Interaction

I’m doing something new. I’ve begun leading an “us group.” At our church these very small groups enable women to work and grow together on a very specific faith issue. Some study prayer. Some study food issues. Some establish mentoring relationships focusing on conquering areas of sin. Our group is learning to interact with the Bible.

Not study it. Not memorize it. Not read through it in a year. Interaction. That’s our focus. At the end of their time in the word (which I hope will grow to daily) I want my peeps to feel as though they’ve had a little conversation with God. I want them to experience God (via the Holy Spirit) in the text.

I’ll confess that I have almost no plan for our group, other than these rules:

There are no rules. No minimum amount of reading. No best time time of day. No translation. No maximum amount of reading. No formula. No magic opening prayer.

I’m hoping that because they are each uniquely created that their unique creator will lead them to the techniques, times, processes that will work for them.

I’ve told them that we’ll simply work on guided practice, though I’m not even sure what that means. I’ve told them that I’ll give them a new skill every week. (I hope I can come up with that many). I don’t have a book. I’m not following some mentor. I’m winging it. Flying by the seat of my pants. Pure and simple.

This week, beginning with chapter one of Luke, we were to use the skill, “Become someone in the story.” I did my homework yesterday and I have to admit, even I was a little shocked by what the Holy Spirit did for me.

I didn’t even get four verses in before I decided to become Luke himself. I envisioned myself sitting over a table, quill in hand, candle flickering in the darkness. I hadn’t gone very far before I noticed these words, “Many people have written accounts about the events that took place among us . . . Having carefully investigated, I have decided to write a careful summary for you . . . “

And suddenly, I was identifying with Luke as a writer (yes, I do think of myself as a writer). Notice that others had already taken on the job he was doing. (Like others before me have written about my subjects to my generation). Notice that HE DECIDED. In every other version this phrase is translated similarly, with some saying, “It seemed good to me.” Though Luke thought he was off doing his own thing, God was, in fact, using him to create a document that would be part of the most celebrated book in history. Luke apparently had no clue. So many details of Luke’s writing life matched mine.

Now I have no supernatural exposition to share here. But interaction followed my four verse quiet time. “Wow Lord, Luke wasn’t even writing about something new and different.” (as our publishers insist that we should) And “Wow Lord, he didn’t even know he was doing something in your plan.” And, “Could it be that once in a while you use me to write some little thing that is part of your big plan, even when I don’t know it?” Then the Lord and I had some words about that.

THAT, my friends is letting the Word come alive. (Perhaps better said: That is letting the LIVING WORD express Himself in your life). That is interaction. That is letting the Word speak, and you listen. Then you speak and the Holy Spirit listens. Then he leads you further down the road toward reflecting his image to the world.

What could be better? By the way, if you think of it, pray for me. I’m not sure what “skill” should come next. Any suggestions, friends?

Bette

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