Finding a Refuge – Being a Refuge
Psalm 46, Romans 13:11-14 a
Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor
The value of Christ as a refuge is known only in proportion to the reality of the storms we encounter.
What can we come to know in times such as these?
That God is our refuge
That God is with us
That the real knowing comes from experience
Text “daily” to 646-00 to learn more about the BCC Global Monastery
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Discussion Questions
Before questions, attempt to give the group a bit of a summary of the main points of the sermon and then choose a few questions that fit your group’s needs and style. We don’t intend for you to use all of these. Three to five questions may be a good number.
Where is your own very safe place? What would it look like to invite God into that space with you?
Psalm 1:1a reads, “God is our refuge and strength.” What storms in your life thus far have shown you that?
Our lives take place within a cultural context:
How does mainstream culture seek to deny the presence of storms?
In what ways have you experienced denial of the reality of storms within Christian culture?
Pastor Richard shared that for him, companionship with Christ is the single greatest benefit of his faith.
What would it look like to seek to develop a deeper relationship with Christ through these storms rather than denying their existence?
In what ways are you experiencing the companionship of Christ in this time of isolation?
JRR Tolkien, wrote in Lord of the Rings “all we have to do is decide what to do with the time we’ve been given. - Gandalf”. In what ways have you made a conscious decision about how your time is spent in the past week?
Psalm 46:10a reads: “Be still and know that I am God”, reminding us that once we quiet our hearts and lean into companionship, then we experience intimacy with Jesus. Consider having group members still their hearts by meditating for 3 minutes each day on the prompts below. Share how these experiences went when you gather next.
Inhale – God, I am anxious Exhale – I receive your peace
Inhale – God, I am afraid Exhale – I receive your courage
Inhale – God, I am lonely Exhale – I receive your companionship
Inhale – God, I am doubting Exhale – I receive your faith
We are reminded by Paul in Romans 13 to be up and awake to what God is doing. Are there moments in the past week where you have “dozed off” to the presence of Christ in your midst?
How might you be a person of hope amidst the storm to those in your home, to friends and family though at a physical distance?