There were only three of us.
We don’t really know each other that well, but have something in common in following Jesus Christ.
We were looking at the section of 1 Corinthians covering chapters 12 to 14.
Reading that together and exploring aspects of it – what it meant, what the consequences were in our lives together. It was so refreshing. It was so revelatory. I learnt so much from those two others about ways of seeing that I had not previous considered.
There were times where our understanding didn’t quite chime with each other. We were able to work through those slowly and patiently to at least recognise where the other was coming from, even if we didn’t accept it fully at the time.
One of the things that emerged frm our study of this section of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was just how childish the church were. So eager were they to show off their gifts that they didn’t bear in mind the purpose of the gifts to build each other, and the excellent way which was pursuing love that bore all things, belived all things, hoped all things and endured all things.
Looking at that immaturity, we recognised the same things in ourselves. How often it was about the gift and not the essence of the Giver. How it was about seeking after the trinkets, without appreciating and absorbing the fullness to be found in the fount of all good things.
Taking the focus off the gifts and appreciating the Giver again made us all recognise that this connection leads to appreciating our part in the Body, appreicating how interconnected we are, appreciating the importance of us all growing together, the importance of sharing what we have not for our own gratification but that in some way others will see Christ, rejoice in Him and grow in Him.
It was a sobering experience being in that study. It was sobering hearing such honesty and authenticity among us. It was good to be that honest and also aspire to live out the holiness we have as Christ is in us as well as among us.
It also propels me to enjoy and engage in more of those type of interactions that inform my walk with Christ.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 
I love this post! Thanks for sharing this example of working through a passage of Scripture together – not only for understanding but also for life. What a difference from what we typically see among the church!
-Alan
Thanks for the comment Alan. It’s almost as though the talk of relational unity has really got me considering again what that looks like. Although as you righly point out it’s not the norm among the church, I am encouraged to know that as it becomes the norm with me and the brethren with whom I journey, so it will eventually spread.
It will certainly influence my daughters who look on and see how Dad does it. I hope they’ll take it and further explore and expand it for their generation and scriptural Body life will take on new meaning for them.
I hope to be able to share how that working through scripture together works out with other chapters we explore and live out.
Thanks again, Alan.