Table of Contents
Preface: What This Book Is about and How to Use It xi
Introduction: Seeking Aliveness xv
Part I Alive in the Story of Creation
1 Awe and Wonder 3
2 Being Human 7
3 A World of Meaning 11
4 The Drama of Desire 15
5 In over Our Heads 19
6 Plotting Goodness 24
7 It's Not Too Late 28
8 Rivalry or Reconciliation? 32
9 Freedom! 36
10 Getting Slavery out of the People 41
11 From Ugliness, a Beauty Emerges 46
12 Stories That Shape Us 51
13 The Great Conversation 56
First Quarter Queries 61
Part II Alive in the Adventure-of Jesus
14 Promised Land, Promised Time 63
15 Women on the Edge 67
16 Keep Herod in Christmas 71
17 Surprising People 75
17A The Light Has Come (Christmas Eve) 79
18 Sharing Gifts (Sunday on or after Christmas Day) 82
19 Jesus Coming of Age 86
20 Join the Adventure! 91
21 Significant and Wonderful 96
22 Jesus the Teacher 101
23 Jesus and the Multitudes 106
24 Jesus and Hell 111
25 Jesus, Violence, and Power 116
26 Making It Real 121
Second Quarter Queries 125
Part III Alive in a Global uprising
27 A New Identity 127
28 A New Path to Aliveness 131
29 Your Secret Life 136
30 Why We Worry, Why We Judge 140
31 The Choice Is Yours 144
32 Peace March (Palm Sunday) 148
32A A Table. A Basin. Some Food. Some Friends. (Holy Thursday) 152
32B Everything Must Change (Good Friday) 158
32C Doubt. Darkness. Despair. (Holy Saturday) 162
33 The Uprising Begins (Easter Sunday) 167
34 The Uprising of Fellowship 172
35 The Uprising of Discipleship 177
36 The Uprising of Worship 182
37 The Uprising of Partnership 187
38 The Uprising of Stewardship 192
39 Whatever the Hardship, Keep Rising Up! 196
Third Quarter Queries 201
Part IV Alive in the Spirit of God
40 The Spirit Is Moving! (Pentecost Sunday) 203
41 Moving with the Spirit 207
42 Spirit of Love: Loving God 211
43 Spirit of Love: Loving Neighbor 216
44 Spirit of Love: Loving Self 221
45 Spirit of Unity and Diversity 226
46 Spirit of Service 231
47 The Spirit Conspiracy 235
48 Spirit of Power 240
49 Spirit of Holiness 245
50 Spirit of Life 249
51 Spirit of Hope 254
52 God in the End 259
Fourth Quarter Queries 264
Appendix I Liturgical Resources 265
Appendix II Five Guidelines for Learning Circles 278
Dedication and Acknowledgments 280