Building a Relationship with God

Transcription

1 Building a Relationship with God BACKGROUND Scripture is given to us for instruction, as a means to salvation, as a guide for our life, as a way of knowing God, and as a way to live a life worthy of being called Christian. Studying the Bible can be both fun and serious. It is fun, because there are many joyful discoveries awaiting those who dig into the Word of God. It is serious, because the Scriptures are the ground on which all of us stand before God. Inductive Bible study encourages the use of our cognitive side. That is, we use our logic and reasoning. Inductive study is all about getting the facts, assimilating them, and then interpreting them, to gain a better understanding of what the Scriptures say and how God speaks to us through them. Inductive Bible study is only one way of listening to what God may want to say to us. Another way is by listening with our hearts. This kind of study is more intuitive and less formal than inductive Bible study. We can listen differently through the practice of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, meditation, and journaling. These spiritual disciplines help us not only to connect with God, but also to connect with ourselves. The spiritual journey is described as a journey within. In fact, spiritual disciplines help us close out distractions so that we find ourselves alone with God. This helps us to hear, know, and understand God in new ways. Actually, the better way of understanding what spiritual disciplines are is to experience them. By combining inductive Bible study and spiritual disciplines, we get a well-balanced understanding of, and interaction with, Scripture. PRAYER Prayer is the most common of the spiritual disciplines. However, Christians seldom explore prayer, other than in a corporate way. There are many forms of prayer, and prayer accomplishes many types of things. In the Bible, we can see examples of prayers of petition or asking God for something. There are prayers of confession, of praise, and of adoration. We pray on behalf of others, and we pray for healing, salvation and understanding for ourselves. We can pray using Scripture as our guide. We can pray using what is called guided prayer, where we imagine ourselves in a setting where we encounter God or meet Jesus. The web site, helps people pray using the daily news stories as a beginning point. There are methods of prayer with strange names, such as lectio divina and consciousness examen. (See student handouts, pages ) Prayer is an attitude as well as an action. An attitude of prayer means you know you are in God s presence. A proper attitude assumes that something will come from this encounter, but that something will not be tangible. Perhaps the most you can say with prayer or any other spiritual discipline is that you spent time with God. Prayer assumes that a conversation happens between the pray-er and God. Prayer is a means to deepen one s relationship with God. Prayer is something that cannot be totally explained; it must be experienced. Through trial and error, each of us finds the ways of praying that work for us. Even when we find a comfortable way to pray, we should continue to explore other ways of speaking to and listening for God. Creative Bible Study: Building a Relationship with God 115

2 Prayer is like talking to and listening to a friend. As in conversation, prayer helps us to understand the other, to become familiar with and trust the other. In prayer, of course, the other is God. In the lesson, Scripture and Prayer, much time is spent cultivating and encouraging personal prayer, which seems to be the form of prayer most unfamiliar to teens and preteens. In fact, it is also unfamiliar to many adults. The students are more likely to have seen and experienced prayer in a group setting, such as a Bible study, prayer group, or worship service. It is less likely that they have seen examples of how people pray when they are by themselves or in informal settings. Personal prayer requires commitment. Because it is private, no one will be watching to see if you are actually praying. Personal prayer, like community prayer, is something that becomes easier with practice. It is therefore important to make an appointment with yourself to pray, and keep that appointment, whether you feel like it or not. One person in ministry stated that he prayed an hour a day, except on busy days, when he prayed two hours. That is to say, he did not let a busy schedule keep him from his daily discipline of prayer. Prayer can do many things for body, mind, and soul. Through daily personal prayer, we can get things off our chest, which can help reduce tension and anxiety. Even if the concern or issue is not resolved, we may feel that it can be put away for a while. We may also feel we are not alone in facing problems. This can have a healing effect and give a more positive outlook. Community or corporate prayer also gives a feeling of not being alone. If others pray about your concern, you may experience the caring support you need to give you a positive lift. Corporate prayer works best when the group has talked about the theme or requests before prayer. When praying as a group, remind students that not everyone is comfortable praying out loud. Silent prayers, read prayers, or prayers led by a leader are three types of group prayer. MEDITATION Meditation is related to prayer, but, in a way, is less formal. Scripture may also be a beginning point for meditation. Meditating is an expectant waiting. Unlike in prayer, there is little or no conversation. Rather, the person waits for something from God. It is like waiting for a response to an important question. Meditation is uncomfortable for many, because of the silence, the waiting. When we meditate, we open ourselves up to any kind of response from God. The response comes in God s time and in God s way. We are not in control. Meditation is an ancient Christian practice. Jesus often went out from the crowds to pray and meditate. Abraham, being a nomad, likely spent time in meditation as he traveled on foot or by pack animal. Moses would have had time to meditate as he tended sheep in the wilderness. Meditation is actively listening for the voice of God. Meditation anticipates God coming to us in our thoughts, or perhaps through signs in nature, such as feeling the warm sun on the face. Monks and nuns throughout the church s history used meditation as a way to listen to God and obey God s will for their lives. It was part of their discipline to develop a deeper relationship with God. Christian meditation always centers on God and what God has to say to us. Because we both want to and don t want to hear what God wants to say to us, meditation can feel odd and somewhat scary. Meditation seems to work best when we are doing mundane tasks that are repetitive and do not require our whole attention. Thus, some might be able to meditate when they are washing dishes, mowing the lawn, or walking to and from Creative Bible Study: Building a Relationship with God 116

