Exploring Christianity

Option 1: Bible/Book Study

We will be reading and discussing the book:

The Walk by Adam Hamilton

This book explores various practices of Christian living found through scripture.

You will receive a copy of the book in your welcome packet.

Week 6

This week's spiritual practice summarizes the book by focusing on 'The Five Practices From the Cross' and focuses on Jesus' words during the Crucifixion. Jesus' death was brutal, and this chapter includes some descriptions which can be triggering, so please read with caution and feel free to skim over or skip parts as needed. I will be focusing on themes rather than the crucifixion for this summary and questions.

Theme 1: Worship . . . Prayer This section points out that prayer was an important part of Jesus' everyday life. What are your prayer habits? Where and when do you like to pray? In what ways do you like to pray? Are there things you would like to change about your current prayer life? Worship - The gospels give many examples of Jesus being in the Temple or synagogues for worship. In your own life, what worship experiences have meant the most to you? What would you add or change to make worship more meaningful and bring you closer to God? (Get creative here. Everything is possible, and there are no wrong answers!)

Theme 2: Study . . . Scripture Reading and learning more about the scriptures help us grow closer to God and open us to hear and feel God's leading in our lives. Are there any scriptures that have meant a lot to you or that you hold onto as key verses for your life? Are there some that are totally confusing? How do you deal with that?

Theme 3: Serving Others "We offer ourselves to God every day—asking God to use us, paying attention to see where others need our help, and then seeking to serve them through acts of justice, mercy, and kindness. This is how Jesus understood his own life. He was constantly caring for, serving, and blessing others. He was the ultimate example of a servant leader."

Hamilton, Adam. The Walk . Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition.

What does this mean to you? How does it apply to your own life?

Theme 4: Generosity . . . Giving Jesus gave us an example of someone who gave everything he had. In what ways do you give to others? How do you prioritize where your money goes? As I mentioned in week 4, life has different seasons, and our giving will look different depending on the season in which we find ourselves. Right now, I have a good deal of flexibility, but at others times in my life, even finding an extra dollar was a challenge. What are some other ways you find to give to others? What kind of giving brings you the most joy?

Theme 5: Witnessing to the Gospel We are called to share our faith with others. How do you do that in your own life? People were drawn to Jesus because of how he lived and what he taught. What draws people to you? What do your friends appreciate most about you? When they look at you and get to know you, what part of God is reaching out to them?

Close with the prayer on page 159.

Week 5

This week's spiritual practice focuses on Sharing the Faith. The chapter begins by talking about people giving reviews for barbeque in Kansas City and goes on to talk about the importance of reviews and word of mouth to our daily lives. On page 116, Hamilton notes, "It has never been easier to share our faith with more people, yet we’re often hesitant to do it." Do you agree? Why?

If you have a church home, how did you find it? When and why did you start attending there, and what keeps you there? What would you say if recommending it to others?

If you were sharing what Christianity meant to you, what would you say? What do you feel is most important for people to know?

Have there been times when someone's comments have made you question or reconsider what the church is about (like the woman who said she would no longer call herself a Christian after her encounter with someone who preached a Christianity which offended her?

What are the positive things your church is known for?* Are there negative things about your church? How can you build on the positives and turn around the negatives?

What are your thoughts on the 'Spiritual but Not Religious' conversation in this chapter?

In reading the introductory scriptures to the chapter (Matthew 4:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Matthew 28:19-20), what stands out to you, and how does it apply to your life?

How did you come to have faith, and what does it mean to you today?

Close your time this week by praying for God's guidance in ways to share your faith with others and be a light to the world.

*Some of this week's questions are directly from The Walk Leader Guide by Adam Hamilton.

Week 3

Chapter 3 of The Walk focuses on Service.

In the beginning of the chapter, Rev. Hamilton shares the story of members who saw a need for beds for children in their area and how, through their efforts and focus, numerous children have now received their own beds. This struck me because the church where I am currently serving (Henrietta UMC outside Amherst, Ohio) has partnered with the Good Knights program to provide for the same need in our area.

