Thursday Bible Study

  CONVERSATION WITH GOD_   If you want a picture of what it looks like to connect with God, you might start by looking at how God interacted with someone God called a friend. One such friend was Abraham (see Isaiah 41:8, 2 Chron 20:7 & James 2:23).   Abraham’s friendship with God was characterised by ongoing conversations. Recorded in Genesis 12-22 ( perhaps many more weren’t recorded), these conversations are filled with the back-and-forth elements of close communication – questions, guesses, reassertions , calculated pauses, statements of fear and doubt, careful restatements of each other’s thoughts.   Yet, how often do we neglect to learn the art of conversation with God?   Perhaps we don’t feel like we’re “good enough” to talk with God?   But if goodness were a qualification, Abraham would’ve been excluded.   For example, just after Abraham had a conversation with God (filled with miracles and visions), he showed a lack of confidence in G...

  JOHN’S VISION -   Praying with our bodies_     Standing, sitting, kneeling, lying down. Hands together, folded, open, cupped, held up, held out .   Eyes closed, eyes open, looking up, looking down.   Still, swaying, pacing , walking .   People use their bodies in prayer in very different (and sometimes creative) ways.   For as many different people as there are there are different ways to centre / focus ourselves and express ourselves in prayer.     [Group discussion starter] Think about (and share) some of the ways that you have used your body in prayer and worship. What emotions and inner attitudes does each body posture communicate to you? Are there ways that you would like to express aspects of prayer and worship with yo ur body, but are unable to?       A powerful vision causes John to use his whole body in worship. John’s prayerful response to the vision can inform the way we pray and help us to use ...