Growing Disciples Monthly Reflections are written by a variety of leaders across our synod, as such the language reflects the individual's personal theology. We give thanks to Pastor Stacy Christianson, Interim Pastor at Trinity Moline for this month's reflection on studying.
Much like I often do when I am asked for a writing like this, I need to clear my head and start with the basics. So, as I discerned how to talk about what study means in growing disciples, I start with the question “what is study”. My search led me to a very simple definition of “a state of contemplation”, which actually made me chuckle because I truly believe this is what is at the root of discipleship.
As a disciple of Christ, I often find myself in a state of contemplation over the hows, whys, and whats of being a follower of Christ. How do I live as a disciple? Why do our actions and words matter in this often unwelcoming world? What is it that Jesus is actually calling me to do? Throughout my time as a pastor in the ELCA, I have been in discernment of these very questions. This process does not stop, and honestly, it is my prayer that it never does stop.
It is here that I find my focus for this topic. Study, understood as a state of contemplation, should always be a part of the life of a disciple. In my own life, the process of learning and discerning has changed. As a child, I heard the stories and colored the pictures that showed me who Jesus is and what God has done. This is the simplest form of study. Learning who Jesus is. Throughout my teen years, I challenged that basic understanding as I was introduced to life, struggles, and death. These are experiences we all face, and they help to form our understanding of God in our world. Adulthood brought more of the seeking out God in the world and harder questions of the hows, whys, and whats.
This is the normal cycle of faith and discipleship. We change. Our experiences change us and through each phase of life, we need to learn who God is to us now. I truly believe that we are in a constant state of study as disciples. Sometimes this comes in the form of Bible Studies, books or blogs or classes, and lectures. Other times it comes through prayer, conversations, or inner meditation. But our reality is that we are not the same people today and we were yesterday or that we will be tomorrow.
I remember attending a retreat several years ago. We met for four days and each morning we began with a Lectio Divina, a practice of reading scripture, followed by contemplation and silent prayer. Each day the same passage was read, followed by a moment of contemplation and a discussion of what was heard that day. Each day for four days, the same passage, but each day a different interpretation, new words holding emphasis, or a new emotion was exposed. We responded differently each day. We need to hear something different each day. We were not the same people each day.
The one thing that I am certain about in this conversation of study in growing disciples is that God does not change. The God that we study, does not change but our experiences and our needs do. Who God is to us changes but God does not change.
It is my hope the cycle of questions, contemplation, and searching for God does not stop for any of us. But rather that our questions lead to finding God in new and different places. Our contemplation reveals God’s love in new and meaningful ways. And our searching for God leads us into a live filled with grace. Being a disciple means that we are open to the experience of growing our understanding of and faith in God in new and glorious ways. And it is my prayer that each of us continues for learn of a God who loves us through each step of our journeys.
