Leader’s Notes:
In this session we are discussing Identity. This may be a topic some participants have given significant thought to, while others may have never considered it before. Our goal is to gently bring people to a place of considering their own changing identity by seeing how David’s identity changed during his lifetime.
The Action Reflection includes inviting people to go for a walk or sit outside. The idea is to give people space to reflect. If going outside isn’t an option, you can use the film clip to help bring people the visual and audio of the outdoors.
Reminder, that any words that are italicized are a not meant to be read out loud, and is a note or instruction just for you
Welcome
Welcome to our session.
Does anyone have reflections or new thoughts to share about our previous time together?
Note: watch your time. You may only have time for 2 answers
In this session, we are going to focus on Identity and how David’s identity changed over time. Through observing his experiences, we may gain some insights into our own.
Breath Prayer
As we move into our time together, we’re going to take a moment to release the day and centre ourselves in the Eternal through breath prayer.
As we breathe, I invite you to let go of your day. Release it. Feel your breath going into your lungs and out. We’re going to breathe together for one minute. If closing your eyes is helpful, you can do that now.
Take 30 seconds for just breathing and then start In, Out breath prayer.
Note: If appropriate, close with a prayer.
Go right into poem.
Poem
A Sermon on the Song of Songs
O Love, you stand at the right hand of the king, filling all things with your sweetness.
You rule everything with your laws, you teach everything with your doctrine, you beautify everything with your glory.
How sweet, how strong, how radiant, how glorious are you in that kingdom of your glory!
In that kingdom of yours, you have imposed silence on all tongues, so that you alone many speak.
You have annulled all laws and commandments, so that you alone are the eternal law, the new commandment, the new covenant.
You have folded up all books, so that you alone hold the teacher’s chair.
You have taken away all prophets, so that you alone are to be questioned about the mysteries of the Eternal.
You have destroyed all learning, so that for everything, you alone have the answer.
John Forde (13th Century)
Introduction
Share a personal story about your identity and any labels you give yourself (Sibling, hard worker, job title, spouse, etc.)
David was a shepherd who became a king and was a warrior in between. David was the youngest of eight brothers. In no way was he born to be king. But through divine mercy and providence, he was anointed by Samuel and enabled to kill Goliath. He triumphed against all the odds, even though his own family disparaged him. He became a leader and king even though the leader and king he served wanted him dead more than once.
David’s identity was forged in the tension and stress of relational fire, including his relationship with the Eternal.
Film Scene
Watch film clip 4.1 – Identity
Film Reflection
Note: You may want to invite people to write down their answers. Don’t be afraid of silence or of people taking their time to respond.
What did you notice about David’s revelation about who he is? As you think of David’s life, and the various roles he had, how did you see those roles change or impact his identity?
Psalm & Psalm Microfilm
Option 1 – Watch the Psalm Microfilm
Today we are going to watch the Psalms Microfilm 23. As we view it, allow yourself to observe and experience the words.
Reflection
As you reflect on Psalms Microfilm 23 which part draws your attention?
How does Psalm 23 speak to David’s identity and how does it speak to your identity?
Option 2 – Read the Psalm
Today we are going to reflect on Psalm 23. As you read the Psalm, allow yourself to hear and experience the words.
Read Psalm 23
1 The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always.
2 He provides me rest in rich, green fields
beside streams of refreshing water.
He soothes my fears;
3 He makes me whole again,
steering me off worn, hard paths
to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.
4 Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness,
I am not overcome by fear.
Because You are with me in those dark moments,
near with Your protection and guidance,
I am comforted.
5 You spread out a table before me,
provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies;
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil,
filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
6 Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me
where I go, always, everywhere.
I will always be with the Eternal,
in Your house forever.
Reflection
As you reflect on Psalms Microfilm 23 which part draws your attention?
How does Psalm 23 speak to David’s identity and how does it speak to your identity?
Action Reflection Options
Option 1 – Walking outside
We’re going to use a change in location to help us reflect on our own identities. Take 15 minutes and go for a stroll or find a space outside to sit.
As you experience the outdoors, reflect on your own identity and how it has changed through seasons of life, primary roles, spiritual disciplines, etc.
Note: Ask these next two questions when you regather
Does anyone want to share a few of their thoughts?
What was it like to be outside while reflecting on who you are?
Note: watch your time. You may only have time for 2 answers
Option 2 – Watching a film clip
As this nature clip plays for the next eight minutes, I encourage you to reflect on your own identity. How it has changed through seasons of life, primary roles, spiritual disciplines, etc.?
Would anyone like to share a few of their thoughts? Did you have any insights or revelations?
Note: watch your time. You may only have time for 2 answers
Closing Thought
Like David, our identities are always evolving. Our hope and trust is that as we grow, we are drawing closer and closer to our true identity, modeled for us by Jesus – sometimes described in the scriptures as “the Son of David.” King David, despite making several unwise decisions which led him to moral failure, was restored and sought out by the Eternal as “a man after his own heart” (1 Sam 13:14). Despite everything in his life, he remained the Eternal’s appointed leader. Our identities are not determined by our mistakes, but by the influence of divine love.
For most of us, it is rare to have conversations with each other about our identities and how they are changing. Consider and plan an intentional conversation with someone you respect, especially regarding their own sense of identity and their awareness about how it is developing. They could be part of the group or known to you in another context. You could include some of the questions from above or create your own, including how this person has intentionally participated in the development of their own identity.
Closing Poem
For our closing poem we’re going to read this Liturgy of Identity together. I will read the bold lines, and then we will all read the italicized lines together.
Liturgy of Identity
We are all more than one thing
yet not as much as You
We are all created in your image
yet none of us carry the whole of it
We are all equal
yet you are the equalizer
We are all individuals
yet can only see that in your community
We all desire to be known
yet only you truly know us
We are all unique
yet you uniquely choose how
We are all loved
Deeply
Truly
Wholly
By you
We seek the source of our being
We seek the fountain of love and life itself
We offer our heartfelt thanks and our praise
For the wonders of creation
For the love and beauty within us and all around us
We turn our hearts to the radiant glory of divine
Presence at the heart of the universe
Sarah Patterson
Closing Prayer
Thank everyone for sharing and being willing to go deep about identity, even if they didn’t speak it out.