•Opening Prayer: Gracious God, we have gathered here from many places. Thank you for safe travels. Bless this time together. Amen.
•Introductory discussion: Much of Jesus’ ministry took place on the way from one place to another. Thus, transportation is an important aspect of the Gospel stories.
What might inhibit us from thinking about transportation as an opportunity for living out our faith? (Isolation in cars? Transportation as simply a means of getting from here to there? Competition for road space? Stresses of traffic? “Road rage”? Etc.)
•Reading and discussion: Read Luke 24:13-32 (The Road to Emmaus).
Why do you think the disciples fail to recognize Jesus?
What does it mean to meet Jesus on the way from place to place?
How can we understand the meaning of this story in light of car culture?
•Reading and discussion: Read Luke 10:29-37 (The Good Samaritan). Jesus regularly taught with parables like this one.
Why do you think the priest and the Levite neglected to help the suffering man? (On the way to an important engagement? No time to spare? Social expectations?)
How can we understand the meaning of this story in light of car culture? How might we identify the neighbor given current transportation habits?
•Reflection: What would it take to be faithful on the way from place to place?
How might we reconsider our transportation habits to provide for more opportunities to encounter Christ, to encounter the neighbor?
Do we have nonhuman neighbors? How does our mode of transportation affect how we encounter them?
•Closing Prayer: Gracious God, we thank you for your vast creation, of which we are a part. Hold your creation in mercy and love. Amen.