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| By Sarah Bristol |
What if we deemphasized being good and holy Christians, and emphasized what we were told to emphasize- watching over the very seat of our being? After all, from it flows our very life.
Take time as a group to explore how this idea might lead to more compassion, more reasonableness, lower expectations and peace for us all.
Thaw
- Who in your life is the most compassionate and understanding?
- Who in your life is the most put together and "holy?"
- Discuss whether those were the same person or not, and why that might be.
Read
- Psalm 139
- Thoughts?
Read
- Proverbs 4:23
- Thoughts?
Leader note: There are several translations of this text which can imply different levels of value Solomon was placing on the idea of watching/guarding our heart. Some in the group might have questions about that if they are reading it in their own Bible. Here is the Darby's Literal translation of the Hebrew into English:
"Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it- the outgoings of life."
- What significance does this proverb hold when you consider it was written by the son of the man who wrote Psalm 139?
Read
- John 2:23-John 3:21
- Thoughts?
Leader note: You may want to remind the group that originally, there were no chapter breaks or verses. The end of what we call chapter two naturally flows into one, where a man who came secretly in night found himself engaged in a heavy conversation about what God really wants. Additionally, there are many facets to this passage that are hard to understand; going up to heaven, lifting up serpents, flesh and spirit and mother's wombs...Keep in mind we are eavesdropping some on a devoutly Jewish conversation between Rabbi Jesus and a Head Master, Nicodemus. They are discussing weighty ideas about Messiahship and esoteric symbolism. Try not to get hung up on this. The bottom line is that Nicodemus, in all his teaching and understanding, didn't get that God was interested in his heart and the transformation of it by way of the Spirit, not academic achievement or sin management. The man was there in secret, at night, and Jesus talks about deeds done in the darkness out of fear. Jesus speaks of people judging themselves by their commitment to not bringing their lives fully into the light. It was a sobering discussing to say the least. This may be why Nicodemus pops up twice more in John, finally becoming a follower.
Discuss
- What might we learn and gain from observing our heart, versus merely filtering it to ensure our inclusion and to assuage God's wrath?
- Why would God want us more aware of our hearts than focused on our behavior?
- Do you know anyone who seems to have a gap between who they want to be and what's within their unattended heart? How would you describe their lives, overall?
- How can this group be a place that makes heart-knowing, self-seeing, a priority over simplistic notions of being good, right and holy?
Prayer
- Spend a few moments praying the last two verses of David's song in Psalm 139.
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