Category: Small groups

Purity

The Key to Answered Prayer

New Testament Passage

Matthew 5: 1-12

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Discussion Questions

  1. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also (Matt 23:26). Do we only look at the outward appearance? Or do we clean the inside (our hearts)?
  2. To see God means to be admitted to His presence. How often do we spend quality time with the Lord completely undistracted and filled with His love?
  3. To have a pure heart means to cleanse it from all falsehood and double-mindedness. It is to wholeheartedly, will one thing which is full and total allegiance to God. King David says, “Cleanse me and I shall be whiter than snow” – how do we strive for such purity?

Old Testament Passage

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Discussion Questions

  1. What does it mean to have a double mind? How can we practically keep our minds on the Kingdom and our Father in heaven?
  2. What obstacles can get in the way of achieving purity? Think of some obstacles in your own life and make a plan of action to overcome them.

Repentance and Confession

Repentance and Confession

Prayer

O’ Holy Father, who awaits the return of sinners, You promised that You are always ready to accept a repent heart. Look now upon my humble and miserable soul that was lost in the valleys of disobedience. I have tasted the bitterness of misery for too long when I strayed from You.

Now I come back to You to be purified, accept and do not reject me, for when You look at me with mercy and compassion, I will be cleansed and saved. If you turn away, I shall perish. Grant me O Lord, Your blessing to strengthen my will to come closer to You in faith and hope, to confess my sins and detest returning to them.

May Your Holy Spirit remind me not to stray. May You enlighten my heart so I can see the graveness of my sins and negligence and have the will to obey Your commandments and live for the Glory of Your Holy Name. Amen.

Repentance and Confession

Repentance and Confession

Quote

“Is our repentance driven from fear, Or out of sadness that we broke the heart of One who love us?”

Bishop Kallistos Ware

“Are you sad because you sinned, or because you saddened God’s heart? Is all you think about how to be rid of the punishment of sin, or do you desire to restore the love and relationship between you and God?”

Pope Shenouda III

Repentance and Confession

Repentance and Confessions readings

New Testament Passage

1 John 1:5-10

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

Discussion Questions

  1. The Lord is faithful in his promises. He wants to bless us and is waiting for us to come to Him so he may purify and bless us. How can we then show him that we are willing to be purified?
  2. When we go to our father of Confession. Do we go because we truly want purification or is it because we think we are obliged to as Orthodox Christians?
  3. How often do we prepare for confession, making sure all our sins are poured our before our father of Confession and our Father in Heaven?  

Old Testament Passage

Joel 2:12-27

““Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him— A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ” Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, And pity His people. The LORD will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations. “But I will remove far from you the northern army, And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, With his face toward the eastern sea And his back toward the western sea; His stench will come up, And his foul odor will rise, Because he has done monstrous things.” Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the LORD has done marvelous things! Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit; The fig tree and the vine yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.”

Discussion Questions

  1. Should my repentance mainly be an outward or an inward endeavour? Is it primarily, a matter of changing ones actions or of quiet reflection and prayer with the Lord?
  2. Joel tells us to “rend our heart” first, thus do we repent with our hearts before our actions? How can I make the repentance of my heart the first step, allowing it to be a platform for a more outward repentance?
  3. Is it wrong to do the outward actions (fasting, prostrations, and even confession) if I don’t feel that my heart truly desires to repent?

Fight the Good Fight

Prayer

“The Holy Spirit still speaks in each one of us! The Spirit teaches you how to conduct yourself, how to shake off burdens of your past, how to battle against giants, how to lift up your arms like Moses to defect the enemy; and God will straightway fight for you. I have hope in Jesus Christ that He will render these words useful to you that we might together be able to cross the great chasm that separates the life according to the flesh from the life according to the spirit. I pray that we might pass form authority and pull off the fleshly desires to submit to the tug of the Holy Spirit. And I pray that we might be filled with power and grace and all the gifts that are given us by Christ. Grant us, O Lord, to be victorious by You and to live for You. Amen”

– Extract from “Words For Our Time – The spiritual words of Matthew the Poor”

Fight The Good Fight

Focus Quote

St.Tikhon of Zadonsk was a Russian Orthodox monk who lived in the 18th century (1724-1783). He discusses some practical steps to struggle against sin:

  1. Repent; “Virtue is not true virtue when it is not within the heart. Therefore, correct your heart and your will and you shall be good and your outward deeds will be good, for the inwards is the beginning of the outward”
  2. Listen and obey the word of God
  3. Arm yourself for the battle through prayer
  4. Remember the presence of God
  5. Avoid all occasions that lead to sin
  6. Mediate upon your own death and final judgement

Fight the Good Fight

Readings

New Testament passage

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Discussion Questions

As Christians in a modern world, we consistently find ourselves fighting against the flesh and against the ever-changing social norms, particularly in a society which prides itself on subjective morality. Often in these times, we feel that we are so different from those around us which can make us feel isolated and can make us question whether we want to continue down the narrow path. Yet, we are in a battle in this world – we might not see it and we might forget about it, but it is real and ever present. How do we remind ourselves of spiritual warfare?

What are some struggles we face as Christians in modern day society?

What are some practical ways to overcoming feelings of helplessness in the spiritual struggle?

Another New Testament Passage

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against thewiles of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but againstprincipalities, against powers, againstthe rulers of]the darkness of this age, against spiritualhostsof wickedness in the heavenlyplaces.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstandin the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Ephesians 10:9-18

Discussion questions

When St Paul originally wrote this passage, he was using jargon familiar to his audience. What are some modern-day equivalents of the armour of God proposed by St Paul?

How can we utilise each aspect of the armour of God?

Spiritual Friendship

Prayer

Lord, teach us to value those whom You placed in our lives to lift us up in times of need. Give us the zeal to encourage each other always throughout all temptation and tribulations this life has to offer. May we always have the name of those near and far on our lips in prayer, that we may represent true friendship.

Help us, Lord, to come together in Your name so that we may readily invite Your presence into our lives. Give us the humility to pray for one another in the  spirit of unity, that You may always be the chain that holds us together in friendship.

Lord, we ask that You may come today to be our Friend. That our soul may be knit to Yours in the bond of perfection that is Love. That our desires and ambitions may imitate Yours in every direction our life leads us. And that You are the first Friend we run to whenever our hearts may be burdened. Amen