CreatingCommunity is an email devotion to guide your preparation for worship next weekend. Imagine how much more clear and relevant God's Word will be if you have had an opportunity read, reflect, and dwell in the Word prior to worship. You may do this devotion alone, with others, as a family, or over Zoom as a small group.

This devotion is to be done in preparation for this coming weekend's worship.

Please follow these three steps:

1. Read through the text
2. Respond to the questions (select one of the sets of questions)
3. Offer a Prayer
John 8:31-36
Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
No Experience Necessary Questions:
  1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
  2. What delights me in this text?
  3. What stories or memories does this text stir in me?
  4. What is God up to in this text?
Family Questions:
  1. What does it mean to you to be a Christian that happens to be Lutheran? How does being a Lutheran influence your Christian walk?
  2. What do you think is meant by "continuing in the Word"? Can you give some examples? Is that something you do?
  3. What are some of the things all Christian have in common. Do you think we should talk about our differences or our commonalities? Explain.
Advance Questions:
  1. What would you list as essential elements of Lutheranism? In what ways do they matter in today's world?
  2. It has been said that the church is always reforming in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. Do you agree? Why?
  3. Jesus says he reveals the truth that sets people free from sin. In what ways have you experienced this?
Click here to listen to this week's CreatingCommunity video
A Mighty Fortress | Fountainview Academy
Prayer
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic church. Fill it with all truth and peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in need, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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