In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. – John 1:1
The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration about Jesus, the Word. He existed from the very beginning, was with God, and was God. Through Him, all things were created, and His life brought light to everyone. This light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
Everything Is Awesome?
If you’ve seen The Lego Movie, you’ll remember the catchy song "Everything is Awesome." It’s an anthem of positivity, promoting unity and teamwork. But it also serves as a blunt commentary on the conformity society often cherishes. The main character, Emmet, embodies this idea of conformity before discovering his true potential.
Like the building blocks of Lego, our faith can be constructed piece by piece. However, the foundation on which we build is crucial. If we build our faith solely on traditions, rules, and the opinions of others, we may find that everything isn’t always awesome. Life’s challenges can cause spiritual crises, exposing the weaknesses in our faith’s foundation.
Many of us, or those we care about, might find that their faith is built more on church traditions and cultural rules than on a solid biblical foundation. When faced with traumatic events or existential crises, these foundations often crumble. This process of spiritual deconstruction can be painful but is essential for rebuilding a stronger, more authentic faith.
Deconstruction involves examining and questioning beliefs, traditions, and practices to determine their truthfulness and relevance. It’s a process feared by some strict evangelicals who see it as an attack on faith. However, deconstruction is not inherently negative. It allows us to discard what doesn’t hold up and replace it with more robust, biblically sound beliefs.
Jesus: The Ultimate Deconstruction
Jesus Himself was a deconstruction of Jewish faith. His crucifixion and resurrection transformed an Israel-centric story based on the Torah into a universal narrative centered on Him. Jesus challenged existing views of God and the Messiah, teaching that love for God and neighbor surpassed the need for physical temples, sacrifices, and laws.
“You have heard it said… but I tell you…” Jesus often began His teachings, deconstructing long-held beliefs and offering a deeper understanding. This deconstruction led to His crucifixion by those who couldn’t accept His radical redefinition of faith.
Deconstruction doesn’t mean abandoning faith. It means being open to questions and doubts, understanding that they are part of a healthy spiritual journey. As a church, we must provide a safe space for this process, supporting each other with grace, compassion, and patience.
The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration about Jesus, the Word. He existed from the very beginning, was with God, and was God. Through Him, all things were created, and His life brought light to everyone. This light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
Everything Is Awesome?
If you’ve seen The Lego Movie, you’ll remember the catchy song "Everything is Awesome." It’s an anthem of positivity, promoting unity and teamwork. But it also serves as a blunt commentary on the conformity society often cherishes. The main character, Emmet, embodies this idea of conformity before discovering his true potential.
Like the building blocks of Lego, our faith can be constructed piece by piece. However, the foundation on which we build is crucial. If we build our faith solely on traditions, rules, and the opinions of others, we may find that everything isn’t always awesome. Life’s challenges can cause spiritual crises, exposing the weaknesses in our faith’s foundation.
Many of us, or those we care about, might find that their faith is built more on church traditions and cultural rules than on a solid biblical foundation. When faced with traumatic events or existential crises, these foundations often crumble. This process of spiritual deconstruction can be painful but is essential for rebuilding a stronger, more authentic faith.
Deconstruction involves examining and questioning beliefs, traditions, and practices to determine their truthfulness and relevance. It’s a process feared by some strict evangelicals who see it as an attack on faith. However, deconstruction is not inherently negative. It allows us to discard what doesn’t hold up and replace it with more robust, biblically sound beliefs.
Jesus: The Ultimate Deconstruction
Jesus Himself was a deconstruction of Jewish faith. His crucifixion and resurrection transformed an Israel-centric story based on the Torah into a universal narrative centered on Him. Jesus challenged existing views of God and the Messiah, teaching that love for God and neighbor surpassed the need for physical temples, sacrifices, and laws.
“You have heard it said… but I tell you…” Jesus often began His teachings, deconstructing long-held beliefs and offering a deeper understanding. This deconstruction led to His crucifixion by those who couldn’t accept His radical redefinition of faith.
Deconstruction doesn’t mean abandoning faith. It means being open to questions and doubts, understanding that they are part of a healthy spiritual journey. As a church, we must provide a safe space for this process, supporting each other with grace, compassion, and patience.
JW CONNECT GROUP QUESTIONS
1. How does John 1:1-18 describe the relationship between Jesus (the Word) and God? What implications does this have for our understanding of Jesus’ divinity and role in creation?
2. In what ways have you seen faith built on traditions, rules, or opinions rather than a personal relationship with Jesus? How can these foundations affect one's faith during times of crisis?
3. What does the process of deconstruction mean to you personally? Have you experienced a time when you had to question and rebuild aspects of your faith? What was that like?
4. How did Jesus' life and teachings challenge and transform the Jewish faith? How can His example guide us in our own journey of faith reconstruction?
5. Why do you think doubt and questioning are often feared or discouraged in religious communities? How can we create a supportive environment for those going through a spiritual crisis?
6. *What are some examples from the Bible where deconstruction and reconstruction of faith occur (e.g., Job, Peter, Paul)? How do these stories help us understand the importance of this process?
7. How can our church better support individuals who are deconstructing their faith? What practical steps can we take to ensure they feel safe and encouraged to explore their doubts and questions?
These questions are designed to help participants delve into the themes of faith, doubt, and spiritual growth, encouraging honest and supportive dialogue.
2. In what ways have you seen faith built on traditions, rules, or opinions rather than a personal relationship with Jesus? How can these foundations affect one's faith during times of crisis?
3. What does the process of deconstruction mean to you personally? Have you experienced a time when you had to question and rebuild aspects of your faith? What was that like?
4. How did Jesus' life and teachings challenge and transform the Jewish faith? How can His example guide us in our own journey of faith reconstruction?
5. Why do you think doubt and questioning are often feared or discouraged in religious communities? How can we create a supportive environment for those going through a spiritual crisis?
6. *What are some examples from the Bible where deconstruction and reconstruction of faith occur (e.g., Job, Peter, Paul)? How do these stories help us understand the importance of this process?
7. How can our church better support individuals who are deconstructing their faith? What practical steps can we take to ensure they feel safe and encouraged to explore their doubts and questions?
These questions are designed to help participants delve into the themes of faith, doubt, and spiritual growth, encouraging honest and supportive dialogue.
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