Keith Clark-Hoyos

Pastor Sadie Mark 5: 1-20 Jesus Heals Legion, a Man Possessed by Demons: The Unraveling of the Mind Discussion Questions: 1) How does fear impact each of the characters in the story? 2) Who do you identify with most in the story and why? 3) How could the townspeople have responded to the man's healing instead of with fear and by forcing Jesus away? How might we attempt to live into this better vision at Harbor?

Pastor Ryan Job 28: 12-28 Job's Lament and Loss: Seeking Understanding When Everything Has Fallen Apart Discussion Questions: 1) No easy answer exists to the problem of suffering, no formula that can adequately explain the justice of God. What does it look like to embrace the mystery of God, even in the midst of suffering? 2) "Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." How does Job ultimately define wisdom? What is he saying here? 3) What is your reaction to this quote from author and church historian Kate Bolwer. "It was certainty, plain and simple, that God had a worthy plan for my life in which every setback would also be a step forward. I wanted God to make me good and make me faithful, with just a few shining accolades along the way. Anything would do if hardships were only detours on my long life's journey. I believed God would make a way. I don't believe that anymore."

Pastor Janette Exodus 1: 22, 2: 1-10 Moses' Mother Gives Moses Up So He Can Live: When Our Plans For Our Children Unravel Discussion Questions: 1) Pick a character in this story and think about the part they played in helping Moses survive. 2) Can you recall a moment when you were able to be an ally to an individual or group? 3) How are we as Christians called to show up in the world even to those we aren’t “responsible” for?

Pastor Sadie John 20: 19-29 Doubting Thomas: When the Unimaginable Has Happened Discussion Questions: 1) Why do you think Thomas is isolated from the other disciples when Jesus first appears to them after his death and resurrection? Where might he be? What might he be doing? 2) In verses 21 and 26, the Greek word for peace is eirene, stemming from the verb, eiro, which means to join or bind together that which has been separated. How does this definition of peace impact your reading of the story? What is being bound together? 3) God creates the cosmos in six days, rests on the seventh, and then, on the eighth day, creation unfurls. Jesus rises from the dead the day after the Sabbath, the eighth day. According to Mosaic law, circumcisions were to be performed on the eighth day (Lev. 12:3). The eighth day symbolizes renewal, commissioning, a new creation. What is the significance for Thomas that Jesus appears to him eight days after the resurrection?

Pastor Sadie John 4: 1-29 The Samaritan Woman at the Well: Unraveled Shame Discussion Questions: 1) What barriers exist between Jesus and the Samaritan woman? How are these barriers broken down in their encounter? 2) What do you imagine is the woman's story? 3) What shame (both self-inflicted or placed on you by societal and/or cultural expectations) do you carry? What might it look like for your shame to unravel?

Pastor Ryan Jeremiah 29: 1-9 Encouraging the Israelites in Exile to Plant Gardens and Build Homes: When Dreams Unravel Discussion Questions: 1) Have you ever felt like an exile? What did you do to make where you were feel more like home? 2) We heard in our scripture to not listen to the dreams of the prophets and diviners. What dreams need to die in order for communities to prosper? 3) Where do you see social exile occurring in our own town? What communities have been uprooted, dis-empowered, and marginalized? What does it look like to 'garden' in these spaces?

Pastor Sadie Acts 9: 1-20 The Conversion of Saul to Paul: Discovering a New Path Discussion Questions: 1. What does conversion mean to you? How has hearing the story of Saul's conversion changed your understanding of conversion? 2. Who else experienced a conversion in the story? How was it different than Saul's and how was it the same? 3. How does power and privilege make it difficult for us to make a deep change in ourselves?