Reunion Groups.......

I told you about going on the Walk to Emmaus a few years ago. Another one of the things I learned is a tool for awareness of Christ's presence and for self-evaluation. It is called the "order of the group reunion", or "going over your service sheet". It is an Upper Room copyrighted thing. It is a good tool for evaluating myself and my actions to see if I am Christ's hands and feet, if I am aware of God's presence, and if I am resembling Christ's image more and more etc. This activity is to keep those in the reunion group accountable.

One of the things I really like about this format is that it makes me more aware. The format requires that we "report things" to each other each week. Because I need to report things, I spend more time during the rest of the week thinking about them. It causes me to ponder, reflect and meditate more. The format forces deliberate reflection on my actions, study, and prayer as well as feeling Christ's presence. There is a question for self awareness / evaluation in the area of discipleship (was I a disciple when able or how did I fail?) It asks about my plans for the coming week. It also offers me the opportunity to tell those in the group about my prayer concerns and praises. All of these questions require me to be deliberate about thinking about them during the week. This puts me focusing on Godly things. Many groups do not use this format but I really like it when we do.

For some reason, when I know I have to report about the the time I felt closest to Christ, I am more likely to actually spend enough time on the experience to remember it. I need to know enough to be able to retell what happened that made me feel Christ's presence. This is a big deal. When I don't "have to report" then am asked later when I felt Christ's presence, I may not have a good answer....even though I KNOW Christ has been with me. The deliberate act of making a firm mental image is very powerful. It's like several aha moments, moments of revelation and realization of God being active in my life. Sometimes these are very subtle and others may not even recognize them as moments in God's presence but the one with the experience KNOWS it. But only when we are deliberate about noticing them as they occur and thanking God at the time.

This deliberateness is also important for the study, realizing / recognizing answers to prayer, activities for the week. When I have to report them, I am more deliberate about doing them daily and having a plan. Also, the self-evaluation may never occur if I don't have to report. This evaluation is not an easy thing to do. No one wants to admit failure, or inaction when action was just as easy.

I'll show you in a future post how this is written (except using my words so I'm not in trouble with the copyright police!)

Dear Jesus, Thank you for touching people so that they would create this wonderful tool for keeping Your wonders front and center. You are so awesome the way you use people to reach me. Amen.

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