Who do you say that I am?

Session Two Portrait of a Radical.

Mark 8:27-38, Matthew 16:13-28, Luke 9:18-27

+Opening Ice Breakers and Prayer/Music

Feedback from last week: what more can you say about who Jesus is to you from what we experienced last week?

Video: Portrait of a Radical

Note: this video is 50 minutes long. If you have time and a mature group, it is best viewed in a single session, but for more limited time or younger viewers, you can break it into sections, then discuss the segments.[This is excellent also for a retreat.]

Some notes for preparation and discussion, and decisions re: segmenting as needed:

Section 1: Jesus' wisdom and social ministry

True human beings--why does Jesus have such a hold on people? What about Jesus teachings is so revolutionary?

Palestine 30 AD: what was the social context of Jesus' appearance and ministry? Social tensions and tiers? Death codes and purity codes?

Where did this man get this wisdom?

Large crowds followed Him. Jesus' charisma, true humanity. The quintessential human being.

Section 2. Personal engagement:

Why did He hang out with the undesireables?

Why did He do so much "hanging out"?

Jesus and women.

No one spoke the way this man does...gigantense. Spoke with authority, not with footnotes.

3 degrees of familiarity: hearing, seeing, touching (ex. being burned by fire)

Parables--metaphors from the lives of the people, nature references, "good life is religion",

Jesus used familiar words and images [parables.]

The Good Life is meeting God.

Section 3 The Desert Experience; marginal areas, liminal space, small is the gate...

All spirituality is about letting go, leaving the ordinary structures, roles, identities, egoism.

The desert or liminal space: in between. You have left one room but aren't in the other yet. [Adolescence is an inbetween, liminal experience.] Unique space where all transformation happens.

"It's a safe universe."

Do not be afraid. Early concepts of God v. Jesus. Religion of relationship.

The time has come. Leave everything you have and follow me.

Section 4: Jesus v. the authorities. Social shockwaves.

The Cross. Execution, degradation, terrorism of the population. Collision of opposites.

Three days later he will rise. God will do the unbelievable. It's a safe universe.

Who do you say that I am? This is what I know. We can trust our own experience. "Religion is common, faith is rare."

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Wrap up discussion:

What touched you about Jesus from this film?

Was it real to you according to your understanding of the Gospels?

In what ways do you believe this view of Jesus? If you were asked to follow this Jesus, how would you respond? (Journal this.)

+Closing prayer.