Sauna Chat 1

Ages ago I said I would post about the weekend away and the sauna chat. Below is some of what we (young Christian men) discussed in the sauna (regards being members of small groups in our church). These two are particularly focussed on how we act during the Thursday evening time we're together. Thanks to AH for writing these up.

Don’t turn up to share your ignorance

Study the passage on your own during the week ahead of the study. Do it in such a way that recognises that this is valuable time in and of itself – relational time between you and God, as he speaks to you through his word and you respond in prayer – not just in order to have something to say in the group. But then you will have something to say in the group, and not just acquired knowledge, but an experience of God and how you were challenged and convicted, or encouraged and excited by what he revealed to you. If you can’t be bothered to listen to God first, why should we take time out of our week to listen to you?

Don’t always leave it to the leader to get the study ‘back on track’

In a normal week, we only spend 1.5 of our week's allowance of 168 hours studying the Bible together, so let's make the most of it. Tying in with not turning up to share ignorance, let's make sure that we maximise the time we do have, and be taking the lead to keep the focus on hearing from God, not just keeping the banter going. Don't think that it's the leader's job to lead the study, and your job to provide the humour. It's your job to encourage the brothers and sisters with your presence and contributions, which may include comedy. Banter is good, laughter is a gift from God, but there is also a time to be serious about the word - know the difference. And consider this: how often is your banter about glorifying God, and how often is it about glorifying you? By contrast, how often is the Bible about glorifying you, and how often is it about glorifying God? Worth thinking about.