Before the Session
- Have the Bible Background Video ready to view. – Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
- Encourage your group to listen to the Faithelement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media)
- Review the articles about Paris “love locks”
Intro
Ask the group to think of a dramatic gesture someone has used to get their point across. Maybe a romantic action or even a dramatic moment from a teenager. What was being expressed? Ask them to think about what dramatic action does for the message. Explain that one center of symbolism and “dramatic action” in Paris has been recently removed.
Summarize the articles about the love locks on the Pont des Art bridge in Paris.
Paris Love Locks Removed What are the love locks?Then ask:
- What were couples trying to signify when they placed a lock on the bridge and threw away the key?
- What is their action supposed to say about faithfulness and enduring love?
- How would you feel if you your lock was being removed by the Paris officials?
- What do these symbols mean to the city officials?
Think about dramatic action and faithfulness as we read Ezekiel 2:1-3:11 aloud. Watch the Bible Background Video.
Ask and Discuss
Continue the conversation with questions like these:
- Do we have “dramatic actions” and symbols in the way we express faith?
- Think about the liturgy that happens in your church. How are there moments when an action helps us express one of our faith claims? Say: Although the Paris locks are being removed, the faithfulness in the relationships may still be strong.
-
Have you ever experienced something like this?
- Is the expression of faith still there even if the symbol or action falls short? Say: Faithfulness is important in our discussion today. How do you respond the the idea that Ezekiel was called to be faithful for the sake of faithfulness? What does that mean? – What does faithfulness look like, if it is not “success” like we normally understand success?
- How do we testify to love and grace, like we heard in the Bible background video?
- What actions are as powerful a representation as a lock or an eaten scroll? Make a list of some examples.
Closure
Pray together, asking God to let our lives be powerful examples of “dramatic action” that points to grace and redeeming love.