Welcome to WEEK 1 of our First Small Group Discussion!
DWELL: A 7 week discussion focused on Dwelling with God and inviting Him to be an active part in our everyday lives. God will be participating with us in this discussion through the Word, so have your Bibles or digital equivalent available to you.
Before posting, if you haven't already visited the Intro and Rules thread please do so here:
Directions: Go through each question and read and reflect. If there is a spoiler, read it after you've read the verse above it. Next, share your thoughts and reactions to the questions/verses. You are welcome to do all the questions in one day or separate them through the week. Keep all answers in ONE post, please. If you are doing. different questions on different days, please edit your previous post to include your new answers.
Note: Try to use I statements only. This is will help the self focus.
Example: "You need to learn to be connected to the vine so that you're constantly connected to God and the spirit" would look like "I need to learn to be connected to thru vine so that I am constantly connected with God and the Spirit"
Lord, I praise you for being accessible to us through your Word and through the Holy Spirit, who lives within our hearts. Thank you for Dwelling in us and help us learn as we go through this study to Dwell in You. Strengthen our bond as your Holy Family and bring clarity and discernment through your Word. As iron sharpens iron, let our revelations sharpen each other and bring each of us closer to you. In Christ we hope to dwell forever, Amen. ......................................................................................................................................................................
WEEK 1:
1. When you read that this study is about Dwelling with God, and being more connected with Him, what are your first thoughts that cross your mind?
READ John 15:1-5 (This is Jesus speaking)
2. What do you feel Jesus is trying to say to us?
READ John 5:19-20
Every decision that Jesus made - who to spend time with and who to invest in came directly from God. He worked and lived from a place of being connected with God. And because of Jesus' ability to hear from the Father, His life produced amazing things. This is often called "fruit" (or goodness). And so Jesus's life produced fruit that he wouldn't have been capable of producing without a deep relationship with God.
3. Is it hard to believe that we can actually hear God? And thus do exactly what God wants us to do? Why/why not?
4. God isn't flesh and blood right next to you through the day, and he doesn't usually give audible answers to our questions... so how do we stay connected and influenced by someone like that? What are some ways you stay connected or could start to stay connected with God daily?
5. What are some ways you experience and feel connected with God? -Your senses? (Through listening to music, tasting great food, the perfect environment?) -Rituals? (Communion, traditions, church services, weddings) -In Serenity? (While in quiet simple surroundings when you can withdraw from others and be alone with God?) -Being active for God (Giving back through services to people or the community/church) -In Fellowship Celebrations(Big groups of other believers in environments like fellowship dinners, praise and worship or something similar) -Through Creativity (when you're writing, or making art/music, cooking, expressing worship through creating) -Through Study and connecting through the Word.
6.Take a moment to say something about God. Maybe thank Him for how He connects with us.
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:26 am
note: there's actually six questions, you labeled two of them as "2." or maybe I'm confused as to what you meant... ?
1. When you read that this study is about Dwelling with God, and being more connected with Him, what are your first thoughts that cross your mind?
"In agreement with", "aligned to his path", "walking with/living by his Word".
2. What do you feel Jesus is trying to say to us?
In response to John 15:1-5: It's impossible to bear fruit, period, if I'm not attached to a vine at all. Unless I stick to the truth of what he says, I will not be bearing the spiritual fruit that comes from him (the true vine). The only fruit that will be good is the fruit from the true vine, not the false vines (false Messiahs/spiritual leaders or attributing false ideas/teachings/distorted truths to Christ).
In response to John 15:19-20: any person bearing the fruit from the true vine will be hated by the world. The same thing they did to the source of my teaching, is the same treatment I should expect back. Whoever agrees with the sayings/doings produced from the true vine will not persecute me, but agree and obey the things I'm saying, if I'm truly attached to the true vine. If not, there will be division.
(actually, I'm a little confused about the spoiler bits; was that part of question 2?)
