February 12th: "Contented people care for their souls."
We read Chapter 10 and the related discussion questions on pages 156-157, as well as Philippians 4:4-13.
Leah led the group in a lectio divina exercise, a way of reading the Bible while listening for God's voice, with the Philippians passage. Here are the steps for the exercise: read the passage three times and each time, mark a word or phrase that stands out to you or captures your attention. Then use those words and phrases as an entryway to prayer this week by answering the following questions:
Key parts of the reading include:
Leah challenged us to do this exercise from the book individually and to reflect on our responses; if you need help finding printed or online resources to do it, Leah can assist you via her position as Director of the Resource Center for Grace Presbytery: Look through the list of spiritual practices on pages 128-129 and identify one where you would like to learn more about or grow in your practice of it? Make a commitment to find some resources that will help you do this.
We read Chapter 10 and the related discussion questions on pages 156-157, as well as Philippians 4:4-13.
Leah led the group in a lectio divina exercise, a way of reading the Bible while listening for God's voice, with the Philippians passage. Here are the steps for the exercise: read the passage three times and each time, mark a word or phrase that stands out to you or captures your attention. Then use those words and phrases as an entryway to prayer this week by answering the following questions:
- How does this Bible passage prompt you to gratitude?
- How does this passage prompt you to confession?
- How does the passage prompt you to pray for others?
- How does the passage prompt you to pray for yourself?
Key parts of the reading include:
- The author's summary of eight benefits of faith (pp125-127) that Paul discusses in Philippians 4:4-13, which include having courage in the face of fear and giving him a purpose greater than himself.
- "Faith practices, not just faith beliefs, contribute to our contentment as believers. People do not experience life satisfaction just because they believe certain theological precepts about God and Jesus Christ. They also gain contentment from practicing faith disciplines like worship, prayer, Bible reading, service, practicing forgiveness, and connecting to faith community."
Leah challenged us to do this exercise from the book individually and to reflect on our responses; if you need help finding printed or online resources to do it, Leah can assist you via her position as Director of the Resource Center for Grace Presbytery: Look through the list of spiritual practices on pages 128-129 and identify one where you would like to learn more about or grow in your practice of it? Make a commitment to find some resources that will help you do this.