What are the Scriptures?

Study 

Opening Prayer (say aloud if alone, say aloud together in community) 

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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

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O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

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Affirmation of Faith (say aloud if alone, say aloud together in community) 

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I believe in God the Father Almighty;

Maker of Heaven and Earth;

and in Jesus Christ His only (begotten) Son our Lord;

who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

born of the Virgin Mary; 

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

He descended into hell; 

the third day He rose from the dead; 

He ascended into heaven;

and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; 

from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; 

the holy *Catholic Church; 

the communion of saints; 

the forgiveness of sins; 

the resurrection of the body; 

and the life everlasting. 

Amen

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*”Catholic Church” refers to the universal global church that transcends time, space, and culture

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Text

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2 Timothy 3:10-16

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 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,  my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.  Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,  while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom  you learned it  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

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Podcast (listen to the sermon here)

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Examen 

1. Give thanks

Spend a few moments in gratitude for the gifts and blessings of the day. In what ways does being aware of God's presence lead to gratitude in your life?  

2. Ask for light

Ask God to enlighten you, showing where he has been at work and present in your day through events, people and places.

3. Examine the day

Review the moments of the day, noticing what has led to consolation and what has led to desolation and my reactions to these events, people and places. 

4. Seek forgiveness

Ask God's forgiveness for the times when you have acted, spoken or thought contrary to his grace and calling for you.

5. Resolve to change

Decide what in your behavior or attitude you will try to improve in the coming week.

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Monthly Practices

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After learning the biblical basis for a topic through the sermons in Celebration, each village will determine how they want to practice that topic for the following month together. The Digital Liturgy will contain suggestions to help frame our imagination towards a practice for the following month. 

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Imagination

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Before we study the bible it’s important that we understand what it is and what its intention is. In this video the Bible Project does gives a good explanation of what the bible is and it’s intent: What is the Bible? • Where It Came From and Why It Was Made

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Resource List 

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Here is a list of suggested books & podcasts for personal reading and reflection or for DNA Groups to walk though together. 

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Study:

• Reading while black - Esau McCulley (Book) 
• How the Bible actually works - Peter Enns (Book) 
• Exploring my strange Bible - Tim Mackie (Podcast) 
• Book of Common Prayer for Ordinary Radicals - Shane Claiborne (Book) 

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If you need assistance in getting any of these books, send an email of your name and address with which book you’re interested in to info@citizensakron.com and we would love to get you a book! 

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