6 Subversive Acts: Revolutionary Community
Week #5
Opening Reflections.
Where have you seen God at work in your life this week?
Share any brief examples and encouragements.
Was there anything from Sunday’s message (from Pete Greig) which resonated with you or that you felt resistance to? Anything else you particularly noticed?
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, ‘Cornelius!’
Cornelius stared at him in fear. ‘What is it, Lord?’ he asked. The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.’
Acts 10:1-6
1. The first thing Alan Scott prophesied to Emmaus Rd. was the coming together of compassion and prayer ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.’ v.4
- Why do you think compassion and prayer are such a powerful combination?
- There are many expressions of these in Emmaus Rd at the moment, but how do we become even better at the things God is inspiring us to as a church community?
2. The next thing Alan spoke about was enterprise, cultural leadership and wealth creation
- Is this something God might be calling you to?
- How can we become a community in which these things can thrive?
- How can we all support enterprise, cultural leadership and wealth creation? How should we be praying?
3. The third thing Alan prophesied over us was monastic and apostolic multiplication. (He had no idea about the opportunities coming through a partnership between 24/7 Prayer and CWR at Waverley Abbey House to establish a House of Prayer)
- Is this something God might be calling you to?
4. The final thing in the passage relates to culture and race. When he saw the Spirit moving on these Gentiles, Peter says, ‘‘I now realise… that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” v.34
- Have you ever become aware of ways in which you show favouritism to some people over others?
- Are there people who make you feel uncomfortable? What sort of people do you avoid if at all possible? Why do you think that is? (Is it fear, shame, guilt, embarrassment, or something else?)
- How can we better show honour to those of other ethnicities and cultures?
5. Pete Greig posted on social media this week, “I hear a lot of preachers say that racism is a heart issue. But it’s insufficient to repent alone of a systemic sin in the privacy of my own heart… A heart that is changed will set about changing systems and structures. Now is the time to pray but also to protest. To lobby the powers, to rewrite the laws, to roll up our sleeves and reform the culture in a thousand calculated ways.”
On Sunday, Natalie (https://www.pursueinspire.com) spoke about her sense of fatigue, of being overwhelmed and emotionally drained – feelings triggered by the recent unlawful killing of George Floyd.
- Do you think Pete is right? What can we do to change our culture and communities for the better?
- What could you do?
- How can each we lend our voice to make a difference right now?
Closing Reflections.
Is there anything you will take away from this study and discussion?What has stood out that you can take into your week ahead?
Pray together (in pairs or small groups) for each other, in response to your answers.
