Becoming One

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 — 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: The World Wildlife Federation offers free origami instructions online for folding paper animals. 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: butterfly.

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: “How is Christ present with us today?”

Reading: John 17:20-26 (For text reading and Question 1, allow 15 minutes)

Question 1: The reading in John tells us that something happens when believers gather together. The act of belief is more than being sure about something; it is about living something together. We become like the many grapes in a cluster, the many leaves on an oak tree, or many children running to and fro with glee, trusting our Creator completely as beings from the mud of this Earth. Our trust is foundational. It springs from within us. In your group, share your thoughts about what it means to believe.

• 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)

People of faith are finding ways to appreciate and share the marvels of the creation in their communities. Butterfly counts are a great example! In Texas, there are butterfly adventures at the Methodist Camp on Pat Mayse Lake where everyday folks and church folks organize to boost butterfly numbers and habitat. In Northern Virginia, folks count fireflies, too!

Churches across denominations have embraced a new creation of butterfly gardens and corridors, including Youth for Monarchs piloted at Christ the King Lutheran in Ohio, a butterfly waystation at the United Church of Christ in Sycamore, Illinois, and a Butterfly Blessing offered from the gardens in Maryland by Rev. Dr. Stephen R. Melton, pastor of Churchville Presbyterian Church.

Marvelous things are not only visible but become more beautiful when we pause to notice. A meteor shower, for example, which lights the sky with falling stars can remind us of the dance of fireflies. While a golden sunset or the Aurora Borealis can remind us that the wings of butterflies are painted by God.

Question 2: When encountering God on Earth, many people speak of encounters in the wilderness. Jesus himself had transformative spiritual events happen in the outdoors, including his baptism and Ascension. The Earth is God’s creation. How could it not be full of marvels? Where have you seen wonders?

• For the leader: Reading the story 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. As the leader, listen in to one or two groups.

Pathway to the New Creation: (10 minutes) With the celebration of Jesus’s Ascension, Jesus tells us to turn to each other. We are by the Spirit and our faith, God’s people on Earth. God’s word and this Earth are ours to share and care for. This series calls us to “Believe into the New Creation.” Can we believe together and know that restoration and blessing are possible? Can we reflect for a moment as we acknowledge that, like Jesus at the table and Jesus on the beach, our path to restoration is real and right in front of us?

Closing prayer: (5 minutes)

Alpha and Omega, Lord of life, Creator, we praise you for the hills, the rivers, the fireflies, butterflies, and every wonderous thing. Lift and encourage us. Our path ahead will light the Earth again with life! In your name and by our faith, we are a resurrection people. Let us believe anew. Let us be a restoration people, too. By your name and in your glory, Amen.

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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