Time for reflection….
- Now comes the fun part. Look down your list
and circle all the characteristics that you know God would
ask you to intentionally pursue/be about in your life. What
do you find?
- Next, look at your list and try to figure out if
any of these characteristics have begun to shape your perspective
of God?
(I’ll give you an example
here. No
matter how many times I do this exercise, some student
always says that America is all about instant gratification. When
we look to see how these characteristics impact our view
of God, they begin to see that they think God should answer
prayer immediately. If God doesn’t, then either
he is not there, or the person is bad, or God does not
care. Is this an accurate picture of God created
out of this instant gratification characteristic?) So
go back and see how your American characteristics might
be shaping your view of God….
- Finally, how have these American characteristics
shaped you? If you are unsure, take a look at how
you spend your days. Do you spend your days trying
to fulfill/become these characteristics?
One last thing to try:
On the same sheet of paper, write
out as many characteristics life with God is supposedly
like. The bible has some
interesting nuggets called “fruit of the spirit” which
means characteristics that just flow out of people who are
truly God followers. Start with these “fruit” and
continue the list…
(you can read about these “fruits”/characteristics
in a book of the bible called Galatians)
- Now underline all the American characteristics
and ‘life with God’ characteristics that
are the same. What do you find?
- Based on this observation…what does
this mean for your life? Are you becoming more of an American
or more of a child of God?
With your group/community this week….
You know the drill. Light a candle/sit
in silence/open in prayer. Get centered…which
means focus.
- Compare your American characteristics. You
might want to write out a big list on a chalkboard/whiteboard
(it’s interesting to see these up in black
and white)…notice the characteristics
you all agreed on.
- Share with each other how these characteristics
shaped your view of God.
- Wonder with one another if your “God” is
American or if your image of God is more in line
with scripture/the life of Jesus.
- For the truly courageous, talk about
which set of characteristics has more influence
on your day to day life…American characteristics
or ‘life with God’ characteristics.
- Finally, are there any nudgings in your
soul for change to occur in your life or in your
image of God?
- End naturally.
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So what…
After group, reflect on: Has an invitation for
change presented itself in this exercise? If so, what is
it, and are you ready to accept the invitation?
Don’t’ look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life – to God – is vigorous and requires total attention.
Matthew 7: somewhere in the middle
From The Message
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