Power - Confronting with a Forgiving Spirit
WEEK ONE
READJNG AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Theme: THE DOMINATION SYSTEM
Read pp ix-62 The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium by Walter Wink
Write the answers to the following questions:
1. What is the worIdview out of which you live?
2. Describe a time when you have encountered evil.
3. Where have you seen the domination system in action?
4. What power would you pray be transformed?
PRAYER ASSIGNMENT
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6: 10-13
For you what is the full armor of God? Who prays for you?
Keep up with your regular daily prayer time.
Pray for a person or group caught in the domination system. Pray for the principality and POWt that you hope will be transformed.
WEEK TWO
READING AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT Theme: JESUS' ANSWER TO DOMINATION
Read pp. 63-97 in The Powers that Be
Write your response to the following questions:
1. In your own words, what is Jesus' response to domination?
2. Where have you experienced table fellowship that transcends boundaries that woulg
normally separate? .
3. What is the meaning ofthe cross in your life?
4. Whom do you find easy to scapegoat?
PRAYER ASSIGNMENT .
Keep up with your regular daily prayer time. Pray for those you tend to scapegoat.
Name in prayer and give thanks for those who are able to create table fellowship that transcend~ barriers.
WEEK THREE
READING AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT '
Theme: JESUS' THIRD WAY
Read pp. 98-127(Iftime, read 128-160)
Write your reflections to the following questions:
1. Who is an example of Jesus , Third Way for you?
2. Choose a situation in the news this week.
3. How could Jesus' Third Way be creatively applied to this situation?
4. In your own words, how do we become what we hate?
5. What disciplines keep you centered on Jesus' nonviolent love?
WEEK THREE
PRAYER ASSIGNMENT
Keep up with your regular daily prayer times.
SCRIPTURE Ephesians 6:14-17. Where are the places you are called to "Stand?"
PRAYER
Where do you need to let go of hatred and relax into God's love? Pray this.
Pray for others you wish could "let go and let love." . '.
Pray for the situation where you thought of Jesus' Third Way being applied.
WEEK FOUR
READING AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Theme: HISTORY BELONGS TO THE INTERCESSOR
Read pp. 161-200 in The Powers that Be.
Depression and the Prayer a one page article in this section.
Write your reflections on the following questions:,
1. Forgiveness is the incredible power of the cross in the heart of God.
- We have only just begun to touch that transforming power.
- Where do you need forgiveness? Who do you need to forgive?
2. Who or what do you need to "confront with a forgiving spirit?"
3. What Powers concern you most?
- Are you called to be in prayer for their transformation and redemption?
- How would you word that prayer?
4. Wink concludes that "Trust in miracles is, in fact, the only radical stance in a world that is infinitely responsive to God's incessant lures (p. 197)."
- For what miracle are you "conunissioned to pray?"
5. Wink says that "Depressions are ... a sign of potential health."
- Where have you found this statement to be true in'the lives of others? In your life?
- What is the prayer being offered in you? How are you giving voice to it?
PRAYER ASSIGNMENT
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6:18, 2 Corinthians 12:9. How can you "pray at all times?" Is it weakness that God wants?
Pray for those institutions to which 'you are called. See the one page article: Praying for Institutions.
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