The Weekly Liturgy :: Week of 11/20/2022
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 20:24-31 and 1 John 5:6-12.
Reflect on these passages either individually or with others. You can also use these questions:
Talk about a time in your walk with the Lord when you doubted. What was that time like? How did it make you feel? Are you in a time of doubting now? Explain.
Os Guinness says, “there are two equal and opposite errors into which Christians are inclined to fall when thinking about doubt. On the one hand, those who are theologically liberal tend to be too soft on doubt, lionizing such notions as ambiguity and uncertainty, and verging on a spiritual permissiveness that becomes a slipway to unbelief. On the other hand, those who are theologically conservative tend to be too hard on doubt, demonizing the dire consequences of unresolved doubt, and verging on a spiritual perfectionism that leaves doubters in such a state of guilt or despair that they dare not acknowledge their doubts to others or even to themselves.”
During times of doubting, which error do you gravitate toward? Why?
Read 1 John 5:6-12, why do you think John ends his letter with a message on assurance?
In vvs. 6-12, why do you think John repeats the concept of faith and testimony? Describe a time when someone gave a testimony that built your faith.
Read vvs. 13-15. For you, what role has prayer served during times of doubt?
Read vvs. 18-21. Why does John end with, '...keep yourselves from idols.'?
Describe how you have grown (or not grown) in your faith during times of doubt?
Based on 1 John 5:6-21, what is the Holy Spirit saying to you?
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?
