Reflection and Action
Take a breath and pause. What do you notice about your body sensations before, during, and after you listened to this conversation?
What themes resonated with you? What aspects are different from your community's story? What were the different feelings you had as you listened to the conversation?
Grace finds conflict between the label Christian country in America and what the US actually does. How do you experience this dissonance? How have you seen a government use a religion to legitimize its power over the people? What impact do you notice this action often has on the community?
Grace mentions that war has shattered the relationship between Southeast Asians from different countries. Ake also mentions that bonding comes through shared trauma. What hope does the Christian faith offer for experiences of shared, complex trauma? How can we move towards solidarity as a people grounded in hope?
Ake speaks of finding strength in community. How have you experienced strength in community? What do you believe in the church's role in community building and how can you contribute to this in your current stage of life?
Grace mentions holding multiple narratives as a part of our communities’ wisdom. What narratives are difficult for you to hold together? How does Christian hope make room to hold these multiple narratives?
Authoritarianism relies on fear, but Christianity’s hallmark is love. Grace spoke about the disconnection between how a government purports to be Christian when its deeds are not. The Bible states that people will be known by their fruit and Christians will be known by their love. During this Advent season when we look forward to the birth of Christ, how can Christians practice hope through love of neighbor?
Reflection and Action
Take a breath and pause. What do you notice about your body sensations before, during, and after you listened to this conversation?
What themes resonated with you? What aspects are different from your community's story? What were the different feelings you had as you listened to the conversation?
Grace finds conflict between the label Christian country in America and what the US actually does. How do you experience this dissonance? How have you seen a government use a religion to legitimize its power over the people? What impact do you notice this action often has on the community?
Grace mentions that war has shattered the relationship between Southeast Asians from different countries. Ake also mentions that bonding comes through shared trauma. What hope does the Christian faith offer for experiences of shared, complex trauma? How can we move towards solidarity as a people grounded in hope?
Ake speaks of finding strength in community. How have you experienced strength in community? What do you believe in the church's role in community building and how can you contribute to this in your current stage of life?
Grace mentions holding multiple narratives as a part of our communities’ wisdom. What narratives are difficult for you to hold together? How does Christian hope make room to hold these multiple narratives?
Authoritarianism relies on fear, but Christianity’s hallmark is love. Grace spoke about the disconnection between how a government purports to be Christian when its deeds are not. The Bible states that people will be known by their fruit and Christians will be known by their love. During this Advent season when we look forward to the birth of Christ, how can Christians practice hope through love of neighbor?