Discipleship Action 4

Section 1

Given that it is the half way point of the eight week journey it is useful to reflect on the journey so far.  As an exercise in group sharing, try to identify the following:

• What you have learned about discipleship through the group and discussion?
• An example of application in your life
• Something that you would like to know or learn more about?

Take some time for this activity – perhaps 10 minutes.

In your group, choose at least one of the above to share. The rule of the sharing in this case is that the rest of the group are to simply listen to and not comment on what each member has to say. Depending on the group, you might choose to go in a circle, you might choose to leave it open for a period of time. Learn to be comfortable with silence, allow the Holy Spirit to fill it.

This bit is important…

It would also be good to nail down your external action plan for your group.  What community action could you participate in? Could you go somewhere as a group to offer some volunteer time? Does somebody in the group know somebody who is in need of some home help? Could you agree to contribute some items to those who are needy?  Spend some time putting your heads together on this issue – it doesn’t matter if you spend your whole meeting to come to an agreement of practical discipleship-action.

Additionally, if you have not done so, find some time to arrange a social outing for your group. Do not regard this as an optional extra – this is a practical way that we learn to know each other better. It can just be a BBQ.

Commit to finding time for these things.

It would be great to hear from the groups at our Sunday evening services. Could each group arrange for a member to share something about what they have experienced in their groups?  It should not be the leader/shepherd who speaks. Let me know if you would prefer SNL or “Sunday at 6” on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays.

Part 2 A From last week It is possible that your group did not make it through last week’s lengthy study. If that is the case, you might like to revisit the Romans reading from Chapter 12. Romans 12: 1-21 What does it mean to you to offer your body as a sacrifice? What is the role of your body in worship and discipleship? (We don’t think about this issue nearly enough – its implications are huge). Paul tells us to ‘be transformed by the renewing of our minds’; how might we actually do that? In verses 9-21, which of the commands are most useful/interesting/difficult right now?

Part 2B (if you got through the study)

Matthew 5: 38-48

Section 2B: Robin’s 8.30 Message Robin revisited Matthew 5: 38-48 with a special focus on repairing relationships. He focused on the following scriptural ideals: Not resisting an evil person but to turn the other cheek. o   What are the implications of this for you right now in your life? o   What aspects of 1st century Middle East might make this command even more challenging? Asked for tunic, give the cloak as well. o   Note that the first was an undergarment and the second an outer garment that was used to sleep in o   How might we apply this command to given in excess of what was asked? Love your enemies o   Ancient cultures were violent and militaristic – an enemy was somebody who most likely would kill you. In our time there is now a lot of talk (especially from young people?) about ‘witnessing to Moslems’. Indeed, the increasing visibility of other cultures is worrying many people in and outside church communities. The problem of making enemies is a real one for us – how does a disciple of Jesus deal with this? o   Is it helpful or not to think of people as ‘your enemy’. Given that we are to transform our mind, what is useful about thinking this way? Be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect o   Given that no amount of striving will make us perfect, how are we to follow this command? Ignoring it is not an option, so how to proceed? How might an understanding of grace help us here?

Read the passage and consider your initial reactions to it

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