week of April 13th, 2025

March-May Bonus Readings

Community of Christ will be holding its 2025 World Conference at the end of May and beginning of June. In the weeks leading up to the conference, the resolutions that will be discussed and debated there will be available here on the Someday School website. Taking some time to read over and annotate these resolutions will let you stay aware of what’s being discussed as a whole church—and share your thoughts on what direction the church should go in.

This Week’s Lectionary Scripture

Palm Sunday¹

On Palm Sunday we focus on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus enters the city astride a donkey as a symbol of the unexpected nature of God’s reign.

Philippians 2:5–11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he existed in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God. as something to be grasped,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
assuming human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human,
he humbled himself. and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.

Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name, so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• Christ’s emptying nature goes beyond material wants to a deeper invitation of the soul. Personally and communally, disciples can consider what crowds their inward spaces, limiting their capacity to receive and sense God’s movement and call today. What crowds or numbs your mind and soul? What messages and “shoulds” distract you from the mission of Jesus?
• The deepest intent of humility is awe and a willingness to see one’s life in the greater web of relationality to one another, the cosmos, and the holy. What fills you with awe? How do you see your life connected to your community, your country, the world, the cosmos, and the holy? How can these things fill our mind and soul to be like the mind of Christ?
• When we calm the distractions, we make space for the transformation of our soul, and the soul becomes clearer to us. What might your soul be yearning for? How does your soul’s transformation align with Community of Christ’s mission statement, “We proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace”?

This Week’s Text from Sharing in Community of Christ

We Share Whole-life Stewardship ²

What is Tithing?

Tithing is a spiritual practice that demonstrates willingness to offer every dimension of one’s life to God.

—Doctrine and Covenants 165:2d

As these words find expression in the church, the following affirmations guide us:

Stewardship is whole-life response to God’s grace and the ministry of Jesus Christ.

One way stewardship is expressed is through the spiritual practice of tithing.

Although tithing literally means a tenth, giving generously to one’s true capacity is the spirit of tithing. Tithing of time, talent, treasure, and testimony supports local and worldwide church ministries in pursuit of Jesus Christ’s mission.

All disciples are called to live as faithful stewards who tithe.

—WCR 1314

A Disciple’s Generous Response

The six principles of A Disciple’s Generous Response guide us in managing and sharing our resources for the sake of God’s purposes. If we apply these principles to our lives, we will learn to align our priorities with God’s priorities, and our hearts with God’s heart.