Tell Me About Jesus

"Tell me about Jesus," I requested.
This is how you described him:

--My friend
--Someone to tell my troubles to (intimacy)
--Son of God
--Our Guide
--Companion ("accompanimiento")
--Savior
--Teacher
--Leader
--Miracle-worker
--Lover
--Brother
--Human
--Chosen
--Amazingly Good Listener
--Friend to the friendless
--Gift
--Toucher of the untouchable
--Lawbreaker
--Wise
--Troublemaker
--Not for Sale
--Outspoken
--real
--Caring
--Compassionate
--Merciful
--Patience to an unbelievable degree
--Shook them in love and bewilderment
--Living Word
--Accompanier
--Source of Knowledge and Affirmation
--Intelligent
--Humble
--Son of Man; i.e. "human one", "true human"

Note the diversity and richness of these responses. They communicate deep levels of expression, of being, of sharing. Consider that your God-given life may be similarly diverse, rich, and expressive.
The life of discipleship is our response to Jesus' beckoning us: "Follow me."
What we are referring to as a "Jesus-centered faith" is the life we share with Jesus.
He is our "interpretive key," not only in our reading of the scriptures but in our discernment of the "way, truth, and life."

A List of Dimensions to Explore

The following are important dimensions of a "life in Christ" that I have suggested we explore. They are deeply interrelated, so the numbered order is interchangeable, with one exception. In the life of discipleship, Jesus comes first.

1) Jesus (a Jesus-centered faith)

2)Unbounded Love

3) Salvation

4)The Kingdom of God

5) The Bible

6) Worship

7) Prayer and Reflection

8) Sacramental Life

9) Thanksgiving

10)Forgiveness

11)Missional Community




Those topics seemed like a substantial list for eight sessions. But you added:


Hospitality

Grace

Teaching and Learning

Communication as Living Word

Boundary-crossing

Limit-busting

relationships to other faith groups

Rebirth

Fellowship

Our collective plate is blessedly full!!!

Faith Is a Way of Life

It is helpful to consider faith as a way of life. Faith is not a "thing" we have or need to get; it is a quality of relationship lived out each day with God and one another.


Let these statements stimulate your thinking:


--"A life of faith is a life free to welcome the kingdom of God."

-- Faith is "living in God's promises, and living toward God's envisioned future."

--"Faith" concerns attentive engagement in a promissory relationship (Brueggemann).

--"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not (yet) seen." -Hebrews 11:1

--Faith is trusting in God's surprises.

The terms in the New Testament Greek translated "faith" are pistis (noun) and pisteuo (verb).
They convey: belief to the extent of complete trust and reliance; fidelity; to be entrusted. They are relational terms.

In Luke Chapter 17, the disciples respond to Jesus' teachings, which they perceive as too difficult, by demanding, "Give us more faith." Jesus says, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you."
So, the disciples recognize that our faith comes from the Lord. Jesus tells them that they don't need "more" faith; any faith will do. The image of the tiny mustard seed, which Jesus uses elsewhere, intimates that faith is something planted within that is nurtured and grows in healthy relationship.

There is much to study in the scriptures about faith, and much fidelity, entrusting, careful attention, and fruitfulness to experience in our relationships with God. Feel free to comment and add!