Springs of Living Water

Introduction

In both the book of John and the book of Revelation, the authors share important spiritual truths and experiences with their listeners. Those who wrote and contributed to these books shared powerful insights into a world where complete goodness was possible—and perhaps already accomplished. In the grand scheme of things, there are moments, in small bursts and great feats, when the kingdom of God breaks through.

These moments come at the mountaintops and valleys of our faith, in the deep forests, or in the desert blooms. The holy city kin-dom is made whole when it is filled with living things: turtles, birds, dolphins, and butterflies. As much as these texts speak to Spirit, they are also fully part of our creation and the human story right here on this good Earth.

These authors of our readings during Eastertide share these moments and invite us to believe. They want us to know that death is but a passing place. Resurrection and true life are more powerful than any of us can imagine. In the mountains, in our forests, or at a table among friends, we can trust in God. We can believe into Christ. We can love one another and this good Earth. We can know that God is doing something new. We can believe into the new creation.

This study is designed to accompany the Eastertide worship resource, “Believing Into Christ.” Each week, this study invites you to read the text and explore biblical and ecological themes. You are invited to share your insights with the Bible texts together with stories of the natural world and people of faith within our world. Each week should take about an hour to complete. If you, as a leader, allow a little more time, that will mean deeper exploration and a richer conversation.

Each week includes a reading and links to real-earth stories. Study participants can be encouraged to read more during the week as they continue to reflect following Easter.

Small Groups

Preparation

Gathering Space: Choose a location with reasonable access to the outdoors— a courtyard, a room with the doors open, or a sunny window.

Refreshments: Serve snacks as you are able. Serve snacks sustainably to minimize waste and eliminate plastic. Serve fresh fruit, home-baked cookies, or cheese cubes with crackers. Offer coffee, tea, or juice from a glass jar. Or make juice from frozen concentrate and serve it in a pitcher. Break out the coffee mugs or purchase compostable cups instead of using plastic.

Activity: Offer free origami instructions and provide sheets of square paper for folding during the conversation. Origami paper is thin and can be obtained inexpensively. There may already be some in the Sunday school room. Animal suggestion this week: sheep (instructions here).

Begin (Time estimate 60 minutes)

Gathering: (5-10 minutes) Break into groups of three or four. Make sure each group has access to square sheets of origami paper and the week’s origami instructions.

Check-in: (5-10 minutes) Have the groups check in together, using this prompt: “When you are hot and thirsty, what is your favorite cooling drink?”

Readings: John 10:24b-30 (from: “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly…”) and Revelation 7:16-17(For the text reading and Question 1, allow 15 minutes.)

Question 1: The reading in John reminds us that there were a lot of questions following Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus’ followers wondered how it could be that so many were testifying that Jesus lived! They wanted to know if Jesus would still love, protect, and teach them. In this reading, we hear an unequivocal YES. Jesus is fulfilling the scripture! He is gathering his sheep and refreshing the oppressed, drawing us together as kin toward eternal life. Where do you find hope and refreshment in your life?

• For the leader: Reading the text and Question 1 out loud will take about three minutes. With the remaining time, ask two or three people in the small group to share their responses to the question with the others in their group. As the leader, listen in to one or two groups.

Story of home: Read out loud. (For this reading and Question 2, allow 15 minutes.)

Heatwaves are now more common and more deadly. As the earth warms from increasing CO2 emissions, life on earth suffers, including land and plants, wildlife, and humans. Most at risk are those who labor outdoors, those with disabilities and pregnancies, the elderly, children and infants, people of color, and anyone without a cool, well-watered retreat from the heat.

People of faith can and are stepping up to help provide relief. In Arizona, churches came together to provide air-conditioned spaces. Elsewhere, people are drawing lessons from the Pacific Northwest heatwave of 2021 to put their faith—and relief—into action.

Churches are responding with efforts to save energy and reduce emissions. At Federal Way United Methodist Church, lay leader and UM EarthKeeper Ann Mayer is celebrating a grant that will help the church’s efforts to reduce emissions, move to clean energy, and love their neighbors.

Question 2: Reading the stories above and Revelation 7:16-17, we realize that humans have always known the danger to human health when the sun is high and water is scarce. In this chapter of Revelation, heat and thirst afflict the poor and vulnerable. Climate change is worsening this suffering. How can we on Earth participate in the work of God and respond to suffering? Where will people today find fresh, life-giving springs of water and welcoming spaces to cool and rest?

• For the leader: Reading the stories and the question out loud will take two to three minutes. With the remaining time, ask two or three people in the small group to share their responses to the question with others in their group. Suggest that they rotate who shares, so that anyone who didn’t get a chance to share for Question 1 has the chance to share this time round. As the leader, listen in to one or two groups.

Pathway to the New Creation: (10 minutes) Many of us who have experienced hot temperatures know how even a short walk is quickly exhausting. Those in cities know that hot pavement can burn, including burning dog paws when walking. Those in rural areas know cows and sheep will gather tightly under a single shade tree, seeking cool. In the new creation, every flock will know the coolness of flowing rivers lined with trees. What is the path forward to refresh our Earth?

Closing prayer: (5 minutes)

Shepherd God, you have created this Earth and every living thing that grows upon it. You have created with your own hands! And you call us; you gather us; you lead, teach us, comfort us, and refresh us. Blessed be your name! “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:12)

Origami animals can be taken home or saved for display in the church.

Written by Rev. Richenda Fairhurst works at the intersection of climate, community, and connection. She serves alongside others with the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, including as part of the Movement Cafe team. She is a member of the Pacific Northwest Conference and lives in Southern Oregon, where she serves on the board of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, chairing the Creation Justice Committee and Oregon Interfaith Power and Light. Find her on substack at justcreation.org.

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