Our Redeemer's Blog

Out of the Waters: Resisting the Power of Fear

Sunday Morning Bible Exploration
Jan. 7-Feb. 11 ~ 10:10am

Originally, stories in the Bible were not read from a formal lectern; they were vividly shared around the campfire and urgently passed on from one generation to another. Coming out of an oral culture, the stories were recorded in a way that invites the listener to get to know the characters—to see them as relatable, fully human beings, rather than distant “holy heroes.”

These classes each begin with reading a portion of text out loud. Then we’ll share what we heard or noticed, with questions to keep us focused on shared discovery. Everyone in the session has something to offer and something to learn.

“Out of the Waters” will engage us in the biblical story as it relates to issues of migration.
We will:

  • Explore issues of migration through the lens of Scripture.
  • Experience the Exodus by bringing the roles of Moses, Miriam, Pharaoh and others vividly to life.
  • Express the connection between the biblical story and your own stories.
  • Expand your perception of migrants and refugees in your community and in our culture.

January 7: A Pharaoh Who Did Not Know Joseph (Exodus 1:1-14)

January 14: They Are Not Like Us (Exodus 1:15-21)

January 21: Moses, The First Mojado (Exodus 1:22-2:10)

January 28: Hyphenated Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-3:10)

February 4: What Is that in Your Hand? (Exodus 3:9-4:17)

February 11: Now You Shall See What I Will Do (Exodus 5:1-6:7, selected)

About the author, David Vásquez:

He is a campus pastor at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Following a 2008 immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, he helped care for the devastated community. Originally from Guatemala, he has worked with the Lutheran Refugee Committee in Canada and has focused his research on immigration as a central image in sacred texts.

Pastor Vásquez holds an MDiv from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and received his DMin in preaching through the Association of Chicago Theological Schools.

  About the facilitator, Cara Kiggins:

She is the Social Justice Coordinator at Our Redeemer’s. Cara served refugees in Phoenix, AZ and in Cairo, Egypt and has a Certificate in Migration and Refugee Studies from the American University in Cairo. Pastor Gretchen or Pastor Kathy will be present to provide Biblical insights.

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