Lenten Study Session 1: “Child of God”
Lenten Study Session 1: Child of God with Mark Miller
Watch the Video Clip (5 – 7 minutes)
Listen to Mark’s words of introduction and listen to the song. Listen to the song a second time. Feel free to sing along, joining in with the chorus. If you have purchased the songbook Roll Down, Justice!, a reproducible congregational box of the song is found on page 81.
Mark Miller’s Reflection
These lyrics are a reflection of my reading of Romans 8:38-39: “What can separate us from God’s love?” Paul makes the supreme list final, culminating in: “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers nor things present, nor things to come…will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
We may try to create groups of people that are “in” and groups that are “out,” groups that don’t measure up to our standard. We humans are good at deciding who’s included, who is worthy of our particular badge of membership. But no matter what people say, no matter what the world says, no matter what the Church says, “you are a child of God!”
Moment of Meditation (2 – 3 minutes)
Using a notebook or a sheet of paper, respond individually and silently – to the video, the song, and Mark’s introduction. Jot down responses to one or more of these questions:
What comes to mind?
Where do you feel agreement and/or disagreement with the words you heard?
In the area where you live, who are some ‘in’ groups? Who are some ‘out’ groups?
Discuss the Scripture – Romans 8:38-39 (10 minutes)
Have the scripture read aloud in two or three translations. Invite members to share with the group any experience they have with the texts. For example, this may be someone’s favorite scripture or another member may have memorized it as part of a scripture reciting team.
Connect with the Justice Challenges (20 minutes)
If possible, divide the class into three groups. Assign each group one of the following topics: family, community, and church. Using notes made earlier, share (as able) about making the Scripture real in one of these contexts. For example, the group assigned the topic “church” may talk about how congregations have trouble including people of various races, gender, and abilities.
Someone may identify that a church that has been unable or unwilling to remove pews the sanctuary to improve access for people with physical challenges. The community group may discuss unfair practices in employment or legal justice.
Invite groups or a volunteer to give a summary of their discussion.
Confession (2 – 3 minutes)
Encourage the group to observe a moment of silence as they remember the words of the scripture, the song, and Mark’s introduction. Tell them that during the time of confession they are free to speak aloud a sentence of confession of how they–their family, church, or community–have “fallen short of the glory of God.”
Lead the group in this prayer: “Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to be your people. Yet we draw boundaries that we dare not cross or that others cannot cross. Forgive us. In this moment, we confess that we have not been all that you want us to be. Forgive us. Please hear our confessions at this time (silently or aloud): _________________________.”
Prayer of Intercession (2 – 3 minutes)
Lead the group in this prayer (or one from the heart): “God, we have brought our shortcomings and our needs to you. We ask that you strengthen our hearts and hands for the work of justice in the world. Help us to recognize that each and every one of us – known and unknown – are part of your family. We are all children of God.”
Closing (2 – 3 minutes)
Play the video one more time and sing along. Offer a prayer of benediction and an invitation to see God in every face that we meet in the coming week.
Extending the Study
Commit to praying for a “child of God” who seems to be beyond the walls of the church. It could be someone known or unknown. This is a great opportunity to call the names of mission institutions and homeless shelters and the people who need the services. Remember to pray for those who lead those institutions and those who serve.
Meet with other groups in the church (mission, evangelism greeters, youth ministries) and see how your church can be more welcoming.
If you are the pastor or preacher, give a sermon in an upcoming worship service or offer a moment of witness on extending the boundaries of love in the church, community, and families. What will you give? Perhaps your gift is forgiveness to those who have forgotten that they are children of God.
Share the music with the choir director, pianist or organist. Identify places in the services where the song might be incorporated.
Additional Resources
Lenten Biblical Reflection, Roll Down, Justice!:
About
Faye Wilson, Ed. D
Study Guide Author
Faye Wilson, writer of this study guide, is a certified lay servant in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference. For twenty-one years she was on the staff of the General Board of Global Ministries, mission agency of The United Methodist Church, leading seminars and writing books and articles to help people become more involved in mission work
She continues to work in the area and has written leader’s guides to the United Methodist Women mission studies Poverty, How is It With Your Soul?, and Food and Faith. She serves as the music leader at the Peninsula-Delaware Mission U, an initiative of United Methodist Women, where she teaches songs of “justice and joy” from around the world.
A pianist, she lives in Salisbury, Md., and is the minister of music and arts for Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Quantico, Md., and chairwoman the stewardship committee. She also is vice president of the Salisbury District United Methodist Women.
Her favorite scripture is Isaiah 58:6-12; she makes every attempt to live it literally. She has volunteered for ten years with HALO (Hope and Life Outreach), a shelter for women and children. Since establishing her own home in 1978, she has invited more than twenty-five persons to share her space for varying lengths of time.
Mark Miller
Mark Miller is a lifelong United Methodist with a passion for composing and performing music that brings about the beloved community that Christ desires the church to be.
He is associate professor of church music at Drew Theological School and is a lecturer in the practice of sacred music at Yale University. He also is minister of music at Christ Church in Summit, N.J. His hymns are published in several songbooks and hymnals including The Faith We Sing and Zion Still Sings.
Since 1999, Mark has led music for worship at conferences around the United States. He has been a lay delegate to three United Methodist legislative assemblies (“General Conferences”) and directed music for the 2008 General Conference, enabling him to join in Christ’s mission to break down dividing walls in The United Methodist Church through policy, prayer, and music performance. He deeply believes, as scholar-activist Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
Mark earned a bachelor of arts degree in music from Yale University and a master of music degree in organ performance from The Juilliard School in New York.
This resource was designed with a United Methodist perspective, but we believe the content is also relevant for non-UMC seekers who are doing anti-racism work with a spiritual foundation.
