Double Recap
In this session the group covered two lessons regarding A Life Grounded in Love. Through a Space to Love, we addressed intentional versus unintentional singleness. The Apostle Paul illustrates his struggles and gifts he experienced as a lifelong single. Through Jesus and His Friends, we looked at Jesus as a human and His need for human friends. Reflecting on both of these scriptures and embodying their meanings, personally, created awesome discussion!
Lesson 4 Space to Love | 1 Corinthians 7:25-35 (NIV)
25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgement as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. 27 Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife-- 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
Background & Breakdown to Discussion of the Scripture
As an unmarried (single) mane, Paul gives us his opinion or recommendation in which the Lord inspired.
The crisis Paul is possibly referring to "the distresses to which believers were then beginning to be subjected, making the married state less desirable than the single; and which would prevail throughout the world before the destruction of Jerusalem, according to Christ's prophecy (Matthew 24:8-21; compare Acts 11:28)."
Verses 29-31 are interesting because it can appear as if Paul is encouraging everyone to go by the saying that today's rappers, i.e. Drake and Kendrick Lamar, made popular -- YOLO, which is an acronym for You Only Live Once. However, in discussion, it was expressed by many that Paul wanted to encourage the people to NOT be of this world, but to only be in it (Romans 12:2); he wasn't encouraging reckless behavior, but rather a more spiritually-driven behavior (Verses 32-35).
It's extremely interesting when you really think about it... but you have to wonder when, where, how and why is the concept of "wanting what you don't have and having what you don't want" applying to you personally. Singleness has both its good and bad.. For some, mostly good... and for others, mostly bad. Nonetheless, it all appears to be a matter of whether you allow yourself to see the glass half empty versus the glass half full.
This conversation began with everyone considering both the trivial and substantial perks of the single lifestyle. You can imagine the variety of answers received but many consisted of one particular theme -- freedom -- freedom from considering others, freedom to dress up/down as one pleases, etc. After thinking about personal perks, regarding singleness, the following task was assigned:
Think of a single mentor, teacher, spiritual director or friend who has been especially important in your life. Were some of the gifts this person gave connected to his or her singleness?
One would think this question is simple and straightforward enough to result in multiple answers... Au contraire! Could it be due to not always maintaining the most positive perspective of singleness that when considering the specific question, as stated above, it's difficult to quickly acknowledge those references???
Eventually, some people were able to refer to their moms, aunts, etc.
To some, it's true that media prefers to paint a happy ending as one consisting of a love-relationship between two people, but is it impossible to have a happy ending in a state of singleness? Apostle Paul from the Bible experienced singleness for his entire life.
These are all great questions for you to think about and write your thoughts on.
To some, it's true that media prefers to paint a happy ending as one consisting of a love-relationship between two people, but is it impossible to have a happy ending in a state of singleness? Apostle Paul from the Bible experienced singleness for his entire life.
Lesson 5 Jesus & His Friends | Matthew 26:36-46
26:36-46pp -- Mk 14:32-42; Lk 22:40-46
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
Background & Breakdown to Discussion of the Scripture
According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica:
Gethsemane, garden across the Kidron Valley on the Mount of Olives (Hebrew Har ha-Zetim), a mile-long ridge paralleling the eastern part of Jerusalem, where Jesus is said to have prayed on the night of his arrest before his Crucifixion. The name Gethsemane (Hebrew gat shemanim, “oil press”) suggests that the garden was a grove of olive trees in which was located an oil press.
Though the exact location of Gethsemane cannot be determined with certainty, Armenian, Greek, Latin, and Russian churches have accepted an olive grove on the western slope of the Mount of Olives as the authentic site, which was so regarded by the empress Helena, mother of Constantine (the first Christian emperor, early 4th century ad). An ancient tradition also locates the scene of the Gethsemane prayer and betrayal of Jesus at a place now called the Grotto of the Agony, near a bridge that crosses the Kidron Valley. At another possible location, south of this site in a garden containing old olive trees, is a Latin church erected by Franciscan monks on the ruins of a 4th-century church.
In discussion, the group explored the various individuals who we each considered to have been a good friend over a period of time. We looked at how Jesus divided his followers into 2 groups -- Peter and the two sons of Zebedee were a bit of Jesus' inner circle and "had been witnesses of his transfiguration, and of one of his greatest miracles (Mark 5:37)."
