This Tuesday we gather to begin our discussion of Bishop Curry’s book Crazy Christians – A Call to Follow Jesus. (If you do not have a book, please let me know and we can order one for you.) We will be discussing Chapter 1 “We Need Some Crazy Christians” and Chapter 4 “Living Into God’s Dream”. (Chapters 2 and 3 are part of the same address, and should be read together.) Please watch Bishop Curry’s address from which Chapter 1 is drawn. The video is HERE. As you read through this book, please have a bible with you. Curry’s addresses are firmly based within that Biblical worldview we’ve encountered before, especially in Amos and Mark, and the Scriptures form each of the points he makes. For example, within the 11 pages of chapter 4, he will cite 19 biblical passages contained within 11 separate books. Please read the biblical citations, see the context of those passages cited by Curry, and think through how he uses these passages within the overall theme of the respective chapter.
Chapter 1 draws on the Gospel story of Mary Magdalene and the Resurrection. Therefore, before reading Chapter 1, please reread the Passion and Resurrection narrative in Matthew 27-28 to see how Mary demonstrates what it means to be crazy for Jesus within this drama. In Chapter 4, +Curry speaks of how we live into God’s Dream. His address is based on the story of Joseph, his dreams, and God’s sovereignty. Please read the story of Joseph as set forth in Genesis 37-45 to re-familiarize yourself with the biblical account and see how Joseph is an example of how God’s dreams can be realized within us.
Dinner is a 6. The menu is Pennsylvania Dutch New Year’s dinner of pork and sauerkraut. January 6 being Epiphany, we have a king cake for dessert. Discussion about 6:45. Compline before 8. Hope to see you here, and please invite someone new to join us.
When Jesus’ family heard what he was doing, they thought he was crazy and went to get him under control. . . . Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. Then they sent someone with a message for him to come out to them.
Mark 3:21, 31 (CEV)