The Weekly Liturgy :: Week of 9/18/2022
Gather - We begin our Liturgy in corporate worship by coming together and acknowledging who God is through the Acclamation. God’s character and presence frames our corporate worship and this is also the way we begin our Weekly Liturgy whether we engage it personally or in a group setting.
How did you experience God’s character and presence this week (joys, struggles, breakthroughs)?
Word - We desire for God’s Word to always be on our minds, upon our lips, and deep in our hearts. We want to read, reflect, listen, and respond to God’s word as we are formed more deeply as disciples of Jesus.
Read John 1:1-5 and 1 John 1:1-4.
Reflect on these passages either individually or with others. You can also use these questions:
Re-read 1 John 1:1-4 slowly 3 times. Is there any word or phrase that stands out to you? Why?
Gnosticism was the prevalent false teaching in John's day, what are some of the false teachings today?
Why was it important that John emphasized 'that which we have heard, seen with our eyes...and our hands have touched.'? Other people in Jesus' day heard, saw, and touched Jesus yet didn't believe. What was the difference with John and those who believed?
In verses 1b-2, John says that Jesus is the source of life. Where are you tempted to go for life that is not Jesus? Where are you tempted to seek ultimate comfort, security, or significance that isn't first and ultimately Jesus? Have you experienced these times as CS Lewis has described as the 'sweet poison of the false infinite'?
Reflecting on verses 3-4, Peter Leithart says, “There is a necessary order here. We have no communion with the Father without communion with the Son; no communion with the Son without communion with the apostles; and no communion with the apostles without receiving their written testimony in the communion of the church.”
What does this mean for our participation in the church that spans across the globe and previous generations?
What does this mean for our group in regards to our loving fellowship?
Read 1 John 1:1-4 one last time and take 3-4 minutes of silence. Is there anything that the Holy Spirit is stirring in your heart?
Listen to the Holy Spirit. How is God speaking to you through this passage?
Respond through confession and repentance.
Questions to engage either corporately or silently: What have you put in place of God or given your heart to this week? What sin do you need to repent of? What area are you not trusting your identity is in Christ? Encourage one another to turn to God and receive his forgiveness and grace. (Consider praying our Corporate Confession together).
Prayer - Spend a few minutes praying into the areas God has spoken to you about. Pray for one another, for the non-believers in your lives, and for the world. (Consider praying through the Lord’s Prayer).
Sending - We are all called and sent out into the world to bring the message of the Gospel. Where are you being sent this week to share Jesus through your actions and words? Is there a specific person or area you need to reach out to or pray for?