3. Is it hard to believe that we can actually hear God? And thus do exactly what God wants us to do? Why/why not?
I don't think it's hard to believe. If a thought enters my mind and it contradicts scripture, it's not of God. If it agrees with scripture, then it is of God. If it aligns with the will of God as written in the text, and the Holy Spirit is suppose to guide me into all truth (thus agreeing with the text), deciphering "what" he wants me to do isn't the difficulty. A little more difficult is discerning the "when"/timing. He's always telling us to "wait" on him afterall.
4. God isn't flesh and blood right next to you through the day, and he doesn't usually give audible answers to our questions... so how do we stay connected and influenced by someone like that? What are some ways you stay connected or could start to stay connected with God daily?
To stay connected, like with anyone else, communication has to happen: talk and listen, pray to him (talk) and read his word (listen). Sharing with other believers also involves talking and listening about Godly, righteous, truthful things. That's how I stay connected on a daily basis.
5. What are some ways you experience and feel connected with God? -Your senses? (Through listening to music, tasting great food, the perfect environment?) -Rituals? (Communion, traditions, church services, weddings) -In Serenity? (While in quiet simple surroundings when you can withdraw from others and be alone with God?) -Being active for God (Giving back through services to people or the community/church) -In Fellowship Celebrations (Big groups of other believers in environments like fellowship dinners, praise and worship or something similar) -Through Creativity (when you're writing, or making art/music, cooking, expressing worship through creating) -Through Study and connecting through the Word.
All of the above if it agrees with the law, prophets, Jesus and his apostles. There are traditions that don't agree, some celebrations become gluttonous/drunken feasts instead of being sober-minded over the reason we're there which Paul spoke about in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, some creative projects can lead to distortion of the truth; the bible only gives so many details, and it's easy for the artist to change the appearance of the thing, like illustrations of the ark of the covenant, most are drawn with the angels sitting on the throne instead of under it which contradicts Ezekiel 1:25-28, 10:20).
Of all the examples listed though, they all share a common denominator: communicating with God or Godly creations, surrounded by righteous words/actions, in truth, whether in quiet solitude or a group.
6. Take a moment to say something about God. Maybe thank Him for how He connects with us.
God's word will last forever and it's the only thing worth putting my trust in, whether it's the Living Word (Jesus) or the written word (the scriptures), they both communicate the same thing and I'm being transformed into their image. I'm grateful that he's allowing me, a Gentile, to become a part of the nation of Israel.
Psalm 147:19-20 (NASB) 19 He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel. 20 He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His ordinances, they have not known them. [a]Praise [b]the Lord!
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 147:20 Or Hallelujah! b. Psalm 147:20 Heb Yah
Gentiles joining Israel prophesied in: Isaiah 14:1; Ezekiel 47:22; Micah 4:2; Zechariah 8:23; Romans 11:25, to name a few.
1. When you read that this study is about Dwelling with God, and being more connected with Him, what are your first thoughts that cross your mind? READ John 15:1-5 (This is Jesus speaking)
I'm so excited when I hear the topic is about dwelling with God. This will enhance me to be "deeper rooted in God". John 15:1-5 wasn't the first thing that popped out in my mind, but it really is the best scenario for dwelling in God. Notes: I feel dwelling in God feels better to me than dwelling with God. Just my feeling >.<
2. What do you feel Jesus is trying to say to us? READ John 5:19-20
Even Jesus depend on Father so much, it is stated that "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do." The source is from Father, that's why I need to be deeply rooted and grow from the vine. I'm just a branch and can do nothing of myself without the support from Father. Phil 4:13-"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
3.Is it hard to believe that we can actually hear God? And thus do exactly what God wants us to do? Why/why not?
No, it's not hard to believe. I haven't experience an audible voice of God, but God can speak through Bible, friends, church, and many more! (Of course, their advice should be Bible based). God wants me to search for Him and communicate through prayer, do Bible study, and grow to know His' will. I need this so that I can know if it's God's voice or the enemy's plan. 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
4. God isn't flesh and blood right next to you through the day, and he doesn't usually give audible answers to our questions... so how do we stay connected and influenced by someone like that? What are some ways you stay connected or could start to stay connected with God daily?
