Reading Selections and Questions for Sunday, November 8, 2009.
1) Psalm 1
Read it twice -- it’s only six verses! : )
What is the big choice every person has to make? What are the consequences of the decision?
2) Psalm 1:1-2; Matthew 5:1-12
What does it mean to be blessed? What are the “how to” instructions for living a blessed life given in these verses? How do these instructions compare to society’s plan for a blessed life?
3) Psalm 1:2
When is your favorite time to meditate on God’s Word? Why then?
What does it mean to delight in God’s law?
Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Deuteronomy 32:44-47; Joshua 1:8
Do you delight in God’s law?
4) Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:7-10
How is living according to God’s law like a tree? Does your life fit this description currently?
Psalm 1:4-6; Luke 3:17; 2 Timothy 2:19
How do the consequences of the wicked compare to the consequences of the righteous?
So to answer your question about hanging out with sinners to point them to Christ.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a part of discipleship. It comes with having a close relationship with Christ and being able to identify when we are in a situation being able to ask yourself, Am I effecting them or are they effecting us.
Discipleship issue...I think you are right. To be able to ask that question in the moment, we are going to have to learn to be way more Holy Spirit alert. I just finished a book about a Muslim woman who became a Christian. Her description of how she felt the Holy Spirit's guidance and presence when she obeyed, and the immediate distance she felt when she didn't, was really enlightening. It made me realize how often I live without thought to the constant presence and direction of the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteWhich discipleship practices do you think would help most to prepare us for "hanging out with sinners?"
Well I think that it has several componets Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Bible study meaning being lead by someone that you would call a discipler. This would be someone that you can share with what God is doing in your life and someone that you can ask questions of. Prayer would be of importance to have the open communication with God and listening to what he is telling you to do. Fellowship would be important to maintain positive influences so you don't get overhelmed with negative influences.
ReplyDeleteI think that fellowship part is really important, too. If you have a core group of like-minded people who love and support you, it makes the "going out" less scary and keeps your boundaries more clear. I think that's probably where accountability groups, whether formal or informal, would be an important part of this conversation. It is good to have people to challenge you to get out of the boat, but also to call you back if you get off-track.
ReplyDeleteOK, blog followers, what else are we missing in this conversation?
participation hehe
ReplyDelete