We also reflected on Jesus' prayer he repeated in praying three times. The People's New Testament breaks Verse 39 down as follows:
If it be possible. If it were possible to save men, and carry out the divine work of redeeming them.
Let this cup pass from me. This cup is the betrayal, the trial, the mocking, the scourging, the cross, and all besides which our thoughts cannot reach.
But as thou wilt. This is an example of perfect faith--the faith by which alone answers to prayer can be obtained. He that insists on his will, when it is contrary to the will of God, fails in faith.
It was apparent that Jesus, the Son of God, required human friends to be present in his time of need. This scripture helped everyone to explore our various views of God's perception of friendship and personally evaluate the significance of our friendships.
Feel free to continue the party here on the blog! Comment, blog, question... Express yourself!!
~ Kind Regards ~
Cleao | Toniko
Background & Breakdown to Discussion of the Scripture
According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica:Gethsemane, garden across the Kidron Valley on the Mount of Olives (Hebrew Har ha-Zetim), a mile-long ridge paralleling the eastern part of Jerusalem, where Jesus is said to have prayed on the night of his arrest before his Crucifixion. The name Gethsemane (Hebrew gat shemanim, “oil press”) suggests that the garden was a grove of olive trees in which was located an oil press.
Though the exact location of Gethsemane cannot be determined with certainty, Armenian, Greek, Latin, and Russian churches have accepted an olive grove on the western slope of the Mount of Olives as the authentic site, which was so regarded by the empress Helena, mother of Constantine (the first Christian emperor, early 4th century ad). An ancient tradition also locates the scene of the Gethsemane prayer and betrayal of Jesus at a place now called the Grotto of the Agony, near a bridge that crosses the Kidron Valley. At another possible location, south of this site in a garden containing old olive trees, is a Latin church erected by Franciscan monks on the ruins of a 4th-century church.
In discussion, the group explored the various individuals who we each considered to have been a good friend over a period of time. We looked at how Jesus divided his followers into 2 groups -- Peter and the two sons of Zebedee were a bit of Jesus' inner circle and "had been witnesses of his transfiguration, and of one of his greatest miracles (Mark 5:37)."
We also reflected on Jesus' prayer he repeated in praying three times. The People's New Testament breaks Verse 39 down as follows:
If it be possible. If it were possible to save men, and carry out the divine work of redeeming them.
Let this cup pass from me. This cup is the betrayal, the trial, the mocking, the scourging, the cross, and all besides which our thoughts cannot reach.
But as thou wilt. This is an example of perfect faith--the faith by which alone answers to prayer can be obtained. He that insists on his will, when it is contrary to the will of God, fails in faith.
It was apparent that Jesus, the Son of God, required human friends to be present in his time of need. This scripture helped everyone to explore our various views of God's perception of friendship and personally evaluate the significance of our friendships.
Feel free to continue the party here on the blog! Comment, blog, question... Express yourself!!
~ Kind Regards ~
Cleao | Toniko
"It's true that media prefers to paint a happy ending as one consisting of a love-relationship between two people, but is it impossible to have a happy ending in a state of singleness?"
ReplyDelete-I think this is sooooo dependent on perspective. For me, on some days, when I think about the things that I am currently avoiding by being single, and the milestones that I've reached in the past year with or without a significant other, I'm perfectly content. On other days, I'm miserable when I think about the advantages of being in a relationship (especially when I have 1500 bags of groceries to drag in with no help :) ) I think a happy ending while single is possible, if you have resigned yourself to that idea or if you're a person whose urge for spouse, family, kids etc. was never that strong in the first place. It's difficult for ME to fully say "yes, I'd be happy if singleness is what God has in store for me"
Wow! Awesome point. (I adjusted the statement some -- so thank you!) I agree it depends on the person and what they personally define as a "happy ending". I think it definitely separates that individual from the "norm" though because it's everywhere -- in music, tv, magazines, etc. What's even crazier to me is the fact that a lot of these "happy endings" in the media promote fornication and other activities that may pose as a challenge for some single Christians that are interested in dating, also. I suppose, now that I'm thinking more about it, there's more categories to the Single Christian than many would think and it's all based on what we want as individuals.. I have days where I absolutely LOVE being single.. then, there are "those" days when I had a car... it would get snowed in and I loathed for those couple hours NOT having some masculine energy around... Haha!
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