Relationships

[Johnnz]

The doctrine of the Trinity reminds us that God always exists as a community. Since we are created 'in the image of God' we too are to find our fulfillment in relationships. The 'naked and not ashamed' verse in Genesis refers to that openness with God and with each other.

Our house churches should be places where we can experiment with new levels of relationship, genuine friendships rather than formal customs.

Any comments?

John
NZ

 

[Rev_Bill]

The doctrine of the Trinity reminds us that God always exists as a community. Since we are created 'in the image of God' we too are to find our fulfillment in relationships. The 'naked and not ashamed' verse in Genesis refers to that openness with God and with each other.

Our house churches should be places where we can experiment with new levels of relationship, genuine friendships rather than formal customs.

Any comments?

John
NZ

I'm speechless,

Where are you going with this? Are you saying people should experiment sexually? I apologize if I'm misunderstanding but it is kind of vague...:o

 

[Johnnz]

What I meant that the phrase is about openness between us and God and with each other. There was not the slightest suggestion of anything sexual. I'm a bit surprised you could see it that way.

John
NZ

 

[BrBob]

Don't worry Johnnz, I didn't see it that way either.

I believe you are correct with your assumption, home churches are a great place to explore the topic. It is always difficult to have true community because we are all people and people are truly selfish and petty, especially when our invisible boundaries are compromised.

I wish you good fortune!

God Bless
Bob
Spearifish, SD

 

[Jamey]

I think your on to something there Johnnz. In the format of a house church we have the freedom to explore what biblical love truely is. We are not chained by formalities. In no way did I see it imply anything sexual. As in the early church, those on the outside will miss the meaning and turn it into something evil. (They miss understood the taking of the Lord's supper as cannibalism)

 

[Johnnz]

Having started this thread I had better add to it.

We meet in homes, and everyone participates. Teaching is shared, interactive and life related. Food forms part of our gatherings.

Children are not excluded or compelled to stay, so they come and go as they want to. Sometimes we all stop while a toddler wants mum or dad for something, or just continue around any mild disturbance.

We usually meet on Sunday mornings, but if someone is busy then we will meet Saturday evening. Three weeks ago it was my wife's birthday. Church that week was a party on Friday evening.

We have talked through and prayed about crises in work situations, often over weeks, exams, family needs, contacts during the week and other life related experiences when we meet. Sometimes conversation over the initial coffee and snacks just continue through to lunch time, as we just continue to relate and share on a matter that arose.

We laugh, we cry, we encourage, we participate, we enjoy the children, we debate, challenge and get enriched. Didn't Jesus say something about others seeing real relationships (love one another) being evidence for others to come to belief in Him?

This is what lies behind the post. Let's hear from others.

John
NZ

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

What I meant that the phrase is about openness between us and God and with each other. There was not the slightest suggestion of anything sexual. I'm a bit surprised you could see it that way.

John
NZ

'naked' 'openness' with one another might lead some thoughts towards an awkward situation at least. It seems to suggest an openness almost no official 'churches' practice.

..


other tangent.

the doctrine of the trinity was never meant to remind us that god always exists as a community.

The community of Jews always understood that,
ever since Yhvh Chose Them,
and
the Jews, to Whom Yhvh entrusted the Scriptures,
and, the Jews, through whom Yhvh provided Salvation to the gentiles also,
don't agree with the greek ways of adding to and distorting Truth.
That's one very big reason the Jews don't like socalled christendumb.

 

[Johnnz]

I follow the teachings of a famous rabbi who reframed His life around Jesus as God's promised Messiah. His name was Paul.

John
NZ

 

[AllSeeingEye]

Acting like they never seen somebody get hit nick before... smash the window grab the nintendo 64.

 

[AllSeeingEye]

there goes cheese, eggs, milk, and post toasties

 

[mrjr03]

The doctrine of the Trinity reminds us that God always exists as a community. Since we are created 'in the image of God' we too are to find our fulfillment in relationships. The 'naked and not ashamed' verse in Genesis refers to that openness with God and with each other.

Our house churches should be places where we can experiment with new levels of relationship, genuine friendships rather than formal customs.

Any comments?

John
NZ

Absolutely!!
{^.^}

 

[pixiponk]

Having started this thread I had better add to it.

We meet in homes, and everyone participates. Teaching is shared, interactive and life related. Food forms part of our gatherings.

Children are not excluded or compelled to stay, so they come and go as they want to. Sometimes we all stop while a toddler wants mum or dad for something, or just continue around any mild disturbance.

We usually meet on Sunday mornings, but if someone is busy then we will meet Saturday evening. Three weeks ago it was my wife's birthday. Church that week was a party on Friday evening.

We have talked through and prayed about crises in work situations, often over weeks, exams, family needs, contacts during the week and other life related experiences when we meet. Sometimes conversation over the initial coffee and snacks just continue through to lunch time, as we just continue to relate and share on a matter that arose.

