Bible Study!!!!

Wow, I am really excited! I went to Bible Study tonight and it was just amazing. 

Here is what we read:

The Transfiguration according to Matthew

So essentially, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain and while they are up there, Jesus is "transfigured", which basically means he was glowing. Alongside him are Moses and Elijah. There is a cloud, and God speaks from the cloud saying that He is well pleased with His son. Jesus then tells Peter, James, and John that they are not to speak of this event until after He has been raised from the dead. 

Things we talked about:

- There is a different time for each of us to come to understand certain things about God

- The accounts of the Transfiguration from Mark, Luke, and II Peter. 

- The Bible ≠ Science Textbook

- Literalness of the Bible

- Sitting with/in God's glory instead of analyzing or trying to figure it out or wanting to do something (title of coming sermon at the church: "Don't Just Do Something, Stand There!"

- Getting caught up in the mechanics instead of the worship

- Organized religion getting in the way of Christian spirituality

I feel really blessed to have been in the group tonight. It was very small (4 people) but really wonderful. It was clear that we all had hearts that belonged to Christ and were there to learn more about Him and His love for us. It felt really amazing. I really enjoyed the way that our discussion flowed (and was allowed to flow) and that we answered some general historical questions along the way. I feel like I've grown so much just from this short meeting and I am excited for the next one (in two weeks). 

I don't feel as fulfilled by sermons here in the NE as I did in Texas, but having Bible discussions like this make me feel that a sermon that is more like a launching point for thought would be okay, when the opportunity to go deeper in a small group is readily available. 

Additionally, I think I am going to start taking notes on the sermon in church. Not that sitting quietly, starring at the pastor, thinking about God and absorbing about 60% of what is said isn't awesome.....but I think the note taking would up the amount that I took away from a service. This Sunday, the sermon will be coming from back in Texas :) 

FHL