Week Four

In the eye of the storm

In the penultimate week of our theme we come to the eye of the storm, the centre of the whirlwind… the uncanny places in the midst of the tumult where the pressure drops and we come face to face with the almighty.
 

SEEDS TO SOW: IF YOU WERE TO PAINT A PICTURE OF JESUS CALMING THE STORM, HOW WOULD YOU DO IT? HOW WOULD YOU DEPICT JESUS’S ACTION? DESCRIBE THE PICTURE.

Read Jonah 2

Fish Belly Prayer.

While we may not be in the belly of a fish ourselves, most of us probably pray ‘Fish Belly Prayers’ at some point — prayers of longing from deep waters.

Nonetheless this is undoubtedly a strange pungent prayer about a strange pungent predicament. As you read it what words stand out to you? What challenges, comforts or intrigues you?

Read Luke 8: 22-25

Jesus isn’t Thor or Odysseus. 

In other stories, about other heroes, the storm would be used as a tool, perhaps as a weapon, or a point of leverage to get one over on an adversary. But Jesus doesn’t co-opt or manipulate the storm, harnessing it for his own ends. He simply finds a way to calm it.

What do you make of Jesus’s ability here? And if he is able to affect the weather like this why doesn’t he use it at other times in the gospel to, say, escape persecution or fight injustice? 

Read Luke 15: 11-20

Pig Sty Prayer. 

Let’s reflect on this story together as a whole (perhaps sharing our favourite moment, or a part that is standing out to us for another reason) before focusing on verses 16-19 and the younger’s son flash of insight and resolution to return home.

Then (like with Isaiah 9: 2-7 last week) work together to craft a prayer in response to this passage: A 'Pig Sty Prayer’ about how God finds us and speaks to us right the midst of where we are.

* SEEDS TO SOW: These are open-ended and optional prompts and are designed for people wanting to develop their own resources in response to the themes. Perhaps if you are using this material as a group you could use these prompts to inspire a time of prayer, or drawing, or creative writing? They are a short and sweet, simply a starting off place for you and your imagination. Tailor and develop as suits your group.