Week 3 Discussion: Humor

This week we discussed that while we don't necessarily think of the Bible as humorous...humor that is virtuous is humor that is grounded in joy and delight that come from God!  We talked about the ways in which humor can be destructive and cruel (making fun of others, hurting people's feelings, making someone an outcast).  Ultimately, though, virtuous humor looks at laughing as a sign of joy and celebration!  Just think about some of the Scripture we read:

Isaiah 55:12 "For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands!"

Psalm 32:11 "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart."

Ecclesiates 3:4 "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."

So, I want to know:  What has made you laugh this week?  Comment on this post with your answers!

Week 2 Discussion: Friendship

Sunday night we looked at the virtue of friendship.  We read John 15:12-15 to look at a Biblical view of friendship, and we read Luke 19:1-10 and discussed the types of people Jesus hung out with.  We talked about the importance of including everyone in our circle of friends, because we are all children of God who are made in God's image.  We discussed how bread is often seen as a sign of hospitality and symbolizes Christ in Holy Communion and looking at John 6:47-51 where Jesus says "I am the bread of life."  We made bread and were given the task of thinking of someone you need to offer friendship to, or someone you need to reconcile friendship with and give that person your loaf of bread this week.

So, I want to know...have you given away your bread yet?  How did it feel to give your bread to that person, and what was their response?  Comment on this post with your answers.

Here are some pictures from Sunday night:



Learning how to play hand bells!



Making bread!



Week 1 Discussion: Identity

We had a great turn out Sunday night for our first FUSION Gathering!  Thanks to all who came.
We discussed Genesis 1:26-28, and what it means to be made in God's image.  We talked about how the attributes of God (i.e. loving, caring, forgiving, kind, etc.) are characteristics God calls us to display as well.  I challenged you each to think about how you were displaying your identity as being made in God's image throughout this week.  How are you being loving, caring, forgiving, and kind to others?  Comment on this blog post to let me know how you are doing with this challenge this week.  Let's encourage one another to live into our identities as children of God and being made in God's image!  See you all next Sunday!

The Wisdom of Pixar

Our first Gathering meeting is THIS SUNDAY!!!  I can't wait to see you all there.  Our first series is entitled "The Wisdom of Pixar".  We will be looking at different virtues as seen in Pixar films.  Check back here on the blog each week after Gathering for a continued discussion on our virtue for the week.

Week One: Identity
This Sunday we will look at the virtue of identity.  Who are you?  Who do others say you are?  What words or characteristics describe your identity?  We will wrestle with all of these questions and more as we look at clips from Toy Story and Ratatouille and look to Scripture to find out who God says we are and how Jesus wrestled with his disciples about the virtue of identity as well.

See you Sunday night from 7-8:30pm in Room 1 (High School Room)!  Bring a friend along with you!