Hymn Stories - Amazing Grace

On Wednesday nights at our church, I lead a Bible study discussion. For the next 10 or 12 weeks we'll be looking at "Hymn Stories" - we'll talk about the lyrics, the Scripture the hymn is based on, and the circumstances of its origin.

Last week, we started with an easy one - Amazing Grace by John Newton. It was very well received and so I think we're going to have a wonderful series. You can join us on FB here each Wed at 6:30 PM (CST).

Regarding AG, you can search engine the story behind this great hymn, but the basic background is that Newton was a slave ship captain and when he got into a terrible storm, thinking he wouldn't make it, he cried out to God for mercy.

When he made it through the storm alive, Newton gave his life back to the Lord and eventually gave up slaving and started advocating for the abolition of this evil practice. 

Newton was a forceful writer and speaker and influenced William Wilberforce, another Christian, who finally convinced the English Parliment to give up the practice. They passed the resolution a few weeks after Newton had died.

(Definitely watch the movie, Amazing Grace, 2006, starring Ioan Gruffudd as Wilberforce. Excellent!)

The hymn, Amazing Grace, is a testimony to God's saving power, then, of a man who was a wretched sinner (as are we all) but who was bestowed salvation. Just...wow. 

I remember going to a funeral once, and the pastor had us sing AG but changed the lyric from "wretch like me" to "one like me." Because, he said, we are not wretches - God loves us!

Pfffft! Without Christ, we are wretched! We're lost and no better off than a slaver. In fact, in our hearts at this very moment, we would readily enslave anyone who doesn't think like us, act like us, look like us, believe like us. That's the nature of sin.

But praise God, Christ has freed us from this wretched state. I'm still a sinner, but now I'm also forgiven and am a new creation. Thank you, Lord. 

Such is the nature of great hymns. They convey powerful theological truths and transforming Biblical teaching. Really looking forward to this series!

~*~

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Reading Through Proverbs

This month, I'm taking the Proverbs challange - reading a chapter a day from the Book of Proverbs. 31 days in January and by coinkidink there are 31 chapters in Proverbs! 

I'm also writing out my GRIP and sharing it with an email bible study group I'm a part of. GRIP stands for God's Word, Reveal, Implement, Prayer. Here's how it works.

First, we read and reflect on a verse or two from the chapter we're reading that day. We write it down - or copy and paste, as the case may be, since I'm using the Bible.com app.

Then we note what God is revealing to us in the passage we just read. We look at the plain meaning of the text, what the verse is teaching or revealing. (Not "what does this verse mean to me" type of thing.)

Once we hear God speaking, we take it personally. What does God want me to do with this revelation? How can I implement what I've learned or put in to practice what I already know to be true?

Round out this time in God's Word with a prayer. I usually ask God to help me follow through with what I just studied. All said and done, about 15 minutes. Then we share those GRIPs with each other via email.

If you're interested in joining the challenge or just want more information, the person who starts us all off in the morning is Scott Lehman and he has a YouTube channel where he shares his GRIP in just a few minutes. 

And he's always open to talking with someone about the Lord. As am I. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions or thoughts or just need to talk. Have a great Sunday, this 2nd day of 2022, and this 9th Day of Christmas!

In God's GRIP - An E-mail Bible Study

I’m in an e-mail small group bible study. You wouldn’t think it would work, but it does.

For us church types, a small group implies fellowship, refreshments, discussion of scripture, and prayer. All that’s missing from the e-mail group I’m a part of is the coffee and donuts. It’s pretty neat.

The ministry is called In His GRIP. If you look at the graphic, you’ll see it stands for God’s Word, Reveal, Implement, and Prayer. Since this ministry was founded within the context of sharing Christ within the golfing community, GRIP is a good acronym.

One needn’t be a golfer to enjoy the benefits of daily bible reading and reflection, however. The point is to get into God’s Word each day, reflect on what God is revealing to you, implement some practical aspect of God’s Word, and pray.

How it works...

The founder, Scott Lehman, starts us off with a short, 3 minute video on their YouTube channel. Then you share your own “GRIP” with others by replying-all to the email chain you’re in. Yes, this is the one time you are allowed to reply-all.

We have a reading schedule, so we know what passage to read every day of the month. From Nov 1-30 we’re reading Psalms 61-90; Dec 1-31 we’ll cover Psalms 91-121. Then in the New Year, a 31 Day Challenge: Proverbs 1-31 from January 1 to 31.

Chapter a day. Great way to read through God’s Word.

So each morning, I open the email, watch the short video and then I usually go to Bible Gateway and read the chapter from the NIV or NRSV (those are just two of many bible translations available).

After reading the passage, I pick one or two verses that struck me and write my GRIP. For example, here’s one I did from John chapter 10 awhile back.

• G – God’s Word – John 10.3-5 – “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” (NRSV)
• R – Reveal – Jesus, our shepherd, knows his sheep intimately. He calls each of us by name; he knows our needs and personal struggles. He promises to go ahead of us, preparing the way, leading us to green pastures and still waters (that beautiful image from Psalm 23). Sheep that know the shepherd will follow his voice – even if they can't see him – and they won't follow a stranger.
• I – Implement – I believe Jesus knows me intimately. Of course he knows my name – he's created me and he’s the Lord of the universe. The very hairs on my head are numbered (that's another bible verse, I'm pretty sure!). BUT. Do I know HIS voice? Am I following HIS calling (even though I can't see him literally with my eyes)? Am I too willing to follow the voice of a stranger because I like what the stranger is saying? I should run from the voice of a stranger instead. Now that's some food for thought.
• P – Prayer – Lord, keep calling (I know you will) and help me become so familiar with your voice that I will drop everything and follow when I hear your commands. Help me easily distinguish between your voice, my own thoughts and desires, and the voice of strangers – especially the ones that want to seek and destroy what is good. Amen.

That’s it. Throughout the day you get to read the other GRIPs as they come in from the various members of the bible study. You gain a lot of insight into the scripture and a person’s life over time. It’s great.

If you’re interested in joining a group, let me know. Just hit reply-all!