Sacred Space – Small Group Resources

Reign of Christ Sunday (Ordinary Time, Proper 29)

Ephesians 1:15–23 NRSV

Gathering

Welcome

Reign of Christ Sunday is the final Sunday of Ordinary Time and the Christian calendar year. On Reign of Christ Sunday, we celebrate God’s peaceable reign made manifest in our lives, relationships, the church, and the world. This is what we understand as shalom, God’s healing and restoring activity in the world.

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle

God of all creation, we are so grateful for your reign on Earth! You are alpha and omega; you are redeemer; you are Prince of Peace. We see your peace in your world. We see the harmony between bees and flowers. We see peace between neighbors.

We feel a deep calm within when we feel your presence. Yet, we know there is still work to be done. We don’t always know how to bring peace into existence. May we be inspired by Jesus’s words and actions. The reign of Jesus is not of this world. So, too, may we work toward peace that seems other-worldly.

In the name of the most high, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Jesus Prayer

The traditional form of the Jesus Prayer comes from the petition of the beggar on the road to Jericho, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” However, a shorter phrase that focuses on the name of Jesus and the desire for God’s mercy can be used as a meditative prayer. Today we will use “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.”

Sit in a comfortable position. Let your breathing become relaxed and easy.

Let the words “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me” form in your mind.

Gradually fit the words of the prayer to the natural rhythm of your breath. For example, internally say the words “Lord Jesus Christ” as you inhale and “Have mercy on me” as you exhale.

Remember, the prayer is not intended for rational analysis of content and words. Simply allow your mind to rest in the words as you breathe. We will continue silently praying the Jesus Prayer together for three to five minutes. Draw the prayer time to a close by saying, “Amen.” Briefly share about the experience.

Ephesians 1:15–23 NRSV

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

In this post-modern time, many churches experiencing growth in the West are based on a “Christ the King” message. This good news teaches that if Christ is king of your life, you have smooth sailing ahead. You will have a life of ease and blessings beyond your imagining. If Christ is your king, you will prosper. The king will give you what you want, including your own cloud in heaven.

This highly individualized message of salvation amplifies the cultural divisions based on race, religion, political dialogue, or economic status.

For the author of the Ephesian letter, Christ is inseparable from the church: A community imbued with the Holy Spirit is to be engaged in the reconciliation and redemption of all creation. The author knows that the calling of the church is to bring the good news to bear on the entire world. Christ is not king of individuals; rather he’s king of creation and the church. The church serves the world to bring justice and peace to all creation

On this “Reign of Christ” Sunday it is good to remember that the inheritance of the disciples of Jesus is not personal wealth or a harp and cloud in the afterlife. For Christians, the responsibility we inherit as disciples is to bring the good news into all the corners of our world. Twentieth-century theologian and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer made a strong argument that the church is only truly the church when the cross is planted in the public square. This was not to suggest that societies should become religious, but that the religious should serve society selflessly, bearing the pain and suffering of the least in our towns and cities. It is only when the cross, the intersection of human history (horizontal) and divine intercession (vertical) is brought to bear on the ills of society that the Body of Christ is truly living its mission.

That is the calling to which we are called. That is the coming of the kingdom.

1. What is the difference between saying Jesus is king and Christ reigns?

2. When have you sought to bring hope, reconciliation, and healing to a corner of your community?

3. How do you sense the Spirit calling you to engage in the mission of Christ?

Generosity Statement

Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. Pray with me:

God, may our generosity this day be in response to the reality of your presence in this space. May you bless our gifts that they might further your purposes of joy, hope, love, and peace in the world. May we continue to be generous with our financial offerings, and may we joyfully extend invitation and hospitality to others as we live into the peaceable Reign of Christ. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 387, “Bring Forth the Kingdom”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

• Thoughts for Children