Session 1 - Begin to Immerse
Begin to Immerse
Why Immerse? The idea behind Immerse is to help people begin to develop and grow as a follower of Jesus. Often people ask, 'so I have given my life to Jesus what next - like what do I do now?' Put simply if you have chosen to follow Jesus you have chosen to walk with Him through your days, being aware of and being transformed by His Presence with you. It makes sense then that as we Immerse ourselves in God's presence and the Scriptures God shapes us to be more like him.
At New Community we are committed to help people engage with the Scriptures and in particular the Gospels because in them we find direction for life. Immersion in the life and way of Jesus enables us to recalibrate our lives toward his kingdom ways. It is throughout immersion in the scriptures that we experience God speaking to us, challenging our attitudes and altering our priorities toward's heaven's. But this can be a challenge – finding time, knowing what to do that will grow and deepen our relationship with God and sticking to it. Immerse is more than having a 10 minute quiet time then getting on with the rest of life.
Immerse is living in a way so that our times of Pause (wherever they be and for however long) remind us of the truths of who God is and who I am so that through the Holy Spirit we are transformed which brings glory to God and shapes the world around us.
Why Immerse? The idea behind Immerse is to help people begin to develop and grow as a follower of Jesus. Often people ask, 'so I have given my life to Jesus what next - like what do I do now?' Put simply if you have chosen to follow Jesus you have chosen to walk with Him through your days, being aware of and being transformed by His Presence with you. It makes sense then that as we Immerse ourselves in God's presence and the Scriptures God shapes us to be more like him.
At New Community we are committed to help people engage with the Scriptures and in particular the Gospels because in them we find direction for life. Immersion in the life and way of Jesus enables us to recalibrate our lives toward his kingdom ways. It is throughout immersion in the scriptures that we experience God speaking to us, challenging our attitudes and altering our priorities toward's heaven's. But this can be a challenge – finding time, knowing what to do that will grow and deepen our relationship with God and sticking to it. Immerse is more than having a 10 minute quiet time then getting on with the rest of life.
Immerse is living in a way so that our times of Pause (wherever they be and for however long) remind us of the truths of who God is and who I am so that through the Holy Spirit we are transformed which brings glory to God and shapes the world around us.
Learning to Pause
What does it mean to pause?
We all know what it means to push the pause button. We often do this as we watch TV or listen to music. To pause means to stop what is happening, what is going on around you and stop - just for a moment. When we talk about learning to pause with reference to our life with Jesus we refer to a pause as being a moment where we stop whatever it is we are doing and spend time with God.
In this section of our journey to Immerse we will each learn to 'Pause' in ways that are helpful to us to stop and be aware of God’s presence, we are all different and therefore our Pauses will be different.
Some very helpful elements to include in any 'Pause' …
Stopping:
It sounds obvious but it's easy to slip into habits of "pausing on the run!!" To 'Pause' can mean stop. There may be parts of your 'Pause' that involve movement – great – but to start your time, first stop what you are doing. Trust God that the world will keep turning, that the very best thing you can do is stop. To 'Pause' is as simple as A, B, C – Awareness, Breathe and Converse.
Awareness:
In stopping what you are doing to 'Pause.' Spend some time just knowing that you are in God’s presence and rest there. For you that might mean imagining God with you or you saying a verse and stilling your mind (“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Ps 37:7 or “Be still and know that I am God.” Ps 46:10). Distractions will come, just bring your thoughts back to awareness of God with you.
Breathe:
Begin a pause by concentrating on your breathing, taking slow and deep breaths. It helps to still our thoughts and be present in that moment. Focus on breathing for a few minutes, imagine God’s life giving breath entering you as you breathe in. As His breath moves through you what does it bring?… healing, life, hope, comfort, truth etc? Imagine it reaching every part of you. What comes out of you as you breath out?… worship, love, sorrow?
The YHWH Prayer (Richard Rohr) - A rabbi taught this prayer to me many years ago. The Jews did not speak God’s name, but breathed it with an open mouth and throat: inhale—Yah; exhale—weh. By our very breathing we are speaking the name of God and participating in God’s breath. This is our first and our last word as we enter and leave the world.
So try and breathe the syllables with open mouth and lips, relaxed tongue:
Inhale—Yah
Exhale—weh
During a period of meditation, perhaps twenty minutes, use this breath as a touchstone. Begin by connecting with your intention, your desire to be present with God. Breathe naturally, slowly, and deeply, inhaling and exhaling Yah-weh. Let your focus on the syllables soften and fall away into silence. If a thought, emotion, or sensation arises, observe but don’t latch on to it. Simply return to breathing.
