions. And the institution of chattel slavery in North America was ended. Not just because of the Bible, but by people claiming the Bible as a source of wisdom and truth and truth and liberation. [00:36:38] (47 seconds) #GiftedToGive

It's kind of a, I don't know, like, it's kind of a dramatic way to introduce reading the Bible. But especially when I'm talking with younger folks, or folks who don't know the tradition as well, I want to say in some words, be careful how you read it. There's power in it. There's power to free, and there's power to do tremendous harm. [00:37:26] (27 seconds)

What will it mean for us as siblings in faith? What will it mean for us as church together to take up these stories, these stories from Scripture, these stories from our church, these objects from our building, and hold them closely together, with the fear, strength, and vision of Elisha, waiting and looking for the vision of the chariot of fire? [00:37:55] (31 seconds)

Certainly there will be times to go by ourselves, to have those dark nights of the soul, to have those long walks, those deep prayers, those wrestlings like Jacob, but to have a place to come back and share what we've learned, what we're noticing, how we're growing, and how the Spirit might be leading us even today. [00:39:01] (26 seconds)

``To let the dead bury the dead, whatever that means for this moment, and to have the vision we need to see what's possible. May we be faithful in our wrestling. May we be brave in our sharing with one another. And may we be blessed, double -blessed even, by what we hold on to and what sets us free. In Jesus' name, amen. [00:39:28] (40 seconds)

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