July 14, 2010 - Pentecost + 8

Luke 10:38-42
July 14, 2010

I was away on Sunday, July 18, but here for our worship on Wednesday, 7/14. Rather than preach a traditional sermon, we had a discussion about the gospel, about the many distractions that we encounter when we try to spend intentional time focused on our relationship with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit.

So here are some thoughts & questions to encourage you to join the discussion...

Read the story (Luke 10:38-42, linked above)
Spend a few minutes in silence to listen to what stands out about the story, what God is saying to you through it

What is it like to sit and listen
How often do we do this in our lives (daily or weekly)?
What kind of distractions do we have?
(Internal - our own thoughts, concerns, to-do lists, etc.
External - Outside distractions - TV, radio, Internet, other people)

Experiences when someone hasn't given you their full attention
Times when we have done this to others

The difference when we are fully present – what happens for us, for the other, for the relationship?
Balance between doing & being
Need to be able to get things done
But need to take time
– intentionally, deliberately –
to be with God
– to read, pray, worship, listen;
to be attended to & give our attention

When have we been able to do this?
What circumstances make it easier to take/make this time?

Gospel as an invitation to a mini-sabbath;
a chance to rest, to just be, to enjoy Jesus' company

Jesus wants to spend time with us
So take some of that time now in silence and see what he has to say...