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Life Together
Conversations about
Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book by that name
Session 2
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The Day with Others
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In the following we shall consider a
number of directions and precepts that the Scriptures provide
us
for our life together under the Word." From "Life Together"
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Important things to remember:
- The day of the New Testament Church begins at Sunrise!
At daybreak we remember the morning that Jesus stepped out
of the tomb victorious over sin and death
- Every morning, not just Sunday morning, belongs to
the community of faith for: common praise, common hearing
the Word, and common prayer
- Common devotions need to include: Scripture reading,
song, and prayer.
- Salvation is being held together with God and with
each other only by and only through Jesus. Jesus is the
bridge of love between us all. We are to meet and receive
(be hospitable to) each other as we would Jesus himself.
- The Church was and is meant to be temporary. It was
and is meant to be a community in exile. The exile began
when Jesus rose from the tomb. It will end when Jesus returns
to gather home all who are his.
- The Psalms as prayers. Letting Jesus pray the Psalms
through us and for us. What has happened for us and to us
in the Cross of Christ lets us pray the Psalms. Prayer is
not alone … prayer is in fellowship with others (where 2
or 3 are agreed). One never prays alone. Jesus, by the Holy
Spirit, prays with us.
- Read the whole of Holy Scripture, not just book, chapter,
verse. Read morning and evening … with others if possible.
What kind of testimony do we have to our knowledge of Holy
Scripture? Devotions are each person hearing God's Word
in his/her own way according to the measure of his/her understanding.
We need to read Holy Scripture to each other aloud.
- We are to be a listening fellowship. Listening to
God. Listening to each other. Listening to ourselves
- What is important is that Jesus' life is alive in us!
Jesus cannot be alive in us if we are ignorant of Holy Scripture.
We need to allow Jesus to teach/admonish us through Holy
Scripture.
- Opening and closing the day with a hymn/song … joining
the voice of all creation in praising God …a song from the
heart … singing is uniting in "the Word"
- Prayer comes from the heart and from life together.
Prayer comes from listening to self, to others, to God!
- The fellowship of the table! It is about recognizing
Jesus as present! (Road to Emmaus!!) Know Jesus as giver
of all good gifts. Is about nourishment to enable the spread
of the Gospel! Three types of table fellowship: daily meals,
the Sacrament, and the Feast in the Kingdom
- Work … losing self by working. Getting beyond things
to God by doing all for God. Seeing God shine through the
work of the day! Taking time to pray at noon!
- Evening … time for intercessions and for reconciliation
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