Epiphany 01: Religion and Spirituality

Redemption Church KC Sermon Podcast

1. In his sermon today, Tim shared a quote from Heraclitus: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”
Later, of this quote, Heraclitus also said, “not that all things are changing so that we cannot encounter them twice, but that some things stay the same only by changing.”
Tim then said, “to be human is to be the kind of thing that can stay the same only by changing… to refuse to change and grow is to diminish our humanity.”
Consider Heraclitus’ original quote. What does it speak to you? Does it resonate? If so, how? If not, why do you think that is?
What does it mean to be the kind of thing “that can stay the same only by changing?” How does refusing to change and grow diminish our humanity?
What experiences from your life bear witness to these truths? Where have you seen them in action?
2. Tim differentiated between religion and spirituality, sharing these definitions:
Religion: submitting to a particular tradition for the purpose of human formation.
Spirituality: the habits, rhythms, and practices that help us engage with God & our tradition
He then taught that “Jesus’ spirituality led him to question & rethink his religion.”
Think about each of these definitions. What stands out to you? Is it new to consider spirituality and religion as separate and distinct counterparts in your life of faith?
What do you think about the idea that Jesus’ spirituality led him to question and rethink his religion? What might you imagine this looking like for Jesus internally? How does this connect to your own experience? Share about ways in which your spirituality has influenced your religion and vice versa.
3. One of Tim’s first slides read, “Christianity teaches that our emotional, spiritual, physical, and psychological well-being - as persons and communities - depend on our willingness to surrender and constantly update our working models of reality.”
His final slide read, “we must all find a way to let our spirituality call our religion into question.”
How comfortable to do you feel with the idea that disruption is essential to your well-being? How attached do you feel to the idea of keeping your perceptions of reality unruffled and unchallenged?
What do you think about the idea of your spirituality calling your religion into question? What experience, if any, have you had of this dynamic? What emotions does it bring up for you? Do you feel places of resistance within yourself? Whether your answer is yes or no, why do you think that is?