Should I Attend a 40 DoC Small Group? Yes…but
Perhaps you are wondering if I am against this whole 40 Days of Community campaign. Well, if you are wondering whether you should go, my answer is a qualified YES. My qualification is this: if you have your ears perked up on alert, if you rely on the scriptures and the Holy Spirit to test all things, if you read all the scriptures being referred to in context… you can handle anything that comes at you. This is not to give the green light to approve every teaching out there; we should desire to eat good fruit and not to have to spit out 90% sinew for a measly 10% meat, but it is to say that if your church has begun a program that you don’t agree with, staying home probably is not the best thing to do. You can be of help to others if you read the text with an open mind, test what is being said and bring discernment to the group.
I’ve been thinking pretty hard about this. I am reminded of my thoughts about sending my children to public school to be exposed to ungodly teachings about evolution, self-fulfillment, and other worldly philosophies where they will meet ungodly people that could thwart their lives… and I’m reminded of what Jesus said in Matt 10:16 (NASB): “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” My children have the distinct advantage of having parents that are going to help them in the midst of the trouble. But if we teach them well, they will become extremely strong through this process. I have written this blog with you in mind — that your eyes may be opened to the truth so that you would be discerning in what teaching you digest.
For our part in the church, there should not be a time when we stop testing the things that are being told to us. We cannot let our guard down, relax and assume the spiritual coast is clear and all is safe.
“Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not extinguish the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt. But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. Stay away from every form of evil.” — 1 Thess 5:19-22, NET.
Posted: July 27th, 2006 under General.
Comments: 2
Comments
Comment from Elaine
Time: May 18, 2008, 5:03 am
Hello Ryan,
I hope that is your name. We are at present beginning our 40days of Community, and I have been struggling with myself as to whether I should attend it. I have read what you have written with great interest and it makes a lot of sense. My first instinct was to avoid our small group and church, but I realised that God instructed us Himself through Paul not to give up meeting together, and that I am going to church to worship Him. So I asked Him to keep my eyes and ears open as I attended worship today, and realised that God was indeed helping me to discern what was good in the message.
After reading your evaluation I will think and pray some more about it. I think your message is an answer to my prayer about this subject.
Thank you for listening,
Elaine
Comment from Ryan
Time: June 6, 2008, 11:08 pm
Hi Elaine,
Sorry for the late response. It seems that version of wordpress is not notifying me when there are comments. I’m glad I stopped by to check.
I appreciate your feedback and your letting me know what you are going through as your church begins another Purpose Driven 40 Day Campaign. I went through the same struggle as you are likely going through. I will be praying for you that God will give you and your family wisdom as you seek Him.
Remember the following verses and put your faith in these words from God because He is faithful and true to His Word to fulfill it:
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
(James 1:2-6 NASB)
Let me know how things go. Hopefully your small group is open to you raising questions during the discussion and expounding more clearly on the word where God has given you wisdom. Come across humbly and not as one who is superior, but one who is sincere and who loves God, His way and His truth with all her heart. If you need some assistance, feel free to checkout my earlier posts which go over the beginning chapters of the book and the first one or two videos. I ran out of steam before I got through the book as my pastor asked me to shut down this website and I got kicked out of my small group being led by an elder. Perhaps your response will give me the energy to continue posting and to finish off the chapters I left undone and also perhaps address other issues I have wanted to address in this blog.
Thanks for stopping by!
Love in Christ,
Ryan
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