Key Bible Passage(s):

Tier 1

The purpose of liturgy is to teach us what we should pray. That means that in our liturgy we will frequently find ourselves praying in ways that go beyond what we would naturally pray for, or even think to pray for. In this case - drawing on Rom.12:1-2 - we pray according to a vision of discipleship that is rooted in Scripture rather than our own ideas forour Christianity. We pray that we mgiht be a living sacrifice, putting our own agendas for life and faith on the back burner, whilst we prioritise the cause of the Gospel.

Tier 2

The idea of our transformation is actaully about the manifesting of who we truly are. We are praying that this transformation will be the effect of our having taken Communion.  We are turning our attention to life after the service, and asking that what we have done in our service will ahve prepared us for a life of ‘true and proper worship’ (Rom.12:1).

Sacrifice alone, bare and unrelieved, is ghastly, unnatural, and dead; but self-sacrifice, illuminated by love, is warmth and life; it is the death of Christ, the life of God, and the blessedness and only proper life of man.

F.W. Roberson

At this mid-point in the term, I’d recommend a shorter teaching session, and a meal, with (depending on your sitaution) a service of Commuion.

A Group discussion could be focussed on these more general questions:

How has this year of DTP affected your approach to / appreciation of / engagement with gathering to worship with the people of God?

What has changed in terms of how you prepare for a service and what you do after a service?

What still hinders you experiencing the transforming power of the Spirit through our services?  …or do you feel that you do experience it?

Homework: