43: Learning the Way of God More Openly

The Neighborhood Church

We meet a group of believers who have only caught the first few episodes of the Story God is telling through the Holy Spirit. In fact, these disciples have never even heard of the Holy Spirit! There's something we can learn from a community that's open and eager to respond to the fresh wind of God in their midst. Can we say the same for the Church in America today? Is our faith open yet anchored enough to walk into the next chapter of the Story? Or are we too rigid and closed to the movement of God that we miss out on the adventure? NOTES -- // SCRIPTURE FOCUS -- Acts 19.1-10 // Which kind of faith? - Rigid or anchored? - Settled and stuck or expandable and evolvable? - Closed or open? // The Holy Spirit is the birthright of every child of God, not an add-on or an "advanced degree" of spirituality. The gifts the Spirit gives may differ but the Gift of the Spirit's filling and forming presence that joins us to the life of Christ is for all who believe. // The Holy Spirit directs and oversees our formation – knowing what we need to grow into the image of Christ when & how we're able to receive it. Can you look back & see how the seasons shaped you along the way? // REFLECT -- - What aspects of your faith, practice, or theology have changed or evolved? - What aspects of your faith, practice, or theology have stayed anchored throughout your journey? - How open are you to discovering new frontiers of understanding, experiencing, and living with God? - How do you discern and decide which of these new expressions of faith are worth pursuing? // There is more of the Ocean of grace to dive into, discover, and experience. Stay anchored but stay curious. // No one finds that doesn't seek. - These 12 watched and waited... - Those others in the synagogue claimed their desk in the Kingdom of God 101 class... - This community should expect that God has more for us yet...