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Walking the Synodal Pathway Together
SCRIPTURE SUMMER SCHOOL 2022
And I will walk among you, and will be your God,
and you shall be my people.
(Leviticus 26:12)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, God’s own people.
(1 Peter 2:9)
Welcome
Many Christian Churches already enjoy a long history and rich experience of synod. Perhaps the most significant innovation of Pope Francis is the recovery of synodality within the Roman Catholic tradition. In terms of potential for change, this world-wide consultation is on a par with the Second Vatican Council, with the added key dimension of all the laity in the Church. Nothing quite like this on such as scale has ever been attempted before. These are exciting times — who knows where the Spirit will lead us? There is much learning to be done and, in particular, the wisdom of other traditions more familiar with synodality will be a key ingredient. The wisdom of the Bible will also furnish essential wisdom, spirituality and discernment.
The Bible is “the very voice of the pilgrim people of God” and the roots of synodality can be traced to the Church as first of all the people of God. This understanding, in turn, finds its home in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments. Accordingly, our summer programme for 2022 is an exploration of chosen biblical texts (Luke-Acts, John, 1 Peter). Focusing on a small but significant selection, we hope to explore, to support and to strengthen this recovery of synodality, in a way which may inspire all our Churches today.
Following the Spirit in Luke-Acts
"You Will Receive Power When the Holy Spirit Has Come Upon You"
Session One – Trajectory
In this presentation, Jessie looks at an overview of Acts, focusing on the trajectory of the narrative and how it tells us something very fundamental about how the Holy Spirit is at work in the world, but also about the identity and mission of the Church.
"What God Has Made Clean, You Must Not Call Profane."
"The Hand of the Lord Was With Them"
Session Three – The Church in Antioch
In this presentation, Jessie looks at the stories of Paul & Barnabas in Antioch (Acts 11:19-30; 13; 14:25-28).
"It Has Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit and to Us"
Session Four – The Jerusalem Synod
In this presentation, Jessie looks at the account of the Jerusalem Synod in Acts 15 wherein Jewish practices are debated in light of the inclusion of the Gentiles.
"You Will Be My Witnesses in Jerusalem, in All Judea and Samaria, and to the Ends of the Earth"
Session Five – Reading Acts
In this final presentation, Jessie explores some questions about how we read Acts and Scripture more generally in a life-giving way, and in a way that can help us in our Synodal journey.
The Synodal Pathway in the Gospel of John
"These are Written so that You May Come to Believe"
Session One – Setting the Scene
In this opening presentation, Seán looks broadly at how the writings of the New Testament are a witness to synodality and how the early communities came to terms with what it meant to live out their faith in Jesus Christ.
"The Spirit Blows Where It Wills"
Session Two – Jesus & Nicodemus
In this presentation, Seán looks at the encounter between Jesus & Nicodemus in John 3:1-21.
"Many Samaritans from that City Believed in Him Because of the Woman's Testimony"
Session Three – The Samaritan Woman
In this presentation, Seán looks at the encounter a the well between Jesus & the Samaritan Woman in John 4:1-42.
"Those Who Abide in Me and I in Them Bear Much Fruit"
Session Four – Jesus & the Disciples
In this presentation, Seán looks at the final discourse of Jesus in John 13-17 where he is gathered with the disciples at the Last Supper.
"Happy are Those Who Do Not See and Who Believe"
Session Five – Going Fishing
In this final presentation, Seán looks at the second ending of the Gospel in John 21.
"You are a Chosen People, a Royal Priesthood, God's Own People" - Reading 1 Peter Today
"In This You Rejoice, Even if Now for a Little While You Have Had to Suffer Various Trials"
Session One – Introduction
In this opening presentation, Kieran introduces the context and historical background of 1 Peter, focusing in particular on 1:1-2. He also suggests a number of books that might be of interest for further reading on Synodality:
"That Word is the Good News That Was Announced to You"
Session Two – Reconciling Traditions
In this presentation, Kieran continues exploring the historical context of the letter and how it fits into the epistolary traditions of Paul and Peter.
"For Christ Also Suffered for Sins Once for All, the Righteous for the Unrighteous, in Order to Bring You to God"
Session Three – The "Story" of Jesus
In this presentation, Kieran focuses on how Jesus is presented and understood in the letter looking in particular at 1 Peter 1:3-12 and 3:18-22.
"Come to Him, a Living Stone, Though Rejected by Mortals Yet Chosen and Precious in God’s Sight"
Session Four – Images of Church
In this presentation, Kieran looks at various models of church, and how the church is presented in 1 Peter 1:13-2:10.
"It is For This That You Were Called—That You Might Inherit a Blessing."
Session Five – Christianity & Hostility
In this final presentation, Kieran explores how 1 Peter 2:11-3:12 can help us in navigating our own cultural contexts with respect to mission and walking the Synodal Pathway.
Webinar Recordings
Webinar One – Q&A Session
(07th June 2022, 7:30pm)
Webinar Two – Q&A Session
(28th June 2022, 7:30pm)
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