N.B. - You may be distracted numerous times. And perhaps your entire practice will be full of sensations clamoring for attention. Contemplation is truly an exercise in humility! But each interruption is yet another opportunity to return to Presence, to conscious participation in God’s life.
Converse:
Life is full of dynamic conversations. To engage in conversation is at the very heart of any relationship and our relationship with God is no different. So when we 'Pause' we also engage in conversation with God. Some people may call this prayer and prayer is simply a term used for talking to and with God.
How Do I Pray?
Begin by acknowledging who he is to you, for example you may refer to him as God, Father or even as Lord and so like any conversation begin by address him in a way that describes who he is. By doing this you acknowledge who he is and this helps you begin the conversation.
Sometimes people find it helpful to also acknowledge what you know of God – for example I know you care about me or perhaps I know you are the one who created all things or perhaps even God I know you know who I am and above all that you know my heart.
Ask Him – God hear me as I come to you today? Would you help me know more of you today or even, God today I bring my life, health, family, work etc to you and then tell him what’s going on – speak from your heart to him as you open your mouth in conversation.
Silence:
Include moments of saying nothing, giving God a chance to bring something to your mind. Don’t rush the end of your times, allow God to speak to you. (If you’re unsure how to do this we will explore this more in the coming sessions).
Watch the video below and then share your experiences of prayer with each other.
We all know what it means to push the pause button. We often do this as we watch TV or listen to music. To pause means to stop what is happening, what is going on around you and stop - just for a moment. When we talk about learning to pause with reference to our life with Jesus we refer to a pause as being a moment where we stop whatever it is we are doing and spend time with God.
In this section of our journey to Immerse we will each learn to 'Pause' in ways that are helpful to us to stop and be aware of God’s presence, we are all different and therefore our Pauses will be different.
Some very helpful elements to include in any 'Pause' …
Stopping:
It sounds obvious but it's easy to slip into habits of "pausing on the run!!" To 'Pause' can mean stop. There may be parts of your 'Pause' that involve movement – great – but to start your time, first stop what you are doing. Trust God that the world will keep turning, that the very best thing you can do is stop. To 'Pause' is as simple as A, B, C – Awareness, Breathe and Converse.
Awareness:
In stopping what you are doing to 'Pause.' Spend some time just knowing that you are in God’s presence and rest there. For you that might mean imagining God with you or you saying a verse and stilling your mind (“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Ps 37:7 or “Be still and know that I am God.” Ps 46:10). Distractions will come, just bring your thoughts back to awareness of God with you.
Breathe:
Begin a pause by concentrating on your breathing, taking slow and deep breaths. It helps to still our thoughts and be present in that moment. Focus on breathing for a few minutes, imagine God’s life giving breath entering you as you breathe in. As His breath moves through you what does it bring?… healing, life, hope, comfort, truth etc? Imagine it reaching every part of you. What comes out of you as you breath out?… worship, love, sorrow?
The YHWH Prayer (Richard Rohr) - A rabbi taught this prayer to me many years ago. The Jews did not speak God’s name, but breathed it with an open mouth and throat: inhale—Yah; exhale—weh. By our very breathing we are speaking the name of God and participating in God’s breath. This is our first and our last word as we enter and leave the world.
So try and breathe the syllables with open mouth and lips, relaxed tongue:
Inhale—Yah
Exhale—weh
During a period of meditation, perhaps twenty minutes, use this breath as a touchstone. Begin by connecting with your intention, your desire to be present with God. Breathe naturally, slowly, and deeply, inhaling and exhaling Yah-weh. Let your focus on the syllables soften and fall away into silence. If a thought, emotion, or sensation arises, observe but don’t latch on to it. Simply return to breathing.
N.B. - You may be distracted numerous times. And perhaps your entire practice will be full of sensations clamoring for attention. Contemplation is truly an exercise in humility! But each interruption is yet another opportunity to return to Presence, to conscious participation in God’s life.
Converse:
Life is full of dynamic conversations. To engage in conversation is at the very heart of any relationship and our relationship with God is no different. So when we 'Pause' we also engage in conversation with God. Some people may call this prayer and prayer is simply a term used for talking to and with God.
How Do I Pray?
Begin by acknowledging who he is to you, for example you may refer to him as God, Father or even as Lord and so like any conversation begin by address him in a way that describes who he is. By doing this you acknowledge who he is and this helps you begin the conversation.
