I want to draw a correlation between a sinful woman who knows she needs forgiveness and Simon who doesn't seem to acknowledge his sin or need for forgiveness. Who am I in this story? Do I know my sin and my need for forgiveness or am I just like Simon who is oblivious?
This question about "who am I in this story?" is really an important one. I find that, personally, I go in between being like the woman and being like Simon...sometimes on a daily basis! While I think it would probably be safe to just pick ONE of those "states of being" and go with it, perhaps you could simply say "some days we are like Simon...we do x, y, z"...but "somedays we are like the woman, we feel x, y, z.." and then discuss the implications of being both of these people
I agree with Caitlin. I think that on different days, on different occasions, we play various roles. The one thing that we can be sure of is that we are God's beloved and God is ready and waiting for us to choose - I suppose this is the "response" part of what you have so far.
I echo Caitlin and Karen. I like approaching this text topically and then examining how each of the characters acts in the categories.
I think it's really important that you have a spot left for "us" though...there might be some days where we really don't know if we are either of these characters. Days we know we need forgiveness, but don't show it, or days we don't know, but go through the motions anyway. Then who are we? Do we even fit into this text?
I also like your space for 'Response.' I'll be interested to see what goes there.
This question about "who am I in this story?" is really an important one. I find that, personally, I go in between being like the woman and being like Simon...sometimes on a daily basis! While I think it would probably be safe to just pick ONE of those "states of being" and go with it, perhaps you could simply say "some days we are like Simon...we do x, y, z"...but "somedays we are like the woman, we feel x, y, z.." and then discuss the implications of being both of these people
ReplyDeleteI agree with Caitlin. I think that on different days, on different occasions, we play various roles. The one thing that we can be sure of is that we are God's beloved and God is ready and waiting for us to choose - I suppose this is the "response" part of what you have so far.
ReplyDeleteI echo Caitlin and Karen. I like approaching this text topically and then examining how each of the characters acts in the categories.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really important that you have a spot left for "us" though...there might be some days where we really don't know if we are either of these characters. Days we know we need forgiveness, but don't show it, or days we don't know, but go through the motions anyway. Then who are we? Do we even fit into this text?
I also like your space for 'Response.' I'll be interested to see what goes there.