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Session Outline:
Keep Your Options Open
This is a banner slogan in modern society. Where this seems to
reflect cunning and wisdom. Careful examination reveals that this line of
reasoning is largely a statement about maximizing your personal advantage and
often at the expense of others. With rare exception, it is greed based and
reflects the rampant individualism in modern culture. Many of today’s
self-help books are based upon this philosophy.
"Like the clown spinning pie plates--you can not be committed to
everything and be truly devoted to anything"
The Model of First Century Believers
The dramatic impact of first century believers on the world in which they
lived was marked by a radical commitment to certain values and practices. Rather
than an organization they were a living dynamic set of organic relationship
experiencing the power and presence of God. Where organizations may support the
work, the essence of the Church is living relationships built upon the truth of
the Gospel.
Acts 2:42 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to
the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Life Implication
Devotion - continued steadfastly, adhered to closely, were earnest toward.
True devotion involves limiting your options and prioritizing your values. You
do not keep all your options open.....you decide what is worth living for and
let the rest go.
Apostolic teaching — everything is built and based upon a commitment to Jesus
Christ and seeking first the Kingdom of God.
Fellowship - committed relationships are the context in which Christ and the
Kingdom are worked out in practical ways. Next to devotion to truth as the
foundation, it was their relationships with one another that was their second
priority. This is not a "spiritual cocktail party" but serious
business involving:
Vulnerability
Accountability
Provoking unto love and good works
Openness to influence
Commitment to others welfare, even if it is at our expense
Discussion Question:
In the light of the early Church model, how are your
presently devoting your time, energy and resources? Examine your current
commitments and note those areas that you need to re-prioritize. Do you have a
"devotion" to fellowship or reflect the tendency for men to be loners?
What can you see that you need to do in this new year?
to listen to the audio of the Session.
2/1/2003