In this series Jeff and Tyler unpack the four lenses we should "put on" to help us fully engage with the Bible's story. This week we look at "wonder" and "expectation," and offer some good practices to adopt.
#KindFaith #BibleConversations
intro/ hook. “Talking about wonder and expectation!”
Core Question: How am I encountering a living God through this text today, and how does this lead me to worship?
Let’s first talk about some examples, then we’ll spend a good amount of time getting practical.
Part 1 (10 min) Examples and “tricky” sections for finding “wonder”
All those lists! Numbers 7 (my current favorite example!)
All those names. Keep Genesis 3:15 in mind…
The value of community… especially new believers. (Tyler: Story from college and John 3:16). My sense of wonder is reignited when I encounter someone else discovering God through the text in a new way.
Part 2 (10 min) Getting practical:
Regularly reading scripture (all of it!)
God speaks most clearly through the Bible; If we’re not reading it, or if we are only reading a very narrow portion, then we’re not giving him very much to work with.
The Bible tells us about God, so the whole Bible is important to get as full a picture as possible.
The Psalms are invaluable. If the rest of the Bible is “God speaking to us”; the Psalms teach us how to speak to God.
Read through the entire Bible Slowly (if you’re new start with the Gospels; but eventually all of it) and add a Psalm every time you read.
You don’t have to be “wow-ed” everytime and it is ok to be bored! Sometimes this element of wonder shows up immediately, other times its a commitment to soak in scripture over the long haul.
Pay attention to repeats (God bringing up the same verse in multiple places) (currently it’s Romans 8:28 for me)
Pay attention to when a verse you read earlier that week comes back to mind.
Personal question: What is your (Jeff/Tyler’s) current rhythm to regularly engaging with scripture?
“Do I expect scripture to speak to me?”
Part 3 (10 min) practical ways and spiritual practices for fostering expectation:
“Holy spirit open my ears to hear you today”
Physically. Body posture, setting the space, lighting a candle. While not necessary, creating some sort of physical rhythm can be a great way to tune your heart. (i.e my best way is early morning before the girls are awake with a cup of coffee…)
Praying the Lord’s Prayer
Psalm 51:
Confession
“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.”
and a prayer (also from Psalm 51) that looks outward:
“Lord open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
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