Cross/Roads Adult Sunday School

A facilitated discussion group that meets most Sundays at 11AM on Zoom. Class lasts an hour, and includes a time of prayer at the end. We read scripture, discuss the sermon, and leverage a variety of high quality videos and other resources motivate our discussions.

We all want to learn and deepen our faith, but sometimes it is hard to find a way forward. If we are new to the faith, we may have many preconceived notions based on popular culture. If we have years of engagement, faith may lose energy or be rote. Any of us may put God in “one compartment” of our busy lives. We have everything to gain by shaking things up and seeing our faith afresh – to discern some open doors or opportunities to learn. To this end, we spend time with stories from the Bible, using imaginative and contemplative techniques to engage with the deeper meaning and impact for our lives.

• Trust your doubts. Get curious.
• Questions are often better than answers.
• Read the Gospels

Target Age: Teen/Young Adult to Seniors – Both members and non-members are welcome.

Meeting Time/Place: Sunday Mornings at 11 AM on Zoom. September – June

For More Information: Please call the church office (408) 253-0751.

As we read and discuss together, we support each other in our respective faith journeys. Knowing that “whenever two or more are gathered” in His name He is present (Matthew 18:20), we seek to be a fellowship that is open to the guidance of that same Spirit in our collective reflection and discussion.
While we have grown and learned, we started two years ago with three principles that still guide our meeting and our discussions: “be present”, “see afresh”, and “start a journey”. Over this time, we have experienced the profound benefits of psychological safety, listening to and building on each other, and staying open to the Spirit. We seek to continue in that way this fall. To this end, we make and observe certain commitments to each other.

Be Present / Show Up

1. we intend to show up from our faith journey. This may not be possible if we are upset or stressed about something else, but we intend to shift our conversation toward the topic of our individual and collective faith journey rather than politics, scandal, news, etc.
2. we show up just as we are, however we are feeling, and wherever we might be on our faith journey
3. we invite God’s presence in our discussion with prayer and attitude
4. we stay in the present
5. If you tell a story of the past, or a worry or hope for the future, please keep it brief and relate it to the present
6. we meet people where they are
7. we listen more than we speak, and almost always limit what we say to a sentence or two
8. we often acknowledge and build on what other people have said
9. we might even note a disagreement, but we are always positive toward each person
10. we don’t pressure
11. you may be invited to do things that are challenging, such as sharing or meditating, but such activities are always optional
12. we listen to, encourage and pray for each other

See Afresh

Matthew 18:2-3

1. stay curious – whether our faith is brand new or well worn, crystal clear or confusing, there are always ways that we are “edging God out” — not paying attention and missing something! We commit to staying curious about what we can see differently and more clearly.
2. pray to “keep ourselves open” – we acknowledge that Holy Mystery is always beyond us, and that true openness to God may involve reframing long-held assumptions and positions
3. we notice if we are “going through the motions” – reading, thinking or responding by rote, and stop and step back and ask “what is here for me to learn?”
   Start a Journey
4. if we have put our faith journey “in a compartment” of our lives, we will try to let it out
   when we find a “blocker” or a “growth edge”, we gently and prayerfully seek a path forward
5. we pray for God’s guidance in our faith journey (“this is me, Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer”)
6. we seek to put the practice into our faith practice, and look for joyful ways to establish some form of regular routine
7. we share these intentions as we feel strong enough to, and support each other
8. when we fall short, we forgive ourselves completely, get back to our intention and begin again
9. we find resources to read and spend time with scripture to ground and enliven our understanding