iGroup | Rhythm

We started our new iGroup (home group/bible study for the uninitiated) last week. Our friend Kyle coined it ‘iGroup 2.0′. I kind of like that. Our group ran for a long time and now they have all broke off to do their own or join others and our house is now full of new people that will hopefully become as close as our last group did.

Our group is going through the Nooma videos produced in part by Rob Bell of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tonight’s video was Rhythm.

Want to get some notes on tonight’s discussion?

In the video Bell discusses the concept of being close to God and how he thinks we can go about getting our heads around that. He compares God and heaven to a song. The song is always playing and when we are close to God we are playing in tune, in beat and our rhythm matches that of God. So for our group we looked at what Jesus says about God. Many times over Jesus states that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father; if you know Him, you know the Father. I would say then to be in rhythm with God we need to look at the rhythm that Jesus set for us during his time walking the Earth. So what are some things that Jesus to set that rhythm? First, we are told that God is love in 1 John 4:7. So if that is true, should we not demonstrate love? In John 8:1-11 Jesus shows mercy to the crowds by healing their sick and eventually feeding the 5,000+ men, women and children. In Mathew 14:13-21 Jesus shows compassion on the woman that is accused of adultery. The men that bring her are accusing her and asking Jesus what to do and he eventually tells her that He doesn’t condemn her and to go and sin no more. Jesus demands justice in John 2:12-17 when he goes into the temple and finds the money changers and the animal changers taking advantage of the people that come to worship. Remember that the priests of that time were exploiting worshipers by telling them that their offering and their money didn’t work there and they were making a huge profit on the exchange rates. Jesus’ reaction was a righteous anger.So these are just a few of the characteristics that Jesus demonstrates for us to allow us to play in step with God’s song. When we love people, we love justice, we are generous, we show mercy and compassion we are playing in step with God’s song. Its a beautiful parallel. Leave a comment about some other parallels and lets continue the conversation…