What are needs you know of around you that could use a spokesperson or some willing hands to do God's work?

Scriptures in this chapter include Joshua, Micah, Proverbs, and Isaiah asking who will you serve and who will God send to serve? How does this idea strike you? What speaks to you and what does not in the passages? In what kinds of areas do you feel called to serve? (Note: You may already be doing some of this without even realizing it!)

Hamilton covers a good deal of information in this chapter. What are some of your thoughts on the ministries and services various churches and denominations provide?

How would your life change or be impacted if you made an act of kindness a part of each day's goal?

Please close this week's study with the prayer at the end of the chapter.

Week 4

Jesus makes clear that our relationship with money can either sabotage our spiritual life or deepen and support it.

Hamilton, Adam. The Walk . Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition.

Chapter 4 focuses on giving. As you begin your reflection on this chapter, I invite you to say this prayer from The Walk's Leader Guide.

Holy and Generous God, we thank you for your abundant blessings and your amazing generosity toward us. We stand in awe of your gifts of overflowing grace, mercy, and love. Open our hearts that we may respond to your love with generosity toward others. In the name of your Son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Hamilton, Adam. The Walk Leader Guide (pp. 40-41). Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition.

In considering the themes presented in this chapter, what kind of priorities do you have with your money? My life has definitely gone through seasons of abundance and seasons of drought. Spending and giving were adjusted according to our needs and income, yet we always found ways to give something to help others because that remained a priority to us.

What did you think of the idea of the Income Tax Selfie? What would a hard look at your tax return tell you about yourself? Does it fit with what you feel are your priorities?

What are some things for which you are grateful?

What gives your life purpose?

What type of generosity do you practice?

Hamilton quotes Arthur Brooks as saying, “To the extent that happiness can be ‘bought,’ it is with charity: giving of effort, time, and money makes people much happier.” (Hamilton, Adam. The Walk . Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition.) What are your thoughts on this?

What are some ministries which have meant the most to you or what are some you would like to support either financially or with your time and effort?

Week 1

Chapter 1 of The Walk focuses on the Spiritual Practice of worship and prayer. Read through the introduction and chapter 1 as time allows.

Questions to consider, discuss, and/or journal:

What does Psalm 95 tell us about worshipping God?
In the section, 'What Is Worship', Hamilton discusses definitions of worship. Which parts of his discussion rang true to you? How have your own worship experiences confirmed or contradicted these ideas?
The section, 'Worship and Community', reminds us of the practices of the early Christians as recorded in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Which of the practices mentioned do you wish were available to you right now and in what ways?
Daily Prayer is lifted up as a type of worship that we can do any time. Take some time to consider your prayer life (and if it interests you, spend a few moments on the Daily Prayer and Reflection page.

Please note: I will be posting a chapter a week. Depending on your time, you may or may not keep that pace. Do what works for you.

Week 2

Chapter 2 of The Walk focuses on the Spiritual Practice of Study - Listening and Paying Attention. Read through chapter 2 as time allows.

Questions to consider, discuss, and/or journal:

Hamilton talks about "listening for our master's voice." What does this mean to you? How is it applicable or not applicable to your life?
The chapter lifts up that Revelation is often found in Nature, the Arts, Life Experiences and People, as well as Conscience, Intuition, and Reason. How have you experienced this? In which areas? Are there any that feel like they don't belong?
In the section on Special Revelation, where Hamilton talks about the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and Jesus, he lifts up the practice of Lectio Divina. This practice has really spoken to me over the last few years, so I encourage you to give it a try.
How have you or have you not experienced Special Revelation?
At the end of the chapter, you are encouraged to begin reading the Bible. I would suggest starting with a gospel in the New Testament rather than trying to go from Genesis and read through.

Please note: I will be posting a chapter a week. Depending on your time, you may or may not keep that pace. Do what works for you.