Post by Admin on Oct 13, 2016 18:30:16 GMT
The discussion opened with consideration of the things we see in church and in our lives that are outside our comfort zone. One thought shared was that in every service, with the Holy Spirit nudging us and whispering to us, we should always feel a little bit pushed out of our comfort zone – challenged to grow!
We read the passages and talked about both “tongues” and “prophecy” as Paul understood them. Regarding “tongues,” we may encounter situations in which we just do not understand what someone else is saying, not because of a foreign language, but because the person is unclear or we don’t see things the same way as he or she sees them. Bible discussion is a venue where the remarks and analysis of group members can very effectively translate or interpret our ideas when we feel like we are not clear. However we look at Paul’s description of Spiritual Gifts, it’s clear he wants to reinforce that we ALL are a part of the body, a team in which everyone contributes.
Most interesting was talking about our worship services compared to the picture of 1st century worship that Paul describes, with all members bringing songs, verses, or words of prophecy. Their services had four characteristics: every one participates, the Holy Spirit drives the experience, they exercise creativity, and joy and thanksgiving are the foundation of it all. How does our worship service measure in these categories? Everyone has opportunity to participate in singing and praying and worshipping, and we definitely feel the impact of the Holy Spirit speaking to us and lifting us up in services. Some of our most creative moments turn out to be the most impactful ones for everyone – we recalled the time the choir sang “Mashiti, Amen” while walking around the congregation – and we might be hesitant sometimes to be more creative. We shared the feelings of relief from daily pressures that coming into church brings to us – the definition of joy and thanksgiving.
We read the passages and talked about both “tongues” and “prophecy” as Paul understood them. Regarding “tongues,” we may encounter situations in which we just do not understand what someone else is saying, not because of a foreign language, but because the person is unclear or we don’t see things the same way as he or she sees them. Bible discussion is a venue where the remarks and analysis of group members can very effectively translate or interpret our ideas when we feel like we are not clear. However we look at Paul’s description of Spiritual Gifts, it’s clear he wants to reinforce that we ALL are a part of the body, a team in which everyone contributes.
Most interesting was talking about our worship services compared to the picture of 1st century worship that Paul describes, with all members bringing songs, verses, or words of prophecy. Their services had four characteristics: every one participates, the Holy Spirit drives the experience, they exercise creativity, and joy and thanksgiving are the foundation of it all. How does our worship service measure in these categories? Everyone has opportunity to participate in singing and praying and worshipping, and we definitely feel the impact of the Holy Spirit speaking to us and lifting us up in services. Some of our most creative moments turn out to be the most impactful ones for everyone – we recalled the time the choir sang “Mashiti, Amen” while walking around the congregation – and we might be hesitant sometimes to be more creative. We shared the feelings of relief from daily pressures that coming into church brings to us – the definition of joy and thanksgiving.