Yes, that's right. I need to stay connected by praying and reading the Bible daily. Also, have a small group Bible discussion that can encourage and support my growth. 1 John 2:27 ESV But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
5. What are some ways you experience and feel connected with God?
I personally experience God through: - senses (through listening to Christian music,the perfect environment) - church services, praise and worship - in serenity through study and connecting through the Word. Matthew 6:6 ESV "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
6. Take a moment to say something about God. Maybe thank Him for how He connects with us.
Thanks God for everything that You have done. I trust in You and let my faith be strong and deeply rooted in truth, which is You alone. heart
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:22 am
I loved reading everyone's thought provoking answers this week. I look forward to having all of us build on each other through this study. Keep looking inward and definitely read each other's posts and answers. You may be surprised how some of the other answers will move in you as well.
If you haven't already posted, or you're just getting started with the study, feel free to still answer and post. This is still going to be an open thread. ......................................................................................................................................
1. When you read that this study is about Dwelling with God, and being more connected with Him, what are your first thoughts that cross your mind? - - I was really excited when I first found this study material on Dwelling with God. I have been relying so much on studying topics and biblical history, I realized I've been treating studying the Bible like studying for a test or school, and forgetting that this should be more like digging into your roots. There are relationships to be formed, with God/Christ and with each other. I knew that I had been led to this material and this is what we should look at for our first Small Group Study.
2. What do you feel Jesus is trying to say to us? - - Jesus starts out by telling me that He is where Life comes from... and goes on to tell me that if I am not producing "fruit", I might as well not be connected to Him at all. (That's sobering stuff... I have to stop here, and really digest this.)
The next thing Jesus says to me is that I am already connected to Him through the new life I've been given, and He is connected with me. I don't have to do anything to become connected, but I do need to make sure that I REMAIN connected with Him.
3. Is it hard to believe that we can actually hear God? And thus do exactly what God wants us to do? Why/why not? -- I like to think that I am familiar enough with scripture and God's heart that I know what is expected of me and what I am supposed to do or NOT do.
But... sometimes... it is very hard to believe that I can HEAR God through my day. There are so many things vying for my attention during the average day at work or school (advertisements, people talking, noise, directions from managers, professors, customers, etc), that it becomes hard to distinguish His voice giving me directions specific to MY day... not just what is expected in general or my attitude. He could be telling me "Go... talk to that person over there... They are hurting, and my child needs to see me." Would I hear? Probably not.
4. God isn't flesh and blood right next to you through the day, and he doesn't usually give audible answers to our questions... so how do we stay connected and influenced by someone like that? What are some ways you stay connected or could start to stay connected with God daily? --Ways to stay connected and influenced by Jesus: -Begin my day with giving Him my full attention: Read several verses in the New Testiment that remind me to keep my feet on the ground, my hands serving, and my eyes on God. -Pray before I step out my door. This will help me tune out the loud messages of the world and, instead listen to the directions of my Lord. -One on One time with God in a quiet place without distractions. Best if outside or at Church where I can see things that glorify Him.
5. What are some ways you experience and feel connected with God? -I feel most connected with God one on one with Music and Nature. Music allows me to feel the worship and praise God for being my everything and connect with Him emotionally. When I listen to music, I know God feels what I feel and I'm comforted by that direct connection. Seeing nature really brings home the Glory of God. Nature and truly amazing settings humbles me in worship. -I love being in an active setting wtih other Christians who are serving in fellowship. Service Projects and Missions give me a spiritual High because I feel as though I am making a difference and connected with other believers.
6. Take a moment to say something about God. Maybe thank Him for how He connects with us. --You are such a loving and relational God. Thank you for being Lord of my life and wanting to dwell in me and connect with me. Teach me to Dwell in You, who molds, creates, heals, and comforts my heart.
