Our Lenten study for 2017 is jointly prepared by the brothers at St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) and Virginia Theological Seminary. This is the same partnership that brought us “Growing the Rule of Life” last Lent.
We will use this on Sundays as an intergenerational study over 6 weeks, beginning March 5. Intergenerational study provides an opportunity for all age groups to add their wisdom to the study and reflect on the comments of others However, even if you don’t come to Christian Ed, you can follow along at home through daily messages from SSJE’s website with a short video.
“In this six-week series we will be examining and reflecting on the ways in which God’s Life and God’s Mission express themselves in and through us. Inspired by the Anglican “Marks of Mission,” we will look for signs of God’s presence and activity in our lives, in our communities, and in the world around us. Each week we will explore one of the “Marks,” using short daily videos, thought-provoking questions and activities, and prayerful discussions to reflect on what God is doing in our lives and in our world."
You can sign up for the daily messages here. It is free. The site also has all the daily videos and transcripts.
Read the text, watch the video, and reflect. You can share your thoughts , using #5marksoflove on your preferred social media. You can download the workbook if you wish as it is free but we will have copies on hand on Sunday.
The workbook introduces the series this way: “Inspired by the Anglican “Marks of Mission,” we will look for signs of God’s presence and activity in our lives, in our communities, and in the world around us. Each week we will explore one of the “Marks,” using short daily videos, thought-provoking questions and activities, and prayerful discussions to reflect on what God is doing in our lives and in our world.”
“In this six-week program, we will observe and reflect on the ways in which God’s life expresses itself in us and through us. Specifically, we see God’s life at work within us as we Specifically, we see God’s life at work within us as we:
1. Proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom (TELL).
2. Teach, baptize and nurture new believers (TEACH).
3. Respond to human need by loving service (TEND).
4. Transform unjust structures, challenge violence of every kind, and pursue peace and reconciliation (TRANSFORM).
5. Strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and 6. Renew the life of the earth (TREASURE). “These “Marks” are the fruit of God’s life within us, a life which is nurtured by prayer and worship”