I Am the True Vine - A Lent Teaching Series
What is the fruit that our ministry bears? Jesus, the True Vine, teaches what it means to be his hands and feet. Aunty Dr Anne Pattel-Gray wraps up our 2020 Lent series.
View and download a PDF on this Lent Teaching here.
In today’s video teaching, Bishop Chris McLeod looks at Jesus’ statement, “I am the door”. People of all backgrounds, all circumstances, with varied experiences, seek safety in the world. Humans seek a safe place…to be who they are…to ask the big questions…to find a sanctuary in the midst of turmoil, uncertainty, suffering and loss. Jesus tells us that he is our safe space.
Sadly the church has not always been a safe place for everyone. Jesus, however, provides the ultimate sanctuary for all people: to talk, to share, to find peace, to speak about things that matter. As we find our sanctuary in Jesus, we are called to go out into the world and to be a safe place for others. As we continually come back to Jesus and then go back out into the world, we pass in and out through the door of true safety: the love of Jesus.
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Today's Reading: John 10:7,9
So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the door of the sheep… Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.’
Reflection Questions:
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All people seek a safe place. When have you looked for acceptance and safety in your life? Have there been particular times or particular reasons? What was your experience?
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Part of feeling safe is to learn to be a safe place for ourselves: to see ourselves with the love and acceptance that Jesus looks at us with. Do you find this easy or hard?
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What do you think it means for Jesus to be a safe place for you?
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What might it look like for followers of Jesus’ to provide a safe space for people around us? What is challenging about this?
Daily Bible Readings:
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Wed 11 Mar |
John 10:1-10 |
Consider the experiences of the sheep |
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Thur 12 Mar |
John 9 |
How does this episode coming before our text shed light on Jesus’ statement? |
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Fri 13 Mar |
Psalm 23 |
What does a sheep experience in this famous text? You might want to read Psalm 23 in Aboriginal style. |
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Sat 14 Mar |
Matthew 7:13-14 |
Reflect on Jesus’ words about entry ways |
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Sun 15 Mar |
John 10:7 |
Sit with this text, mulling it over slowly today |
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Mon 16 Mar |
John 10:9 |
Sit with this text, mulling it over slowly today |
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Tue 17 Mar |
Ephesians 2:11 - 22 |
How does this text add to our understanding of Jesus being the door? |
Pray:
God of safety: it is hard sometimes to truly comprehend the belonging and acceptance we have in you. Before we knew you, you loved us as we are. We bring to you the times when we have not felt safe, accepted or loved. May we experience your healing and restoration. As we live in your love and safety, help us to reflect this to the world around us. Thank you that you are with us in our best efforts to love others. Thank you for continuing to teach us what love looks like. In Jesus name, Amen.
Bishop Chris McLeod is an Assistant Bishop in the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide and the National Aboriginal Bishop, with special responsibilities to support Aboriginal Anglicans, and to be an Aboriginal episcopal voice in the house of bishops in the Anglican Church of Australia and wider Anglican Communion. Chris is of Gurindji descent and his mother was a member of the Stolen Generations. Bishop McLeod has a a BTh from Flinders and a MMin from Tabor College, Adelaide.
