Nights at the Roundtable

Funny how one little two letter word makes a big difference, right? Some of you read the title and thought of King Arthur (no, not Arthur Edgar!) and his knights. Legend holds that Arthur, King of Wales, held a court of knights around a round table. Only the most valiant of knights were given seat in this hallowed fraternity and the shape of the table gives us reason why. You see, a round table has no head and, therefore, communicates equality among those who have gathered. For Arthur, these were the men he could trust in his greatest battles.

That image is what carries us to Midweek @ FBC Fairburn. When you are growing in your faith in Christ, who is there? When you are struggling in life, where do you turn? On your highest days, with whom do you celebrate? When you have a question about the Bible or about God or about spirituality, who is there to answer?

Some of you have definite answers to these questions and that is GREAT!

Some of you have a possibility or two depending on which of the above questions you are answering. That is okay. We want to help you make that answer solid.

Some of you have no idea. It is okay to have no idea, so long as you don’t stay there. This is meant to make the necessary connections for you.

This is what Roundtable is all about. You and I need those people in our lives. You and I need TO BE THOSE PEOPLE in someone else’s life.

We have made a commitment to one another as members of FBC Fairburn to bear one another’s burdens and to grow together in Christ. It is one of the basic functions of membership in our family. So, let us take a new opportunity to make that bond stronger.

You may be wondering what we will do during Roundtable. The two primary functions are to make disciples and build relationships. Growing together as we grow in Christ. It will take the flexibility and relational dynamics of having a small group and combine them with the context of the larger body of Christ. It will allow table leaders to focus on building relationships without having to come up with a new lesson and will allow the members of each table a weekly opportunity to talk about what God is doing in their lives in the context of a Bible study.

Each week we will gather around the tables in our fellowship hall…yes, they are round! After prayer, we will all hear the same 15-18 minute teaching from the Bible that either Pastor Deris or I will lead. We will work through 1 and 2 Peter this year. Then, each table leader will begin discussion with their table about how that passage of Scripture applies to us. No, the table leader will not be teaching. We will have the same questions at each table to begin the discussion time. As the Holy Spirit leads, other questions may be discussed, but that is not a responsibility or requirement for anyone to take on in preparation. Yes, it is certainly okay to read ahead and prepare in your heart what God’s Word is prompting you to discover. At 7:28, I will give the two minute warning and then have a short dismissal prayer at 7:30. If your table is still elbows deep in discussion, keep going! Other tables may be finished and can go ahead and leave.

Our primary focus for discussion will center around at least one of three thing each week: What promise did God make to us in this passage? What command did God give me in this passage? What does this passage teach me about who I am? You will not believe the encouragement you can get AND give exploring these questions with other followers of Christ.

I want to encourage you to clear your midweek and join us at 6:30 starting September 5. This is for all of us to grow together. We need each other. We need your experience in church and with God. We need your struggles and your victories. We need your friendship and family bond. We need your perspective and your input. We grow together best when we are all together.

Maybe it has been a few years since you have been to church for midweek, please come and connect again. Maybe you don’t like to talk much, please join us and make a connection or two. Maybe you just aren’t sure, can I ask you to give it 8 weeks? 8 weeks is all I am asking you to try. If you don’t connect with someone or don’t see how your faith is challenged and your spiritual growth is enhanced, then I will leave you alone about it.

Above all, please pray. We don’t want this to be just another church thing. We desire to see God’s hand move in us as we seek His face through His Word together. We want to see disciples made as we learn new ways to love one another.

See you September 5.