Orchard Conversations

As we continue our "Rethinking the Bible" series, we take some time to engage with the scriptures through the sacred practice of Lectio Divina.Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible that encourages us to read with our whole self, including thoughts, feelings, experiences, and hopes. This practice is a way of listening to God's voice through the words of the Bible, and it can be a meaningful way to connect with scripture.
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom - John O'Donohue (Book)
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

When we mentioned the “unfolding” story of the Bible, we didn’t mean an actual sheet unfolding. But now that you mention it … 
This week, Anna, Scott and Benjamin consider the story of Peter’s disruptive vision about a sheet of animals and what it means to “change the rules” in Acts 10. How can we navigate the space between what ancient scripture says and humankind’s growing, evolving understandings of God, people, and the world?
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What do you want to remember and consider about the conversation today?
If you think back over your life, what are the disruptions that have expanded your faith journey?
What are some principles or practices that have helped you – or might help you – remember that your roots are in Christ during seasons of disruption?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Read the full story of Peter’s trance and transformation in Acts.
Our Tricycle for Forward Movement - Richard Rohr (Article)
“It’s possible to resist the very growth and change and expanding consciousness that God desires for you by appealing to your religious convictions.” - Rob Bell in What is the Bible? (Book)
The Wisdom Jesus - Cynthia Bourgeault (Book)
A People’s History of Christianity - Diana Butler Bass (Book)
Anna's benediction from Ephesians 3
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

In our on-going series, "Rethinking the Bible", Scott, Benjamin, and Anna have a conversation about reading the Bible with an understanding of the complexities of the people who wrote it and the complexities of the people who read it. With that understanding in mind, they also look at how Jesus' countercultural nature changes everything.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What are some of the ways you see the Bible mirroring the complexities and ups and downs of our own human journey?
When in your life have you experienced a spiritual breakthrough or growth while in the midst of a mistake or failure?
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Scripture passages mentioned in this week's podcast: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, The Woman Caught in Adultery, Parable of Good Samaritan, The Incarnation
What question do you have about the Bible? Email us at info@theorchardcommunity.com
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

What do we do with one of the most difficult passages in the Old Testament? The story of Abraham and Isaac is deeply troubling. This week, join Benjamin, Scott, and Anna for a conversation about the ways we’re rethinking this hard-to-read part of the Bible.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What stuck out to you in the story we explored today?
What “earlier parts” of your life have yet to be accepted and integrated? What are some ways you can trust God to help you see and understand those parts in light of where your story is headed? 
Reading from a literary perspective, taking into account the real people and real setting this text was written for, are there any themes sticking out to you today?
What does this story say to you about…
“Blind obedience” vs. questioning authority?
Divine intervention?
Our perception of the nature of God?
How does this story speak to you about the countless difficult decisions we need to make on a regular basis?
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Mentioned in this week's podcast: Read Genesis 22:1-19
What question do you have about the Bible? Email us at info@theorchardcommunity.com
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

This week we continue our series, "Rethinking the Bible," by taking some time to consider how we approach and engage with the Bible in a healthy, responsible, and curious way.
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Read Genesis 22:1-19
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What question do you have about the Bible? Email us at info@theorchardcommunity.com
To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

This week, as we continue our conversation series called “Rethinking the Bible”, Scott Hodge and Anna Hammond are joined by friend of The Orchard, Samuel Marks, to discuss how the Bible is a community library of scripture written and edited by different people in different places at different times. With that said, we ask ourselves how can we understand more about the divine by reading words written by humans, and what does that mean for how we approach the Bible?
 
What question do you have about the Bible? Email us at info@theorchardcommunity.com
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
How has your understanding of how the Bible came to be changed as you've grown?
How does remembering that the Bible is a library of scripture written and edited by different people in different places at different times affect the way you approach it?
What are some ways we can shift our thinking from “The Bible says to me...” to “The scriptures teach us...”?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

This week, as we begin a new conversation series called “Rethinking the Bible”, we discuss the role the Bible has played in our lives. We reflect on the gift it has been to us and also the difficulties we've faced with it, including the Bible’s contradictions, violence, and its use as a weapon.
What question do you have about the Bible? Email us at info@theorchardcommunity.com
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What has your personal experience been with the Bible?
In what ways has the Bible challenged you? Or, what challenges have you had engaging with the Bible?
What would you love to hear some conversation around when it comes to the Bible? Is there a specific topic, passage, story, book of the Bible you would like to hear some conversation around?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

For our inaugural episode, Anna Hammond, Scott Hodge and Benjamin Jay Thomas talk about the need for new forms of spiritual communities in a culture that's rapidly moving away from traditional, dogma-heavy churches. They talk about how each of our spiritual stories plays a significant role in shaping our lives and share a bit about the history of The Orchard Community.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
Jot down or share a brief version of your spiritual story.
What are some ways your faith and belief systems evolved over the years? How has that been difficult? How has it brought freedom into your life?
What are some values that guide you through all of life’s changes? What are some examples of times you’ve made important decisions based on your values?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com