Prayer

God of Hope, be with me, with us today. Inspire us, encourage us, stir us up that we might know you better. That we might love you better. That we might see you, among these friends, today. Amen.

Introduction

The format is simple. Some teaching, some talking, some summarizing, some homework.

Questions

• Think of a time when hope had a strong influence in your life. What was it like? Reflect on the emotions and ideas you connect with hope.
• Sometimes we seek hope when what we really want is certainty. What’s the difference? What does hope offer that certainty can’t?

Further Study

• Listen to this Ta-Nehisi Coates interview. Why do you think he resists the idea of hope? In what ways is he already practicing hope?
• Read this reflection on hope.
• Write about your own experience of hope. Then read it over, asking yourself where God fits into that hope. Reflect on the relationship between hope and God.

---