The Meaning is in the Waiting (Gooder)

I consider Paula Gooder to be one of the most consistant authors of books for small group engagement. Her work is accessible but includes plenty of insightful scholarship; it’s practical but also stretches groups to reflect deeply and challenge simplistic interpretations of scripture. It’s grounded in tradition but often moves beyond it in ways that my small groups find thought-provoking and generative.

I’ve used a handful of her books, including Journey to the Manger (Advent), The Meaning is in the Waiting (Advent), This Risen Existence: the Sprit of Easter, and Phoebe: A Story. I’ll upload studies on some of the others in the coming months, but here are my discussion and reflection questions for The Meaning is in the Waiting, which includes daily readings, focused on the weekly themes of the patriarchs (Abram and Sarai), the prophets, John the Baptist, and Mary. The Introduction alone is worth the price of the book and offers a beautiful framing for reflecting on Advent. The readings that follow embrace good scholarship and practical application, and my questions go further to encourage discussion, application, and engagement with a chosen “waiting practice” during the season.