Overview of the Journey

As you read this chapter, note some of the themes of the journey:

• Unfinished truth
• Embodiment and incarnation
• Praxis: changing the world and being changed
• Acceptance of the messiness of human life
• Lived faith, lived truth, and integrity
• Reverence, awe, wonder, mystery, and immensity
• Inclusion and listening
• Faith as an unfolding relationship
• Faith as a community relationship
• Presence

Discussion Questions — printout

1. Elliott mentions very few thinkers traditionally called “theologians,” yet the life she describes has been profoundly influenced by theological thinking.  List some of her theological sources.  How would you characterize them? What sources have influenced your spiritual life?
2. Elliott states that “Covenant involves a commitment to life in community lived for the greater good” (p. 140). Consider the implications that living in faith may require accepting others’ real claims upon you. Does this make you uncomfortable? Who can you trust to make those claims? How do your own experiences relate to your consideration of this question?
3. Consider the statement, “Active faith is a dangerous spiritual practice” (p. 145). Elliott cites the danger to the practitioner who threatens existing power structures as well as the potential dangers posed by practitioners who needs must act with limited knowledge. Think of examples of both dangers. Consider how passivity can also do harm.
4. How does male language and imagery influence your concept of God?

Class Exercises

• As a class, write a covenant together to which all the members can commit. Start by asking members to share their understandings of the purposes of the class or group.  List these so everyone can see them.  Then share what members’ understand should be expected of all the class members.  Discuss the lists until you come to consensus on the elements of your class covenant.  Reflect together on the process.
• Give each class member an index card and ask them to write a short legible answer to the question: “How are you living the truth?” Collect the cards, shuffle them and pass them out to the group. Ask each member to read what is written on the card they received. When all the note cards are read, invite members to discuss what they heard from others.  Discuss what it means to hear truth(s) and what it means to listen. Consider this question together (without assuming that there is a correct answer): “Is it better to understand God as a presence giving us words to speak or as a presence giving us ears to hear?”

Theological Terms for Consideration — handout

• Covenant
• Resurrection
• Forgiveness

Communities and Thinkers for Consideration — handout

• Maximus the Confessor (580–662)
• Paolo Freire (1921–1997)
• Mary Daly (1928–)
• InterPlay Community (1989–)

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