3 school. Sometimes, meditation is enhanced through repetition of phrases and short sentences. These sentences help the person center thoughts on God, preventing meditation time from becoming merely daydreaming time. WHAT IS JOURNALING? A diary keeps an account of daily events. A blog is a reflection about personal events or about anything at all. Often it is a stream of consciousness piece. A journal is different from either of these. A journal may begin at several places. It may begin with the day s events or a specific event, person, or experience. A journal may begin with a Bible study, or Bible verse, or meditation. From these and other beginnings, a journal is a way to explore the self. Journaling can help us explore how we feel and are affected by what we experience. It is a way to look inward. Journaling is a spiritual discipline. It helps us reflect on who we are and who we are becoming as Christians. Journaling can help us examine what we are doing and why; how we feel about our lives and world; how we are growing and changing. Journaling allows us to respond to thoughts, prayers, and experiences. We can write about how close or distant we feel from God, and why. As we write, things may emerge of which we haven t been aware. Sometimes, just the exercise of writing things out helps us make connections and gain new insights. We may uncover strengths and feelings we did not realize we had. New worlds and possibilities may open up for us through journaling. The most difficult part for a beginner is beginning. Often, people do not know what to write or how to write. The open-ended structure of journaling may be confusing, or too unstructured for some. This can be partly overcome through an invitation to consider one or two opening questions. In step 4 of Lesson 14, questions have been suggested for reflecting and writing on various Scripture passages. Many people begin journaling by writing down typical diary entries, such as the weather, a list of the day s events, and so forth. Encourage students to begin this way, if it is more comfortable for them. Assure them that there is no correct way to begin. It is most important to begin, and to continue writing. Invite them to keep writing, even if the sentences do not make a logical paragraph. Encourage them to write down random thoughts. Sometimes we need to clear out the clutter in our minds. The eventual goal is to develop a focus in the writing. If at times students feel they have no more to write, it s okay for them to stop and reflect on what they have written. It might also help students to set a goal of two or three pages of text each time they write. Creative Bible Study: Building a Relationship with God 117

