GNLC - Connect - Session 3 Community by Ruth Wickson

Powerpoint for session

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Anne Dohnt- overview of course

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Full padlet to help with the e portfolio

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Connect Journal

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2025 Reflection Journal

end of connect critical reflection

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Inquiry question

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Why does Lutheran Education value community?
- God exists in relationship
- Humans were created to be in a relationship
- The Biblical story is a story of relationship
- In Jesus we see love and compassion for others

Growing deep

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Reflection stimulus

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Communities Lutheran identity

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Father, Son and Holy Spirit

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CS Lewis speaks about the 'dynamic activity of love [which] has been going on in God forever and has created everything else'

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In the Trinitarian nature of God, individuality and communality are related in a beautiful life giving dance of creation. Whatever names we choose to use Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Holy Parent, Holy Child and Holy Spirit, Creator, Redeemer and Advocate, the three aspects remain distinct while the identity remains one through mutual relatedness of giving and receiving. Back and forth together throughout time. Nadia Bolz Weber

God is relationship

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Inquiry Question

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In what ways has the learning about community relationships informed your understanding of your role and contribution? Reflect on and describe, how this concept of Community is evident and informs, or could inform, you in your role

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The Genesis account tells us that humans are created in God’s image. Over the ages there have been many interpretations of what that means. Some have said it human reason, or human creativity, or human freedom, or some other human gift that makes us image God. My own interpretation is that all of these things play a role, but that wee image God by virtue of our mutuality, our being-with, our being in-conversation. Tom Christenson

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In the Small Catechism, Martin Luther begins his explanation to the first article of the Creed with the words: ‘I believe that God has created me together with all that exists. God has given me and still preserves my body and soul: eyes, ears, and all limbs and senses; reason and all mental faculties.’ This is part of the theology of ‘continuing creation’ which sees God as active in the life of each person. It also emphasises that human beings are a special creation of God, the climax and crown of God’s creation (Ps 8:4-6).

Malcolm Bartsch

Inquiry question

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What questions or issues does the concept raise for me and how can I explore my questions?

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Love God in what is right in front of you

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Richard Rohr Franciscan - discussing what the two great commandments: 1) Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:25-28) and the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows us that our “neighbour” even includes our “enemy” (Luke 10:29-37).

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Why might this matter to me?
Why might it matter to people around me?Why might it matter to the world?

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How do we makes sense of and work with the imperfection that exists even in a Christian community? What are the values that shape our life together? Choose from the following options to explore this further.

(20 Mins) Option 1: Policy Review

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Choose one or more of your School policies or key statements (Eg Mission/Vision/Values, Grievance policy, worship policy, behaviour management, staffing policy, restorative practices, enrolment) to explore what beliefs about community are expressed in these documents. Reflect on how evident they are and how that is experienced.

(20 mins) Option 2: Values in Lutheran School Communities

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In groups, discuss these values for Lutheran Education communities:

What does it look/sound/feel like?
Can you identify examples in your school community?
How would you rate it as evident in your community?
How could you enrich these values in your community?

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(20 Min) Option 3: Jesus restores relationships

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In the Gospel of Luke 19:1-10, Jesus meets a tax collector called Zacchaeus. As a tax collector, he was a collaborator with the Roman authorities, corrupt and exploitative. Explore how this encounter profoundly transforms Zacchaeus. How do relationships change? How might this story inform our understanding of community?

Enter the Bible
https://enterthebible.org/passage/luke-191-10-jesus-seeks-zacchaeus

The Bible Project (7min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26z_KhwNdD8

Money and Wealth in Luke (3min)
https://enterthebible.org/video/money-and-wealth-in-luke

Zacchaeus commentary

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Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber’s life lesson for the day:

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David Spikes connect 3 slides

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David Spike connect 3 padlet

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'No man is an island' relates to our interconnectivity with ourselves and God.

Connection suggests relationships which ought to exist between us. What should be the characteristics of such relationships?

Are they conditional or unconditional, or transactional in nature? What is the challenge, what duties and obligations exist within these relationships?

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If we are raised up, then for what purpose? How do we lead a life and relate to our neighbour?

What is the extent of our obligations within community? What is in others that is of me?

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The Bible is a narative of relationships, successes and failure, human nature and in insight into the divine and our purpose.

Humans created in the image of God to harbour good relationships

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Humans have been created in the image of God. We have been made unique but at the same time carry the same spirit in all.

That is the why we connect with each other and have emotions and connectivity with each other.

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Community PowerPoint - 2025

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Tension in Community

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There is a tension that exists within each of us that affects our relationships and experience of community.

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I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't. I do what I don't want to -what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking......

So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin.

St Paul in Romans Ch 7

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As you watch this clip, reflect on how this understanding helps us to manage when things are not ideal. How do we make sense and work with the imperfection that exists even in a Christian community?

What is vocation?

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Often when people ask us what we do, we talk about our occupations, our job. But what is the deeper reason that drives the reason I get out of bed in the morning? That is my vocation, a sense of calling in the world. Check out the video on the next post as we unpack the meaning of vocation

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Martin Luther describes Christians as “simultaneously saint and sinner.” This both/and approach is a distinctly Lutheran understanding of who we are in God’s eyes.

Luther calls Christians “simultaneously saint and sinner” because he redefines “saint” as a forgiven sinner. We are called saints not because we change into something different but because our relationship with God changes as a result of God’s grace. Luther said: “The saints are sinners, too, but they are forgiven and absolved.”

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