We went to our first Bible study in a couple months last night. The church is wanting everyone to do the book of 'Rooted. Connect with God, the Church, Your Purpose' As we didn't go to the main campus and get our book last Wednesday, we got them last night. We also didn't have a chance to read the first chapter- that they had gone through the week before. But we have our books. In fact, they were supposed to have week 2 completed by this week so that it could be discussed.
Well, our leader is VERY talkative and he talked nearly the entire time, asking questions and getting other people to talk. Hubby and I just sat there quietly, pretty much. Towards the end they asked one of the questions in the book that we are to answer at the end of Chapter 1. It wasn't a hard question; we didn't need to read or study to answer that question. But they went around the room and had everyone respond to it. And that included hubby and I. I guess hubby didn't hear what we were to do, even though he sat next to the leader. He didn't answer the question, but referred back to a 'logic versus love' comment our leader had spoken of earlier. I was last. The question was put to me.
"What false or incomplete images of God do you have?"
I had listened to everyone else give their response. But now, it was my turn. All eyes were on me. I had thought about that question as it went around the room. And now, I had to give my answer.
"I don't want to sound arrogant or anything.... but I don't have any false or incomplete image of God. He is God and I am not. He knows all about me, and how things affect me. He knows what I need before I know I do. He is faithful; He is Sovereign. My image of God is He is Lord of all. He may not give me all I ask for. He may not do it when I ask Him to. He may confuse me with His responses ... but He is still God, and I am not. I grew up having a head knowledge of who God is, but once I gained a personal relationship with Jesus, all of that changed. He is Lord of All."
I saw a few heads nodding in agreement. Then the closing prayer was given and we started to leave. I still felt awkward at giving that response. I felt like I was giving the impression that I was so much more than they were - and that is so far from the truth. But I wanted to give an honest answer - and I could not think of anything false or incomplete in my opinion of God.
Our group has grown from before and I was thrilled that our Pastor's wife is in our group. I think our Pastor will be coming as well, but he couldn't last night. As soon as she saw me across the room when she came in, she told me, I want to talk with you about getting together. Surprised she even remembered, I nodded. After class, I waited to talk with her.
Remember my mentioning that we had invited the pastor and his wife out to dinner via email, then we went up and introduced ourselves one Sunday morning to both of them. It was determined the dinner would be Italian. But we never set a date. A friend told me that I probably shouldn't expect it to happen. So, hubby and I agreed we wouldn't mention it again. We'd let it go. It wasn't brought up until the pastor's wife did last night. She wanted my telephone number. She said that the pastor couldn't find my email so she didn't know how to get in touch with me (and Sunday mornings are crazy). So - now she has my telephone number and I guess I'll get a call at some point and we'll go to dinner. Actually, I'm glad God caused the time to pass before we connected. I really feel a bond with her, but some of the questions I wanted to ask - I've now got the answers for. One of them was about this book that we are now going through. It wasn't being promoted so much at our church. (I guess there are a total of about 300 who are actually doing the book). I was puzzled how it could be mentioned occasionally... but not promoted.. if we are to be doing it as a church. Were the pastors behind it or not? And I definitely got my answer to that last night when the pastor's wife showed up in our group! I'm looking forward to getting to know them both.
Other than the leader talking way too much, I think this is going to be a good class. Hubby and I have a lot to catch up on since we just got our books last night. I stayed up and read through the first part with the introduction. Now to work on the week's lesson. It just felt good to have a study to do again - and to do it with others. As much as I love to facilitate a group, hubby and I do not agree on the way to do it and if we had a group here, I'm afraid it would prove difficult for we both would want to lead it. We don't facilitate a class together well. We just have different opinions on how things should be done. Not that either is right or wrong. We are different people. He wants to tell people what to do; I want them to see and hear and learn and do it as they are lead. Does that make sense?
I'm going to leave you today with this same question. Take a moment and think about your answer. How would you answer this?
"What false or incomplete images of God do you have?"
Blessings!
