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Enjoy! - Week Four

July 27, 2025 0 0

 

The sheer joy of being alive

 

In times of turmoil we can quickly sacrifice a sense of fun and stop playing and pursuing our passions despite the fact that games and other pastimes can be a great stress reliever and creative outlet. The hobbies we love and the time to devote to them are invaluable to society as they give us safe forms of conflict and safe spaces to learn about ourselves and others. They have the power to break down barriers and heal wounds across generations geographical borders and gulfs in life experience. God uses what we enjoy to bless one another, because our irresistible enjoyment that springs up, wells up, and sparks into life is a place of grace.

 

SEEDS TO SOW: Think of ways that games can be used to defuse conflict and tensions. And how they can help people feel overcome isolation and loneliness.

 

Read Psalm 85

Righteousness and peace will kiss.

This is beautiful language to express a vision of harmony — everything coming together — like a kiss unites two separate people and makes them one. 

‘Peace leads to enjoyment and enjoyment leads to peace’ — Discuss!

 

Read Philippians 4: 4-7

Get in your flow state.

Athletes and performers sometimes talk about a ‘flow state’ when they are mentally in the zone and everything feels like second nature — like they are doing what they were born to do. They don’t have to force or push or strain, it all just flows. 

Could it be that when we rejoice our soul is in 'its flow state’ because it’s doing what it was born to do? Discuss!

 

Read Colossians 2: 6-19

Don’t let anyone disqualify you!

In a highly literate and educated society we have sometimes turned faith into ‘a course’, with seminars and workshops akin to ‘ongoing professional development.’ This doesn’t mean wisdom and learning is unimportant — it’s essential to a healthy functioning body. What it isn’t is a pre-entry qualification.

Joining or becoming a member of a church is not what makes someone a Christian. God does not require anyone ever to go on a course, sign up for workshops, or take a series of classes to count themselves as a Christian. All God requires is our sincere hearts. A Baptism is not an exam for a licence to follow Jesus. Baptism is a coming home ceremony — it’s a beautiful opportunity to embrace what we have already been freely given.

Discuss how we can change the story, change the cultural perception of churches as gatekeepers to God. How can we help people understand that while being a Christian can be hard (like all human life can be) becoming one shouldn’t be.