The Heart of Christianity Sunday School Lesson and Questions for Sunday, 11 October 2015 at San Diego, California, United States First United Methodist Church for Saturday, 10 October 2015

The Heart of Christianity Sunday School Lesson and Questions for Sunday, 11 October 2015 at San Diego, California, United States First United Methodist Church for Saturday, 10 October 2015
LIVING BUDDHA; LIVING CHRIST
THICK NHAT HANH
CHAPTER 7
REROOTING
What does Hanh say about getting returning to our faith roots? 
THE JEWELS OF OUR OWN TRADITION
When we value & respect the traditions of our own spiritual heritage, we will 1) feel rooted, 2) avoid the alienation engulfing societies, & 3) understand & appreciate other traditions.  Do you agree?
CULTIVATING COMPASSION
Jewels of our tradition can help us transform suffering & live in the art of beauty.
In Hanh’s rewording of the Buddhist precept “reverence for life”, Hanh says that just to not kill is not enough.  How deeply do we need to go?  Why?
To practice non-violence, we must “first deal peacefully with ourselves.”  How does Hanh propose that we do that?
CULTIVATING LOVING-KINDNESS
How did Hanh re-word the precept to cultivate loving-kindness?  Is this a vow you can make?
Do you agree that stealing in the forms of exploitation, social injustice, & oppression are a form of killing?
Instead of stealing, Buddhism advocates practicing generosity.  What are the 3 kinds of gifts?  How do we practice these?
True love needs mindfulness.  Your thoughts?
THE ONENESS OF BODY AND MIND
Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow__________________.  How deeply does this go?  To self, to others, to society?
“Oneness of body & mind” demands that we think of our conduct as potentially causing suffering to the body if the mind is hurt AND to the mind if the body is hurt.  Your thoughts?
True love contains respect & sexual communion is a rite conducted with mindfulness, love, & care.  Have you thought of love in this way before?
MORE THAN ONE ROOT
Can we have more than 1 spiritual root?  Can we practice both Christianity & Buddism at the same time?
UNMINDFUL SPEECH CAN KILL
Aware of the suffering that unmindful speech & the inability to listen can cause, I vow to_________.  How far does this go into personal relationship, society, governments, our church?
How do we train ourselves to be mindful of our speech & emotions?
How can mindfulness help us be concentrated & look deeply?
Mindful speaking can bring real happiness; unmindful speech can kill.  Your thoughts?
MINDFUL CONSUMING
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow __________________.
According to the principles of non-self & inter being, our bodies are not ours alone.  If you are healthy in mind & body, does all of society benefit? 
What is mindful consuming?  How does that lead us to compassion for others?
REAL LOVE NEVER ENDS
How do we implement the Judeo-Christian principle of love?  How do we manifest that in our day-to-day lives?
How can we go well beyond the intellectual agreement that “loving” is a good thing?  How do we experientially practice “loving?”  How do prayer, contemplation, & meditation fit into our lives?
PRACTICING AND SHARING
How do our lives become true expressions of our faith?
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