Pastor Cymbala shares how he plans a service but allows for plans to change if the Spirit is working, like in the story he shared in the beginning of the chapter of a testimony shared by a former drug addict led into an invitation to receive Jesus Christ instead of the third song the choir had planned to sing. (p. 39-40) n n1. How sensitive do you feel that you are to the leading of the Spirit in your life?
2. How does one capture a greater sense of leading from the Holy Spirit in their life? Read Psalm 46:10 together. What is the connection between stillness and knowing God?
Interestingly enough so much of worship in Psalms was planned. It was designed to illicit a specific response. I firmly believe in structure or parameters in worship for the good of the body but not to the point where there is no room for spontaneity.
4. A large part of the chapter is the testimony of Roberta Langella. How did Roberta's testimony of God's grace in her life impact you? What did her story reveal about who God is?
When Roberta found herself at the altar declaring her desperation to God and surrendering her life to him, she said that "From that point on, I began to believe that God loved me...I knew-I really knew deep down-that God loved me and accepted me and I could relax in His love." (p. 44-45) n n5. Why did it take Roberta reaching the place of desperate surrender to God before she could believe that God loved her?
I think to often people find it hard to believe that God really loves them. Sometimes a person has to reach the point that they understand that Christ is the only way. Then and only then can God make them new in his image.
I would say when faith enters the picture it's easier to relax in God's love. We've seen what God can do and it strengthens it just makes it easier to "let go and let God" as the song says.
8. What do you understand Pastor Cymbala to mean by the following comment: "Prayer cannot truly be taught by principles and seminars and symposiums. It has to be born out of a whole environment of felt need." (p. 49)?
I think he's saying that it's wonderful to understand to that we should pray but's it's most important that we be willing to cry out to God. Let him know how we are hurting and praise him because we know He is our only hope.
Many of us would affirm that "prayer is the source of the Christian life, a Christian's lifeline." (p. 50) Cymbala follow that statement up by saying that the greater emphasis on teaching in today's churches is producing limited results because many listeners do not have an active prayer life. n n9. What is your response to that statement?
11. In Genesis 4:26, we read, "At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD." What would it mean for us to "call on" the name of the Lord with all of our heart and soul?
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What is something that you really enjoy doing that many other people really wouldn't enjoy at all?
I love maps and directions. Mapping out a route
Pastor Cymbala shares how he plans a service but allows for plans to change if the Spirit is working, like in the story he shared in the beginning of the chapter of a testimony shared by a former drug addict led into an invitation to receive Jesus Christ instead of the third song the choir had planned to sing. (p. 39-40)
n
n1. How sensitive do you feel that you are to the leading of the Spirit in your life?
I think that as I've gotten older I'm less flexible on some things but more sensitive to where the Holy Spirit is leading
2. How does one capture a greater sense of leading from the Holy Spirit in their life? Read Psalm 46:10 together. What is the connection between stillness and knowing God?
That verse comes at a place where people are exhibiting a glad response to who God is and what he does. (His Power) I need to stop and recognize that.
3. What do you think the balance should be between spontaneity and following the plan for a church service?
Interestingly enough so much of worship in Psalms was planned. It was designed to illicit a specific response. I firmly believe in structure or parameters in worship for the good of the body but not to the point where there is no room for spontaneity.
4. A large part of the chapter is the testimony of Roberta Langella. How did Roberta's testimony of God's grace in her life impact you? What did her story reveal about who God is?
I think Roberta's story is picture of God's grace
When Roberta found herself at the altar declaring her desperation to God and surrendering her life to him, she said that "From that point on, I began to believe that God loved me...I knew-I really knew deep down-that God loved me and accepted me and I could relax in His love." (p. 44-45)
n
n5. Why did it take Roberta reaching the place of desperate surrender to God before she could believe that God loved her?
I think to often people find it hard to believe that God really loves them. Sometimes a person has to reach the point that they understand that Christ is the only way. Then and only then can God make them new in his image.
6. What is the difference between really experiencing God's love and just knowing it intellectually?
I guess it's one think to know about God's love (head knowledge). Once we've experienced it, it becomes heart knowledge.
7. Do you feel you have reached a place where you can "relax in God's love?" Why or why not?
I would say when faith enters the picture it's easier to relax in God's love. We've seen what God can do and it strengthens it just makes it easier to "let go and let God" as the song says.
8. What do you understand Pastor Cymbala to mean by the following comment: "Prayer cannot truly be taught by principles and seminars and symposiums. It has to be born out of a whole environment of felt need." (p. 49)?
I think he's saying that it's wonderful to understand to that we should pray but's it's most important that we be willing to cry out to God. Let him know how we are hurting and praise him because we know He is our only hope.
Many of us would affirm that "prayer is the source of the Christian life, a Christian's lifeline." (p. 50) Cymbala follow that statement up by saying that the greater emphasis on teaching in today's churches is producing limited results because many listeners do not have an active prayer life.
n
n9. What is your response to that statement?
Can't have one without the other. We have learn from His Word in order to understand how vital prayer is!
10. Would you describe yourself as a person who is devoted to prayer? Why or why not? How might a greater devotion to prayer change your life?
11. In Genesis 4:26, we read, "At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD." What would it mean for us to "call on" the name of the Lord with all of our heart and soul?
If we could and would call on the Lord with all of our heart and soul the revival could not be contained!