Most Fridays, after corporate or community worship, we come together in smaller groups, continuing under the direction of the same Spirit. In these gatherings, we focus on God’s Word as contained in the Holy Bible, and relate the readings to our daily lives. Hence, these gatherings are referred to as Bible Reflections. There are two basic forms, the Living Word Group (LWG) and the Word Sharing Circle (WSC). Both are meant to help members of the community know more about God, the mysteries of our heavenly inheritance, our personal lives, our relationships with God and our neighbors and consequently to mirror God’s work in us through the Bible.

God’s word in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 states, ‘Consider your own calling, brothers… God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing… so that no human being might boast before God.’

 We were chosen to spread His kingdom, and we are to do this not by our own wisdom but by the wisdom of God.
The LWG and WSC are similar, but not the same. There is a basic flow to both activities.

(1) As a group, select a moderator and assign readers.

(2) Opening prayer – start the gathering by invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to fill all with God’s love and the special gifts which the Lord permits in order to minister to His people.

(3) Reading of the Word – Typically, we use the readings for the coming Sunday or holiday of obligation. Alternatively, we may use the readings for that day. (For a schedule of daily readings, please see any one of the community’s ministry heads.) It is important to conduct the readings reverently and to listen with an open heart, allowing the workings of the Spirit to guide us to the words, phrases and verses which cause us to reflect.

(4) As we are “struck” by certain passages in the Word, so we are moved to share our thoughts, feeling and experiences. Each participant has the opportunity to share.  Each sharing is concluded with a prayer.

(5) Closing prayer – concludes the gathering.

The LWG is conducted once a month. It is typically participated in by members of a ministry. The sharings and reflections are in relation to the community and/or community life. A scribe, selected at the start of the LWG, writes down a synopsis of each participant’s sharing. These written reflections are submitted to the Pastoral Ministry, becoming part of the basis of the community’s leading and direction for the month.
The WSC is held on other Fridays of the month. While the focus of the LWG is community life, the WSC focuses on God’s will regarding our personal lives. In WSC, we share ourselves with our brethren. We share the victory of Christ in our lives, uplift and encourage others, or find support, love, and prayers from our brothers and sisters. WSC reflections are not written down. At the conclusion of each sharing, the person to the right of the sharer leads the group in a prayer for the sharer based on his/her reflection. The rest of the circle members lay hands on the sharer as the prayer is being said.

 ‘Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful’. (Jm 5:16)

Downloads:

Application Form for Life in the Spirit Seminar

Application form for Marriage Encounter Weekend

Monthly WORD and Weekly Reflections are now found at: Our Blog Page: Salt and Light

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Send mail to info@bld-albany.com  with questions or comments.
Last modified: 08/10/10