Receive (20 mins):
Open your time in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
Listen to this devotion on Psalm 14 (The reading is included. Follow along in your Bible.)
Spend some time in personal reflection and prayer. (5 mins)
Share with the group what God has been speaking to you. Is there a challenge for you? Have you been impressed with a particular characteristic of God? (10 mins).
Pray together, responding to what God has been showing you in this Psalm. (5 mins)
Read (20 mins):
Read Genesis 18:1-8
Share a time when you have been really excited/honoured by someone visiting you. How did you prepare for the visit? How did you show your excitement/honour?
The text makes it clear that one of the three visitors was the Lord and it seems that Abraham was aware that this was a special visitation. Note that he and Sarah rush to prepare a banquet for their guests and to make them clean and comfortable.
Even in the heat of the day, Abraham moved from a posture of relaxation/repose to intense activity. Unlike this visitation, God is always with us through the Holy Spirit. How do you think we can appropriately be welcoming to God in our lives even though He is constantly present?
How has God shown us welcome and hospitality in His presence?
What makes it difficult to welcome God in your life?
Respond (20 mins):
Spend a few minutes in personal reflection. What is the Holy Spirit impressing on your heart? (3 mins)
Take time to share how the Holy Spirit is challenging you. How can you be accountable to each other? Consider keeping a record for the purposes of prayer and accountability. (12 mins)
Pray for each other. (5 mins)