In Preparation for Our First Meeting
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The purpose of this time together is to delve into the richness, the authenticity, the joy and the power that is faith. As we begin this year together and in particular this study on believing God I wanted to address a few key points that I hope will enrich our time together.
Rule Number One – Freedom!
I ask you to approach this study with an open mind. Don’t approach it thinking you already know how faith and thus how God “works” – So shake off everything you’ve heard, thought or been taught about faith and ask God to teach you anew and afresh.
(note: I’m not the teacher, God is. I just happen to be facilitating)
Rule Number Two - Be Curious!
Ask questions. Be willing to take the chance that God answers when you ask…so ask Him about whatever may be on your mind….and be willing to listen to His answer.
The point of this study is to consider God; who He is and how He relates to us. So, no questions are too difficult or foolish. You heard it said in school “the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask” so please, don’t allow fear to hold you back. If I don’t know how to answer your question…that’s okay! We’ll find it out together.
Rule Number Three – No Stress!
Don’t Stress about the “homework”! If you don’t have time to complete the lesson in the book …that’s alright. No one’s going to be checking, so no need to feel guilty and certainly no need not to come!
The materials are meant to be a guide, not the end all be all on Faith. If God is leading you in a direction that’s slightly off from what we cover each month…no worries! That is supposed to happen. That is the reason I created this website…for us to discuss what God is doing – and what we’re thinking about it – outside of our group meetings.
Rule Number Four – Confidentiality
What happens in our group meetings or in discussions on the website or with me personally…stay there. You need to know that whatever is discussed with me either inside or outside of church stays with me. Just as I need to know that whatever I discuss with you …stays with you. The things we say shouldn’t become fodder for prayer circle gossip.
Rule Number Five – Fellowship
An aspect lending to the impact of this study is that we learn to “do life” together. So feel free and welcome to stay as long as you want. I will always try to “officially” end things no later than 8:30 but if you’d like to stay longer and enjoy the refreshments and fellowship…by all means…don’t hesitate!
Rule Number One – Freedom!
I ask you to approach this study with an open mind. Don’t approach it thinking you already know how faith and thus how God “works” – So shake off everything you’ve heard, thought or been taught about faith and ask God to teach you anew and afresh.
(note: I’m not the teacher, God is. I just happen to be facilitating)
Rule Number Two - Be Curious!
Ask questions. Be willing to take the chance that God answers when you ask…so ask Him about whatever may be on your mind….and be willing to listen to His answer.
The point of this study is to consider God; who He is and how He relates to us. So, no questions are too difficult or foolish. You heard it said in school “the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask” so please, don’t allow fear to hold you back. If I don’t know how to answer your question…that’s okay! We’ll find it out together.
Rule Number Three – No Stress!
Don’t Stress about the “homework”! If you don’t have time to complete the lesson in the book …that’s alright. No one’s going to be checking, so no need to feel guilty and certainly no need not to come!
The materials are meant to be a guide, not the end all be all on Faith. If God is leading you in a direction that’s slightly off from what we cover each month…no worries! That is supposed to happen. That is the reason I created this website…for us to discuss what God is doing – and what we’re thinking about it – outside of our group meetings.
Rule Number Four – Confidentiality
What happens in our group meetings or in discussions on the website or with me personally…stay there. You need to know that whatever is discussed with me either inside or outside of church stays with me. Just as I need to know that whatever I discuss with you …stays with you. The things we say shouldn’t become fodder for prayer circle gossip.
Rule Number Five – Fellowship
An aspect lending to the impact of this study is that we learn to “do life” together. So feel free and welcome to stay as long as you want. I will always try to “officially” end things no later than 8:30 but if you’d like to stay longer and enjoy the refreshments and fellowship…by all means…don’t hesitate!
Hey Andrea,
Thanks for being willing to lead our Bible Study. I am very much lookng forward to it. You gave us lots to think about tonight. Thanks also for the web site. It will be nice to be able to come to it and read.
Jo