Growing Together: Part 3 - 'Two Falls or a Submission' 

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
The talk will be available via live stream at 9.30am on Sunday 16th October, on our YouTube channel.
 
Once you have listened, here are some questions to consider:

Readings:
 
Romans chapter 13 verses 1 - 5

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honour you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.  So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience

Luke chapter 22 verses 39 - 44

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,  “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
 


Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God, we confess the times when we have done wrong, and the times when our pride has prevented us from admitting it. We are sorry Father and ask Your forgiveness. Help us always to do what is right – to follow Your way, not the ways of the world. Help us to submit to your will, which is good and pleasing and perfect, even as we lift our troubles, our requests, our thanksgiving and our hearts’ desires to You. For we want your will, not ours, to be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Questions to Consider – an exercise in Theological Reflection

1. Can you think of a time when you have had a choice between submitting to authority and resisting it?
2. What happened? Take some time to write down a detailed account of the factual events.
3. What was going on behind it all? Write down a full exploration of what happened – what was going on in your mind and what do you think the other person(s) involved were thinking?
4. What Christian resources – Bible verses, wisdom/example of other Christians, Christian literature etc – might speak into that situation. In other words, what can you draw on that might reveal to you the right response?
5. In hindsight, is there anything you wish you could have done differently, or should have done differently?
6. Is there anything you can do now that might make things better? Take some time to ponder this and to discuss, if appropriate, with trusted friend.
7. What place is there for confession, repentance and making amends in your story? Who will take the initiative?