Day 3: Come Together Part 3

Have you ever walked into a party or gathering and it was completely different than what you anticipated? Of course you have. And admittedly, this is what it would be like for us to walk into a church gathering in the city of Corinth. What we know is that Paul encouraged them to gather together and to experience the presence of God among them. But we also know that Paul did something that very progressive for the time and culture: he encouraged women to participate in their gatherings. 

On a quick reading, there may be some verbiage in 1 Corinthians 14 that may not meet our current understanding of the word progressive. But for the people of Corinth, Paul’s inclusion of women in their gatherings was a huge leap forward. Within Greek society, many women were uneducated and were not permitted to sit under any kind of teaching, including private education. But Paul encouraging women to be part of their public gatherings was more or less unheard of in that day and age. The takeaway for us is that Paul encouraged everyone to come together, and for everyone to experience the presence of God, and for everyone to continue to discuss and ponder the wonders of God on their own. As you read today, consider this: How regularly do you discuss and ponder the wonders of God on your own, outside of a church gathering?

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 14:26-40

How regularly do you discuss and ponder the wonders of God on your own, outside of a church gathering?

Think of at least 3 benefits to discussing, pondering, or even journaling about the wonders of God on your own.

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Nehemiah 10

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess that much of the time, I break my life into different chunks. When I am with my family, I think about family. When I am at work or school, I think about work or school. When I am at church, I think about You. But today’s reading is a great reminder that I can be thinking about You and pondering Your love, Your grace, and every other wonderful attribute of Yours any time. And I recognize that the more I think about You, the more I get to know You. Today, may I get to know You more. I worship You today in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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