Post by Admin on Mar 30, 2017 7:49:30 GMT
We opened tonight’s discussion with two questions: How vital has Christian fellowship been to your own spiritual growth; and, How important do you see yourself in the spiritual growth of others? Several people commented on the value of their circle of church friends for support, particularly during the years of youth. We also discussed how much we value one another – so while each of us values everyone else that also means that each of us is providing spiritual support to the others, maybe without realizing it.
A topic that generated much comment was the phrase “living stones,” which is one of Peter’s descriptions of us, and the relationship of the living stones to the “Living Stone,” that is, Christ. In thinking of the members of the congregation as living stones, several pictures were suggested:
• Stones selected and placed one by one by a mason to fit together well and make a strong wall.
• Careful chipping and sanding of stones so that they fit optimally.
• Stones of all sizes and colors mounded together and then cemented [by love] together to be strong.
• Different kinds of stones serve different purposes in constructing a building, just as various trades and materials were used in different aspects of constructing the Temple of Solomon.
All these visuals of the living stones still would only produce a successful and strong “spiritual house” by careful and absolutely accurate alignment with the cornerstone of the living stone, Jesus. A tiny deviation from Him as the foundation will ultimately topple the wall.
Another area of focused conversation was in giving examples of the spiritual sacrifices which the chosen people (the living stones) are called upon to offer. Our list of spiritual sacrifices included: prayer, humility, self-denial, service to others, giving and good deeds, worship, and evangelism. Several people shared experiences and examples. We talked about a “sacrifice” being the giving up of something that we want to keep, and that such sacrifice can be borne of gratitude and love rather than being something we are bitterly forced to relinquish – although that can be what happens in some cases. We acknowledged that some spiritual sacrifices, such as our time and service, often have a physical or materials dimension as well.
A topic that generated much comment was the phrase “living stones,” which is one of Peter’s descriptions of us, and the relationship of the living stones to the “Living Stone,” that is, Christ. In thinking of the members of the congregation as living stones, several pictures were suggested:
• Stones selected and placed one by one by a mason to fit together well and make a strong wall.
• Careful chipping and sanding of stones so that they fit optimally.
• Stones of all sizes and colors mounded together and then cemented [by love] together to be strong.
• Different kinds of stones serve different purposes in constructing a building, just as various trades and materials were used in different aspects of constructing the Temple of Solomon.
All these visuals of the living stones still would only produce a successful and strong “spiritual house” by careful and absolutely accurate alignment with the cornerstone of the living stone, Jesus. A tiny deviation from Him as the foundation will ultimately topple the wall.
Another area of focused conversation was in giving examples of the spiritual sacrifices which the chosen people (the living stones) are called upon to offer. Our list of spiritual sacrifices included: prayer, humility, self-denial, service to others, giving and good deeds, worship, and evangelism. Several people shared experiences and examples. We talked about a “sacrifice” being the giving up of something that we want to keep, and that such sacrifice can be borne of gratitude and love rather than being something we are bitterly forced to relinquish – although that can be what happens in some cases. We acknowledged that some spiritual sacrifices, such as our time and service, often have a physical or materials dimension as well.