Sometimes people find it helpful to also acknowledge what you know of God – for example I know you care about me or perhaps I know you are the one who created all things or perhaps even God I know you know who I am and above all that you know my heart.
Ask Him – God hear me as I come to you today? Would you help me know more of you today or even, God today I bring my life, health, family, work etc to you and then tell him what’s going on – speak from your heart to him as you open your mouth in conversation.
Silence:
Include moments of saying nothing, giving God a chance to bring something to your mind. Don’t rush the end of your times, allow God to speak to you. (If you’re unsure how to do this we will explore this more in the coming sessions).
Watch the video below and then share your experiences of prayer with each other.
Session 2 - Understanding Immerse
Where do I begin?
When people ask where do I begin they often actually asking 'where do I begin to read the Bible?' When reading any book we naturally start to read from the very front and start of the book and we progress right through to the back cover. So naturally when thinking about reading the Bible the first thought can be lets start at the very beginning. But actually that's not the best place to start at all.
So where do we begin? We begin with Jesus! At New Community we suggest anyone beginning to read the Bible should begin with one of the Gospels which are the stories of the life and ministry of Jesus. Not only do the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John introduce us to Jesus they help us to see who he was and what he did when he walked the earth. But just as importantly these books within a book and these stories within a grander story help us understand how we can learn not only from what Jesus did but also who he is and how we can live the Jesus type of life by following his words, his works and his ways.
There are a few other factors we need to keep in mind before we commence.
Watch the video below to understand some of the things to keep in mind as you begin to read the Bible.
When people ask where do I begin they often actually asking 'where do I begin to read the Bible?' When reading any book we naturally start to read from the very front and start of the book and we progress right through to the back cover. So naturally when thinking about reading the Bible the first thought can be lets start at the very beginning. But actually that's not the best place to start at all.
So where do we begin? We begin with Jesus! At New Community we suggest anyone beginning to read the Bible should begin with one of the Gospels which are the stories of the life and ministry of Jesus. Not only do the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John introduce us to Jesus they help us to see who he was and what he did when he walked the earth. But just as importantly these books within a book and these stories within a grander story help us understand how we can learn not only from what Jesus did but also who he is and how we can live the Jesus type of life by following his words, his works and his ways.
There are a few other factors we need to keep in mind before we commence.
Watch the video below to understand some of the things to keep in mind as you begin to read the Bible.
Where to Begin to Read
Often people find it helpful to have some tools to assist them in reading the Bible. In the video above Steve mentioned some online tools such as Lectio 365 app, the You version app or even Every Day with Jesus, Our Daily Bread or the Bible Project. But there are also other resources you can follow a daily reading plan developed specifically for people like you who are beginning their bible reading journey.
The main thing about reading the Bible is to help you get to know Jesus, who he is and all that he has done for you. To that end we have developed a resource called Exploring Jesus which utilises readings from the Gospel of Mark. Click on the button below to go through this resource with a friend, leader or mentor and as you go through this resource keep in mind that the Christian life is not meant to be done alone so read together, pray together and ask questions of each other and of God and as you go through the seven sessions allow God to help you see who Jesus was and still is and how he can lead and guide you as you journey with him.
Once you've gone through the Exploring Jesus resource you may find it helpful to utilise our First Steps reading plan. In this plan there are some bite sized chunks of scripture that help you get to know Jesus, who he is and all that he has done for you. Click on the button below to learn more about what to read next and how to engage in a simple type of journalling
Other Resources
In addition to the above resources there are a range of other books or tools that can help you immerse in the Bible. One such resource is a book called Milk to Meat by Kylie Butler. Milk to Meat is a 60 day devotional guide to help you get the most out of your Bible reading. If we want to continue to mature in our Christian faith then we need to learn to spiritually feed ourselves. Some people have been a Christian for a long time and others not long at all. But why is it that some people (regardless of how long they’ve had a relationship with Jesus) have amazing maturity of faith and others are still putting the pieces together 15 years later?
This book takes you on a journey through the most amazing book in the history of the world, the Bible. It will teach you how to read the Bible and then be able apply it to your life. It is a practical, inspirational and life giving resource.
This resource is available from the tables on either side of the room at our weekend Gatherings.
This book takes you on a journey through the most amazing book in the history of the world, the Bible. It will teach you how to read the Bible and then be able apply it to your life. It is a practical, inspirational and life giving resource.
This resource is available from the tables on either side of the room at our weekend Gatherings.
