For 7/18/2010
As people of faith we know that God's guidance and wisdom are available to us as we make big and little choices about the direction our lives should take. This is true for us as individuals as well as for a congregation, a body of believers. Seeking this direction or wisdom is spoken of in church words as discernment. We look the story of a major league discernment experience, Paul's encounter on the road to Damascus. First a question to set the stage:
1. How would you define spiritual discernment? What do we need it for? What resources do we have for finding it?
Acts 9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
1. Was Paul seeking (attempting to discern) God’s guidance for him in this “religious” mission as he rode toward Damascus? What about him and his life might have reinforced his confidence that he was doing the right thing in arresting these Christians? This is what he says about himself:
Philippians 3:5-6 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
With this background would he even hesitate to oppose these Christian 'heretics"?
1. What are the elements of Paul’s dramatic discernment experience? How big a change must he make in his life? Was this something he would have expected in his wildest dreams?
2. What happened to Paul that day that changed the direction of his life? What are some events which can cause us to make a major reevaluate of the direction our life is taking?
3. What might motivate a desire for spiritual discernment for ourselves or a congregation? Do you think that God tries to get our attention? How might that happen?
4. These are the three things Paul learned on the road and in Damascus:
- “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!”
- Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do
- From Ananias three days later: the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
5. How much initial detail did he have for what he was to do in what turned out to be a world changing life? Did he set off with a complete game plan?
6. With this in mind what do you think he had to learn about setting the direction and specific actions he was to take for the rest of his life? As an illustration the following is an example of the way in which he pursued the mission God had given him:
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 13:4
6. What do you take away as lessons that can be applied to our lives?
A Man Seeks Discernment
Mark 10:17 As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?" 18-19Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, don't cheat, honor your father and mother." 20He said, "Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!"
1. What specifically is the man’s question? What does it say about him and his understanding of what God looks upon favorably?
2. What is Jesus’ response to the man’s question? What does obeying the commandments and by extension the Jewish law mean for a devout Jewish person of that time?
3. Why was he even asking the question, he had followed the law faithfully, why would he even feel he had to ask? What does it say about him and where he is in his life?
4. How might we phrase the question we would bring to Jesus as part of a personal or congregational discernment process? What could we cite that we have done personally or as a congregation to be faithful to God’s call to us?
Mark 10:21 Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, "There's one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me." 22The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.
1. How did Jesus react to the man’s answer? Why did Jesus love him and what does it say about seeking spiritual discernment?
2. Do you think that the man was expecting this type of answer to his question? What would he have to let go of in order to comply? (This scripture motivated St. Francis of Assisi to reject living as part of a wealthy family and claim a life of poverty.)
3. What is Mark’s evaluation of what caused the man to have a heavy heart (last sentence)? What is your reaction to Charles Cousar’s characterization of the things we “hold tight to”:
"anything that claims our highest loyalty, our ultimate concern, and prevents an uninhibited following of Jesus--not only wealth, but ambition, education, religion and the like…"
4. What are some of the strengths, important traditions and beliefs that we might be tempted to “hold on tight” and “not about to let go” as we seek God’s direction for us?
5. What do you take away from as inspiration and what questions do these scriptures raise for you?
Closing Prayer
O God who teaches the hearts of your faithful people by sending to us the light of your Holy Spirit; Grant us by that same Spirit to be enlightened in our minds, sanctified in our hearts, kindled in love and strengthened in faith. Amen
From the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England
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