Thursday, February 17, 2011

A Converted Imagination

What Peter announces...is a conversion of the imagination: personal reconstruction within a new web of relationships, resocialisation within the new community, and the embodiment of a new life-world evidenced in altered dispositions and attitudes.


Joel Green on 1 Peter 1:3-12 in 1 Peter (Two Horizons Commentary)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

When Strong Is Wrong (Notes for Men's meeting)

When strong is wrong: why men need men

We can have an idea that, for a man, being strong means being able to cope – on our own. To be able to handle anything and everything that comes our way – and if we can’t, we’re weak and a failure. And so we never become vulnerable before others, we never admit our sin, we never seek help, we’re never truly real with anyone – we always wear a mask. And so the trouble goes on and gets deeper.

Not only is that perspective full of problems, it is also profoundly unbiblical. Paul is often seen as a loner but he had close friendships with a number of men. David and Jonathan exemplify biblical friendship (1 Samuel 20; 2 Samuel 1:26) and it may not be coincidental that David’s failures occur after the death of Jonathan (did he ever have a close friendship after Jonathan was killed?).

But perhaps the supreme example is our Lord Jesus Christ. Not only is he in the closest possible relationships in the Trinity but in his humanity he forged deep friendships with his disciples, 3 of them being particularly close. He expressed a need of their friendship, he was openly vulnerable before them and was open to being hurt by them (being betrayed by one he considered a friend).

Maybe there are reasons we draw back from deep friendships. It’s possible we have been hurt by those we thought our friends. Or we may fear our openness will be abused and our failures serve only to isolate us. Perhaps we struggle to truly acknowledge our sins before God and, hence, feel far too defensive to be open with other men.

Those who are married might say ‘But my wife is my friend...’.If she is, that’s a real blessing. But your role as her husband – as her protector – will mean there are times when you cannot share with her your vulnerability and weakness, for her own sake. And in those times, you’ll need someone else to stand alongside you.
But it isn’t just that we need friends because we’re needy. We need friends as examples and to be examples before. In friendships we not only receive but we give, we serve our brothers. It is a precious opportunity to honour our Lord Jesus by becoming like him in friendships.

Jonathan’s love for David was “more wonderful than the love of women”. That isn’t suggesting anything sinister in their relationship; it is simply highlighting the great blessing that real friendship as brothers can bring to us.


Questions for group discussion
§  What does a good friendship look and feel like?
§  What are some of the lessons we can learn from the friendship between David and Jonathan?
§  What stops us forming deep friendships? Why is it hard to do so?
§  How can we strengthen our sense of acceptance by God, so that we might feel more secure in discussing our frailties with others?
§  How can we work on developing true, lasting friendships with other men in the church?


Questions for personal reflection
§  Do I have real friendships with other Christian men?
§  Am I fearful of deep friendship? If so, why is that?
§  Have I been failed by a friend and deeply hurt by it? What is my response to that and how can the damage be repaired?
§  What practical steps can I take to develop close friendships?
§  Would it be helpful to talk over these matters with someone I trust?

Monday, February 14, 2011

Bible Study Questions - Philippians 1:27-30

Living the Gospel: The Letter to the Philippians
Study 5 – Philippians 1:27-30


Verses 27,28

1. The phrase 'conduct yourselves' means 'to live as citizens' (v.27). Where is the Christian's citizenship? Explore what that means in terms of our relationship to society. How is it supportive of society? Where is it in conflict?

2. What does Paul suggest it means to "live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ"? See vv.27b,28.

3. What obstacles do we face in seeking to stand firm in one spirit? How can they be overcome?

4. What is the focal point of our 'striving together'? How do we make sure that 'the main point is the main point'?

5. What grounds are there for Christians to be unafraid of those who oppose them?


Verses 29,30

6. Is suffering on behalf of Jesus only for some Christians? In what sense can it be said to 'go with the territory'?

7. In what ways might we personally experience something akin to what Paul has in mind here? Pray for one another in those struggles.

Saturday, February 05, 2011

Bible Study Questions - Philippians 1:18b-26

Living the Gospel: The Letter to the Philippians
Study 4 – Philippians 1:18b-26


Verses 18b-20

1. Paul has rejoiced in the gospel being proclaimed (v.18a) and continues to rejoice (v.18b) in the prospect of his deliverance.

What might his being delivered involve for him (v.20)?

How should his example help us when faced with difficulties and suffering?


2. What factors does Paul see as being involved in his deliverance (v.19)?

Why might he have chosen to refer to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of Jesus Christ”?


Verses 21-26

3. How do we know Paul’s approach to his deliverance was not passive and fatalistic?

4. Paul sees life in this world as being lived for Christ, in the service of his people.

How can we make that our own approach?

What would it look like if we lived that way – our attitudes, actions and prayers?