We laugh, we cry, we encourage, we participate, we enjoy the children, we debate, challenge and get enriched. Didn't Jesus say something about others seeing real relationships (love one another) being evidence for others to come to belief in Him?

This is what lies behind the post. Let's hear from others.

John
NZ

I used to have this sort of thing in a house group I was once part of. The house group no longer exists as it was made up of about 20 members. After a couple of very good years, half of us moved off to Uni or similar. What was left was basically the music group of the church most of us were from plus already strongly linked family and friends. So they continued fellowship in there own way.
I am desperate to get something like this back, where I am now. How does one start one? I know no-one, other than church folk, who don't wana coz they've got their church. I have just moved to my current home. I know there is a plan, but I am getting hungry for fellowship. I have been away and am rediscovering God and all that comes with him. I am fully aware that soon I shal need proper support. And I am eager to offer what I can to others.

 

[rob64]

'naked' 'openness' with one another might lead some thoughts towards an awkward situation at least. It seems to suggest an openness almost no official 'churches' practice.

..


other tangent.

the doctrine of the trinity was never meant to remind us that god always exists as a community.

The community of Jews always understood that,
ever since Yhvh Chose Them,
and
the Jews, to Whom Yhvh entrusted the Scriptures,
and, the Jews, through whom Yhvh provided Salvation to the gentiles also,
don't agree with the greek ways of adding to and distorting Truth.
That's one very big reason the Jews don't like socalled christendumb.

Am i correct in asuming that you are a Jew? If so...

As a gentile, personally i consider Israel to be God's chosen people, and do not subscribe to the "replacement" theory.
You and i serve the same God.
i see Jews as my spiritual brothers and sisters. [including yeshuaslavejeff]
i had nothing to do with any persecution, or attacks on Jews by christians in the past.
i love Israel, and all Jews. They will always have a place in my heart [including yeshuaslavejeff]
Included in God's covenant with Israel are these words, and i take them very seriously; "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you"
i pray for the peace of Jerusalem

 

[Johnnz]

I used to have this sort of thing in a house group I was once part of. The house group no longer exists as it was made up of about 20 members. After a couple of very good years, half of us moved off to Uni or similar. What was left was basically the music group of the church most of us were from plus already strongly linked family and friends. So they continued fellowship in there own way.
I am desperate to get something like this back, where I am now. How does one start one? I know no-one, other than church folk, who don't wana coz they've got their church. I have just moved to my current home. I know there is a plan, but I am getting hungry for fellowship. I have been away and am rediscovering God and all that comes with him. I am fully aware that soon I shal need proper support. And I am eager to offer what I can to others.

We do miss a good thing don't we. Sometimes just having friends and associates around and chat informally can get things going if that leads to some interesting discussion.

But many are very wedded to the more traditional formats for church.

John
NZ

 

[Zandy]

Interesting concept.

 

[bugkiller]

The doctrine of the Trinity reminds us that God always exists as a community. Since we are created 'in the image of God' we too are to find our fulfillment in relationships. The 'naked and not ashamed' verse in Genesis refers to that openness with God and with each other.

Our house churches should be places where we can experiment with new levels of relationship, genuine friendships rather than formal customs.

Any comments?

John
NZ

This is one of the problems I see at church. I think that must be very improtant to me. Everybody seems to be hiding. Kinda like Adam and Eve. Even after making clothes they went and tried to hide from God. They were really ashamed of their disobedience. We should also be ashamed of our disobedience. Like Adam and Eve we can not hide.

Seems like at church even the new are excluded unless you appear to be like them. I am guessing that might mean appear as a couple or don't come. Or is it that we are to busy with our lives to interact with others. Why do people seem to be afraid of the unknown?

bugkiller

 

[rickpaul]

They did not know they were naked till they sinned, don`t understand what you mean by God being a community, I`ve never been to a house church, it has got to be wonderful, no one puts on airs, it `s gotta be a close relationship with the members an with the Lord, hopefully one day I`ll be attending one.

 

[Golden Cherubim]

It says in the bible that God's church (as in God's family, our Christian brothers and sisters as Paul was always saying) is a community and that Jesus is the head of it.

Christianity is a relationship between us and God.

Well that's just part of it, there's so much more than just that...

 

[Johnnz]

don`t understand what you mean by God being a community,

The Trinity speaks of three distinct yet 'one' being, something we can't get our head around very easily. In the Gospels we see Jesus saying He only does what He sees is Father doing ie there was total oneness and openess within the their relationship. It is through interrelationship we derive a concept of a person. I single being (god) would be impersonal - like some of the Eastern deities.

John
NZ

 

[Edouard]

House Church.

You all do understand that sometimes there would be between 50-100 people in attendance? They even became so popular that there were disagreements among them? (Noted in scripture).

You also know the reason for them meeting in a house church was due to persectuion?

Edouard.
Just some thoughts.