Discussion guide for November 2025 issue

Rapper as Psalmist by John Molina-Moore

Questions:

1. What has been your experience with rap or hip-hop culture and music?
2. If you recognize any of the hip-hop artists named in the article, which one speaks most clearly to you as a psalmist or prophet?
3. If hip-hop music is an unfamiliar genre of music for you, to whom might you reach out to learn more?
4. How do you respond to the author’s assertion that hip-hop artists today play a role similar to that of the biblical prophets and psalmists?
5. Reread the section of the article titled “Filling in the gaps through hip-hop.” What are your thoughts about what the author writes? What is a question you would like to ask the author?

Glittery. Downhome. Prophetic. by Lindy Vogado

Questions:

1. Before reading this article, what were some of your impressions of Dolly Parton?
2. If you have listened to or downloaded songs by Dolly Parton, which ones are your favorites? What are the messages in those songs that resonate with you?
3. In the introduction and conclusion of the article, the author affirms that Dolly Parton “is a modern-day prophet.” To what extent do you
   agree with the author’s statement? Or would you challenge that assertion?
4. Of the many humanitarian outreach efforts of Dolly Parton described in the article, which do you see as being the most impactful? How do those efforts reflect her character as a prophet?
5. The author describes the diversity of Dolly Parton’s fan base. What do you think it is about her character and her commitments that invite such a diverse audience to admire and follow her?

A reluctant voice of a generation by Luke Esteban

Questions:

1. The article is introduced with quotes from a 1962 interview with Bob Dylan, featuring his song “Blowin’ in the Wind.” If that song is familiar to you, what are some memories you have regarding the song? In what ways is that song an example of prophetic proclamation?
2. Also, related to “Blowin’ in the Wind,” what are some biblical passages you can think of that are reflected in that song?
3. The author writes of “‘Blowin’ in the Wind,’ … the lyrics are vague enough for each person to draw conclusions — possibly one reason this song remains popular more than 60 years later.” What do you see as the value of persons being inspired to draw their own conclusions? How is this like interpreting Jesus’ parables?
4. What words of other songs by Bob Dylan could you see as prophetic proclamations?
5. What do you think it was about Bob Dylan’s career that led to him being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016?

Music in worship is “like a heartbeat” by Patrice Gaines

Questions:

1. How would you describe the role of choirs, hymns, and musical instruments in the church where you worship? What do you like most and least in the music and worship of your church?
2. Of the several examples of churches’ worship services presented by the author, which one intrigues you the most? About which one would you like to know more?
3. How important is it for you that the hymns, anthems and special music selections be supportive of the biblical text for the sermon and/or the theme of the service?
4. The author quotes Joe Clifford, “A good worship service is where the worship service had integrity and was cohesive and was successful in proclaiming what word from God that needed to be proclaimed.” What thoughts and suggestions are prompted by that statement?
5. What are some worship practices described in the article that you think could be incorporated in your church’s worship as an experiment?