Tuesday Night Blog, March 19, 2013

 

There are at least four purposes available for every small group. One is to loving group. This means we are to find ways to know each other and to care for each other in LOVE. The Second of the four purposes is to be a learning group. Not just to learn facts or to memorize the Bible, but to engage our brains in the pursuit of godly wisdom. Another purpose, our third option for groups, is to be a “Do” group. These groups excel in doing the jobs, works, and activities that need done in our church or community. Finally, the fourth option for a group is to be a “Deciding” group.

 

Our small groups have taken very seriously the task of loving and learning. A word of caution would be wise at this time. Many today read the bible in a more subjective manner, carrying some preconceived ideas to the text. Our lesson the last few weeks has been teaching us to ask, "what is the A.I.M." (the Author’s Intended Meaning) for each passage. Mark Moore’s material, ICR, can be seen at http://markmoore.org/. In this material we find ways to read and understand the Bible to help it be more effective and powerful in our walk for Christ today.

 

Let me give you an example. In Acts 20, after leaving controversy and problems behind in Acts 19, Paul arrives to preach on his way to Jerusalem. The people gather to hear him preach. Just like today, right? No. In Acts 20:7 we read that “we (the believers) were gathered to break bread together.” This is a key lesson we can learn if we seek the A.I.M. The Author is Dr. Luke, and he was there as a witness. Paul wanted to leave early the next day. Still, they were gathered together for the Lord’s Supper.

 

Two accidental or secondary items can take our attention. One is the mention that they met on the first day of the week. Second is the mention that their purpose was to take break bread. Other observations would include the speaker, Paul or the audience, including a young man named Eutychus who slept, fell out of a window, and was “taken up dead” before Paul took him in his arms and said, “Do not be alarmed, his life is in him.”

 

Each of these items can legitimately be a strong focus of discussion and or even for disagreement. Tonight, I can say conclusively that none of these items should be the key to understanding our passage. The author was reminding us of Paul's stated task, to be in Jerusalem, if possible, by Pentecost. (Acts 20:16)

 

Please understand that I am not trying to oversimplify what is one of our most important and difficult tasks. If we are to grow in CHRIST, our starting point is to be in the WORD, even before we change our habits, or even our hearts. Anyone, even a parrot can say these words, read them out loud, or hear them. Our task is to discover together what GOD the Holy Spirit, the true and original AUTHOR of the Bible intends us to learn. Ask yourself this question, “WHAT is HIS A.I.M.?” 

GOD Bless you tonight! big marv