4 Building a Relationship with God LESSON 12: SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER Objective To become more familiar with the practice of prayer. Key Concepts Prayer is a conversation with God. The Bible tells about prayer and gives us examples of prayers. There are many different types of prayer, for many aspects of life. There are different ways to pray. Estimated Lesson Time: 45 minutes Materials Student Bibles Bible study tools Pencils and paper Overheads, Prayer Is... and Kinds of Prayer (pp ) Student handouts, Conciousness Examen and Lectio Divina (pp ) Teacher Preparation 1. Prepare overhead transparencies and handouts, as listed in Materials. You may also wish to make copies of the overheads to hand out to students. 2. Make sure Bible study tools are available. INTRODUCING THE LESSON Thinking about prayer. Hand out pencils and paper and ask students to list three of the most important things they know about prayer. Then ask them to write instructions on how to pray. Get a sampling of responses from the group. LESSON STEPS 1. Different kinds of prayer. Using the overheads, Prayer Is... and Kinds of Prayer, descriptions in the Background notes (pp ), and the two student handouts, explain some of the different kinds of prayer. Which kinds of prayer do the students know best? Have they ever watched someone pray? In what setting? What did they observe? 2. Prayer in Scripture. Divide students into groups and assign each group one of the following passages from Luke: Luke 13:34 Luke 11:1-5 Luke 11:5-13 Luke 2:25-32 Luke 23:32-34 Luke 22:

5 Using their Bible study skills and Bible study tools, ask the groups to glean as much about prayer from these passages as possible. Explain that some of the passages include a prayer, and some talk about prayer. What new insights about prayer can they bring to the rest of the class? After a time of study, have the groups share their findings. 3. Experiencing prayer. Explain that you will introduce different types of prayer at this time. Have everyone sit upright, feet on the floor, legs uncrossed, and hands on their laps, naturally. This position puts less stress on the body and helps with concentration. Invite the students to listen as you read the Lord s Prayer aloud (Luke 11:2 or Matthew 6:9ff). Read the prayer more than once. Then ask the class to recite it with you. Repeat it more than once. Then ask the class to pray the prayer silently. Invite reflection on how they experienced this prayer. Next, ask the students to close their eyes and listen as you read Luke 11:5-10. Then lead them through the following guided prayer. Use your own words or simply read the following: Imagine you are in a place that is beautiful and comfortable. Imagine the sights, sounds and smells of the place. It can be a sunny beach, or a secluded forest, or a room in your home anywhere. (Pause) Now imagine that you see a door you never noticed before. Go to it and knock. (Pause) After a moment, the door opens, and there is Jesus. He greets you with a warm, friendly smile. Then he asks you what you would like to ask him. Imagine what you would say to him. (Pause) What does Jesus reply? Continue the conversation, perhaps asking something else, perhaps talking more about what Jesus said to you. (Pause) Now Jesus says goodbye, but he wants you to remember you can always knock on this door again. Say your goodbye to Jesus. (Pause) Allow time for students to reflect on this prayer experience. Let them know they do not have to share if they would rather not. Invite students to sit in groups of 4-6. (This exercise works best if the groups have equal numbers of participants.) Give each group a lighted candle or a batterypowered candle. Explain that the candle represents the presence of Christ. Each person in the group is asked to hold the candle for a time. As each one holds the candle, the others in the group pray for that person. Some things they might want to include are: thankfulness for the gifts of that person, prayer for strength, faithfulness, godliness, light, or perseverance for that person, etc. They might also give encouragement for that person and his or her relationship with God. Prayers may be said aloud or silently. You may either be a timekeeper and guide the students on when to pass the candle to the next person, or simply tell the students that each person may choose how long to hold the candle. After each one in each group has had a chance to hold the candle, allow time for open sharing and reflection on how students experienced this form of prayer. 119

6 EXTEND THE LESSON (These activities will extend the lesson to longer than 45 minutes.) Circle prayer. Gather the class into a circle, and ask the students to share any concerns they may have. Also ask for any joys. Memory passage. Though the next memory passage, Psalm 119: , might be best begun after the next lesson, it might also be appropriate to introduce it now. This is a good passage to end the lesson, because it reminds us of God s faithfulness to us and of our part in being faithful to God. To be read by: Reading Schedule for Luke Lesson 1 Luke 1 Lesson 2 Luke 2 Lesson 3 Luke 3-4 Lesson 4 Luke 5-6 Lesson 5 Luke 7-8 Lesson 6 Luke 9-10 Lesson 7 Luke Lesson 8 Luke Lesson 9 Luke 15 Lesson 10 Luke 16 Lesson 11 Luke Lesson 12 Luke 19 Lesson 13 Luke Lesson 14 Luke 22 Lesson 15 Luke 23 Lesson 16 Luke

