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The Greek historian Heraclitus is credited with the statement, “You can never put your foot in the same river twice.” Even if you stand in exactly the same place, the water keeps moving and the river keeps changing. Change is in the nature of everything, which unfortunately poses a real problem for people who are seeking a life that is firm and secure. Just about the time when we think we have everything figured out, the river rushes by and many of our ideas no longer apply.
Christians maintain that “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” True, but our conceptions of God; what we believe about God; what we say, sing, and hope about God, are always couched in the flowing waters of human thought and language. And then again, there is always the possibility that sometimes we are just plain wrong. The early Church experienced these waters of change itself. The three general epistles we will consider in this short unit were each written to assist congregations facing new and troubling situations. One of the letters, apparently written by Paul to his young friend Titus, explains how and why good leadership is essential to dealing with change. Philemon, also written by Paul, illustrates how relationships can change as the world changes around us. Meanwhile, Jude, who some believe to have been the brother of Jesus, provides insight into the Christian response to change.
The early Church began with a story, one that gave birth to hope and life. As the Church faces new challenges and situations, the storybecomes teaching, statements of faith, creeds, and formal theology. The story itself, however, is never lost or abandoned, but the river’s constant change urges us to think and rethink the meaning of the story. The wonder, and even the miracle, of our story is that every time we revisit it, we find it new and vital.
• 3 Sessions of Learner's Materials
• 3 Sessions of Teaching Materials
• Handouts
1. Titus 1:5-9; 2:1-10; 3:1-2
2. Philemon 4-16
3. Jude 3-4, 17-23
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