Aug 26

June - August | Fellowship of the Burning Heart

Fellowship of the Burning Heart Reading Groups

In about a month we hope to begin our Fellowship of the Burning Heart Reading Groups.  The name and purpose derive itself from these two areas:

Luke 24:32 They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?"

and the other area is a quote from The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer

"To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too easily satisfied religionist, but justified in the happy experience by the children of the burning heart."

The design behind these reading groups is to provide opportunities for the members of Grace Church to meet every other week at local business establishments and discuss selected chapters from two to three books to be read over the course of the summer.  These fellowship groups will be gender-specific.

Locations

  • Blues City Coffee Shop (Main St.)
  • Other locations can be selected, this is just a list of possible places.

Books:

  • What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile.  A book on the Church. This book was selected for the purpose of seeing from the Scriptures what a healthy church member should look like.  Hopefully the group discussion will lend itself to specific, personal, and practical application of this.
  • The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever.  A book on biblical theology development. This book was selected for the purpose of encouraging our personal evangelism by being both acquainted and armed with the gospel of Christ.  Hopefully the group discussion and prayer over unconverted people will lend itself to the practical application of this along with personal stories of group members who are sharing the gospel with and praying for unconverted people.
  • The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. A book on personal development.  This book was selected for the purpose of further application from this past year's Grace Group reading of Clyde Cranford's Because We Love Him.  If the group is able to get to this hopefully the group discussion will serve as a time of further encouraging one another in Christ towards a holy life.

Meeting Times:

  • Every other Wednesday beginning June 3rd (Men begin) or 10th (Ladies begin) through August 19th or 26th. The group can determine the exact meeting time but the discussion should be confined to an hour to hour and a half.  It might be helpful for families with children to try and meet opposite weeks of one another so that one parent can stay home with the kids.

Suggestions and Book recommendations:

  • Part of the reason to meet at local business establishments is to hopefully serve as a gospel example to those that attend this establishment as well as the employees of the establishment.  I would strongly encourage group participants to buy something from this establishment.  Everyone in the group doesn't necessarily have to purchase something but it is wise for a few to do so.  As one who works at one of the suggested locations I frequently hear complaints from co-workers of those who just come and use the place without ever buying anything.
  • I also realize that three books in three months to discuss might appear lofty and seem unhelpful to discuss in a group.  Go at the pace determined by the group.  If the group only desires to do one of these books for the entire summer that is okay.  It is more important to grasp and apply the content than it is to check off the list another book read--yet know little to nothing of the content.  However, my suggested order would be What is a Healthy Church Member? or The Gospel and Personal Evangelism first and then if you have time--The Pursuit of Holiness.

How Do I Sign Up?

  • Sign up sheets will be available at the Resource table at church or you may email me.

Where Do I purchase the books?

  • As we did last year each book will be available for purchase or you can purchase all three together for less.  The price has not yet been determined.  If you are a member of Grace Church you should already have a copy of What is a Healthy Church Member?  If you do not, that's my fault.  See me and we will get you a copy of this.