Thursday before Easter 2005

We had a larger than average group of inmates tonight, plenty of new names to learn.

Many of the men had taken communion sometime this week, as part of the Easter holy week. They reported that the experience was a real blessing to them.

We went around the circle and each person gave their name and said how they were doing. We sang Amazing Grace and Rock of Ages. The many voices blended together sounded very good.

One inmate asked a question about salvation - once a person is saved, is it possible to lose their salvation? I first explained that this is a good, but complicated question. Pastors and theologians debate this level of question. It's OK for our group to discuss the question, but for everyone to realize that what we are giving is our individual OPINIONS. Having said that, we went around the group and asked each person what their thoughts on the question were. In the Yokefellow group, a person can always say "PASS" if they would rather not discuss something. We only had one pass on this question. After the group gave their thoughts, I gave my opinion, making sure everyone understood it was my opinion, not certainty. This provided a really good discussion.

I make it clear to the inmates that my husband and I are not pastors. It's OK to encourage and direct a person to ask the prison chaplain or their own pastor a question.

Then we read Psalm 91 - a psalm of protection.

Then we read Exodus Chapter 12 and discussed what Passover is and how it points to Christ as our redeemer.

Leading up to Ressurection Sunday

March 10, 2005 - We had some new attendees this week which was nice. We've been discussing the "narrow gate" and the touch choices that are presented when a person is moving from serving themselves to serving God.

We read Luke 23 - which tells of the cruxifiction of Jesus. We spent time discussing the 2 other fellows being executed with Jesus and their individual attitudes. 2 people in the same situation, yet worlds apart in so many other ways. One recognizes the hope of Christ and asked for mercy and receives it. Let this be our guide.

We finished by looking at the phrase spoke by Jesus "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Who do we need to forgive? On what grounds do we forgive them?

I asked the group to read this chapter in preparation for Holy Week. The Thursday before Easter is one of the few times during the year that protestant inmates are given the opportunity to take communion. I encouraged the group to take the preparation class and participate in this sacrament. I would like to see communion offered more often in prison, since it can have such a positive effect on the men.

The Narrow Gate, and Forgiveness

March 3, 2005 - One of the inmates offered prayer, asking God to come and join the group. We went around the circle, each person giving their first name, and saying how they were doing.

Usually I start this part by asking the person on my left to begin, stating their name and comments, then moving around the group clockwise. Tonight, since a new person (a first timer to the group) was on my left, I started on my right hand side. I mention this because the group of regulars noticed the change but didn't know why I was doing it a different way.

Finally, near the end of this part, someone brought up the change - I explained that out of courtesy of the first timer, I didn't want to start with him, I wanted him to see how others gave their name and comments first, so he would be more at ease. The group found this interesting and joked around about how the new guys should always sit on my left side, etc.

This points out something interesting. Tradition and ritual (doing things a certain way over and over) may add some stability to a group. Some added sense of comfort of knowing what comes next and why. The Youth and Family Institute in Minnesota do research into family faith formation and have published the concept of the "Four Keys" to building family faith in the home. One of the keys is Traditions and Rituals. The other three are: Caring Conversation, Service, and Daily Devotions. It was interesting to me after attending 2 workshops from YFI, to see how the Yokefellow Prison Ministry groups actually include all 4 of the keys.

We sang the song "I have decided to Follow Jesus". The words of the song came up for discussion later in the lesson.

We read Proverbs Chapter 11 around the group, a sentence at a time, each person getting a chance to read. This helps build the group.

I asked the guys what we talked about last week. No one remembered except the other Yokefellow volunteer. So we refreshed on the "Narrow Gate" a bit.

We went to Matthew Chapter 7 again, reading verse 23 - 25 this time. I asked if this verse means that if we are holding a grudge against someone, does it mean that God doesn't listen to our prayers and supplications? This is a tough question.

I asked the group to recite the Lord's Prayer together slowly. We stopped at the part:
"And forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us" (emphasis is mine). We talked about what we thought this means. We talked about how very difficult it is to forgive people, and how our tendency is to want God to hear our prayers even though we are angry and unforgiving to other people. Obviously, this is a real challenge in prison.

So we talked about the small gate again. Ah, now it makes a bit more sense. It's one thing to call yourself a Christian. It may be another thing to actually follow Jesus in the path of forgiveness.

Maybe next week, God willing, we'll look at Jesus on the cross, praying to his Father to forgive his killers.