1. Assumption: God is the agent of
personal/spiritual transformation.
2. Point People to God's Presence: Lecturing to people or assigning books to
read won't transform the human heart. But God can. Therefore: I assign people
to pray. I can point people to the presence of the One who does the
transforming.
3. Share with Others What God Is Doing In You: Transformation has a corporate
dimension. This is realized as we return from our solitary prayer times with
God and share with others what God has spoken to us. Here we arrive at the
center of biblical koinonia ("fellowship") which is,
literally, sharing what we have in common; viz., Christ in me, the hope of
glory.
The method God has given me to do this is:
Give people Psalm 23 and send them out to pray for an hour. Or sometimes I send
them out to pray for 30 minutes. For pastors I use 60 minutes; for non-pastors
I use 30 minutes.
Here's the paper I give them. I read the instructions aloud.
I use this document when teaching seminary classes and doing spiritual
formation retreats for churches.
WARNING: If you are a pastor who wants to do this kind of thing with your
people, you must be engaging in it yourself.
***
60 MINUTES with Psalm 23 and God
- John Piippo, PhD
Take 5 minutes to go alone to a quiet place to meet with God. When I dismiss you, go quietly – don’t talk with anyone.
Don’t take anything with you except for this piece of paper. Leave your cell phone in the room.
When you find your quiet place, stay there for 60 minutes.
During this time, keep a spiritual journal. A spiritual journal is a record of God’s voice and activity in your life. When God speaks to you about you, write it down.
Use Psalm 23 for your meditation. Biblically, to meditate is to ponder something. Meditation is repetitive. Your purpose is not to exegete Psalm 23. Instead, be exegeted yourself by the Holy Spirit.
If your mind wanders, write down where it wanders to.
After the hour, return to our meeting place.
PSALM 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil, My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
