Biblical Theologian and Old Testament professor, Walter Brueggemann and community developer and author, Peter Block engage in conversation about the broad narrative of faith and community that has immediate implications in our particular neighborhoods and churches. Besides the interviewers, the prophet Elisha is the other conversation partner who seeks to show us how empire is to be subverted. This series of films demonstrates that the ideas of Brueggemann and Block do not come from untested ideology but the richness of the relationship that they share, as lives lived in community.

The discussion guide includes questions for reflection and additional materials for both individuals and group leaders to process the important ideas found in the videos. A guide for further reading can be found at the end. We hope this material will be helpful as you begin to build a better community. 

Brueggemann is professor emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ (UCC). He received this Ph.D. from St. Louis University and Th.D. from Union Theological Seminary, New York.

Block is the founder of the School for Managing of the Association for Quality and Participation, as well as Deigned Learning, a company that teaches consulting skills, and the consulting firm, Block Petrella Weisbord. He received a master’s degree in industrial administration from Yale University. 

The curriculum includes 11 films with accompanying discussion guide.

SESSION TITLES AND FILMS

1. UNCREDENTIALED THOUGHTS
2. SIGNS OF ALIVENESS
3. PAIN AND MARCHING
4. RESTORATIVE COMMUNITY
5. THE ALTERNATIVE STORY
6. DANCING INTO FREEDOM
7. EMBRACING FALLIBILITY
8. DATA VS. NARRATIVE
9. EMPIRE VS. COMMUNITY
10. NURTURING A NEW NARRATIVE
11. COMMODIFYING LOVE

Questions written by Phuc Luu.