7 Prayer Is A conversation with God. A way to express thoughts and feelings to ourselves. A way to share joys and burdens with others. A way to build a deeper relationship with God. Something that can be spontaneous or written out and read. A way to affirm God s presence in our lives. 121

8 Kinds of Prayer Adoration expresses love for God Psalm 100 Lament expresses sadness and grief 2 Samuel 1:19-27 Benediction a prayer of blessing Psalm 127 Confession admits wrong doing Nehemiah 9:26-31 Invocation invites God Psalm 117 Intercession on behalf of someone else Genesis 18:20-33 Petition asks God for something Psalm 102 Thanksgiving thanking God Luke 1:

9 The Consciousness Examen (Adapted from Ignatian Exercises by Marlene Kropf) This short prayer exercise helps us discover how God has been present to us throughout the day, and how we have responded to God s love and call. Practiced daily, usually at the end of the day, the examen brings healing and a feeling of closeness to God. 1. Prayer of the Openness of the Spirit Begin by asking the Spirit of God to illuminate your reflections as you think about the events of the day just past. Ask for wisdom to discern God s voice and guidance in your life. You may want to spend a few moments in silence before you begin the examen. Lighting a candle or listening to prayerful music can help you focus on God s presence. 2. Prayer of Thanksgiving Look back over the day and become aware of God s gifts to you. Don t choose things for which you think you should be thankful; instead, simply let the events and people of the day pass before your mind s eye and give thanks for all you have been given. 3. Prayer of Confession Look over the events of the day again. This time, ask for grace to recognize your sin. Wait quietly until the Spirit reveals what needs attention. Where did you fail to respond to God s gifts? When did you ignore or turn away from God s love? What happened in your relationship with other people? Were you faithful in carrying out your Christian responsibilities and opportunities in the world? How are you being called to change and grow? Pray for God s Spirit to cleanse you and set you free from sin. Be assured of God s abiding grace and of the forgiveness for which you ask earnestly. Give thanks for God s faithfulness. 4. Prayer for Guidance Look ahead to the next day. Offer your hopes and concerns to God. Ask God to supply your needs. Give yourself up to God s care, and rest in the certainty of God s everlasting love for you. 123

10 Lectio Divina This exercise was developed over 1500 years ago by an order of monks called Benedictines. Lectio Divina literally means sacred reading. God s word can change us. Lectio Divina is a way to reflect on God s word so that it gets deep into our consciousness and begins to change us to be more effective followers of Jesus. If we devote ourselves to meditate on the Word of God for a few minutes every day, we will gradually be changed, the way yeast acts on dough. 1. Reading Under the eye of God Begin by consciously placing yourself in God s loving presence. You will want to spend a few minutes in silence, light a candle, pray for openness, or listen to quiet, prayerful music. Read through the chosen Scripture in a slow, thoughtful way, listening to God s word to you. It is best to read the text out loud slowly perhaps several times. At the beginning, it may be best to select just a few verses. 2. Meditation When your heart is touched Read the text until you come to a word, phrase, or sentence that attracts you or touches your heart. Stop to re-read the phrase, savoring its goodness and sweetness, in much the same way that you would delight in slowly eating your favorite meal. You may want to jot down the words or phrases. Especially if the text is a story or poem, you may want to let yourself enter into the actions, images, or mood. Let your thoughts and imagination be a part of the meditation, but keep it focused on the Scripture. 3. Personal Prayer Expressing to God what is on your heart Respond to God in prayer silently, aloud, or in writing. You may be prompted to give thanks or make a confession. You may want to respond to a warning or an invitation, note some connection with your life, mood, or need, or pour out your heart to God. You may want to intercede for others. This is a prayer of the heart. 4. Contemplation Giving yourself up to love Rest in God s presence. Wait silently. Thank God for being with you and loving you. Allow yourself to feel held by God tenderly, lovingly, peacefully. This also may be a time for writing and journaling, recording what God has given you in prayer. 124