By Cameron Silsbee 

Begin with prayer

Gather together as a Community in a comfortable setting. Take a moment to sit in silence in the presence of Jesus and each other. Have one person read Mark 10v46-52 over the group and then pray to ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your time together. 

Debrief last week’s Practice and the teaching 

  1. How did last week’s Practice of Lectio Divina go? Was there anything noteworthy from Philippians 3v4-11?
  2. What lies about yourself, others, the world, and/or God have you once believed that you no longer believe?
  3. How do you typically go about seeking truth? (e.g., ask friends/spouse/family/mentors, try to work it out logically in your mind, Google, prayer, research/read books, a mixed approach, etc.)

Read this overview

Jesus said, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Later in John’s biography of Jesus, Pilate, the Roman official overseeing the political trial of Jesus, asks him, “What is truth?” 

An interesting literary detail of how John wrote Pilate’s question is that the reader isn’t told how Pilate asked Jesus this question. Was he sarcastic? Perplexed? Amused? Curious? The reader isn’t told. In one sense, Pilate becomes a kind of Rorschach test for the reader. How do you read Pilate’s question? How would you ask that question to Jesus? Are you cynical, hopeful, or confused about this truth Jesus speaks of?

Do this Practice right now

Have each person either grab a pen and paper or use a note-taking app on their phone. Have one person volunteer to read aloud the list below of fifteen things true about followers of Jesus. 

Read each of the fifteen statements, pausing for about 10 seconds between each statement—no need to rush reading through the list. Feel free to repeat the statement two or three times if it’s helpful. 

As each statement is read aloud, everyone is encouraged to jot down if it sticks out to them for any reason. It could be that the statement is meaningful, encouraging, or interesting to you. Or it could be that it causes discomfort, cynicism, or doubt. Whether you have a positive or negative reaction to the statement, write it down. If nothing sticks out to you about the statement, there’s no need to write it down.

Fifteen true statements about you as a follower of Jesus:

  1. I’ve been given a spirit of power, love, and self-control – not fear. (2 Timothy 1v7)
  2. I can find grace and mercy in times of need. (Hebrews 4v16)
  3. I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3v3)
  4. I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2v10)
  5. I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. (Colossians 1v14)
  6. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4v13)
  7. I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3v20)
  8. I have assurance that God will complete the good work he has started in me. (Philippians 1v6)
  9. I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2v18)
  10. I am Christ’s friend. (John 15v15)
  11. I am God’s coworker. (1 Corinthians 3v9)
  12. I am God’s temple. (1 Corinthians 3v16)
  13. I have been bought at a price. I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6v20)
  14. I am a member of Christ’s body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
  15. I am an ambassador of reconciliation for God. (2 Corinthians 5v18-21)

After the list is read, spend a few minutes looking over your respective lists of statements that stood out to you. Begin to think about why each one stuck out to you. Do you notice any themes with the statements, or what is sticking out to you based on your current life context? Which ones did you have a positive reaction to? Were there any you had a negative reaction to?

After a few minutes, go around the group and share one or two statements and why you think they stuck out to you in this moment. If none of them stuck out to you, why do you think that is?

Talk through this week’s Practice.

Set aside time this week to pray and think through the statement(s) that stood out to you. If it’s helpful, set a reminder or put it on your calendar right now to remind yourself to do so. As you pray and think through the statements, be open to how they might uniquely speak to you in this particular season of life, even if they’re overly familiar or you have a more negative response to the specific statement(s).

Be prepared to discuss next week anything noteworthy from this Practice. 

Close in prayer

Have one person end your time together by praying over the group.