Open-ended, Life-centred,
Gospel-Focussed Explorations of Australian Prayer Book Psalms.
Psalm 96:1-9...PENTECOST PLUS 23 (A)
.... (For the
Gospel, please scroll)
INTRODUCTION: 1]PSS
used here are
alternatives for SS. after
Pentecost. 2] Can we think of any of the many
hymns inspired by PS96? 3] In v.5, the Hebrew word for what
we translate as 'idols' is literally 'ungods'?
WARMING UP: What's our taste in music...new, trad, folk,
country, rock, classical.....?
TREASURES OLD & NEW:
Identify God at work in anything this week?
ENTERING INTO THE STORY:
1-2 Are we singing a 'new song' to God
in / by our lives, or just a stale old one? Are we as keen to take up
& express new understandings of our life in God as we are to take
up new technology etc.? Might changing some of our approaches to God
mean we might: a) come up with more new hymns; b) sing newer songs to
God from our hearts as we go about daily living? What might be the
essential content of any such 'new songs'? Do we have the same desire
that 'all the earth' should sing God's praise that the PSt has? Or, are
we too far into 'post missionary' times? Does 'blessing God's holy
name' come naturally to us 'from day to day' or do we have to keep
reminding ourself to put it on our agenda?
3-4 Rather than
'declaring God's glory & wonders' do we tend to bombard people with
demands, conditions, etc.? How much of a disadvantage is it that we
persist with the idea of fearing God? Though ancient forbears did see
God that way, is it time we moved on? Is a right & proper standing
in awe of God something we seem to have lost, along with respect for a
lot of other people & things? How great actually is God? What does it mean that God
is 'great'? Does our fairly common use of the expression 'great' about
people & things today detract from God's unique greatness?
5-6 With
reference to N.3 above, what kinds of 'ungods' are either taking God's
place, or are on offer as substitutes for God now? Though we know there
is no substitute for God, how do we get that across to others attracted
to today's ungods? How well do we handle any perceived conflict between
today's scientific knowledge of how
creation actually happened compared with our belief that God is the
Source of all being, the Mind behind Creation, the Spirit still
breathing life into the universe? Do we need to be afraid of scientific
knowledge as conservative Christian groups appear to be? How aware are
we of God's 'majesty, glory, beauty & power' in the universe? Is
globalisation just the realm & prerogative of financiers &
business-people?
7-9 Why
should we 'render' God anything? - or expect anyone else to do so? How
are we to make better connections between the vital role liturgical
worship plays in our life, & the vital role extending worship of a
different kind into our community, country, world to play its role too?
What beauty can we see in holiness? Would it really make any difference
if the 'whole earth stood in awe of God'?
PLUS: Does the Gospel (MT
22:15-33), maybe v.32 in particular, speak to what the PSt says above?
