Reformation Sunday: A great day to discuss what makes us who and what we are and why. A major part of that is the Bible. Before we dig in together to address just what makes scripture, I would like to invite you to be prepared to comment at the appropriate time in our dialog. To assist our deep and respectful listening of one another, let me frame our conversation with my own personal lens.

In my opinion, the heart of who we are and what we do as faithful followers are represented in three things. First, the Commandment to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind;” second, to “love your neighbor as yourself;” and third, to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Without these to strive for, my own faith would be wanting.

I also want to make clear that in my opinion, all of us, from every tradition, are beloved as God’s children. We have a lot more in common than we do dividing differences. Let us celebrate that in reality, we are one people with our hearts set on meeting God, being transformed, and showing God’s love to the world around us. That being the foundation, here are our discussion questions for today.

1. Why are the Apocrypha included in some traditions and rejected by others?
2. Wherein lies your tradition’s authority and who decides that?
3. What is holy to you and why?
4. How might the answers to these questions influence your journey towards being faithful followers in your particular tradition in your particular house of the people of God?