Use these for group work, or to assist your personal reflection.
- What can you find within this passage of scripture that reflects the society in which you live, or the life of your church?
- How easy is it to identify problems in the life of the church today and do something about it? Why is this often very difficult?
- How would you characterise the society in which you live, and what can the church do to preach the Gospel to it?
Use the programme which can be found on the link ‘discipleship challenges’. The ‘worksheet’ will help you follow through anything you feel is right to take up. The following notes are for your interest and consideration.
Personal comment:
I have to say that I find the rebellious nature of some in church as extraordinary. As a small example, some are firmly set against ‘prayers’ if they are read from a script saying that unless they are extempore, they are not ‘of the Spirit’. Now, I like extempore prayers and usually pray extempore, but such an attitude is profoundly ignorant and rebellious against the tremendous traditions of the church (and the Spirit!) which have helped people know God through ‘set’ prayers for centuries. Great prayers of the church are now long forgotten in the mind of society because the church has largely ditched them! What does this say about our mission?
Ideas for discipleship programme
- Are you aware of anyone in your church who is upset by the some of its teaching, either by its leaders or by other individuals who feel they have something to say and make their voices heard? Pray, and ask the Lord to guide you to tackle some of these issues for the good of the whole church.
- Where do you get your ‘teaching’ from in your church? Talk to those who teach and encourage them as you are able, and ask them about what you do not understand or you suspect may be questionable.
You, O Lord God, know the secrets of the Universe; its origins, its workings and its future. Show me my place within Your eternal purposes and give me inner peace. So, may I live my life with confidence in You as my maker and my Redeemer, to the praise and glory of Your Name. AMEN
