Mission Forum Spiritual Discernment for mission! ‘Dwelling in the Word’ Listening to the word through another

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We listen to the Word ‘Through a friendly looking stranger’ The Word speaks to us, sometimes moving us forward, sometimes making us think differently about what is happening in our lives, churches, world.

We pair up with a ‘friendly looking stranger’ Someone prays for God’s Spirit to guide, then reads a passage aloud. The group sits quietly, dwelling in silence inwardly asking… what speaks to me from this passage – a word, a thought or a question. Here’s the process :

So - remembering what struck them from the passage. one shares this with the other. the other listens deeply to them (and remembers). Then share the other way – listening deeply. So each member learns where that other person’s imagination has been caught by a word, a sentence or raised any questions.

Then find another couple – so there are four persons. Each - in turn, shares what they heard their partner say. The partner may not correct them as they are sharing till finished– because they are saying what they heard. A general sharing from each four may then follow to listen for common threads patterns which may shed light on the current situation or thinking.

OK lets do it... Find a friendly looking stranger…pairs. Remember it is about listening Pray for the guidance of God’s Spirit.

Romans 10 v 13 to 17 (example) "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone proclaims to them? 15 And how can they proclaim unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

One shares what struck them from the passage as the other listens deeply to them Then share the other way – listening deeply.

Find another couple Each person share what they heard from their first partner - from the passage – till all 4 have spoken. Then share common themes amongst whole group Edited by Canon Roger Medley 2014 From Church Innovations c2008