Sorry for the delay. Here are the discussions and questions we covered as a group
Different people tend to respond to God in different ways. Whether it's your background, your relationships, your disposition, your theology, or something else, you have a somewhat unique way of relating to God. To some extent, that's healthy. God made you to be who you are, and your relationship with Him should reflect that.
But there's another sense in which your unique situation presents you with unique obstacles to overcome. SOme people have no trouble approaching God with reverence but can't imagine what it would be like to relate to God intimately. Others are the exact opposite. We all have some sort of baggage that colors our thoughts, feelings, and actions toward God.
Like any personal relationship, your relationship with God will probably look a little bit different from anyone else's. But it's helpful to identify and evaluate your tendencies. As you do so, think about whether your relationship with God reflects the love Hehas for you and the love that should characterize your relationship with Him.
Which is more difficult for you, relating to God with intimacy or approaching Him with reverence? Why do you think this is more difficult for you?
What baggae do you carry around with you? How do you think this affects your relationship with God?
Does your relationship with God resemble an "in love" relationship? How so, or how not?
As Paul evaluated the situation in Galatia, he recognized that they were missing the point. He saw a tendency among some of the Jewish Christian to center their religious life in their Jewish identity. They believed circumcision and adherence to the law were vitally important, and they taught other Christians accordingly. Paul's answer to this issue is triking, both in its power and its simplicity. He says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision not uncircumcision counts for anything, but on faith working through love" (Gal. 5:6)
Imagine if we applied this line of thinking to our lives. What if you could truly sum up your life by saying, "The only thing that matters is faith working itself out through love"? I believe in love, and I can honestly say that I love God passionately. But there are many times when my life does not reflect the fact that faith working through love is all that matters. Take a minute to examine your lifestyle in light of Paul's words.
As you look at the way you interact with the people around you (both inside and outside the church), would you say those interactions are best characterized by love? Why do you say that?
Another testament to the power of love in our relationships with God is found throughout the psalms. It doesn't take much effort to find psalms expressing a profound love for God. I always find these psalms inspiring. THey push me to go deeper in my relationship with God. They tell me that there's still further to go -- that there's still more fellowship and intamacy with God to be had.
Take some time to meditate on the following psalms. Try to put yourself in the psalmists' shoes and feel the emotions they felt. How do these psalms compare to your relationship with God? Do you relate to them at all? Make some notes below. And if you find a gap between that the psalmist says and your own experience, consider stopping and asking, "Lord, please help me see You this way. Help me respond to You like this."
Psalm 4:7-8
Psalm 16:11
Psalm 28:7
Psalm 90:14
Psalm 119:111
Psalm 131:2
We have covered this concept briefly in earlier sessions, but it's absolutely foundational to the Christian life: The solution to loving God more is not simply trying harder. I'm sure there will be plenty of effort involved, but ultimately, loving God requires His work in our hearts. Remember that love is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Think about what that phrase means: fruits of the Spirit. They are the natural by-product of the Holy Spirit wokring in our lives, changing us from the inside out.
In light of this, it's completely appropriate (and necessary) for us to ask God for more love. We have plenty of reasons to lvoe God, but since we are dependent on Him for every aspect of our existence, we still need to rely on Him to produce love in us. Remember 1 John 4:19: "We love because he first loved us."
After going through the previous sessions, have you been asking God to increase your love for Him and for the people He has placed in your life? If so, what changes have you seen? If not, what is keeping you from doing this?
It's time to stop talkign about loving God and start spending time directly with Him. Use everything you've thoguht through in this session as you approach God. Be honest with Him about your lack of love for Him. Tell Him about your struggles and ask Him to produce more love in your heart. (You may find the prayer on the last page of Chapter 6 to be helpful in approaching God with complete honesty.)
Jesus, I need to give myself up. I am not strong enough to love You and walk with You on my own. I can't do it, and I need You. I need You deeply and desperately. I believe You are worth it, that You are better than anythign else I could have in this life or the next. I want You. And when I don't, I want to want You. Be all in me. Take all of me. Have Your way with me.
